Janis' Genealogy Site

Charles Morgan James

Summary

Born: 3 July 1837
Died: 1 August 1908
Father: Benjamin Franklin James
Mother: Margaret Liggett
Spouse: Emma Ibach

Biography

Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties by Gilbert Cope (1904), pg. 420.

Charles M. James, an enterprising and successful business man and an esteemed citizen of South Coventry township, Chester county, is a grandson of William James, who married Mary Dunwoody, a native of Chester county, by whom he was the father of the following named children: James D., Mirich, Daniel, Benjamin Franklin, Rachel, who became the wife of Albert Way, who died in 1865, Sarah, Evan, and Samuel L. William James, the father of these children, died at an advanced age in Indiana.

Benjamin F. James, son of William and Mary (Dunwoody) James, during the greater portion of his life, was a resident of Chester county. He married Margaret Liggett, daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Starret) Liggett, the latter named having been the parents also of the following named children: William, of Pottstown, now deceased; Jacob, who died in Illinois in 1882; John, who died in New Orleans in 1851; George, who is now a resident of Illinois; Mary Ann, who became the wife of G. R. Brinly, of Berks county, and who, with her husband, is now deceased; and Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of the late C. R. Rump, of Philadelphia. Mr. Liggett, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, died about the year 1856, and his wife passed away at an advanced age in the year 1862.

Benjamin F. and Margaret (Liggett) James were the parents of the following named children: Charles Morgan, mentioned hereinafter; Sarah Ellen, deceased, was the wife of Daniel Bellman; Mary E., widow of John Lewis of Reading, Pennsylvania. After the death of his first wife, Mr. James married Mary Ann Rieter, who bore him the following named children: William, a resident of Chester County; Clara, who became the wife of David Lahr of Chester County; George T.; Evan; Benjamin F.; Margaret; and Ida, who is now deceased. Mr. James, the father of these children, who attained to a venerable age, is now deceased, as are also his brothers and sister.

Charles M. James, son of Benjamin F. and Margaret (Liggett) James, was born July 4, 1837, in Chester County, Pa. He obtained his education partly in the public schools of his native county and those of Berks county, whither the family moved when he was eight years of age, returning to Chester county and settling in Warwick township when he attained the age of twenty-four years. In 1859 Mr. James engaged in the milling business on Rock Run creek, and in 1872 removed his plant to Chester county, where he has since conducted and extensive and lucrative trade, owing to the ability and energy with which he has prosecuted all his designs. The productive power of his plant is estimated at twenty-five barrels a day. The mill is located on the site of the old Reading Furnace, erected by Nutt and Branson, which was the first to melt ore in Chester county, and which was erected on a portion of the six hundred and fifty acres of land patented by Samuel Nutt, which was estimated in value to two thousand pounds. The old furnace is still standing, and some of the metal is in the bottom to this day. The iron industry, which has grown to such vast proportions and great improtance in these days, began in PA in a very small way in 1716, a special permit having been granted by the Parliment of Great Britian. Mr. James takes an active interest in local affairs, and neglects none of the duties of a good citizen. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. He attends the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. James married in 1860, Emma Ibach, of Pottstown, PA. Their children were Annie Elizabeth, born June 6, 1861, is now the widow of J. Yeager; William F., born in 1862, is now engaged in carpentering work in Pottstown; Sarah Ellen, the widow of William Schiller; Laura, born in 1868, is now the widow of William Hartline, of Pottstown; Charles M., Jr, born June 6, 1871; twin children who died in infancy; and Alice, born in 1876, now the wife of Nathan Garner. In 1884, Mr. James and his family sustained a severe bereavement in the death of the wife and mother, who was also sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends, to whom her many estimable qualities had greatly endeared her.

Known errors or inconsistencies:

Charles' grandmother was Jane Dunwoody (not Mary Dunwoody).
Other sources say Charles' grandfather William James died in PA, not Indiana.

Go to James Surname Page

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