John's parental links were provided courtesy of Find A Grave member Marilyn Harrison. Thank you
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Traer Star Clipper, Friday, April 8th, 1932 page 1
John B. McDowall about the last of the early settlers of north Tama who came here in the 1850's, who for several years has held the distinction of being the oldest citizen in the Traer community, died early Saturday morning at the home, of a daughter. Mrs. Robert. Young, in Grant township. He was 94 years old; Death came peacefully to the rugged pioneer. He had no disease and no pain. About, three months ago he began to fail. Only during the last two weeks was he confined to his bed. He retained his remarkable mental faculties until the last;
The United Presbyterian church in Traer was well filled for the funeral service Monday afternoon., following a brief prayer service at Mrs. young's home. The Rev. B. M. Wallace, pastor, was in charge assisted by the Rev. E. O. Dirks, of the Tranquillity and Salem churches; the Rev. E. H. Black of Amity; and the Rev. J. E. Pollack of Reinbeck. A mixed quartet sang two numbers, "Viewing Abiding Glories," and the "Twenty-Third Psalm." Burial was in Buckingham cemetery.
The decedent was a son of Gilbert and Margaret Wilson McDowall and was born in Dangart, Colomnell, Scotland January 3, 1838. He was one of a family of seven sons and four daughters, all of the other having preceded him in death. The parents and ten of the children came to America in 1856, arriving in New York on July 4 of that year. Only the oldest son, Andrew, remained in Scotland. The trip was made at the advice of the Wilson McMillan and Sloss families, who had been neighbors of the McDowalls in the old country and had preceded them here. The McDowalls came directly to north Tama county where they v=bought land a $3.60 an acre and founded the McDowall homestead southwest of the spot on which Traer was later to stand.
On February 28, 1874, John B. McDowall married Eleanor Sprole. To this union six children were born, of whom only Mrs. Young remains. The others were Jesse a daughter who died in infancy; Robert, who died at San Antonio, Texas, in 1901 at the age of 25; Mrs. Mary Sutherland, who died in 1913 in Canada when 30 years old; Mrs. T. E. Young, of Traer, who died in 1925 at the age of 45; and Gilbert who was 50 years old at the time of his death in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1927. There are ten surviving grandchildren. Mrs. McDowall died April 20, 1918.
Mr. McDowall was one of the most remarkable men who ever lived in Tama county. Up to within the last two or three years of his life he enjoyed except for a slight defect in hearing the health of a man half his age. He never experienced a serious illness but twice in his life. He had typhoid fever sixty or more years ago. In 1926 he was stricken with pneumonia and his physician gave him two days to two weeks to live, but two weeks later he was up and around as usual. Mr. McDowall attributed his extra- ordinary health and long life to his temperate habits and his custom of walking several miles each day. "I can still walk to Reinbeck any time when the roads are good," he told the Star-Clipper in an interview less than five years ago. "I have always been early to bed and early to rise, have eaten wholesome food, and have never used liquor or tobacco."
Although Mr. McDowall outlived his entire own immediate family as well as his wife and five of his six children, he came from a long-lived stock, several of his brothers and sisters passed the four-score. David, who died only about two years ago at Woonsocket, South Dakota, was nearly 90. Other members of the family who were well known in the community included Mrs. Margaret McKinnon, Mrs. Charles Maxwell, Mrs. Agnes Hartshorn, and her twin sister Mrs. Jane Strang; Gilbert, West, James, and William McDowall.
John McDowall lived for more than seventy-five years on the same farm— the homestead of his parents near here. In recent years he made his home there a greater part of the time with a son-in-law, Elmer Young, moving to the home of Mrs. Robert Young only a few weeks before his death. He was not only a hard-working and successful farmer but was prominent in community activities. He was a charter member of Tranquillity church, and later a charter member of the United Presbyterian church in Traer. His own home was a Christian home, in which family worship was daily observed. At his funeral, the following well-deserved tribute to the decedent was paid: "He was a true friend, a kind neighbor, and a loyal supporter of worthy objects. He could always enjoy a joke, but the serious things of life were not overlooked. He had many sorrows, but he went on his way smilingly and courageously."
Mr. McDowall had an excellent singing voice, which, with his other faculties, he retained almost until his death. In the early days he led the sang in church and community gatherings. Even when he neared and passed the 90-year mark he was often called upon for solos at the annual Wilson family reunion and on other similar occasions. Mr. McDowall saw farming in north Tama county progress from the era of the ox-drawn plow and the planting ®or" with a pointed stick or hoe up to the modern day of tractor, combine, and other labor-saving implements. The first job he overtook in this country was mowing weeds at $1.25 per day. Later he worked on a farm for $13 per month. When he began farming on his own account, he hauled wheat to Iowa City, the nearest railroad point, taking several days for the round trip. He hauled dressed hogs to Iowa City for as little as 1 ½ cents a pound.
Contributor: George (48419540)
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Traer Star Clipper, Friday, April 8th, 1932 page 1
John B. McDowall about the last of the early settlers of north Tama who came here in the 1850's, who for several years has held the distinction of being the oldest citizen in the Traer community, died early Saturday morning at the home, of a daughter. Mrs. Robert. Young, in Grant township. He was 94 years old; Death came peacefully to the rugged pioneer. He had no disease and no pain. About, three months ago he began to fail. Only during the last two weeks was he confined to his bed. He retained his remarkable mental faculties until the last;
The United Presbyterian church in Traer was well filled for the funeral service Monday afternoon., following a brief prayer service at Mrs. young's home. The Rev. B. M. Wallace, pastor, was in charge assisted by the Rev. E. O. Dirks, of the Tranquillity and Salem churches; the Rev. E. H. Black of Amity; and the Rev. J. E. Pollack of Reinbeck. A mixed quartet sang two numbers, "Viewing Abiding Glories," and the "Twenty-Third Psalm." Burial was in Buckingham cemetery.
The decedent was a son of Gilbert and Margaret Wilson McDowall and was born in Dangart, Colomnell, Scotland January 3, 1838. He was one of a family of seven sons and four daughters, all of the other having preceded him in death. The parents and ten of the children came to America in 1856, arriving in New York on July 4 of that year. Only the oldest son, Andrew, remained in Scotland. The trip was made at the advice of the Wilson McMillan and Sloss families, who had been neighbors of the McDowalls in the old country and had preceded them here. The McDowalls came directly to north Tama county where they v=bought land a $3.60 an acre and founded the McDowall homestead southwest of the spot on which Traer was later to stand.
On February 28, 1874, John B. McDowall married Eleanor Sprole. To this union six children were born, of whom only Mrs. Young remains. The others were Jesse a daughter who died in infancy; Robert, who died at San Antonio, Texas, in 1901 at the age of 25; Mrs. Mary Sutherland, who died in 1913 in Canada when 30 years old; Mrs. T. E. Young, of Traer, who died in 1925 at the age of 45; and Gilbert who was 50 years old at the time of his death in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1927. There are ten surviving grandchildren. Mrs. McDowall died April 20, 1918.
Mr. McDowall was one of the most remarkable men who ever lived in Tama county. Up to within the last two or three years of his life he enjoyed except for a slight defect in hearing the health of a man half his age. He never experienced a serious illness but twice in his life. He had typhoid fever sixty or more years ago. In 1926 he was stricken with pneumonia and his physician gave him two days to two weeks to live, but two weeks later he was up and around as usual. Mr. McDowall attributed his extra- ordinary health and long life to his temperate habits and his custom of walking several miles each day. "I can still walk to Reinbeck any time when the roads are good," he told the Star-Clipper in an interview less than five years ago. "I have always been early to bed and early to rise, have eaten wholesome food, and have never used liquor or tobacco."
Although Mr. McDowall outlived his entire own immediate family as well as his wife and five of his six children, he came from a long-lived stock, several of his brothers and sisters passed the four-score. David, who died only about two years ago at Woonsocket, South Dakota, was nearly 90. Other members of the family who were well known in the community included Mrs. Margaret McKinnon, Mrs. Charles Maxwell, Mrs. Agnes Hartshorn, and her twin sister Mrs. Jane Strang; Gilbert, West, James, and William McDowall.
John McDowall lived for more than seventy-five years on the same farm— the homestead of his parents near here. In recent years he made his home there a greater part of the time with a son-in-law, Elmer Young, moving to the home of Mrs. Robert Young only a few weeks before his death. He was not only a hard-working and successful farmer but was prominent in community activities. He was a charter member of Tranquillity church, and later a charter member of the United Presbyterian church in Traer. His own home was a Christian home, in which family worship was daily observed. At his funeral, the following well-deserved tribute to the decedent was paid: "He was a true friend, a kind neighbor, and a loyal supporter of worthy objects. He could always enjoy a joke, but the serious things of life were not overlooked. He had many sorrows, but he went on his way smilingly and courageously."
Mr. McDowall had an excellent singing voice, which, with his other faculties, he retained almost until his death. In the early days he led the sang in church and community gatherings. Even when he neared and passed the 90-year mark he was often called upon for solos at the annual Wilson family reunion and on other similar occasions. Mr. McDowall saw farming in north Tama county progress from the era of the ox-drawn plow and the planting ®or" with a pointed stick or hoe up to the modern day of tractor, combine, and other labor-saving implements. The first job he overtook in this country was mowing weeds at $1.25 per day. Later he worked on a farm for $13 per month. When he began farming on his own account, he hauled wheat to Iowa City, the nearest railroad point, taking several days for the round trip. He hauled dressed hogs to Iowa City for as little as 1 ½ cents a pound.
Contributor: George (48419540)
John's parental links were provided courtesy of Find A Grave member Marilyn Harrison. Thank you
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Traer Star Clipper, Friday, April 8th, 1932 page 1
John B. McDowall about the last of the early settlers of north Tama who came here in the 1850's, who for several years has held the distinction of being the oldest citizen in the Traer community, died early Saturday morning at the home, of a daughter. Mrs. Robert. Young, in Grant township. He was 94 years old; Death came peacefully to the rugged pioneer. He had no disease and no pain. About, three months ago he began to fail. Only during the last two weeks was he confined to his bed. He retained his remarkable mental faculties until the last;
The United Presbyterian church in Traer was well filled for the funeral service Monday afternoon., following a brief prayer service at Mrs. young's home. The Rev. B. M. Wallace, pastor, was in charge assisted by the Rev. E. O. Dirks, of the Tranquillity and Salem churches; the Rev. E. H. Black of Amity; and the Rev. J. E. Pollack of Reinbeck. A mixed quartet sang two numbers, "Viewing Abiding Glories," and the "Twenty-Third Psalm." Burial was in Buckingham cemetery.
The decedent was a son of Gilbert and Margaret Wilson McDowall and was born in Dangart, Colomnell, Scotland January 3, 1838. He was one of a family of seven sons and four daughters, all of the other having preceded him in death. The parents and ten of the children came to America in 1856, arriving in New York on July 4 of that year. Only the oldest son, Andrew, remained in Scotland. The trip was made at the advice of the Wilson McMillan and Sloss families, who had been neighbors of the McDowalls in the old country and had preceded them here. The McDowalls came directly to north Tama county where they v=bought land a $3.60 an acre and founded the McDowall homestead southwest of the spot on which Traer was later to stand.
On February 28, 1874, John B. McDowall married Eleanor Sprole. To this union six children were born, of whom only Mrs. Young remains. The others were Jesse a daughter who died in infancy; Robert, who died at San Antonio, Texas, in 1901 at the age of 25; Mrs. Mary Sutherland, who died in 1913 in Canada when 30 years old; Mrs. T. E. Young, of Traer, who died in 1925 at the age of 45; and Gilbert who was 50 years old at the time of his death in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1927. There are ten surviving grandchildren. Mrs. McDowall died April 20, 1918.
Mr. McDowall was one of the most remarkable men who ever lived in Tama county. Up to within the last two or three years of his life he enjoyed except for a slight defect in hearing the health of a man half his age. He never experienced a serious illness but twice in his life. He had typhoid fever sixty or more years ago. In 1926 he was stricken with pneumonia and his physician gave him two days to two weeks to live, but two weeks later he was up and around as usual. Mr. McDowall attributed his extra- ordinary health and long life to his temperate habits and his custom of walking several miles each day. "I can still walk to Reinbeck any time when the roads are good," he told the Star-Clipper in an interview less than five years ago. "I have always been early to bed and early to rise, have eaten wholesome food, and have never used liquor or tobacco."
Although Mr. McDowall outlived his entire own immediate family as well as his wife and five of his six children, he came from a long-lived stock, several of his brothers and sisters passed the four-score. David, who died only about two years ago at Woonsocket, South Dakota, was nearly 90. Other members of the family who were well known in the community included Mrs. Margaret McKinnon, Mrs. Charles Maxwell, Mrs. Agnes Hartshorn, and her twin sister Mrs. Jane Strang; Gilbert, West, James, and William McDowall.
John McDowall lived for more than seventy-five years on the same farm— the homestead of his parents near here. In recent years he made his home there a greater part of the time with a son-in-law, Elmer Young, moving to the home of Mrs. Robert Young only a few weeks before his death. He was not only a hard-working and successful farmer but was prominent in community activities. He was a charter member of Tranquillity church, and later a charter member of the United Presbyterian church in Traer. His own home was a Christian home, in which family worship was daily observed. At his funeral, the following well-deserved tribute to the decedent was paid: "He was a true friend, a kind neighbor, and a loyal supporter of worthy objects. He could always enjoy a joke, but the serious things of life were not overlooked. He had many sorrows, but he went on his way smilingly and courageously."
Mr. McDowall had an excellent singing voice, which, with his other faculties, he retained almost until his death. In the early days he led the sang in church and community gatherings. Even when he neared and passed the 90-year mark he was often called upon for solos at the annual Wilson family reunion and on other similar occasions. Mr. McDowall saw farming in north Tama county progress from the era of the ox-drawn plow and the planting ®or" with a pointed stick or hoe up to the modern day of tractor, combine, and other labor-saving implements. The first job he overtook in this country was mowing weeds at $1.25 per day. Later he worked on a farm for $13 per month. When he began farming on his own account, he hauled wheat to Iowa City, the nearest railroad point, taking several days for the round trip. He hauled dressed hogs to Iowa City for as little as 1 ½ cents a pound.
Contributor: George (48419540)
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Traer Star Clipper, Friday, April 8th, 1932 page 1
John B. McDowall about the last of the early settlers of north Tama who came here in the 1850's, who for several years has held the distinction of being the oldest citizen in the Traer community, died early Saturday morning at the home, of a daughter. Mrs. Robert. Young, in Grant township. He was 94 years old; Death came peacefully to the rugged pioneer. He had no disease and no pain. About, three months ago he began to fail. Only during the last two weeks was he confined to his bed. He retained his remarkable mental faculties until the last;
The United Presbyterian church in Traer was well filled for the funeral service Monday afternoon., following a brief prayer service at Mrs. young's home. The Rev. B. M. Wallace, pastor, was in charge assisted by the Rev. E. O. Dirks, of the Tranquillity and Salem churches; the Rev. E. H. Black of Amity; and the Rev. J. E. Pollack of Reinbeck. A mixed quartet sang two numbers, "Viewing Abiding Glories," and the "Twenty-Third Psalm." Burial was in Buckingham cemetery.
The decedent was a son of Gilbert and Margaret Wilson McDowall and was born in Dangart, Colomnell, Scotland January 3, 1838. He was one of a family of seven sons and four daughters, all of the other having preceded him in death. The parents and ten of the children came to America in 1856, arriving in New York on July 4 of that year. Only the oldest son, Andrew, remained in Scotland. The trip was made at the advice of the Wilson McMillan and Sloss families, who had been neighbors of the McDowalls in the old country and had preceded them here. The McDowalls came directly to north Tama county where they v=bought land a $3.60 an acre and founded the McDowall homestead southwest of the spot on which Traer was later to stand.
On February 28, 1874, John B. McDowall married Eleanor Sprole. To this union six children were born, of whom only Mrs. Young remains. The others were Jesse a daughter who died in infancy; Robert, who died at San Antonio, Texas, in 1901 at the age of 25; Mrs. Mary Sutherland, who died in 1913 in Canada when 30 years old; Mrs. T. E. Young, of Traer, who died in 1925 at the age of 45; and Gilbert who was 50 years old at the time of his death in Terre Haute, Indiana in 1927. There are ten surviving grandchildren. Mrs. McDowall died April 20, 1918.
Mr. McDowall was one of the most remarkable men who ever lived in Tama county. Up to within the last two or three years of his life he enjoyed except for a slight defect in hearing the health of a man half his age. He never experienced a serious illness but twice in his life. He had typhoid fever sixty or more years ago. In 1926 he was stricken with pneumonia and his physician gave him two days to two weeks to live, but two weeks later he was up and around as usual. Mr. McDowall attributed his extra- ordinary health and long life to his temperate habits and his custom of walking several miles each day. "I can still walk to Reinbeck any time when the roads are good," he told the Star-Clipper in an interview less than five years ago. "I have always been early to bed and early to rise, have eaten wholesome food, and have never used liquor or tobacco."
Although Mr. McDowall outlived his entire own immediate family as well as his wife and five of his six children, he came from a long-lived stock, several of his brothers and sisters passed the four-score. David, who died only about two years ago at Woonsocket, South Dakota, was nearly 90. Other members of the family who were well known in the community included Mrs. Margaret McKinnon, Mrs. Charles Maxwell, Mrs. Agnes Hartshorn, and her twin sister Mrs. Jane Strang; Gilbert, West, James, and William McDowall.
John McDowall lived for more than seventy-five years on the same farm— the homestead of his parents near here. In recent years he made his home there a greater part of the time with a son-in-law, Elmer Young, moving to the home of Mrs. Robert Young only a few weeks before his death. He was not only a hard-working and successful farmer but was prominent in community activities. He was a charter member of Tranquillity church, and later a charter member of the United Presbyterian church in Traer. His own home was a Christian home, in which family worship was daily observed. At his funeral, the following well-deserved tribute to the decedent was paid: "He was a true friend, a kind neighbor, and a loyal supporter of worthy objects. He could always enjoy a joke, but the serious things of life were not overlooked. He had many sorrows, but he went on his way smilingly and courageously."
Mr. McDowall had an excellent singing voice, which, with his other faculties, he retained almost until his death. In the early days he led the sang in church and community gatherings. Even when he neared and passed the 90-year mark he was often called upon for solos at the annual Wilson family reunion and on other similar occasions. Mr. McDowall saw farming in north Tama county progress from the era of the ox-drawn plow and the planting ®or" with a pointed stick or hoe up to the modern day of tractor, combine, and other labor-saving implements. The first job he overtook in this country was mowing weeds at $1.25 per day. Later he worked on a farm for $13 per month. When he began farming on his own account, he hauled wheat to Iowa City, the nearest railroad point, taking several days for the round trip. He hauled dressed hogs to Iowa City for as little as 1 ½ cents a pound.
Contributor: George (48419540)
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