TOLERON, James J., Judge 1840-1912
TOLERON, TAYLOR, ALDRICH, THOMPSON, MCCLEARY, DOUGLAS
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 6/20/2012 at 01:25:49
[Waterloo Reporter - Saturday, June 08, 1912, Waterloo, Iowa]
J. J. TOLERTON IS SUMMONED
WAS FORMER JUDGE IN DISTRICT
COURT AND PROMINENT LAWYER.Had Suffered Broken Health For Several Years
CEDAR FALLS - June 8 - Judge J. J. Tolerton died this morning about 11 o'clock at his home in Cedar Falls on Frankliln Street. He was down town Thursday morning apparently in his usual health, but for several years he had been subject to serious sickness and was stricken with another collapse that evening, and has since been unconscious most of the time.
His daughters Mrs. H. E. Aldrich, of Des Moines, and Mrs. John D. Thompson of Los Angeles, California have been notified and Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich and daughter Margaret will be here this evening. It is not expected that Mrs. Thompson can come as she has a young child. A brother in Ohio and a sister in Indianapolis are expected to come as soon as possible. Funeral arrangements await replies to the messages sent.
James J. Tolerton was born in 1836* in Salem, Ohio. He was educated at a college in Meadville, Pennsylvania and read law with Hon. Thomas W. Wood. He came to Cedar Falls in the fall of 1866 and established his law office and for many years had a large and lucrative practice. He never had a partner, but gave his personal attention to all the details of his profession. He held the confidence of his clients and of the public generally, for he was conscientious in all of his dealings, kindly disposed and sympathetic and just in his estimates of character. He was beloved by his associates in the Blackhawk County bar, who have during the years of his invalidism given expression of their esteem. Fore three years he was judge of the district court where he faithfully attended to duty and was obliged to resign on account of infirmities of his body. For about fifteen years he has lived in retirement at his home, going out to meet his friends when able. Always cheery and bright in his greetings he will be missed on the street and in his favorite resting places down town.
He was an active member of the M. E. church and for many years a prominent official. When 16 years of age he suffered a sunstroke while working in the field and to this fact he attributed his broken health later in life.
In 1867 he was married to Margaret Taylor, of Meadville, Pennsylvania and her death occurred about four years ago.
By a singular coincidence Mrs. Aldrich was detained from coming sooner to her father as she was helping in her own home to care for her husband's father, J. C. Aldrich, whose death is momentarily expected.
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2.[Waterloo Reporter - Monday, June 10, 1912, Waterloo, Iowa]
OBSEQUIES AWAIT RELATIVES
Funeral of Late Judge Tolerton Probably Thursday.
Pending later messages from relatives in the west final arrangements for the funeral of Judge J. J, Tolerton have not been completed. They will probably occur on Thursday, but announcement will he made tomorrow. A message from Los Angeles, Calif, states that John D. Thompson, son-in-law, Is en route to Cedar Falls. Mrs. Thompson, formerly Ernestine Tolerton, did not think best to come at this time with her baby but will come later in the season. The elder daughter Mary, with her husband, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Aldrich and daughter Margaret of Des Moines, arrived Saturday night.
A message from Salem, Or., said that a brother of the Judge, H. A. Tolerton, was traveling the west and relatives are seeking to find him with the hopes that he will return for the funeral. A sister, Mrs. McCleary of Indiana, may possibly come.
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3.
[Bio from "HISTORY OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY AND IT'S REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS", Hudson, Iowa Library]
Hon. James J. Tolerton, formerly judge of the 10th Judicial District, composed of the counties of Delaware, Buchanan, Black Hawk and Grundy, and one of the prominent members of the Black Hawk County Bar, has been a resident of Cedar Falls since 1866. Judge Tolerton, was born June 22, 1840, near Salem, Ohio, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and is one of a family of five children born to Hill and Lucy M. (Warner) Tolerton.
James Tolerton, our subject's grandfather, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America as a young married man about the year 1809. In Ireland he had married Frances Douglas, who was born in Scotland. Their eldest child, Alexander, was born before they left Ireland. James Tolerton had followed teaching exclusively in Ireland but upon coming to America he settled on a farm and for a time also continued teaching. He died in 1872, aged 92 years. His wife lived to be about 80 years old. They were good Christian people, holding membership in the Society of Friends. Our subject's father was born in Ohio where he followed an agricultural life during his active period.
The future judge acquired his early education in the common schools in his native locality, growing up on his father's farm, and completed his literary course at Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, graduating in the class of 1864. His reading of law was done under the supervision of Thomas S. Woods, an able attorney. After being admitted to practice, Judge Tolerton located at Cedar Falls. He rapidly made friends and gained clients and successfully followed his profession for many years, gaining the confidence and good will of his fellow citizens which resulted in his election to the bench.
Until his health failed and retirement became a necessity, he continued to fill that honorable position. Well versed in the law, he gave complete satisfaction on the bench as he had at the bar and it was with regret that the practicing attorneys parted with one who had been so fair and impartial in his rulings. His three years of service covered some of the most important cases which ever came before the District Court.
Since retiring from professional life, Judge Tolerton has supervised a fine farm of 160 acres, which adjoins the property of the Iowa State Normal School. He and his sons-in-law all own fine residences in Cedar Falls.
Judge Tolerton was married in 1867 to Margaret Taylor, a daughter of John Taylor, a prominent citizen of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and they have two daughters; Mary E. (Mrs. H. E. Aldrich) and Margaret Ernestine (Mrs. John Thompson), both well known residents of Cedar Falls.
In politics, Judge Tolerton is identified with the Republican party, but has paid more attention to his profession that to political life. Fraternally he is a Mason. He belongs also to the Black Hawk County Bar Association.
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*Note: The June 8 obituary said J. J. Tolerton was born in 1836. Three other sources say 1840.
(1) The 1870 US Fed. Census shows James J. Tolerton born abt 1840 and spouse, Margaret G Tolerton
(2) His bio in "History of Black Hawk County and It's Representative Citizens" says his date of birth is June 22, 1840.
(3) WPA Records - USGenWeb Archives shows his burial records as: TOLERTON, J. J. 1840 - 1912, Fairview Cemetery, Cedar Falls Twp., Cedar Falls, Iowa
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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