David Way was born Sept. 10, 1824, in Wayne county, Indiana. At the time
of his death his age was 80 years, 7 months, and 6 days.
In the 1850 census (Polk Township, Benton County, Iowa) He was the Head
of Household, his parents and their other children lived next door to
his family. This is the data: 1850 Federal Census, IA, BentonCo,
District No. 11, page 52B, line 24, family/dwelling #27: David WAY, 25,
male, farmer, b. IA; Emily Ann WAY, 23, female, b. [ILL? could be IA?];
James T. WAY, 3, male, b. IA; Mary E.J. WAY , 1, female, b. IA.
Here is the 1860 Census for Center Point, Washington Twp., Linn Co., Iowa:
David S. Way 36 1823 Indiana Male
Rachel Way 45 1814 Ohio Female
James Way 13 1846 Iowa Male
Eliza J. Way 11 1848 Iowa Female
William D Way 9 1850 Iowa Male
Amariah P. Way 7 1852 Iowa Male
Seth P. Way 5 1854 Iowa Male
Sarah M. Way 6.12 Iowa Female
Louisa Dougherty 14 1845 Ohio Female
1880 Census: Davied Way aged 55, Seth aged 23 and Sarah aged 19. They
had a servant as well.
Probate - David S. Way - 29 Aug 1905
I now believe the family to have been:
Jasper T. Way b. abt 1844 in Benton Co., Iowa
Louisa Dougherty b. abt 1845 in Ohio
James Thomas Way b. abt 1847 in Iowa
Mary Eliz.J. Way b. abt 1849 in Iowa
William D. Way b. abt 1850 in Iowa
Amariah P. Way b. abt 1852 in Benton Co., Iowa
Seth K. Way b. 1854/1856 in Benton Co., Iowa
Sarah M. Way b. 17 Dec 1859 in Center Point, Polk Twp., Linn Co., Iowa
Obituary - David S. Way - April 1905
David S. Way, Oldest Pioneer in Benton County, Died Sunday, April 16,1905.
The oldest Pioneer in Benton County, David S. Way, died April16th.,
1905. He was also the oldest Mason in the county, having been a Mason
for nearly fifty years, and he was buried by that body.
He came to this country with his parents in 1839 - 66 years ago.His
father, Thomas Way, settled on a farm in Polk township in the year
stated. The early history of Benton county is replete with mention of
the part he took in the early organization of the county government.When
he came to the county at that early date the county was a part of Linn
county and was not set apart for a number of years after his settling in
Polk township.
On the 28th of January, the deceased, David Way, was married to Miss
Emily A. Kibbie. To this union five children were born, of whom three
are living. Following the birth of their youngest child, Seth Way, his
wife died. He was married in 1856 to Mrs. Rachael Dougherty.To them one
child was born, Mrs. Sadie Dovers, with whom he was living at the time
of his death. This wife died and in 1881 he married Mrs.Catherine
Kisling who died about a year ago. Besides his sons and daughters he
leaves many other relatives to mourn his departure.
The funeral services were held in the Ceadr Ridge church Monday
afternoon. The body was laid away in the Kisling cemetery.
Thus has passed away one of the early and honored pioneers of the county.
** Can anyone identify what happened to these family members? I am most
interested in Louisa Dougherty as she may be my best link to the
ellusive Mrs. Rachael Dougherty (my second great-grandmother) the mother
of Sarah M. Way.
Thank you,
Terri Rene DaVar-Howard
<brianter(a)macatawa.org>