Biographical Sketch of James R. Waldon, Johnson County, Missouri
Columbus Township
>From "The History of Johnson County, Missouri," 
Kansas City Historical Co. 1881

JAMES R. WALDON,

farmer and large land owner, Columbus township.  Born in Rockingham
county, Virginia, November 3, 1811; son of Thomas and Ruth Waldon, who
were natives of Virginia.  The names of the entire family are: John,
Edward T., Nancy, Mary, Sarah, Jane, Margaret, James R., Jeremiah and
Delilia.  The family left the Old Dominion and settled in Ohio, when
James was a mere boy, and in 1826 removed to Sangamon county, Illinois,
where they resided a short time, then staked out a claim near
Bloomington, Ill., before the government had placed it in market.
Thomas Waldon died October 27, 1827, thus leaving a large family
unprovided for; the mother determined upon binding out the two boys, but
their stout hearts refused to go, saying: they could work hard and
support the family, and true enough, that widowed mother lived to
experience the luxuries of wealth, provided by the energy and hard work
of her two sons.  In the year 1854, Mr. Waldon made a tour of
observation to this county, and in 1856 removed here with his brother,
Jeremiah, and their mother, and settled in Columbus township.  Mr.
Waldon now owns a large landed estate of 400 acres; but at one time,
before he sold, had over 1,100 acres.  He has made several trips to
California, having crossed the plains twice by wagon train.  The school
house in his neighborhood is named in honor of him; to its erection he
paid $180.  His mother died February 27, 1861.  His brother died July 3,
1872, and his sister Delia died December 1, 1880.  Mr. Waldon was never
married, and though above seventy has a strong and vigorous frame,
apparently in perfect command of all his faculties, both mental and
physical.  He served as a soldier through the whole of the Black Hawk
war.


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