Jehdeiah Bowen (July 19, 1817 – November 18, 1891) ^[1] was a native of Wales who emigrated to the United States and became an American merchant, pioneer, and politician. ^{[2] [3]}

A resident of Carbondale, Pennsylvania from 1830 until the 1850s, ^{[4] [5]} he relocated to Ripon, Wisconsin, where he established a knitting factory and worked with Alvan E. Bovay to form a chapter of the Republican Party. ^{[6] [7]} A member of the Democratic Party at the time, Bowen was later described by Bovay as his "chief helper" in making the new chapter a reality. ^{[8] [9]}

In addition he helped to found Ripon College. ^{[6] [7]}

Born in Llanelly, Brecknockshire, Wales, Bowen emigrated from home in 1830. Traveling to the United States, he settled in Carbondale, Pennsylvania ^{[10] [11]} and found work as a store clerk. ^{[6] [7]}

In 1850, Bowen moved to Ripon, Wisconsin, where he established a knitting factory and became active in civic affairs. ^{[6] [7]}

He helped to found Ripon College. ^{[6] [7]}

Active as a Democrat in local and state politics, Bowen worked with Alvan E. Bovay to found a new Wisconsin chapter of the Republican Party. ^{[6] [7] [12] [13]}

Bowen served as mayor of Ripon, Wisconsin in 1859 and 1868. ^[14] In 1871, Bowen served in the Wisconsin State Assembly. ^{[15] [16] [7]}

He died in Ripon, Wisconsin on November 19, 1891. ^{[14] [7]}