Francis M. McDowell

Francis M. McDowell (1831 – 1894) was born of British Ancestry in New York City. He was a partner in the banking firm Hallett and Company in New York City, causing frequent trips to Europe in an effort to gather capital for railway construction. After a serious illness, he returned to his hometown and became a grape grower. It was through McDowell's efforts that the Grange organization has a central division to prevent the breakup of the work and varying from town to town. It was through his recommendation that the ritual work of the National Grange came into being. He served as the National Grange Treasurer for 21 years from January 1873 until Novemebr 1893.

The other founders of the Grange were: Oliver Hudson Kelley, William Saunders, John Trimble, Aaron B. Grosh, John R. Thompson, William M. Ireland and Caroline A. Hall.