Maurice Hood Dowell (1884-1944) was the youngest of three surviving children of Shelton Clark Dowell and Lizzie H. (Gillespie) Dowell. He was born May 26, 1884, in Caldwell County, Texas, and was a relative of George W. Littlefield. Shelton Clark Dowell died in 1885, and Lizzie H. Dowell raised Maurice, his brother Shelton Gillespie Dowell, and his sister, Dora Alice Dowell, at the family home in Luling, Texas. Dowell lived with his mother until her death in 1934. He married Gussie Belle Insall June 20, 1935, and the couple continued to live in the family home until his death in 1944. Maurice Hood Dowell (1884-1944) was the youngest of three surviving children of Shelton Clark Dowell and Lizzie H. (Gillespie) Dowell. He was born May 26, 1884, in Caldwell County, Texas, and was a descendant of George W. Littlefield. Shelton Clark Dowell died in 1885, and Lizzie H. Dowell raised Maurice, his brother Shelton Gillespie Dowell, and his sister, Dora Alice Dowell, at the family home in Luling, Texas. Dowell lived with his mother until her death in 1934. He married Gussie Belle Insall June 20, 1935, and the couple continued to live in the family home until his death in 1944.
Dowell worked as a newspaper correspondent and a letter carrier, as well as a volunteer fire fighter. An active member of the Democratic Party, Dowell served as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1924, held in New York City. In 1931, the 81st District of Texas elected Dowell as a representative to the Texas Legislature. Following his first term, 1931-1932, he failed in his bid for reelection, but won a second term in 1939. In addition to being an Odd Fellow and a Mason, he was a member of the American Legion. Aside from short periods in San Antonio and Austin, Dowell lived in Luling all his life. He died there on July 16, 1944.
From the guide to the Dowell, Maurice Papers 82-305; 82-381; 83-339; 85-308; 86-036; 87-222; 88-049; 88-245; 88-382; 89-075., 1900 (1922-1944) 1950, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)
