James H. Travis was born in Cooper Township, Michigan on June 12, 1841 to Jonathan and Prudence (Austin) Travis. He like, the other people in his family, was a farmer, and the Travis family owned land throughout northeast Cooper Township. He had five older siblings: Cyrus, William, Erasmus, Sarah, and Jane. He registered for the selective service on July 1, 1863, but there is no record of him serving in the military. James died on May 8, 1903.

Sophia Jane Oatman was born in Townell, Vermont on May 12, 1847 to William and Esther (Bates) Oatman. She had one older brother named Albert. The Oatmans moved to Kalamazoo County between the 1850 and 1860 census. After their marriage, Sophia and James had four children: Harry Albert, Mae P (Exner), Emma (Miller), and Dora Jane (Beebe). Sophia died on August 3, 1919.

James and Sophia were married in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan. The witnesses were Madison Travis and George E. Travis, James’ son-in-law. Reverend Milton Bradley (1812-1896), Minister of the Gospel and a well-respected member of the Kalamazoo community, performed the wedding ceremony.