Iowa
Old Press
Jackson Sentinel
Maquoketa, Jackson County, Iowa
May 19, 1887
JACKSON COUNTY'S CENTENARIAN DIES
James LaFayette, a second cousin of that noble friend of
General George Washington, the Marquis de LaFayette, died at the
county infirmary of Jackson County, Tuesday afternoon, May 17,
1887, at 4 o'clock, at the remarkable age of 101 years, 4 months
and 22 days. He enjoyed good health almost to the very day of his
death and passed calmly away after a short illness. The remains
were assigned to the Commander of R. M. Smith Post, Andrew, and
the body was taken to Miles on Wednesday and buried under the
auspices of Alf. Scofield Post by the side of his deceased wife
with Rev. R. M. Kimball presiding at the burial.
James LaFayette was born near Sacketts Harbor, New York, on
December 25, 1785. He had a chance to exercise the soldiery
characteristics of the old French nobility from which he sprung
by enlisting against the British in the War of 1812, in which he
did good service, afterwards receiving an honorable discharge. He
had a clear memory and could state many historical incidents of
which he was an eye witness. He had a distinct recollection of
several thrilling battles of those earlier times. He came to
Jackson County a good many years ago, but at his advanced age he
was not able to do much hard work and did not accumulate
sufficient of this world's goods to carry him through life.
[transcribed by K.W., Sept. 2014]