*John's grave marker lists his date of death as May 24, 1904, but San Bernardino Death Register and his obituary list it as May 22, 1904. The Death Register also lists him as a widower, resident of San Bernardino, b. in TN. - Cause of death, pneumonia.

John's parents were:

William James Jr. &

Clarissa Smith

William James Jr. & Clarissa Smith married in VA. and they both died in Cannon county, TN.

John married first, Elizabeth LeMay.

In 1846, John Marshall James, b. 1816 in TN., & Margaret H. (Hawkins) Johnson, b. 1824 in MO., were married in AZ., according to U. S. Marriage Records for 1560-1900.

After Margaret died, John married third, Dica (Dicie) Ann C. Rector (1836-1893).

John & Margaret James' children were:

1. * Samuel Otay James, b. Nov. 18, 1848 in Van Buren, Crawford County, AR. and d. Jan. 15, 1936 in and is buried in Dawson, Yukon, Northern Canada. Samuel marr. Eliza Jane Cunningham on May 9, 1868.
2. Elizabeth James, b. ? and d. 1852
3. * William James, b. Jun. 18, 1849 in Van Buren, Crawford County, AR. and d. Nov. 11, 1927 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. William marr. Lucinda Catherine Ward.
4. John Marshall James Jr., b. 1852 in AR. and d. Jun. 6, 1861, crushed by a log sent rolling downhill by a logger in Crestline, San Bernardino county, CA. and was buried on a small hill just west of his father's sawmill.
5. * Sarah Ann James, b. Apr. 22, 1854 in El Monte, Los Angeles County, CA. and d. Feb. 22, 1907 in El Monte, Los Angeles County, CA. Sarah marr. Tilghman D. Andrew in 1872 in San Bernardino City.
6. Cyrus Sanford James, b. Oct. 1, 1856 at El Monte, L. A. county, CA. and d. 1940. Cyrus is buried in Lindsay, Tulare county, CA.
7. * Huldah James, b. Sep 3, 1859 at James' Flat near Crestline, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Dec. 26, 1946 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Huldah marr. William Edwin "Ed" Mecham.
8. * Margaret "Maggie" James, b. Jan. 12, 1862 at James' Flat near Crestline, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Aug. 31, 1885 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Margaret marr. _ Johnson.
9. * Lucy James, b. Apr. 7, 1865 at James' Flat near Crestline, San Bernardino County, CA. and d. Sep. 22, 1916 in San Bernardino, San Bernardino County, CA. Lucy marr. Samuel Steward Ford.

In the Nov. 29, 1850 U. S. census, 34 yr. old John M James, a Farmer in the agriculture industry, b. in TN., was living in Lafayette, Crawford, AR. with his

26 yr. old (inferred) wife, Margaret H James, b. in MO.

4 yr. old (inferred) son, Samuel James, b. in AR.

1 yr. old (inferred) son, William James, b. in AR.

16 yr. old Daniel Boylston, a Laborer, b. in TN.

15 yr. old George Brewer, b. in AR.

John's real estate was valued at $2,500.

In the Jul. 12, 1860 U. S. census, 43 yr. old John M James, a Sawyer (someone who saws wood), b. in TN., was living in San Fi Mateo, San Bernardino county , CA. with his

35 yr. old (inferred) wife, Margaret James, b. in MO.

14 yr. old (inferred) son, Samuel James, attending school, b. in AR.

11 yr. old (inferred) son, Wm James, attending school, b. in AR.

8 yr. old (inferred) son, John J James, b. in AR.

6 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Sarah James, attending school, b. in CA.

3 yr. old (inferred) son, Cyrus James, b. in CA.

10 mth. old (inferred) daughter, Holda (Hulda) James, b. in CA.

29 yr. old Reuben Brubaker, a Laborer, b. in NY.

John's personal estate was valued at $3,200.

John Marshall James was a California Senator from 1867-1868, elected on the Democratic ticket. He served his one year, rode horseback to and from Sacramento, and declined to run again.

The Guardian (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 2, Col. 1

Sat., Apr. 18, 1868

RETURNED - Hon. John M. James,. Our worthy Representative, returned home on Friday last, looking none the worse for the cares and turmoils of a Legislative life of three months duration. No more "suspicious bills" demand his care and attention, and he will now settle down into the monotony of every-day life, with the conscious satisfaction of having discharged his duties with all honesty and integrity of purpose.

In the 1870 U. S. census, 52 yr. old John M. James, a Saw Mill Owner, b. in TN., was living in San Bernardino, San Bernardino county, CA. with his

46 yr. old (inferred) wife, Margaret James, keeping house, b. in MO.

21 yr. old (inferred) son, William James, a Teamster, b. in AR.

16 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Sarah James, attending school, b. in CA.

13 yr. old (inferred) son, Sirus (Cyrus) James, attending school, b. in CA.

10 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Huldah James, attending school, b. in CA.

8 yr. old (inferred) daughter, Margaret James, attending school, b. in CA.

5 yr. old (inferred) daughter, James, attending school, b. in CA.

37 yr. old John Culbertson, working on the farm, b. in CA.

John's real estate was valued at $8,000 and his personal estate at $1,000.

William's personal estate was valu4ed at $500.

*Living next door were John & Margaret's 23 yr. old (inferred) son, Samuel James, a Teamster, b. in AR. and his 18 yr. old wife, Louisa, b. in CA.

In the Jun. 10, 1880 U. S. census, 63 yr. old John M. James, a Farmer and a Carpenter, b. in TN., was living on 8th St. in San Bernardino, San Bernardino county, CA. with his

55 yr. old wife, Margaret H. James, keeping house, b. in MO.

23 yr. old son, Cyrus S. James, a laborer, b. in CA.

18 yr. old daughter, Maggie James, b. in CA.

15 yr. old daughter, Lucy James, b. in CA.

John's father was b. in NC. and his mother in VA.

Margaret's father was b. in NC. and her mother in KY.

On Mar. 29, 1883, John's wife, Margaret, died.

According to the 1892 CA. Voter's Register for San Bernardino, 76 yr. old John Marshall James, a Mechanic, b. In TN., was living in "Central" , San Bernardino county, CA.

John was described as 5'10" tall, with a dark complexion, hazel eyes, gray hair and a deformed index finger on his left hand.

John was a Bank Director, Director of a Railroad Company and a charter member of the First Branch of the Christian Church in California.

In the 1900 U. S. census, 83 yr. old widower, John M. James, b. Oct. 1816 in TN., was living on 11th St.in San Bernardino Ward 4, San Bernardino county, CA. with his

52 yr. old son (and head of household), Samuel James, a Gold Miner, b. Nov. 1847 in AR.

47 yr. old daughter-in-law, Louisa James, b. Apr, 1852 in CA.

17 yr. old grandson, Samuel James, attending school, b. Feb. 1883 in CA.

14 yr. old granddaughter, Margie James, attending school, b. Oct. 1886 in CA.

7 yr. old grandson, Claud James, attending school, b. Oct. 1892 in CA.

50 yr. old widowed son, William James, a Gold Miner, b. Jun. 1849 in AR.

10 yr. old grandson, William James, attending school, b. Oct. 1889 in CA.

John's father was b. in NC. and his mother in VA.

John and Louisa had been married for 32 years.

Louisa was the mother of 9 children, all still alive by this census.

San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 13, Col. 3 - 5, and P. 23, Col. 6 - 8

Sun., Nov. 20, 1938

Covered Wagon Families: 

JOHN JAMES, NOTED SAWMILL OWNER, TWICE CROSSED PLAINS

Directed Logging in Mountains Near Crestline

JAMES, John M., born at Woodbury, Tenn., Oct. 10, 1816, and Margaret Johnson James, married February, 1846. Arrived at San Bernardino in 1853.

When still a young man, John M. James went to Nashville, Tenn., and learned the trade of carpenter and millwright.

He married Elizabeth Lemay and they moved to Van Buren, Ark. 

He purchased a farm near there and built a saw mill and cotton gin. His wife soon died.

RETURNED HOME

Later (1846) Mr. James married Margaret Johnson. She bore him nine children, seven of whom lived to be grown. In 1849 Margaret Johnson James' eldest brother, William Johnson, came to California with a number of other men by ox team. He did well financially and returned home by steamer late in 1851, with glowing accounts of California.

He persuaded his parents, relatives, neighbors and some other friends to undertake the long journey to California. With him typo guide them as captain, they started with their ox teams.

SOUTHERN ROUTE

They came over the same route that William Johnson had traveled three years before, he being familiar with the watering places which were so essential to the journey.

The train made the trip by way of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona, entering California at Fort Yuma. They came through Temecula and on down to Puente, then to El Monte. The party was just seven months on the road.

John M. James worked at his trade and built a few grist mills. In 1857 he built one for Mr. Roland of Puente. The latter was a large land owner and in addition he had purchased a saw mill in the territory now known as the Crest Forest area from Capt. Jefferson Hunt.

RESIDED IN FOREST

When Mr. Hunt was elected to the assembly he sold his mill to Mr. Roland. Mr. Roland needed lumber but could not operate the mill, so Mr. James purchased the mill and furnished him with lumber. 

The James family moved to the San Bernardino mountains, going up the old Mormon trail by ox team on Dec. 25, 1857. Mr. James made the trip at that time in order that he might repair and enlarge the mill for production in the spring.

The mill was located beyond the foot of Shady lane, in the village of what is now known as Crestline. Mr. James built a large comfortable home about 100 yards south of the mill. A small school house was located only 50 yards away.

Mr. James owned the valley down to a point west of what is now known as Lake Gregory and had timber rights on the hills to the north, south and west. That part of the valley was named James' Flat.

CHILD KILLED

While living in this locality the three youngest children were born. On June 6, 1861, the two oldest boys went out hunting with another lad. The third brother, John James Jr., missed them and started out alone to locate them. Seeing a logger away up on the hillside, the youth started up.

The logger said he started rolling one log down and was snaking another (*dragging fallen logs through the obstacle course of a timber lot). When about halfway down the hill he came across the crushed body of the child. John James Jr. was buried on a small hill just west of the mill.

In the pasture east of the mill were kept the work oxen, milch cows, beef cattle and riding horses. There were also many wild Mexican cattle in Southern California at that time and could be bought very cheap. Quite a number of these cows were always kept on hand for fresh meat.

STIRRING DAYS

Mr. James boarded all the mill crew except the loggers, who usually had their own cabins and families. On Dec. 25, 1861, there was a light rain. It gradually rained harder and did not cease for 28 days and nights.

The last eight days saw a virtual cloudburst. During that storm one child was born (must be Margaret?) and cared for by a mid-wife.

There were many bears in that section. The eldest son, Sam James, chained a bear on a load of lumber and took it to the zoo in Los Angeles. These trips were made to Los Angeles by ox team, taking nearly a week.

Mr. Caro handled most of the lumber from the James' mill at his lumber yard adjoining a general merchandise store on the northwest corner of Third street and Arrowhead avenue, in San Bernardino. Mr. Caro also operated the store and supplied the James' with groceries and needed supplies. Fruits and fresh vegetables were obtained from the farmers.

SOLD SAWMILL

After seven years, Mr. James moved the mill from Crestline to Blue Jay, where there was plenty of virgin timber. After only one year of production in this district he sold the mill to four men of the mill crew, William Caley, Mr. Armstrong, Mr. Thomas and Johnathan Richardson.

It was later known as the Caley & Co. mill. After Mr Caley's death, it took the name of the Talmadge mill, Mr. Talmadge having purchased an interest in it.

Mr. James moved his family to San Bernardino during the Christmas week of 1865. They settled on a farm on Base Line. In the fall of 1867 Mr. James was elected to the assembly. In 1869 he built the Grass Valley saw mill and ran it for a year, selling it to Ruben Anderson and Barney Carter, who eventually sold it to the Tyler Brothers. The Lake Arrowhead Co. purchased the mill still later. The mill was located on what is now the Lake Arrowhead golf course.

BUILT GRIST MILL

In San Bernardino, Mr. James built two grist mills, one at the southwest corner of Fourth street and Mountain View avenue for Ben Mathews and the other west of San Bernardino at Lytle creek for a Mr. Meeks. Mr. James died at the Base Line residence on May 24, 1904, at the age of 87. Mrs. James died March 29, 1883.

Samuel James went to Alaska in the gold rush in March, 1901. He died there and was buried in Dawson. Two of his eldest children, Will James and Mrs. Ella James Johnston, live southeast of Dawson, near Cordova; the others in California.

Sarah James Andrew and her husband are buried at the Savana (Savannah) cemetery (in El Monte). Her only daughter lives at Pasadena. Charles Andrew, her eldest son, lives near Del Mar. Lawrence, the second son, lives at Huntington Park. Two others reside out of the state.

Cyrus S. James raised his family at Lindsay, Tulare county. He and his wife are buried there.

LAST SURVIVOR 

Huldah James Mecham, who supplied the facts for this history, is the last surviving member of the James family. She resides at 1086 Mountain View avenue, San Bernardino. She married W. E. Mecham and they had two children; a baby boy (deceased) and Claire Nelva Hayman. She has two daughters, Dorothy Reber, who resides near Verdemont, and Beatrice in Los Angeles.

Lucy James Ford has a son, Freeman, living near Victorville and a daughter, Mrs. Margaret Comiford of San Bernardino.

The Weekly Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 7, Col. 5

Fri., May 27, 1904

J. N. (M.) James, one of the old time settlers of San Bernardino valley, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lucy Ford, in East Base Line. He had passed his eighty-eighth mile post.

The funeral will take place at 2 o'clock this afternoon from the Christian church, of which the deceased was a member.

Mr. James came to this valley more than 20 years ago. He was at one time a power in county politics, being elected to the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket for one term. 

He was a native of Tennessee, and came west in 1852. He was a man with many friends.

Note: John was related to the James Boys (outlaws/bandits) of Missouri.