James Jack was born in
Westmoreland County, Pa., on Sept. 19, 1832. His parents,
David and Jane Jack, nee Curry, were also natives of the
Keystone State, where they were married in 1831. They are
still living and have just celebrated their golden
wedding. Of eight children born of this union six are
living-- David; Lizzie, now the wife of George Crawford,
of Hampton, Ia.; Mary M., wife of Harry Miller, of
Estherville, Ia.; Sarah E., wife of W.H. Neeling, of
Ossian, Ia.; W.W., of the same place, and the subject of
this sketch. David Jack, Sr., emigrated to Clayton County
in 1856, thence to Winneshiek County in 1866, where he
now resides. James Jack was reared on a farm and his
educational privileges were those of the common schools.
He came West with his parents in 1856, and was employed
in a steam mill at National until 1866. He then traveled
one year selling patent medicine, and two years selling
reapers for Carter Bros. He then was employed as agent by
G.B. Dickey and N.W. Williver until 1875, when he sold
his property at National and removed to Beuna Vista
County, Ia., and engaged in farming there a short time,
then returned to Clayton County and located in Elkader.
He has since been agent for the McCormick Reaper and
Mower Co., handling all their goods. He was married in
1854 to Lizzie Hayes, of Brooke County, West Va. She was
born Sept. 24, 1832. Of seven children born of this union
three are living--Levi M., Vernon S. and Annie J. In 1880
Mr. Jack was appointed county jailer. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 659-660 |