James W. Witten
James W. Witten
Witten-Graham Family History
(. . . . Peery #1)
James W. Witten wrote a pamphlet "Dad and His Folks," containing
Witten-Graham Family History. The following is taken from a preface written
by James W. Witten's cousin, Thomas L. Peery, son of Nash A. Peery, and
grandson of Dr. Archibald Peery. It was found in a notebook in the Tazewell
Library, Tazewell County, Virginia. [No dates are given.]
The Witten-Graham Family History is written and compiled herein as a tribute
to a warm friend and cousin of my father's, who was raised on a farm at
Edinburg, Missouri, which bordered on a farm of Dr. Archibald Peery, my
grandfather; and in close communal relationships. Father attended all early
schools with cousin Jim Witten, including old Grand River College.
Jim, or "Uncle Jim", as we called him, went to Texas and took a teaching job,
and at the same time started to study law under a famous lawyer of those
parts. Later removing to Albany, Missouri, where he was a prosecuting
attorney, and later to Washington, D.C., becoming employed in the Interior
Department of our Government, in that legal branch handling all government
lands. Also continuing his study of law, and getting his degree from the old
Washington Law School, today known as Washington University. Thusly prepared,
he rose to be the head of that legal branch, and was appointed throughout the
country, to superintend the land drawing openings for settlement, many of
these, former Indian lands.
Showing the close attachment my father, Nash A. Peery, had for Jim, he also
followed him to Texas and briefly taught school there, after graduating from
Grand River College. Shortly, later however, also going on to Washington,
where he obtained employment in the Tax Department, of the U.S. Treasury,
where he also studied law, nights, in his desire to better his income, and
finally receiving a Law Degree from Washington Law School. Retaining his
position, until a few years later, he had to remove to Portland, Oregon, to
try to better the health of my mother, whom the doctor stated she must do.
It was in Portland, where I first met "Uncle Jim" and wife, who were then on
the way to Alaska, to open lands for settlement drawing of the Government,
under Jim Witten's Superintendency. Uncle Jim and wife stopped at our home for
reminiscing and loving kinship, of early times, to Father and Mother in
Missouri. On his return from Alaska, he brought each of us a gift, that
endeared us to him for life. To my father, he gave a rifle, with a heavy
leather case and brass name plate on it. To my sister: a soft buckskin doll,
made by the Alaska Indians. And to me: some ivory (walrus tusk) billikins or
figurines, a delight to my boyish mind. And to Mother: beautiful ivory napkin
holders, made from walrus tusks. Mother died just a few years later.
When I was in the Army Infantry on my way to France, in W.W.I, Uncle Jim wrote
me wonderful constructive and cheerful letters each month I was overseas for
two years. Like a father in every respect. And so appreciated. On my return
from Venezuelan operations for the Standard Oil Company of California, in
1930, I came back via Washington, for an examination by the Veteran's Bureau
and spent one evening with these kind folks, in their Washington apartment,
reminiscing again, over wonderful food and kind hospitality. It was here, I
first was told by Cousin May, that she was the one who first introduced my
father and mother in Albany, Mo., before their engagement, and consequential
marriage, a close friendship of a lifetime. It was just a few years later,
that these folks passed on, ever inspirational to others, as their parents
were, and described in following pages. As the Irish say "May their souls rest
in Peace".
Also" The following transcripts of partial History of the Witten Family and
their various branches by marriages, paralleling the Peerys of Virginia
Colonial life, and later, of the Midwest Frontiers, in their daily pursuits
and modes of living, are offered herein, as a story of our early families in
pioneer life, that we might know, whence we come. Of the Witten family, of
which, it's author, James W. Witten, has so graciously and comprehensively
enacted a part of the descending live of his family, intimately inspired by,
and storied herein, we feel is a treasure of inspiring relationships worthy of
leaving to all our children, in a constructive way. And, offer it here in
part, only, in respective view of our kinships and admiration, and feel all
Peerys may gain some insight into their early heritage, from this work.
"Uncle Jim" as we knew him in our family, was ever a man of highest principles
and deep intelligence, hospitable in its fullest acclaim, and friendly to all
he met in life. To make it a better place for us all to live and enjoy it's
most humble characteristics in the stream of life's efforts. A father to all.
A fitting chapter to our kinship and love.
TLP
May I add, a full permission is granted to the author to print the above in
commemoration of this fine man's life, and constructive contributions.
By: Mrs. Letha Ledbetter of Iowa; Mrs. Herbert Witten of Trenton, Missouri;
and Mrs. Casey Jones of Washington, D.C. So greatly appreciated in all
humility!
TLP
Source: This information was submitted by John & Sarah Fitzgerald who
found it in a notebook in the Tazewell Library, Tazewell County, VA. It has yet
to be dated for chronological placement in the home page.
[Thu, Jan 9, 1997]
Editor - Peery Family
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