Background
In 1857, he married Anne Smith Clay, daughter of Henry Clay, Junior. with whom he had seven children.
In 1857, he married Anne Smith Clay, daughter of Henry Clay, Junior. 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. 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."
Daughter Madeline was a noted social reformer whose efforts were focused on child welfare, health issues, and women"s rights.
He rose to the rank of major as a member of the staff of General William Rosecrans.