Saint, James

SAINT

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/22/2019 at 20:50:22

James Saint

(From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.643)
JAMES SAINT, section 35, Waveland Township, is numbered among the early settlers and successful citizens of this part of Pottawattamie county Iowa. Mr. Saint was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, ten miles from the mouth of the Little Miami River, Oct 27, 1830. His father, James Saint Sr. was born in Massachusetts, a descendant of one of the Pilgrims who landed on Plymouth Rock. Mr. Saint had two uncles who served in the War of 1812, one being killed and the other wounded. These were brothers of his father. James Saint Sr. married Jane Allen, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father, William Allen, was a relative of William Allen, ex-Governor of Ohio. To Mr and Mrs Saint five sons and five daughters were born, James being the sixth child. The father died in Ohio in 1861. He had been a farmer all his life, and was a Republican. The mother is now 85 years old, and resides at Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Saint spent his youth on a farm in Hamilton County, Ohio, chopping wood, clearing land and doing other farm work, and during the winter months got what education he could in the little log schoolhouse. In 1858 he went to Pike's Peak in search of gold. From there he continued his way across the plains to California. After a sojourn of two years on the Pacific Coast he came back as far as Iowa, traveling on horseback, and bringing with him a pack horse. During the journey he camped out at night and did his own cooking. In 1861 Mr. Saint bought land in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, but soon the war broke out and he entered the service of his country. He enlisted in Company I, 23d Iowa Infantry, one of the best regiments that ever went to the front. Mr. Saint participated in many important engagements, among which we note the following: the battles of Port Gibson, Jackson, Mississippi, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, New Orleans, the Red River expedition, and several others. He was honorably discharged at Harrisburg, Texas, after which he returned North. At the close of the war Mr. Saint located at Lewis, Cass county, Iowa, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for some time. In 1866 he married Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, a native of Ohio and daughter of James and Elizabeth (Long) Hamilton, also natives of Ohio. The year he was married Mr. Saint settled on a farm of 120 acres where he now lives, being among the first settlers of the neighborhood. He is now the owner of 240 acres of well improved land. He has a good frame house and large barn, 30 X 45 feet. He also has other farm buildings, a windmill and good fences. Mr. Saint gives his attention to general farming and stock raising. He and his wife are the parents of five children: George, William, who is now attending college at Shenandoah, Iowa; Inez, James and Earl. Mr. Saint is much interested in educational matters and is giving his children the benefit of a good education, so that they will be fitted to occupy useful positions in life. He is a Republican and has served as township clerk. Is a member of the Masonic fraternity having been made a Mason in Ohio. Mrs. Saint and the three oldest children are members of the Christian Church.