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ROBERT
K. JAMES - Science is teaching the farmer how
to earn the most from his land, and to keep it productive. It
is demonstrating that high grade stock is more profitable than the
ordinary kinds, and that it pays to put in tile and keep the
equipment up to standard. Many of the farmers of Shelby County
realize this, and are reaping the benefits that come from the
intelligent application of knowledge and forethought. Among
these progressive men is Robert K. James who was born on a
farm in Lycoming County, Pa., Sept. 18, 1850, a son of David and
Mary B. (Russell) James natives of Pennsylvania. The
family came from Maryland.
David James was a farmer by occupation, and
about 1858, deciding that there were better opportunities offered in
Illinois, he came to Shelby County, where his wife's sister, Mrs.
S. S. Vansicklle, and her husband, had located two years before.
Renting land, David James farmed in Okaw Township until he
removed to Shelbyville, in 1884, and this was his home until his
death. During the war he served in Company K, One Hundred
Twenty-sixty Illinois Volunteer Infantry, from 1862 until the close
of the struggle, and was not wounded or captured. David
James Post, G. A. R., of Findlay, was named in his honor,
although he belonged to the Post at Shelbyville. His death
occurred in 1893, in Shelbyville, when he was sixty-six years old.
His widow survived until April, 1908, when she, too, died, aged
seventy-four. They had two children - Robert K. and
Jemima, who married David Bare, of Shelbyville.
Robert K. James grew to manhood on the farm in
Okaw Township, remaining at home until he was twenty-two, and worked
with his father. On Sept. 5, 1878, he married Laura A.
Wright, daughter of William and Martha (Dawley) Wright,
who was born in Todd's Point Township, one quarter of a mile east of
the present home of Mr. James. The old Wright
homestead is now owned by a. F. Price. Mrs. James'
share of the Wright estate consisted of 280 acres, 240 being
in a tract adjoining the old farm, and all was in pasture, but
fenced. Mr. James built upon it after a year, and
operated her mother's homestead until, in October, 1879, he came to
his present property, which has been his home ever since, except
during the time he lived in Findlay. Mrs. James also
received 320 acres of rich flat land from her mother's estate; this
property is well tilled. Mr. James feeds cattle, and is
a large stock-raiser and farmer. His first house is
incorporated in the present one. On Aug. 9, 1899, Mrs.
James died, leaving children as follows: Edward
Russell, a dealer in agricultural implements, at Findlay;
Martha, who lives in Findlay; Pat_y, died at the age of
fourteen; Mary living at Findlay; Lola, died at the
age of five, and Rudy, a school girl. Mr.
James keeps a home for his daughters in Findlay.
In politics he is a Republican, and while he lives
in a Republican township, he has never aspired to office, except
that of delegate to conventions. He is a thorough farmer,
whose interests are centered on the farm. He belongs to no
church or society, all of his time being occupied with his business
affairs, but he is devoted to his family, and has endeavored to give
them the advantages that neither he nor their mother secured.
Source: Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of
Shelby County, Vol. II, Publ. 1910 - Page 904 |
