Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-James W. Ham
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
JAMES W. HAM, the well-known grocer at the corner of Court and Fifth streets, Clay Center, came to Kansas and Clay County, three and one-half years since, and is contributing his quota to the business interests of his adopted town. He is an Illinoisan, having been born in Jacksonville, that State, Oct. 27, 1845. Seven years later his parents removed to Decatur, Ill., where he completed his education in the High School, and at the age of seventeen became the traveling salesman of Benedict, Hall & Co., of New York City.
Later, Mr. Ham operated in the interest of various leading business houses, including Dodd, Brown & Co., of St. Louis, A. T. Stewart & Co., and Spencer Bros. & Co., of Cincinnati.
In January, 1886, having accumulated some capital, he decided to establish in business for himself. He carries a well-selected stock of all articles in his line of trade, and enjoys the patronage of the best people of the city of Clay Center. He is the owner of a fine farm in Clay County, and also has farming lands in other counties of Kansas, besides city real estate. He has never meddled much in political affairs, preferring to give his time and attention to his legitimate calling.
In Jacksonville, Ill., on the 7th of March, 1867, before reaching the twenty-second year of his age, Mr. Ham was joined in wedlock with Miss S. E. Mansfield, of that city. They are now the parents of one son, Albert M., who is the chief assistant of his father in the store. Mrs. Ham, like her husband, is a native of Jacksonville, Ill., and was born July 13, 1849. Her parents were J. B. and M. Mansfield, natives of Kentucky, and now living in Franklin, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Ham are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which the former has been connected for nearly twenty-five years, and in which he is President of the Board of Stewards. Since becoming a voting citizen, Mr. Ham has supported the principles of the Republican party. He is a member in good standing of the I. O. O. F., being Colonel of the first regiment of Kansas. This is the highest office in Odd Fellowship in the state. He is also a K. of P.
The father of our subject was John H. Ham, a native of Franklin County, Ky., and born Dec. 4, 1810. He emigrated to Illinois when about twenty-one years old and settled among the pioneers in the southeastern part of Morgan County, taking up and improving a tract of new land. In the meantime, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Scott, and subsequently they removed to Decatur, where the mother died in 1880, at the age of sixty-eight years. John H. Ham departed this life Aug. 8, 1885. He was a man prominent in his community, and one of the early officials of Morgan County, Ill. Both he and his estimable wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.