Ionia-Barry County MI Archives Biographies.....Stowell, Samuel September 12, 1840 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Sedore am0773@a1access.net January 2, 2007, 8:46 pm Author: Chapman Brothers - 1891 Portrait and Biographical Album of Ionia & Montcalm Counties, Michigan Chapman Bros. 1891 Page 259 Samuel Stowell It affords the publishers of this Album pleasure to be able to present to its readers the principal facts in the life of the gentleman above named, who is a prominent and influential citizen of Ionia County and is closely connected with the progress of Easton Township. He is one of those old soldiers, whom all true patriots delight to honor, and his record while in the army of his country proved him to be possessed of intense loyalty and moral and physical courage. He is a descendant of the old Revolutionary stock and it is not strange that he made a good record, adding to the luster of the name that had been borne by heroic ancestors during the long struggle for independence. As a citizen Mr. Stowell has been upright and enterprising, thus adding to the respect, which was felt for him on account of his military record. In Seneca County, New York, September 12, 1840, he of whom we write was born. His parents were Samuel and Anne (Goff) Stowell, the former of whom was the representative of an old Vermont family. Grandfather Stowell fought in the Revolution and our subject now has in his possession the gun carried by that patriot. It was originally a flint-lock rifle, was of the old Queen Anne pattern and carried an ounce ball. The stock was broken off and the barrel alone remains, carefully preserved as a relic and heirloom. The father of our subject died when he was but three years old and under his mother’s care he grew to the age of ten years. He then went to live with a brother Ira, with whom he came to this State in 1856, their home made in Woodland Township, Barry County, where the brother still resides. Samuel Stowell received a common-school education in New York and Michigan, and learned lessons of life that are not to be acquired in the schoolroom. He enlisted August 26, 1861, in company B, Eighth Michigan Infantry, and became an integral part of the Ninth Army Corps. His first general commander was Thomas W. Sherman, of Mexican Battery notoriety, under whose leadership the command sailed from Annapolis, Maryland, to Hilton Head, South Carolina in November. Thence the boys returned to Virginia to serve under Burnside in the corps before mentioned. Mr. Stowell took part in the capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard at Hilton Head and fought at Cosaw River and James Island. At the last-named point over half the regiment was lost in one charge. The next heavy engagement in which he took part was the battle of Ft. Pulaski, Georgia and following this was a reconnaissance on Wilmington Island near Savannah. After these engagements in the South Mr. Stowell participated in the disastrous battles which fell to the lot of General Pope’s command, including the last Bull Run and Chantilly, in the latter of which Generals Stevens and Kearney lost their lives. The regiment was re-organized and participated in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam under the leadership of Gen. McClellan. In May 1863, Mr. Stowell was discharged for disability and returned to his former home to resume the arts of peace. The marriage of Mr. Stowell and Miss Melissa Jordan was solemnized at the bride’s home in Woodland Township, Barry County, September 24, 1865. Mrs. Stowell was born there and is a daughter of Orrin and Cynthia (Lee) Jordan, who are among the oldest settlers in that vicinity, having lived there over half a century. Her father is now eighty-five years old. Besides Mrs. Stowell the surviving members of the Jordan family are Mary, wife of Thomas Taylor, of Easton Township; Cynthia, who married Frank Roberts, of Barry County; Orrin, William, Willard and Dayton, who are living in Barry County. Mr. and Mrs. Stowell are the happy parents of four living children – William, Samuel B., Alanson and Anne – and mourn the loss of one child. Mr. Stowell took possession of his present home in the fall of 1872. At that time there were twenty acres of partially improved land on the farm and an old house. There are now one hundred and eighteen acres under thorough cultivation, with large numbers of apple, pear, plum and cherry trees and many stands of grapes. Mr. Stowell takes much interest in fruit culture and succeeds as those who love their work generally do. He is a self-made man, financially speaking, and since his marriage has been given valuable assistance by his wife, who is economical without being parsimonious, and manifests good judgment in the control of affairs that come under her supervision. Mr. Stowell has been Clerk of Easton Township one term and filled a similar office in Woodland Township, Barry County, two terms. He was Deputy Warden at the Ionia House of Correction two years. In January 1891, he was appointed State Land Examiner, his chief duty being to prevent trespass on State Lands. He was appointed by Gen. George T. Shaffer, Commissioner of the Land Office and the appointment was approved by Gov. Winans. Mr. Stowell is a member of William H. Borden Post, G. A. R., at Ionia, and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and the Patrons of Industry. He is unusually public spirited and enterprising, is well informed on political and social topics, and is a hospitable and courteous gentleman. Having read extensively and having a retentive memory, he proves an entertaining companion, and his fine character entitles him to the esteem of all how know him. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/ionia/bios/stowell414gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/mifiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb