Scrogum, Jacob H. 1845-1909

SCROGUM, HEREFORD, FISCHER, SCHURTZMAN, JOHNSON, GRADY, MURREY, FLEAHEARTY, ALTERS, SELBY

Posted By: Chuck Runneberg (email)
Date: 5/22/2007 at 00:56:13

North Ia. Times April 1909

Jacob Hanley Scrogum

Born in Fulton, Callaway co., Mo., Sept 7th, 1845, He was the son of William Scrogum and Elizabeth (Hereford) Scrogum.

When he was one year old his parents removed to Rock Island Ill., where he received his education, and where on March 1, 1865, he was married to Charlotte Fischer, who was born in Ortorf, Prussia, Germany.

Mr. Scrogum and his wife became residents of McGregor, in August following their marriage, he working one year in the Seely & Shaw sash factory. Then he located in business for himself, and built a home on the shore of the Mississippi River, about a mile north of North McGregor, in a beautiful Sheltered nook.

Ten children were born of this union, two dying in infancy, and a son William dying a year ago last February. The living are : Mrs H. A. Schurtzman, Mrs Chas. Johnson, Mrs M. E. Grady, Kathryn Scrogum, Charles, George, and John Scrogum.

No one in this part of the state had a wider acquaintance among men in all lines of business, or a greater number of friends, and it has always been said of him, "he never made an enemy."

He was one of the best known fishermen along the Mississippi River, and conducted the most extensive fish business west of the great lakes. He began in this business at the time of locating here, and, beside supplying for domestic use, he shipped to all parts of the country, and furnished the steamers plying the river.

He established, in connection with this a grocery store at his country home, where boats were supplied with every kind of fresh produce. When the steamers whistled for Scrogum's Landing, and a boat sent in for supplies, they knew that the best in the land was in readiness for them. Of late years he has been a heavy shipper to eastern cities.

Of all the fishermen along the river, the U. S. Fish Commissioner chose Mr. Scrogum to gather and ship specimens of the Mississippi River fish, for the U. S. Fish exhibits at the Worlds Fair in Chicago, and at the Jamestown Exposition.

In the year 1875 he was elected a member of the board of education, and in 1881 was elected President, a position he held for several years.

In 1880 he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace, being the only Democrat elected that year, and during the eighteen years he held this office he endeavored to serve the people for their own benefit, more than his own.

He ran for the Government, the light-house on Scrogum's Island, the beacon light shining brightly for the pilots.

For about five years, some fifteen years ago, he ran a grocery store in the Burke block, then removed it to the supply store at Scrogum's Landing. He was a very liberal man toward all, and never was one in trouble or in hunger turned from his hospitable door.

When the Methodists here were raising funds for building of their church, he was one of the largest contributors, and has always, in various ways, been a liberal helper in raising the church funds.

The winters of 1904-05, and 1905-06 he spent in Florida, near Jacksonville and Ft. Meyers. While there he contributed several interesting letters to The Times.

It was with profound sorrow the word announcing the seriousness of his illness was received. The highest medical skill was in attendance, combined with the assistance of a trained nurse, but it was the Master's will that the busy and beloved man should pass to that sleep that knows no awakening. And after just a few days' illness, he passed peacefully away, Sunday evening, May 2nd at 7:15, surrounded by his family, with the exception of one daughter who is at the hospital at McGregor.

To the widow, who is also ill, and to the children who mourn with her the sincerest sympathy of all is extended, and a prayer for strength to be given her, is raised to the Almighty Father.

The services were held at the family residence, Tuesday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. Wyatt preaching a most impressive sermon, taking his text from 1st Timothy, 1st Chapter. The choir sang the old fashioned hymns he loved.
He was a member of the I.O.O.F. Itasca Lodge, No 111 of McGregor, and the following brother members were pall bearers: W. R. Brown, J. A. Walter, Q. A. Sloane, G. A. Anderson, E. Bergemyer, D. G. Benjamin. Interment was in Oakland cemetery.

Beside the widow and children who survive the deceased are: three sisters, Mrs Nancy Murrey of Moline, Ill.: Mrs Julia Fleahearty of Hardrick, Cal.; Mrs . Lucinda Alters of Colorado Springs, Col., and a half brother Ephram Selby, at Knoxville, Iowa.

There were many appropriate and beautiful floral emblems and flowers from friends, and a beautiful "Gates Ajar" from the citizens.

Card Of Thanks

We wish to express our appreciation of the many kind words, and assistance received from our friends in this, our great bereavement, and to thank them for the many beautiful flowers.

Mrs. J. H. Scrogum,
Children and grandchildren

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Note: Oakland cemetery, McGregor, is now known as Pleasant Grove cemetery

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Added by Reid R. Johnson 8/23/2021:

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 29 Apr. 1909. Local News columns.

Sunday night at his home in North McGregor, occurred the death of Hon. J. H. Schrogum*, of heart trouble. He was one of the old residents of that place. He leaves a wife, five daughters and three sons to mourn his death, Mrs. A. Schurtzman, Mrs. Charles Johnson, Mrs. Michael Grady and Miss Kate Schrogum, George Schrogum, Charles Schrogum and John Schrogum , all of North McGregor. He was 62 years old. His wife, who is about the same age, is in very poor health. Since his health began to fail, his sons, Charles and John, have been running his business for him, which is a fish market. He caught and sold more fish than any fisherman on the old Mississippi. He has been in the business for about forty years and is well known by all the river men and had more friends than any one man in the state. He at one time represented Clayton county in the legislature.

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Note: gravestone in Pleasant Grove cemetery spells surname as SCROGUM