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The 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, page 401:
John H. Hurst
(Farmer and Retired Mechanic, Section 28, Post-office,
Carbon Center).
Mr. Hurst’s parents, Nathaniel and Catharine Hurst (formerly Berlin),
were both Virginians by birth and descendants of old English settlers of
the Atlantic coast. In 1812, when the war with Great Britain commenced,
the father early joined the American forces and took part in all the
leading engagements of that conflict until its close. In 1830, in
company with a large number of his Virginia friends, he removed to Edgar
county, Ill., where a colony was formed, there following his chosen
occupation of blacksmith and machinist until his death, July 3, 1871;
his wife died several years before, in 1863. John H. was the third of
their 12 children. Born January 14, 1821, near Staunton, Augusta
county, Va., he was brought up as a blacksmith and machinist, learning
his trade at his father’s shop, and also the shops of Paris, Ill. His
first step for himself was in establishing a shop at Bloomfield, from
whence he returned to Grand View and operated a large factory for 15
years, doing an extensive manufacturing business. In 1859 he located at
Clinton, Henry county, Mo., and in 1866 purchased a large farm three
miles east of that place, his time during the war having been spent in
conducting a shop, selling groceries, etc., and he was also county
jailor. Disposing of his farm in 1867, he soon located at Papinville,
from there moving to his present place in March, 1869, and here he has
since resided. His farm is one of the best in the township, and its
appearances and surroundings denote him to be without doubt one of the
substantial, progressive agriculturists of the community. April 4,
1844, Mr. Hurst married Miss Nancy Hunter, daughter of George W. and
Sarah (Ogles) Hunter, of Bledsoe county, Tenn., a family highly esteemed
and respected. Several of its members became wealthy and influential.
The father removed to Putnam county, Ind., in 1829, and thence to
Vermillion county in 1832, where he was given political prominence and
occupied official positions of responsibility. He died in October,
1846, his wife having preceded him but five days. Mr. Hurst and wife
have had 11 children: George W., died in infancy; Lucretia, married Wm.
R. Murphy of this county, in 1867; Sarah C became Mrs. Granville Shaw in
1865, and died January 26, 1881, leaving seven children; Mary E.,
married in 1872, is Mrs. Daniel Carr, of Newton county, Mo.; Edgar N. is
a merchant at Carbon Center; Marion C. and John W. are farmers; Julia V.
married Zephaniah F. Keith in 1876, and now lives near Ft. Scott,
Kansas; Nancy D. is married; John F. resides at Clayton and Charles A.
and Benjamin F. are at home. Mr. Hurst and family are members of the
Christian Church, in which he has served as deacon several years. In
politics he is known and regarded as a staunch Democrat.
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