Born: Wood County, Ohio, August 18, 1861.
Died: Fullerton, California, April 17, 1939.

The subject of this sketch came of good religious stock. He was born in Wood County, Ohio, August 18, 1861, and though that was at the beginning of our Civil War, young Dowling did not inherit its spirit, for he has always sought those things that make for peace. His father and mother were William and Mary Dowling, his father being well known as an efficient pastor and evangelist. His grandfather, Jackson Dowling, was one of the early preachers of the Restoration Movement.

Early in life Frank developed a taste for learning. After sufficient training he entered Bethany College, West Virginia, and was graduated from that college in 1885, with first honors of his class, making the commencement valedictory address, and class oration, also the valedictory for the Neotrophian Literary Society.

Laden with academic honors, he soon became pastor of the Christian church at Mt. Healthy, Ohio, near Cincinnati, succeeding A. McLean. From 1887 to 1892 he occupied the chair of Latin in Bethany College. Part of this time he was secretary of the faculty and pastor of the Bethany church.

He was married in 1888 to Miss Bertha B. Paul of Hopedale, Ohio.

In 1892, he moved to California and has been permanently identified with the Disciples of Christ in that great state ever since, filling important positions in churches and state organizations, and always acquitting himself to the entire satisfaction of his brethren. In general, religious and social work he has also been an active worker, and in the lecture field he has also been successful.

The following endorsement is sufficient to show his popularity as a lecturer:

To the Lyceumites of America:

It is with sincere pleasure that I present to the patrons of the Lyceum, Rev. Frank M. Dowling, of Pasadena, California. I know him well. I have listened to him often with pleasure and profit. His ideas are his own; his manner in his own; his tender earnestness, his infectious humor, his happiness of illustration, his voice and gesture, all are his own--he is all 'Dowling.' Most cordially do I recommend him to committee and audience.

ROBERT J. BURDETTE.

He has been called the "Apostle of Sunshine," and this is a very appropriate characterization.

As a pastor he has been eminently successful. His sermons are lit up with his genial humor, and both as a preacher and Christian gentleman he is one of the most popular men among the Disciples. He has resigned his pastorate at Fullerton, and removed to San Dimas, California.

Mr. Dowling is one of the few men who has not been spoiled as a preacher by the popular lecture platform. It is somewhat difficult to combine these two things without spoiling one or the other, but it seems that Mr. Dowling has solved the problem as far as possible for he has won a fine reputation in both fields, and best of all he has never lowered his ministerial calling by his platform presentations.