|
Portrait and Biographical Album of Henry County, Iowa J Unless otherwise specified, biographies submitted by Pat Ryan White. He was
born in Van Buren Co. Iowa in 1849, the son of Rev. John and Mary (Alexander)
Jay, who were among the first families of Southeastern Iowa. Rev Jay was one of
the first Methodist Episcopal ministers in this part of the state. The Alexander
family located near Taleyrand in Keokuk County, and the mother of Mary Alexander
died while crossing the ocean enroute from Ireland to America. The Rev. and Mrs.
Jay had seven children: Elizabeth who married David Bales of Sterling, Nebraska,
Marrietta married John Robinson, a farmer of Blue Springs, NE, William married
Georgia Griffey, and resided in South Sioux City and is the editor of the Sioux
City Sun. John, the youngest died unmarried. Marcellus and Melvin, twins, are
both practicing attorneys at Dakota City, NE. They were students of law with
Judge Griffey of NE. Marcellus is not married, and Melvin married Laura Tracey,
and Robert L. When 15
years of age, Robert L. volunteered and became a drummer boy of Co. D., 15th
Iowa Infantry. He was present at the siege of Atlanta, Georgia, and was at the
front of Sherman's great march, and par- ticipated in the grand review at
Washington City. After return from the army he studied medicine with Dr. Payne
of Richland. He married Miss Sibbie Davis in 1869, a daughter of John and Sarah
(Free) Davis. There were eight children in the Davis household: Zerelda m. Sherd
Tracy, James m. Sarah Stockman and resided in Pawnee County, KS, Henderson who
married Lou Cox, Mary m. Bert Funk, Sibbie m. Dr. Jay, Lydia married Hayes
White, Harry m. Cora Campbell, Lena m. Ralph Smith. Dr. Jay
located in Wayland in 1884. Four children grace the union of Dr. and Mrs. Jay:
John, Alma, Lenora, and Mollie.
|