His birthplace (Brussels) was originally called Ainleyville, until 1872 when a branch line of the Grand Trunk Railway from Guelph came through town, and the town was renamed.

The place they were married in (“Beautiful Plains”) Manitoba is now called Arden (east and a little north of Neepawa).

In the 1891 census (taken June 14), he is listed as a farmer, living in the Glendale sub-district of Marquette district, along with his wife and eldest kids.

He and the family are in the Odanah sub-district in the 1901 census for Manitoba.

Moved to the Asquith, Saskatchewan area in 1904.

James, his wife, and 7 of their children are living in the Loganton, Saskatchewan in the 1916 census. James, his son John are listed as farmers. Laura and Mabel are not with the family, and likely already married by then.