1882 History of Linn County, Missouri

BIOGRAPHY

JOHN R. HURLBUT                                                                    Jefferson Twp., and Laclede: 601

     The subject of this sketch is a son of George J. and Martha Hurlbut, and was born in Wayne county, Indiana, on the first day of July, 1839.  He moved with his parents to Linn county, this State, in May, 1840, and the family settled four miles northwest of Linneus, and there built what was known an the Hurlbut Mill, at this time the principal grist-mill in the county, people coming as far as sixty miles to get their “grinding”.  John worked in this mill in his early boyhood and attended such schools as the country afforded at that primitive period.  He began learning the carpenter’s trade at seventeen years old, but his health would not admit of his continuing, so he gave it up after one year’s trial and engaged in farming till the outbreak of the civil war.  On the eleventh of March, 1862, he enlisted in Company F. of the First Regiment of Missouri State Militia, and served creditably till February 14, 1863, when he was discharged on account of physical disability.  In 1864 he took a trip for the benefit of his health to the Rocky Mountains, and spent the summer working at a quartz mill west of Denver City.  He returned in the fall and located at Laclede, this county, where he has since resided, partly engaged in farming and some of the time running a meat market.  During the years 1866 and 1867 he served as constable, and in 1880 was again elected to the same office, and his last term is unexpired at this writing.  He has also served as street commissioner and city collector, and gave good satisfaction in all these positions.  Mr. Hurlbut was married May 29, 1861, to Miss Louisa James, of Linn county, formerly of Illinois.  They have four children, two of whom, William F. and Homer F., are still living.

* * * * * * * *

Transcribed, in total, by kkfitch © 2010.  All Rights Reserved.