In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915)
JOHN L. WAITE.
The name of John L. Waite has figured conspicuously and honorably in connection with the history of journalism in Iowa. He is today one of the veteran editors of the state, and who can measure the influence that he has exerted through his editorial writings and his championship of many measures and projects which he has believed to be for the benefit of the commonwealth? He was born in Ravenna, Ohio, August 29, 1840.
The ancestry of the family is traced back to England, and the name seems to be of English lineage. A contemporary biographer has written the family history as follows: "The word 'Wait,' anciently spelled Wayghte, Waiet, Wayte, and with other variations, is derived from the Old High German Wachten (to keep watch), and, in the sense of guard or watchman, is common to all the Teutonic languages. The original Waytes were found in England, immediately after the Norman Conquest, only among the retailers of the king, prices and great barons; and among their other functions was that of music and minstrelsy. The name frequently occurs in the British records. In A. D. 1075, William the Conqueror gave the earldom, city and castle of Norwich, in England, to 'Ralf de Waiet,' who married Emma, sister of Roger, Earl of Hereford,
As printed in History of Des Moines County, Iowa (1915). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1915. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.