Tobe James typical pioneer

Alexander Emmons (Tobe) James, a familiar figure on the streets of Cassville and Southern Barry County prior to his death on January 23, 1944, was �one-of-a-kind.� He was 73 years old at the time of his death.

Tobe was a typical Barry County pioneer.

His father, Alexander McGee James (who went by the nickname �Doc�), was a native of Blount County, Tennessee, and served in the Union Army as a member of Company 11 of the �second Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry. Born November 28, 1830, died at the age of 81 years and is buried in the Washburn Prairie Cemetery.

Shortly after the Civil War ended in 1965, �Doc� married and to this union eleven children (including Tobe) wee born, nine boys and two girls. After marriage, �Doc� and his bride left Tennessee and by way of Arkansas they wound up in the Corinth Community some 5 miles south of Cassville in 1877.

While there is no official record of Tobe�s birth, it undoubtedly occurred in Arkansas and he arrived as a four year old boy in Barry County in 1877.

The family settled on a farm in the Corinth Community, a portion of which apparently remained in the James Family until the death of Tobe�s son, Luther James, the farm was sold in the 1970�s. Tobe grew up in the post Civil War period and operated the farm until he suffered a stroke prior to this death in 1944. He was noted for his genial disposition and his penchant for telling the history stories of his years during the late 1800s and up to his death.

He was united in marriage to Cynthia Elizabeth Bostick on September 2, 1891. To this union were born seven children. Three, Mrs. Theo Tucker, Rollie and Earl James preceded him in death in 1942 came the passing his devoted companion. Surviving at Tobe�s death were Fred James of Washington, Luther James of Cassville, Mrs. Mary West of California and Mrs. Josie Garrett of Verona. Fourteen grandchildren survive, a sister, Mrs. Ben Earl of Colorado, and three brothers, Sam James of Colorado, Dick James of Texas and George of Enid, Oklahoma.

The above photograph, taken shortly before his death, was furnished to the Advertiser by his great-grandson, Carroll Tucker, son of the late Pete Tucker, who lived in the Horner community.