Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....James, O. P.
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Doylestown A-L


O. P. JAMES physician, P.O. Doylestown, was born in New 
Britain, Bucks county, and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy 
(Williams) James, of Welsh and Scotch descent.  His 
great-grandfather was the first of the family to settle in 
this county, and took up about 1,000 acres of land near New 
Britain, a part of which he farmed.  His grandfather, Isaac 
James, was also a farmer and lived and died in New Britain.  
Benjamin, the father of O. P., was likewise a farmer.  He 
had two brothers who served in the revolution.  He reared a 
family of eleven children, two of whom now survive.  He died 
in 1854, and his wife in 1838.  O. P. remained with his 
parents until their death, after which he remained on the 
homestead two years.  He removed to Doylestown in 1859 and 
has resided there ever since.  In 1840 he graduated at 
Jefferson Medical college and began to practice in New 
Britain, where he stayed until he came to Doylestown.  He is 
one of the leading physicians of the borough and has an 
extended practice.  He has been the almshouse physician for 
seventeen years. In 1864 he was elected state senator.  He 
has been one of the directors of the national bank for a 
number of years; treasurer of the Doylestown turnpike; 
president of the town council several years, and has been 
connected with m any of the leading institutions of the 
borough.  He was married in 1858 to Sarah A., daughter of 
Squire Gordon.  They are the parents of three children:  
Oliver B., Martha A., and Sarah M.   Dr. James is a member 
of the Masonic lodge in Doylestown, of which he is 
treasurer, and has passed all the chairs.  He has been the 
representative to the grand lodge for several years.  He was 
a candidate for congress, but against his will, in 1878.  He 
was one of the originators of the Doylestown Agricultural 
and Mechanics' Institute in 1866, and has been its treasurer 
ever since.