[4][5] James was born in Lincoln, Illinois in 1882,[6] and started his working career after his high school graduation at the turn of the century.
[7] In 1909 James was appointed at the Interstate Commerce Commission at the staff of examiners of railroad accounts.
[2] James had been a longstanding member of the National Association of Accountants, present at annual conventions, active on chapter meetings, and contributor to the N.A.C.A.
He served as President of the New York Chapter of the National Association of Accountants in 1945-46,[8][11] In 1948 James had also joined the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
[12] In 1948-49 he served as national president of the Society for Advancement of Management (SAM) as successor of William L. McGrath, and was succeeded by Dillard E.