Legislator Details
Number of sessions served 2
Gender: Male
Age at election: 50
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 9/9/1830
City: London, England
County:
Country: England
Death
Date: 2/26/1913
City: Ontonagon, MI
County: Ontonagon County, MI
Country: US
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date: 3/2/1913
City: Ontonagon, MI
County: Ontonagon County, MI
Country: US
Cemetery: Evergreen Cemetery
Marital Information:
married Grace Hill of Detroit in 1857; children: Mary or Minnie W.(Parker), Robert G., John and Harry
Number of Children: 4
Background
Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: merchant
Race: Caucasian or White
Education:
common schools; private tutors
Biographical Sketch:
Of English descent. 11th child of Robert and Sarah H. (Treacher) Mercer. Came to Michigan as a child in 1833, moved to Canada, 1836. James moved back to the Detroit area as a young man & stayed in the area until 1850; worked in shipping between 1850 & 1853; moved to Ontonagon, 1857, engaging in the 'forwarding & commission business' (related to shipping.)
Notable Facts:
Committees: Mines & Minerals (chair); Geological Survey( member in House, chair in Senate); Institution for the Deaf & Dumb; Agricultural College; & Railroads.
Sessions Served:
Committees Served On: Agricultural College , Geological Survey of the State, Railroads , Mines, Minerals, Etc.
City of Residence: Ontonagon
County of Residence Ontonagon
District Description: Counties of Houghton, Ontonagon, Baraga, Keweenaw and
Isle Royal
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed
Committees Served On: Geological Survey , Michigan Institution for the Deaf and Dumb , Mines and Minerals
City of Residence: Ontonagon
County of Residence Ontonagon
District Description: Counties of Ontonagon, Isle Royal, Baraga and Keweenaw
Reason for Leaving Office: See Notes
End of Term Status: Departed
Notes: Elected to the state senate for the 32nd session.
Bibliography:
Chapman (Le) p.226; USCen 1870, 1880, 1900; SeekMI
