My Genealogy Hound

POLLARD, JAMES, born in Spencer Co., Ind., Dec. 11, 1828; obtained a common-school education and commenced teaching in his 18th year. Was nominated by the Democratic party in his native county for the Legislature of 1852, but declined the nomination, as he had determined to emigrate to the State of Iowa, which he did in the fall of the same year, settling near Bloomfield, in Davis Co.; shortly afterward, went to Bloomfield and commenced the publication of the Bloomfield Democrat. In November, 1854, he married Miss Mary Ann Ellis, of Coshocton, Ohio; had four children — one son and three daughters — all now living; on March 25, 1861, his wife died; she was of fine personal appearance, well-educated and possessing many noble traits of character. In September, 1856, he was appointed Register of the United States District Land Office at Council Bluffs, which office he held for two years, then resigned, returned to Bloomfield and engaged in the banking business in company with his brother-in-law, John W. Ellis. In 1861, he was elected to the State Senate, and, in March, 1862, was married to his present wife, who has, from her writings under the nom de plume of Kate Harrington, obtained a national reputation; four children have been born to them, three of whom are now living; one died in infancy. Mr. Pollard moved to Lee Co. in 1868. Was elected, in 1871, Superintendent of the public schools of the county; he is a Democrat of the old Jefferson and Jackson school, always ready to take the stump for his party friends, but no office-seeker, only having been a candidate when nominations were thrust upon him by his party; he has, probably, since 1860, made more political speeches than any other man in the State.