ARGYLE — Life in Lafayette series continues with “Mining in Lafayette County” at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at Central 52, 300 E. Milwaukee St., Argyle. 

Jim and his wife, Idain, have lived in Blanchardville for over 50 years. He is a graduate of Leadmine State Grade School, Benton High School and the University of Alaska. Jim has taught school for almost all of his working life. His cousins and his family have encouraged him to do research on his father’s English ancestors, his mother’s Irish ancestors and his wife’s Swiss ancestors. In addition to these published documents, Jim has authored books on the history of Benton, Leadmine, Lafayette County Baseball of 100 years and mining down the valley of the Shullsburg branch.  Benton and Leadmine are mining villages and Jim’s ancestors have all been miners. Jim says he is the oldest living miner who shoveled rocks underground. There may be older miners but they have all worked above ground. At 86 years old, who is still alive to dispute his mining history.

Currently, Jim is in the initial stages of writing about Wisconsin baseball during the years of 1949 to 1955. The Argyle Public Library sponsors the “Life in Lafayette” speaker series to highlight important community topics in Lafayette County. The following Life in Lafayette event will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 8.