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'''Judson Davie Dowling''' (born [[April 30]], [[1880]] in Daleville, Dale County; died [[November 2]], [[1946]] in Mount Olive, North Carolina) was a physician who served as the first [[Jefferson County Health Officer]], appointed in [[1917]].
'''Judson Davie Dowling''' (born [[April 30]], [[1880]] in Daleville, Dale County; died [[November 2]], [[1946]] in Mount Olive, North Carolina) was a physician who served as the first [[Jefferson County Health Officer]], appointed in [[1917]].


Dowling was one of seven children raised by Samuel Lawson and Sarah Jane Windham Dowling of Dale County. He attended school there and found work as a railroad dispatcher in St Augustine, Florida. He read law there and after passing the Florida state bar served as a municipal judge. He then moved to [[Birmingham]] to attend medical school, going on to complete graduate work out of state. He returned to work as an obstetrician.
Dowling was one of seven children raised by Samuel Lawson and Sarah Jane Windham Dowling of Dale County. He attended school there and found work as a railroad dispatcher in St Augustine, Florida. He read law there and after passing the Florida state bar served as a municipal judge. He then moved to [[Birmingham]] to attend medical school, going on to complete graduate work out of state. He returned to work as an obstetrician. He married the former [[Lillian Dowling|Lillian Alice MacKenzie]] and had one son, [[Judson Dowling Jr|Judson Jr]].


In [[1917]] Dowling was appointed to head the newly-created [[Jefferson County Health Department]] and also to serve as health officer for the [[City of Birmingham]]. He staffed his department with qualified professionals and led a major investment in improvements to public health and sanitation and was the central figure in the region's decisive response to the [[1918 influenza pandemic]].
In [[1917]] Dowling was appointed to head the newly-created [[Jefferson County Health Department]] and also to serve as health officer for the [[City of Birmingham]]. He staffed his department with qualified professionals and led a major investment in improvements to public health and sanitation and was the central figure in the region's decisive response to the [[1918 influenza pandemic]].
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By [[1920]] he had turned his attention to food safety, and in particular, dairy practices. On the evening of [[May 17]], [[1922]] a group of men awakened him at home on the pretense of a medical emergency and abducted and flogged him, ordering him to leave town. It was suspected, but not proven, that the men were associated with the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and had been hired or encouraged by dairy owners to intimidate Dowling. He was not intimidated and civic leaders rallied to his support.
By [[1920]] he had turned his attention to food safety, and in particular, dairy practices. On the evening of [[May 17]], [[1922]] a group of men awakened him at home on the pretense of a medical emergency and abducted and flogged him, ordering him to leave town. It was suspected, but not proven, that the men were associated with the [[Ku Klux Klan]] and had been hired or encouraged by dairy owners to intimidate Dowling. He was not intimidated and civic leaders rallied to his support.


The ''[[Birmingham News]]'' awarded Dowling its "[[Birmingham News Loving Cup|Loving Cup]]" for, "that citizen of Birmingham who had been most useful to the city during the year".
The ''[[Birmingham News]]'' awarded Dowling its "[[Birmingham News Loving Cup|Loving Cup]]" for, "that citizen of Birmingham who had been most useful to the city during the year". His wife Lillian died in [[1930]] and he was remarried, to the former [[Fleta Dowling|Fleta McWhorter]], in [[1935]].


Dowling left his position to became a Regional Medical Director for the U.S. Public Health Service, and later served as superintendent of the Eastern State Hospital for Mental Diseases in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a fellow of the American Medical Association and a director of the [[Alabama Tuberculosis Association]].
Dowling left his position to became a Regional Medical Director for the U.S. Public Health Service, and later served as superintendent of the Eastern State Hospital for Mental Diseases in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a fellow of the American Medical Association and a director of the [[Alabama Tuberculosis Association]].

Revision as of 16:14, 6 April 2020

Judson Davie Dowling (born April 30, 1880 in Daleville, Dale County; died November 2, 1946 in Mount Olive, North Carolina) was a physician who served as the first Jefferson County Health Officer, appointed in 1917.

Dowling was one of seven children raised by Samuel Lawson and Sarah Jane Windham Dowling of Dale County. He attended school there and found work as a railroad dispatcher in St Augustine, Florida. He read law there and after passing the Florida state bar served as a municipal judge. He then moved to Birmingham to attend medical school, going on to complete graduate work out of state. He returned to work as an obstetrician. He married the former Lillian Alice MacKenzie and had one son, Judson Jr.

In 1917 Dowling was appointed to head the newly-created Jefferson County Health Department and also to serve as health officer for the City of Birmingham. He staffed his department with qualified professionals and led a major investment in improvements to public health and sanitation and was the central figure in the region's decisive response to the 1918 influenza pandemic.

By 1920 he had turned his attention to food safety, and in particular, dairy practices. On the evening of May 17, 1922 a group of men awakened him at home on the pretense of a medical emergency and abducted and flogged him, ordering him to leave town. It was suspected, but not proven, that the men were associated with the Ku Klux Klan and had been hired or encouraged by dairy owners to intimidate Dowling. He was not intimidated and civic leaders rallied to his support.

The Birmingham News awarded Dowling its "Loving Cup" for, "that citizen of Birmingham who had been most useful to the city during the year". His wife Lillian died in 1930 and he was remarried, to the former Fleta McWhorter, in 1935.

Dowling left his position to became a Regional Medical Director for the U.S. Public Health Service, and later served as superintendent of the Eastern State Hospital for Mental Diseases in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a fellow of the American Medical Association and a director of the Alabama Tuberculosis Association.

References

External links

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