Efton James

Who was Efton James?

Efton M. James was an American football player. He played end for Adrian College in 1911 and for the University of Michigan from 1912 to 1914. He was one of three former Michigan Wolverines football players to be killed in World War I.

James was born in Cass County, Michigan in 1890, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Parker James. He listed his home town as Vandalia, Michigan. He attended the public schools in Cass County, but moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to attend Ann Arbor High School. James graduated from high school in 1911 and enrolled at Adrian College where he became a star football player. After an outstanding season in 1911, he was elected captain of Adrian's football team for 1912. In December 1911, the Detroit Free Press called him "one of the sensations of the inter-collegiate this year" and "not only one of the best ends the college ever had but also one of the most popular athletes in school."

After the 1911 season, James transferred to the University of Michigan to play football under Michigan's legendary head coach Fielding H. Yost. James's Adrian College teammate and "inseparable friend" John Maulbetsch followed James to Ann Arbor in 1913. James played for Yost's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1912 to 1914.