William John McDowell
William John McDowell was a unionist politician in Northern Ireland.
William John McDowell was born 6 October 1861, at sea en route to India, where his father Robert was to be stationed with the British Royal Artillery. McDowell worked as a Power Loom Tenter at Belfast's Brookfield Linen Company, later managing its Agnes Street factory. He was elected to the first Senate of Northern Ireland as an Ulster Unionist Party member, and was reported to be a forceful speaker. During opposition to the Home Rule Bill, McDowell was sent on various deputations to England, appearing before Cabinet Ministers and key organisations. He served until his death on 29 June 1929, just one month after being re-elected in the 1929 Northern Ireland general election.
