James was born in Mahoning Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania on 5 January 1834. According to the 1850 Census and the 1860 Census he lived with his parents and siblings on a farm in Mahoning Township, Edinburgh Post Office.
Elizabeth and both her parents were born in Scotland. Elizabeth was born in Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland on 1 July 1839. With her parents and five siblings she departed from Glasgow onboard the ship Mary Harrington and arrived in New York City on 16 June 1849. They stayed first at a farm in Lowellville, Ohio, but had settled in Mahoning Township when the 1850 Census was conducted. The 1860 Census shows the family living in Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio; her father is a farmer; her parents were born in Ireland, but Elizabeth and siblings in Scotland.
On 25 September 1862 James married Elizabeth Graham who was born in Scotland. In 1863 he registered for the Civil War Draft.
The 1870 Census reveals James is a farmer living in Mahoning Township with his wife Elizabeth and two children. They live next door to Jane Graham (64, Elizabeth's mother) who is keeping house and was born in Ireland. Living with Jane is Robert McKay (18) who works on a farm and was born in Scotland.
By the 1880 Census James and Elizabeth have four children and a boarder, John Thompson (22, farm laborer) living in the household. James farms while Elizabeth keeps house. The family lives very near James' brother Lemuel.
In the 1900 Census Elizabeth is now widowed and head of the family. Cora, Calvin, Albert and Robert live at home; all are listed as farmers except Cora. There is also one boarder, Dallas Yates, who is a watchman for a steam shovel. Elizabeth owns her farm.
The 1910 Census shows that Elizabeth owns her farm free and clear; she bore eight children of which five are living; three sons continue to reside on the farm with her. The farm is next to son William's farm and family.
James died 1 December 1883; Elizabeth died 24 April 1911, 27 years later. They are buried together in the Mahoning United Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Elizabeth's parents (Robert and Jane Graham) are buried in the same cemetery.
