This is a transcription of the biography of John James of White Creek from History of Washington County, New York with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some if its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Philadelphia: Everts & Ensign, 1878.
Mr. James is a native of Hoosick, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in which town he was born Aug. 23, 1827. His grandfather, Randall James, came from Rhode Island, and settled in Hoosick about 1788. His marriage-certificate, which has been preserved by his grandson, bears witness to the fact that he was married at Kingston, R. I., to Elizabeth Kenyon, June 5, 1785, three years before he settled in Hoosick. The wedding-coat worn on the occasion has also been preserved with the certificate by Mr. James as a souvenir of his grandfather, who gave a month’s work in winter for each yard of cloth contained in the garment. This ancestor died in Hoosick in 1831. His son, whose name was also Randall James, the father of John James, was born in Hoosick, and was by occupation a farmer. He held a colonel’s commission in the militia, and was known as Colonel Randall James, and also held several civil offices in his town. He married Sally Eddy in April, 1826, and had nine children,—four sons and five daughters,—of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Receiving his early education at the common schools, and being reared a farmer, he resided at the old homestead in Hoosick till the spring of 1875, when he purchased the place where he now resides. It has been known as the Perry and also the Starbuck place. It is one of the most beautiful locations in this section of the State, and, with the improvements contemplated and partly carried out by Mr. James, will be as desirable a country residence as can be found in Washington county.
Mr. James was married on the 12th of February, 1851, to Catharine J. Bowen, daughter of Sylvester Bowen, of Cambridge. Mr. Bowen (her father) was born in Shaftsbury, Vt., and came with his father to the town of White Creek when three years of age. Catharine J., now Mrs. James, was born in White Creek in June, 1828. Her mother was Julia Cross, daughter of General Samuel Cross, of Shaftsbury, Vt., and sister of Nathan L. Cross. She was born Oct. 29, 1799, and died March 5, 1874.
Mr. and Mrs. James have had children, as follows: Sylvester Bowen James, born May 17, 1842. Julia Cross James, born Nov. 6, 1856; married Hiram C. Houghton, of North Bennington, Vt., June 11, 1874; died May 22, 1875, leaving one daughter, little Julia J., aged three years.
Mr. James is a Republican in politics. He is a man of decided opinions, but averse to taking any office, although frequently proposed and solicited to do so. Few men have attained in a higher degree the confidence and esteem of their fellow-citizens, and few have been more prosperous by steady application to the pursuit of farming.