Generations of Experience

            Felson Bowman is the foundation of our company.  He built this company through hard-work, down-to-earth philosophy backed by both street and book smarts. While working full-time as a Deputy Sherriff, Felson attended Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, earning his JD in 1968.  After graduation, Felson practiced law with his good friends and mentors, Ed Lewis and Andy Jacobs, Sr.  The law firm later became Lewis, Bowman, St. Clair & Wagner and the men and women he worked with were life-long friends.  Felson was a prominent criminal and civil litigator admitted to practice before the Indiana and U. S. Supreme Courts. 

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            In the 1970s, Felson went before the Federal Power Commission to plead for and secure transmission rights of the REMC for Southwest Indiana, known as Hoosier Energy REMC. When Hoosier Energy had problems purchasing coal, Felson thought he could manage to produce coal cheaper and with a profit; therefore, he started Solar Sources, Inc., which he grew to become the largest privately owned coal company in the Midwest.

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            In 2017, the family sold Solar Sources surface mining operations, retaining the vast majority of the land holdings and founded Bowman Family Holdings, Inc. (“BFH”).  While BFH continues to hold leases on property being mined, it does not engage in coal mining operations.  Felson worked with his son, Fred Bowman, and daughter, Jackie Bowman Ponder, to build companies involved in commercial livestock, including turkeys, cows, hogs and specialty egg operations, trucking company, car washes and an underground coal mine. 

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            After Felson’s passing in 2021, Fred and Jackie have continued to build upon Felson’s success and philosophy that honest work, good employees and a constant commitment to do better yield success.  Their success is directly dependent upon the hard-work, dedication and intelligence of employees and partners who include both family and many people they consider family.