James attended the common schools, and worked on his father's farm.
In 1832, he became a merchant's clerk, and in 1836 opened his own business in Fayetteville, Onondaga County.
On March 23, 1836, he married Julia Ann Rich (1816–1848), and they had five children.
He was Supervisor of the Town of Smithfield in 1846 and 1847; and a member of the New York State Assembly (Madison Co., 2nd D.) in 1860.
He was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1860; and was a member of the New York State Senate (23rd D.) in 1866 and 1867.