Tilford, James 1791-1860

TILFORD, WALKER, LAMBIRTH, WORKMAN

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 4/24/2004 at 19:44:31

"The Fairfield Ledger", CENTENNIAL EDITION
Monday, October 2, 1939, Section H, Page 6.

JAMES TILFORD FAMILY ONE OF FIRST THREE TO ARRIVE HERE.

James TILFORD, Samuel Scott Walker, and Thomas Lambirth were the first actual settlers of Jefferson County, having located in what is now Round Prairie Township on May 16, 1836.

James TILFORD was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, June 17, 1791, the son of Robert and Sarah TILFORD. The family migrated from that county to Adair County, Kentucky, which country was at that time inhabited by wild beasts and wilder Indians. It was there that Mr. TILFORD married Miss Mary WORKMAN, and they started housekeeping there. Later they moved to Morgan County, Illinois, and in 1836 came on to Jefferson County, Iowa. With the Walkers and Lambirths, as is told elsewhere in this edition, they came into Iowa and established their home. Mr. TILFORD, soon after his arrival at his frontier cabin, made arrangements for planting a crop of corn, and, assisted by the lad Joseph, commenced turning over the prairie sod with an eighteen inch breaking-plow, drawn by three yoke of cattle. The father held the plow, and Joseph cracked the whip and guided the teams. Thirteen acres were turned over and planted in corn, which afterward yielded about twelve bushels for the acre. . . . .

Mr. TILFORD, an enterprising and industrious man, labored diligently to improve his land, and was known as a prosperous and successful farmer. A resolute, earnest man, he was frugal in his habits, and strictly upright and honorable in all things. It is worthy of remark that Mr. TILFORD never became a party to a law-suit in any court. Much credit is due Mr. TILFORD and his family in helping make Jefferson County what it is today. Mr. TILFORD made this county his home until his death, which occurred in Round Prairie Township, December 28, 1860, and that of his wife April 28, 1861 (sic - 1860). Both are buried in Lambirth (Henry Co., IA.) cemetery."