Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 1125.
 
JAMES W. LADY

     James W. Lady, one of Yam Hill county's prosperous farmers and honored pioneers, dates his arrival in Oregon in 1853. He was born in Tennessee, October 6, 1832, son of W. G. and Sarah (Bewley) Lady, both natives of Tennessee. The family moved to Missouri in 1842, and in 1853 came overland to Oregon. W. G. Lady and his brother, Joseph, made the journey together, bringing their wives and children, the former having nine children and the latter five.. Their wagons were drawn by ox teams, and after being six months on the road they landed safe at Foster's. They wintered at Salem and the following spring located on the father's donation claim, a tract of 320 acres. Here W. G. Lady spent the rest of his life and died, his death occurring in 1867, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. His wife passed away in 1891, aged eighty years. They were honest, industrious people, were members of the Methodist Church, and led consistent Christian lives.
     The subject of our sketch was twenty-one when he landed in Oregon. He took up a quarter-section of land near his father, and "bached" on it two years. February 12, 1857, he married Miss Sarah Wood. She was born in east Tennessee, October 12, 1840, daughter of John P. and Amy (Witt) Wood. Her father was a native of South Carolina. With his wife and five children he crossed the plains in 1847, and this journey Mrs. Lady well remembers although a mere child then. They arrived in Oregon in October, spent the winter at Dr. Whitman's and in the spring took a donation claim of 640 acres, located three miles west of where Sheridan now is. On this claim, a most beautiful tract of land, they located in 1849. In 1859 her father retired to McMinnville, where he spent his closing years, and died in 1878. His wife had died in 1852. They were highly respected people and members of the Baptist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Lady lived on their claim two years, and then purchased a part of her father's farm, on which they have since made their home. This they have developed into one of the most beautiful rural places in the county. Their attractive residence they built in 1877, and from time to time have made other improvements. Their ten children are all living, and are as follows:  John, who is married and resides in Sheridan; Marion, who is married and living on his father's donation claim; Leander, who is married and settled at Willamina, Mary C, wife of William Savage, lives near Willamina; Jasper, who is married and lives at Grande Ronde; Leona, wife of William Gwinn, resides in Sheridan; and Taylor, Susie, Henry and Callie, at home with their parents.
     Mr. and Mrs. Lady have eighteen grandchildren. Mrs. Lady is a member of the Baptist Church, having united with it when she was thirteen. Politically, Mr. Lady affiliates with the Republican party. He takes an active interest in educational affairs, and has frequently served as School Director.

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2006 by Ellen Applegate.  Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.