Harry J. Mowrey Biography This biography appears on pages 780-781 in "History of Dakota Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net. This file may be freely copied by individuals and non-profit organizations for their private use. Any other use, including publication, storage in a retrieval system, or transmission by electronic, mechanical, or other means requires the written approval of the file's author. This file is part of the SDGENWEB Archives. If you arrived here inside a frame or from a link from somewhere else, our front door is at http://usgwarchives.org/sd/sdfiles.htm HARRY J. MOWREY. The fact that Harry J. Mowrey occupies the difficult and responsible position of manager at Aberdeen of the branch house of Armour & Company is sufficient evidence of his executive ability, business insight and power of discrimination. These qualities have brought him success in the discharge of his duties and have won for him a high place in business circles of the city. He was born on the 28th of May, 1872, in Stockton, Pennsylvania, and is a son of George and Emma Mowrey, who removed to Watertown, South Dakota, in 1879 and took up government land. The father was a railroad engineer in his early life but followed farming in South Dakota, engaging in that occupation until his death. His wife survives him. After completing a public-school education Harry J. Mowrey attended the University of Michigan, graduating from the law department in 1894. He afterward engaged in the practice of law at Watertown until 1898, when he enlisted in Company H, First South Dakota Volunteer Infantry, serving as lieutenant until the close of the Spanish-American war. In 1901 he was appointed receiver of the United States land office at Watertown and held that position until 1907, when he became connected with Armour &; Company. He was first identified with the department specialty men with headquarters at Minneapolis, but in 1910 established the branch at Aberdeen, of which he has since been manager. A sub-agency was started here on the 1st of January, 1910, and on the 29th of October the branch was founded. The main building was completed January 1, 1911, and it is complete, modern and sanitary in every particular. On March 18, 1912, the beef houses and freezers were finished and a grand opening was held, at which over thirty-five hundred souvenirs were given away to visitors. Armour & Company have here a complete refrigerating plant with a storage capacity of twelve cars. The killing is done at Omaha and Sioux City, from which places is supplied the Aberdeen branch, which covers a territory including the northern half of South Dakota, the southern half of North Dakota and the territory west of Tracy, Minnesota. This branch is equipped for handling and carries a full line of Armour's products. There is a large force of employees at Aberdeen, with seven regular traveling representatives. On the 23d of January, 1909, Mr. Mowrey was united in marriage to Miss Estella Holden, of Montevideo, Minnesota, and they have become the parents of a daughter. Mr. Mowrey gives his political allegiance to the republican party and takes an intelligent interest in public affairs. He is a successful and progressive business man and in the management of the Aberdeen branch has displayed rare aptitude and ability in achieving results. He has gained a position of prominence in business circles of the city and his personal characteristics have won for him many friends.