New York Cemetery
Wayne County, Iowa

James W. 1845-1931
Grand Army of the Republic marker

Row 26, #13
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James was born 4 Jun 1846 in Brown Co., Ohio, possibly in Byrd township. He was the 5th of 11 children of John Morris and Julia Ann Shenkle. His siblings: Nancy Ann, Andrew Jackson, Barbara Ellen, Elizabeth Jane, George Washington, Martin Van Buren, Sarah, Joshua Clinton, Clara Jane and Minerva.

Civil War: at age 18 he enlisted on 6 Mar 1865 to serve for one year; rank: Private; Co. G, 193rd Ohio Infantry, mustered in 11 Mar 1865 at Camp Chase, Ohio; mustered out 4 Aug 1865, Winchester, Virginia

In Brown Co., Ohio, on 29 Aug 1867 James married America Jane Bercaw, daughter of John Bercaw and Eliza Cheasman. They had three children: Lida Lenora, Charles Stewart and Roy.

James and America left Ohio not long after their marriage and settled in Union township, Wayne Co., Iowa. In 1880, James is working as a blacksmith; in 1895 he lists his occupation as brick maker; in 1900 he is again a blacksmith; in 1910 and 1920 he was farming; after America's death in 1923 he retired. He died in 1931 and is buried next to her.