Born Jan. 3, 1849 in Plainfield, Ohio to Isaac and Elizabeth Lightbody.
Died Feb. 25, 1930, in Geneva, NE.
Married to Lovina Saylor .
Parents of five children: Anna Jane, Charles, Isaac, Lizzie, and a daughter who died in infancy. A niece, Sylvia Shreffler, made her home with them.
In 1869, James and Lovina moved to Iowa and later Nebraska where they homesteaded in 1871.
In 1894, J. J. purchased a half interest in the livery barn at 142 So. 8th.
In 1896, J. J. purchased the entire interest in the livery barn.
In 1905, J. J. built an addition to the livery barn which could house an additional 40 horses.
In 1913, J. J. built a new two story brick building at 130 So. 8th and two years later ran the West Side Saloon here. At this time, J. J. owned all the buildings on South 8th Street except for the ice plant and gas stations.
In 1920, J. J. tore down the old hotel at 188 So. 8th.
In 1920, J. J. built a garage at 128 So. 8th.
In 1924, the Lightbody family moved to Geneva where they built a new home.
In 1926, J. J. was the carpenter for the grocery store at 1008 G Street.