Biography
Born in Burke (now McDowell) County, North Carolina, McDowell moved to Kentucky with his mother in 1805 and to Augusta County, Virginia, in 1817. He pursued preparatory studies. He engaged in agricultural pursuits. He moved to Highland County, Ohio, in 1824 and continued agricultural pursuits. He moved to Hillsboro, Highland County, in 1829 and engaged in mercantile pursuits.
Political and military career
He served as member of the State house of representatives in 1832. He served in the State senate in 1833.
He was appointed brigadier general of the State militia in 1834. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1835 and commenced the practice of his profession in Hillsboro, Ohio. He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1840 to the Twenty-seventh Congress. Ohio Presidential elector in 1832 for Andrew Jackson.[1]
Congress
McDowell was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Congresses (March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1847). He served as chairman of the Committee on Accounts (Twenty-eighth Congress).
Later career and death
He resumed the practice of law and also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He died in Hillsboro, Ohio, January 17, 1877. He was interred in Hillsboro Cemetery.
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Headstone of Joseph J. McDowell in Hillsboro Cemetery. -
Gravemarker of Joseph J. McDowell in Hillsboro Cemetery.
