Gad James was born in Wales in 1833, came to America with his father William in 1852, and reached West Liberty in 1853, where he worked as a laborer and farm hand before spending three years breaking prairie with six yoke of oxen. After chinch bugs destroyed his wheat three seasons in a row, he drove a mule team to Montana in 1864 and worked two years in the mines, then came back and farmed 160 acres southwest of West Liberty for forty-four years. In November 1866 he married Harriet Kile, the only child of Jerry and Mary (Brownell) Kile, and they raised a large family. Four of their sons, Curtis W., Jess K., Clayton S. and Warren W., were farming in Wapsinonoc Township when the 1911 history was written: Curtis bred shorthorn cattle, Clayton bought one hundred acres of the old homestead, and Warren owned 160 acres before he was twenty-two. Every fact below is cited to a public-domain Muscatine County history.
Where the family starts
Gad James and Harriet (Kile) Jamesborn 1833Most recent in our records
Warren W. Jamesborn 1889Tap a name to jump to that person.
Welsh-born farmer near West Liberty
Farmer and shorthorn breeder, section 32
CURTIS W. JAMES.
Recognized as one of the capable and energetic farmers of Wapsinonoc township, Curtis W. James, whose home is on section 32, has gained a name as one of the substantial citizens of the locality. He has passed his entire life in Muscatine county, having been born on the old family homestead in Wapsinonoc township, February 19, 1869, the second in a family of nine children. He is the son of Gad James, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Curtis W. James received his early education in the district schools and later attended a business college for a short time, being enabled to acquire the foundation of an education which he has greatly broadened by reading and observation. He assisted in the work of the home farm until twenty-one years of age and then for two years worked for his father, who was one of the successful farmers of the locality. At the age of twenty-three years he began farming on his own account by renting land and he so conducted his affairs that after six years he was able to purchase eighty acres, and in 1904 added eighty acres, making one hundred and sixty in all, which he has highly improved by erecting a comfortable residence, a commodious barn and other buildings. Everything about the place is in excellent order and indicates that he has prospered in his calling. He has engaged in general farming, but has made a specialty of raising and breeding shorthorn cattle. He also fatten cattle and hogs for market.
On the ist of March, 1905, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Nettie May Ripley, a native of Missouri and a daughter of G. L. and Hattie (Metcalf) Ripley, the former a native of Muscatine county and the latter of Ohio. Her parents removed to South Dakota in 1908 and are now residing in that state. There were six children in their family, five of whom are now living. Three children have come to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. James: [name withheld], who was born September 21, 1906; [name withheld], born February 7, 1908; and [name withheld], born August 29, 1910.
Mr. James is not identified with any religious denomination, but his wife is a consistent member of the Qiristian church. He is a stanch supporter of the candidates and principles of the republican party. He has not taken any prominent part in political affairs as his interests center in his home, his family and the duties which arise from day to day in connection with the business to which he has devoted his life. He has many friends in Muscatine county who have been attracted by his many attributes of sincerity and fidelity in the discharge of every responsibility.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer, section 3
JESS K. JAMES.
Jess K. James, the owner of a well improved farm of one hundred and forty acres on section 3, Wapsinonoc township, is meeting with excellent results in his labors as an agriculturist. His birth occurred in Muscatine county on the 22d of August, 1878, his parents being Gad and Harriet (Kile) James, who reared a family of nine children, namely: George; Curtis; May, the wife of V. H. Birkett; Edwin; Bertha, the wife of Ben Bigsby; Jess K.; Clayton; Leota; and Warren.
Jess K. James attended the common schools of his native county in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty-nine years of age. At that time he purchased the farm of one hundred and forty acres in Wapsinonoc township which has remained in his possession continuously since. He has brought the fields under a high state of cultivation and annually gathers rich crops which find a ready sale on the market.
On the 2Sth of September, 1908, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Edith Nichols, a daughter of George S. and Kate (Barkley) Nichols. Mrs. James was one of a family of three children, the others being Harry and Edna. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. James has supported the men and measures of the republican party. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist church.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Farmer on part of the old homestead
CLAYTON S. JAMES.
The name of James is well known in Muscatine county, the family having for many years been identified with the agricultural development of this section. Clayton S. James belongs to the second generation of the family in this county and has proven himself to be a worthy representative of good ancestry. Born in Wapsinonoc township, January 8, 1881, he is a son of Gad James, record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Clayton S. James received good educational advantages in the district schools and grew up as a member of a large family, performing his part as the years passed in work about the house and in the fields. Even as a boy he showed a natural inclination for agricultural pursuits. He continued at home until reaching maturity, when he purchased one hundred acres of the old homestead, which he has since greatly improved by the erection of buildings and fences and the setting out of shade and ornamental trees, making it one of the highly desirable properties of the township. He is engaged in general farming but gives special attention to raising and feeding cattle and hogs. He is a good judge of the grade and value of stock, and, being a man of industrious habits, he stands high in the estimation of his neighbors and of the entire community. Everything about his place indicates that he has prospered in his calHng and is in comfortable circumstances.
In September, 1907, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Heath, a native of Johnson county, Iowa, and a daughter of Charles and Lucinda Heath, who are both living in Johnson county. The home of Mr. and Mrs. James has been brightened by the arrival of a son, [name withheld], who was born September 5, 1909.
Ever since attaining his majority Mr. James has cast his ballot for the republican party, believing in so doing he is promoting the permanent welfare of the entire community. He is an active worker for the best interests of the township and county, and his voice is always heard in support of what in his opinion is right and true. He and his estimable wife are members of the IMethodist Protestant church, and their home is a welcome gathering place for the young people for many miles around.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Young farmer, youngest son
WARREN W. JAMES.
Among the young men who have made a fair start as agriculturists in Muscatine county and give promise of increasing usefulness as the years pass in a business that calls for energy, judgment and the close attention of an intelligent mind is Warren W. James. He is now in his twenty-second year and, having been reared under the most favorable conditions for obtaining a thorough knowledge of farming, he was well prepared upon arriving at manhood to assume responsibilities generally undertaken by those much older than himself. He was born in Wapsinonoc township, June 30, 1889, and comes of a family well known in Muscatine county, being a son of Gad and Harriet (Kile) James, a record of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Warren W. James possessed good opportunities of education, first attending the common schools and then becoming a student in the high school, where he pursued advanced studies adapted to develop clear reasoning and thinking. He has found time also to read the standard books and is well informed regarding the progress of America and the world. At the age of twenty he began farming upon his own account by renting a part of the old homestead for one year and he acquitted himself so creditably that he now owns one hundred and sixty acres, which he manager with good judgment so that it yields handsome returns. He engaged in general farming, also in raising hogs and cattle, which he sends to the market in prime condition, and is recognized by experienced farmers of the neighborhood as a young man of unusual promise both in business and in the discharge of the duties of intelligent citizenship.
On the 31st of August, 1910, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Beulah May Ayers, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a daughter of Spencer and Rose Ayers, now living on a farm in Goshen township. There were two children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ayers, the son being Roy, who is still at home.
Politically Mr. James is in thorough sympathy with the republican party, and he gives to its candidates his undivided support. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist church and are active workers in the promotion of kindly and generous social relations in the community with which their interests are closely identified. The friends of Mr. James prophecy for him a career which will reflect credit not only upon himself but upon all with whom he is associated.
As printed in the source1. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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