Star - Clipper Supplement Traer, Iowa, April 15, 1886 History of North Tama By Daniel Connell GILBERT MCDOWELL, of Colmonell, Ayrshire, Scotland, born in 1802, was raised on a farm, particularily (sic) in sheep husbandry, came to the United States in 1856, coming directly to Perry. His wife was a sister of John and West Wilson, and were attracted hither by them. He was successful as a farmer here and respected in the community, was an elder in Tranquility church from its inception and lived a worthy life. Mrs. McDowell died in 1874 and he died in 1883. His family was a large one and credible. James was a farmer in Buckingham with a large family. He died in 1877 or '8. The eldest daughter married Mr. McKennon, near Cedar Rapids, a farmer, near thirty years since. One of her daughters is the wife of Mr. Huston, editor and proprietor of the Toledo Democrat. Another daughter resides at Norway, Iowa. Mrs. H. A. Hartshorn and Mrs. Charles Maxwell are here. Of other sons is Gilbert, a prosperous farmer on section eight; John on section eighteen. William is in the stock business in Traer. West is a farmer in Audubon county and David a farmer in Dakota. This family of sons and daughters have made an impression in the community for good and lasting benefit, fair types of the settlement, having given more than they received, and will leave it better than they found it. All these children were in the same town as their parents.