James, Elias L.

JAMES, STILWELL, BURBANK, DESECOR, ENGLISH, STANLEY, DAVIS

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 12/2/2012 at 14:04:12

Elias L. James, who has been successfully identified with the commercial activities of Searsboro for the past eight years, was born in Union township, Poweshiek county, Iowa, on the 12th of December, 1860.
Mr. James is a son of Henry B. and Mary Ann (Stilwell) James, both natives of Indiana. The father migrated to Poweshiek county with his parents and here his father, Thomas James, filed on some government land which he improved and cultivated until his demise. Mr. James also engaged in agricultural pursuits for a time but the last thirty years of his active career were devoted to carpenter work and contracting in Carroll county, Iowa. He is now living retired in Nebraska, Mrs. James having passed away in Searsboro in January, 1909. Politically he is a democrat and in matters religious he affiliates with the Baptist church, of which his wife was also a member. Unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. James were born four children, of whom the son Elias L. is the eldest, the others according to the order of birth being as follows; Mathilda, who is the wife of Hanley Burbank, of Nebraska; Margaret, deceased; and Susan, who married Leed De Secor, both of whom are engaged as missionaries in Central America.
The boyhood and youth of Elias L. James were spent on the old homestead of his grandfather in Sugar Creek township, while he pursued his education in the district schools of the vicinity. He early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the fields and caring for the crops, having from his childhood been accustomed to assisting with the work of the homestead. After completing his education he continued to follow agricultural pursuits, finally purchasing the old homestead, which he cultivated for about six years. Disposing of it at the expiration of that period he removed to Searsboro. In 1903 he opened a meat market, which he conducted for four years and then sold and went into the general merchadise business, with which he continues to be identified. The business is conducted under the firm name of James & Company, Mrs. James being a silent partner.
On the 29th of July, 1979, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Minerva English, a daughter of John and May (Stanley) English, residents fo Sugar Creek township. Of this union there have been born five children; Elias, who is deceased; Ona, the wife of John Davis, of Sugar Creek township; Inez, deceased; Ruby, the wife of Howard Davis, of Searsboro; and Fay, who is at home.
His political support Mr. James accords the prohibition party, thus voicing his opinion on the temperance question, and in matters religious he and his wife affiliate with the Society of Friends. In matters of citizenship he is progressive but never prominently participates in governmental matters, always having preferred to give his undivided attention to the development of his personal interests.

History of Poweshiek County Iowa
- A Record of Settlement, Organizations, Progress and Achievement, Vol. II
written by Prof. L. F. Parker.
Published by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., in 1911
Pages 436-437