James Monroe Buckley was born in Mount Holly, New Jersey in 1836 to John Cuckley (1805-1842) and Abby Lonsdale Monroe (1813-?). He married three times, Eliza A, Burns (died 1866), Sarah Isabella French Staples (died 1883). and Adelaide Shackford Hill (died 1910). He had two children with Sarah Isabella French Staples; Monroe Buckley and Sarah Isabella Buckley. He died in 1920.