GEORGE JAMES

GEORGE JAMES, merchant and postmaster of Elkhorn, is one of the wellknown citizens of Clay Township. He was born in Denmark, December 7,1844, and attended school until he was fourteen years of age; he then served all apprenticeship at the tailor's trade, and worked at the business until he was twenty-one years old. At that age he sailed from Hamburg for America, landing in Quebec, Canada; thence he came to Chicago, Illinois, and thence to Rock Island County, Illinois, and there worked at his trade one year. At the end of that time he went to Henry County, Illinois, and remained there seven or eight years, working at his trade. In 1875 he came to Clay Township, Shelby County, Iowa, having bought land two years previously; at that time there was not a house north of the creek in the east part of the township. He settled in section 12, on 100 acres, which he improved in good style; he also owned forty acres in section 1. Mr. James lived on this place until 1883, when he engaged in the mercantile trade at Elkhorn. He had a partner for eighteen months, Nils Larson, and at the end of that time he bought him out. Mr. James carries a well-selected stock of dry-goods, boots, shoes, groceries and queen's-ware. He is a popular merchant, honorable in business, and is well worthy of the large patronage he receives. He was appointed postmaster in 1884, and is a model officer. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party. He has served five years as township clerk, and eight years as township trustee, with credit to himself. He is one of the leading members of the Lutheran church, and is treasurer of the society. Mr. James was married in Henry County, Illinois, in 1870, to Anna M. Johnson, a native of Denmark. They are the parents of seven children-Anna M. K., Johan P. C., Lizzie, James Peter E., Walter, Dagmar and Clara.

Source: 1889 Biographical History of Shelby County, Iowa. pg. 591. Transcribed and submitted by Marthann Kohl-Fuhs