Jesse H. Dowell

    Jesse H. Dowell, president of the Hartford City Natural Gas and Oil Company, and drainage commissioner of Blackford County, was born in Madison County, Virginia, June 25, 1833, a son of William and Lucinda (Hill) Dowell.  In September, 1837, the family came to Indiana by team, locating first in Wayne County, and the winter following his death his widow and family removed to Richmond, where she lived until her death in 1870.

    Jesse D. Dowell, the subject of this sketch, began work in a woolen mill at Richmond when in his thirteenth year, which he continued about two and and a half years, after which he learned the boot and shoe-maker's trade. In 1850, when seventeen years of age, he came to Blackford County, where he conducted a shop of his own until 1861.

    He was married may 26, 1852, to Miss Fannie A. Ellis, a native of Steuben County, New York, and daughter of Seely and Hepsabeth Ellis. Her parents came from Blackford County in 1844, and settled right in the woods, about one and a half miles from Hartford City. Her mother died in the year 1851, and her father's death occurred September 17, 1858. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dowell, of whom only two are living -Frank P. and Arthur S. Ella and Elmer are deceased.

    In 1861 Mr. Dowell engaged in the dry goods business with William H. Campbell, this partnership being terminated about fourteen months later by the death of Mr. Campbell. Mr. Dowell then conducted the business alone until September, 1866. In 1867 he began dealing in grain, building one of the largest warehouses on the Pan-Handle Railroad, and continued this business until 1873, and at the same time carried on a saw-mill, which was afterward merged into a  heading factory. During this time he was also engaged in the hardware business. He sold out the latter business and the heading factory in 1873, and shortly afterward discontinued the grain business. After selling his hardware and manufacturing business, he entered the Harford City Bank, becoming its president, which position he filled about three years, when he sold out his interest. He then engaged in farming and trading, he being the owner of 550 acres of choice land, all lying within a mile and a half of Hartford City, and some adjoining.

    In November 1886, Mr. Dowell organized the Harford City Natural Gas and Oil Company, of which he has been president since its organization, and has since given his personal attention tot he company's interest. In 1881, he was appointed drainage commissioner, and during this term of service almost the entire drainage system of the county has been constructed in a manner to reflect credit on all connected with this great improvement.

    Mr. Dowell is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, and has passed al l he chairs, and has many times represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. In politics he is a Republican. He has been councilman several times, serving five years at one time. His son, Franklin P. Dowell, is one of the enterprising men of Hartford City. He has carried on a loan and fire insurance agency about two years. He has a complete set of abstract books made by himself. His wife was formerly Miss Nancy Coddington.

Source: Biographical and Historical Record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana by The Lewis Publishing Company, 1887.