History of Burke County North Carolina United States of America

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Biographies:

Alney McLean, representative, was born in Burke county, N.C., Sept. 5, 1779. He settled in the practice of law at Greenville, Ky., about 1805; represented Muhlenburg county in the legislature, 1812-13, and commanded a company of Kentucky volunteer riflemen in the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815, where he distinguished himself. He was a representative in the 14th and 16th congresses, 1815-17 and 1819-21. He was appointed by President Monroe U.S. circuit judge for Kentucky in 1821, and held the office until his death. He was a district elector on the Clay ticket in 1824, and from the state at large on the Clay ticket in 1832. He died at Greenville, Ky.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Joseph McDowell, representative, was born in Winchester, Va., Feb. 25, 1756; son of Joseph McDowell, who emigrated from Ireland about 1730. To distinguish him from his cousin Joseph, son of John, he was known as "Quaker Meadow Joe." He served against the Indians on the frontier and in the patriot army under his brother, Gen. Charles McDowell. In the battle of King's Mountain he commanded the militia of North Carolina, having the rank of major, and before the close of the war he had attained the rank of general of militia. He was a member of the house of commons of North Carolina, 1787-92, was a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1788 and was the leader of the faction that opposed the adoption of the Federal Constitution. He was a representative in the 2d and 3d congresses, 1791-94, and was a commissioner to settle the North Carolina and Tennessee boundary. He died in Burke county, N.C.,in 1801.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

George B. Bowman, educator, was born in Berks county, N. C., May 1, 1812. His early education was that which fell to the lot of the farmer's sons of his generation. At an early age he immigrated to Missouri, and settled in a small town not far from St. Louis as a Methodist preacher, and soon built up a flourishing church. In 1841 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, and preached to the small and scattered congregations in the sparsely settled districts of Iowa, building new churches and forming new organizations throughout the state. In 1851 he built a brick church, which was soon followed by a seminary building in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, which became the foundation of Cornell college. He not only induced others to render it financial support, but contributed freely of his own means, the largest gift being that made by him for the erection of Bowman Hall, a home for young women. Long exposure to hardships of pioneer work in the rigorous climate of Iowa so impaired his health that it became necessary for him to relinquish regular work in the conference, and in 1864 Dr. Bowman removed to San Jos?, Cal., where he continued to do active work in building churches throughout the state. He was a member of the board of trustees of the University of the Pacific, and liberally aided it in its early life. He died in San Jos?, Cal., in 1888.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Charles McDowell, patriot, was born in Winchester, Va., in 1743; son of Joseph McDowell, who emigrated from Ireland in 1730 and settled first in Pennsylvania, then in Winchester, Va. and finally at Quaker Meadows, on the Catawba river, N.C. Charles enlisted in the Revolutionary army in 1775, and commanded a large district of North Carolina. The organized troops erected fortifications, and in June, 1780, he attacked the British force on the Pacolet river, and compelled them to surrender. He was also victorious at Muscove Mill and Cave Creek. His army was disbanded in September, 1780, and he resigned his commission, but continued to aid the patriots by manufacturing powder with the help of his wife, and secretly carrying it to the army for use at the battle of King's Mountain, Oct. 7, 1780, where his brother Joseph commanded the North Carolina militia. He was a member of the state senate, 1782-88, and of the house of commons, 1809-11. He was married to Grace (Greenlee) Bowman, widow of Captain Bowman of the patriot army, who was killed at the battle of Ramseur's Mill. She was a nurse on the battlefield after the battle of King's Mountain, a brave defender of her home, and mother of a large family. Charles McDowell died in Burke county, N.C., March 21, 1815.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Burke County North Carolina

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