Background
He was the son of Daniel McDowell (1763–1806) and Ruth (Drake) McDowell (1766–1854).
He was the son of Daniel McDowell (1763–1806) and Ruth (Drake) McDowell (1766–1854).
He fought in the War of 1812 as a lieutenant. At the same time, he was Postmaster of Chemung. He was Postmaster of West Chemung (now Lowman, a hamlet in the Town of Chemung) from 1840 to 1842.
He secured the charter for, and was the first President of, the Chemung Canal Bank.
He was also an associate judge of the Tioga County Court for some time. He was buried at the Riverside Cemetery in Chemung.
He was a member of the New York State Assembly (Tioga Company) in 1830 and 1831. He was a member of the New York State Senate (6th Doctorate) from 1832 to 1835, sitting in the 55th, 56th, 57th and 58th New York State Legislatures.