Data sources: California death record 31542, California Great Registers, census records and Sacramento County, Biographies.

Sacramento County Biography - Excerpts

Son of Dr. Charles Caples (d. 1884 Andrew County, Missouri, age 88) and Matilda Tracy (b. Culpeper County, Virginia, d. 1838).

James was one of five children: William, James, Wesley, Matilda and Elizabeth. None of the children were grown when the family moved to Missouri; they are all now deceased except James, our subject. The latter was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, November 29, 1823, and was a lad of fifteen years when his father, a merchant, moved to Andrew County, Missouri.

In the spring of 1847 James moved to Hancock County, Illinois, and practiced his profession there two years, during which time, in October, 1847, he married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of George Walker, of that county. She was born in Campbell County, Kentucky, near Covington, January 10, 1831.

On March 21, 1849, with a wagon and three yoke of oxen, he and his wife started for California. They arrived at Hangtown (California) August 28, 1849.

In 1882 the Doctor moved upon his present place, of 500 acres, on the Cosumnes River, three miles from Elk Grove. Doctor Caples is a member of the Pioneer Society of Sacramento County, and also the order of Patrons of Husbandry. He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention in Sacramento in 1879, and thus was one of the framers of the present State Consitution. With this exception he has never been before the public in an official capacity; on the contrary, he has always been a hard-working man, devoting his time to his own private affairs. Even after a long life of hardship and toil, he is still healthy and strong; and this good physical condition is due to the intelligent care he has taken of his health. Of his family there are nine living children, five sons and four daughters, viz: Isabella, wife of Dr. Frederick Durant, of San Quentin; Rosa E., wife of J. W. Haynes, an honored citizen of Genoa, Carson Valley, Nevada; Charles A.; Frank W.; John W., turnkey at the Folsom State Prison; George W., postmaster at Folsom; Hattie L., Maud L., and James W.

Excerpts from the transcription by Jeanne Sturgis Taylor of: Davis, Hon. Win. J., An Illustrated History of Sacramento County, California. Pages 700-702. Lewis Publishing Company. 1890.