BIO:  William H. McDowell, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Hopewell Township, Pg 114

WILLIAM H. MCDOWELL, son of William and Sarah (McLean) McDowell, was born in 
Windsor Township, York Co., Penn., November 15, 1812, and is the third of a 
family of eleven children.  The father also was born in Windsor Township, and the 
mother in Hopewell Township.  His father was in the war of 1812.  Our subject was 
reared by John Anstine, and at the age of twenty-one years became engaged in the 
iron furnaces, with which he was connected for nearly twelve years, working at 
different furnaces.  In 1849 he purchased his present farm of 101 acres near 
Stewartstown, where he had since resided.  In 1845 he was married to Catherine 
Hilderman, daughter of Adam Hilderman, of Hopewell Township.  They have seven 
children:  Elizabeth, William H., Jacob, Agnes, Franklin, Adam and Maggie.  In 
1845 Mr. McDowell engaged in distilling liquors, which he followed for three 
years, and also distilled apples on his farm.  He had held the offices of auditor 
and supervisor in the township.  He and his wife belong to the Reformed Church of 
Mount Pleasant.