James Jeffreys, a surveyor of customs at Memphis, Tenn., was born in Clinton county, Ky., April 7, 1853. His early life was passed on a farm. He received a common school and academic education, studied law and medicine, but never practiced in either profession He devoted most of his time to farming until 1876, when he became a traveling salesman, his work taking him through many states, with Nashville, Tenn., as his headquarters most of the time.

In 1880 he made Camden his home and headquarters, was married there in 1886, and entered the mercantile business the same year. In 1888 he organized a newspaper company and commenced the publication of the Vidette, a Republican weekly. In 1889 he was appointed deputy United States marshal, but held the position only a few months, resigning to accept a position in the internal revenue service. In 1892 Mr. Jeffreys was elected secretary of the Republican state central committee of Tennessee, which position he held for several years. In 1894 he was elected to the state senate from the twenty-fourth senatorial district, and was a member of the memorable Evans-Turney gubernatorial contest committee, and in 1896 was a delegate-at-large from Tennessee to the Republican national convention at St. Louis. In the following year President McKinley appointed Mr. Jeffreys to a position in the land department, as allotting agent. He shortly afterward resigned this to accept the position of chairman of the Ute Indian commission, with headquarters in Utah. Here, in 1898, he opened the Uncompahgre Indian reservation for settlement. In July, of that year, he tendered his resignation as chairman of that commission to accept the position of surveyor of customs, at Memphis, to which he had been appointed by President McKinley, and so enjoys the distinction of holding three commissions from President McKinley during his first administration. In July, 1902, President Roosevelt reappointed Mr. Jeffreys as surveyor for another four-yearS term.

Transcribed & Contributed by Christine Walters
From the book "Notable Men of Tennessee"