Sonoma County Biography
John William Dowd
A visit to the farm occupied by John W. Dowd, at Lakeville, a few miles from Petaluma, Sonoma county, gives one a fair impression of the practical and successful methods of this popular dairyman, stock-raiser, vineyardist and general rancher. One reason for Mr. Dowd's splendid success and wide versatility is probably due to the fact that he has never considered any other occupation than farming, possibly for the reason that his ancestors for many generations back were devoted to agricultural pursuits. In common with the other children of the parental family he was early in life made familiar with the duties that fall to the lot of farmers' children,his parents being tillers of the soil, owning and cultivating a farm in Sonoma county.
Edward and Bridget (Farrell) Dowd, the parents of John W. Dowd, were natives of the Emerald Isle, born respectively March 11, 1829, and 1836, and both came to the United States prior to their marriage, which was celebrated in New York City in the years 1860. A large family of children blessed this marriage, four of the number being sons and three daughters, as follows: Frank E.; James, deceased; John William; Joseph, deceased; Mary Jennie, who resides with her brother John W.; Sarah, deceased; and Emma. The third son in order of birth John W. Dowd, was born on the parental homestead in Sonoma county, March 18, 1871, and after attending the common schools in the vicinity of his home in the pursuit of an education, he turned his thoughts and energy in the direction of agriculture, and from that time forward has given the subject his entire thought. As has been stated, he is the owner and proprietor of a fine ranch of one hundred and sixty acres within easy access of Petaluma, which is his market town. While grain raising and dairying may be said to be his chief industries, he also raises stock to some extent, having fifteen head of live-stock at the present time. The raising of grapes and fruit is also a source of pleasure and profit to the owner, eighteen acres of his ranch being devoted to the former and five acres to the latter. Taken as a whole, Mr. Dowd's ranch is one of the most productive, and at the same time one of the most up-to-date properties in this section of the county, and he is regarded as an authority on the various branches of agriculture represented upon his ranch. As yet Mr. Dowd has not formed domestic ties, but lives upon the ranch with his sister, Mary Jennie. Politically he is a believer in Democratic principles, and whenever the occasion offers he votes for the candidates of this party. Mr. Dowd's eldest brother, Frank E. Dowd, county assessor, married Mattie Latham, who was born in British Columbia, and who before her marriage was a school teacher by profession. Emma Dowd became the wife of Joseph Wall, and resides in San Francisco, and they are the parents of two children, Dorothy and Genevieve. Mr. Dowd has one of the well-improved ranches for which Sonoma county is noted. His residence is pleasantly located on the Lakeville road and is surrounded by orchard and numerous shade trees and the drive is lined with eucalyptus, cedar, cypress and juniper trees making as attractive entrance to his grounds.
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 624-625
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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