Sonoma County Biography
Frank E. Dowd
Occupying a position of prominence among the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Santa Rosa is Frank E. Dowd, who for years has been intimately identified with the leading interests of this section of Sonoma county, both in ranching and in business circles. As a native son of the state he is living up tot he reputation of Native Sons generally, in that he is satisfied to make his permanent home in is native state. A native of Sonoma county, he was born in Petaluma February 11, 1862, the son of Edward and Bridget (Kelly) Dowd, the latter natives of Ireland. They came to the United States when young, and in New York City were united in marriage in January, 1860, and started for California via the Isthmus of Panama and it was not long thereafter that they were comfortably settled in a home in Petaluma, Cal., the same in which their son Frank was born.
Frank E. Dowd grew to sturdy young manhood on his father's ranch in this county, and in the meantime has received a good grounding in the public schools of his home locality. To this was added the splendid advantages of a business training in Heald's Business College in San Francisco, a training that has stood him in good stead in his later career. After leaving school and college he returned home and for some time carried on general farming and dairying, thus putting into practice the training which he had received under his father on the home farm. In 1887 he went to Tulare county and there engaged in farming. It was two years later that he returned to the county of his nativity and accepted a position as deputy county assessor. That he had faithfully performed the duties of his position to the satisfaction of the citizens of the county was shown by them when they induced him to become a candidate on the Democratic ticket for the office of assessor. He was elected, and that he has not lost any of the confidence of his friends was demonstrated when he was returned to the position by being re-elected the three consecutive general elections following. He was instrumental in forming the State Assessors Association and has always taken a very active interest in it.
Since taking up his residence in Santa Rosa he has bought property and erected a comfortable home, also is owner of a fine, well-improved ranch at Lakeville, in the southern part of Sonoma county, which was is home before coming to the county seat after being elected to his present office. His private interests varied as they are, have still not absorbed his faculties and blinded him to his duty as a good citizen, but on the other hand it would be hrd to find anyone more enthusiastic in advancing the welfare of his community than is he.
In San Francisco, October 21, 1902, Mr. Dowd was united in marriage with Miss Martha Agnes Latham, their marriage being celebrated in the famous old Mission Dolores Church. Mrs. Dowd is a daughter of James and Charlotte (Curran) Latham, and was born in Victoria, B. C. By right of birth in the state Mr. Dowd is a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, is also identified with the Knights of Columbus, the Eagles, Woodmen of the World and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, in which he has taken a very active interest and is now past exalted ruler of the Santa Rosa Lodge. If he may be said to have a hobby it is his enthusiasm for Sonoma county, which he believes to be the garden spot of the state and the land of opportunity for industrious young men eager to get a start in the world.
History of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
July 2008
Pages 1037-1038
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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