Members of the James family pioneered in Richland Center, Wisconsin beginning with George H. James. George James had come from New Hampshire in the late 1840's and opened a hardware store, which remained in the family for four generations. George's son, David G. James, had one son, Oscar Briggs (0. B.) James, born to his first wife, Ada Briggs. After Ada's death, David James married her sister, Laura Briggs; they had three daughters: Ada Lois James, Beulah (Mrs. Robert) DeLap, and Vita (Mrs. E. E.) Brindley. For a biography of Ada Lois James see the finding aid on this website which describes her papers.
