Biography of Judge James E JAMES, Jasper County, Illinois Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives Copyright 1999 Linda Flesch Judge James E. James History of Jasper and Cumberland Counties, Illinois 1886 Biography section of Crooked Creek Township, Jasper County, Illinois Judge James E. James (deceased), the son of William and Elizabeth (McMullen) James, was born in Jennings County, Indiana in June, 1816. His parents were poor but highly respectable, and belonged to the society known as Shakers. At the age of seven he lost his father; his mother then withdrew from the Shaker society, and with her children resided on a farm until her death. Mr. James then went to Edgar County, Ill., where, October 21, 1838, he married Jane, daughter of James and Elizabeth Duck, of Kentucky. In 1839, he entered forty acres of land in this township, and his was the fifth family to settle here. He put up a cabin, and, as it had taken all his money to pay for his land, he was for some time without chairs or table, but he was a man of energy and resources, and soon furnished his cabin with furniture of his own manufacture. He added to his farm from time to time, and could soon count his acres by the hundred, and built himself as comfortable a farm-house as existed in those early days. He had born to him thirteen children, Of whom eight are still living, viz: William H., Sarah P., Lovisa A., Augustus, Mary, Gilbert, Laura and Alonzo C. One son, Cyrus, was a member of the Ninety-Seventh Illinois Infantry, was wounded at the battle of Vicksburg, has since died. In 1849, Mr. James was elected Associate Judge of Jasper County, and held office most of the time until his death. He was County Sheriff from 1856 until 1858; in 1864, he was elected Probate Judge for four years, and was twice re-elected. He was taken ill in 1869, and lingered until August 29, 1872, when he expired, highly respected and dearly beloved by all. He gave to each of his children a farm, and left to his widow the homestead of 300 acres, which is being superintended by her son, Alonzo C. James. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb Archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Linda Flesch