Biographical Sketch of Col. James Dysart, Center Township, Buchanan County, MO >From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri. ********************************************************************** Col. James Dysart, was born in Rock Castle County, Kentucky, December 22, 1817. He is the eldest of a family of three children, two sons and a daughter, the latter the wife of William Carson, of Buchanan County. The younger brother, Andrew Dysart, now resides in Saline County. The family, of Scotch-Irish extraction, were originally from Virginia. James Dysart, of that State, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch served in the rebel army in the war of the Revolution. His son, Col. Johnson Dysart, was an officer of the War of 1812. He emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky, settling in Rock Castle County, where his son, the subject of this sketch was afterwards born, as above stated. James Dysart received the benefits of such education as the schools of that section of country then afforded. His father dying young, he was early intrusted with the management of affairs, devoting his time to farming and kindred pursuits. In early manhood he was elected colonel of a reigment of state militia. In 1853 he emigrated West with his family and slaves and stopping in Buchanan County, Missouri, settled on the farm of several hundred acres which he still owns, and on which he still continues to reside, about seven miles southeast of St. Joseph. In politics he was originally a Whig, and continued to act with that party up to the period of its dissolution, since which time he has voted the Democratic ticket. During the late civil war, he enlisted in the division of the Confederate army commanded by General Price, and did service in the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge. He has been twice married; first in Kentucky in 1844, to Miss Louisa Harris, a native of Virginia. She died in Missouri in 1861, leaving six children: Sarah, now Mrs. C. S. Raffington; Helen, now Mrs. John Fogg; Virginia, now Mrs. W. L. Thompson; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Joseph Fogg; Anne and Louisa. In 1864 Colonel Dysart married Miss Kate Martin, a native of Kentucky. They have eight children: Maud, Gertrude, Dora, Emma, Julia, Daisy, Samuel C. and James. The colonel has been for forty years an elder in the old school Presbyterian Church. He is also an active member of the Grange. His present wife is a member of the Christian church. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Penny Harrell ====================================================================