Bio-Minerd, EttaMcDowell

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Etta (Minerd) McDowell
(1887-1947)

Etta (Minerd) McDowell was born on Jan. 9, 1887 in Lemont Furnace near Uniontown, Fayette County, PA, the daughter of James C. and Suvina (Yauger) Minerd Sr.

At age 23, in 1910, Etta worked as a maid in the household of Charles B. Franks, the manager of a local coal and coke plant.

On Aug. 16, 1911, Etta married Charles Widdup McDowell ( ? -1971), the son of James and Elizabeth (Biddle) McDowell. They had four children -- Raymond Arnold McDowell, James Calvin "J.C." McDowell, Anna June McClain and Marjorie May Beighley.

Charles was a railroader, and they lived on Jefferson Street in Connellsville, Fayette County. The McDowells later sold the residence to Etta's brother Frank.

Etta is seen at right with her sons J.C. (left) and Raymond (right). The Connellsville Daily Courier once said that "Active in church work, she was a member of the Central Methodist Church, an honorary member of the W.W. Pickett Class, a member of the Onward Class and Circle No. 4."

Etta passed away at age 60 on June 11, 1947, after a "brief illness," said the Daily Courier.

Charles outlived her by 24 years, and died in 1971.

Son J.C. McDowell was a railroad foreman, and inspected diesel engines. He commuted for many years between Connellsville, PA and Akron, OH. He claimed to have been named for his mother's cousin, Calvin Inks. J.C. was interviewed several times by the founder of this website, and provided significant information for the understanding of his mother's family branches.

Seen here, great-grandson Dr. Eric L. McDowell and his wife Dr. Jacqueline M. McDowell both are educators at Berry College in Rome, GA, a school that U.S. News & World Report ranked number one among comprehensive colleges-bachelor's in the South in 2002. Eric is Assistant Professor of Mathematics, and formerly taught mathematics and computer science at Bethany College in West Virginia. Jackie is Dean of Berry College's School of Education and the Human Sciences. In 2003, Eric received one of the college's most prestigious awards -- the Dave and Lu Garrett Award for Meritorious Teaching -- presented annually to the faculty member judged to have been most effective during the year. He is believed to be the first before-tenure faculty member to receive this honor. Click here to read the college's press release.