James Madison McGowan was born on June 26, 1888, in Winterville, North Carolina. McGowan was a farmer in Pitt County when he registered for the draft (World War I) in June 1917. He was subsequently inducted into the service in August 1918 and served with the 156th Depot Brigade until his honorable discharge in December 1918. He died in Pitt County on October 2, 1926.