William O'Dowd

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

William O'Dowd

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

In the laborious struggle for an honorable career and a satisfactory competence on the part of the average business man there is but little to attract the careless reader; but for a mind awake to the reality and meaning of human existence there are noble lessons in the life of the man who, owing everything to his efforts, with a strong arm and a true heart, conquers fortune and gains a reward for his toil. America is a cosmopolitan nation, and to no country does she owe more in some respects than to Ireland, from which country have come men of sturdy integrity, determined purpose, and marked mental vigor. The subject of this review, William O’DOWD, is know as one of the representative and public spirited citizens of Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey. Patrick O’DOWD, his father, spent his entire life in Ireland, where he died at the age of seventy-three years. He married Johanna MACK, who died at the age of one hundred and three years, and they had three daughters and two sons.

William O’DOWD was born in Ireland, where he past the first twenty-two years of his life, September 10, 1846. He then decided that the United States offered better economic opportunities to a young man of energy and ambition, and accordingly emigrated to this country, arriving at New York. Several years where spent in that city, three of them in the employ of the well known A. T. STEWART, and he then went to Pine Brook, Morris county, New Jersey, where he was engaged in farm work until his marriage. He then purchased his present property of 200 acres, and became identified with dairy interests. It is the largest tract in the county devoted exclusively to dairy purposes and is operated along the most modern and progressive lines. All of the buildings on the farm, with the exception of the old barn, have been erected by Mr. O’DOWD, and they are equipped with all the modern appliances required for the purpose for which they are destined. He sells more than 1,200 quarts of milk per day, and has many vehicles to carry out this large supply, among them being a huge auto-truck, which is in charge of his son. His herd of cattle numbers sixty-four, and the entire land is given up to their use, only a sufficient amount being reserved for the cultivation of fodder for them. One of the buildings is especially equipped for the steaming, pasteurization and certification of the milk. In political affairs, Mr. O’DOWD is a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Catholic church, in which he has served as trustee for some time. He married Mary KING, whose father, a farmer, was a descendent of an old Dutch family. They have had children: Joseph, Mary, Anna, Agnes, William and Daniel, all living. Mr. O’DOWD is an excellent judge of cattle, and keeps only the finest grades for his dairy purposes. To their care he gives his personal supervision, and his capable management and excellent business ability have brought him good financial results.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)