Dow, John Fremont, 1856-1922
Dow, Nancy Sears, 1858-1931
Dow, George Sears, 1879-1896
Dow, Josian, 1828-1906
Dow, Eliz. Stevens, 1829-1881
Dow, Mary Eliz., 1852-1858

Worral C Dow - Son

J. F. Dow Biography;
From “History of Davenport and Scott County” Vol. II by Harry E. Downer—S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Dow, Gilman, Hancock, Sears, Stevens.
The great agricultural resources of Iowa furnish splendid opportunities to those who concentrate their efforts and attention on the cultivation of crops or in handling the products which its fertile fields produce. The state ranks first among the great grain producing sections of the Union and prominent as a representative of the grain trade is J. F. Dow, of Davenport, now secretary and manager of the Davenport Elevator Company.
He was born in Henry County, Illinois, October 17, 1856. His father, Josiah Dow, was a native of New Hampshire, born on the 16th of March, 1828. In his boyhood days he accompanied his parents to Illinois the family home being established in Bureau county. His father was Tristan C. Dow, who became one of the pioneer settlers of that region. In a few years he removed with his family to Henry county, Illinois, where he followed farming and also engaged in merchandising. His son, Josiah Dow, was identified with agricultural interests in Henry county, Illinois and came to Davenport, where he established a grain and milling business, in which he continued throughout the remainder of his life. He developed an enterprise of large and profitable proportions, conducing his interests as senior member of the firm of Dow, Gilman & Hancock. This was the predecessor of the Davenport Elevator Company, of which Josiah Dow eventually became president, remaining as its chief executive officer until his demise. His ability enabled him to readily solve intricate business problems and to turn threatened failures into success. This was due to his watchfulness of opportunity, his close application and his ready appreciation of a legitimate advantage in the business world. He sustained an unassailable reputation as one of the prominent and leading business men of his adopted city, where his death occurred March 9, 1908. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Stevens, was a native of New Hampshire. Their family numbered two children, the daughter being Elizabeth, who died at the age of five years.
J. F. Dow was educated in the public schools of Davenport and then entered the grain business in connection with his father, since which time he has been associated with this department of commercial activity. In connection with three other gentlemen he organized the Davenport Elevator Company in July, 1895, and they now have twenty-seven elevators scattered throughout Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. They deal in all kinds of grains and seeds and Mr. Dow is now serving as secretary and manager of the company. His broad experience and sound judgment have been one of the important factors in the success of the enterprise. He is, moreover, a director in the First National Bank and president of the Davenport Savings Bank and is well known in the financial circles of the city. He is also an active member of the Commercial Club.
In march, 1878, Mr. Dow was married to Miss Nancy Sears, a daughter of I. H. Sears, president of the Scott County Bank. Their children are five in number, namely: Bert, who is associated with his father in business; John; Worrall; Elizabeth; and Nancy.
Mr. Dow does not take an active part in politics, nor does he have ambition for office. He is a busy man, the interests of the grain trade making heavy demands upon his time and energies an yet he is not unmindful nor neglectful of the duties of citizenship and stands as a stalwart champion in support of many projects and movements which are promulgated for the city’s betterment.---Transcribed by Elaine Rathmann