James Family Archives

 

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Children of David Burtola James, Sr. (1879-1968) and Lessie Linn Vanzant (1884–1976) of Woodburn, Clarke County, Iowa:

 

1.    Josephine James: born February 27, 1905 in Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, married to Virgil Ross Moen (1908-1997); died November 19, 1984 (aged 79) in Minneapolis, Ottawa County, Kansas; buried at Sterling Cemetery, Block SE in Sterling, Johnson County, Nebraska;

 

2.    David Burtola James, Jr.: born June 17, 1908 in Delphos, Ottawa County, Kansas; married Charlotte Marie Frerichs (1909-1995), daughter of daughter of Richard F. Frerichs (1885-1932) and Winifred C. Frerichs (1885-1976); died May 20, 2004 (aged 95) in Good Samaritan Village, Adams County, Nebraska; buried at Sterling Cemetery, Block 78, Lot 5 in Sterling, Johnson County, Nebraska known children include: Richard David James.

 

3.    Katherine James: born November 29, 1912; married in 1957 to Gerald Leland Caley (1912-1970), son of John Edward Caley (1870-1952) and Mary Winter (1877-1943); died December 14, 2004 (aged 92); buried at Sterling Cemetery, Block 81, Lot 6 in Sterling, Johnson County, Nebraska; known children include: Betty Jo Caley.

 

4.    Elizabeth James: born April 16, 1916 in Delphos, Ottawa County, Kansas; died April 16, 1916 (less than 1) in Delphos, Ottawa County, Kansas.

 

5.    Dr. Lynn Austin James, M.D.: born September 29, 1920 in Delphos, Ottawa County, Kansas; married August 7, 1943 in Springfield, Nebraska to Patricia Joan Caley (1923-2008), daughter of Clifford Raymond Caley (1893-1961) and Eva Ellen Clark (1894-1996); died May 5, 2017 (aged 96) in Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado; buried at Sterling Cemetery, Block 82, Lot 1 in Sterling, Johnson County, Nebraska; known children include: Bradley Bond James, David Caley James and Lynn Ellen James.

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Biographical Notes:

 

David Burtola James, Sr. (1879-1968) was the son of David Sylvester James (1850-1909) of Wabash County, Indiana and Margaret Ann Shively (1858-1921) of Lucas County, Ohio.

 

David Burtola James, Jr. (1908-2004) moved with his family to Sterling, Nebraska, in 1922 where he graduated from high school. He attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska for three years where he was a member of Theta Chi social fraternity, and Pershing Rifles, honorary ROTC society. He started his journalism career in 1929 with the Wichita Eagle in Wichita, Kansas and in 1931 was employed as a reporter by the Lincoln Journal in Lincoln, Nebraska. He served that newspaper as night city editor, night editor, and markets editor. In June of 1933, he married Charlotte M. Frerichs. In 1940, he was assigned as the Journal's State Capitol reporter and political writer. He covered several gubernatorial and presidential election campaigns. He was credited with making a substantial contribution to the Journal's winning the Pulitzer Prize in 1949 for its sponsorship of the All-Star Primary election. He took over the position of managing editor of the Hastings Tribune, Hastings, Nebraska in May 1950 and was named editor in 1955. He retired in October 1973 after 23 years with the Hastings Tribune. During that period the Tribune won numerous awards and prizes for excellence in journalism. He served as president of the Nebraska Associated Press Managing Editors Association, and was an honorary member of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalism society. In Hastings, he served as president of the Community Chest (United Way), was a member of Big Brothers, the YMCA, Chamber of Commerce, Elks Lodge, the Hastings Public Library Board of Trustees and the Adams County Historical Society. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Hastings-Adams County Centennial Commission and the University of Nebraska Centennial Commission. He was chairman of the city's first Zoning and Planning commission and served on the committee for a new high school. In 1972, he was named Boss of the Year by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.

 

Dr. Lynn “Jesse” Austin James, M.D. (1920-2017) was born in Delphos, Kansas and was raised in Sterling, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska undergraduate and medical school. It was during his college days that he acquired the nickname "Jesse." In the midst of his academic journey, Lynn met the love of his life, Patricia Joan Caley, who added "James" to her name in 1943. Of course, anyone married to "Jesse" had to have a nickname that suited, so she soon became known as "Pistol Pete." Dr. James interned at the Detroit Receiving Hospital and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver. He intended to work in cardiology, but was assigned to pulmonology and became involved in early research and treatment of tuberculosis. Dr. James completed an additional year of research at Fitzsimmons with Dr. James J. Waring (now Webb-Waring Center, University of Colorado) before joining the medical staff at Pueblo State Hospital where he helped establish the Medical/Surgical Residency. In 1951, Dr. James moved to Grand Junction to participate in a postgraduate training program at the VA Medical Center and finish the requirements of his medical boards. It was here that Dr. James met and began working with Dr. Geno Saccomanno, collaborating on the detection and treatment of lung cancer. Subsequently both doctors testified before Congress regarding the lung cancer hazards of radiation for uranium miners. Dr. James joined Dr. G. Paul Smith in private practice, which led to a long partnership; they were later joined by Dr. Kenneth Matchett. Jess enjoyed the arts, travel and a lifelong love of golf. He and "Pistol Pete" traveled to many countries where he played golf and she enjoyed the culture. He also introduced his sons to the love of the game. Among many memorable golfing moments, his sons witnessed his 8th hole-in-one when he was 85 years old! Jesse was an avid fan of all sports - especially his beloved Cornhuskers. He made the "pilgrimage" to Lincoln, Nebraska for at least one Cornhusker football game every year, including last year when he was 96! Dr. James served as co-director of St. Mary's Respiratory Care Program with Dr. Joel Bechtel and on the St. Mary's Board of Directors. In 1990 he received the prestigious "Laureate Award" as Internist of the Year, and in 2009 he was named St. Mary's Hospital's "Physician of the Year." He also served the community as an active member and past president of Rotary, was on the board and past president of the Mesa State Foundation, and was a founding member of Bookcliff Country Club.

 

Timothy David James, the grandson of David Burtola James, Jr., is a participant in the Family Tree DNA - James Y-DNA Project at Kit No. 294214.

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Sources:

 

See, Timothy D. James: My Genealogy Home Page, by Timothy James of Vermont, hosted by Genealogy.com.

 

See also, James Y-DNA Project, hosted by FamilyTreeDNA.com.

 

See also, Wedding Announcement of Patricia Joan Caley and Lynn Austin James, published in the Lincoln Star of Nebraska, Page 2, August 16, 1943

See also, Obituary of David Burtola James, Jr. (1908-2004), on Find-A-Grave.

 

See also, Obituary of Dr. Lynn “Jesse” Austin James, M.D. (1920-2017), by Callahan-Edfast Mortuary & Crematory, published by Dignity Memorial, May 5, 2017.

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Virtual Memorials on “Find A Grave” Website:

 

Josephine James Moen (1905-1984), Memorial ID No. 91934722, by RobMinteer57, added June 14, 2012.

 

Virgil Ross Moen (1908-1997), Memorial ID No. 91935110, by RobMinteer57, added June 14, 2012.

 

David Burtola James, Jr. (1908-2004), Memorial ID No. 62761317, by CPR, added December 10, 2010.

 

Charlotte Marie Frerichs James (1909-1995), Memorial ID No. 62761383, by CPR, added December 10, 2010.

 

Katherine James Caley (1912-2004), Memorial ID No. 69485512, by J. J. Reber, added May 7, 2011.

 

Gerald Leland Caley (1912-1970), Memorial ID No. 69485478, by J. J. Reber, added May 7, 2011.

 

Dr. Lynn “Jesse” Austin James, M.D. (1920-2017), Memorial ID No. 179188771, by Barb, added May 9, 2017.

 

Patricia Joan "Pistol Pete" Caley James (1923-2008), Memorial ID No. 185358268, by Hawkeye, added Nov. 20, 2017.

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Photographs:

Dr. Lynn “Jesse” Austin James, M.D. (1920-2017)

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Updated: May 30, 2024