Peter McDowell, son of Wriah (sic) and Margaret McDowell, was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, February 27, 1851. He came to Iowa in 1870.

On December 28, 1871, he was married to Betsy Gibson.

They settled on a farm west of Grand River where they raised their family of eleven children. She passed away September 23, 1915.

The children: George, Harry, Blanche (McDowell) Bryant, Sarah (who died in infancy), Frank, Zettie (McDowell) Bryant, Jesse, Minnie (McDowell) Raymore, Elma (McDowell) Brown, Anna (McDowell) Spray and Orin.

When Peter retired from the farm, he moved to Beaconsfield, Iowa; and on November 11, 1918, he married Serepta Pidcock. He died July 24, 1938.