Son of Isaac Catlett and Mary Walters, both born in Virginia.

1850, his first wife Wineford C. Thomas was still living with her parents:

1850 census, Hamilton, La Rue, Kentucky
H W Thomas M 65 Maryland
Grace Thomas F 55 Kentucky
W C Thomas F 29 Kentucky
R L Thomas M 24 Kentucky
E Thomas F 20 Kentucky
Lucy Thomas F 19 Kentucky

He married on 3 Dec 1852 in Larue Co., KY to Wineford C. Thomas.

By 1860, they were living in Monroe Co., MO:

1860 census, Clay Township, Monroe, Missouri
James W Catlet M 32 Kentucky
Wineford Catlet F 40 Kentucky
Mary M Catlet F 6 Missouri
Joseph W Catlet M 4 Missouri
Lucy Catlet F 2 Missouri

James married for the second time on 17 Nov 1866 in Monroe Co. MO to Mrs. Mary Ellen Webb Thomas, daughter of George W. Webb and Susan S. Chinn Webb.

1870 census, Clay Township, Monroe Co., MO
James W Catlet M 43 Kentucky; farmer
Mary E Catlet F 43 Kentucky
Mary M Catlet M 16 Kentucky
Joseph W Catlet M 14 Missouri
Lucy G Catlet F 12 Missouri
Alta W Catlet F 10 Missouri
Henry W Catlet M 2 Missouri
Isaac N Catlet M 0 Missouri
James Huss M 18 Kentucky

1880 census, Clay Twp., Monroe Co., Missouri
Jas W Catlett Self M 51 KY
Mary E Catlett Wife F 53 KY
Mary Catlett Daughter F 25 KY
Joseph Catlett Son M 23 MO
Lucy Catlett Daughter F 20 MO
Alta Catlett Daughter F 18 MO
Isaac Catlett Son M 10 MO
Thos Dimmit Nephew M 10 IA

1900 census, Clay Township (south half), Monroe, Missouri
James Catlett Head M 73 Kentucky; parents b. KY; married 8 yrs
Mary Catlett Wife F 49 b. Sep 1851 Missouri; 1 child; 1 living
Ruth Catlett Daughter F 6 b. Oct 1893 Missouri
Minnie B Webb Niece F 20 b. May 1880 Missouri

1910 census, Moberly Ward 3, Randolph, Missouri
James W Catlett Head M 82 Kentucky; marriage 2 of 18 yrs
Mary E Catlett Wife F 58 Missouri; marriage 1 of 18 yrs; 1 child; 1 living
Ruth Catlett Daughter F 16 Missouri

1920 census, Columbia Ward 4, Boone, Missouri
James W Cattitt Head M 92 Kentucky
Mary E Cattitt Wife F 68 Missouri

He died 4 Sep 1920 in Randolph Co., MO. His death certificate states he was buried at the Webb cemetery near Holliday, MO and gives his birth date as 10 May 1827 in Kentucky. He was married at the time of his death. Informant was son Joseph Catlett of Brookings, South Dakota.