Born: January 4, 1864, Freestone County, Texas. Died: August 1, 1937, Georgetown, Texas. Buried: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Georgetown, Texas. James was a well-known singer and songwriter among the Churches of Christ in Texas. He wrote several popular gospel songs, often led the singing for protracted meetings, and helped compile hymnals for the Firm Foundation Company of Austin. His career as a singer and song writer spanned nearly 50 years.
Songwriter of songs such as “Christ died upon the cross”; “I love to sing of that blest home above”; “In that city bright and fair”; “In the blessed light of Jesus”; “I’ve a home prepared where the saints abide”; “Just over the shining strand”; “Let us go out in the harvest”; “My Savior has gone a blest home to prepare”; “There’s a battle raging now”; “There’s a beautiful city where pilgrims are”; “There’s a home beyond death’s tide”; “We are marching on toward Zion”; “Weary sinner, heed the call, gently pleading with”; “We’re here to preach, to sing and pray”; “When Jesus calls us home”; “When the harvest time is ended”