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

WILLIAM JAMES, a prosperous farmer and esteemed citizen of Whidby island,
Washington, residing near Oak Harbor, was born in Somersetshire, England,
February 12, 1844. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Bowden) James, were also
natives of the "tight little isle," the former born in 1813, and the latter in
1815. William James, Sr., was a cooper by trade, which occupation he followed
uninterruptedly in England, being  esteemed a good workman and honorable
citizen. When quite young, William James, Jr., of this notice, was taught the
cooper trade by his father, which vocation, together with farming, young James
followed in England until November, 1868. He then left home and friends and
embarked at Plymouth, England, for Victoria, British Columbia, making the voyage
alone, he is at present the only one of his family in America and has no
relatives in this country. He came via the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in
Victoria, in January, 1869. Be thence proceeded to Whidby island, where he
arrived July 12, the same year, and there rented a farm and for several years
lived on various places on the island. He eventually engaged in grain and stock
raising, in both of which lines he was very successful, and in course of time he
bought 100 acres of choice land, situated five miles from Oak Harbor. Ninety
acres of this farm are now under good cultivation, and on the place he has a
large, comfortable residence and substantial barns, with other valuable
improvements. He is essentially a self-made man, and justly deserves the success
he enjoys, which is attributable to unflagging industry and intelligent
management, combined with integrity in his dealings with his fellow men. March
10, 1871, Mr. James was married to Florence Sweetman, a native of London,
England, where she was born April 10, 1855. She accompanied her parents,
Benjamin and Sarah Sweetman, to America, and with them settled on Whidby island.
They are now residing in Spokane, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. James have nine
children living: Fred, Mrs. Nellie Smith, Ada, Hattie, Grace, William, Sadie,
Walter and Ethel, all of whom are typical young citizens of Washington, full of
energy and enterprise. Fraternally, Mr. James is a member of the A.U.U.W.,
belonging to Lodge 18, of Coupeville. He is progressive and public-spirited,
taking a deep interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of the
community of which he is a worthy resident.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 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.