James Nish, Treasurer of McHenry County, was born in Wilkirishire, Scotland, in 1824, a son of Nathaniel and Jane (McGeoch)Nish.  He came to America in 1851 and engaged in traveling till 1854, when he located in Cary, Ill., and the following year opened a stock of goods.  After the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted and raised Company I, One Hundred and Ninetyfifth Illinois Infantry, and was appointed its Captain.  He participated in the battle of Champion Hills and siege of Vicksburg.  From November, 1863, till April, 1864, he was detailed a recruiting officer, and was then assigned to take charge of the convalescent camp at Cairo, Ill.; and from there went to Nashville, Tenn., and Huntsville, Ala., and participated in the battle of Atlanta, Ga. He was mustered out Aug. 17, 1865, and resumed the mercanitile business.  He was the pioneer merchant of Cary, and it was through his influence that the postoffice was established there, in 1856.  He was appointed Postmaster by President Buchanan, and the position has been hold by him, his brother and son since that time.  He has served the county as Treasurer since 1875, entering upon the ninth year of his duties in 1884, his present term expiring December, 1886.  Mr. Nish was married in LaPorte, Ind., in 1853, to Caroline Dorrington, a native of England.  She was killed by lightning while standing in the store at Cary, Oct. 1, 1857.  John D., their only surviving child, is a Postal Clerk between Elgin, Ill., and Lake Genoa, Wis.  He married Orissa Crissman, of New York State.  Mr. Nish married, subsequently, Sarah R., daughter of L. A. C. Smith.  They have two children -Annie J. and Matie.  Mr. Nish is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and Grand Army of the Republic.