JAMES H. BAWDEN, a prominent and influential citizen of Jo Daviess County, and an agriculturist of energy and ability, residing on section 36, Woodbine Township, is a fine representative of the self-made men of the county. He is a native of Wisconsin, born in Wiota, La Fayette County, Nov. 24, 1842. His father, Nicholas Bawden, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1798, and emigrated to the United States in 1839. He located at first in La Fayette County, Wis., remaining there several years. In 1846 he removed to Jo Daviess County, and, settling in Council Hill, obtained employment in the lead mines of that place, and continuing thus engaged until his death, in 1854. The maiden name of his wife, mother of our subject, was Annie Harris. She was also a native of Cornwall, England, and a daughter of Nicholas Harris. To her and her husband were born four children: James H., our subject; Francis E., a farmer in Woodbine Township; Nicholas, a farmer near Webster City, Iowa; Elizabeth, who married George Eades, and died in Ishpeming, Marquette Co., Mich., several years ago.

James, of whom we write, was a lad of four years when his parents came to this county, and only twelve years of age when he had the misfortune to lose his father. He was reared on the farm in Council Hill Township, and as soon as old enough commenced mining for a living. His educational advantages were necessarily limited, but being a quick-witted lad, of great observation, acquired a large fund of practical information. At the breaking out of the late rebellion, our subject, whose patriotic blood was stirred, longed to march forward in defense of the old flag, but his mother refused her consent. In 1862 he went by way of New York and Panama to California, where he secured work in the gold mines, and for two years thereafter mined in the gold, silver, or copper regions of California and Nevada. Having attained his majority while on the Pacific Coast, Mr. Bawden returned to Illinois in 1864, and, after casting his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, enlisted in Company A, 7th Illinois Cavalry, and served until after the close of the war. After receiving his discharge he returned to Illinois, and, as soon as he had accumulated a sufficient sum to justify him in establishing a home of his own, took until himself a wife, being united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. White, March 11, 1869. She is a native of this county, born in Rice Township, being a daughter of the late Mathew White. Six days after their wedding our subject and his wife settled on their present farm, thus celebrating St. Patrick’s Day of that year in a very pleasant manner.

Mr. Bawden has been a very hard working man, unusually successful in his agricultural labors, and how has a highly improved farm, which he manages with skill and marked ability. The buildings which he has erected are of modern architecture, and conveniently arranged. The small dwelling in which he first lived was replaced in 1883 by a fine two-story house, 28x20 feet, 16-feet posts, with a wing of the same height, 20x18 feet, and a kitchen addition, 14x14 feet, one story high. His farm is also further embellished by two barns, one of which was built in 1886, being 64x42 feet, 20 feet above the basement, which is 9 feet high, and has stone walls on three sides; the other, built in 1888, is 48x24 feet, 14 feet above the basement, which is 7 feet high. The cost of these fine buildings was $1,500, $1,200, and $600, respectively, exclusive of his own work, hauling the material, quarrying rock, and boarding the workmen.

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bawden has been blessed by the birth of six children, five of whom are living: Henry J., a student in Fulton College, Fulton, Ill.; William N., Francis W., Annie E., and Sarah E. Mr. Bawden and his excellent wife are people of influence, and held in high estimation throughout their community. They are frank, open-hearted people, ever generous, and ready to aid all enterprises for the advancement of their township and county, and though not members of any church organization, give freely toward the support of the gospel.

Transcribed & Contributed by Carol Parrish Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889), p. 640