The Wyatt Family of Buchanan County, Missouri

ELDER J. J. WYATT.

One of the most worthy citizens that ever made his home in St. Joseph was born in Sinclair County, Illinois, July 13, 18 19. On the 22d of September, 1821, his mother died and his father removed to Fleming County, Kentucky, where the youth of Mr. Wyatt was spent. He enjoyed good educational advantages and was a diligent student. Forming a taste for the practice of law he entered the office of John Cavan, a leading attorney of the place, and after a thorough preparation was admitted to the bar. He was married March 28, 1844, to Miss Emily M., Gooding. To them twelve children were born only three of whom are now living.

In June, 1845, Elder Watt came to St. Joseph and commenced the practice of his profession. He filled the office of Probate Judge and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and during the years 1866 and 1867 he was Postmaster of St. Joseph and in the various positions of trust and honor, which he was called to fill, he discharged his official duties with scrupulous care and fidelity. He identified himself with the Christian Church in November, 1850, and at once commenced preaching the Word of Life. He was called to take pastoral charge of the Christian Church, of which he was the founder. The congregation first held their meetings in a little log church, situated on the hill, where the present stately court house now stands. He continued in charge of the church for a number of years, and only left its pastoral charge at his own request. But in the meantime he had seen the congregation increase from a mere handful to a large number, rich in means and influence, and powerful for great good in our midst. During the past twenty-one years. Elder Wyatt had charge of Union Church, near Taos, in this county, and for fifteen years he has preached steadily at Bethel. He, at the time of his death, also had charge of the congregations at Camden Point and Antioch. Elder Wyatt passed an active life, and the best part of his days were spent in the ministry — preaching the word of God to mankind to make them better men, and better christians. It was a work in which he took earnest interest, and it was his delight to be at work in the harness, doing the greatest good to the greatest number. The deceased was one of the founders of the college at Camden Point, and at the time of his death was one of the trustees of that institution. He was a man of strong personal attachments, and he endeared to him all who knew him. He died suddenly, April 9, i88r. His private life and public record are alike untarnished, and the esteem in which he was held by the pastors of the city is expressed in the following resolutions:

Whereas, It has pleased our Heavenly Father to remove from our midst by death, our beloved brother and co-laborer in the gospel of Christ, Elder J. J. Wyatt; therefore

Resolved, By the Pastor's Union of St. Joseph, Missouri, that in the death of Brother Wyatt, the cause of Christ has lost one of its brightest ornaments, and most devoted, efficient and worthy ministerial laborers.

Second, That as ministers we feel that it is due to the departed, and a great, though sad privilege to us to give expression, to our very high appreciation of the sterling worth and Christian character of our brother in the ministry and of his efficient labors and influence for good as a minister of the Lord Jesus.

Third, That in the mature Christian character and exemplary life of Rev. Mr. Wyatt we feel that our holy calling has been honored before God, and the community in which he has so long lived and labored, and by whom he was so well and so favorably known, and that we will ever cherish his Christian spirit and example, and be encouraged to greater diligence and fidelity in our calling as ministers of God by the memory of his faithful Christian life, and that we will follow him as he followed Christ, till we, too, shall join him in the fellowship of the church of the first born above.

Fourth, That we tender to the Christian denomination, in which he so long ministered, our fraternal sympathy in their bereavement and great loss, and most devoutly pray that the mantle of our deceased brother may fall upon others of the church who shall imitate him in his superior Christian character and efficiency of labor in the ministry, and for the salvation of souls.

Fifth, That we tender to the bereaved wife and family the deep sympathy of our hearts in this time of great sorrow, and pray our kind Heavenly Father to support them in their hour of grief, and bestow upon them, each and all, the rich consolation of that gospel which our brother so long and so faithfully proclaimed to dying men, and in the certain, blessed hope of which he rejoiced through so many years, and the blessed fruition of which he doubtless realizes now in its completeness, in the presence and kingdom of God.

Sixth, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the bereaved family, and also for insertion in the papers of the city.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. C. WYATT, son of Judge J. J. Wyatt, was born in St. Joseph, August ii, 1845, where he received a good education in the schools of the city. He early determined on a mercantile life, and entered a store in the capacity of clerk. Devoting his attention strictly to business, he soon acquired a knowledge of the same, which resulted in his rapid advancement, and to-day (1881) he is a member of the firm of Townsend, Wyatt & Co., one of the largest retail dry goods houses in St. Joseph. His first experience in business was in the agricultural implement house of A. G. Mansfield, the first of the kind established in the city. Here he remained till 1865. He then entered the dry goods store of Nave & Rowley, where he remained one year. In 1877 the present representative firm of Townsend, Wyatt & Co., above referred to, was formed. October, 1875, Mr. J. C. Wyatt married Miss Katie Garrard, of Boone County, Missouri. They have two children, Calvin G. and Aubrey. In religious matters he is an emulator of his venerable father, whose decease in 1881 was a source of universal regret, and is an active member of the Christian Church in St. Joseph.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE H. WYATT, of the firm of Brady & Wyatt, feed and fuel dealers, was born in St. Joseph, Nov. 14, 1864, and is a son of Elder Joseph J. Wyatt, whose name figures conspicuously in the political and religious history of this community. Mr. Wyatt has been engaged in his present line for many years. Politically he is a Democrat and he held the position of coal oil inspector during i89S-97- In 1890 he was married to Miss Ensworth Herndon, a native of St. Joseph, and two children — girls — bless their home.

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

FILLMORE WYATT, foreman, with the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railway, is a native of Canada, and was born in Danville, May 21, 1849. When fifteen years of age he came to the United States, and resided in different States until 1871, when he came to St. Joseph, and has since been in the employ of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Company. In early life he learned the carpenter trade, and in that branch is thoroughly skilled. As a railroad man he is conversant with the detail of track laying, surfacing, etc., and is among the trusted employes of the company. In private life Mr. Wyatt is a genial and companionable gentleman. In 1874 Miss L. E. Meyers became his wife. They have one son, Geoege E.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.