Born on a farm near Cobden, Union county, Illinois, on September 28.
1874. Fountain E. James is the son of George W. James and Mamie (Condon)
James, and the grandson of Wilson James, who first settled in Union county
in the early pioneer days. For fifteen years Fountain James has been an
esteemed and honored citizen of Alto Pass, where he is known as one of the
most progressive and representative fruit growers in Union county, with a
reputation for skill and adeptness in the business that is second to none in
that district.
The early schooling of Fountain E. James was secured through the avenues of
the common schools of his home town. When he attained his majority he
started life for himself by acquiring a farm of one hundred and forty-six
acres in Alto Pass, and there he has lived since that time, cultivating his
land and building up a business that has placed him among the first rank in
the producers of Union county. On one hundred acres planted to apples and
peaches, mostly young trees just coming into bearing, in 1911 he harvested a
yield of four thousand bushels each of apples and peaches; an average crop,
all things considered. On his place he has erected a fine modern dwelling on
a high ridge overlooking the town. It is a thoroughly up-to-date and modern
residence in every respect, costing him something over $4,000 when
completed. His other buildings compare favorably with the best in his
locality.
In 1894 Mr. James married Miss Ava Asbury, the daughter of Charles and Edna
Asbury, and they have been the parents of four children: Layman and Norma,
deceased; Herbert, aged seventeen, and Louise, now ten years of age.
Extracted 13 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from 1912 A History of Southern Illinois, volume 3, pages 1576-1577.
| Jackson | Williamson | |
| MO |
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Johnson |
| Alexander | Pulaski |
