The subject of this sketch is not the example of a man whom the
inscrutable caprice of fortune or fate has suddenly placed in a conspicuous
position in the business world but he has attained to the same through
careful preparation during long years of toil and endeavor, for he realized
early in his career that success comes to the deserving, and that to be
deserving, one must be industrious and persistent, so he forged ahead,
surmounting obstacles that would have daunted and diverted the course of
less courageous spirits.
O. A. James, the popular and efficient
assistant cashier of the Salem State Bank, who has, while yet a young man,
left the indelible imprint of his personality upon the people with whom he
has come in contact, was born in Salem, Illinois, in 1879.
He is the
son of Joshua L. James, a native of Middle Tennessee and the representative
of a fine old Southern family. He came to Illinois in 1853, settling in
Williamson county, where he lived for twenty-five years, having been
reasonably prosperous during that time and becoming known as a hard worker
and a man of the best habits. He then came to Marion county, settling near
Alma, where he also remained a quarter of a century, developing a good farm
and making a comfortable living by reason of his habits of industry and
economy. Desiring to spend the remaining years of his life in the city and
enjoy a respite from his arduous agricultural pursuits, Mr. James moved to
Salem in 1902 and he has since made his home here.
The grandfather of
the subject on his paternal side was John Wesley James, a native of
Tennessee, and an excellent farmer who passed to his rest about 1893 after a
long and honorable life. His death occurred in Williamson county, this
state, where he spent the major part of his life.
Joseph L.
Wnorowski, the subject's grandfather on his mother's side, was born in
Russia and received his education in the city of Moscow. He came to America
when thirty years old, finally settling in Salem, Illinois, where he spent
his remaining years, dying about 1890.
The subject's mother was known
in her maidenhood as Sophia E. Wnorowski, who was born and reared in Salem
where she received a common school education and developed many praiseworthy
characteristics. She is living at this writing (1908). Six children. were
born to the parents of the subject, five of whom are still living, named in
order of birth as follows: Mrs. Florence Brasel, of Cartter, Illinois; O.
A., our subject; Mrs. Berdie E. Stroment, living in Salem, this county; Guy
L., of Wooden, Iowa; Mrs. Jesse Brasel, living at Terre Haute, Indiana.
These children all received a good common schooling and were reared in a
home of the most wholesome atmosphere, consequently they have developed
characters of a very commendable type.
Our subject attended the
common schools of Salem, from which he graduated in 1897. But being
ambitious for more learning and to become a teacher, he later attended the
Carbondale State Normal School for some time. Not yet satisfied he entered
Austin College at Effingham; then took a course in the Eastern State Normal
at Charleston, thus gaining a splendid education, for he made a brilliant
record for scholarship in all these institutions.
After leaving
school he began teaching, which he followed in a most successful and
praiseworthy manner for a period of five years, having taught three years in
Marion county public schools, one year as principal at Central City,
Illinois, and one year as principal of the high school at Kinmundy, in all
of which he showed that he not only had acquired a great fund of serviceable
knowledge which he had a penchant for readily and clearly dispensing, but
that he possessed the other necessary prerequisites of head and heart to
make a first class and a high grade educator, and his reputation had
overspread the bounds of Marion county, causing his services to be in great
demand, when, much to the regret of pupils and school boards he gave up his
teaching and accepted the position as assistant postmaster at Salem the
duties of which he attended to in a most able manner for a period of two
years, when he resigned to become Deputy Circuit Clerk, having been
appointed for a period of four years, and here he again displayed his great
innate ability as a careful and painstaking business man by handling the
duties devolving upon this position with all dispatch and alacrity and in a
most satisfactory manner to all concerned, when after a year in this office
he tendered his resignation to become assistant cashier in the Salem State
Bank, which very responsible and envied position had been proffered by the
heads of that institution after they had carefully considered the names of
many young and talented business men for the place, believing that Mr. James
was the best qualified to handle the work in this connection, and the
praiseworthy manner and wonderful technical skill he has displayed in this
responsible position since taking up the duties of the same, shows that the
managers of this institution were wise in their decision and selection. Mr.
James is still thus connected with the Salem State Bank and has given entire
satisfaction and increased the popularity and prestige of this already
popular and sound institution.
Mr. James is a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen, in his fraternal
relations, and he is a faithful and consistent member of the Christian
church. He is known to be scrupulously honest, courteous and a gentleman of
the highest address and honor and owing to the fact that our subject is yet
quite a young man and has achieved such a place of honor and trust the
future augurs great things for him.
Extracted 09 Jul 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 71-73.