once a hoosier

James McMains

James McMains
b. about 1808, Woodford County, Kentucky, to Andrew P. and Sarah (Haddon) McMains
d. Indianola, Iowa

m. 1844
Catherine Sears
b. Monroe County, Indiana, to David and Catherine Sears
d. 14 January 1884, Jefferson County, Iowa

Children with Catherine Sears:
• Manerva
• Malissa A. married David Wertfall
• Lydia

James came to Indiana sometime between 1810 and 1820 from Woodford County, Kentucky, and lived in Lawrence, Parke, and Putnam counties. He was educated in a one-room log school. In 1837, along with his brother, John, and with one horse to ride between them, the brothers headed out to the Iowa Territory, nine years before Iowa became a state.

In 1851, James drove an ox team to California to take part in the Gold Rush there, taking six months to complete the journey. After spending two years working up and down the California and Oregon coasts, James returned to Iowa by way of the Isthmus of Panama, having walked across the isthmus.

Submitted by:
Evelyn Stiles
Winnipeg Manitoba Canada

IGS on Social

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

YouTube

Submit Your Ancestor

Submit research findings and

Comments

Log in or Become a Member to Share Your Research

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Your support matters

Become a Member

Connect With IGS

Have a question, suggestion, or just want to connect with the Indiana Genealogy Society? We welcome your inquiries and are here to assist you on your genealogical journey. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or a newcomer exploring your roots, our team at the Indiana Genealogical Society is dedicated to fostering a supportive community. Feel free to reach out to us through our Contact page for any assistance, membership inquiries, or to share your own genealogical discoveries. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing in the rich tapestry of Indiana's historical and familial heritage.

P.O. Box 10507
Fort Wayne, IN 46852