JAMES H WAUGH, b 14 Feb 1831

WAUGH, BOYD, TOWNER, SMITH, TRIMBLE, RALSTON, VAN PATTEN

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 2/28/2005 at 07:10:03

The subject of this history a retired citizen of Maquoketa, and in every respect a self-made man, is indeed worthy of most honorable mention among the leading citizens of this section of country. He is especially noteworthy for the enterprise and industry which have been the means of securing unto him all the comforts of life in his declining years, which he is spending free from labor and care.

Our subject was born Feb. 14, 1831, and is the son of Isaac and Tamzen (Boyd) Waugh. Isaac Waugh was born and reared in Ireland, where he learned the trade of a weaver. When a young man he entered the British service in the department known as Water Guards, and with which he was connected several years. He came to America in 1831, and settling in Mercer County, Pa., purchased a tract of timber land and put up a log house, in which his son, James H., was born. He cleared a goodly portion of his land, made a specialty of sheep-raising, and his wife and daughters carded and spun the wool, which they wove into cloth for the use of the family. The mother for many years did all her cooking by the fireplace, stoves being then an almost unheard-of article.

The parents of our subject came to Iowa in 1886*, settling in Maquoketa, and purchased a home, where the father died in the year 1870, nearly having arrived at the advanced age of nearly ninety years. The wife and mother is still living, making her home there. The parental family consisted of eleven children, namely: William R., Eliza, Dora A., Mary, James H., Edward F.; John R.E., who died in the army from the effects of a shell explosion, at Bristol Bay; Charles E; Rebecca J.; and two, who died in infancy, unnamed.

The early life of James H. Waugh was spent on a farm in Mercer County, Pa., where he received his early education in the district schools. At the age of twenty years he bought an interest in a carriage and wagon shop, in London, Mercer county, and learned the trade of a carriage and wagon builder of his partner, continuing in the business until 1854. During that year a severe drouth prevailed in Western Pennsylvania, and in consequence times were very hard. Accordingly, in the fall, Mr. Waugh started for the Great West, traversing the States of Ohio, Indianan and Illinois, and going as far south as St. Louis, Mo. At that point he embarked on a steamer, and made his way to Kansas City. Later he spent about a month traveling in Kansas, then, in company with another young man, started from Lawrence, that State, and walked to Bellevue, Iowa. The broad prairies over which they traveled were thinly settled, and some days they did not pass a single house, thus going without their dinner. Each carried a gun and gripsack.

Mr. Waugh remained in the vicinity of Bellevue until the summer of 1855, then came to Maquoketa and worked in a carriage shop until 1857. He then opened a shop of his own, which he operated until 1868. In the spring of that year he purchased a tract of wild land in what was called the Oak Openings, in Sharon Township, Clinton County, and which required a large amount of labor to procure. It is now considered one of the most valuable farms in that vicinity, has neat frame buildings, commodious and convenient, and is as attractive a homestead as any within the township limits. Mr. Waugh labored here industriously, effecting one improvement after another until the spring of 1886, then turned the management of his farm, now containing eighty acres, over to his sons. In March, 1888, he purchased property in Maquoketa, put up a fine residence on Olive, between Locust and Maple streets, and is now spending his declining days there, surrounded by all the comforts of life and many of its luxuries.

The marriage of James H. Waugh and Miss Lydia Towner was celebrated at the bride's home in Maquoketa, Dec. 7, 1858. Mrs. Waugh was born in Essex County, N.Y., March 8, 1839, and is the daughter of Ira T. and Esther (Smith) Towner, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere. to the fireside of our subject and his estimable wife there came four bright children. Their first-born died in infancy. The second child, and only daughter, Lettie, was born Dec. 10, 1860, and was happily married to A.J. Trimble, of Monmouth, Jackson County, this State; she became the mother of three children, and died at the early age of twenty-five years. She was a lady much admired and beloved, and was deeply mourned, not only by her own family, but by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. She was the especial joy and pride of her parents' hearts, who will ever mourn for her, not as without hope, but with the tenderness and constancy of faith in a brighter hereafter, in which they will meet her where parting is unknown. Mrs. Lettie Trimble was given a thorough education, and grew up a refined and cultivated woman, and an ornament to the society in which she moved. Her two little daughters were taken into the home of their grandfather, Mr. Waugh. Maude L. was born May 17, 1880; and Edna Mabel, July 7, 1882. The latter died on the 7th of January, 1887, at the age of four and one-half years. As the child of their much-beloved daughter, her death was deeply mourned by her grandparents, who had in their affliction the warmest sympathy of their many friends. She was a bright little girl, one who endeared herself to the hearts of all, and especially to those in the immediate home circle.

There are thus living of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Waugh two sons: Hibbard E. was born Jan. 10, 1863, and married Miss Kate Ralston; he is residing in David City, Neb. Fred N. was born Sept. 19, 1866, and married Miss Josie Van Patten; he lives on the home farm in Clinton Township. Mr. and Mrs. Waugh are members in good standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they are devotedly attached, and to which they give their liberal and cheerful support. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Winfield Scott, as a member of the Old Whig party, and later identified himself with the Republicans, to whose principles he has since given his hearty support. As a man and citizen no one stands higher in his community, or is more deserving of confidence and esteem.

* Typed exactly as printed in the original volume.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)