James Taylor Lacey was born on November 22, 1848, in Selma Dallas County, Alabama, to William Randolph Lacey (1827 – 1904) and Susan Rebecca “Sue” Price (1825 – 1908). His parents married on January 27, 1848, in Dallas County, Alabama. Lacey later moved to Texas during the early pioneer period and eventually settled in Rusk County, where he became associated with the development of the Mount Enterprise community.

During his lifetime, Lacey worked and was listed as retired in his later years, residing as a permanent resident of Mount Enterprise, Texas. On February 24, 1876, in Caledonia Rusk County, Texas, J. T. Lacey married Nannie Chappell Garrison also known as “Lena” (1854 – 1897), who was born in Georgia. Together they had ten children. Their first child, Homer Eugene Lacey (1877 – 1936) was born in Rusk County, Texas, and later passed away in Nacogdoches, Texas. Their second child, Sallie Mae Lacey (1880 – 1968) was also born in Rusk County and died in Huntsville, Texas. Sampy Lacey (1822 – 1883) died in infancy. Caroline Devereaux or “Carrie” Lacey (1884 – 1915) died in Garrison Nacogdoches County, Texas. Georgia Susan Lacey (1886 – 1959) was born in Rusk County and died in Lufkin, Texas. William Grady Lacey (1890 – 1941) was born in Lawsonville Rusk County, and died in Houston, Texas. Tommie Lacey (1892 – 1892) also died in infancy. Gladys Hubbard Lacey (1897 – 1897) and Chappel Lacey (1897 – 1897) both died shortly after birth.

J. T. Lacey later passed away on February 25, 1939, in Mount Enterprise, Rusk County, Texas at the age of 90 years old. He was identified as widowed at the time of his death. His death record lists are occupation as being retired from his role as vice president of a local bank. He was also associated with civic improvements in his community and was a lifelong active member of the Methodist Church, serving as a steward for over forty years. Lacey was passed away at the home of his daughter in Mount Enterprise after having an illness for about a week. He is now buried in Caledonia Cemetery.