The Stowe-McBride House

In 1919, a sheriff ’s sale of the lot transpired, and in 1920, Dr. G.B. Hamilton assumed ownership. He sold it to Adney Stowe in 1924, and Stowe built the house that year. In 1930, Stowe and his wife Mattie took a mechanic’s lien to remodel the home. Mr. Stowe ran a fresh meat market on Main Street, securing his products from local farmers for beef and poultry. Although many of the grocers in Olney had a meat counter, this was really before refrigeration, and Mr. Stowe kept his meat on ice. Mr. Stowe was the grandson of Rev. G.W. Rushing, the first resident pastor of Olney Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1896.

In 1946, the Stowes sold the house to W.M. McNeill’s wife, Lela.

In 1949, the McNeills sold the house to Carlis Lee (Carl) (1906-1976) and Eulelia (Ragland) (1903-1981) Parsley. Carl was a salesman at the Ford dealership (Perkins & Myers). Eulelia was an OISD teacher.

He eventually even owned the Edsel dealership here in Olney.

In 1951, Pat (1902-1974) and Beulah (Rush) (1900-1989) Fowler became the owners, and they married in 1928. Pat was associated with Henry Craig (1897-1951) in the oil business, and Beulah became the closest of friends with Winnie (Dees) (1902-1968) Craig, who had married in 1925. The Fowlers had no children, but they did have Beulah’s nephew Charles Ray Rush, a big football player at OHS in the 1940s. Beulah and Winnie were seen around town constantly and, by my recollection, were always drinking Coke or coffee at the local dispensaries.

In 1944, Charles Ray Rush and Bob Craig (The second son of Winnie and Henry) sold the house to J.M. Gray. Gray was an auto parts dealer and the Buick dealer in Olney and was a very good auto mechanic.

In 2012, Gray sold to the present owners—Dugald and Gail McBride.