A Guide to the Maurice Dowell Papers, 1900 (1921-1944) 1950

Biographical Note

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.

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Scope and Contents

Correspondence, campaign and political material, literary productions, financial documents, estate materials, photographs, and pictorial items comprise the Maurice Dowell Papers, 1900 (1921-1944) 1950, which document Dowell’s political endeavors and family affairs. The papers, mainly composed of correspondence, contain the personal and business correspondence of Maurice H. Dowell (1922-1943), as well as correspondence relating to the estate settlement of his aunt, Alice M. Daniel (1941-1943). The series “Political materials” relates to Dowell’s involvement with the Democratic Party, as well as legislative and constituent concerns. Of particular interest under “Literary productions” is Dowell’s speech delivered to the Texas State Historical Society in 1944, in which he recalls anecdotes about his ancestor, George W. Littlefield. Other assorted materials provide insights into Dowell’s involvement with various fraternal societies, such as the American Legion. In addition, the collection contains several photographs, including one of Dowell in Paris, France, in 1927 at an American Legion Conference, and on of him in the Legislature.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Unrestricted use.

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Related Material

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Separated Material

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Maurice Dowell Papers, 1900 (1921-1944) 1950, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

Processing Information

Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s “History Revealed: Bringing Collections to Light project,” 2009-2011.

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Detailed Description of the Papers

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