Told by Arthur Hoopingarner. James' Family was very poor or he exaggerated a great deal in his old age as he told stories of going to school barefooted dressed in only a long-tailed shirt through the snow.

Listed on the 1850 census with his mother. Around this time he became a pilot on the Mississippi river between St. Louis and New Orleans. His marriage to Sarah Serman is listed as his second marriage by Arthur's notes. No reference to first wife.

In 1858, "Pat" (family name) and Sarah with two small children moved to Kansas by covered wagon and a yoke of oxen. Enlisted in the Union Army in 1861; but, was allowed to remain with the home guard because of his family. Liked to get drunk on his trips to Fort Scott.