Herschell James was still living at the Rest Home in Tabor, Iowa in 1991.
I had asked Herschel if he would tell me anything of his relationship or what he knew of the stories as being related to Jesse and Frank James, of the infamous James Gang. He only replied that he was not allowed to speak of them as a child and there was no reason to change that now! He never would say anymore of what he knew or heard on that subject but clearly the story is of a close relationship.
Mildred James
On February 27, 1908, John Edgar and Jessie Adella Hemphill welcomed the
birth of their only child, Mildred into their home and the Farragut, Iowa
Community.
In the spring of 1925, Mildred graduated from Farragut High School where
she excelled in many activities including school plays, glee club, and the high school annual. She was also captain of the girl's basketball team and winner of special awards in dramatics.
On January 12, 1927 Mildred married Herschel Thomas James of Sidney, Iowa
where Herschel farmed in partnership with his father T.E. James.
On October 10th of that year, Mildred and Herschel welcomed the birth of
their only child, Nona Mercedes. The family lived one mile north of Sidney
until March 1943, when they moved to Tabor, living at their farm at 1010 Orange St. until late fall of 1989 when they became residents of the Tabor Manor Care Center.
During her full and interesting lifetime, Mildred enacted many productive
roles; loyal daughter to her parents, helpful wife to her husband, devoted
mother to her daughter and later her son-in-law Stan, caring grandmother to
Nona Roxanne, proud great-grandmother to Jaya Bethany, understanding friends to all who befriended her, and often a champion of good folks less fortunate.
A skilled and innovative homemake, Mildred was also a bright, industrious
business women. After working as an employee in the Perkins food store in
Tabor, she purchased and operated the store for some time. Later, Mildred was appointed clerk of the Fremont Co., Court, holding this office for several years. Mildred and Herschel worked together in their farming operation, Herschel as a grain farmer and stockman, Mildred as business manager. Her remarkable capabilities were limited only by her diminished endurance in recent years.
First and last a Southwest Iowa woman, Mildred loved her community and was
proud to be a part of it always. She also loved her family and her friends,
enjoyed her bridge games with these friends, and was a long-time member of the Tabor Congregational church.
After fighting heart failure for several days in the Jennie Edmundson
Hospital at Council Bluffs, Mildred suffered a final heart attack on Saturday
February 17, ten days before her 82nd birthday.
Mildred Hemphill James is survived by her husband Herschel of Tabor, Iowa; daughter, Merecedes Perry and her husband Stan of Lincoln, Neb. granddaughter Roxanne Polson and her husband Jeffrey and great-granddaughter Jaya of Suva, Figi.
She will be missed by all.