James Fleetwood

An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, 1902
published by Western Historical Publishing Company

James Fleetwood

James Fleetwood was born to John and Sarah (Todd) Fleetwood, Jackson county, Indiana, on January 28, 1846. His early life was spent on the farm and he acquired his educational discipline from the district schools of his native place. At the age of fourteen he went to the American Bottom in Illinois, twenty-five miles down the Mississippi from St. Louis, and in 1860 he went to Memphis, Missouri, whence three years later he started across the plains with mule team, arriving in Napa valley, California, in due time after a successful journey without serious accident. The following spring he came to Canyon City, Oregon, and soon after went to Union, following farming there until 1867. At that date he went to Clarksville, on Clark's creek, and engaged in dairying, whence, two years later he came to his present place, two miles east of Hereford, where he owns five hundred acres of fertile soil, well watered and producing bountifully in hay. He has added many improvements that make his home comfortable and add charm to the life in the rural regions and make the estate one of value. He has abundant herds of cattle and horses, and also owns a residence in the county seat, where he frequently spends the winters for the school advantages for his children.

On September 30, 1865, was celebrated for marriage of Mr. Fleetwood and Miss Marguerite, daughter of Aaron and Sarah Dunn. To them were born the following children: Jeremiah, married to Mattie Eblin and living in Baker City; Sarah A., wife of George Tetreau of Baker City; Mary M., wife of Bert Ware, living near Hereford; Ira Fulton, married to Miss Virginia M. Murry; George W., married to Barbara Hardman; Elizabeth, wife of Bert Lew; Justina, deceased; Augusta A., bookkeeper in a store in Baker City; Edith, attending school in Baker City. Mrs. Fleetwood was called from the duties of life to the rewards of another world in December, 1898, wile living at their residence in Baker City.

Mr. Fleetwood and Mary Evaline, daughter of Lambert and Emily Merrick, of Memphis, Missouri, were married in Baker City on November 12, 1899, and to them has been born one child, Janie Marguerite. Mrs. Fleetwood's grandfather was one of the first settlers of Keokuk, Iowa, and her father was the first white child born there. Her mother's father came from England and was a relative of Lord Chamberlain.

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