James John Cadell was born 5 November 1843 in the Hunter River region, New South Wales, Australia.
James John Cadell married Elizabeth Hume Dight in Workworth, New South Wales in 1871 and together they had 2 sons and 8 daughters.
[4] James John Cadell's political career included being a Queensland Member of Parliament for the electoral district of Burnett (1891 - 1896) and was Mayor of Gayndah (1880).
James John Cadell was also a member of the Rawbelle Division Board, Burnett Pastoral Association and Turf Club.
[5] In some newspaper reports he appeared to be in favour of the extension of the Mungar Junction to Degilbo railway line to Gayndah, which would pass through Ideraway Station.