Submitted by Melva Taylor
The Daily Gazette, Sterling-Rock Falls, Illinois
February 26, 1953 - Thursday, pg 2 col 2
CHRIS JAMES
Chris James, 94, One Of First Rural Mail Carriers, Dies At Home
Prophetstown: - Chris James, 94, the first of five rural mail carriers named here at the beginning of Rural Free Delivery Oct. 1, 1903, died Wednesday noon at his home in Prophetstown.
The funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the Helm and Helm Funeral Home. Rev. William Dupree of the Congregational Church will officiate and burial will be at Riverside cemetery.
He was born in Portland township, a son of Mr. and Mrs. William James. He and Marilla Ballard were married July 2, 1879. After her death May 31, 1940, his nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. John Ballard, moved to his home to care for him.
He retired from the mail route Sept. 1, 1930, and in his later years remained remarkably active. Within the last two years he drove an automobile alone to California, but never recovered completely from injuries received in an accident on that trip. He and Mrs. James were married more than 60 years.
Another niece, Mrs. Oscar Johns, survived at Walnut, Kans.
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