My Genealogy Hound

James McDowell is the eldest in a family of three children, and was born in Bracken County, Ky., September 10, 1851, his parents being Arthur and Elizabeth McDowell. The latter died while still a young woman, and the father married a second time. He was practically a self-made man, and accumulated a comfortable competency from various speculations and extensive farming operations. He died in July, 1881. James assisted his father on his farm until eighteen years of age, then started out in life for himself, and came to Missouri, where he roamed around for about a year. He then returned to Kentucky, where he remained a few months, then came back to Missouri, settling in Pettis County, coming, four years later, to Moniteau County. During 1875-76 he rented land, but in the fall of the latter year he purchased eighty acres, which was partially improved, and has since added to his acreage until he now owns about 200, and has cleared and put in tillable shape about 100 acres. In 1881 the railroad was built through his farm, and a portion of the village of Enon is built on his property. He has always been interested in school matters, and through his influence District No. 3 was formed. He has built a store and blacksmith-shop in the village, and in September, 1888, put in a large pair of platform, scales, and has been quite extensively engaged in stock-dealing, in 1881 he purchased a steam thresher, and also built a saw-mill, both of which are being successfully conducted. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and from early boyhood has made his own way in the world, and has been so successful that he ranks among the influential citizens of the county. March 4, 1875, he was married to Miss Charlotte J. Walker, a native of Pettis County, by whom he has eight children: Arthur, Louisa, Charlotte, Frederick, Daisy, Lillian M. and Virgil. One died in infancy. Mrs. McDowell’s parents, Joseph and Eleanor Walker, were born in Virginia, and the father came to Pettis County, Mo., in 1838.