History of
Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa
Springfield, Ill: Union
Publishing Co., 1884.
W
Wentworth, J. A.
In 1868 J. A. Wentworth was elected county recorder and served for one term. Mr.
Wentworth was born in Stafford Co., N.H., in 1832. He was the fourth son of a family of
nine of John D. and Statira (Goodwin) Wentworth, natives of New Hampshire, the father
having been born in the house in which the Wentworths had lived for over 200 years. They
resided upon the old homestead until their death, which occurred in 1869 and 1881
respectively, of the father and mother, both at the age of seventy five years. J. A.
Wentworth received his education at the South Berwick Academy. After starting in the world
for himself he engaged at mercantile business, subsequently owned and ran an express route
from Salmon Falls to Boston. He remained in this business until 1856, when, owing to ill
health, he came to Mitchell Co., Iowa, and purchased about 4,500 acres of land. He erected
a store and was postmaster of the Wentworth postoffice, which was named after him. He also
dealt in stock being the first to bring blooded stock into Mitchell county. He remained in
Wayne township until elected recorder in 1868, when he moved to the county seat. In 1870
he was elected clerk of the court and two years later he was re-elected. Since that time
he has made Mitchell his home. Mr. Wentworth is an ardent republican. He is a cousin of
the famous Long John Wentworth, of Illinois. Mr. Wentworth was married in March, 1858, to
Rachel A. Griffith, a native of New Brunswick, by whom he has had two children - John B.,
deceased, and Fred L.
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