Thomas James, whose demise occurred at Springdale, December 3, 1887, successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits for a number of years and was widely recognized as one of the extensive landowners and respected citizens of Cedar county. His birth occurred in Columbiana county, Ohio, on December 3, 1809, his parents being John and Martha (Bangham) James, who were reared and married in Virginia. Thomas James, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Wales and settled in Virginia after emigrating to the United States. The maternal ancestors of our subject were of English birth.
Thomas James was one of three sons and three daughters born to his parents and was the only member of the family who came to Iowa. He remained a resident of his native county until forty-two years of age and in 1851 took up his abode in Cedar county, this state, entering land in Gower township about four miles north of Springdale. Soon afterward he removed to a farm one mile west of Springdale, devoting his attention to its operation for ten years. During the remainder of his life he made his home at Springdale, there passing away December 3, 1887, when seventy-eight years of age. He conducted a store in Springdale for a few years but followed farming throughout the greater part of his active business career and at one time owned about five hundred acres of land in one body. Success crowned his labors and he was long numbered among the substantial and representative citizens of his community.
In the fall of 1841 Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Hannah McBride, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 10th of May, 1817, her parents being Evan and Jane (Pennock) McBride, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. Her paternal grandfather, Stephen McBride, served as a soldier in the revolutionary war and also fought against the Indians. While in the army he was converted and joined the Friends church. He loyally defended his country’s interests until honorably discharged but refused a pension, having become antagonized to warfare. The parents of Mrs. Hannah James spent the greater part of their lives in Columbiana county, Ohio, and there she lost her father when but eight years of age. The mother lived to attain her ninety-seventh year, passing away at the home of her daughter Hannah.
Mrs. James is the only surviving member of a family of six children, one of whom was born after the father’s death. She lived in Columbiana county until the time of her marriage and there taught school for a number of years. The record of her children is as follows: Leicester, who enlisted for one hundred days’ service in theUnion army, died a few months after the expiration of his term. For two years prior to his enlistment he had been a student of the Iowa State University. Homer, an attorney and merchant of Linn county, makes his home at Springville. Mary passed away at the age of five years, her demise occurring soon after the removal of the family to Iowa. Mrs. Martha J. Apple, who was educated at the State University and the State Normal School, followed the profession of teaching for a number of years and now resides with her mother at Springdale. John Evan likewise died soon after the family home was established in this state. Emeline and Angeline, twins, are both deceased, the former passing away in infancy and the latter at the age of three years. Walter is a resident of California.
Thomas James was a republican in his political views and served as justice of the peace for many years, his fair and impartial decisions winning him “golden opinions from all sorts of people.” He also held other local offices and, being fond of reading, kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He was reared in the faith of the Friends church and attended its services but never became a member thereof. His widow has now passed the ninety-third milestone on life’s journey and is remarkably well preserved for a woman of her age, her faculties being still largely unimpaired. She yet resides in Springdale and has a host of warm friends throughout the community which has remained her home for almost six decades. As recently as five or six years ago she delivered some very good speeches at meetings of the Old Settlers Society and her mind has always remained bright and active. She has been an elder in the Friends church for many years and acts as such at the present time. In automobiling she finds recreation and pleasure and frequently takes a ten or fifteen mile drive.
