CII.
CII. JAMES McDOWELL.
CII. Governor.
CII. January, 1843, to January, 1846.
James McDowell was born at the family seat, "Cherry
Grove," Rockbridge County, Virginia, October 11, 1795.
He was the son of James and Sarah Preston McDowell, and
was descended from Ephraim McDowell, the founder of this
distinguished name in Virginia. Having enjoyed peculiar
advantages in elementary instruction, he entered Washington
College, then attended Yale, and finally completed his education
at Princeton, New Jersey, from which college he
graduated as Master of Arts in 1816. So pleased was young
McDowell's father with his son's success at college, that upon
his return home he presented him with a valuable tract of
land, about 2500 acres, in Bourbon County, Kentucky.
In September, 1818, James McDowell married his cousin,
Susan Preston, and removed to his plantation in Kentucky,
but, his father's health failing about this time, he returned
to Virginia and settled on a farm in the neighborhood of
Lexington. This, he made his permanent home, and here he
reared his children.
In 1831 Mr. McDowell was sent by Rockbridge County to
the House of Delegates of Virginia, and returned again for
the session of 1832-3. From this time onward Mr. McDowell
was continuously in public life, in the service of his state and
in the National Council. In December, 1842, he was elected
by the Legislature, Governor of Virginia, and on the 1st of
January following entered upon the duties of his office. His
term was conspicuous for the piety and temperance which
reigned at the gubernatorial mansion. Being an ardent
Presbyterian and an advocate of the cause of temperance, he
left his impress upon the social world of his day as their zealous
champion. In every way he upheld the dignity of his
high and responsible position. Whilst yet Governor of Virginia
he was elected to the United States House of Representatives,
and served in Congress with marked ability until
1851, when death closed his active, useful, and distinguished
career. He died at Lexington, August 24, 1851, in the fifty-sixth
year of his life, leaving nine children to mourn his loss
and a wide circle of friends to honor his memory.
Governor McDowell's ability was of a superior order, and
his grave and moderate course strengthened the influence
which his intellectual power secured. As a speaker he is
said to have been eloquent and effective, and by his high
and noble bearing he adorned every situation he was called
upon to fill.
