My Genealogy Hound

JAMES WAUGH, one of the leading agriculturists of Schuyler County, makes a specialty of breeding Cotswold sheep, which he ships in large numbers to the city markets each year. For a number of years he has also been interested in general farming, and the community in which he resides recognizes in him one of its most enterprising and substantial citizens. He is widely known throughout this county, and we feel assured that this record of his life will prove of interest to our readers. Mr. Waugh is Justice of the Peace, which position he fills to the satisfaction of all most concerned and with credit to himself.

The subject of this sketch was born across the seas, in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 20, 1834, his parents being James and Margaret Waugh. They left their native land in 1840 and chose for their future home Schuyler County. They at once located on a farm in the town of Orange, two and one-half miles from where our subject is now residing, and of which the latter now owns ninety-two acres. The father possessed about $250 in money when he came to this country, which he very wisely invested in land. In this undertaking he was very successful, and, being a hardworking and enterprising man, accumulated a handsome fortune. He lived in the town of Orange until his decease, which occurred in February, 1887, on reaching the remarkable age of ninety-six years. When his sons were ready to embark in life for themselves, he gave them a piece of property, which was widely different from the help he received from his parents.

The mother of our subject departed this life in 1857, and Mr. Waugh chose for his second companion Mrs. Armstrong, who died two years later. To James and Margaret Waugh there were born the following sons and daughters: Mary, the wife of Alexander Henderson, who resides in the town of Orange, this county; Elizabeth, who married James Scott, but is now deceased; Margaret, Mrs. William Love, of Tyrone; William, who married Margaret Huey, of Orange, and makes his home in the town of Dix; James, our subject; and Jane, who died when eighteen years of age. The father of this family was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which denomination his good wife was also connected.

James was reared on the farm settled by his father, and, on the death of the latter, purchased the interest of his brothers and sisters in the estate. He cultivated the tract until 1871, having resided thereon for a period of thirty years, and then moved onto his present farm of ninety acres, also in the town of Orange. It bears the finest improvements in the way of buildings and machinery, and for the past four years Mr. Waugh has been giving the greater part of his time and attention to breeding Cotswold sheep, keeping a flock of over two hundred of these animals. He exhibits his stock at the county fairs and very seldom fails to carry off the first prize. He still has possession of the old homestead, which he keeps for pasture for his stock, and all the grain and hay which he uses is fed to these animals.

The lady to whom Mr. Waugh was married in January, 1862, was Miss Jane Stewart, of the town of Reading. Of their children, we mention the following: William S. is engaged in the drug business in Watkins. Frederick Lee was killed by lightning, June 5, 1890, while building a fence on the old home farm. He was struck while in the act of sharpening a stake with an axe, and when found, a half- hour later, still had this tool in his hand. Although not a member of any particular church, this young man was a great worker in the Sunday-school and was very prominent in all the entertainments given by the young people. He possessed good habits .and was one of the rising young men of the community. At the time of his decease, he was in his twenty-fourth year and had always lived at home. Margaret, Ida and Edward are at home with the father, and Miss Ida is engaged in teaching school. Ernest, the youngest of the household, died when two years of age.

Our subject has always been very prominent in local affairs and was elected Justice of the Peace on the Democratic ticket. He has often represented his party in county conventions, and is considered an ardent worker in the ranks of the party. In Sugar Hill Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member, he is filling the office of Trustee. Socially he is a Mason of high standing and an active worker in the fraternity.