William McDown

WILLIAM McDOWN, postmaster at Matthewson, Labette county, Kansas, and a merchant in that village, is one of the prominent men in the county. He has been a resident of Labette county since 1866, and has taken an active interest in its growth. Mr. McDown was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of Andrew and Nancy (Stewick) McDown. Andrew McDown was born in Scotland, and his wife was a native of Pennsylvania.

William McDown, the subject of this sketch, lived in Ohio until 1852, when he moved to Mason county, Illinois. He resided there fifteen years, and followed the occupation of a farmer during that time. In 1866 he moved to Labette county, where he bought a farm in Neosho township. He carried on farming on that land for twelve years, when he sold it and moved to the village of Matthewson, where he has since resided. There he is engaged in a large and lucrative business. He has won many customers by his honest, upright manner of dealing with all, and his genial, pleasant personality has gained for him quite as many friends.

Mr. McDown married Mary Schreck, who was born in Ohio in 1834. They have been blessed with seven children, as follows: J. W.; Josephine; Nancy Jane; Ira, deceased; Oscar 0.; Lily; and J. P. Mr. McDown is postmaster of Matthewson, and also agent for the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad Company. In politics he is an ardent Democrat, and has served as clerk of Neosho township one term. He was also treasurer of the township for ten years, and justice of the peace; he filled these offices with honor and credit. He also served on the school board for a number of years. He was formerly a member of the Methodist church.