THOMAS C. McDOWELL

    Thomas C. McDowell, a farmer, is a grandson of John McDowell, and a son of William G. McDowell, and Rebecca Paris was his wife.  John and William G. McDowell were natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this county at an early day, and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Union Township.  To this farm William G. afterward made additions, until, at his death, in 1855, it consisted of 320 acres.  He was an extensive farmer, and one of the leading stock dealers in the county, and gave his entire attention to these two branches of industry.  His widow is still living, and is now in the sixty-seventh year of her age.  They raised a family of seven children, four boys and three girls, of whom five are now living, our subject being the second son of the family.  He was born on the homestead farm in 1843, and in August 1861, enlisted in Company B, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, a term of three years and eleven months.  He participated in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Champion Hills and siege of Vicksburg, remaining at the latter place until February, when the regiment reenlisted.  After a thirty-day scout, the command went to Meridian, Miss., where they received a thirty-day furlough and returned home.  After the expiration of their leave of absence, they returned to Memphis, crossed Tennessee and joined Sherman's army, at Shanty Station, Ga.  Mr. McDowell served at the battles of Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, February 22, where he was taken prisoner, and after sixty days in Andersonville, was released on a special exchange between Sherman and Hood, returning to his command; and he was in Sherman's march at the sea, and at the battle of Raleigh, N. C., where he witnessed the surrender of the rebel Gen. Lee.  He afterward took part in the grand review, and was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Ky., July 25, 1865.  After he returned to civil life he remained at home, where he was married in 1869, to Emily Mitchell, a daughter of J. Mitchell, and a native of this county.  To this union five children were born, three surviving, viz.: Eddie M., Effie L. and Lutrella.  Mr. McDowell is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Ex-Prisoners' Association of Columbus.  He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Unionville, and a Republican in politics.