John Richard Jowell

John Richard “Dick” Jowell
BIRTH
14 Feb 1833
Marion County, Alabama, USA
DEATH
2 Nov 1900 (aged 67)
Clarendon, Donley County, Texas, USA
BURIAL
Citizens Cemetery
Clarendon, Donley County, Texas, USA
MEMORIAL ID
189765884 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 1
FLOWERS 5
John Richard Jowell married Martha J Milstead on 1 February 1854 at Rusk County, Texas. The couple moved to Young County, Texas by 1857 evidenced by resident taxes paid. Mr. Jowell worked as a blacksmith at Fort Belknap beginning in 1857. His name does not appear in the post returns as being a Federal soldier. In 1857, he was elected Justice of the Peace for Precinct #2, which is the southeastern part of the county.

John Richard Jowell enlisted in the Texas Rangers on 11 March 1862 at Fort Belknap Camp located three miles north of the federal Fort Belknap which had been decommissioned in 1859. In 1863, Dick Jowell became a notary public in Young County. In 1865, Young County fell apart and the couple moved to Parker County and then to the Fort Griffin community in 1867 where he worked as a blacksmith. The couple moved to Young County in 1872 where he continued his work as a blacksmith in the Conner Creek and Finis communities. John Richard Jowell witnessed the re-organization of Young County in 1874 serving as the first commissioner of Precinct #2.

In 1876, John R. Jowell became Young County Commissioner Precinct #2 as well as a school trustee for the Gooseneck County School. By 1878, he was elected Constable in Young County.

John and Martha Jowell left Graham in 1893 moving west to Goodnight, Texas. He set up shop there according to the local newspapers as a blacksmith. He was known for his skill in repairing and building anything with metal: wagons, bridle bits, spurs, and windmills. In 1898, newspaper show he moved with his wife to Clarendon, Texas and opened a blacksmith shop. John R. Jowell returned to Graham in 1900 to file Indian depredation claims for having lost horses and cattle during raids. His signed record with witnesses was filed in the Young County courthouse. Many of the old-timers spoke to him and were reminded of earlier days.

He was a charter member of Belknap Masonic Lodge, Young County Masonic Lodge, and Armstrong Masonic Lodge.

Contributed by Dorman Holub

J.R. Jowell, 68, who was stricken with paralysis died. He had improved enough to ride out in a buggy on election day, but a back set carried him off and his sufferings are now at an end. The burial took place the next day with graveside services officiated by Rev. Jones.

The Industrial West
Clarendon, Texas
November 23, 1900

Family Members
Parents

James Abercrombie Jowell
1798–1886

Tabitha Paralee Jowell Jowell
1814–1896

Spouse
Martha J Milstead Jowell
1833–1903 (m. 1854)

Siblings

Mary Caroline Jowell Locke
1834–1897

George Radcliffe Jowell
1840–1912

James Campbell Jowell
1842–1928

Sarah Tabitha Jowell Metcalf
1846–1941

Cynthia Ann Jowell Slaughter
1849–1876

Victoria Isabel Jowell Brooks
1852–1941

Children
James Virgil Jowell
1854–1878

John Henry Jowell
1856–1933

Mary L. Jowell
1859–1860

Charles Edward Jowell
1860–1928

Mary Ophelia Jowell Young
1862–1895

Susie W Jowell
1870–1886

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189765884/john-richard-jowell