*Webmasters Note* Pictures will be added shortly.
College Springs, IA. – Grove Cemetery
Ceremony for Daniel Dow – Revolutionary War Soldier
Sunday May 18, 2008
The pathway through the native grass, lined with American flags, lead to the tombstone of the only known veteran of the American Revolutionary War buried this far west.
The stone bears the name Daniel Dow Sr.
On Sunday May 18, 2008, a memorial ceremony was held for Daniel Dow by members of the Iowa Society Sons of the American Revolution, IASSAR; the Iowa State Society Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR; the Iowa Society Children of the American Revolution, ISCAR, and members of the American Legion Post 96 of Clarinda, Iowa. A small group of patriotic citizens from Shenandoah and nearby communities was also there.
Daniel Dow Sr. was born on April 23, 1771 in Voluntown, Connecticut. He enlisted as a mere lad at Coventry, Connecticut [ Check date of birth – if the stated date is accurate Daniel would only be 5 years old in 1776 and at the end of the war in January 1783 long after hostilities ceased he would have been 11 years old.]
He served in the 1st Militia Company, 5th Regiment. Young boys often served as messengers in the “Company of Alarm”.
In 1799 Daniel married Susannah Douglas and together they had seven children.
In 1857, Daniel Dow, along with several male members of his family came to College Springs, Iowa. Although elderly, Daniel walked most of the way from the Mississippi River to College Springs. He had taken passage on the stage coach, but the roads were muddy and traveling by foot was faster. He and his family settled and began farming.
Daniel Dow died on February 7th 1860 in Page County. He was buried in the Grove Cemetery just west of College Springs. Several members of his family are buried with him.
The memorial ceremony began with an escort to the gravesite by young Mathew Volker, ISCAR. A Commemorative History of Daniel Dow was read by Raynold Prussia of Council Bluffs, IA, a member of IASSAR, and a greeting from Linda Hopkins of Shenandoah, a regent of DAR. The group joined in the Pledge of Allegiance and sang our National Anthem.
The American Legion Post of Clarinda Iowa presented a rifle salute and Ralph Hopkins, Legion bugler played taps. Ray Prussia and Mrs. Linda Hopkins placed a memorial wreath Daniel Dow’s tombstone. Chaplin Rosie Hall of the DAR concluded the ceremony with a meaningful prayer.
IASSAR President, Michael J. Rowley expressed his thanks to all who participated in the memorial ceremony for Daniel Dow and encourages others to join and support their local SAR, DAR, CAR and American Legion posts.
Iowa SAR 