James Jefferson Ogden 1827-1916

OGDEN, RILEY, GOODENOW, PARKER, KNODEL, NODLE, SADDLER, O’BRIEN, BOLTON

Posted By: LuAnn (Wentworth) Goeke (email)
Date: 11/14/2010 at 17:12:55

JAMES JEFFERSON OGDEN, of Bloomfield Township, is noteworthy as a pioneer, having experienced the obstacles, the alternate hopes and fears, the discouragements and hardships that confront the early settler of a new country. Not only is Mr. Ogden dauntless, prompt and active, but he is well fitted to stand with those who labored so long and earnestly for the settlement of a country which to-day is all beauty, peace and industry. The average citizen of to-day who is surrounded on every hand by not only the necessities but the refinements of life, is too apt to forget those now gone before who endured privation and almost penury for the benefit of posterity.

Mr. Ogden was born in Clermont County, Ohio, May 1, 1827. His father, James S. Ogden, was born in Virginia and came of Scotch parents. He was quite young when his parents removed to Ohio, and they were among the first settlers of Clermont County. The grandfather of our subject settled on land proved to be military, and, buying the title from a soldier, he cleared the farm and lived there up to the date of his demise.

The father of our subject grew to manhood in Ohio and was there married to Martha Riley. She was born in Clermont County, Ohio. Her husband bought a home in Neville, there living until 1840. He then sold out and removed to Illinois, going overland with horses and wagon accompanied by his wife and family, consisting of eight children. He located in Mason County, and began agriculture as an occupation. Living there until 1844, he again started farther West. They traveled overland as before, going to the Territory of Iowa. He first stopped in Jackson County a year, then, in 1847 came to Clinton County and located in Twp. 83, now included in Bloomfield Township. He entered the land on section 18, buying the north half of the section. Erecting a frame house he went on to the place and lived until 1854, the date of his death, which was caused by an accident. He was carrying goods from Davenport to Maquoketa, when he was thrown from his wagon and received injuries which proved fatal, and he died in a few hours. His wife died in 1851.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Ogden, Sr., were ten in number, and all grew to man and woman-hood. Elizabeth Goodenow lives in Sac County, this State; Delilah Parker lives at Maquoketa; Thomas in Kansas; J.J. in Bloomfield Township, Clinton County; Benjamin F. in Bloomfield; Ellen Jane in Maquoketa; Sarah Knodel lives in Guthrie County, Iowa; Jane and Washington are deceased, and William, the eldest child, lives in Clermont County, Ohio.

Our subject was the fifth child in order of birth and the third son. He was thirteen years of age when his parents moved to Illinois, and seventeen when he came to Iowa. He continued under the parental roof until he was married, and assisted his father on the farm. At the time of his marriage he took into his charge the farm he occupies and owns at the present time. He had but eighty acres of wild land the year previous, but erected a small frame house on the place and in every way that his efforts toward gaining a neat and pleasant homestead. Nor was he unsuccessful. Working by the month to pay for it, he added to his landed estate and improved his buildings, and he has now become the owner of 494 acres of land all enclosed, improved and cultivated, with the exception of the pasture land. His buildings are a credit to one who has so industriously labored and who has put such enterprise into his labors. He owns a commodious farmhouse and large barn, with adjacent out-buildings. He raises and feeds stock, and is interested in the breeding of fine domestic animals.

Mr. Ogden was married Sept. 22, 1852, to Margaret Saddler, born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, who was the daughter of John and Dorothea (O'Brien) Saddler. The parents were of Irish nationality. Two children have blest their happy union, by name, Etta, wife of J.A. Bolton, who lives in Grundy Center, Iowa, and Walter W.

In politics, Mr. Ogden is a Republican, stanch[sic] and strong. He is well-informed and is interested in public and national affairs. At the time that his father settled in Iowa the country was almost a wilderness, Galena being the only market, and the principal depot for supplies. There were no mills in the County, and the absence of these, with other inconveniences, constituted a part of the privations and were among the countless obstacles previously spoken of as the portion of the pioneer. - 1886 Portrait & Biographical Album of Clinton County, Iowa, pg 173-174.