1848
Included in list of those who have been members of the faculty of Cumberland University.

Name: J. L. McDowell
Professorship: Tutor
Elected: Sept. 11, 1848
Closed: ____, 1848.
[Source: McDonnold, B.W. History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Nashville, Tenn.: Board of Publication of Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 524]

1851-1852
Faculty at Bethel College
Rev. J. L. McDowell, Professor of Mathematics
[Source: A Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Bethel College, M'Lemoresville, Tenn., for the Collegiate Year, Commencing on the 18th September, 1851, and Closing 15th July, 1852, page 3]

1852-1853
Faculty at Bethel College
Rev. J. L. McDowell, A.M., Professor of Mathematics
[Source: Catalogue of the Officers and Students of Bethel College, McLemoresville, Tenn. for the Collegiate Year Commencing on the 16th of September, 1852, and Closing on the 14th of July, 1853, page 4]

1854
Not in General Assembly Directory of Ministers (this is the first year there was a directory)

1855
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1856
Commissioner to General Assembly May 15-22, 1856 meeting in Louisville, Kentucky
Served on Committee on Education
J. L. McDowell, Virginia, Illinois
Minister - Sangamon Presbytery - Sangamon Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1856, pages 6, 10 &63]

1857
J. L. McDowell, McLemoresville, Tenn.
Minister - Hopewell Presbytery - West Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1857, page 68]

1858
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1859
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1860
1860 Census - Carroll County, Tennessee

1860
Only partial Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes (No report from Hopewell Presbytery)

1861
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1862
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1863
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1864
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1865
Only partial Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes (No report from Hopewell Presbytery)

1866
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1867
No Directory of Ministers in General Assembly Minutes

1868
J. L. McDowell, McLemoresville, Tenn.
Minister - Hopewell Presbytery - West Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1868, page 102]

1869
J. L. McDowell, McLemoresville, Tenn.
Minister - Hopewell Presbytery - West Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, page 80]

1870
1870 Census - Carroll County, Tennessee

1870
Not in General Assembly Directory of Ministers

1871
J. L. McDowell, McLemoresville, Tenn.
Minister - Hopewell Presbytery - West Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, page 76]

1872
McDowell, J. L., McLemoresville, Tenn.
Minister - Hopewell Presbytery - West Tennessee Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, page 123]

1873
Not in General Assembly Directory of Ministers (probably between presbyteries)

1874
Mortuary List
J. L. McDowell
Oxford Presbytery
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 107]