Rev. James H. Tedford

After an illness of four years and nine months duration, Rev. James Tedford passed peacefully to his reward at 6 o’clock a.m. Saturday, September 13, 1924, aged 91 years, six months and nine days.  Just at the dawning of a new day when the world was awakening from a night’s repose, the death angel entered the chamber at Kennelworth Hospital in Clarinda, where lay the sleeping form of him who for the greater part of a century had been active in the world, and the spirit which during active life and through the years of illness had been the animating influence, returned to God. As Mr. Tedford lived, so he died; peaceful, calm, trusting in the Infinite One.  Throughout his life and during his illness Rev. Tedford felt as few men feel, a resignation to the will of Providence.

Rev. James H. Tedford was born on March 4, 1833, in White County, Indiana.  His mother died when he was three months old and his life was filled with the hardships incident to pioneer life.  He resolved early in life to have an education and, although lame from the time he was two years old, he resolved to not permit a physical infirmity to interfere with this ambition.  By teaching school in Kentucky he, practically unaided worked his way through Hanover College at Hanover, IN., graduating from that institution in 1856. After graduating at Hanover College he decided to enter the ministry and for three years  studied theology at Xenia Theological Seminary at Xenia, OH.  He was married to Elizabeth Rowan of Argyle, NY in 1862. To this union three children were born.  The eldest child, Charles Rowan Tedford, died in his fourteenth year.  His daughter, Mrs. Joseph Spence of El Paso, TX, and his son, Howard H. Tedford of Mount Ayr survive him. Since the death of his wife on August 26, 1905, he has made his home with his children.  Funeral services for Mr. Tedford were held Monday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. from the home of his son Howard H. Tedford in Sheldon Heights and his body was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery.