JAMES W. ENGLISH was born in Mason county, Virginia, March 11, 1829. His father, Nathaniel English, was a prominent physician, who married Hannah Worth. James was but eight years old when his parents moved from West Virginia to St. Louis, from which point they made their way to Jacksonville, Morgan county, Ill., in 1836. In 1844 Mr. English entered upon a classical course of study at the Illinois College, graduating with honor in 1848. He now took up the study of law in the office of Richard Yates, afterward governor of Illinois, and William Brown. In 1850 he was admitted to practice as an attorney in the state of Illinois, and in 1860, in the Federal courts and the supreme court of the United States in 1873. For five years the young but able attorney struggled for s foothold among such legal lights as Murray, McConnell and others. In 1856 he came to Carrollton, where his ability was soon recognized and the following year he was elected to fill the responsible position of state's attorney. He served in this capacity in an able manner until 1860, entering upon his law studies with renewed zeal. In 1871 he moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, remaining a number of years. On being apprised of the mortal illness of his old friend and colleague, Judge Woodson, of Carrollton, and at the solicitation of his many friends in this enterprising town, he decided to return here. He practiced here for a period of twenty years, and his course was marked by no ordinary ability. Mr. English married Eliza Stryker, a daughter of Henry Stryker, formerly a merchant of Jacksonville, Oct. 6, 1852. Mr. English is now a resident of Jacksonville, Morgan county, Ill.