My Genealogy Hound

RALPH T. SOWDEN, M. D. In a comprehensive work of this kind, dealing with industrial pursuits, sciences, arts and professions, it is only fit and right that the medical profession should be noted. Dr. Sowden’s skill in the healing art is well known throughout Lehigh County, and he has been a resident of Slatedale since 1880. He was born December 23, 1850, in this county, and is the son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Williams) Sowden, natives of England. The mother of our subject was brought to America by her parents when an infant of one year, and Samuel Sowden came hither when a man of thirty years of age. The latter was a pioneer in the iron ore business in the Lehigh Valley and lived for a time in Allentown and later at Ironton. He became a very prominent man in this line of business and met with substantial results in his enterprise. He departed this life in Lehigh County February 5, 1891, having been preceded to the better land by his good wife, who died August 17, 1890.

Our subject was given liberal educational advantages, having been a student at Muhlenburg College for six months, and also attended the state normal at Kutztown. He had assisted his father during his earlier years in working in the iron and coal mines, and was so far advanced in his studies when seventeen years of age that he was enabled to teach school in Lehigh County. He followed this occupation for twelve terms during the winter, and in the summer was engaged in various kinds of labor, and from the money thus earned was enabled to carry out his long cherished desire of becoming a physician.

When beginning his medical career our subject read with Dr. Wilson P. Kistler, then located at Schnecksville, and in 1874 entered the medical department of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. In 1879, after taking a full course in that institution, he was graduated with honors, and returning to his native state, began the practice of his profession at Shamokin. He remained there only a short time, when he came to Slatedale, where he leads a very busy and useful life, and his honorable and upright career has won him universal confidence.

Dr. Sowden was married June 12, 1881, to Miss Mary Lentz, a native of this county and a daughter of Alfred Lentz, of Washington Township. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children: Ralph T., Ella S. A., Edgar L., Samuel A. and Mary A. In polities the Doctor is a pronounced Democrat, and socially is a member of the Lehigh Medical Society and the Knights of Malta at Slatington, in which latter order he serves as Commander of Star Commandery No. 92. By his skill and success in his chosen work Dr. Sowden has won an excellent reputation as a physician and the good will of the citizens of Slatedale and the surrounding community.