MOWRY, JOHN H., born Feb. 26, 1829, in Charleston, S. C. Accompanied his father to Chicago in 1836, came to Springfield, Ill., in 1839, and learned the carpenter's trade. In 1856 he was elected Sheriff of Mason county, but resigned, after serving fifteen months, to avoid hanging a man convicted of murder. He was married, Jan. 2, 1858, in Dixon, Lee county, Ill., to Martha Grimm, who was born March 6, 1832, at Harpers Ferry, Va. They have six children living, ANN E., IDA E., ELEANORA, MARY, HARRIET, and GRACE. During the rebellion J. H. Mowry was employed in the mechanical department of the government at Camps Yates and Butler, near Springfield, and being ordered to Camp Douglas, at Chicago, moved his family to that city. He was also engaged at Camp Fry, and at the arsenal at Rock Island, and on the public works at Wilmington, Delaware, in 1863 and '64. In 1866 he made a two-years tour through England and the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa. He lost all his property in the great Chicago fire, Oct. 9, 1871. In July, 1874, he took charge as first foreman of the addition to the State prison of Michigan, then in course of construction. He remained there until 1875, when he returned to Springfield, where he is now engaged in the business of a contractor and builder.