James was born in Plano, Appanoose, Iowa. At the age of 14 the family had moved to Farmington Republic, Kansas and 4 years later either moved or it was called Albion. At the age of 24 on October 1, 1890 he married Mary Belle Hancock at Belleville County, Kansas and remained in Albion until after he was 44 when they moved to Centralia, Washington and he purchased the most beautiful farm and farmhouse which still stands today. He was a very successful farmer and when the banks closed he was the one that everyone remembers: walked in the bank with his gun and demanded his money, and received it. What a man. He was always dressed up in a suit when he went to town. He died at the age of 72 and was buried at Mountain View Cemetery.
James was born in Plano, Appanoose, Iowa. At the age of 14 the family had moved to Farmington Republic, Kansas and 4 years later either moved or it was called Albion. At the age of 24 on October 1, 1890 he married Mary Belle Hancock at Belleville County, Kansas and remained in Albion until after he was 44 when they moved to Centralia, Washington and he purchased the most beautiful farm and farmhouse which still stands today. He was a very successful farmer and when the banks closed he was the one that everyone remembers: walked in the bank with his gun and demanded his money, and received it. What a man. He was always dressed up in a suit when he went to town. He died at the age of 72 and was buried at Mountain View Cemetery.
Bio by: Cynthia Bever Wilson
