Colonel Andy J. James.

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Col. Andy James, owner and proprietor of the "Meadow Brook Stock Farm, is perhaps one of the most widely known men of Johnson county. Colonel James is a native of Illinois, born in Hancock county, and came to Kansas in 1864 with his parents, John P. and Hettie (Nichols) James, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were the parents of two children : Col. Andy James, whose name introduces this sketch, and Willard James, who married Ida Staver, of Johnson county, and resides on the home farm. After coming to Kansas, Andy James attended the public schools in Lawrence and Baker University. He began life as a farmer and later engaged in the mercantile business at Kansas City, Mo., and Dallas, Mo. About fifteen years ago he purchased 240 acres of land in Mission township to which he has since added the old Phillips homestead of 160 acres.

These two farms comprise what is known as the "Meadow Brook Farm." He makes a specialty of Short Horn cattle, Poland China hogs and mules. While Colonel James is well known as a farmer and stockman, he is still better known as a high class auctioneer. He began conducting auction sales several years ago and for the past fifteen years has conducted real estate and stock sales of importance over several states. He has been employed by the United States Government and various railroad and construction companies as an auctioneer, in addition to numerous thoroughbred and stock sales of the leading breeders throughout the country. Mr. James was married in 1891 to Miss Minnie Riley, of Johnson county, and to this union three children have been born, John R., now a student in Baker University ; Elizabeth N., a student in the Manhattan Agricultural College and known as one of Johnson county's leading teachers, and Ralph H. graduated from the Olathe High School in 1915.