Dr. Robert Evan James, second of the two sons of Evan and Elizabeth (McHenry) James, was born at Line Lexington, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1802. and died August 13, 1860. His early education was obtained in the schools at New Britain and Dolyestown. Subsequently he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated, after which he pursued an advanced medical course in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, from which he also received the medical degree. He located for practice at Freemansburg, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, whence he soon removed to Centerville, Upper Mount Bethel Township, same county. Dr. James remained in Upper Mount Bethel Township during the remainder of his life. He was a leader in his profession. His practice extended over the entire upper portion of the county of Northampton, a portion of Monroe County, and reached into the county of Warren, State of New Jersey. He was a man of extraordinary influence, and was held in the most profound respect by the people in the communities in which he practiced. He aided in the organization of the Northampton County Medical Society, of which he was the first president, and served in that capacity until his death. He was a Democrat in politics, with strong anti-slavery inclinations, participating in his views in that respect with his close personal friend and political associate, Governor Reeder. He was a leader of political thought in his section, and while as a rule he declined political offices, he was elected to the State Legislature in 1837, but refused to accept a second term, which was customary, and subsequently was never a candidate for office, except in one instance, when he was a candidate for Congress, and was defeated in the convention by his opponent, the late United States Senator, Richard Broadhead, by one vote.

Dr. James was devoted to educational interests, and the unusual educational advantages given to youths of his period in Mount Bethel still remain a matter of comment and admiration among the people. His personal character was admirable in all respects. He was a gentleman of the old school, frank, affable, sympathetic, dignified, and the impress of his life is still potential in Mount Bethel.

Dr. James married Caroline Dietterich, who was born in Williamsburg, Upper Mount Bethel, in 1817, and died in 1853. She was a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Kintz) Dietterich. Her ancestors were of German descent, and came from Germany to America in 1748, and took up lands in what is now known as Upper Mount Bethel. Her grandfather, Louis Kintz, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in the Third Regiment of the Continental Line.

To Dr. Robert Evan and Caroline (Dietterich) James were born five children: 1. Frances, who became the wife of Dr. Hiram Long. 2. Mary E., who became the wife of the late Hon. Truman H. Purdy, who was a lawyer of Sunbury, Pennsylvania. 3. William McHenry, a manufacturer of Steelton, Pennsylvania. 4. Jacob Dietterich, a lawyer, residing in Sunbury, Pennsylvania. 5. Robert Evan.