Concordia in Cloud County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Howard Reed Dowell
June 25, 1905 - January 4, 1995
— Rider to Belleview, Kansas 1909 —
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 4, 2021
1. Howard Reed Dowell Marker
Howard Reed was born in Upstate New York to Fred and Gertrude Reed, the third child of four. At the age of three, Howard and his two older siblings lost their parents and eldest sister, Ethel. The three had been moving cattle across a frozen lake when the ice broke. They died after contracting tuberculosis. Gertrude arranged for Clara, James, and Howard to be taken to the Children's Aid Society in Manhattan, New York, after her death.
Howard and his siblings were placed out in June 1909 in Belleville, Kansas. Though each child found a permanent home with different families in Belleville, the three remained in contact. Howard was placed with Luther and Juliet Dowell near Cuba, Kansas. The Dowells offered him a loving home on their farm. Howard loved the farm animals, working with horses and mules and playing baseball with his new family. Howard and wife Nora raised four children on the Dowell family farm, and their descendants call North Central Kansas home.
Erected by National Orphan Train Complex; Robert "Bobby" and Wanda Morgan; Gertrude Breault & Family; the Walmart Foundation; Irene Hess; Harold & Joyce Dowell; and Denise Danielson.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Charity & Public Work. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1909.
Location. 39°
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to the National Orphan Train Complex (a few steps from this marker); James Reed Elliot (a few steps from this marker); Union Pacific Railroad Passenger Depot (a few steps from this marker); Robert Frances (Miles) Summers (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Francis Summers Memorial Clock (within shouting distance of this marker); Clara Reed Duckett Morgan (within shouting distance of this marker); William Sidney Emay (within shouting distance of this marker); To All Our Fallen Heroes, Thank You. (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Concordia.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Orphan Train Movement
Also see . . .
1. Museum to Honor Orphans. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen website entry:
Howard Reed Dowell was reared from age 3 on a farm 35 miles northeast of Concordia. "I was probably in high(Submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)school before I knew Dad had been adopted," his son, Darrell Dowell said. "This part of our history was almost lost." While his father, uncle and aunt went to good homes, Darrell Dowell said, some of the orphan train riders were "bad kids," and others were placed in "bad homes and were tortured." But generally, the effort started by Presbyterian minister Charles Loring Brace in 1853 improved the lives of thousands of children.
2. Marker detail: Howard Reed Dowell, 1912
2. Howard Reed Dowell. Find A Grave website entry:
After losing their parents and older sister Ethel as the result of a tragic accident, Howard and his two older siblings, Clara and James, were sent west on an Orphan Train.(Submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. A History of the Orphan Trains. Kansas Collection Articles:
When the Orphan Train movement began, in the mid-19th century, it was estimated that approximately 30,000 abandoned children were living on the streets of New York. Over the 75 year span of the Orphan Train movement, it is estimated that between 150,000 and 200,000 children were relocated to new homes via the Orphan Trains.(Submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 4, 2021
3. Howard Reed Dowell Sculpture
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 4, 2021
4. Howard Reed Dowell Marker & Sculpture
Credits. This page was last revised on December 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 15, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
