Monday, February 16, 2009

George B. Dowell

Tonight's blog is on former Mayor George Benjamin Dowell. While researching former mayors Mr. Dowell's history was quite interesting to me. He became mayor after Dr. Cromwell died suddenly. he was also mayor at the 50 year celebration and it appears that he worked very hard to make the celebration a great event. I also found an article where he was concerned about the future of Rich Hill.
The information for this blog was found in the April 1953, Mining Review.


George B. Dowell a former newspaper man, school teacher and mayor of this city, passed-away in a rest home in Butler, Friday night after a long illness.
George Benjamin, son of John E. and Mary Mollie Dowell was born in Hardy, North Dakota Territory, July 13, 1886 and passed away April 3, 1953 at the age 66 years, 6 months and 20 days.
Mr. Dowell came to Missouri with his parents in 1890 and for a number of years was associated with his father and his brother, the late John E. Dowell, Jr., who published the Adrian Journal. In 1907, he came to Rich Hill as editor of the Tribune. In 1909 he went to Warsaw, Mo. where he was editor of the Times for three years. He returned to Adrian where he taught school until 1915 when he went to Hecla, South Dakota, as superintendent of the school of that place. In 1916 he returned to Rich Hill and became associated with the Beasley clothing company store. Mr. Dowell was a former Mayor of Rich Hill. He also served as alderman of the City. He was active in the Masonic lodge, being past worhshipul master. Mr. Dowell was also active in the Chamber of Commerce, Elks lodge and was a charter member of the Lions Club.In 1943 Mr. Dowell went to Jefferson City as editor of Missouri School, a publication of the State Department of Education. He held that position until 1947, when his failing heath forced him to retire. Mr. Dowell was originator of the Woodpecker Club stories which appeared in several Missouri Newspapers. Mr. dowell was twice married in 1910 at Rich Hill to Miss Allen Beasley and in 1937 to Mrs. Lois Delmater Insley, who passed away in 1943. Surviving is one nephew, John Emery Dowell of Wasco, Calif.
Funeral services were held in the Booth Chapel Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock conducted by Rev. Bartey Schwegler, pastor of the Rich Hill Presbyterian Church.
Burial was made in Greenlawn Cemetery.

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