[2] Louise Maria Reed (sometimes Louisa or Lou)[6][7][8] was born in Grand Blanc, Michigan, December 23, 1850.

At an early age she entered the University of Michigan, from which she was graduated in 1876 with the degree of B. S. Afterwards she pursued post-graduate work for one year, and in 1877 received the degree of M. S.[9] In September 1877, she was engaged as instructor in microscopic botany,[3] and placed in charge of a botanical laboratory, which position she held for twelve years.

One of the leading features of that laboratory was the amount of original work accomplished in structural botany by both teacher and pupils.

On July 10, 1878, in Saginaw City, Michigan,[6] she married Charles Henry Stowell, M.D.,[5][4] professor of physiology and histology in the same university.

She did not confined herself to purely scientific literature, as she also wrote a large number of articles for popular magazines, illustrating each with charcoal, crayon or pen-and-ink sketches.

[3] She died February 2, 1932, at Tucson, Arizona, and was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery, Ann Arbor, Michigan.