Family background
Joseph Sydney Bowden was born on 7 December 1884 at Sydney, NSW, the son of Charles Walter Bowden and Jeanetta Caldwell. He married Fanetta Margaret Lewis (1885-1962) at Sydney, and they had four sons and four daughters. Bowden died at Sydney, on 17 March 1953, aged 68 years; he was cremated at Eastern Suburbs Crematorium. He left no Will. Bowden lived at 91 Euston Street, Alexandria.
Occupation & interests
Alexandria first became a Labor-controlled Council in December 1928 and Joseph Bowden became the first Labor mayor of Alexandria. He served three consecutive terms. Thereafter Labor adopted the practice of rotating the office of mayor annually.
Local government service
Joseph Bowden was an alderman on Alexandria Council 1922-48 representing the South Ward. He served as mayor 1929-31.