James Roland Ansley was born November 18, 1916 in Warrenton, Warren County, Georgia, not far from the ancestral home of his great grandfather, Thomas Ansley, which has been designated as a historical site by the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Georgia. He was one of the six children of James Thomas and Josie Ivey Ansley. His father was a building contractor and planter, and he recalls that as a boy he plowed with a mule in the cotton fields.

In 1936 James entered National College of Chiropractors, Chicago. and was graduated in 1941 with the degrees of Doctor of Chiropractic and Doctor of Naturopathy. While obtaining his education, he worked at the Presbyterian, St. Luke's and Michael Reese Hospitals in the general nursing field. At Michael Reese he met Amelia Antionette Gumienny, a registered nurse. She was born December 31, 1912 in Gary, Indiana, the daughter of Edmund P. and Louise Chudzinski Gumienny, natives of Pennsylvania. James and Amelia were married January 25,1941.

From 1941 to 1943 Dr. Ansley was head of the Department of X-ray Diagnosis of Southmoor Medical Health Center. When the Ansleys came to Mt. Vernon in May, 1943, they had two daughters, Amelia Louise and Barbara Jean. Dr. Ansley established an office at 616 Main Street, and began to build his practice as a chiropractor. Three daughters, Janice Elaine, Caryl Christine and Marsha Jo were born in Mt. Vernon.

In 1952 the family moved to the present location at 712 Main Street. Amelia Ansley worked as a registered nurse at Jefferson Memorial Hospital, and was active with the Brownie Scouts until her death on July 10, 1972. On November 24, 1973, Dr. Ansley married Mary Ellen Gruenfelder Koch in Mt. Vernon. Mary is assistant manager of Montgomery Ward Service Department.

Amelia Louise "Amy" Beagles resides in Overland Park, Kansas. Barbara Jean Carr lives in Prairie Village, Kansas and Janice Elaine "Jan" Ansley in Blue Springs, Missouri. Caryl Christine married Gary Frank Echols. They live in Memphis, Tennessee. Marsha Jo and her husband, Larry Williams, reside in Mt. Vernon. Dr. Ansley has been active in the Kiwanis Club, Moose Lodge, and is Past-President of the Toastmasters Club. ALso, Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 31 A.F.&A.M., Andrew D. Webb Chapter No. 160 Royal Arch Masons. Patton Commandery No. 69. Scottish Rite Bodies, and the Mt. Vernon Chapter No. 233 O.E.S.

He is a member of American Chiropractic Association, served as Secretary and Vice-President of Southern Illinois Chiropractors Association, and is Past-President of the South­ern District of Illinois Chiropractic Society. From 1961 to 1968 he served on the City Planning Commission. acting as chair­man during part of his term. On May 1. 1977 Dr. Ansley marked his 34th anniversary of practice in Mt. Vernon.

*NOTE* Some ommisions may have occured to protect living individuals.

Source: Facts and Folks of Jefferson County, Illinois Page 75
Submitted by Sandy Whalen Bauer