James Richard Waste was the son of Ira Charles Waste and Nancy Ann Donahue. He was a younger brother of John Jackson Waste, my great-great-grandfather.

James was born in Trumbull County, Ohio on Dec. 15, 1840. When he was six years old, his parents moved the family to Grant County, Wisconsin. On Oct. 19, 1861, while James was a resident of Sparta, Grant County, Wisconsin, he enlisted as a private in Company A of the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry. His brother Thomas L. Waste also fought in Company A of the same regiment. After two years of fighting James was severely wounded and later honorably discharged. For learn about the 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment and it's accomplishments during the war please click here.

James and Clarissa settled in Fairview, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin soon after he returned from the Civil War.

James married Clarissa Hobart. Together they had two children. Their son named Charles Edward Waste was born on March 26, 1865 in Bridge Creek, Eau Claire Co., Wisconsin. Their family members are listed here. Their daughter Katie married and became Mrs. Katie F. McLeod of Pelican Lake, Otter Tail Co., Minnesota.

Later, James and Clarissa moved to Fairchild, Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. They lived there for the rest of their lives. But, while visiting his daughter Katie in Pelican Lake, Otter Tail Co., Minnesota, James died suddenly on Sept. 20, 1903. He was buried back in Fairfield.

"This community was shocked on learning that James R. Waste, one of our highly esteemed citizens, and pioneer residents, had died of heart failure while absent from home on a visit to the home of a daughter at Pelican Lake, Minn.

Mr. Waste was known to be afflicted with weakness of the heart and when the news of his serious illness was received here last week by his wife, she hurried to him and was present when the end came on Sunday, September 20th, at 8:20 a.m. after an illness of less than a week. Deceased was conscious to the last and though never connected with any church, died as a true Christian, fully repentant and filled with faith that through the Saviour he would be given everlasting life.

Mr. James R. Waste, who reached an age of 62 years, 9 months and five days, was born December 15, 1840 in Trumbull County, Ohio, and removed at the age of six years with his parents to Grant County, Wisconsin. Here he grew to manhood, and then commenced the study of medicine, but soon after the Civil War broke out, and deeming it his duty to fight for his country, he gave up his studies in medicine and enlisted in the fall of 1862, in Co. A, 3rd Wisconsin Cavalry. After a service of two years, he was severely wounded and later honorably discharged. Soon after this deceased came to Fairchild, and where, on July 2, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Hobart. Deceased lived here almost continually up to spring of 1880, when he removed to Minnesota, remaining there till 1892, then returning to Fairchild, where he has lived ever since.

Deceased is survived by his sorrowing widow, one son, Charles E., living in Washington, one daughter, Mrs. Katie F. McLeod, of Pelican Lake, Minn., ten grandchildren and numerous other relatives.

The funeral services were local conducted by Rev. A. A. Pittinger Wednesday afternoon, the remains having arrived here Tuesday night. Interment took place at the village cemetery.

We express our heartfelt condolence to the afflicted family in their great unexpected bereavement."

- It is believed this obituary may have come from the Fairchild Observer, Fairchild, Eau Claire Co., Wisconsin -- possibly the Sept. 25, 1902 edition.

(A special thanks to Philip Waste for making this available)