Judge James Grant, a charter member of the Sons of the Revolution in Iowa, was born near Enfield, North Carolina, December 12, 1812, of Scotch descent, the grandson of James Grant, of the Highland Clan, who fought in support of the Pretender at Culloden. His mother, of maiden name Elizabeth Whitaker, was a lineal descendant of the Episcopal minister, Alexander Whitaker, who baptized Pocahontas. Before the age of eighteen he graduated from the State University at Chapel Hill, afterwards teaching for three years at Raleigh, N.C. When twenty-one years of age, because of his intense dislike of slavery, he came West, settling in Chicago, in 1834, and was soon after appointed by Gov. Joseph Duncan prosecuting attorney for the Sixth district of Illinois, which covered all of Northern Illinois and necessitated about three thousand miles of bare-back travel each year. In 1838, because of impaired health, he removed to that part of Wisconsin Territory which later became Iowa, and settled on a farm near Davenport, Iowa, resuming the practice of law. He was a member of the Territorial Legislature and a delegate to the first and second constitutional Conventions of Iowa, in 1844 and 1846. Later he was appointed prosecuting attorney of his district, and after the admission of Iowa as a State, on April 5, 1847, was elected Judge of the district of his home, comprising sixteen counties, remaining upon the bench five years and declining re-election. Aside from a term in the State Legislature, serving as Speaker of the House of Representatives, he never again held public office. He was the first president of the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad, extending from Chicago westward. For a long series of years he devoted his untiring energy to the practice of law, and was faithful, earnest and successful in the interests of his clients. He was honorable in all matters,
and fully and heartily espoused the cause of his clients. For recreation and for love of it, he kept up the study of the classics and admired the literature of the Bible, though not a professor.
For the purposes of his profession, he gathered and effectively used a large library, which, after his death, was purchased by the Scott County Bar Association, and is still maintained and is in active service.
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His many years of law practice resulted in the accumulation of a considerable fortune, which was wisely and freely used in constant aid and kindness, especially among his relatives from or in the South, impoverished by the Civil War. He was a man of large heart and generous nature, and the old settlers of Scott County, and many later comers, found him ever ready with a helping hand.
The later years of his life were mostly passed oteum cu dignitate in California, where he acquired large interests and enjoyed the milder climate.
Thrice married, his first wife was Sarah E. Hubbard, who died in 1842. In 1844 he married Ada C. Hubbard, who died two years later. In 1848 he married Elizabeth B. Leonard, who survived him. He left no children.
Judge Grant died March 14, 1891, at Oakland, California, and his remains were brought to Davenport, Iowa, for burial. His funeral was attended by young and old, rich and poor, and the sorrow evinced was real. All felt that a friend had passed beyond.
At a meeting of the members of the Bar of Scott County, subsequently held, appropriate resolutions were adopted, and it was very evident that no one held a higher place in the esteem of his brethren, nor left a better example to be emulated.
Reverend Enoch Mead.
The Reverend Enoch Mead was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, September 2, 1809. His parents were Coloner* Ebenezer Mead and Elizabeth (Holmes) Mead, both of Puritan descent. *Typed as printed in the book.
The old family homestead was situated not far from the foot of Putnam's Hill, and the farm, purchased directly from the Indians, included that historic spot.
Enoch Mead was the grandson of Ebenezer Mead, who served in the war of the Revolution, being a Private in the 8th company, 7th Regiment Connecticut Militia, under Colonel Charles Webb, 1775. At the siege of Boston the Regiment was adopted by the Continentals. He was also in Captain Hobby's Company, Greenwich, Connecticut, under General Wooster, 1776-1777.
It was through the service of this ancestor that Mr. Mead was eligible to membership in the Society of Sons of the Revolution.
Mr. Mead prepared for College at Stamford, Connecticut, and entered Yale College in the year of 1826. His portrait and a brief sketch of his career is contained in a book entitled "Memorial of the Class of 1830, Yale College," edited by "The Class Secretary."
After graduating from the College he spent three years at the Theological Seminary at Auburn, N.Y., and officiated for many years as a Congregational minister. He retired with his family on his farm near the City of Davenport until his death on the 6th day of December 1892.
Son of James Monroe Buford and Felicia Julian Buford, born in Rock Island, Illinois, November 13, 1870; Died July 29, 1893. He was admitted to the Society of Sons of the Revolution in the State of Iowa in 1893, being eligible through his great-grandfather, Captain Edward Howe, who served during the War of the Revolution in Harry Lee's Light Horse, and also from his being a great-great-grandson of Surgeon John Julian of the Continental Line from Virginia, 1776-1783.
Mr. Buford, graduated from the Rock Island High School in 1888; the next year his studies were continued at Exter, New Hampshire. With a natural taste for architecture he entered the office of Edward S. Hammatt, Davenport, Iowa, in 1890, where he remained until he entered the school of architecture in the Illinois State University at Champaign. In 1893 he formed a partnership with Edward S. Hammatt, under the firm name of Hammatt & Buford, Architects, Mr. Buford having charge of the rock Island office of the firm. An exceedingly bright future in his chosen profession was brought to a sudden and untimely close in a manly attempt to rescue a drowning fried in Rock River. Mr. Buford's sterling business character and singularly gentle nature secured to him the friendship of all his associates, over whom the sad circumstances of his death cast a shadow which only time can efface.
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