(Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920)

Among those citizens of Ada county residing in the vicinity of Boise who have been enabled to put aside the more active cares of life and enjoy a well earned rest is numbered Stephen N. Dowell, who is one of the pioneers of Idaho and who now resides on Orchard avenue, near the Franklin school, on a six-acre suburban tract which he purchased in the fall of 1919. He was one of the old-time residents of Long Valley, where he took up his abode upon removing from Jasper county, Missouri, in 1895. Iowa claims him as a native son, his birth having occurred within the borders of that state March 15, 1862, his parents being Reuben H. and Emily Jane (Harris) Dowell. The latter is living at Carthage, Missouri, at the age of eighty-eight years.

Stephen N. Dowell spent his boyhood on an Iowa farm. At fifteen years of age he removed to Clay county, Kansas, with his parents and was a resident of Kansas and Missouri altogether for about twenty years, during which time he largely engaged in farming. It was while in Wilson county, Kansas, that he formed the acquaintance of Mrs. Delilah Wedding, nee Pearson, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, a daughter of Lewis and Mary Ann (Hunt) Pearson. Her father was a Union soldier in the Civil war and died of illness while in the service. Mrs. Dowell was first married to a Mr. Wedding and they became the parents of five children who are yet living: Charles, John W., Lewis P., Mrs. Mary Keske and Mrs. Myrtle Lloyd. It was on the 4th of June, 1888, that Mrs. Wedding became the wife of Stephen N. Dowell and they are the parents of a daughter, Emma A., who is the wife of Fred Hall and the mother of three sons — Carl E., Merle E. and Lorin Earl, aged respectively thirteen, eleven and seven years.

Mr. Dowell is a republican in his political views and at the present time, while living in Boise, is serving as county commissioner of Valley county, having been elected to the office in the fall of 1918. By reason of the fact that he is filling that position and because he still has large ranch and cattle interests in Long Valley, he will spend about half of his time on his ranch there. It was when he removed from Missouri to Idaho that he took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres near the present site of Donnelly, and as the years passed he developed this property into a well improved cattle and hay ranch. In 1907 he sold the homestead and bought two hundred and forty acres in another section of Long Valley and still retains possession of that property, which is returning to him a gratifying annual income. He is fond of hunting and fishing and has killed much game, including bear and deer. He is also a skillful follower of Izaak Walton, his ability with rod and fly being manifest on many occasions. His career is illustrative of what may be accomplished in the northwest by men of energy and determination. Starting out in the business world without capital or special advantages, he has worked his way steadily upward and is now numbered among the men of affluence living on the Boise bench.

-- transcribed and contributed by Amanda Fox, Findagrave #47429422