An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., 
The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 486-487

	HON. JAMES M. CARSON, City Comptroller of Seattle, was born in Shelby
county, Ohio, June 7, 1846. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Wallingford) Carson,
were descended from pioneer settlers of the same State. The subject of this
sketch was reared upon the farm and educated in the common and graded schools of
Ohio. He remained at home until July, 1863, when the spirit of patriotism
inspired him to enlist in defense of his country. Though but seventeen years of
age, he was accepted and went out with Company G, Ninth Ohio Cavalry, commanded
by Colonel W.D. Hamilton. Their service was with General Sherman during his
memorable march to the sea. Mr. Carson was detailed during part of service, as
dispatch carrier, from the headquarters of General Brahman, but he took part in
every engagement with his regiment, the most severe being at Atlanta, Georgia,
Aiken, South Carolina, and at Rogersville, Tennessee, where his horse was shot
from under him, though he himself was uninjured. He was mustered out at
Lexington, North Carolina, in July, 1865, and then rode his horse back to his
home in Ohio. He then resumed his education, and by teaching was enabled to
complete the course of study at the State Normal School, and also to take up the
study of law.
	In 1875 he was elected to the House of Representatives from Shelby county;
and in 1877 to the Ohio Senate from the counties of Miami, Darke and Shelby. In
1878 he was appointed by Governor Bishop as Aid-de-camp upon his staff, with
rank of Colonel. He was admitted to the bar in February, 1878, before the
Supreme Court of Ohio, and then located in practice at Anna, Shelby county,
where he continued until 1885. During this period he served as Mayor of the city
and as Justice of the Peace for four years. In 1885 be was appointed, under the
Cleveland administration, as special agent of the General Land Office, and
assigned to the Puget Sound Land District with headquarters at Olympia, serving
in that capacity until the inauguration of Benjamin Harrison, when he tendered
his resignation. Having become well versed in the land laws, and with an
extended acquaintance through the State, he then engaged in the practice of law,
making a specialty of legal points connected with the land business, appearing
before the land officers of Olympia and Seattle. He continued this form of
practice up to May 1, 1892, when he was appointed City Comptroller by the Mayor
and Board of Aldermen of the city of Seattle.
	Mr. Carson was married in Shelby county, Ohio, January 1, 1872, to Miss
Bessie E. Staley, a native of Ohio and daughter of John and Katherine Staley,
pioneers of the State. This union has been blessed by three children: Millard
E., Oliver P. and Victor V. Mr. Carson has recently completed a handsome
residence on Harvard street, and by wise investment, owns valuable city and acre
property in the counties of King, Pierce, Chehalis and Skagit.
	In his official career be has been a wise and able manager, honest in his
intentions and performing impartially the duties of trust imposed upon him.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer

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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.