In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. A few names of people born after 1905 are withheld for privacy. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1881
From History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911)
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 History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time; (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.