William Henry James Biography


	This biography appears on pages 836-837 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	WILLIAM HENRY JAMES, grain and coal dealer, Valley Springs, also 
secretary of the Valley Springs Telephone Company, was born December 
25, 1858, in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, and is the son of Cornelius and 
Mary Ann (Hambly) James. He was reared in his native town, attended the 
public schools of the same at intervals during his minority and at the 
age of twenty-one purchased an interest in his father's mill, at 
Dodgeville, having become familiar with the business the meanwhile. Mr. 
James continued the manufacture of flour during the ensuing four years, 
at the expiration of which time he turned his attention to butter 
making and later, 1885, started a creamery at Winthrop, Minnesota, 
which he operated for a period of one year. Disposing of the business 
at the end of that time, he spent the following year running an engine 
in the town of Adrian, and in 1887 came to Valley Springs, South 
Dakota, to take charge of the Hubbard & Palmer Elevator Company, at 
this place, which position he still holds, and in the management of 
which he has achieved worthy prestige as an able, discreet and far-
seeing business man. In connection with buying and shipping grain, in 
which the company he represents commands the bulk of the trade in 
Minnehaha county, Mr. James deals quite extensively in coal, his 
patronage in this, as in his other line of business, being larger than 
that of any other man or firm in Valley Springs similarly engaged. Mr. 
James was one of the originators of the Valley Springs Telephone 
Company, took a leading part in its organization and in many ways has 
contributed to the success of the enterprise, much of its prosperity 
being directly attributed to the interest he has manifested in its 
behalf. He has been a member of the board of directors ever since the 
company went into effect, and as secretary has been untiring in his 
efforts to promote its efficiency, and make it one of the best local 
systems in the state, which reputation it has always sustained. This 
company, which was incorporated with a capital of ten thousand dollars, 
is composed of business and professional men of high standing and 
unimpeachable integrity, Dr. George W. Bliss being president, L. S. 
Hetland, vice-president, W. H. James, secretary, and P. E. Howe, 
treasurer, the same gentlemen, with J. Dunham, a well-known capitalist, 
constituting the board of directors.  

	In addition to his business interests and in connection with the 
telephone company, Mr. James conducts a local insurance agency, in 
which a number of the leading companies of the United States are 
represented, and does a flourishing business in Valley Springs and 
throughout the county of Minnehaha. He has long been influential in 
public affairs, has served as town clerk for a period of ten years and 
his activity as a politician has gained him favor and high standing in 
the Republican party, of which he is an earnest advocate and a zealous 
supporter. His fraternal relations include membership with the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, in 
addition to which he encourages benevolent enterprises under whatever 
name they may appear, being charitable and ready at all times to extend 
help to the needy and minister to the comfort of those in sickness or 
distress.   

	On the 1st day of January, 1900, Mr. James entered the marriage 
relation, choosing for his life companion Miss Carrie Hendrickson, who 
was born in Postville, Allamakee county, Iowa, but at the date 
mentioned was living in South Dakota. In addition to himself and wife, 
his home circle at this time includes five children, whose names in 
order of birth are Wilmer, Cora, Neal, Harrold and Byrle. Mr. James' 
life has been an exceedingly busy one and his record in all of his 
undertakings is without stain. As a business man he ranks with the most 
successful of his contemporaries and by reason of a long and active 
experience his opinions carry weight and his ideas receive due 
consideration. He is regarded as safe and reliable in matters involving 
large and important interests, careful in the management of affairs 
entrusted to him and he lays his plans with wise forethought and forms 
his opinions only after mature reflection.