Mowatt, John M.

JOHNSTON, HINKLEY, DUNLAP, ADAMS, LOSEE

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/11/2009 at 17:14:11

John M. Mowatt died in Frederika March 14, 1913, after a period of residence in Bremer county dating from 1869. During the greater portion of that time he had been connected with agricultural interests here and his success placed him among the substantial and representative citizens of this locality. He was born in Dutchess county, New York, December 25, 1833, and was a son of James and Maria Mowatt. He acquired his education in the public schools of Fishkill Landing, New York, and when he was a young man moved to Illinois, settling in Winnebago county. From there he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war, and he remained at the front until the close of hostilities. In New York he had learned the trade of a millwright and miller and afterward worked at this in his native state and in Illinois. After the war he resumed this occupation in Winnebago county and continued until 1869, when he moved to Bremer county, Iowa, securing employment in a mill at Frederika. He held this position until 1878 and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, taking up his residence upon a farm which he had previously purchased. This comprised sixty acres of land on section 8, Frederika township, and to it he afterward added eighty acres. This land was entirely unimproved, but with characteristic energy Mr. Mowatt set about the work of developing it, erecting substantial barns and outbuildings and installing the necessary machinery. The years brought him success and a comfortable fortune, upon which he finally retired from active life, moving into Frederika, where his death occurred.

On the 29th of July, 1866, Mr. Mowatt married Miss Martha Johnston, who was born in New York state, August 30, 1846, a daughter of Dexter and Susan (Hinkley) Johnston, natives of Vermont, whose marriage occurred in New York and who went to Illinois about the year 1849. Both have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Mowatt became the parents of four children: Albert, who married Jessie Dunlap and who resides in Minnesota; Edwin N., occupying the old homestead in Frederika township; Susie, the wife of William Adams, a merchant of Frederika; and Dessie, the wife of Harry Losee, of Frederika. Mrs. Mowatt survives her husband and occupies a comfortable home in Frederika, where her many excellent qualities of mind and character have made her widely and favorably known.

Mr. Mowatt was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was connected fraternally with the Grand Army of the Republic. He gave his political allegiance to the republican party and served with credit and ability as justice of the peace. His life was in all respects exemplary and when he died on March 14, 1912, the community felt the loss of a worthy citizen and one who merited the high regard in which he was uniformly held.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914