For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 178
JAMES A. NAY. Among the substantial citizens of Muscatine county is James A. Nay, the owner of a valuable farm in Wapsinonoc township which he acquired by years of labor and with the able assistance of his estimable wife. They are now enjoying the fruits of their toil and each year witnesses a gratifying increase in their financial resources. Mr. Nay was born in Indiana, March 31, 1859, a son of William and Elizabeth ( Baker ) Nay, both of whom passed their entire lives in the Hoosier state. There were two children in their family: James A., of this review; and Wiliam, who still lives in Indiana.James A. Nay acquired his early education in the public schools and continued at home until eighteen years of age, when he started out to make his way in the world upon his own account. He worked on a farm in Cedar county, Iowa, until twenty-three years of age and then married and began renting land in the same county. After seven years of close application he purchased a farm on sections 3 and 4, Wapsinonoc township, Muscatine county, which he cultivated to such good advantage that he now owns one hundred and sixty-four and three fourths acres of well improved and productive land. In addition to raising grain he makes a specialty of raising and feeding hogs and cattle, and being thoroughly acquainted with the work, he generally receives handsome returns for the time and money expended.
In 1882 Mr. Nay was united in marriage to Miss Lissa C. Cornwall, a native of Ohio and a daughter of V. R. and Elizabeth ( Merritt ) Cornwall, the former of whom was born in New York state and the latter in Pike county, Ohio. In 1856 the family removed to Cedar county, Iowa, where the father died in 1893. The mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter. She has arrived at the venerable age of eighty-four years. There were nine children in their family, four of whom are now living. One son, Everett S., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Nay, December 21, 1883. He received a high school education and is now interested in the grocery business in West Liberty. He is married and is the father of one child, Evelyn H.
Mr. Nay ever since arriving at manhood has given his adherence to the republican party but has never sought political honors, preferring to devote his attention to his private affairs. Fraternally he is identified with the lodge of the Knights of Pythias at West Liberty. He and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Protestant church, in which she is an active worker, and he takes a great interest in the study of religious subjects, serving for eighteen years with general acceptance as superintendent of the Sunday school. Mrs. Nay was for ten years postmistress at Downey, serving in that position at the time President Garfield was assassinated. They have overcome many difficulties in life and having won their way to fortune, are well aware of the obstacles that must be surmounted by the ambitious individual who seeks to attain financial independence. They are held in great respect by the entire community.
Back to Biographical Index Page