Henry Clay McDowell
Encyclopedia
Henry Clay McDowell was an American businessman and noted Standardbred horse
breeder
.
In 1857, he married Anne Smith Clay, daughter of Henry Clay, Jr.
with whom he had seven children. They made their home in Louisville, Kentucky
until 1883 when they purchased Ashland Farm in Lexington, Kentucky
that had belonged to Anne Clay McDowell's famous grandfather, Henry Clay
.
During the American Civil War
, Henry McDowell served with the Union Army
. He rose to the rank of major
as a member of the staff of General William Rosecrans
. In business, McDowell was president of the Lexington and Eastern Railway.
In 1883, McDowell purchased Dictator, a top Standardbred sire
who was one of the four influential sons of Hambletonian
.
Henry Clay McDowell died at age sixty-seven in 1899. In his obituary, the San Francisco Call
newspaper wrote that he was "probably the best known citizen of Kentucky in private life."
Son Henry Jr. was a distinguished jurist and son Thomas
was a successful horseman who won the 1902 Kentucky Derby
. Daughter Madeline
was a noted social reformer whose efforts were focused on child welfare, health
issues, and women's rights
.
Standardbred horse
Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability...
breeder
Horse breeding
Horse breeding is reproduction in horses, and particularly the human-directed process of selective breeding of animals, particularly purebred horses of a given breed. Planned matings can be used to produce specifically desired characteristics in domesticated horses...
.
In 1857, he married Anne Smith Clay, daughter of Henry Clay, Jr.
Henry Clay, Jr.
Henry Clay, Jr. was an American politician and soldier from Kentucky, the third son of US Senator and Congressman Henry Clay and Lucretia Hart Clay. He was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1835 and served one term...
with whom he had seven children. They made their home in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
until 1883 when they purchased Ashland Farm in Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
that had belonged to Anne Clay McDowell's famous grandfather, Henry Clay
Henry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
.
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Henry McDowell served with the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. He rose to the rank of major
Major (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
as a member of the staff of General William Rosecrans
William Rosecrans
William Starke Rosecrans was an inventor, coal-oil company executive, diplomat, politician, and United States Army officer. He gained fame for his role as a Union general during the American Civil War...
. In business, McDowell was president of the Lexington and Eastern Railway.
In 1883, McDowell purchased Dictator, a top Standardbred sire
Sire
Sire may refer to:* Father, the counterpart of a dam, particularly in animal breeding. See also stallion* James W. Sire, author on worldviews* Sire Records, a record label* Sire Advertising, an advertising agency...
who was one of the four influential sons of Hambletonian
Hambletonian 10
Hambletonian 10, or Rysdyk's Hambletonian, was an American trotter and a founding sire of the Standardbred horse breed. The stallion was born in Sugar Loaf, NY on 5 May 1849. Hambletonian has been inducted into the Immortals category of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame.-Origin and early years...
.
Henry Clay McDowell died at age sixty-seven in 1899. In his obituary, the San Francisco Call
San Francisco Call
The San Francisco Call was a newspaper that served San Francisco, California. Because of a succession of mergers with other newspapers, the paper variously came to be called The San Francisco Call & Post, the San Francisco Call-Bulletin, San Francisco News-Call Bulletin, and the News-Call Bulletin...
newspaper wrote that he was "probably the best known citizen of Kentucky in private life."
Son Henry Jr. was a distinguished jurist and son Thomas
Thomas Clay McDowell
Thomas Clay McDowell was an American businessman, Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder, and trainer. He was a great-grandson of Henry Clay, Sr.-Early life and education:...
was a successful horseman who won the 1902 Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
. Daughter Madeline
Madeline McDowell Breckinridge
Madeline McDowell Breckinridge was a leader of the women’s suffrage movement and one of Kentucky's leading Progressive reformers. She was also known as Madge Breckinridge and Mrs...
was a noted social reformer whose efforts were focused on child welfare, health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
issues, and women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
.