Evening star., 1940-03-29
Charles J. James, S3,
Retired Probate Court
Appraiser, Is Dead
D. c. Resident so Yeors
Was Well Known
In Civic Affairs

Charles j. James, 80, retired ap-
praiser of the Probate Court here
and a resident of the District for
more than go years, died last night
at Emergency Hospital after an
illness of several weeks.
Mr. James lived at Bis Varnum
street NV. and was we'll known in
Washington through his activities in
the Petworth Citizens Association
and through his associations in
court work and in private business.
Born on a farm in Cecil County,
Md, he was the son of John James
and Mary Sumption James. AS a
young man he worked for several
years in an executive capacity with
Saks & Co. here, and later carried
on successful advertising publish
ing business in connection with large
amusement enterprises.
Named an official appraiser of the
District Probate Court, he became
well known in his profession, and
for '18 years was senior appraiser
He was considered cGlnoisseur Of
antique and period furniture,
Oriental rugs and hangings, rare
paintings and other art objects.
Appraised Prominent Estates.
During his tenure of Office Mr.
James appraised the estates OF many
prominent persons, including those
Of Mrs. Virginia L. M. White, wife
of the late Chief Justice of the
United States, Edward Douglas
White; Thomas Nelson Page, author
and former Ambassador to Italy;
Mrs. Mary Custis Lee, widow of Gen
Robert E. Lee; Levi P. Morton, vice
president of the United States under
President Harrison: Oliver Wendell
Holmes, late associate justice OF the
Supreme Court, and many others.
Mr.. James retired from his posi-
ton on]., after extensions granted
by the President at the unanimous
request of the justices of the
Supreme Court of the District.
He served for three years as
president of the Petworth Citizens
Association and also served as a
delegate to the Federation of Citi-
zens' Associations, editing and pub
fishing during his presidency the
Petworth Citizen, forerunner of the
present civic publications. Mr..
James was a member of the joint
citizens committee which waged a
successful campaign against the
location of Gallinger Municipal
Hospital at Fourteenth and Upshur
streets NV. The fight made avail
able the site now occupied by the
Roosevelt and Mcfarland High
Schools and the Petworth Branch
of the Public Library.
Fished in Canada.
MIR. James was fond of music
and singing and for years was a
member of the old Choral Society,
serving on the Board of Directors
for is years. He made number
of trips with fishing parties to
Canada and wrote several short
stories about the camping trips.
Well known in fraternal circles,
he was a past master of Anacostia
Lodge, No. 81, of the Masons, a past
high priest of Washington Chapter,
No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, past
patron of Electa Chapter of the
Order of the Eastern Star, chairman
of the Committee on Bylaws of the
Masonic Grand Lodge of the Dis
trict and past regent of the
Oriental Council in the order of
Royal Arcanum.
Mr.. James second wife, Mrs. Rose
Byers James, died in 1929, and he is
survived by a step-daughter, Mrs.
Ruby Byers Clare, of Newtonville,
Mass.
Funeral services will be conducted
by the Rev. Charles w. Wood at the
Rock Creek Chapel tomorrow at 2
pm. Masonic rites will be observed.
Burial will be in Rock Greek Gene
terry.