My Genealogy Hound

F. R. Dowell, assessor of Jackson County, farmer, miller and ginner, was born in Jackson County, May 10, 1851. His father, Henry J. Dowell, was born in Virginia, in 1814, moved to Kentucky, and in 1838 married Miss A. M. Boyce, who was born in Kentucky, in 1819, In 1849 they came to Jackson County, Bird Township, bought a farm of 160 acres, and improved and added to this until, at the time of his death, in 1881, it consisted of 2,200 acres, 500 under cultivation. Mr. Dowell was a strong Democrat, and served his township ten years as magistrate, and declined several other offices. The mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject was the fourth of a family of six: Belle, J. H., Junius, D. C. and Mary S. J. H. served during the war in the Confederate army. Henry J. was a man of great energy, and was of much service to the early settlers in locating land, being thoroughly acquainted with the country. His wife still lives on the old homestead, at the age of seventy. The subject of our sketch was raised on the farm, received his education in the common schools of Jackson County, and also spent two years at the academy in Philadelphia, Izard County, Ark. He left school at the age of twenty-two, and for ten years engaged in mercantile business at Tuckerman with his brother D. C., the firm being F. R. & D. C. Dowell. In the spring of 1882 he withdrew from the firm, and, having been appointed administrator of his father’s estate, he took charge of that and engaged in farming and stock dealing. In 1883 he built a large saw mill and cotton-gin, later adding the grist-mill. He also owns 160 acres of land, 100 of which are cultivated, and also has an interest in his father’s estate. Mr. Dowell, in November, 1878, married Miss L. B. Billingslea, daughter of J. C. and Mary E. (Woolley) Billingslea, natives of Alabama, who came to Arkansas about 1867 and settled in Woodruff County, Mr. Billingslea being a prominent farmer and physician of that county, and dying in 1869. Our subject’s wife was born May 19, 1858. They have had three children: Harry E. (born in 1880), Mary A. (born August 20, 1886; died March 7, 1888), and Henry J. (born September 2, 1888; died February 7, 1889). They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Dowell is an active member of the Democratic party, having served on both township and county committees. In September, 1888, he was elected assessor of Jackson County, which office he still holds. He has also held the office of school director, and is active in the cause of education, and in support of all public enterprises. He is now making preparations for entering the business of raising blooded stock.