J. C. Dowler

JOSEPH C. DOWLER.

Joseph C. Dowler, deceased, was a high- respected citizen of Newberry township, Miami county, and his connection with agricultural interests made him a valuable factor in the improvement and development of the rich lands of this locality. He was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, October i, 1819, and was a son of William Dowler, whose birth occurred September lo, 1792. For many years the father carried on agricultural pursuits, but for a short time prior to his death he engaged in conducting a grocery store in Clayton, Miami county, where he made his home until April 11, 1849, when called to his final rest. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Eleanor Rey, was born March 19, 1793, and died July 19, 1840. Their children were Jiiseph C.: Huldah Jane, who was born in October, 1821. and died in 1842; Margaret, who was born June 15, 1823, and is a widow residing in 'webster, Ohio; Sarah Ann, who was born September 2, 1827, and died April 28, 1842; Rebecca, who became the wife of William H. Rike, and died in Miami county; James H., who was born July 8, 1830, and died April 27, 1842; and Mary Ellen, who was born August 22. 1832, and died April 25, 1842. By his second wife the father of our subject had two children: Emeline, who became the wife of Oliver Perry and removed to Missouri; and EUza, wife of Joshua Furnass, of Miami county.

Mr. Dowler, of this re\iew, was provided with good educational privileges and taught school for many years, being recognized as one of the successful educators in this section of the state. At an early day his father removed the family to Xewberry township and built a home in the midst of the forest. After his death ]Mr. Dowler, of this review, purcliased the old homestead from the other heirs and to its further development and improvement he devoted his energies untiringly. Twice married, he first wedded Dorothy Snow, who was born February 6, 1829, and died on the old homestead October 24, 1855. They had two children, but both died in early childhood. On the lath of August. 1856, Mr. Dowler was again married, his second union being with Susannah Rike, who was born July 29. 18 18, in Montgomery county, Ohio, near Dayton. Her father, John Rike, was born and reared in Maryland and was a soldier in the war of 1812. At an early day he took up his above in Montgomery comity, where he engaged in farming for many years, after which he removed to Newberry township, Aliami county, and located on a small tract of land which continued to be his home until his death. He wedded Catherine Shell, also a native of Maryland, and they became the parents of ten children, namely: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Samuel Ury and removed tn Indiana, where her death occurred; ]Mrs. Dowler; Lydia, the widow of T. Ingle; Henry who lived in Xewberry township and married Rebecca Dowler, a sister of our subject; Margaret, who became the wife of John McMaken and died in Xewberry township; Adeline, wife of James McIaken; Reuben, who wedded Martha IcMaken, and died in X'ewberry township; Joseph, who married Sally Ingle; Catherine, who is the wife of Joseph Caterlin. of Xewberry township; Mary, wife of Ewing ilcMaken; and John, who married Emma Cooper and resides in Kansas. The father of this family died at the age of sixty-two years and the mother, long surviving, passed away at th.e advanced age of eighty-eight years.

Mrs. Dowler was reared in her native county in the home of an aunt, her parents having removed to Miami county. She received but limited educational privileges, for the schoolhouse was situated miles away from her aunt"s home and to reach it she had to make her way through dense forests, the trees having been blazed in order to indicate to the children the path which they must follow. She came to Miami county when twenty-one years of age and made her home with her parents until her marriage. She has always been a very industrious and energetic woman. During her girlhood she aided in supporting some of the other children of the family. She took in sewing, spun flax and wove and made their own clothes. After her marriage she became to Mr. Dowler a faithful helpmeet on life's journey. They resided upon a farm until their son, John W' was fifteen years of age, when they removed to Covington in order to provide him better educational privileges. At the end of six years, however, they returned to the farm, where Mr. Dowler carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred April i, 1892, his remains being interred in Highland cemetery. He was a devout Christian gentleman, a faithful member of the Presbyterian church; and over the record of his life there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He enjoyed the respect and good will of many friends and his death was deeply mourned throughout the community. Mr. Dowler is survived by his son and their only child, John W.. who is the present county surveyor of Miami county. He was born July 3, 1857, and was graduated in the Covington high school at the age of nineteen years. He wedded Mary Almina Freshower and they have two children — George L. and James. They reside at Troy, Ohio, and, like Mrs. Dowler, enjoy the warm regard of many friends.

As printed in A genealogical and biographical record of Miami county, Ohio (1900). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.