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George Daniel James
Born September 17, 1870 |
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The pioneers of Iowa suffered many privations and faced real dangers in their work of redeeming the wilderness, and what they accomplished is remarkable viewed from the standpoint of today. Among the names associated with the early history of Jones county is that of James, and representatives of this well known family are to be found throughout the various townships, the majority of them engaged in tilling the soil. George Daniel James, a native of the county, belongs to this family. He was born in Jackson township, where he still resides, September 17, 1870, being a son of Walter and Mary (Sherman) James, and grandson of Walter James. The latter, a native of Wales, emigrated to Virginia and after some time spent in that state pushed on to Jones county, Iowa, where he was one of the early settlers. He had a family of ten children.
Walter James, Jr., the father of George Daniel James, was born in Virginia on the same day as John D. Rockerfeller. He now resides in Wyoming, having retired from active life. His wife was also born in Virginia and both were brought to Jones county when young and were married here. For many years they resided upon a farm, which he operated, and which contained one hundred and sixty acres. There were six children in their family, as follows: Ida May, who married J. Juzeler, of Washington; Philip G., who lives at Wayne, Nebraska; Charlotte, who married Frank Porter, of Jackson township; Sarah E., who married James Keglog, of Wyoming, Iowa; Olive, who lives in San Francisco, and George Daniel James.
Until his marriage, George Daniel James remained at home and then bought his present farm of two hundred and forty acres on sections 25, 26 and 23, Jackson township. Here he carries on general farming and handles a large number of cattle, doing his work by the latest methods and with improved machinery. The land is highly cultivated, and he has made many desirable improvements.
On January 29, 1895, occurred the marriage of Mr. James and Elizabeth Stivers, who was born in Jackson township, March 9, 1875. She is a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Clark) Stivers, the former of whom was born October 20, 1825, in New York state, and the latter born October 3I, 1824, in Virginia. They were married in Ohio, in 1853, and came to Jones county in 1855. Mr. Stivers passed away July 25, 1884, but his widow survives him and lives on the old homestead. Ten children were born to them. Mr. and Mrs. James have two children: Harvey Stivers and Esther Eloise.
The James family made a good record during the Civil war. Walter James, Jr., enlisted from Jones county, August 12, 1861, as corporal, and received his promotion to the rank of first lieutenant January 16, 1865. He served until the close of the war, in all of about four years, being a brave and gallant soldier, who was willing to risk his life in the service of his country. Mr. James has borne his part in public matters by serving faithfully as assessor of Jackson township for one term, having been elected on the republican ticket. He is a man of strong convictions, is popular, and is often cited as one of the representative farmers of his township.
Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Past and Present, R. M. Corbitt, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910, p. 423. |
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© Copyright 1997-2013, The Art Department, © Copyright 2014-2020, Richard Harrison.
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