Alanson was reared on a farm, assisted in the maintenance of the family, and attended the common schools of his native county until he was 21. He then left and went to Canisteo, Steuben Co NY where he learned the trade of millwright. He served three years in the latter county, and in May 1836 came to Quincy, this State and worked at his trade for about three months. He then went to Iowa in the vicinity of Davenport, where he worked one season on several mills. He then returned to Quincy where his parents resided, and in the spring again returned to Iowa where he was engaged at his trade for another three months.
In July 1837, Mr. Stowell came to Prophetstown, which was then a part of Jo Daviess County, and in company with three others made a claim of 360 acres of land. They erected a saw-mill on the same, one-half mile from the mouth of Coon Creek and cut a race one and a half miles in length which cost them $2,000 and which proved a failure, and Mr. Stowell was the loser thereby to the extent of one fourth of the amount invested. They then moved the mill and ran it something over two years and finally abandoned it, as it had a poor foundation and had fallen down; but Mr. Stowell was lucky in having sold out his interest some time before the destruction of the property, although he was a loser by the investment. Mr. Stowell purchased 80 acres of his present farm on section 4 from the Government after the land had come into market, and has increased his acreage by subsequent purchase, until he is now the proprietor of 320 acres on the section named, 120 acres being inside the corporate limits of the village of Prophetstown. He has also six acres of timber land in Portland Township.
Mr. Stowell was united in marriage in Prophetstown May 12, 1842 to Annette E. Nichols. She is the daughter of Erastus G. and elizabeth G. Nichols, and was born in Hardwick, Caledonia Co VT Sept. 21, 1824. They have had eight children, seven of whom are living; Sarah E., wife of Henry S. Davidson, Farmer in Prophetstown Township; Erastus C., a farmer residing on the farm of the subject of this notice; Mary A., wife of R.J. Pense a farmer in Nebraska; Marion wife of Frank McGrady, section foreman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad branch; Bradford M. a farmer; Addie A., wife of John Blackmore, a carpenter in Prophetstown; Mark A. resides at home. Erastus C. married Luch Blackmore - Bradford married Maud Daratt.
Mr. Stowell was one of the early pioneers of WHiteside County and has been ever active in developing its resources and laboring to promote the welfare and prosperity of the community, He is, and long has been, one of the leading and representative men of his section of the county.
Portrait and Biographical Whiteside County 1895 - Pg 587
Alanson Stowell, farmer, residing on section 4, Prophetstown Township, and the owner of 320 acres thereon, is a son of Aaron and Elizabeth 9Pratt) Stowell, and was born in Broome Co NY April 30, 1812. His father and mother were both natives of the same State, and the former was a farmer by occupation, and both were of Scotch, English and Welch extraction.
Alanson Stowell was born in Broome county, New York, in 1812, and lived there until he was fifteen years of age, when he went to Greene county and afterwards to Steuben county, in the same state. In 1836 he came to Illinois and worked for a year at his trade of millwright, in Quincy, and in August, 1837, settled in Prophetstown and commenced building the saw-mill on Coon creek, in which enterprise he lost heavily, He is now residing on his large farm adjoining the village. Mr. Stowell married Miss Annette T. Nichols in 1842. Their children have been: Elizabeth, wife of Henry Davidson; Erastus, who married Miss Lucy Blackman; Mary A., wife of Jacob Pence; Marian, who married Frank McGrady; Bradford, Adliza, and Mark A.-all whom live in Prophetstown.
Bent & Wilson History of Whiteside County 1877
