James, born in Laurinburg, North Carolina, attended Davidson College and became a cotton merchant in Laurinburg.
James was elected to the 71st United States Congress in 1930 in a special election to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William C. Hammer; he served from November 4, 1930, to March 3, 1931 and was not a candidate for election to the 72nd U.S. Congress.
He returned to business after his time in Congress and was a member of the Laurinburg school board from 1941 to 1945 and was North Carolina commissioner of game and inland fisheries during those same years.
He also was a member of the Scotland County Democratic executive committee.
James remained a resident of Laurinburg as a cotton and produce merchant until his death in 1948.