James W. Dempsey was born in Chillicothe, O., Aug. 20, 1834, the son of Coleman Dempsey, who emigrated to Missouri in 1854. After spending two years in Texas, erecting telegraph wire from Galveston to Houston, and thence to Shreveport on Red river, James W. returned to Missouri. By profession he is a civil engineer, and by trade a gunsmith. He is a "natural genius." He came to Pike county in 1856, where he followed engineering mostly for 14 years. In 1870 he began trading in guns, ammunition, etc., in Detroit, and also dealt in sporting goods, cigars, tobacco and confectionery: he now has a full supply of dry goods, groceries, hardware and confectionery, the stock being about $3,000 in value. His trade is increasing. Aug. 22, 1856, he married Minerva, daughter of Jesse Sinff, deceased, of Detroit. They had four children, of whom but one, Harry, is living, who was born Dec. 11, 1868. Mrs. D. died May 20, 1879, mourned by all who knew her.

1880 Pike Co History /Chapman