he U.S. Army at Ann Arbor, Michigan for three years and served as a bugl
er in the 14th Battalion of the First Michigan Light Artillery from 18
63 to 1865

He attended the University of Michigan from 1869 to 1871.

In 1870 he married Helen and they had three children.

James was a reporter on the Toledo Blade and then in the editorial cor
ps at the Toledo Commercial from 1874 to 1876. He was city editor in 187
6. In 1877 he was a short hand reporter; in 1878 he was the official sten
ographer at the Cort of Common Pleas. He was a court stenographer for Luc
as County for thirty years.

James evidently did not own a home. He lived at a number of address
es in Toledo.

In November 1909 he collapsed while waiting for a street car and died almo
st immediately. He was a member of Ford Post G.A.R. and of the Order of E
agles. His obituary says he was considered an intelligent man with a fu
nd of original wit. He was buried in Forest Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio.

His wife Minnie died on Dec. 15, 1919 and was buried with him.