Mcdowell, John

McDowell, John D.D., a Presbyterian minister (O. S.), was born in Bedminster, Somerset County, N. J., Sept. 10,1780; was educated at Princeton College, where he graduated A.B. in 1801; studied theology with Dr. Woodhull, of Freehold; and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick in 1804. In December of that year he was installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Elizabethtown, where he remained until 1833. During his ministry there 1144 persons were added to the Church. In May, 1833, he became pastor of the Central Church, Philadelphia, which, from small beginnings, grew to be a strong Church under his ministry. In 1846 he accepted a call to the new Spring-garden Street Church, where again his talent for organizing and establishing a society was very successfully employed. He remained in this parish till his death, February, 1863. He published a System of Theology (2 vols.): — Bible Class Manual (2 vols.): — Bible Questions; etc. For nearly fifty years he was a trustee of Princeton College, and was a director of the theological seminary from its foundation. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Alm. 1864, p. 186.