Biography of J B James, Independence Co, AR

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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas. 
Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889.
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page 681 

J. B. James, of the general mercantile firm of A. M. James, of Sulphur
Rock, Ark., was born in the State of Texas, in 1855, but was reared mainly in
Randolph County, Ark., whither his parents moved when he was quite young. His
rudimentary education was acquired in the common schools, and [p.681] in 1878
he was united in marriage to Mrs. Anna M. (Robison) Bonner. Possessing keen
business foresight, he concluded to embark in the general mercantile business,
which he did at O'Kean, in 1881, and remained there some three years, when he
closed out his business at that place, and came to Sulphur Rock and opened up
his present general mercantile establishment. In 1887 he again engaged in
business at O'Kean, and gave it in charge of his stepson, W. F. Bonner, the
latter receiving a one-half interest in payment for his services. The style of
the firm is James & Bonner. Mr. James has resided at Sulphur Rock for five
years, and is doing an exceptionally good business. His stock is valued at
about $4,000, and his annual sales amount to $20,000. Besides this possession
he owns a business house and lot and a fine residence property. His wife
assists him in the store, and deals in general millinery goods, and shows
remarkable taste in arranging her stock and in the goods she sends out. She is
a highly-educated lady, and received her education in the schools of Alton,
Ill. Mrs. James was born and reared in Wheeling, W. Va., and during the Civil
War attended school at St. Louis. Her father was a German by descent, and was a
tobacco merchant in Wheeling. Mr. James has been postmaster of Sulphur Rock for
the past eighteen months, and his step-daughter, Miss Bertie Bonner, is his
principal deputy. He is a Democrat, and belongs to the K. & L. of H.