James G. Wadley was born on June 5, 1837, in Tennessee to George W. Wadley. He eventually moved to Springfield, Texas, and he married Mary Forehand around 1858. They had at least eight children: Mary, born around 1865; George, born around 1867; Martha, born around 1869; John, born around 1872; Elizabeth, born around 1874; James, born around 1877; Ruby, born around 1879; and Samuel, born around 1881. He worked as a saddler, and by 1860, he owned $1,000 of real estate and $800 of personal property.

 

He enlisted in the Confederate army on March 12, 1862, and he mustered in as a private in Company F of the 15^th Texas Cavalry. In August 1862, Confederate officials detailed him to Little Rock, Arkansas, to make harnesses. He remained there until at least May 1864.

 

He settled in Red Oak, Texas, after the war, and he earned a living as a farmer. By 1870, he owned $1,000 of real estate and $1,200 of personal property. By 1900, he was living in Justice, Texas. His wife died on August 6, 1919, and he died of heart failure in Palmer, Texas, on August 25, 1919.

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