George W. Dowell

In his early life, Dowell worked as a miner in Elkville, Illinois. He later became an attorney who practiced law in Du Quoin, Illinois.^[2] Along with William Lafont, he founded the village of Dowell, IL. They requested bids for property development as early as 1917.^[3] In February, 1920, the Dowell State Bank was opened in the town. Town founders George Dowell and William Lafont were among the first directors of the bank.^[4]

He later served as the general counsel for the Progressive Miners of America.^[5][6]

Dowell ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate in 1936. He unsuccessfully for nomination for the same office in 1938.^[7][1]