My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM A. JAMES, M. D., is one of the leading physicians of Randolph County. He makes his home in Chester and is prominent in the medical fraternity and the business circles of this part of Illinois. Born in Monroe County, this state, November 10, 1854, he is the son of Austin and Caroline E. (Walker) James, the former a native of Monroe County, and the latter born in Iowa.

The father of our subject, who departed this life November 18, 1892, in his sixty-ninth year, was a lifelong resident of Monroe County and one of its most prominent and energetic citizens. He was the second child of James A. James, who, with his father, Joseph Austin James, made Monroe County his home in 1803. Austin James was born in that county December 30, 1823, and was quite young when he accompanied his father on his removal to Harrisonville, where he received his early education. Later he attended St. Mary’s College, in Perry County, Mo., and in his seventeenth year became a student in the St. Louis University. After his graduation he remained for some time under the parental roof, and when he attained his majority, went west to Iowa, where he entered the mines.

During the second year of the Mexican War, in 1847, Austin James became a member of the Sixth Illinois Regiment, and with his company marched to the City of Mexico by the way of New Orleans and Vera Cruz. Upon the return of the regiment he received his honorable discharge at Alton, whereupon he began farming at Harrisonville. In 1849 he purchased the old homestead, consisting of nine hundred acres of the most fertile bottom land in the county. By his energy and zeal he placed the entire tract under the best cultivation and erected all of the needful farm buildings.

April 14, 1852, Austin James married Miss Caroline E. Walker, and of the six children born of their union the following five are living: Bennett, William, Mary, Thomas and Carrie. Frank, the fourth child, was accidentally killed many years ago. During his entire life Austin James was an unswerving and consistent Democrat, and cast his first vote for Lewis Cass in 1848. His zeal and activity in the support of that party’s principles merited to such an extent the recognition of his party that he was, in 1864, 1872 and 1882, elected to the Legislature, representing first the Third Senatorial District, and later the Forty-eighth. His legislative record showed at all times that he was an active and useful member of committees and always honorably represented his constituents. In 1888 he was elected by the people of Monroe County to represent them on the County Board, and was serving his second term in that capacity when his death occurred.. He was a devoted and affectionate husband, a kind and loving father, a true and sincere friend, ever ready to aid and assist the poor, and possessed the generosity and hospitality of a well bred southern gentleman. His wife, the mother of our subject, is still living and makes her home in Harrisonville.

The subject of this sketch was one in a family of four sons and two daughters, and received a good education in the schools near his home. Being desirous of gaining a more thorough knowledge of men and things, he went to St. Louis, Mo., in 1875, and completed a course of study in the Christian Brothers’ Academy. After receiving his diploma he taught school for three terms, and with his earnings was enabled to carry out the ambition of his life, and attended medical lectures in St. Louis. He was graduated in 1881 from the St. Louis Medical College, and returning to Harrisonville, Ill., engaged in the practice of his profession for twelve years. In the spring of 1893 he came to this city and now has a patronage that extends far beyond the limits of Chester.

The lady who became the wife of our subject, in August, 1881, was known in her maidenhood as Mary L. Horine. She was born in Waterloo, this state, and was a daughter of M. T. Horine. To them has been born one child, a daughter, Jessie C., to whom they are giving a good education in the city schools. In his political relations, the Doctor always votes with the Democratic party, and socially is a prominent member of the Monroe County Medical Society. He is now the physician of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary.