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Phineas C. James

Phineas C. James, a prominent farmer and business man of Scott Township, residing on section 23, and a representative citizen of the county, was born in Ogle County, Ill., December 17, 1849, and is a son of Lewis James whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared to manhood under the parental roof upon a new farm that by his father's hand was transformed from a wild prairie. He remembers seeing the prairie fires, and wild game of all kinds, including deer, was quite plentiful. They had to haul their grain to market at Chicago, a distance of seventy-five miles, which was but one of the difficulties endured by the pioneer settlers.

In the public schools of his native State Mr. James acquired a good English education. He remained at home until twenty-seven years of age, when he crossed the Mississippi into Iowa, locating in Scott Township, Fayette County, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of unimproved land that has since been his home. He now owns a good farm of four hundred and sixty acres, which is under a high state of cultivation and provided with good buildings, including a fine residence, splendid barns and other structures necessary for the care of his grain and stock. He raises all kinds of cereals adapted to the climate, and gives considerable attention to the buying and shipping of stock, having now on hand three carloads of steers which he is feeding for market.

It was in this county in February, 1888, that Mr. James was united in marriage with Miss Mary McMillan, daughter of Alexander McMillan, whose sketch is also given elsewhere in this volume. She was born in Canada, but spent the greater part of her life in the State. They have one child, an infant boy.

Mr. James takes no interest in political affairs except to vote, and then is not bound by party ties, supporting the best measures, and men whom he thinks will prove most efficient. He devotes all his time and energy to his business which prospers accordingly. In his comparatively short life he has become one of the substantial citizens of this community as the result of his enterprise, business sagacity and good management. In all his business dealings he is upright and honorable, and the friends of Mr. James throughout the county are many.