The Ralston Families of Jasper County, Missouri

WILLIAM P. RALSTON, farmer, sections 5 and 11, post-oflBce Carthage. The subject of this sketch was born in Illinois, April 23, 1837. When an infant of three months old his parents immigrated to southwest Missouri, and settled on Center Creek, in what is now Union township, Jasper county. His father, JSTathan Ralston, was born near Lexington, Ky., March 24, 1811. During the war, for the safety of his family, he went to Kansas; from there to Illinois, where he died in July, 1864, in the fifty-fourth year of his age, and is buried by the side of his parents in Salem cemetery. Wm. P. spent his youth in assisting his father in the farm duties and acquiring an education by the limited means at his disposal. He was married Nov. 15, 1860, to Miss Meecy J. Whittaker, a native of Tennessee, and engaged in farming. Like his father he was a strong Union man, and a Democrat in politics. At the breaking out of the war he opposed by voice and vote the ordinances of secession, and went with the rest of the family to Illinois, where he said until peace once more dawned upon the country, when he returned to Jasper county and resumed his farming operations. His wife died Jan. 11, 1866, leaving two sons. He was married the second time to Miss Sarah A. Ross, a native of Tennessee; of this union there are three children. Mr. Ralston is now possessed of 270 acres of good land, is well and favorably known in the county as a good citizen. He has held various offices of public trust; he is a member of the Methodist Church and an active worker in the sabbath-school, and is regarded in the community as one of Jasper county's prominent citizens.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOSIAH L. RALSTON, farmer and stock-raiser. Mr. Ralston lives in section thirty-six. His post-office address is Carthage. He was born in Jasper county, April 8, 1850. His father, Nathan Ralston, was a native of North Carolina; came to Jasper county. Mo., and settled on Center Creek, where he lived until the war drove them off, and he died July 27, 1864. During his life he was a man of extraordinary energy, coming to Jasper county with but a few hundred dollars and at the end of his life being the possessor of over 1,300 acres of good land. His horses, cattle, and sheep were mostly driven off by the bushwhackers during the early days of the war. His crops were destroyed and grain taken from his farm. At one time fifty''-two wagon loads of grain, each drawn by six mules, were taken from his farm to aid and comfort the enemies of himself and country, and many other indignities were the family compelled to suffer during these trying times. The family returned to their home in Jasper county in October, 1865, where the subject of this sketch was married, Nov. 1, 1876, to Miss MaryF. Johnson, a native of Arkansas, daughter of W. B. Johnson, of Jasper county. Of this union there are three children: Eva D., Bertha P., and Prentice A. Mr. Palston's farm contains 137 acres, sixty of which are improved, well situated near Center Creek, six miles from Carthage. His mother still lives on the old homestead on Center Creek. His brothers, three in number, and three sisters, are residents of Jasper county. Mr. Ralston is a highly respected citizen of Jasper county, and a worthy farmer.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WESLEY RALSTON, farmer and stock-raiser, section 8, post-office Carthage. The subject of this sketch was born in McDonongh county. 111., Aug. 19, 1836, where he grew to manhood and obtained a good business education. He was married at Alexandria, Mo., Nov. 2, 1855, to Miss Charlotte Wade, also a native of Illinois. Of this union there were the following children: Emma J., wife of S. W. Driesback; William D., George A., Edgar L., Hattie, wife of M. C. Young; John W., LaMont, Charlie E., Lizzie B., Walter F., and Freeman W. Mr. Ralston served his country during the war of the Rebellion. He was a sergeant in Company F, Fifty-eighth Regiment Illinois Veteran Volunteers; was mustered out March 16, 1866, at Montgomery, Ala., and returned to his home in Illinois and resumed his regular avocation of farming. He became a citizen of Jasper county. Mo., in 1869, and engaged at farming in Union township. His means did not admit of him making a very extensive start, but by persevering industry and good business qualifications he has prospered and added greatly to his worldly possessions. His farm consists of 165 acres; 140 acres well improved, with good house, barn, orchard, etc. The land is supposed to contain rich mineral deposits. Mr. Ralston is a man of more than ordinary talent and ability; is enterprising and industrious, big-hearted, generous and hearty. He takes more than a passing interest in public affairs; has been honored by the people with places of public trust and responsibility; was a candidate of the anti-monopoly party for the office of sheriff in 1880.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. M. RALSTON, farmer, section 4, post-office Carthage. The subject of this sketch was born in McDonough county, Illinois, September 8, 1847; was there reared to manhood and acquired a good common school education. He served his country during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting at the age of sixteen as a private in Company D, of the Twelfth Illinois Veteran Volunteers, participating at the battles of Bentonville and Kingston, North Carolina, and Sherman's famous march to the sea, and the engagements incident to that campaign, the return march to Washington, D. C, and the grand review of the armies at that city in May, 1865. He was discharged in July following and returned to his home and engaged two years as traveling salesman for E. C. Kellogg, of Rome, New York. He was married in his native county, Sept. 24, 1868, to Miss Helen R. Holton, a native of Rutland, Vt. Of this union there are five children: Minnie E., Centurius, so named in honor of the centennial anniversary of his material great-grandfather, William Holton, late of Boston, Mass.; Arthur L., Oracle A., and Ora M. After his marriage he engaged at farming and became a resident of Jasper county, Mo., in 1877, and purchased the farm upon which he now lives. From his first residence here Mr. Ralston took an active interest in public affairs and was elected county assessor on the straight Republican ticket in 1880. He administered the office with satisfaction to his constituents; is now turning his entire attention to farming and improving his place. He has recently built a fine commodious residence and intends making an elegant home. The ancestors of Mrs. Ralston were of the Plymouth Rock Colony. Her people were among the first settlers of Rutland, Yt. Mr. Ralston's father was a native of Kentucky and settled in Illinois at an early day.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. H. RALSTON was born in McDonough county. 111., Feb. 20, 1839, and there for the most part raised. Enlisting from his native county he joined the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, the first to enlist from that county. Married March 1, 1865, to Malisa Garrott, who was born in Greencastle, Ind., Oct. 14, 1840, coming to Illinois when ten years of age. Mr. Ralston came to

Jasper county, Mo,, in 1872, and lived on his farm until he accepted the superintendency of the poor-farm of Jasper county, located two and one half miles south of Carthage.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.