James Wilson Witham (1930)
CURTIS, JAMISON, MARICLE, ORY, WILLIAMS, WITHAM
Posted By: Pat Hochstetler
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:03:23
Dallas County News
Adel, Iowa
Wednesday, December 3, 1930
Page 9, column 4Death a Shock to Many Friends
J.W. Witham Was Prominent in Iowa and Minnesota As "The Cornfield Philosopher"
The death of James W. Witham which occurred last week at the home of his son, Chas. Witham, south of Adel, marked the end of a most interesting career. Many of the details which made him prominent in two states are set forth in [unreadable] below.
For many years, Mr. Witham lived near Willmar, Minn., where he became prominent as the author of the numerous writings, among which were contributions under the name of "The Cornfield Philosopher", published regularly in the Willmar Daily Tribune. Victor E. Lawson, editor of that paper, in a telegram sent to relatives here says: "The news of the death of James Witham, well known in Minnesota as "The Cornfield Philosopher," causes sorrow and regret among a number of great spirits in this state who recognized in him a man of high civic ideals for which he had sacrificed much. His erstwhile associates, his neighbors, the children, the tourists who camped near his cabin and all with whom he came in contact regret that he has departed from this life. May God bless his memory among us.
James Wilson, son of Peter and Julia Ann Witham, was born at Cardington, Morrow County, Ohio, December 13, 1858 and passed peacefully away into the other life at his home of his son Charles, near Adel Iowa, Nov. 24, 1930 at the age of 73 year, 11 months and 11 days.
He was the fourth son of a family of nine children, there being six boys and three girls. His childhood was spent in and around Cardington where he receive his early education. At the age of 16 he left home and came west, spending most of his time in Illinois, and finally arrived at Centerdale, Iowa, where he worked and attended school until 1878. Then he entered Oskaloosa college at Oskaloosa, and two years later when the college moved to Des Moines and later became Drake University, he went with it, and remained until he was graduated with the first class in 1885. He later took up law and was admitted to the bar in August, 1889.
On June 18, 1889 he was united in marriage to Jennie S. Williams of Independence, Iowa. To this union were born seven children: Mrs. Pearl Curtis, Selah, Washinton; Donald M. Witham of Valley Junction; Mrs Lillian Ory, Earlham, Ia; Mrs. Edith Maricle, Leasburg, Mo; Charles H. Witham, Adel; Mrs. Anabel Jamison, Waukee and James E. of Adel.
He leaves to morn his loss besides his children his wife, Mrs. Jennie Witham, Adel, Iowa; two brothers, P.L. and C.S Witham, Deshler, O.; also nine grandchildren and a large number of relatives and friends. Mr. Witham became a member of the Church of Christ in Des Moines in 1889 and remained faithful to every interest of the church all through his life.
After graduating from Drake University he spent the greater part of his life in Des Moines practicing law and for a number of years served as reporter in the Iowa House of Representatives. In 1914 he moved to Willmar, Minn., with the thought of recovering his health, serving as reporter there in the State Legislature for a number of terms.
Mr. Witham was a regular contributor to the pages of the "Willmar Daily Tribune" under the "Nome De Plume" of the "Cornfield Philosopher." His attention especially in rural communities.
Mr. Witham was always deeply interested in every question that was for the public good especially in temperance reform. He was a student of history and kept pace with the progress of the age in which he lived.
The closing days of his life were happy days, for the days in which he lived were well lived. In the closing days of his earthly life frequently he spoke of the future life.
Transcriber note: Burial is in the Earlham Cemetery.
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