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.
Born 1847, McDonough county
From The history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominen (1883)
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 history of Jasper county, Missouri : including a condensed history of the state, a complete history of Carthage and Joplin, other towns and townships : together with numerous portraits of prominent (1883). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
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