JOSEPH DOWHY SR. was born in Pennsylvania on December 22, 1921 to Max and Agnes Dowhyj. His birth certificate reads "Dowhyj". By 1929 his family had moved to 53 State Street in Camden, New Jersey, and the name had been shortened to Dowhy. Their next door neighbors were the Kelly family, who lived at 55 State Street. Max Dowhy worked as a stationary engineer in Philadelphia. 

After serving in the armed forces during World War II, Joseph Dowhy returned to Camden. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows that Joseph Dowhy and his wife, the former Etta Pearl Jamerson, then lived at 636 State Street in North Camden. He was then working as a printer. The family later moved to 866 
Beideman Avenue in Cramer Hill.

On May 30, 1958 Joseph Dowhy secured an appointment to the Camden Fire Department. He reported for duty the following day, and graduated from the Fire School in 1959. On May 1, 1969 Joseph Dowhy Sr. was promoted to to the rank of Captain. He retired from the Fire Department on January 1, 1984, having served the City of Camden for over 25 years. 

Last a resident of Pine Hill, New Jersey, Joseph Dowhy Sr. passed away on June 12, 2003.

Joseph and Pearl Dowhy had four sons. All served the city of Camden, Joseph Jr., Dennis and Robert with the Fire Department, Edward with the Camden Police Department. As of May, 2008 Joseph Dowhy Jr. and Dennis Dowhy had retired from the Fire Department, and Edward Dowhy had retired from the police. Robert Dowhy is still active as a Captain with the Fire Department. Pearl Dowhy also served the public, as a crossing guard first in Camden and later in Clementon NJ.