The oldest cemetery in Audubon County is located east of Brayton on what was originally the William Bowen farm, and is known as Bowen Cemetery. The Bowen family arrived in Audubon County in 1853, roughly two years after Nathaniel Hamlin arrived and staked the first claim in Audubon County in 1851.

The first burial in Bowen Cemetery was Lucretia Ann Bowen, daughter of William H. Bowen, on October 10, 1855. The story told is that at age 13 Lucretia said she wanted to build her future home on the hill to the northwest of the Bowen family cabin. Unfortunately Lucretia died 3 years later of typhoid and was laid to rest on that same hill. Later neighbors came to the Bowen family and purchased lots on the hillside near Lucretia. The cemetery was first known as Maple Crest, but later became known as Bowen Cemetery.

Nataniel Hamlin (the first white settler in Audubon County), his wife and his mother are also buried in Bowen Cemetery.

According to the History of Brayton Iowa, 1878-1978, published for the Brayton Centennial, Bowen Cemetery contains 11 soldiers' graves: William Cannon, War of 1912; L. D. Pearson, Mexican War of 1846; W. G. Allen, George W. Boyles, William Ordway, Elias Spry, G. W. Saint, and Joseph Walker, Civil War; Olin and Ray Baumgardner, and Ben Bowen, World War I.

Bowen Cemetery Listing 1

Bowen Cemetery Listing 2