Background
McDowell was born near Middletown, Delaware.
McDowell was born near Middletown, Delaware.
He attended the public schools of Middletown, and graduated from Beacom Business College in Wilmington.
McDowell served in the State House during the 1941/42 session and then in the State Senate for the 1943/44 and 1945/46 sessions. McDowell was elected to the United States. Representatives in 1954, defeating Republican Lillian I. Martin. During this term, he served with the Democratic majority in the 84th Congress.
During these terms, he served with the Democratic majority in the 86th, 87th, 88th, and 89th Congress.
Finally, he lost his bid for a sixth term in 1966 to William V. Roth, Junior., then a Wilmington lawyer His support of President Lyndon Johnson"s war policies may have contributed to his defeat.
Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. State Senators have a four-year term and State Representatives have a two-year term.
United States. Representatives take office January 3 and have a two-year term.
He was a member of the Democratic Party, who served in the Delaware General Assembly and five terms as United States Representative from Delaware. He lived in Middletown, was engaged in farming, also in the insurance and real estate business, and was a member of the State Board of Agriculture from 1937 until 1940. During those years he was a director of Interstate Milk Producers Cooperative and member of Delaware Farm Bureau from 1941 until 1948.
He served as Secretary of State for Delaware during Governor Elbert North. Carvel"s first term, from 1949 until 1953 and was a member of New Castle County Zoning Commission in 1953 and 1954.
Members of the General Assembly take office the second Tuesday of January.