James J. Hargrave, 1846-1935

HARGRAVE

Posted By: Judy Brinkman (email)
Date: 8/26/2006 at 06:26:49

James J. Hargrave, 88, pioneer of Dickens, Ia, died early Saturday evening, Jan. 19, at his home following an illness caused from infirmities of old age and complication of diseases.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church at Dickens at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon and were in charge of Rev. Earl Hart, pastor. Burial was made in the Dickens cemetery.

James Joseph Hargrave, son of Robert J. and Elizabeth Hargrave, was born March 27, 1846 at Orbridge in Ontario county, Canada. When ten years of age, he accompanied his parents to a small town near Ripon, Wisc., where he spent his boyhood days.

At the age of twenty-one years, he moved to Rushford, Minn., where he secured work as a harness maker with his brother-in-law and followed that trade in Rushford for three years.

In 1869 he came to Iowa in a covered wagon with his father and his brother, Robert, and took up a homestead four and a half miles southwest of the present town of Dickens. The family made trips to Mankato, Minn., for wood for the home in which Mr. Hargrave was living at the time of his death.

In the fall of that year, he returned to Rushford and on September 28, 1869, was united in marriage to Miss Jane Chisholm of that place. After spending a week with her parents, the couple set out for his homestead, their trip being made by covered wagon. They established their home and endured all of the hardships of pioneer days. Their home was a refuge for early settlers.

In 1884, Mr. Hargrave helped build the Methodist church in Dickens, he being a faithful member of that denomination and attended regularly as long as his health permitted him.

Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hargrave, seven of whom survive. Those preceding him in death were Mrs. Elizabeth Scott and two infant Daughters.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife, his children, John R. of Minot, N. Dak., James A. of Sprague. Wash., George T. Webster City; Wallace A. of Iowa City, Clarence J., Mrs. Kate Peterson and Mrs. Jennie Henderson all of Dickens. Also two brothers, William H. Hargrave of Dickens and Robert J. Hargrave of Lancaster, Wash., forty grandchildren, thirty-two great grandchildren and other relatives and many friends.

Mr. Hargrave was a kind and loving husband, father and friend. His home was always open to all and his happiest moments were when he was surrounded by his many relatives and friends.

Interment in Dickens cemetery.

Source: Spencer Reporter 1935.