James moves fron Indiana to Iowa

Among the first arrivals at Benton's Port was John W. Burton from Kentucky who came late in 1836 and settled north of the river. Gideon Bailey from Kentucky, James McCrary from Indiana, A. H. Woods from West Virginia, and L. R. Merideth from Illinois came in 1837. Dr. Cowles, a surgeon from the East, came to practice at Benton's Port in 1838, and, with many others that year, came Frederick Hancock from Connecticut who bought land to the north; a Freeman family from Ohio and Samuel. Morris from Kentucky.

A wholesome community spirit prevailed. The men were quick to lend a hand when a barn raising, wood chopping, or cornhusking quickly accomplished for a neighbor an otherwise gigantic task