JANE BELL(1846-1919) WILLIAM McDOWELL (1844-1921)

McDowell, William
William can be found in all the Census for Canada from 1861, to 1911, first in Streetsville working for a local Innkeeper, (this is not certain), then as a head of his own family. (1)(2),(3),(4),(5),(6).
William began his manhood working as a labourer eventually acquiring his own farm in the Halton area, where he would raise his of ten children. James, Susannah, William Henry, George Alfred, Hugh Bell, Evalina, Annie Florence, Lillie May and twins Albert Howard and Ernest Austin.
The Farmers Directory 1885/86 for Halton has nine McDowells listed in the area, no doubt part of the family. There are two Williams, one on Concession 7 Lot 1 in Hornby, the other Concession 6 Lot 11 in Ashgrove. Would one of these be our William?(7)
William is one of my ties to the McDowell family. He married Jane Bell, daughter of Hugh Bell and Susannah Dunbar. Jane and William were married February 19 1867.(8)
He would farm the land all his life until he retired and moved to Toronto. This would have been after 1911 and before his death. He appeared to be a good and generous man, at one point having his mother-in-law live with him in her fragile years. She died in his home.
William died in March 14 1921,(9) from a dialated heart caused by Rheumatic Fever, contracted in December of 1920. He died at his home in Toronto. William is buried in the Prospect Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.(10)

Bell, Jane
Jane Bell was the youngest child of Hugh Bell (1811 – 1866) and Susannah Dunbar (1810 – 1898). According to my records from the family she was born 16 Aug 1846.
Jane Bell married William McDowell, son of James and Mary, February 19th 1867 one year prior to William's (her brother) marriage to Jane McDowell.(8)
In the 1871 census Jane Bell-McDowell and William were living next to Jane McDowell-Bell and family. This might cause some confusion when researching the two families. The McDowells have two children James, three and Susanna, two years of age. They are working as farm servants. in Halton, Esquesing Township.(2)
In 1881 the family was still in Esquesing and William was still working as a labourer. They now have seven children as follows: James, 13, Susan, 12, William H. 9, George A. 7, Hugh B. 5, Evelina (Lena) 3, and Ann F. just a few months of age.(3)
By 1891 William is farming on his own and the family has expanded again. It now consists of six of the first children plus Lillie, 6, and a set of twins Earnest and Albert 3 years old.(4) Their daughter Susan died in 1883 and is buried in Ashgrove United Cemetery, Halton County, Ontario. Also living with them at this time is Jane's mother Susannah. .
The census for 1901 has the family still in the Halton area with six of the children still living at home on the farm.(5)
Jane and William were still farming in Halton as per the 1911 census. James was 67 and Jane 63. Ernest was living at home with them at the time but all the other children had moved on. I suspect that William and Jane gave up farming shortly after that and moved to Toronto to live with his namesake William jr.(6)
Their eldest son James appears to be farming nearby with a wife and child of his own.
Jane died October 22nd, October 1919, in Toronto, and is buried in the Prospect Cemetery.(10)
William died March 14th 1921, in Toronto while living as a widower at the residence of his son106 Woodside Avenue. He was 77 years of age. It says he died of a dilated heart caused by rheumatic fever. The death was reported by his son William McDowell jr.(9)
Both are buried in Prospect Cemetery.(11)

Citations

(1) C. 1861 Library and Archives Canada; Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Census Returns For 1861; Roll: C-1063
(2) 1871 Census of Canada Birth date: abt 1843 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: '1871' Residence place: Halton, Ontario, 'canada'
(3) 1881 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVFK-SBH : 5 October 2018), Wm. McDowell, Halton, Ontario, Canada; from "1881 Canadian Census." Database with images. Ancestry. (www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing Wm. Mcdowell, citing Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
(4) 1891 Census of Canada Birth date: abt 1844 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: 1891 Residence place: Halton, Ontario, Canada
(5) 1901 Census of Canada Birth date: 1843 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: 1901 Residence place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada
(6) 1911 Census of Canada "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9T-Z84R : 16 March 2018), William Mcdowell, 1911; citing Census, Halton Sub-Districts 1-32, Ontario, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,700.
(7) 1885/86 Farmers Directory for Halton https://www.weebly.com/weebly/main.php#/
(8) M. 1867 Bell/McDowell Ontario, Canada, County Marriage Registers, 1858-1869
(9) D. 1921 Ontario, Canada Deaths, 1869-1934
(10) D. 1919 Bell Jane Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series: MS940; Reel: 9
(11) Bur. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 9 October 2018), memorial page for William McDowell (4 Aug 1843–14 Mar 1921), Find A Grave Memorial no. 144149218, citing Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by Patricia Jackson (contributor 47297496)

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM AND JANE

James McDowell (1867-1937)
James was born in Churchville, Ontario to William and Jane on July 7 1867.(8) (5) The young family worked as farm labourers, I imagine with hopes of owning their own land one day. James would have been no stranger to farming as he spent his life on a farm.(2)(3)(8)(9)(10)
He married Mary Jane "Jen" Boyd December 28, 1892, daughter of Robert Boyd and Mary Patterson, from Trafalgar Township.(4) Mary, like James was from a family of ten children. The couple would reside at his farm in Esquesting township, Lot 7 on the 6th Line.(2) This farm if not part of James' original farm would have been very close to the family farm where he grew up. According to research William Cunningham farmed on Lot 2 on the 6th line, which is indicated on the map below.

Mary and James had a daughter who was born and died May 1 1894,(5)(6) indicating the child was stillborn. They only one child Clebert Grenville McDowell born in 1898 who would continue the family name.(7)
At one stage James sold the farm in Esquesing and moved to the next township (Trafalgar), however before his death he returned to the area he loved.(12)
James died sixty-nine years of age April 22, 1937 as a result of congestive heart failure.(11) He was still farming Lot 1 Concession 8, Esquesing Township, Halton, Ontario which would have been east of Hornby.(12) He left behind his wife of over forty years and son.
Mary lived for three more years and died March 5, 1940.(13) (14)
They are buried together in Evergreen Cemetery in Halton, near their home.(15)

Citations

(1) 1871 Census of Canada Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: C-9957; Page: 47; Family No: 162
(2) 1881 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVFK-SBH : 5 October 2018), Wm. McDowell, Halton, Ontario, Canada; from "1881 Canadian Census." Database with images. Ancestry. (www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing Wm. Mcdowell, citing Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
(3) 1891 Census of Canada Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: T-6340; Family No: 35
(4) M. 1892 Ontario, Canada Marriages, 1857-1924 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Registrations of Marriages, 1869-1928; Series: MS932; Reel: 74
(5) B. 1894 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMW6-99X : 8 August 2017), James Mcdowell in entry for Infant Mcdowell, 1 May 1894; citing Birth, Esquesing Township, Halton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,846,241.
(6) D. 1894 "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDLB-NYW : 10 March 2018), James Mcdowell in entry for Infant Mcdowell, 01 May 1894; citing Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, yr 1894 cn 6519, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,853,582.
(7) B. 1898 Ontario, Canada Births, 1858-1913 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.Archives of Ontario; Series: MS929; Reel: 142
(8) 1901 Census of Canada Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Page: 7; Family No: 67
(9) 1911 Census of Canada "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9T-Z84R : 16 March 2018), William Mcdowell, 1911; citing Census, Halton Sub-Districts 1-32, Ontario, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,417,700.
(10) 1921 Census of Canada Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 61; Census Place: Esquesing (Township), Halton, Ontario; Page Number: 13
(11) D. 1937 Ontario, Canada Deaths, 1869-1934 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series: MS935; Reel: 587
(12) Obituary Canadian Champion (Milton, ON), 29 Apr 1937, p. 3, column 5
(13) D. 1940
(14) Obituary 1940 Canadian Champion (Milton, ON), 7 Mar 1940, p. 3, column 8
(15) Bur1921 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK1V-MMBY : 15 December 2015), James McDowell, 1937; Burial, Milton, Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada, Evergreen Cemetery; citing record ID 144149795, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Susanna McDowell (1869-1883)
William and Janes second child was a girl. Named for Jane's mother Susanna the girl lived a short life. She was born March 12, 1869, most likely at the family farm.(1) (2)
Susanna appears again in the 1881 census as a young girl of twelve.(2)
Two years later she would be struck by Typhoid fever to which she would succumb.(3)
Susanna died September 19 1883. She is buried in the Ashgrove Cemetery, near the family farm.(4)

Citations

(1) 1871 Census of Canada Birth date: abt 1843 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: '1871' Residence place: Halton, Ontario, 'canada'
(2) 1881 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVFK-SB8 : 4 October 2018), Susan McDowell, Halton, Ontario, Canada; from "1881 Canadian Census." Database with images. Ancestry. (www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing Wm. Mcdowell, citing Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
(3) D. 1883 "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JK72-929 : 9 March 2018), Susan Mcdowell, 19 Sep 1883; citing Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, rn 5960, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,853,239.
(4) Bur. 1883 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK1J-Y6FB : 15 December 2015), Susan McDowell, 1883; Burial, Ashgrove, Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada, Ashgrove United Church; citing record ID 144151737, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

McDowell William Henry and LePoidevin Mary.png

William Henry McDowell (1871-1957)
William Henry Mcdowell, third child of William and Jane was born May 12 1871 in Ashgrove, Ontario.(1)
William met Mary Elizabeth Lepoidevin, daughter of Henry James Lepoidevin and Elza Ozane. The couple married May 23, 1902 in Esquesing, Halton, Ontario.(5) The marriage announcement states the wedding took place at the home of the bride's father.(6) Just a year later on May 13 1903, William and Mary brought their first child into the world. Rea Henrietta Mcdowell was born in Esquesing, Ontario.(7) Several years later the family had another girl, Alice Irene, November 10 1905.(8) Wiliam and Mary are living in Toronto, York Region when the child is born.
In 1911 the family has relocated to 112 Clinton Street in Toronto West. William is identified as farming. He and Mary have two daughters aged five and two.(9)
The 1921 Census shows the family to be in the same house as 1911 but William is listed as a salesman earning $1040 annually. The two girls are still living at home.(10)
William died in Toronto, York Region, May 7 1957. Mary predeceased him in 1952.
Both are buried with William's parents in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario.

Citations

(1) B. 1871 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FM3X-RYY : 8 August 2017), William Mcdowell, 12 May 1871; citing Birth, Esquessing, Halton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,844,888.
(2) 1881 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVFK-SBH : 5 October 2018), Wm. McDowell, Halton, Ontario, Canada; from "1881 Canadian Census." Database with images. Ancestry. (www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing Wm. Mcdowell, citing Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
(3) 1891 Census of Canada Birth date: abt 1844 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: 1891 Residence place: Halton, Ontario, Canada
(4) 1901 Census of Canada Birth date: 1843 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: 1901 Residence place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada
(5) M. 1902 "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZBV-7RK : 11 March 2018), Wm Henry Mcdowell and Mary E Lepoidevin, 23 May 1902; citing registration , Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,871,083.
(6) M. 1902 McDowell, William Henry/LePoidevin Mary Elizabeth (Married) appeared in Canadian Champion (Milton, ON), 29 May 1902, p. 3, column 4
(7) B. "Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F2TZ-3B4 : 10 February 2018), Wm. Henry Mcdowell in entry for Rea Henrietta Mcdowell, 13 May 1903; citing Esquesing Township, Halton, Ontario, 13 May 1903, reference 641; FHL microfilm 2,148,637.
(8) B.1905 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FMFM-WQH : 9 August 2017), Alice Irene Mcdowell, 10 Nov 1905; citing Birth, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,257,199.
(9) 1911 Census of Canada Census Place: 12 - Ward 5, Toronto West, Ontario; Page: 2; Family No: 16
(10) 1921 Census of Canada Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 93; Census Place: Ward 5, Toronto West, Ontario; Page Number: 14
(11) D. 1952 Acton Free Press (Acton, ON), 19 Jun 1952, p. 10, column 5
(12) D. 1957
(13) Bur. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 October 2018), memorial page for William Henry McDowell (12 May 1872–1957), Find A Grave Memorial no. 179943082, citing Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by John Paterson (contributor 49048706) .

George Alfred McDowell (1873--1961)
Two years and eleven days after William another son was brought into the McDowell family. George Alfred born May 23 1873,(1) Esquesing was the fourth child and third boy for William and Jane.
George met and married Mary Ann Anderson "Annie", daughter of Benjamin and Mary Ann Carnochan, January 2 1896 in Halton Ontario.(4) Mary Ann was the sixth daughter in a family of nine girls.
After the marriage George moved to Toronto and there he worked for the Bell Telephone Company. It was not until a few years later that they had their first child Everett in 1899.(5) He appears in the census for 1901.(6)
The couple had three children during their marriage Everett, Elmer and Rebie. Elmer was born in 1901(7) but after the census was taken, however Georges younger brother Hugh and sister Lena were living with them and appear in the census for that year. Hugh was working as a linesman, and Lena as a dressmaker.(6)
Rebie was born in 1904.(8)
In 1911 the family lived in Toronto at 22 Lindsay Street and George was still with the Telephone Company earning $600 a year. Hugh and Lena have left, so it is just the family at this address.(9)
The next census in 1921 they have moved to 106 Woodside Ave. George is forty-eight years of age and working as a merchant, no longer with the Telephone Company. Mary is forty-nine.(10) There is another daughter mentioned. It should have said daughter-in-law. Pearl is actually the wife of Everett their oldest son.(10)
Mary died 30 Sep 1930 in Toronto, York, Ontario due to a coronary thrombosis due to hypertension.(11)
George survived Mary by thirty-one years and died April 12 1961.(12) His son Elmer died in 1954, Everett in 1960 and Rebie in 1986. Both George and Mary are buried in Fairview Cemetery in Acton, Ontario.

Citations

(1) B. 1873 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FM3K-ZL4 : 16 July 2017), George Alfred Mcdowell, 23 May 1873; citing Birth, Esquesing Township, Halton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,845,040.
(2) 1881 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVFK-SBH : 5 October 2018), Wm. McDowell, Halton, Ontario, Canada; from "1881 Canadian Census." Database with images. Ancestry. (www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing Wm. Mcdowell, citing Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
(3) 1891 Census of Canada Birth date: abt 1844 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: 1891 Residence place: Halton, Ontario, Canada
(4) M. 1896 "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSZ3-3FW : 11 March 2018), George Alfred Mc Dowell and Mary A Anderson, 02 Jan 1896; citing registration , Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,870,916.
(5) B. 1899 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ1H-3Z3 : 10 August 2017), Mary Ann Anderson in entry for William Everett Maitland Mcdowell, 17 Jul 1899; citing Birth, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,021,631.
(6) 1901 Census of Canada Residence date: 1901 Residence place: Toronto (West/Ouest) (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 6, Toronto (West/Ouest) (City/Cité), Ontario, Canada
(7) B. 1901 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ1Z-F92 : 10 August 2017), Mary A Anderson in entry for Elmer Anderson Mcdowell, 29 Sep 1901; citing Birth, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,079,344.
(8) B. 1904 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ1X-VZL : 9 August 2017), Mary A Anderson in entry for Rebbie Florence Mcdowell, 05 Aug 1904; citing Birth, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,210,619.
(9) 1911 Census of Canada "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9P-HNGH : 16 March 2018), Annie Mcdowell in entry for George Alfred Mcdowell, 1911; citing Census, Toronto West Sub-Districts 104-146, Ontario, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,530.
(10) 1921 Census of Canada Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 103; Census Place: Toronto (City, part), York West, Ontario; Page Number: 8
(11) D. 1930 "Ontario Deaths, 1869-1937 and Overseas Deaths, 1939-1947," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJ7T-KXY : 8 March 2018), Mary Anne Mcdowell, 30 Sep 1930; citing Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, 7156, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,313,246.
(12) D. 1961 Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 October 2018), memorial page for George Alfred McDowell (1873–1961), Find A Grave Memorial no. 159066649, citing Fairview Cemetery, Acton, Halton Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by Ruth Watkins (Pew) Ja

McDowell Hugh Bell and Lepoidevin Ada_edited.jpg

Hugh Bell McDowell (1875-1942)
Hugh, born May 24 1875 in Esquesing Township, like his two brothers before him would leave the countryside to settle in Toronto.(1)
He can be located as a lineman for Telephone in the 1901 Census and living with his older brother George and family.(4)
One year later he married Ada the daughter of Henry James Lepoidevin and Elza Ozane and younger of Mary Elizabeth Poidevin, his brother William's wife-to-be. The marriage took place in York Township on March 26 1902,(5) several months before George's wedding to Mary. Hugh is noted as a Clerk on his marriage registration. The LePoidevin family lived nearby the McDowell's in Limehouse and the girls were from a respected family. Their father was the foreman at the Limehouse Mills at that time and remained so until he died in 1913.
Hugh and Ada never had children. The couple remained in Toronto for a time before returning to their roots.(6)
The big city would prove less interesting for Hugh he returned to Georgetown as an agent in real estate in 1921.(7) The couple is living on Charles Street. While he changed jobs often at the beginning Hugh finally settled in the furniture business working for years until his death in 1942.(8) Ada died eleven years later. Both are buried in the Park Lawn Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario.(9)

Citations

(1) B. 1875 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNL2-JM3 : 16 July 2017), Hugh Bell Mcdowell, 24 Mar 1875; citing Birth, Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,845,046.
(2) 1881 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVFK-SBH : 5 October 2018), Wm. McDowell, Halton, Ontario, Canada; from "1881 Canadian Census." Database with images. Ancestry. (www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing Wm. Mcdowell, citing Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
(3) 1891 Census of Canada Birth date: abt 1844 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: 1891 Residence place: Halton, Ontario, Canada
(4) 1901 Census of Canada Residence date: 1901 Residence place: Toronto (West/Ouest) (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 6, Toronto (West/Ouest) (City/Cité), Ontario, Canada
(5) M. 1902 Ontario, Canada Marriages, 1857-1924 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Registrations of Marriages, 1869-1928; Series: MS932; Reel: 10
(6) 1911 Census of Canada Census Place: 55 - Ward 5, Toronto West, Ontario; Page: 4; Family No: 35
(7) 1921 Census of Canada Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 62; Census Place: Georgetown (Village), Halton, Ontario; Page Number: 12
(8) D. 1942 McDowell, H. Bert appeared in Georgetown Herald (Georgetown, ON), 20 May 1942, p. 4, column 4
(9) Bur. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 21 October 2018), memorial page for Hugh B McDowell (1876–1942), Find A Grave Memorial no. 140433390, citing Park Lawn Cemetery, Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by Islington (contributor 47351667) .

Evalina "Lena" McDowell (1877-1956)
Born July 24 1877 in Esquesing Township, Ontario, she was William and Jane's second daughter and only daughter after the death of her older sister Susanna.(1) I would imagine for several years she would have been doted on, if not by her parents, at least by her brothers.
As a dressmaker in 1901 Census and living with older brother George and his family she would soon be with her own family.(2)
Lina met a young local, blacksmith, from her hometown by the name of William Cunningham. He was son of Robert and Jane Cunningham, and the two would get married in Halton, October 31 1902.(5) The couple decided to settle in the Toronto area.
Shortly after their marriage they had their first child Laurence born May 18 1903,(6) followed by Pearl 21 Sep 1905(7) and Beatrice 21 Mar 1910(8)
In 1911 the couple can be found at 78 Elem Grove Toronto raising their family of three children. They also have border, a widower Christopher Noble living with them possibly to help ends meet.(9)
William died the following year April 5 1936, as a result of Bright's Disease,(10) leaving Lena widowed at thirty-four with three small children.(10) William was buried in the Prospect Cemetery in Toronto, Ontario.(11)
The following year Lena married Christopher Noble May 14 1913, in Toronto.(12)
In 1921 we find that Lena has married Christopher Noble, and they are living on 124 MacDonald Street in Parkdale with the three children Pearl fifteen, Beatrice eleven, and Laurence 8. I believe there is an error as according to other documents Laurence should be eighteen not eight.(13)
Christopher twelve years her senior, died in 1936 of arterial sclerosis. He was living at 124 MacDonald and is buried in the Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bolton Ontario.(14)
Her eldest son Laurence died in 1946, in Toronto as a result of a Coronary Thrombosis, ten years before Lena. She died in 1956 and I have yet to find her death or burial.(15)

Citations

(1) B. 1877 Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1909 Archives of Ontario; Series: MS929; Reel: 33
(2) 1881 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVFK-SBH : 5 October 2018), Wm. McDowell, Halton, Ontario, Canada; from "1881 Canadian Census." Database with images. Ancestry. (www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing Wm. Mcdowell, citing Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
(3) 1891 Census of Canada Birth date: abt 1844 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: 1891 Residence place: Halton, Ontario, Canada
(4) 1901 Census of Canada Residence date: 1901 Residence place: Toronto (West/Ouest) (City/Cité) Ward/Quartier No 6, Toronto (West/Ouest) (City/Cité), Ontario, Canada
(5) M. 1902 Ontario, Canada Marriages, 1857-1924 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Registrations of Marriages, 1869-1928; Series: MS932; Reel: 107
(6) B. "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FM6R-V3K : 9 August 2017), Lena Mcdowall in entry for Lawrence Frederick Cunningham, 18 May 1903; citing Birth, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,148,636.
(7) B. 1906 "Canada Births and Baptisms, 1661-1959," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLS3-WWB : 10 February 2018), William Cunningham in entry for Pearl Cunningham, 21 Sep 1905; citing Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, 21 Sep 1905, reference 11319; FHL microfilm 2,257,199.
(8) B. 1910 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FM4T-Z2H : 9 August 2017), William F Cunningham in entry for Beatrice Cunningham, 21 Mar 1910; citing Birth, Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,413,409.
(9) 1911 Census of Canada Year: 1911; Census Place: 69 - Ward six, Toronto South, Ontario; Page: 3; Family No: 33
(10) D. 1912 Ontario, Canada Deaths, 1869-1934 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Series: MS935; Reel: 575
(11) Bur. 1912 Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 21 October 2018), memorial page for William F. Cunningham (unknown–8 May 1912), Find A Grave Memorial no. 138183005, citing Prospect Cemetery, Toronto, Toronto Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by Islington (contributor 47351667) .
(12) M. 1913 "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27ZY-B8D : 12 March 2018), Christopher Noble and Lena Cunningham, 14 May 1913; citing registration , Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,976,462.
(13) 1921 Census of Canada Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 78; Census Place: Toronto (City), Parkdale, Ontario; Page Number: 1
(14) D. 1938 Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Collection: MS935; Reel: 536 Ancestry.com. Ontario, Canada, Deaths and Deaths Overseas, 1869-1946 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
(15) D. 1956

Annie Florence McDowell (1881-1920)
Born three weeks before Christmas, December 3 1880, I am sure Jane was content to have another girl.(1) With a houseful of men she and the two other females were greatly outnumbered. Annie like the other McDowell girls grew into a lovely young woman and she attracted a young man from the next county.
Andrew Gibson Robson from Wentworth County, Beverley Township began to court the young woman.

September 16 1908 in Hornby, Halton she married Andrew Gibson Robson, son of John and Annie (Gibson).(5) The Robsons lived one county over in Wentworth, Beverly Township and farmed in that area. I am uncertain, but there is a J Robson who farmed in South Beverley and owned two lots IX 23 and X 24. Andrew's family was large, and while Andrew was the second boy and stood to inherit part of the farm he had other ideas. The young couple decided at some point to move out west. Would the honeymoon trip out West entice them to a new life?
Their first child, a daughter was born November 22 1909 in Wentworth where Andrew was farming.(6) They named her Irene Viola. Was it then they decided to make the move or was it her birth that held them back?
We find the couple, their daughter in Wentworth, Beverly Township in the 1911 Census. They also had a hired hand living with them at the time. Irene was two at the time.(7)

The family moved out west to settle as homesteaders in Saskatchewan near Prince Albert, as the Census for 1916 shows couple with a new addition Lloyd. He is two years old and was born in Saskatchewan indicating they moved sometime after the 1911 census. Lloyd was born in the July of 1914.(8)
It must have seemed lonely at times for the couple so far from their large families of which they were part of for their formative years. The Prairies, unlike Ontario were flat and vast and somewhat isolated. Letters from home were most likely a welcome sight.(9)
The 1916 census for their area shows the family of four, little Lloyd just two years of age.(10)
Tragedy struck the family in 1920 when Annie died,(12) after the birth of twins, Ann Florence and Glen.(11) In the 1921 census Andrew is a widower with four small children.(13) We note that his parents have come out west to help with the family after Annie's death.
Andrew would remarry after Annie's death and his second wife Ann Lennon.(11) When Andrew retired from farming the couple moved to Melfort would remain until his death in September of 1920. He is buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery as is Annie but in separate graves.(14)

Citations

(1) B. "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VNL5-BTX : 16 July 2017), Annie Florence Mcdowell, 03 Dec 1880; citing Birth, Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,845,398.
(2) 1881 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1881," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MVFK-SBN : 4 October 2018), Anne F. McDowell, Halton, Ontario, Canada; from "1881 Canadian Census." Database with images. Ancestry. (www.ancestry.com : 2008); citing Wm. Mcdowell, citing Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario.
(3) 1891 Census of Canada Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: T-6340; Family No: 35
(4) 1901 Census of Canada Birth date: 1843 Birth place: Ireland Residence date: 1901 Residence place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada
(5) M. 1908 "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSZX-T9M : 11 March 2018), Andrew Gibson Robson and Annie Florence Mcdowell, 16 Sep 1908; citing registration , Homby, Halton, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,871,867.
(6) B. 1909 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9H-LX32 : 9 August 2017), Andrew Gibson Robson in entry for Irene Viola Robson, 22 Nov 1909; citing Birth, Beverly, Wentworth, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 2,394,029.
(7) 1911 Census of Canada "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27X8-VV6 : 16 March 2018), Annie Robson in entry for Andrew Robson, 1911; citing Census, Wentworth Sub-Districts 16-55, Ontario, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,535.
(8) B. 1914 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSC-RTKF : 29 March 2018), Lloyd Andrew Robson, 1995; Burial, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mount Pleasant Cemetery; citing record ID 186669747, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
(9) Letter to Annie McDowell Home contribution S. Barbeau https://www.facebook.com/groups/261750154269912/
(10) 1916 Census of Canada "Canada Census, 1916," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KMPR-S93 : 11 March 2018), Annie Robson in household of Andrew Robson, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 25, line 44; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,957.
(11) B. 1920 Twins Memoirs of Vaughan and Melfort Pioneers, 1884--1949
(12) D. 1920 Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 October 2018), memorial page for Annie Florence McDowell Robson (3 Dec 1881–22 Feb 1920), Find A Grave Memorial no. 186669743, citing Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada ; Maintained by pensh (contributor 48848533) .
(13) 1921 Census of Canada Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 157; Census Place: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Page Number: 2
(14) D. 1950 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSH-PMNX : 29 March 2018), Andrew Gibson Robson, ; Burial, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mount Pleasant Cemetery; citing record ID 186669742, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

Lillian "Lilly" May McDowell (1884-1978)
Lilly was the youngest of William and Jane's daughters. Born in October 20 1884, (1) just one year after the family lost Susanna, their oldest daughter to typhoid.
Lilly grew up on the farm surrounded by two older sisters and many brothers. Living where they did I would not be surprised if she went to the Limehouse School.(2)(3)
On December 23 1908 she married a local farmer by the name of Henry Pratt Lawson. She and Harry would settle in the area and raise their family of two boys.(4)
It took them a while to start their family and in 1911,(5) they are settled on a farm in Stewarttown. Two years later their first son was born. Henry Pratt Lawson jr. came into the world February 4 1913.(6)
Another seven years would pass before the arrival of Douglas, their second son. He was born December 5 1920.(7)
In 1921 Lillie and William were living on their farm in Stewartown with their two boys Harry, eight and Douglas five months of age. They lived in a six room brick house.(8)
Their first son died young, at the age of only 30, in 1943 a year before the passing of Henry sr.
Henry sr died September 11 1944 from a cerebral haemorhage.(9)
Their second son also died young at forty-two years of age in 1952, leaving Lilly with only her grandchildren. Lilly lived until 1978, just six years short of reaching her hundredth birthday. She died March 2 1978 in her ninety-forth year.(10)

Citations

(1) B. 1884 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FM3D-QZB : 16 July 2017), Lilly May Mcdowell, 20 Oct 1884; citing Birth, Esquesing, Halton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,845,867.
(2) 1891 Census of Canada Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: T-6340; Family No: 35
(3) 1901 Census of Canada Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Page: 11; Family No: 114
(4) M 1908 "Ontario Marriages, 1869-1927," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KSZJ-R7L : 11 March 2018), Harry Pratt Lawson and Lillian May Mcdowell, 23 Dec 1908; citing registration , Toronto, York, Ontario, Canada, Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,871,870.
(5) 1911 Census of Canada Year: 1911; Census Place: 3 - Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Page: 10; Family No: 99
(6) B. 1913 Archives of Ontario. Registrations of Births and Stillbirths – 1869-1913. MS 929, reels 1-245. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Archives of Ontario. Archives of Ontario; Series: MS929; Reel: 237
(7) B. 1920 see 1921 census
(8) 1921 Census of Canada Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 61; Census Place: Esquesing (Township), Halton, Ontario; Page Number: 3
(9) D. 1944 Ancestry.com. Ontario, Canada, Deaths and Deaths Overseas, 1869-1946 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Archives of Ontario; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Registrations of Deaths, 1944; Collection: Registrations of Deaths, 1944
(10) D. 1978 Lawson, Mrs. Harry P. (Died) appeared in Acton Free Press (Acton, ON), 1 Mar 1978, B6, column 1

Albert Howard McDowell (1887- aft 1945)
Born July 4 1887, Albert Howard appears to be the first of the twins born to Jane and William.(1) If we look at the registration, he was the first of the two to be documented. They appear to be identical twins and one wonders if they had fun in their youth pretending to be each other. Albert appears with his family in both the 1891 and 1901 census.(3)
On December 7 1910,(5) Albert married May Ethra Lindsay, daughter of James Lindsay and Eliza Ann Neelands. The coupld were married in Toronto, York County. James is documented as a twenty-three year old farmer at the time.
May or "Maime" as she was known was born in Esquesing, Halton, Ontario September 6 1884.(6)
Like his brother, Howard moved to the west.
Howard and Maime's first child was born April 8, 1911 in York County.(7) A sister followed in September of 1917, in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. She lived but fourteen months and died in Saskatchewan November 7 1918.(8)
I have been unable to find a death for Albert Howard or his wife Maime. I did find a marriage of his son to Harriet MacDonald in February of 1935 in Toronto. This tells me that he came back to Ontario but no idea if his parents did.
I am unable to find them on any of the census so far but continue to search.
One ancestry member has him buried in Saskatchewan, but I have yet to prove this either. He is listed on the 1940 Voter's List in Toronto Ontario

McDowell, Albert Howard his wife Maime Lindsay, their children Meryl and Cecil.. and Alber

This photograph of Albert and his wife Maime must have been taken in Ontario as I do not believe his parents ever went out to Saskatchewan. Interestingly the boy looks to be about five or six and the girl approximately three. According to my records Cecil was born in 1911. This would appear to be another child, a girl between Cecil and his sister Brenda Ada. Her name is Doreen Ruth McDowell (Thanks to Sue Barbeau).

Ernest Austin McDowell (1887-1976)
Born July 4 1887Born July 4 1887,(1) Ernest was the last of the McDowell children born to Jane and William. Like the others he grew up on the farm. As he matured he chose farming as well but unlike other brothers, he would leave the area as a young man to farm in Saskatchewan.
He remained in Ontario until after the 1911 census and remained at home until he left.(2)(3)(4)
Once out west he met and married a girl whose family also migrated from Ontario.
Mildred Pearl Fennell, daughter of John Arthur Fennell and Carolina Eliza Eastman, born 29 Nov 1898,(5) appears in the census' for 1906, and 1911.(6) (7) John Fennell and his family migrated from Carleton County, Ontario, and shows up in the 1871 Census in Marlborough and then North Gower in 1881.
Ernest married Mildred sometime after 1916 as she is found in the 1916 census for the Prince Albert, Saskatchewan with her family.(8)
The couple give birth to a set of twins on May 2 1819,(9) (10) William John and Lawrence Ernest McDowell. William lived but four days and Lawrence died at age two.(11)(14) The following year in 1920,(12) Mildred gave birth to a girl Evelyn Mildred. The family appears in the 1921(13) census and both Evelyn and Lawrence are present with the family.
Another daughter Eileen Florence is born March 18 1925.(15)
According to her grave marker, Mildred died in 1962.(16) She is burier in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Melfort, the same cemetery as the twins.
Ernest lives on until August 16 1976,(17) and dies in Richmond BC at the age of eighty-nine. It would appear he was living with one of his daughters as the time. He is buried with is wife and twin boys in Melfort.(18)

Citations

(1) B. 1887 Archives of Ontario; Series: MS929; Reel: 82 Ontario, Canada Births, 1869-1909
(2) 1891 Census of Canada Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Roll: T-6340; Family No: 35 Ancestry.com. 1891 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008.
(3) 1901 Census of Canada Census Place: Esquesing, Halton, Ontario; Page: 11; Family No: 114
(4) 1911 Census of Canada July 1897 Birth place: Ontario Residence date: 1911 Residence place: Halton, Ontario
(5) B. 1898 "Ontario Births, 1869-1912," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ1W-V2N : 10 August 2017), John A Fennell in entry for Mildred Pearl Fennell, 29 Nov 1898; citing Birth, Marlborough, Carleton, Ontario, Canada, citing Archives of Ontario, Toronto; FHL microfilm 1,928,123.
(6) 1906 Census of Canada ""Canada Census, 1906," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KHV3-8FZ : 1 April 2016), John Fennell, 24, Humboldt, Saskatchewan, Canada; Public Archives, Ottawa, Ontario.
(7) 1911 Census of Canada "Recensement du Canada de 1911," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV9P-X5BZ : 16 March 2018), Pearl M Fennell in entry for John A Fennell, 1911; citing Census, Prince Albert Sub-Districts 1-24, Saskatchewan, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,577.
(8) 1916 Census of Canada Place: Saskatchewan, Prince Albert, 20; Roll: T-21942; Page: 26; Family No: 283
(9) B.1919 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSC-5YYP : 29 March 2018), William John E McDowell, 1919; Burial, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mount Pleasant Cemetery; citing record ID 186503977, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
(10) B.1919 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSH-NT12 : 29 March 2018), Lawrence Ernest McDowell, 1922; Burial, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mount Pleasant Cemetery; citing record ID 186503975, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
(11) D.1919 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSC-5YYP : 29 March 2018), William John E McDowell, 1919; Burial, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mount Pleasant Cemetery; citing record ID 186503977, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
(12) B.1920 According to Ancestry Member
(13) 1921 Census of Canada Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 157; Census Place: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan; Page Number: 13
(14) D.1922 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSH-NT12 : 29 March 2018), Lawrence Ernest McDowell, 1922; Burial, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mount Pleasant Cemetery; citing record ID 186503975, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
(15) B.1925 According to Ancestry Member
(16) D. 1962 Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 23 October 2018), memorial page for Pearl Mildred McDowell (1888–1962), Find A Grave Memorial no. 186503976, citing Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada ; Maintained by pensh (contributor 48848533) .
(17) D, 1976 British Columbia, Canada, Death Index, 1872-1990
(18) Bur. 1976 "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSZ-6DNG : 29 March 2018), Ernest A McDowell, 1976; Burial, Melfort, Melfort Census Division, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mount Pleasant Cemetery; citing record ID 186503974, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

MATERNAL NAMES

JANE BELL(1846-1919) WILLIAM McDOWELL (1844-1921)

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM AND JANE

CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN McEWAN AND FRANCES OSTROM