Tama Jim Wilson Mourned by Iowa Town and Nation
A long obituary details James Wilson known as Tama Jim, his Iowa roots in Traer and Tama County, service as speaker, congressman, and US Secretary of Agriculture. It notes his 1874 House seat victory, 1882 contested election, 1920 railroad commission appointment, honorary degrees, and a 4,000-strong Ames homecoming. Also mentions family ties and his mother Mrs J T Ames Sr.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John
Ripley
Waterloo
United Spanish American War Veterans
Lola) Ames
Sunnycrest
Dysart
John Ames
John Jr
Houston
Tex
Herbert
San Rafael
Calif
Allen
Isabelle) Miller
San Diego
Asa
Tracr
Iowa
Harriet
Traer
Tama County
James Wilson
House of Representatives
Washington, D
Tama Jim
Wilson
Towa
Railroad Commission
State of
Sherman
University of Edinburgh
Scotland
University At Edinburgh
Esther Wilbur
Buckingham
Ames
Ward
Peter
James W
South Dakota Agricultural College
Jasper
Wright
Flora Wilson
Washington, D. C
General Grant
Grant
Tama Jim" Wilson
E. E. Taylor
Iowa State College of Agriculture
McKinley
United States Department of Agriculture
Washington
James
Public life of Tama county statesman Wilson ends era
Wilson began public service in 1864 seeking a Tama county board seat and won. He then served in the Iowa General Assembly for the 12th to 14th sessions, championing fencing to shield farmers from cattle and pushing railroad rate regulation, aiding poor farmers and setting early rails policy.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wilson
Board of Supervisors
Tama County
Railroad Committee
Early School Days in Traer High School Memories
Adolph Vorba recalls freshman year in 1917 at Traer High School where classes met in church basements after the building burned. He notes teachers CC Bangs and DeEtta Hall, the orchestra playing at the Grattons wedding, Latin studies four years, and Traer Opera House hosting local and professional performances. He highlights musical and dramatic talent in Traer and mentions Northwestern University figures Dean Ralph Dennis and Agness Law.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Adolph A. Vorba
S. Palmetto Ave
Marshfield
Wis
Traer High School
CC. W. Bangs
Wanda Arney
Howard Gravatt
Gravatts
Marshalltown
DeEtta Hall
Miss Hall
Traer Opera House
Traer
Ralph Dennis
Agness Law
Northwestern University
Traer field memories and Centennial hopes in a local memoir
A former Traer resident recalls community hubs and people who shaped life in the town. He highlights the learning center, Chautauqua programs in Taylor park, Erin Franklin leading Tuesday band concerts, local doctors and shops, and weekly Star-Clipper notices. He shares a teaching career in Iowa and Wisconsin, War service at Truax Field, retirement in 1968, and plans to celebrate Traer’s Centennial festival with the community.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ainslie Law
Taylor Park
Tracy
A. A. Crabbe
A. J. Farnham
C. H. Brown
Steffens
R. J. Smith
T. J. McGinnis
J. W. Potter
Taylor
University of Iowa
Wisconsin
New London
Marshfield
Army Air Force
Truax Field
Madison
Traer
Severe hailstorm ravages Northern Tama fields
Last Wednesday Northern Tama endured the severest hail storm in memory. A 15 to 20 minute squall with strong winds destroyed garden truck fruits corn and small grain. Jonas Wood suffered heavy losses from ready produce and fruit. Crystal township windows shattered two to three inches of hail blanketed fields and homes while youths enjoyed snowballing after.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tama
Jonas Wood
Crystal Township
Also Mentioned on This Page
A. Vorba
Adolph Vorba
Joseph Vorba
Peter Caslavka
Vines Caslavka
Gietene
Edward Vorba
Star-Clipper
Erin Franklin
Bator
Tuffree Chevrolet
Green Mountain
Tuffree’s
John Tuffree
Delmar Tuffree
Delmar
Ile
Chevrolet
Tuffree
George Cavalier
Arlene
Dave Tuffree
Dour
Peace Corps
South America
Don Lane
Clark Wood
Paul Larsen
Larry Larsen
Opal Harrington
Arlene Tuffree
David Tuffree
al Neumeyer
Harold Jarsens
Highwy
Ee, Arlene
Pa Sangeet
Tffree
Tracer
Franklin and
Phyllis Barley
Mill Street
Franklin C. Barley
Reattor
Phyllis Earley
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!