James A. Getty, Sr. was born June 19, 1810 in the Township of Limnahary, Parish of Ahoghill, in what is now Northern Ireland. His parents were John, Sr. and Elizabeth Getty.

He was married to Matilda M. McCaughey (right) who was born on July 2, 1813. They lived in the Parrish of Craigs after their marriage.

In 1848, their oldest child William John at the age of 16, emigrated to the United States. From there, he encouraged the rest of the family to join him. His father came to America in 1850 and lived with a friend, Peter McGinley, on a farm in Groveland, New York. In early 1851, William returned to Ireland to accompany the rest of the family on their trip. Although he was only 20 years old, William gave his age as 30 so he could act as the "adult" taking care of the others while on the ship. He, his mother, Matilda, and the other six children born in Ireland arrived at the port of New York on October 2, 1852.

They lived in New York for another year and their son, Peter McGinley Getty was born their in 1853. He was named after James' host who had helped in make the transition to America.

After corresponding with other Irish immigrants that they knew in Michigan, James and family moved to Ridgeway Township in Lenawee County in late 1853. They first purchased a 40 acre farm in Section 36 and later added another 40 acres for $50 in 1864. Eventually, he also owned pieces of property in nearby Milan and Dundee Townships.

James and Matilda had nine children:

1. William John Getty, Sr (Born: 14 May 1832 d: 22 Feb 1902)
2. Nancy Ann (Getty) Downing (Born: 02 Jan 1835 d: 17 May 1905)
3. James Getty, Jr. (Born: 24 Nov 1837 d: 08 Jul 1906)
4. George Kilpatrick Getty (Born: 21 Sep 1840 d: 01 Mar 1907)
5. Eliza Jane (Getty) Underwood (Born: 26 Oct 1843 d: 23 Aug 1881)
6. Alexander C. Getty (Born: 16 Feb 1846 d: 05 Nov 1864)
7. Hugh McCaughey Getty (Born: 06 Oct 1849 d: 30 Oct 1870)
8. Peter McGinley Getty (Born: 18 Aug 1853 d: 01 Jul 1919)
9. Charles H. Getty (Born: 22 Aug 1856 d: 29 Jan 1925)

Matilda passed away on October 27, 1871. On December 17, 1877, James married Ann Plenckett in Ridgeway Township.

James died on November 23, 1880 and is buried in Ridgeway Cemetery in Lenawee County.

In 1852, their eldest son, William John, who was 18 at the time, returned to Ireland to escort his mother and five siblings on their journey to America. To appear more mature so he could be the "man" of the family, William reported his age as 30.

They were passengers 294 to 301 on the voyage which took nearly four weeks to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The ship, which was built in Mystic, Connecticut in 1849, sailed the Liverpool to New York route. It held 470 passengers.