Tapper, James 1810-1885

TAPPER, IRWIN, BOLWELL

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 12/13/2016 at 14:04:52

James Tapper, one of the pioneers of Clayton county, died at his residence in Giard township, Wednesday evening, Feb. 25th, 1885, at the ripe age of 75 years.

The 'McGregor Times' has the following:
The deceased was born in Darsettshire, England, Dec. 15th, 1810, and was the son of William and Hester (Bolwell) Tapper. In the year 1828 James emigrated to New Foundland, where he remained until 1832; thence to Halifax, N.S., where he spent two and a half years, when he came to New York City. In 1835-6 he took a trip to Cuba where he engaged in mining for copper. Becoming a victim to the yellow fever scourge then investing the Cuban possessions, he returned to England.

In 1838 he married Ellen Irwin, and in the fall of that year they arrived in New Orleans, thence came to St. Louis where Mr. Tapper worked at his trade, spending about a year in the city. When the government engaged in building Fort Atkinson, he went there, stopping at McGregor (in 1840) on the way thither. Remained at the Fort about two years when he came to Clayton county and settled on the land in Giard township which has been his home ever since.

Mr. Tapper was an enterprising and successful farmer, a man admired for his many noble qualities; a neighbor with whom it was a pleasure to reside; a friend and genial companion. His enterprise and skill made the home in which the best years of his life has been spent, a valuable property, a home in which there was supreme contentment, and enjoyment seldom found with so large a family, and the constant coming and going of relatives and friends.

In all relations of life, whether in a public capacity, and he has held various public offices since coming to this county, or in the common every day routine of a business life, Esq. Tapper was found an upright, honorable man. We doubt if he had an enemy in the wide world.

~Clayton County Journal, March 4, 1885