James Work, an industrious farmer of Nineveh Township, is a native of Ohio, born January 29, 1834, son of Robert and Letta (Burgett) Work. The father was a native of Maryland, of Irish descent; and the mother was a native of Ohio, of Dutch descent. Our subject came with his parents to Indiana when only five years of age, and settled on a farm in Nineveh Township, where he was reared to manhood. He received a common school education. At the age of eighteen years he began life for himself, by working at the blacksmith’s trade about one year, and then began working at the carpenter’s trade, which he followed about two years. He then began farming which he has continued since: July 15, 1854, he was united in marriage with Margaret A. Jolliffe, a daughter of Joseph B. and Catharine (Slack) Jolliffe. The father was a native of Ohio, of Irish descent, and the mother was a native of Ohio, of Dutch descent. The following are the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Work: Oliver A., July 15, 1855, deceased; Viola M., January 21, 1859, deceased; Lillie M., deceased, and Marshall (twins), March 3, 1871. The mother of these children was born November 6, 1836. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Buchanan. He owns 120 acres of land.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 766.