James William Good was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on September 24, 1866. He earned a B.A. from Coe College in Iowa (1892) and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School (1893).Good returned to Iowa and served as Cedar Rapids city attorney from 1906 to 1908. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and remained in Congress from 1909 to 1921, becoming chairman of the appropriations committee. As chair, he played a major role in revising and reforming the U.S. budget process.

President Herbert Hoover appointed Good secretary of war, and Good held that post from March 6, 1929 to November, 18, 1929, when he died in office. James Good was buried in Iowa.