James was born in England. He met and married Phebe Sophronia Nash on September 12, 1860 in Jo Daviess, Illinois, USA when he was 21. They had one son, James Henry Pimley Jr. born in 1861. James Sr. joined the 96th Regiment,Illinois Infantry, and was taken prisoner in Tennessee on March 7, 1863, and 'killed by a bullet' in the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863.

'James Pimley.—Age 23; born in England; farmer; enlisted from Pleasant Valley; was captured at Franklin, Tenn., March 8, 1863, and a prisoner for several months,—most of the time at Richmond, Va. ; was exchanged and returned to the Regiment in September, 1863, and was killed at the battle of Chickamauga.'~(History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment: Illinois Volunteer Infantry

edited by Charles Addison Partridge)

'The first men ever captured from the ninety-sixth were James Pimley and Patrick Conway, both members of Company F, who were taken prisoners near Franklin, Tenn, March 7, 1863. The regiment had moved to that point two days before, and everything was new and curious to its members. Not the least attractive feature in the near vicinity was Roper's Knob, and thither went many of the command, armed only with the passes of the commander of the regiment. This lofty and attractive peak was a mile or a little more from camp, and partially in its rear, so that the trip was not supposed to be attended with any risk. It was outside the picket lines, however, and proved to be a dangerous resort. On the day named, these soldiers, with others, were given passes, and made their way to its top. After viewing the beauties of the landscape for a time, one of them proposed a visit to a house at the east of the hill. Objection was made by a companion William S Nash, who was the brother in law of Pimley, not so much because of any supposed danger as for the reason that he thought they would be going beyond the limits prescribed by their passes. But inclination was strong, and the two started off, promising their less venturesome companion that if he would return to camp and get supper, they would bring some butter when they came back. Going to the house, they were readily promised some provisions by the family, nut before they were ready to take their departure a number of confederate cavalrymen stepped out from a room adjoining the one in which they had been sitting, and ordered them to throw up their hands. There was no alternative, for they were unarmed and outnumbered, and, quietly submitting, they were hurried off to Spring Hill, where they remained for a few days. When the Federal troops advanced, on the Duck River expedition, they were moved southward, though not so rapidly that they once had a good view of the advance of the Union forces, and were in plain sound of the skirmishing. The thought of escape was ever uppermost in their minds, but no favorable opportunity offered, and they were put aboard the cars and sent to Richmond, where they were confined for some months. Although prison life had not then reached refinement of cruelty subsequently attained, yet their experiences were such as to be very unpleasantly remembered. They were paroled and sent inside the Union lines during the summer, being finally exchanged at St Louis. After a brief visit to their homes in Jo Daviess County, they returned to the Regiment, reaching it in September, 1863. They literally fulfilled their promise to Comrade Nash, and brought him some nice fresh butter, but it was from Pleasant Valley, Illinois, and not from Roper's Knob, Tennessee Their account of their adventure was eagerly listened to, and many resolved on hearing them tell of the short rations, cruelty and indignities to which they were subjected, even the women spitting in their faces, that they would take desperate chances rather than be captured. Nash chided them for being caught by 'Butternuts' while after butter. Hardly had their experiences been recounted when the great battle of Chickamauga came. On the way to the right, on that fateful Sunday, Pimley had a premonition that his end was near, and told a comrade his belief. He did not shrink from duty, however, but went bravely forward until his prediction came true, for in the midst of the battle he fell to rise no more, struck by a bullet.'~(History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment: Illinois Volunteer Infantry

edited by Charles Addison Partridge)

~Family folklore has it that James's brother-in-law, William S. Nash of the same regiment, propped James in a sitting position against a tree, and James was never seen again.~