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Delaware County, Iowa

 

 Biography Directory

 

James Daker

Agriculturist 

Delhi

 

 
      Although thirty six years have passed since James Daker was called to his final rest, he is still remembered by many of the older residents of Delaware county as one of its prosperous agriculturists and esteemed citizens who for a number of years owned and operated a farm of two hundred and ninety acres in Milo township. His birth occurred in Yorkshire, England, on the 4th of December, 1828, his parents being Thomas and Mary (Brown) Dacre, as the name was then spelled. They had eight children but only two of the sons emigrated to the United States, our subject coming to this country about 1850. He settled first at Prattsburg, New York, and there followed the trade of shoe making, which he had learned in his native land. Subsequently he made his way westward to Galena, Illinois, and about 1853 came to Delhi, Delaware county, Iowa. About 1860 he took up his abode in Milo township and here successfully carried on general farming and stock raising throughout the remainder of his life, accumulating two hundred and ninety acres of rich and productive land on section 31. He followed the most practical and progressive methods in the conduct of his agricultural interests and became widely recognized as one of the substantial and respected citizens of the community.
      On the 20th of September, 1860, Mr. Daker was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Graham, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Weems) Graham, who were natives of Scotland and settled in Pennsylvania on coming to this country.
      To Mr. and Mrs. Daker were born seven children, as follows: Thomas, who is a resident of North Dakota; John G., living in South Dakota: Loie, who is the wife of Justice Olmstead and resides in South Dakota; Homer J., of Buchanan county, Iowa; Millicent, deceased; Harry W., at home, who wedded Miss Verna Wilson; and Grace N., the widow of Clarence J. Bishop.
      Mr. Daker gave his political allegiance to the republican party and served as justice of the peace for a number of years, making a highly commendable record in that connection. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church, to which his widow and children also belong and in the work of which he took an active part. His demise, which occurred on the 1st of August, 1878, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won an extensive circle of warm friends during the long period of his residence here. Mrs. Daker is also well known in the community, and the hospitality of the best homes is cordially extended her.
 

 

~ source: History of Delaware County, Iowa and its People, Illustrated, Volume II. The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1914, Chicago. Page 154-155 .  Call Number 977.7385 H2m; LDS microfilm #934937.

~transcribed and contributed by Constance Diamond for Delaware County IAGenWeb

 

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