From "History of La Crosse County, Wisconsin", 1881, p. 764. City of La Crosse JOHN JAMES, proprietor of the Pioneer Foundry, was born at Shrewsbury, England. Here he attended the schools until 16 years of age, when he went to Liverpool and worked for George Henry Lockdale & Co., West India merchants, working for this firm seventeen years. In 1871, he emigrated to America and located at La Crosse, entering into partnership with Frederic Thornely in the foundry business. In 1878, he purchased the interest of Mr. Thornely, and has since conducted the business alone. [I am not related to this family and have no further information. I'm posting this as a service and hope it helps!]