I'm actually friends with a descendant of his family.
It was on his mom's side and he ended up changing his last name as an adult to use "James" professionally - he's an artist, has been a gallery owner and I think he teaches college now.
And, yes - I meant more "Deep South". It's a bit different up there - they tend to be a blend of Midwest and South - sort of like brackish water along the coast: not really one, not really the other.
As for Kansas - have you been there? Burning it is a mercy!
If that was aimed at me, I'm quite familiar with American history. Kindly move along.