My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in the book, The History of Lewis County, Missouri published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1887.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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Harrison Dowell, farmer, was born in Hardin County, Ky., in 1826, the son of Elijah and Mary (Haden) Dowell, the former of English descent, born in 1800 in Virginia, and the latter of German stock, born in Pennsylvania in 1803. The father went to Meade County, Ky., when about ten years old, and, after his father’s death, was reared by his brother-in-law, Robert Hall. After his marriage he moved to Hardin County, in 1859 came to Knox County, and in 1881 came to Lewis County, where he died in 1885. Our subject, the second of seven children, left home at twenty years of age, and worked as a carpenter. In 1848 he came to this county, and began his trade in Canton. He was married, in May, 1852, to Margret, a daughter of Howard and Margaret Brown. She was born in Nelson County Ky., in 1829. Their children are Annie, the wife of J. D. Million, and Bessie, the wife of J. R. Burgess. In 1853 he came to Knox County, and farmed and worked at his trade until 1865, when he bought 177 acres, where he now lives. His estate now embraces 337 acres. He is a Democrat, and first voted for Gen. Cass. He is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having been so since 1863 and 1857, respectively. He is a trustee of the church, and a highly esteemed man.

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This family biography is one of 293 biographies included in the Lewis County, Missouri portion of the book,  The History of Lewis, Clark, Knox and Scotland Counties, Missouri published in 1887.  For the complete description, click here: Lewis County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Lewis County, Missouri family biographies here: Lewis County, Missouri Biographies

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