John G. McDowell, Esquire House & Farm 1838
(Julius F Gehrke Farm 1899)
View photos below
A beautiful example of Greek Revival Style which was the dominant style of domestic architecture between 1830 and 1850.
Taken from Historic New England.org: Increasing interest in classical buildings in both western Europe and the United States at the end of the eighteenth century first focused on Roman models. The Roman legacy can be seen in Early Classical Revival homes in the southern regions of the east coast, particularly Virginia. Increasingly, however, archaeological investigations of the early nineteenth century focused on Greece (as the mother of Rome) and shifted interest to Grecian architectural models. At the same time, the War of 1812 increased American resentments of British influence. These factors led to a flowering of what is now known as Greek Revival architecture.
Irresistible to the first generation of American-born architects (among them, Benjamin Latrobe, Robert Mills, William Strickland, Thomas U. Walter, Ithiel Town, etc.), "Grecian Style" swept through the country with western expansion. In addition, guides for carpenter builders by Asher Benjamin and Minard Lafever made the style widely available for imitation. Taking many shapes, it was the classic form of the Parthenon which inspired design of Bank of the United States in Philadelphia (1818), and served as a catalyst, identifying Grecian architecture with economic security. The National style, as it came to be known, became the universal fashion for public buildings, churches, banks and town halls. In New England and the northern United States, the side-passage, gable-front house was introduced. Vernacular examples abound, incorporating Grecian doorway moldings, window frames, and columns supporting porch roofs and suggesting the broad appeal of a style that represented a distant and idealized culture.
Taken from Historic New England.org: Increasing interest in classical buildings in both western Europe and the United States at the end of the eighteenth century first focused on Roman models. The Roman legacy can be seen in Early Classical Revival homes in the southern regions of the east coast, particularly Virginia. Increasingly, however, archaeological investigations of the early nineteenth century focused on Greece (as the mother of Rome) and shifted interest to Grecian architectural models. At the same time, the War of 1812 increased American resentments of British influence. These factors led to a flowering of what is now known as Greek Revival architecture.
Irresistible to the first generation of American-born architects (among them, Benjamin Latrobe, Robert Mills, William Strickland, Thomas U. Walter, Ithiel Town, etc.), "Grecian Style" swept through the country with western expansion. In addition, guides for carpenter builders by Asher Benjamin and Minard Lafever made the style widely available for imitation. Taking many shapes, it was the classic form of the Parthenon which inspired design of Bank of the United States in Philadelphia (1818), and served as a catalyst, identifying Grecian architecture with economic security. The National style, as it came to be known, became the universal fashion for public buildings, churches, banks and town halls. In New England and the northern United States, the side-passage, gable-front house was introduced. Vernacular examples abound, incorporating Grecian doorway moldings, window frames, and columns supporting porch roofs and suggesting the broad appeal of a style that represented a distant and idealized culture.
(Taken from History of Chemung County, New York 1836-1892 by Ausburn Towner)
The Honorable John G. McDowell Esquire, son of Captain Daniel McDowell, was prominent in the War of 1812. Born February 27, 1794 and at the time of his death was seventy-two years of age. he died on January 1, 1866. He was first appointed first lieutenant and aide-de-camp and subsequently captain and paymaster. He was prominent in political life when Martin Van Buren, Silas Wright, Governor Marcy and Gen. John A. Dix were at the height of their fame and Mr. McDowell was intimately associated with all of them. In 1830-31 he represented his district in the Assembly and in the fall of 1831 was elected one of the four senators from the old Sixth Senatorial District composed of the counties of Delaware, Broome, Otsego, Chenango, Tioga, Cortland and Tompkins. Judge McDowell was appointed by Governor Marcy commissioner of loans and was also appointed about this time president of the Chemung Canal Bank. He was presidential elector in 1852, which was his last appearance in public life. One of the most striking characteristics of the man was his open hearted generosity toward the old pioneers and his faculty for creating strong and lasting friendships. Members of the McDowell family are now prominent in public and social life in Elmira, but no descendants are left upon the old homestead. Judge McDowell reared four sons.
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It would appear from writings that the Hon. John G. McDowell had 4 sons. I found mention for only 2 of them:
Jacob Lowman McDowell who was named for his uncle of the Lowman family who was one of the best known citizens of the county and one of the most highly regarded men in Elmira city. J. Lowman McDowell spent his early life as a merchant and a miller at Chemung. He moved to Elmira in 1868. He represented his district in the Board of Education of Elmira for several years and was county treasurer for two terms. He was nominated on the Democratic ticket in 1867 for State Senator but was defeated. He was chairman of the Democratic County Committee for six years under Tilden, Robinson and to Mr Cleveland's election. His was a Mason of the Royal Arch degree and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a prominent citizen in the business, social, political and religious life in the city. He married Frances Boyd in 1847. She died in 1873 leaving 2 sons and a daughter. One son, Edward died at the age of 16 years. The daughter is the wife of E.J. Baldwin. Mr. McDowell married, second, in 1875, at Elmira, Mrs. Clara Edsall, nee Jones.
Maj. Robert M. McDowell who was born on the family homestead in 1833. He was educated at the old Elmira Academy and Oxford Seminary. His profession was that of a civil engineer and surveyor, working in several states, mainly in Dakota, the Rocky Mountain region and the then wild frontiers, "undergoing many dangers and hardships incident to the rugged life of a pioneer and among treacherous and hostile Indians". He enlisted in the Union cause of the Civil War, August 1862 for three years in Company I, 141st Regiment, NY and soon after was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He was promoted to the rank of Captain with an appointment from General Barnard of engineer on the defenses of Washington while participating in the peninsular campaigns in June, 1863. Captain McDowell declined the honor preferring to serve his country at the front with his comrades in arms. In 1863 he was attached to the 11th and 12th Army Corps under command of the intrepid General Joe Hooker, which was consolidated to the 20th Corps. Captain McDowell served on the staff of General Hooker as chief topographical engineer and was one of Sherman's veterans on the march from "Atlanta to the sea". In the several engagements around Atlanta he won distinction for gallant and meritorious service and was brevetted major of United States Volunteers. By the end of the Rebellion he was chief topographical engineer on the staff of Maj.-Gen. H.W. Slocum, who commanded the left wing of the army of Georgia, numbering 50,000 men, which constituted one-half of the 100,000 strong embracing General Sherman's army. He was mustered out on June 27, 1865. He resumed his profession being engaged in developing and operating mines in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, the Indian Territory, Texas and Arkansas. Mr. McDowell was married in 1860 to Miss Arlena C. Boyd, of Springvale, Maine. They had one son born in 1867 who was a graduated of Cornell University, a lawyer and located in Elmira.
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While I am listing biographies on the family of the Hon. John G. McDowell, I would be remiss if I didn't show the history of
his father, Capt. Daniel McDowell who was one of the first settlers of Chemung and who had quite a story to tell:
Capt. Daniel McDowell (McDowel) a Cameronion Scotchman, settled on the farm subsequently known as "McDowell's Flats" which afterward was the home of his son, Hon. John G. McDowell, for more than a quarter of a century. Daniel McDowell possessed the real Highland Characteristics of bravery, zeal and physical hardihood. He served in the Revolutionary army as a captain. He was captured by the Indians at Shawnee on Sept. 12, 1782 and was taken to Niagara where he was compelled by the Indians to run the gauntlet. His muscular frame, fleetness of foot and unflinching bravery enabled him to pass through that terrible ordeal as one of the very few who escaped with their lives. He was subsequently taken to Quebec, Canada where he suffered many acts of cruelty and remained in prison one year before he was allowed his liberty. He was known to the Indians as "Keto" meaning "the iron man". Capt. McDowell was liberally educated, possessed a vigorous intellect with great energy and nervous force and his life was an eventful one. While being conveyed to Niagara by the Indians they halted one night on the trail near the present town of Chemung. He was bound and secured near a spring that is today located under the railroad track just in front of the Owens Farm house (at the time of Towner's writing). (The area can be located on the old maps as lot numbers 4 and 5.) Captain McDowell viewed the landscape there with intense interest, attracted by its beauty and the evident richness of its soil. He determined, if he escaped from his present condition, he would return and occupy those inviting fields. His determination had full fruition in only a few years. He settled on the spot he had overlooked as a prisoner and his fine estate there was known for many years and is still occasionally referred to as the "McDowell flats". He died in 1808. He was one of the first settlers to open a farm in the county.
The Honorable John G. McDowell Esquire, son of Captain Daniel McDowell, was prominent in the War of 1812. Born February 27, 1794 and at the time of his death was seventy-two years of age. he died on January 1, 1866. He was first appointed first lieutenant and aide-de-camp and subsequently captain and paymaster. He was prominent in political life when Martin Van Buren, Silas Wright, Governor Marcy and Gen. John A. Dix were at the height of their fame and Mr. McDowell was intimately associated with all of them. In 1830-31 he represented his district in the Assembly and in the fall of 1831 was elected one of the four senators from the old Sixth Senatorial District composed of the counties of Delaware, Broome, Otsego, Chenango, Tioga, Cortland and Tompkins. Judge McDowell was appointed by Governor Marcy commissioner of loans and was also appointed about this time president of the Chemung Canal Bank. He was presidential elector in 1852, which was his last appearance in public life. One of the most striking characteristics of the man was his open hearted generosity toward the old pioneers and his faculty for creating strong and lasting friendships. Members of the McDowell family are now prominent in public and social life in Elmira, but no descendants are left upon the old homestead. Judge McDowell reared four sons.
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It would appear from writings that the Hon. John G. McDowell had 4 sons. I found mention for only 2 of them:
Jacob Lowman McDowell who was named for his uncle of the Lowman family who was one of the best known citizens of the county and one of the most highly regarded men in Elmira city. J. Lowman McDowell spent his early life as a merchant and a miller at Chemung. He moved to Elmira in 1868. He represented his district in the Board of Education of Elmira for several years and was county treasurer for two terms. He was nominated on the Democratic ticket in 1867 for State Senator but was defeated. He was chairman of the Democratic County Committee for six years under Tilden, Robinson and to Mr Cleveland's election. His was a Mason of the Royal Arch degree and a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a prominent citizen in the business, social, political and religious life in the city. He married Frances Boyd in 1847. She died in 1873 leaving 2 sons and a daughter. One son, Edward died at the age of 16 years. The daughter is the wife of E.J. Baldwin. Mr. McDowell married, second, in 1875, at Elmira, Mrs. Clara Edsall, nee Jones.
Maj. Robert M. McDowell who was born on the family homestead in 1833. He was educated at the old Elmira Academy and Oxford Seminary. His profession was that of a civil engineer and surveyor, working in several states, mainly in Dakota, the Rocky Mountain region and the then wild frontiers, "undergoing many dangers and hardships incident to the rugged life of a pioneer and among treacherous and hostile Indians". He enlisted in the Union cause of the Civil War, August 1862 for three years in Company I, 141st Regiment, NY and soon after was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He was promoted to the rank of Captain with an appointment from General Barnard of engineer on the defenses of Washington while participating in the peninsular campaigns in June, 1863. Captain McDowell declined the honor preferring to serve his country at the front with his comrades in arms. In 1863 he was attached to the 11th and 12th Army Corps under command of the intrepid General Joe Hooker, which was consolidated to the 20th Corps. Captain McDowell served on the staff of General Hooker as chief topographical engineer and was one of Sherman's veterans on the march from "Atlanta to the sea". In the several engagements around Atlanta he won distinction for gallant and meritorious service and was brevetted major of United States Volunteers. By the end of the Rebellion he was chief topographical engineer on the staff of Maj.-Gen. H.W. Slocum, who commanded the left wing of the army of Georgia, numbering 50,000 men, which constituted one-half of the 100,000 strong embracing General Sherman's army. He was mustered out on June 27, 1865. He resumed his profession being engaged in developing and operating mines in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, the Indian Territory, Texas and Arkansas. Mr. McDowell was married in 1860 to Miss Arlena C. Boyd, of Springvale, Maine. They had one son born in 1867 who was a graduated of Cornell University, a lawyer and located in Elmira.
------------------------------------------
While I am listing biographies on the family of the Hon. John G. McDowell, I would be remiss if I didn't show the history of
his father, Capt. Daniel McDowell who was one of the first settlers of Chemung and who had quite a story to tell:
Capt. Daniel McDowell (McDowel) a Cameronion Scotchman, settled on the farm subsequently known as "McDowell's Flats" which afterward was the home of his son, Hon. John G. McDowell, for more than a quarter of a century. Daniel McDowell possessed the real Highland Characteristics of bravery, zeal and physical hardihood. He served in the Revolutionary army as a captain. He was captured by the Indians at Shawnee on Sept. 12, 1782 and was taken to Niagara where he was compelled by the Indians to run the gauntlet. His muscular frame, fleetness of foot and unflinching bravery enabled him to pass through that terrible ordeal as one of the very few who escaped with their lives. He was subsequently taken to Quebec, Canada where he suffered many acts of cruelty and remained in prison one year before he was allowed his liberty. He was known to the Indians as "Keto" meaning "the iron man". Capt. McDowell was liberally educated, possessed a vigorous intellect with great energy and nervous force and his life was an eventful one. While being conveyed to Niagara by the Indians they halted one night on the trail near the present town of Chemung. He was bound and secured near a spring that is today located under the railroad track just in front of the Owens Farm house (at the time of Towner's writing). (The area can be located on the old maps as lot numbers 4 and 5.) Captain McDowell viewed the landscape there with intense interest, attracted by its beauty and the evident richness of its soil. He determined, if he escaped from his present condition, he would return and occupy those inviting fields. His determination had full fruition in only a few years. He settled on the spot he had overlooked as a prisoner and his fine estate there was known for many years and is still occasionally referred to as the "McDowell flats". He died in 1808. He was one of the first settlers to open a farm in the county.
I would like to thank Eileen Hanigan Barrett-Pizza for the story, photo and information on her Great Grandfather Julius Gehrke. She has given us another piece to our town's history puzzle. - Mary Ellen
Julius F Gehrke House & Farm 1899
A marriage record at the German Evangelical Church, Elmira, Chemung County NY shows on July 5, 1884, Herr Julius F. Gehrke married Fraulein Carolina W. Kraus. Julius was born in Schlochau, Germany, which at the time was in West Prussia, in the 1880's. (Both of his wives were from Germany as well.) Julius bought this 100+ acre tobacco farm, built by the Hon. John G. McDowell in 1899. Carolina died in March 1889, three days after giving birth to daughter, Wilhelmina. Julius and Carolina also had two sons: Herman Julius born April 1885, and Edward William born October 11, 1886 - died January 30, 1865. Julius's second wife was Hulda Bast. They had Meta (Mattie) I. born October 4, 1895 - died February 20, 1953 and Henry Albert, born October 2, 1897.
Julius resided on his farm until his death August 28, 1935. Hulda remained on the farm until her death June 14, 1938. Their names were located in a Chemung County Obituary Index Listing as: Gehrke, Hulda B. death 6/14 /1938, date of obituary: June 19, 1938 and Gehrke, Julius F. death August 25, 1935, date of obituary: September 1, 1935.
Julius gave a parcel of his land for the use as a cemetery, which is known today as the Riverside Cemetery adjacent to his property. A deed was recorded in January 1938.
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Julius F Gehrke House & Farm 1899
A marriage record at the German Evangelical Church, Elmira, Chemung County NY shows on July 5, 1884, Herr Julius F. Gehrke married Fraulein Carolina W. Kraus. Julius was born in Schlochau, Germany, which at the time was in West Prussia, in the 1880's. (Both of his wives were from Germany as well.) Julius bought this 100+ acre tobacco farm, built by the Hon. John G. McDowell in 1899. Carolina died in March 1889, three days after giving birth to daughter, Wilhelmina. Julius and Carolina also had two sons: Herman Julius born April 1885, and Edward William born October 11, 1886 - died January 30, 1865. Julius's second wife was Hulda Bast. They had Meta (Mattie) I. born October 4, 1895 - died February 20, 1953 and Henry Albert, born October 2, 1897.
Julius resided on his farm until his death August 28, 1935. Hulda remained on the farm until her death June 14, 1938. Their names were located in a Chemung County Obituary Index Listing as: Gehrke, Hulda B. death 6/14 /1938, date of obituary: June 19, 1938 and Gehrke, Julius F. death August 25, 1935, date of obituary: September 1, 1935.
Julius gave a parcel of his land for the use as a cemetery, which is known today as the Riverside Cemetery adjacent to his property. A deed was recorded in January 1938.
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My Great Grandfather, Julius Frederick Gehrke and his second wife Hulda Bast Gehrke. The children are from Julius' first marriage to Carolina Krause. In front is little Eduard, then my grandmother, Wilhelmina, and behind her is oldest brother Hermann. This was taken around 1891 - 1892. Wilhelmina was born 2/28/1889. Her momma died three days later at age 23. (written by Eileen Hanigan Barrett-Pizza)
The last residents of the house were the Hoffman Family, Ed & Helen, until approx. 2005. The property was purchased on or about the year 2006 by the company Casella Resource Solutions. Currently there are plans to restore this Historical Home.
In 2013 Eileen Hanigan Barrett-Pizza and her sister had the opportunity to visit and tour the home of their Great Grandfather Julius F. Gehrke, in Chemung, New York. She captured many wonderful photos of the home's interior and exterior. What's even more incredible, she has allowed me to post these photos on this website. In her words, "Truly, I felt that I had come home". What an incredible experience and great feeling, to be sure. Thank you Eileen for your generosity.
Click on photos to enlarge