He was born in March, 1789, in the town of Newbern, North Carolina; left that state in his tenth year, and removed to Bourbon County, Kentucky. He afterwards lived in Nicholas County. At the age of eighteen, he left Kentucky, and settled in Preble County, Ohio, in which county he married. He came to Vigo County, Indiana, where he resided three years near Terre Haute, and, in 1826, removed to this territory.

From a statement made by Mr. M’Dowell at the "old settlers" meeting in August, 1855, we learn that he came here in August, 1826. David Lucas, and Alexander Chamberlain, also with him, the former locating in the county, and the latter a mile below the mouth of Eel River (Logansport).

He died on the 13^th day of March, 1861.

As a husband, father , neighbor, and citizen, our old friend has left a character without blemish. A more correctly honest man never lived than James M’Dowell. He was literally a man without guile.