James Cotton McCurtain was born in 1870 and worked on behalf of the Chickasaw tribe. McCurtain served as the interpreter during the enrollment period under the Dawes Commission.

In 1904, he went on to serve in the Chickasaw Senate until Oklahoma officially became a state in 1907. McCurtain was then selected as a member of the executive committee of the Chickasaw Tribal Protective Association.

The notable Chickasaw died in 1945 and has been since recognized for his significant works on behalf of the Chickasaw people.