JAMES G. GIVENS
The
late James G. Givens, who was prominently connected with
agricultural interests of Wayne county for a number of years,
attained prosperity and a life’s competence by industry and
energy. He was
born in Ohio, December 23, 1836, a son of George and Martha
(Rae) Givens, both natives of that state, where the father
followed general agricultural pursuits.
James G. Givens was reared at home, where he early became acquainted with the work of the farm under his father’s guidance, and received a country school education. He subsequently cultivated his own property in that state but in 1876 traded his Ohio farm for one in Wayne county, Iowa, upon which he located in that year. Here he successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1889, when he removed to Seymour, where he thereafter lived until he passed away, June 9, 1909.
On December 4, 1860, Mr. Givens married Miss Rebecca Collison, a native of Ohio and a daughter of William and Mary (Adams) Collison, the former of whom was a farmer of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Givens had three children. John has passed away. Martha Ellen married John Brooks, formerly a carpenter, and she is the mother of six children. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks now make their home on a farm near Seymour. Margaret E. married Charles Mumby, and they have one son. They make their home on the old farm. Mrs. Givens is a member of the United Brethren church.