S. H. James is a native of
Grafton County, N. H., born Oct. 1, 1820, and was a son
of Joseph and Ann (Calfe) James. In 1850 he invented a
shingle and clapboard machine which was used extensively
throughout the East, which business he followed for five
years. In 1842 he married Eliza J. Dow, who was born in
1825. The fruit of this marriage is four children, three
living – Susan A., wife of A. V. DePugh; Alfred W.,
who died April 9, 1879; George H., and Abbie, wife of
Douglass McBride. In 1844 he left his home in New
Hampshire and emigrated to Marquette County, Wis., where
he remained six years. Thence to Allamakee County, Ia. In
1861 he came to Clayton County, where he has resided
since. He has 200 acres of land, 160 under cultivation,
and valued at $40 per acre. In politics he is a
Jacksonian Democrat, and while in Wisconsin was elected
as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 1045 |