JAMES L. GREER, who was for more than twenty years the popular landlord of one of the best hotels in Rushville, was born near Five Mile Town, county Tyrone, Ireland, January 14, 1820, the son of Robert and Catherine (Lendrum) Greer. (See sketch of George Greer). He was a lad of nine years when his parents left the beautiful Emerald Isle and crossed the sea to America. When thirteen years of age he was sent to sea as a cabin boy on a cruising vessel, making the principal ports of both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. A portion of the time he was drillmaster, and after seven years he was discharged as an able-bodied seaman.

In 1841 he removed to Rushville and there engaged in the manufacture of brooms for a few years. During the war he was engaged in buying horses under contract from the Government. Previous to the war he had bought a farm in Littleton township, on which he resided until 1869, when he sold out and came to Rushville. He purchased the property which has been used as a hotel, and became the proprietor of a hotel which he managed with rare ability; he had a large and enthusiastic patronage, and a reputation that reached as far as his guests traveled.

Mr. Greer was married in 1841, to Nancy Wilson, who was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, a daughter of Elijah M. and Jane (Hawley) Wilson. Six children have been born to his union, who are still living: Emily, now Mrs. McCreery, Robert, George, Charles and Milton. Robert and Charles are engaged in the mercantile business at Kearney, Nebraska; George is a carpenter, and Milton is in the livery business at Rushville. Mr. Greer and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He assisted in organizing the first Methodist Episcopal class in Littleton, and aided very materially in the building of the church. For a number of years he was a superintendent of the Sabbath school, and has always been a devoted worker in the cause of the Master. He is a man of excellent traits, and has the respect of all how know him.