Thomas James is a native of South Wales, and a son of John and Mary (Davis) James. His father emigrated to the United States in 1833, and located in Delaware County, Ohio. He returned shortly after to the place of his birth and in 1837 he again came to the United States, and died the following year. Thomas was young when his father died and he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade in Delaware, Ohio, where he remained for two years. In 1813 he went to Missouri, where he worked on a farm until 1815, when he went to Dubuque and entered the employ of Thompson, Sage & Davis, dealers in general merchandise, in the capacity of clerk. Subsequently Mr. James went to St. Louis, where he enlisted in what was known as Clark's battalion for service in the Mexican War. During the war he served under Commanders Carney, Doniphan and Price and had many interesting experiences. At the close of the war Mr. James visited Ohio, and from there he went to the pineries of Wisconsin, where he found employment for five years, after which he returned to Princeton, Scott County, and engaged in farming, having purchased land in this County in 1848.
Mr. James was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Beers, daughter of Peter and Mary (Penery) Beers, in 1854. He has never been an office seeker, though he has held many village offices and was school director for eighteen years. Prior to 1854 he voted the Whig ticket, but since then has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and in religious belief he is an Episcopalian.
BIOGRAPHIES