Thanks to all for the input. Mining could have been the draw. James Alec and Martha moved to SE Kansas, found in census, and farmed, but mining later became huge . Their firstborn, Arthur Edward was killed in a mine in Missouri in 1898ish. Arthur was my greatgrandfather. I have a copy of James funeral record that gives Asheville NC as place of birth, 1848. Maybe, it said father's place of birth??? I will double check on that as my memory is mostly unreliable. There is records in the Land Management Bureau of 40 acres to a James A Jones, Illinois, Perry County, but I'm not sure when. THis is my brick wall. Thanks again to all for replies. Debbie