Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 609
EUGENE F. JAMES

Eugene F. JAMES, came to Missouri Valley, December 29, 1867, soon after the town was platted, and is now engaged in the agricultural implement business. He was born in Alleghany County, Pa., January 29, 1842. He is a son of Isaac and Margaret (CRISS) JAMES. The JAMES family are of Scotch descent. Our subject's grandfather, JAMES, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Our subject's father followed farming throughout his life.

The CRISS family were originally from Germany. The family moved to Lafayette County, Wis., in 1847, and from there to Jo Daviess County, Ill., where the parents laid down the burden of life; the mother passed away in 1874, and the father in May, 1879. They reared a family of eleven children, the man of whom we write this sketch being the oldest. His early education was obtained in the Badger State, in the common schools. He assisted his father on the farm until 1864. He enlisted in the first company formed in Lafayette County, Wis., among the three-months' men who went out in 1861, he being a member of Company A, Third Wisconsin Infantry.

Politically, Mr. JAMES votes with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Valley Lodge No. 232, A. F. & A. M. His wife is a member of the Christian Church, and an exemplary woman. He was united in marriage October 9, 1873, his wife's maiden name being Anna EARLY, the daughter of Leonard EARLY. Her mother died when she was very young, and her father now lives in Audubon County, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. JAMES are the parents of two children--Laura B., born April 24, 1875 and one who died in infancy. Our subject was employed for two years by the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad, and followed draying and transfer business for eleven years. In 1880, he established himself in the grain and farm machine implement business, which he still conducts.

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