James Willard ABRAHAM was born in Henry County, Iowa near the community of Mount Pleasant on January 23, 1871 to John McCue and Catharine (née BARTLETT) ABRAHAM. He was the third child and second son of seven children born to John and Catharine. His siblings were: Lot William, Margaret "Maggie", Charles, John Edward, Arthur, and Roy Clair.
The John and Catharine (née BARTLETT) ABRAHAM Family lived in Henry County until March 1881 when they removed to the Elkhorn River Valley in Douglas County, Nebraska. Their homestead was about four to five miles northeast of the town of Valley. John had raised and sold stock in Iowa, and he successfully continued that vocation in Nebraska with the help of his wife, children, and a few ranch hands. Their family ranch prospered, and with the purchase of additional acres of land through the years, it grew at least to 400 acres.
In 1893, James Willard and his older brother Lot William attempted their own homesteads in Oklahoma Territory near land that would eventually be developed into the town of Enid. Their attempt failed due to an extended drought and they returned home to the ABRAHAM ranch in Nebraska. James eventually had a successful 160 acre homestead in the Dakota Territory near the Black Hills, but when his father became ill and unable to manage his ranch, James sold his property in the Black Hills and returned to Nebraska to oversee the management of the ABRAHAM ranch and continue its joint operation with his siblings.
James was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. Prior to his father becoming ill, he had volunteered during 1898 and served as a Private in Company H, 3rd Nebraska Infantry Regiment. In 1964, James W. ABRAHAM was posthumously cited by United States President Lyndon B. Johnson for his devoted and selfless consecration to the service of his country during the Spanish-American War.
Per his eldest child, Ila May McNAIR, née ABRAHAM, James was paid three $1 gold pieces per month during his service in the war. Upon receiving his first gold piece, he put it into his pocket to save it while he spent the remaining two gold pieces on items he needed. After returning home from the war, he took the saved gold piece and hung it from his watch chain. That $1 gold piece, the first one earned by James for his service during the Spanish-American War, remains in the ABRAHAM family as of 2011.
On Wednesday, March 18, 1903, James Willard ABRAHAM and Maud Evelyn SUMNER were married at high noon at the home of her parents near Waterloo, Douglas County, Nebraska. The Reverend ASTON, a Presbyterian Minister, officiated; Maud's father and mother, Samuel and Sophronia (née GILMORE) SUMNER, served as their witnesses. Thirty-five guests were present, mostly relatives, and following the wedding vows everyone enjoyed a bountiful meal.
Six of James and Maud's nine children were born in Douglas County: Ila May, Mary Leona, Ralph Sumner, James Howard, Margaret Elise, and Alice Marie. They lived on the ABRAHAM ranch until November 1916 when they rented their share of the ranch and moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas with their children.
Their move was due to Nebraska's harsh winters adversely affecting James' health. He had contracted typhoid fever while serving in the Spanish American War and he never fully recovered from health problems believed to be caused by the illness. After a test trial of living in a rental home in Siloam Springs for two years, Maud was convinced that living in Siloam was beneficial for her husband and that their children had the opportunity to attend a Christian church and to receive a good education in the public schools. With his wife's endorsement, James sold their farm in Nebraska and bought a home for their family in Siloam Springs.
In Siloam, three more children were born to James and Maud: Willard Earl "Bill", Catherine Jean, and Donna Lee. Arkansas became their permanent home where they raised their family and where Maud, a former school teacher, made sure that each of their children received an education in the Siloam Springs public schools.
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Biography contributed to Find A Grave by L. ABRAHAM, grandchild of James Willard and Maud Evelyn (née SUMNER) ABRAHAM, and child of James Howard and Margaret (née LEE) ABRAHAM.
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The John and Catharine (née BARTLETT) ABRAHAM Family lived in Henry County until March 1881 when they removed to the Elkhorn River Valley in Douglas County, Nebraska. Their homestead was about four to five miles northeast of the town of Valley. John had raised and sold stock in Iowa, and he successfully continued that vocation in Nebraska with the help of his wife, children, and a few ranch hands. Their family ranch prospered, and with the purchase of additional acres of land through the years, it grew at least to 400 acres.
In 1893, James Willard and his older brother Lot William attempted their own homesteads in Oklahoma Territory near land that would eventually be developed into the town of Enid. Their attempt failed due to an extended drought and they returned home to the ABRAHAM ranch in Nebraska. James eventually had a successful 160 acre homestead in the Dakota Territory near the Black Hills, but when his father became ill and unable to manage his ranch, James sold his property in the Black Hills and returned to Nebraska to oversee the management of the ABRAHAM ranch and continue its joint operation with his siblings.
James was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. Prior to his father becoming ill, he had volunteered during 1898 and served as a Private in Company H, 3rd Nebraska Infantry Regiment. In 1964, James W. ABRAHAM was posthumously cited by United States President Lyndon B. Johnson for his devoted and selfless consecration to the service of his country during the Spanish-American War.
Per his eldest child, Ila May McNAIR, née ABRAHAM, James was paid three $1 gold pieces per month during his service in the war. Upon receiving his first gold piece, he put it into his pocket to save it while he spent the remaining two gold pieces on items he needed. After returning home from the war, he took the saved gold piece and hung it from his watch chain. That $1 gold piece, the first one earned by James for his service during the Spanish-American War, remains in the ABRAHAM family as of 2011.
On Wednesday, March 18, 1903, James Willard ABRAHAM and Maud Evelyn SUMNER were married at high noon at the home of her parents near Waterloo, Douglas County, Nebraska. The Reverend ASTON, a Presbyterian Minister, officiated; Maud's father and mother, Samuel and Sophronia (née GILMORE) SUMNER, served as their witnesses. Thirty-five guests were present, mostly relatives, and following the wedding vows everyone enjoyed a bountiful meal.
Six of James and Maud's nine children were born in Douglas County: Ila May, Mary Leona, Ralph Sumner, James Howard, Margaret Elise, and Alice Marie. They lived on the ABRAHAM ranch until November 1916 when they rented their share of the ranch and moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas with their children.
Their move was due to Nebraska's harsh winters adversely affecting James' health. He had contracted typhoid fever while serving in the Spanish American War and he never fully recovered from health problems believed to be caused by the illness. After a test trial of living in a rental home in Siloam Springs for two years, Maud was convinced that living in Siloam was beneficial for her husband and that their children had the opportunity to attend a Christian church and to receive a good education in the public schools. With his wife's endorsement, James sold their farm in Nebraska and bought a home for their family in Siloam Springs.
In Siloam, three more children were born to James and Maud: Willard Earl "Bill", Catherine Jean, and Donna Lee. Arkansas became their permanent home where they raised their family and where Maud, a former school teacher, made sure that each of their children received an education in the Siloam Springs public schools.
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Biography contributed to Find A Grave by L. ABRAHAM, grandchild of James Willard and Maud Evelyn (née SUMNER) ABRAHAM, and child of James Howard and Margaret (née LEE) ABRAHAM.
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James Willard ABRAHAM was born in Henry County, Iowa near the community of Mount Pleasant on January 23, 1871 to John McCue and Catharine (née BARTLETT) ABRAHAM. He was the third child and second son of seven children born to John and Catharine. His siblings were: Lot William, Margaret "Maggie", Charles, John Edward, Arthur, and Roy Clair.
The John and Catharine (née BARTLETT) ABRAHAM Family lived in Henry County until March 1881 when they removed to the Elkhorn River Valley in Douglas County, Nebraska. Their homestead was about four to five miles northeast of the town of Valley. John had raised and sold stock in Iowa, and he successfully continued that vocation in Nebraska with the help of his wife, children, and a few ranch hands. Their family ranch prospered, and with the purchase of additional acres of land through the years, it grew at least to 400 acres.
In 1893, James Willard and his older brother Lot William attempted their own homesteads in Oklahoma Territory near land that would eventually be developed into the town of Enid. Their attempt failed due to an extended drought and they returned home to the ABRAHAM ranch in Nebraska. James eventually had a successful 160 acre homestead in the Dakota Territory near the Black Hills, but when his father became ill and unable to manage his ranch, James sold his property in the Black Hills and returned to Nebraska to oversee the management of the ABRAHAM ranch and continue its joint operation with his siblings.
James was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. Prior to his father becoming ill, he had volunteered during 1898 and served as a Private in Company H, 3rd Nebraska Infantry Regiment. In 1964, James W. ABRAHAM was posthumously cited by United States President Lyndon B. Johnson for his devoted and selfless consecration to the service of his country during the Spanish-American War.
Per his eldest child, Ila May McNAIR, née ABRAHAM, James was paid three $1 gold pieces per month during his service in the war. Upon receiving his first gold piece, he put it into his pocket to save it while he spent the remaining two gold pieces on items he needed. After returning home from the war, he took the saved gold piece and hung it from his watch chain. That $1 gold piece, the first one earned by James for his service during the Spanish-American War, remains in the ABRAHAM family as of 2011.
On Wednesday, March 18, 1903, James Willard ABRAHAM and Maud Evelyn SUMNER were married at high noon at the home of her parents near Waterloo, Douglas County, Nebraska. The Reverend ASTON, a Presbyterian Minister, officiated; Maud's father and mother, Samuel and Sophronia (née GILMORE) SUMNER, served as their witnesses. Thirty-five guests were present, mostly relatives, and following the wedding vows everyone enjoyed a bountiful meal.
Six of James and Maud's nine children were born in Douglas County: Ila May, Mary Leona, Ralph Sumner, James Howard, Margaret Elise, and Alice Marie. They lived on the ABRAHAM ranch until November 1916 when they rented their share of the ranch and moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas with their children.
Their move was due to Nebraska's harsh winters adversely affecting James' health. He had contracted typhoid fever while serving in the Spanish American War and he never fully recovered from health problems believed to be caused by the illness. After a test trial of living in a rental home in Siloam Springs for two years, Maud was convinced that living in Siloam was beneficial for her husband and that their children had the opportunity to attend a Christian church and to receive a good education in the public schools. With his wife's endorsement, James sold their farm in Nebraska and bought a home for their family in Siloam Springs.
In Siloam, three more children were born to James and Maud: Willard Earl "Bill", Catherine Jean, and Donna Lee. Arkansas became their permanent home where they raised their family and where Maud, a former school teacher, made sure that each of their children received an education in the Siloam Springs public schools.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biography contributed to Find A Grave by L. ABRAHAM, grandchild of James Willard and Maud Evelyn (née SUMNER) ABRAHAM, and child of James Howard and Margaret (née LEE) ABRAHAM.
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The John and Catharine (née BARTLETT) ABRAHAM Family lived in Henry County until March 1881 when they removed to the Elkhorn River Valley in Douglas County, Nebraska. Their homestead was about four to five miles northeast of the town of Valley. John had raised and sold stock in Iowa, and he successfully continued that vocation in Nebraska with the help of his wife, children, and a few ranch hands. Their family ranch prospered, and with the purchase of additional acres of land through the years, it grew at least to 400 acres.
In 1893, James Willard and his older brother Lot William attempted their own homesteads in Oklahoma Territory near land that would eventually be developed into the town of Enid. Their attempt failed due to an extended drought and they returned home to the ABRAHAM ranch in Nebraska. James eventually had a successful 160 acre homestead in the Dakota Territory near the Black Hills, but when his father became ill and unable to manage his ranch, James sold his property in the Black Hills and returned to Nebraska to oversee the management of the ABRAHAM ranch and continue its joint operation with his siblings.
James was a veteran of the Spanish-American War. Prior to his father becoming ill, he had volunteered during 1898 and served as a Private in Company H, 3rd Nebraska Infantry Regiment. In 1964, James W. ABRAHAM was posthumously cited by United States President Lyndon B. Johnson for his devoted and selfless consecration to the service of his country during the Spanish-American War.
Per his eldest child, Ila May McNAIR, née ABRAHAM, James was paid three $1 gold pieces per month during his service in the war. Upon receiving his first gold piece, he put it into his pocket to save it while he spent the remaining two gold pieces on items he needed. After returning home from the war, he took the saved gold piece and hung it from his watch chain. That $1 gold piece, the first one earned by James for his service during the Spanish-American War, remains in the ABRAHAM family as of 2011.
On Wednesday, March 18, 1903, James Willard ABRAHAM and Maud Evelyn SUMNER were married at high noon at the home of her parents near Waterloo, Douglas County, Nebraska. The Reverend ASTON, a Presbyterian Minister, officiated; Maud's father and mother, Samuel and Sophronia (née GILMORE) SUMNER, served as their witnesses. Thirty-five guests were present, mostly relatives, and following the wedding vows everyone enjoyed a bountiful meal.
Six of James and Maud's nine children were born in Douglas County: Ila May, Mary Leona, Ralph Sumner, James Howard, Margaret Elise, and Alice Marie. They lived on the ABRAHAM ranch until November 1916 when they rented their share of the ranch and moved to Siloam Springs, Arkansas with their children.
Their move was due to Nebraska's harsh winters adversely affecting James' health. He had contracted typhoid fever while serving in the Spanish American War and he never fully recovered from health problems believed to be caused by the illness. After a test trial of living in a rental home in Siloam Springs for two years, Maud was convinced that living in Siloam was beneficial for her husband and that their children had the opportunity to attend a Christian church and to receive a good education in the public schools. With his wife's endorsement, James sold their farm in Nebraska and bought a home for their family in Siloam Springs.
In Siloam, three more children were born to James and Maud: Willard Earl "Bill", Catherine Jean, and Donna Lee. Arkansas became their permanent home where they raised their family and where Maud, a former school teacher, made sure that each of their children received an education in the Siloam Springs public schools.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biography contributed to Find A Grave by L. ABRAHAM, grandchild of James Willard and Maud Evelyn (née SUMNER) ABRAHAM, and child of James Howard and Margaret (née LEE) ABRAHAM.
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Inscription
First Headstone:
MAUD E. ABRAHAM
1881 - 1974
JAMES W. ABRAHAM
1871 - 1954
Second Headstone - Military:
JAMES WILLARD ABRAHAM
PRIVATE, COMPANY H, 3RD REGIMENT NEBRASKA INFANTRY
SPANISH AMERICAN WAR
JAN 23 1871 - OCT 13 1954
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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Ila May Abraham McNair
1904–2002
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Mary Leona Abraham Martin
1906–1994
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Ralph Sumner Abraham
1909–1994
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James Howard "Jim" Abraham
1911–1993
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Margaret Elise "Peg a.k.a. Mugs" Abraham Jameson
1913–1985
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Alice Marie Abraham Daniels
1916–2016
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Willard Earl Edward "Bill" Abraham
1918–2015
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Catherine Jean Abraham Canon
1923–1990
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Donna Lee Abraham Nelson
1926–2018
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