Biographical Sketch of

George James

Transcribed by Barbara Voss



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Page 439

Hamilton, James, Jenkenson, Lee, Shear
 
George H. James, a prominent young citizen residing on section 4, in the town of Saxeville, is a native of Waushara 
County, born November 19, 1858, of English and Welsh descent. His father, William James, was born in Blackwood, 
Wales, January 2, 1820, and his paternal grandfather was also a native of the same country. Crossing the Atlantic to 
America in 1833, David James settled in Carbondale, Pa., where he lived forty years, engaged in mining. His early life 
was that of a farmer, He married Hannah Jenkenson of Wales, and unto them was born five children. The father died in 
August, 1874, and the mother in August, 1883. Both were earnest Christian people, and members of the Baptist Church.

The father of our subject was a young man of twenty three years when he bade good-by to his old home and became an 
American citizen. For nine years he followed blacksmithing in Carbondale, Pa., when he removed to Trenton, N. J., and 
for several years worked at his trade and also as a machinist. Coming to Wisconsin in 1855, he spent one year in Eureka,
Winnebago County, and then removed to Pine River, where he engaged in merchandising and blacksmithing until 1864, when 
he removed to a farm of sixty acres on section 4 in the town of Saxeville, and there established himself in the 
manufacture of lumber, to which he continued to devote his attention until his death, which occurred in 1885. In politics 
he was a Republican and a prominent and influential citizen. He manifested a profound interest in all religious matters, 
and was a Deacon in the Baptist Church for many years. He gave liberally to the cause of Christ, and especially to the 
foreign mission work. His wife, Martha James, was born in Shields Vohenuch, Wales, October 29, 1823. Their family 
numbered seven children – Sarah, Abraham, David, John, George H., Mary and Hannah.

The early life of our subject was spent in the usual manner in which boys pass their time. Play and work occupied his 
attention, and he also attended the common schools. At the age of twenty one years, he entered the Waupaca High School, 
from which he was graduated in the winter of 1882, and then taught for one term in Marion. During the summer of 1883, 
he was in the employ of the Greenwood Park Association, composed of several gentlemen who were proprietors of a summer 
resort at Greenwood. He acted in the capacity of bookkeeper, and in the winter of 1883-4, entered the planning mill of 
Hamilton & Shear of Waupaca, with whom he remained until the following October, when he entered the clothing establishment
of A. R. Lee, in the above named city. On the death of his father, he returned home and took charge of the farm and 
sawmill. Mr. James is a young man of excellent ability, possessing splendid business qualifications, and already ranks 
high in business circles. He has ably managed both the interest of the sawmill and farm, and has won the confidence and 
well wishes of all with whom he has come in contact.

Mr. James generally supports the Republican Party in politics, but is liberal in his views. He is an intelligent citizen 
and always keeps himself well informed on the leading issues of the day. Socially, he belongs to Waupaca Lodge, No. 123, 
A. F. & A. M., and to Waupaca Chapter, No. 39, R. A. M.