Biographical Sketches
SAMUEL C. JAMES, M.D.
Among those who are engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Kansas City and who have gained for themselves a prominent place in the ranks of the fraternity, is this gentleman, whose reputation extends throughout the state. He was born in Franklin county, Virginia, June 16, 1854, and is one of the 8 children of Dr. Pyrant T. and Emma R. (Woods) James, also natives of Virginia. His paternal grandfather, Catlett James, was a native of the Old Dominion and of English descent. He cultivated a large plantation and died at an advanced age. The maternal grandfather, Samuel H. Woods, was also born in Virginia and was of English lineage. A well-known planter, by his capable management, enterprise and business ability be became wealthy. He also was a devout Christian and died at the age of 76 years.
The father of our subject was a physician, and on leaving the state of his nativity in 1855 removed to Versailles, Missouri, where he engaged in the practice of medicine until 1861. He also served as a surgeon in the Confederate army from 1861 to 1864. In the year of 1864 he removed to Litchfield, Illinois, where he engaged in the practice of medicine until 1888, when he located in Holden, Missouri, his death occurring there in 1892, when he was aged 62 years. His wife still survives him, and now spends her winters in Florida, and the summer months at her home in Versailles, Missouri. Both were members of the Methodist church. Of their family of 5 sons and 3 daughters, 6 are yet living, namely: Percy C.; Samuel C.; May, wife of Green Lilly; Lena, wife of Lewis Farquhar, of Litchfield, Illinois; Sterling Price and Robert L. Ida, the third of the family, and the wife of Frank Hayden, is now deceased; also Willie, who was the youngest.
Dr. Samuel C. James was brought to Missouri during his infancy, and at the age of 10 years accompanied his parents on their removal to Litchfield, Illinois, where he pursued his early education. He took up the study of medicine under the direction of his father and Dr. P. G. Woods, and subsequently entered the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis. Later he was a student in the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, at which he was graduated in the class of 1882. Previous to that time, however, he had engaged in practice for several years. On leaving Chicago, he returned to Versailles, Missouri, where he made his home for a few months and then removed to Holden, Missouri, where he practiced until 1888. In that year he visited several of the hospitals of New York City, pursuing his investigations therein, and also took a course of lectures in the New York Polyclinic. In 1889 he opened an office in the Times building on Main street, Kansas City, where he has practiced continuously since.
On the 2nd of October, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. James and Miss Lula Doran, daughter of B. F. Doran, of Cooper county, Missouri. Her mother bore the maiden name of Lucy Daniels. One child has been born of this union - a son, Percy. They have a beautiful home at No. 400 Wabash, which is the abode of hospitality and a favorite resort with their many friends. The doctor is a consistent member of the Methodist church, in which he has served as steward for ten years. In politics he is a democrat. A valued member of the Masonic fraternity, he belongs to Royal Arch chapter No. 28; Kansas City commandery, No. 10, K. T., and also Ararat Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has received all the degrees in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and held the office of coroner of Johnson county, but resigning in 1888, before removing to Kansas City.
The doctor is a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, a member of the county and the state medical societies, and is professor of theory and practice in the University Medical College, of Kansas City. He is also professor of general medicine in Scarritt Bible and Training School, is on the medical staff of the Scarritt Hospital and All Saints Hospital, and of the University Medical Dispensary Clinic, and is consulting physician for the Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad. The public and the profession both accorded him high rank as a physician. He has treated successfully some of the most difficult cases known to the profession, with most excellent results, and his reputation has been won solely through ability and merit. He wears his honors with graceful and becoming modesty, and is not given to boasting of his accomplishments. He is genial and pleasant in manner, of amiable disposition, broadminded and true, and altogether worthy of the high regard in which he is universally held.
(The writer of the above article has known Dr. James from boyhood, and it is with great pleasure that he gives the above facts to the public).
This page was last updated August 2, 2006.