The death toll sounded throughout McHenry County N.D. last Tuesday morning, announcing the departure of James M. Pendroy to join the ranks where joy and mirth await those souls that leave this earthly dust.
Mr. Pendroy was well known in McHenry County, being one of the first settlers to establish a home in this section of the state where he has since resided. He was born in Albany, Delaware County, Indiana in 1834.
With his parents he moved to Marion County, Iowa in 1849 assisting his father and older brothers in improving a new farm in a new country sharing the hardships of the first settlers of that day. In 1857 he was married to Sarah J. Baldwin. He enlisted in CO. H 4oth Iowa Infantry in August 1862 and started for the front to assist in maintain the Union and putting down the rebellion. With his regiment he remained until the close the war, battling for the flag of his country, while a wife and three children waited anxiously for the return of a husband and father.
He was at the siege of Vicksburg in passed through many exciting scenes, enduring many hardships with tramping through the swamps of the southern states. After his return home in September 1865, he turned his attention to farming and raising cattle. The Iowa farm was sold in 1882 and after considering the advantages offered by the western states decided to locate on the Mouse River, which he did in the spring of 1883.
Here he again engaged in raising horses cattle and sheep and in farming. He took an active part in the organization of McHenry County, and in 1884, was one of the first Commissioners which office he filled for a number of years. Always being an active Republican, he was elected last fall to the office of County Judge, and as a citizen was ever ready to assist in any enterprise to build the community and state of North Dakota. Whatever position he filled, he always did his duty, with a clear consciousness and an unfaltered trust.
The funeral services were taken charge of by the Masonic Lodge, the organization going to his home 25 miles southwest and herein escorted the body to this place on Sunday, it laying in state in the W.R.C. Hall until Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at which time G.A.R. joined in with the Masons for the remainder of the exercises. They conveyed the body to the Presbyterian Church where Rev. Hynes offered prayer and the Pastor Hamilton delivered an address.
After the services at the Church the body was conveyed to the cemetery on the Hill where it was lowered to its final resting place which was beautifully trimmed and decorated with flowers. The floral offerings were grand and singing beautiful and appropriate. The church was crowded with friends who came to pay their last respects to the deceased. He leaves his wife to mourn his loss, to whom the entire community joins in extending their heartfelt sympathy.
Family picture 1889 of James Martin Pendroy family (born 1842)
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