My Genealogy Hound

Michael James was born near Newark, Ohio, in 1835, and moved with his parents to Moultrie County, Ill., in 1830. From there he moved to Clark County, Ill., in 1846, and in the spring of 1866 sought a new home in Putnam County, Mo., which has since been his residence. He began life upon his own responsibility when twenty-two years of age, with no capital, but by energy, industry and economy now owns a splendidly improved farm of 310 acres, well cultivated and improved, and upon which he resides. In 1858 he married Miss Nary E. McAdams, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Ellet) McAdams, natives of Indiana and Kentucky, respectively. Mrs. Jane McAdams was a daughter of Charles and Betsey Ellet, natives of Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. James nine children have been born: William Harrison, Levi Siegel, Margaret (deceased), Ellen, Frank, John (deceased), Henderson (deceased), Charles, George and Fannie. Mr. and Mrs. James are worthy members of the Christian Church, in which they take an active part. In politics Mr. James was independent before the war, but since that period he has been identified with the Republican party. In August, 1862, be enlisted in Company B, Seventy-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. At the battle of Stone River he was shot in the head, losing one eye, and since has lost the use of the other from the effects of the wound. He was discharged from Hospital No. 8, at Nashville, Tenn., in February, 1863. He is the second son of a family of seven children born to John and Jane (Hazlett) James, pioneer settlers if not natives of Ohio. The father was a son of John and Barbara James, early settlers of Northern Ohio. Mrs. Jane James was a daughter of Samuel Hazlett, a native of Scotland, who located in Ohio at an early day, and there passed his life.