Orin James, Sr. spent his lifetime mastering the art of being a successful Angus producer. He and his wife, Verna, partnered with J.C. Penney for more than 30 years near Hamilton, Missouri, under the names of Homeplace Farms and Penney and James. James was a record setter in his day. In the time of World War II, he took the risk to pay $30,000 for a bull, Eileenmere 487th, which he dubbed “the wonder bull of the breed.” Progeny of this great bull set many sale and show ring records. In 1955, the Penney and James herd dispensed, setting another record. More than 3,000 people attended that sale, where 504 lots averaged $2,083. For the next 10 years, James and his son, Orin, Jr., continued the tradition of raising Angus cattle together near Cameron, Mo.