The James Families of Johnson County, Iowa

GEORGE E. JAMES

One of the representative and prosperous farmers of Lincoln township is George E. James, who was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, September 7, 1SG7, his parents being Gad and Harriet (Kile) James, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Indiana. Gad James came to America with his father in 1854, being then a small hoy and motherless, the mother having died when he was four years old. The widower and his small family (there were four hoys and one sister) settled first in Xew York state for a few years, thence removing to Cedar county, Iowa, where they remained a short time, and thereafter to Louisa county for a few years. Finally he settled in Missouri, where he resided until his death. Gad James remained in Muscatine county, where he was married to Harriet Kile, and engaged in farming in that county. This always was his occupation. He died September 1." 1!>12, and is buried at West Liberty, Iowa. Gad James and Harriet Kile had ten children: George E.; Curtis W., married to Nettie Risley, of Nichols, Iowa, father of four children, Harriet, Evelyn, Janet Ruby, and Curtis Ripley; May, now Mrs. Vincent Birkett, living at West Liberty, mother of six children. Blanch Lilly, Thomas, Dorothy May, James Vincent, Edith Leota, and Ethel Marie; Edwin G., living on a farm in Lincoln township (see his sketch); Bertha, now Mrs. Benjamin Bigsby, living in Cedar comity, Iowa, mother of three children, Herbert, Gynith, and Grace — Mr. Bigsby died September 20, 1912; Jesse K., living in Muscatine county, married to Miss Edith Nichols, of the same county; Clayton S., also of Muscatine county, married to Miss Bessie Heath, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Heath, has one son, Raymond Heath; Leota, now Mrs. Chas. Waite, residing in West Liberty; Harry, who died when two years old; Warren W., living in Muscatine county, married to Beulah May Avers, of West Liberty. All of our subject's brothers are farmers, who possess their own homes within a radius of a few miles of his own residence in Lincoln township.

George E. James has always been a farmer. In 1897 he bought his present farm, containing 160 acres, which is now one of the finest in the county. He was married March 18, 1891, to Miss Martha Hanna, who was born in Preston county, West Virginia, October 21, 1866, and came to Muscatine county with her parents, James and Ellen Hanna, in 1875. Mr. Hanna was born and raised in Pennsylvania. He enlisted from his native state and served three years in the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Hanna had seven children, three of whom died in infancy. Those who reached maturity were: Martha, wife of George E. James; William, married to Lottie Wells, and he died in June, 1901, father of two children, Elsie and James, the latter dying at six years of age; Lucinda, now Mrs. Lewis Leach, of Luvciiic. Minnesota, mother of three children, Albert, Harry, and Vera; Mary Delia, now Mrs. Ernest Wells, of Lincoln township, Johnson county.

Mr. James lost his wife by death July 28, 1908. She left one daughter, Alverda Fern, horn October 11, 1899. George E. James has always been a republican. Tie has been township trustee for six years and has held other local offices, lie is a member of the M. P. church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

EDWIN G. JAMES

Edwin G. James was born in Muscatine, Iowa, May 20, 1873. He is a son of Gad and Harriet (Kile) James and a brother of George E. James. (For a more extended description of the family see sketch of George E. James published herewith. — Ed

At twenty-five years of age Mr. James commenced farming on his own account and has continued in the business until the present time. He bought his home farm of 160 acres in the fall of 1903. Under its owner's careful cultivation and management it has become one of the most productive and attractive places in the township (Lincoln).

Mr. James was married in February, 1899, to Miss Carrie M. Herr, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Wilson) Herr, of Muscatine county. There were four children: Fannie, now Mrs. Ed. Wells, living in Scott township; George and Bertha, living at home; and Carrie M., wife of our subject.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM HENRY JAMES

William Henry James, born in Providence, Rhode Island, September 4, 1857, is a son of John and Katherine (Mil ward) James. The latter was a native of England, and came to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1867. Three years later he removed to Johnson county, Iowa, where for a time he carried on the business of a contractor. He afterwards took up photography, and continued in this line until his death, which took place at Des Moines in 1882. Mrs. James was also a

IUiMIRAIMIlCAL native of England, and the couple were married in that country. She died in 1893.

Our subject attended the public schools of Iowa City, and when old enough to enter business took up his father's profession of photography, in which occupation he continued for thirty-five years, most of the time in Iowa City. He retired from active business May 1, 1909, and since that date has devoted his attention to his property interests.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.