Charles S. and Francis E. Dowd

CHARLES S. AND FRANCIS E. DOWD,* prominent farmers of Cherokee County, are located in sections 19 and 20, township 34, range 23, in Lyon township, where they have 320 acres of land.

Charles S. Dowd was born in Macomb County, Michigan, July 31, 1863, and is a son of Joseph S. and Emily (Mather) Dowd. He was two years of age when taken by his parents to Gull Lake, thence to Battle Creek, thence to Decatur, Michigan, where he attended the public schools until he was 14 years of age. He accompanied his parents to Rolla, Missouri, and later returned to Decatur, where he followed farming. He came West, to Kansas City, Missouri, in 1881 and for six years worked in the brickyard of Drury Underwood. He then went still farther West, to Boulder County, Colorado, and worked at gold and silver mining 13 years. He came to Cherokee County, Kansas, in 1900. He purchased a farm of 320 acres in sections 19 and 30, township 34, range 23, in Lyon township, and in connection with his brother, Francis E., is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. They built a fine barn, 56 by 36 feet, and a corn crib 40 by 36 feet, and have made many other extensive improvements, having one of the best improved farms in the township.

Francis E. Dowd was born in 1867 in Decatur, Michigan, and moved with his parents to Missouri. He later returned to Michigan and engaged in farming until he joined his brother in Boulder County, Colorado, since which time they have been associated in business.

The Dowd family is of North of Ireland stock, and was founded in this country in the early colonial days. William Dowd, a great-uncle of our subjects, was once a candidate for mayor of New York City. Joseph S. Dowd, father of our subjects, was born in Macomb County, Michigan, April 17, 1836, and was reared on a farm. He bought a farm at Gull Lake and also worked in a flouring mill there for two years, after which he engaged in the grocery business at Decatur for 13 years. He then went to Missouri and followed farming two years, after which he went ot[sic] Colorado and engaged in gold and silver mining with some success, living in a camp there for 18 years. He returned to Rolla, Missouri, where he died April 26, 1902. He was a son of Horace Dowd, who was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, November 1, 1803. The latter removed to Pontiac, Michigan, where he farmed and in 1877 went to Rolla, Missouri, where he died at the age of 84 years. Joseph S. Dowd married Emily Mather, who was born in New York, January 2, 1843, and is a daughter of Sidney and Lucretia Mather, both natives of New York. She now resides in Columbus, Kansas. This union was blessed with the following children: Adelia, who died at Greene, Michigan, December 18, 1895; Charles S.; Francis E.; and Melvina A., who was born in Decatur, Michigan, November 7, 1874, and died at Mount Clemens, Michigan, November 2, 1881.

Charles S. Dowd was first united in marriage with Susie Whipple, October 6, 1891. She was a daughter of Joseph W. and Elmira (Potter) Whipple, and was one of 13 children, six of whom are now living in Cherokee County. Joseph W. Whipple died in Colorado, and his family came to this county in 19O1. Charles S. Dowd and his wife became the parents of three children: Charles Joseph, Grace and Mabel. Mrs. Dowd died February 25, 1900, aged 26 years, and on February 4, 1903, he formed a second union with Ida M. Allen, a daughter of James and Frances Allen. Charles S. Dowd is a Republican in politics, whilst fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Francis E. Dowd was united in marriage, June 22, 1897, at Elmira, Colorado, with Effie L. Whipple, a sister of the first wife of Charles S. Dowd. Three children have blessed this union: Clara Belle, born March 15, 1898; Fred Houston, born May 2, 1902; and Oliver F., born May 9, 1904. Francis E. Dowd is also a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and is a member of the Odd Fellows.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 6-27-97