Person:William Mowbray (10)

William Ross MOWBRAY was born on 1 Oct 1806 in , Ross, Ohio. He was working as a County Treasurer in 1838 in Miami County, Indiana. Salary was $100.00 per year. He was working as a City Treasurer on 1 Apr 1842 in Peru, Miami, Indiana. He appeared on the census on 10 Oct 1850 in Harrison Township, Miami County, Indiana. William is shown in the 1850 Census taken on 10 Occt 1850, page 160, as age 43, birth in Ohio with real estate valued at 1200 dollars. He is show with wife Harriet who is age 40, Rhoda age 16, Maria age 10, William age 8, George age 7, Joseph age 3 and John at 3 months. He died on 29 Jan 1881 in , Miami, Indiana. He was working as a Justice of Peace in Peru, Miami, Indiana. William moved to Peru, Indian in 1834 after reading of the area in the advertisement for the sale of village lots earlier that spring. William moved to Peru and opened the first shoe shop of which he made by hand. He was a shoe maker until 1845 in Peru. Parents: William MOWBRAY and Rhoda ROSS.

October 1834, William R. Mowbray and wife emigrated from Ohio to Indiana and located on the site of the present city of Peru, which was then but a hamlet. The Wabash & Erie Canal was then in process of construction, and even then Peru gave promise of becoming an important point. Mr. Mowbray was a boot and shoemaker by trade, and he has the honor of making the first pair of boots and shoes in the place. The family continued to reside here until 1845, when they removed to the farm, which Mr. Mowbray had purchased in Harrison Township, and this was of the family until the death of the parents. The wife and mother passed away in 1878, and the death of Mr. Mowbray occurred on January 29, 1881, at the age of nearly seventy-five years. He was esteemed as an honorable, upright citizen and Christian gentleman. In public office he served as the second Treasurer of Miami County. Being one of the early Methodists he assisted in organizing the first Methodist Episcopal Church in Peru. He and his good wife left to their children the example of lives worthy of emulation. Of their ten children only five grew up to mature years and three are now living, viz: Mrs. Maria Woolpert, of Kalkaska, Michigan; William E., of this sketch; and Joseph F., also of Kalkaska. Those who attained to mature years and have passed away were Mary B. and Rhoda R., both of whom left families.