MICHAEL JOHN DOWLING The subject of this sketch, although yet a young man, has had an eventful career. On the night of December 4, 1880, he was lost on the prairie near Canby, Minnesota, and being overtaken by a severe blizzard was unable to find his way to any better shelter than that of a straw stack. As a result of that exposure to cold, on December 20, both legs were amputated six inches below the knees, the left arm four inches below the elbow, and all of the fingers and half of the thumb of the right hand. Mr. Dowling’s parents were poor people, and prior to the great misfortune which overtook him he had been for three years doing farm work and herding cattle in Lyon and Yellow Medicine counties.  After his narrow escape from death in 1880 he remained as a charge upon the county of Yellow Medicine until April 1, 1883.

He was born at Huntington, Hampden County, Massachusetts, February 17, 1866. He attended the public schools of that state, and also in New York, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin and Minnesota. After recovering his health, so badly shattered by the disaster of 1880, Mr. Dowling began April 1, 1883, without a cent, to rely upon himself for his own support. His first venture was at odd jobs of painting. He then secured sufficient funds to establish a roller skating rink, which proved very successful. He followed this up by teaching in the public schools. He was principal of the East Granite Falls school in 1886, and of the Renville schools in 1887. This latter position was a very fortunate one for him. He held it for three years, obtaining by means of it a good start in life, and refused a flattering offer of continuance in order to engage in the publication and editorship of the Renville Star, which he had already established. After a few months he sold the Star, and during the years 1890, 1891 and 1892 traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada as a special life insurance agent.

In 1892 he re-purchased the Star and also acquired its contemporary, the Farmer. He still continues the publication of the consolidated paper. He is also interested in several business concerns in Renville County, but regards newspaper work as his profession. He has always been a Republican and has been honored with numerous offices of more or less importance. He was village recorder of Renville village for one term; justice of the peace four years; secretary of Renville County Republican Committee, and delegate to various district and state conventions.  He was the First Assistant Clerk of the house of representatives in 1893, and in 1895 was unanimously elected chief clerk of that body. At the meeting of the National Republican League in June, 1895, At Cleveland, Mr. Dowling was, after a short, decisive campaign, elected its secretary.  He has proven himself a most efficient organizer, and has given great satisfaction to the active members of the party, who appreciate the valuable services he has rendered.

Mr. Dowling is a member of the Knight of Pythias, the I. O.  O. F., and the A. O. U. W., the St. Paul Press Club, the Marquette Club, of Chicago; was secretary of the Minnesota Editorial Association for two years; has represented it in the National Editorial Association three different times, and was sent to the first national Good Roads convention at Asbury Park, in 1894, as the representative of the St. Paul Commercial Club. He married October 2, 1895, Miss Jennie L. Bordewick, at Atlanta, Georgia, whither both of them had gone as members of the state editorial excursion party. Mrs. Dowling is a daughter of Henry Bordewick, ex-postmaster of Granite Falls, Minnesota.