Notes |
- In 1832 his parents moved to Randolph County, Arkansas, where they died, leaving James D. still a child. In 1844 he came with his grandfather, Daniel Boone, to Greene County, Missouri, and settled on a farm near Ash Grove. He worked upon a far, and saved money enough to give himself a good common school education.
He taught school several terms, two in 1849, and one in the winter of 1850. In May, 1850, he sold goods for Alfred Stealey, at Cave Spring, which position he held until Mr. Stealey's death in 1853. Mrs. Stealey then gave Mr. Van Bibber entintrol of the store until 1856, when he bought the
stock of goods from her, and ran it on his own account until 1860.
He was married February 28, 1854, to Caroline, daughter of Alfred and
Lucinda (Brower) Stealey. They have been blest with two children, viz:
Alfred H. and Laura B. In 1869 he removed to Walnut Grove, where he
lived until 1874, when he made the race for county clerk upon the Democratic ticket, and was elected. He served his term of four years, and
was renominated and re-elected in 1878, and was again re-elected in
1882. He is held in high esteem by all political parties. He is a Mason, has been secretary of the lodge for several years, and is a gentleman in every sense.
|