James Tapper, Esq., one of the
enterprising farmers of Giard Township, was born in
Dorsettshire, England, on the 15th day of December, 1810,
and was a son of William and Hester (Bolwell) Tapper. In
the spring of 1828 James emigrated to New Foundland,
where he remained until 1832; thence to Halifax, N. S.,
where he spent two and one-half years, and from there
went to New York City. In 1835-'36 James took a trip to
Cuba, where he was employed in the copper mines. This
being the time of the yellow fever epidemic he became a
victim to the disease and returned to England. In the
following spring he became acquainted with and married
Ellen Irwin, who was born in 1814, and in the fall of
that year he went to New Orleans; thence to St. Louis,
where he worked at his trade one year. About that time
the Government was erecting Fort Atkinson, and he went
there, stopping in McGregor on his way, this being in
1840. He remained at Fort Atkinson about two years, and
in the fall of 1841 he came to his present place. He has
held several local offices of trust in the gift of the
people. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 823-24 |