There is no doubt that Illinois presents one of the most promising
fields in the United States for the exercise of business talents and the
opportunities are probably as favorable today as at any time in the
past, at least such is the opinion of many successful business men who
advise their sons to remain at home rather than seek their fortune among
strangers. John J. Stowe, who is serving as postmater of Girard and is
also connected with various business enterprises, may be designated as
one whose life record is well worthy of imitation. He has won his way to
his present responsible position by a laudable ambition backed by
persistent energy and sound business judgment. A native of Meigs county,
Ohio, he was born December 9, 1861, a son of Erastus and Lucretia
(Whaley) Stowe, both of whom were born in the Buckeye state. The father
was a true lover of his country and served faithfully for four long
years in behalf of the stars and stripes in the war of the Rebellion.
John J. Stowe attended the country schools and grew to maturity
in a peaceful home. Being ambitious to prepare himself thoroughly for
his life work, he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, and took a course at
the Eastman Business College, for many years one of the most noted
institutions of the kind in America. In 1883 he came to Virden township,
Macoupin county, Illinois, and applied himself successfully to farming.
Six years later he moved to Girard township where he has ever since been
actively identified with agricultural interests. He also engaged in the
grocery business at Girard from 1898 to 1906, and in addition to the
pursuits heretofore named, ran a threshing machine and for twenty-five
years past has found an outlet for his energies in buying and selling
hay. He is also interested in the Mississippi Valley Railroad and is
president of the Pana, Girard & Jackonville Railroad. In 1906 he was
appointed by President Roosevelt postmaster of Girard, was reappointed
by President Taft in 1910, and has filled the position in such a manner
as to give general satisfaction to the patrons of the office and the
officials at Washington.
On March 7, 1889, Mr. Stowe was married
to Miss Lizzie E. Gibson, of Girard, a daughter of Cullen C. and Nancy
J. (Daugherty) Gibson, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the
latter in Kentucky. She is a granddaughter of James Gibson, of
Tennessee, and John Daugherty, of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Stowe have had
no children of their own but reared two children taken from an orphan
home, to whom they gave every desirable opportunity of education and
training that they might become useful and progressive members of
society.
Politically Mr. Stowe is in sympathy with the
republican party, believing that its principles are better adapted than
those of any other party for the maintenance of the Union. He served as
supervisor from 1902 to 1906. He is a member of the Church of the
Brethren and in his daily life has attempted to put into practical
effect the teachings of the Great Master. He and his wife are greatly
esteemed for their generous social qualities and the spirit of
helpfulness by which they are actuated. He is a man of good common sense
and it is entirely within the bounds of truth to say that no citizen of
Girard township stands higher in the confidence of the people.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 673-674.
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