My Genealogy Hound

John D. James, general merchant, planter and stock dealer, was born near Alma in 1848, and is a son of Robert S. and M. E. (Freeman) James, natives of Cannon and Warren Counties, Tenn., respectively. In 1842 they came to Arkansas, and about 1849 Mr. James went to California and has never since been heard of. He was of English descent, his grandfather having come to America with Lord Baltimore. Robert was a mechanic, and served in the war with Mexico. The mother died in 1885. John D. is the fourth child of a family of three sons and two daughters, and after receiving a common-school education, began life for himself at the age of fourteen by farming and stock trading. During the latter part of the war he served about two years in Company A, with the Cherokees, in the Indian department, in the Indian Territory, Arkansas and Texas. In 1869 he wedded M. L., daughter of Harvey Steward, who was a native of Vermont. Mrs. James was born in this county, and is the mother of seven children. After his marriage Mr. James engaged in farming and trading until the foundation of Alma, when he built a hotel and livery stable, the first in the place, which he conducted several years. He is now one of the wealthiest and most prominent business men in the place, his stock being valued at from $25,000 to $40,000, and his annual sales amounting to about $100,000. He employs about eight clerks constantly, and his success is due to his business ability, as he has twice been burned out. About ten years ago he was shot in the street by a desperado, and for a long time was disabled. He owns 900 acres of land near Alma, and was one of the leading men in the upbuilding of that town. In politics he is a Democrat, and has served as chairman of the Democratic County Committee. His first presidential vote was cast for Tilden. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and his wife is an earnest worker in the Christian Church.