Benjamin Shacklett Dowell (November 30, 1818 – November 8, 1880) was an American soldier and politician who would serve as the first mayor of El Paso, Texas.
Ben Dowell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Mayor of El Paso | |
| In office August 12, 1873 – 1875 | |
| Succeeded by | Melton A. Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benjamin Shacklett Dowell November 30, 1818 possibly Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | November 8, 1880 (aged 61) El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Concordia Cemetery, El Paso, Texas |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States, later Confederate States of America |
| Branch/service | US Army, later Confederate Army |
| Years of service | 1846–1848; 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Private, later Captain |
| Unit | 1st Regiment of Kentucky Mounted Volunteers |
Biography
editLittle is known on the early life of Ben Dowell, but it is known that he was a native of Kentucky. He was born on November 30, 1818 to the War of 1812 veteran and Colonel James Dowell and his wife Barbara Dowell, possibly in or near Frankfort.[1] It is known that he had nine siblings by 1833, five sisters and four brothers. He was a part of the First Regiment of the Kentucky Cavalry during the Mexican–American War. In 1847, he and his party were captured near the Encarnación ranch shortly before the Battle of Buena Vista. When he was released in 1849 he was granted the ownership of 160 acres of land for his service.[2] It is said that his hair had turned entirely gray during his time as a POW in Mexico City, despite only being 31 years old. His home was located near modern day downtown El Paso. There he would meet Juana Marquez, a native Tigua in Ysleta. He would marry her in 1852, and many sources state it was when she was only 19 and Ben 34. Although, this is questionable as census records state that Ben was closer to 39. For a year the couple moved to Los Angeles, California in search of business ventures, and there they would have their first child before returning to El Paso. They would go on to have five children between 1854 and 1875.
It is said that during the Civil War Ben served as a Confederate Army captain in San Antonio and Galveston, where he worked as a recruiter. He is also considered to be the first person to ever fly a confederate flag in the city.[3] However there are very few records to support these claims.
In the years to come, El Paso saw a growth in population and trade. On May 17, 1873 El Paso was incorporated by the state of Texas and soon after elections were held on August 12th. This resulted in Ben becoming the city's first mayor. It is said that rebel group had attempted to take over the city in September 1875, but Ben who was also serving as the city's Marshall quickly put that down. The very next year we know from Pat Garrett's autobigraphy that Billy the Kid had made a stop at Ben's saloon.[4] He lost his bid for reelection and would briefly serve as an alderman in 1880.
Ben died in his home on November 8, 1880, aged 61. With the most popular cause being from pneumonia.[5] He was originally buried in Masonic Cemetery, but his remains would be moved to Concordia Cemtery in 1881.
Legacy
editBen's wife Juana Dowell died sometime in the year 1891, the exact date and cause is unknown. According to census records, she was 58. Despite Ben and Juana having five children, the burial sites of only two are known. Their first child Mary and one son named John.
Ben S. Dowell Elementary School was opened in El Paso in 1959, it was shut down and dismantled by 2022.[6]
References
edit- ^ Long, Trish (March 21, 2016). "Ben Dowell, El Paso's first mayor". El Paso Times. El Paso Times. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ "First Mayor of El Paso, Benjamin Dowell". El Paso Museum of History. El Paso County Historical Society. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Hamilton, Nancy (December 1, 1994). "Dowell, Benjamin Shacklett (1818–1880)". Texas State Historical Society. TSHS. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Pat F. Garrett (1882). "The Authentic Life of Billy, The Kid" (PDF). us.archive.org. NEW MEXICAN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO. p. 17. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Nancy Hamilton (December 1, 1994). "Dowell, Benjamin Shacklett (1818–1880)". Texas State Historical Association. TSHA. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Cristina Carreon (December 23, 2021). "El Paso ISD students will attend new campuses over two years amid school consolidations". El Paso Times. Retrieved July 21, 2024.