Upton, James G. Judge 1814 - 1908

UPTON, MILES, GLASS, RIVER, BARKER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/1/2019 at 12:24:48

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Jan. 10, 1908, FP, C5

Judge J. G. Upton passed away Wednesday evening at about 6 o’clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T. E. Glass. His health has been precarious for some time, having had a severe illness about a year ago from which he never completely recovered. The deceased was 94 years of age and was one of the first settlers in the county, his residence here dating from 1854. Upon the organization of Howard County he was its first County Judge from which office he derived the familiar appellation by which he was known to all. The funeral took place at the Glass residence this afternoon at 3 o’clock conducted by Revs. Gammons and Hinman. In our next issue we will publish a fitting obituary of the deceased.

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Jan. 14, 1908, LP, C1, 2

PASSING OF A PIONEER
Biographical Sketch of the Late Judge Upton.
James G. Upton was born in Hillsboro county, New Hampshire, Sept. 28, 1814, and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T. E. Glass, in Cresco, Wednesday evening, Jan. 8th, aged 93 years, 3 months and 10 days.
He moved with his parents to Vermont when five years of age. He was placed upon his own resources at a very early age, but secured as best he could as much of the common school education as was available to a poor boy at the time under the conditions confronting him, contributing to the support of his worthy mother in so far as he could. Later he learned the trade of a wheelwright, which he followed until about 35 years of age.
On October 4th, 1850, he was married to Sarah A. Miles in Newport, Maine, and soon after removed to Chicago where he entered into the mercantile business. His stay in Chicago was not long, on account of an epidemic of cholera, and he removed, to Allamakee county, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, and in May. 1854 came to this county, where he has since resided.
The deceased was closely identified with the pioneer history of this county, having been elected, at the first election held in Howard county in August, 1855, as county judge. His associate officers, elected at that time, were Ed Gillett, clerk; Wm. Woodward, recorder and treasurer; John Harlow, sheriff, and M. V. Burdick, prosecuting attorney. Messrs. Gillett and Woodward still survive. Judge Upton served until 1860, when he was succeeded by Darius Seeley. As county judge he made the first entry in the county records, issuing an order on the county treasurer in payment for the first books and stationery used by Howard county He also issued at the July term, 1857, a proclamation for an election to vote on the issuance of $150,000 bonds to buy stock in the proposed Northwestern Railroad, the county’s first effort to secure a railroad. In 1865 he was appointed to succeed C. E. Brown as a member of the board of supervisors. With this office he closed his official capacity with the county, but he never lost interest in the affairs, the growth and development of the county in which he so long resided.
He was the father of seven children, all of whom except one, Sarah A., who died in infancy, survive him. The living are Mrs. Emma River, of Oak Dale; J. H., of Cresco; Mrs. Ada Barker and C. C., of Spokane, Wash.; Mrs. Alma Glass, of Cresco; and Abraham L., of Chicago.
Funeral services were held at the home of T, E. Glass on last Friday afternoon, conducted by Revs. Gammon and Hinman. Interment was in Oak Lawn cemetery.

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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