In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1841, Union county
From History of Ray County, Mo. (1881)
W. C. JAMES, M. D.
Was born in Union county, Illinois, October 7, 1841. He attended medical college at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and afterwards graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State University, and began the practice of his profession in July, 1864, in Clay county, Missouri. In the year 1872, he located at Lawson, this county, and with his brother, also a physician, opened a drug store at that place, in connection with his practice. Dr. W. C. James was married May 28, 1874, in Clinton county, Missouri, to Miss Alice Estill. She died the 15th of May, 1875, having lived less than one year after her marriage. Dr. James is a leading member of Bee-Hive Lodge, No. 393, at Lawson, and is also a member of the M. E. Church South, at that place. Dr. James is an able and popular physician, and James Bros, are doing a prosperous drug business. They are valuable citizens of the thriving little city of Lawson.
As printed in History of Ray County, Mo. (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.