Col. Joseph McDowell, b 13 Sept 1768, Rockbridge Co., VA, d 22 June 1856, Boyle Co., KY, buried: Bellevue Cemetery, Danville, Boyle, KY
Married: 1. Sarah Irvin, m 27 Sept 1794, Mercer Co., KY, 2. Ann Bush/Busle
The fifth son of Judge Samuel McDowell and Mary Mc- Clung, Joseph, was born September 13, 1768. A child when the Revolution commenced, and still a boy when it ended, yet was his character molded by the stirring events transpiring around him, and by the patriotic deeds to the narration of which be was an eager listener. Coming to Kentucky, with his father, in 1784, his youth was passed in intimate association with the men who, in the Danville conventions, prepared the way for separation from Virginia, and who established and gave its peculiar tone to the commonwealth. In the Indian campaigns, in which Kentuckians were engaged in the North-west, between the dates of his attaining the age for military service and the treaty which followed the victory of' 1 Mad Anthony" Wayne, he was a prompt and brave participant. He was a private in Brown's company, in Scott's expedition of 1791. He was in both expeditions under General Hop- kins, in 1812. The reputation for good sense, sound judg- ment,, military capacity and courage won therein, induced his appointment, by Shelby, to the position of adjutant- general upon the staff of that bard fighting commander. He served from the beginning to the close of Shelby's campaign in the North-west, and was at the Thames, where Tecumseh fell. For good conduct and valuable service rendered in that campaign and battle, he received compli- mentary mention, not only by his immediate commander, but also from General Harrison. The occupation of Colonel Joseph McDowell was that of a farmer. Disdaining all shams, and himself one of the most unassuming of men, his was eminently a veracious character ; in the perfect uprightness and simplicity of bis life, there was a constant beauty. One of the most amiable, quiet and unobtrusive of men, of all his sex there was none more resolute and determined. A ruling elder of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and devoutly religious, in his observance thereof there was no parade. In the decline of his honor- able life, after he had withdrawn from all active participa- tion in public affairs, the writer was witness to the respect- ful deference shown him by the entire community among whom he lived. He died, in Danville, June 27, 1856, at the good old age of* eighty-eight years. The excellent wife of Colonel Joseph McDowell was Sarah Irvine, sister to Anne Irvine, wdio married his brother, Samuel — a rela- tive, whose symmetrical character made her, in every way, worthy of such a man. Historic Families of Kentucky Copyright, 1889, Bv Thomas Marshall Green CINCINNATI: ROBERT CLARKE & CO May 1913
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