France, James C.

FRANCE

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 4/3/2008 at 00:55:25

Businessmen of Iowa
Midwest Publications, Inc., 1953

FRANCE, JAMES C., Lawyer and Business Man, of Tipton, was born at Xenia, Ohio on February 3, 1871, the son of Ozlas and Susan (Lucas) France. He was graduated from the grammar and high schools of Tipton, and took his law degree in the University of Iowa. In 1896 he was admitted to the bar and launched a practice of the law in Tipton. He was not even well established when the United States became involved in the Spanish-American War, and James C. France was one of the relatively few soldiers who saw active service at any battle front during that conflict. With the rank of captain he was stationed first in Florida, but instead of being sent into the Cuban or Puerto Rican campaigns, he went to the Philippine Islands from which he returned with an acquaintance with the Orient that was interesting and valuable. His military record reads as follows: member of the Iowa State Militia from 1888 to 1898; battalion adjutant and first lieutenant in the 50th Iowa Volunteer Regiment, in 1898; captain of Company K, 40th United States Volunteers, 1899-1901, Third Battalion, Philippine Forces. At the turn of the century, James C. France resumed the practice of law in Tipton, and long has been a prominent member of the Cedar County Bar Society and Iowa State Bar Association. For several terms, 1909 to 1913. He was Cedar County attorney, and so long ago as 1891 to 1895 he was deputy clerk of the 18th District Court. From 1912 to 1934 he was city attorney of Tipton. Always interested in politics and good government, Mr. France has been chairman of the Cedar County Democratic Committee for more than forty years. In financial circles, he was an organizer and director of the First National Bank of Tipton, and the owner of the building in which it functions. His property holdings are extensive and he enjoys the supervision of several farms. At one time he was prominent in the Knights of Pythias, and is a former member of the Tipton Library Board and other local organizations. In 1899, James C. France married Mary Delaplane. Mr. and Mrs. France are the parents of a son: James D.