James Melrose

Biographical Information
Came up the Missouri River to Great Falls, Michigan in 1876 on a paddle wheeler. Family legend states that he played cards with Bill Cody, Bill Hickok, and Calamity Jane on that boat trip.

Went to the railhead at Sprague, Washington, and bought a team of mules to haul freight. Then, the railroad moved the railhead to Spokane, Washington, so James moved to Twin Falls, Idaho. The winter was too cold for his wife, so they moved to Tri Cities, Washington, and then to Puyallup, Washington, where he became mayor. Finally, he moved to and helped found Sumner, Washington. Moved to Modesto, California sometime before 1946.