John W. James

 

SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878

SURNAMES: DICKSON, HAYMAN, JAMES

JOHN W. JAMES was born in Pike county, Ohio, February 25th, 1838. His father, Samuel JAMES, was a native of that county, as was also Catherine JAMES, his mother. On both sides the ancestors were of German descent. Samuel James was a farmer and stock dealer, and remained so engaged until his death, which occurred in 1862. There were ten children in the family, eight of whom are living. The subject of our sketch is the eldest. He married Nancy HAYMAN, a daughter of Rev. Henry HAYMAN of Pike county, Ohio, on the 20th of February, 1858. She was the youngest child of a family of ten children. From this union there have been six children, five of them living at the present time. Mary C., his eldest daughter, is married to John DICKSON, who is a resident of Tolono township.

John W. James came to Vermilion county in this state, in the fall of 1863, and remained there until the spring of 1864, when he removed to the farm in Philo township, upon which he now resides. Mr. James also deals extensively in stock in addition to attending to his farm. In politics he is Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and is a strong adherent of the party of human rights and freedom. Both Mr. James and his excellent wife are members of the M. E. Church.

Mr. James started in life unaided except by his own strong constitution and willing hands. He has met with good success, all of which is attributed to his energy and industry, backed by a good share of common sense. He in his manners is plain and straightforward; in his deportment is an affable and pleasing gentleman; as a citizen he has the respect and esteem of all his acquaintances. It is with pleasure we present him to our numerous readers.