Biographical Sketch of Weston J. Everett, Platte Township, Buchanan County, MO >From "History of Buchanan County, Missouri, Published 1881, St. Joseph Steam Printing Company, Printers, Binders, Etc., St. Joseph, Missouri. ********************************************************************** Hon. Weston J. Everett, farmer, section 12, postoffice Frazer; is one of the oldest residents of Buchanan County, and was born in Halifax County, Virginia on August 24, 1801. When six years of age he was taken by his parents to Kentucky, where he lived until 1818, and then came to Missouri. He lived in Howard and Saline Counties until the spring of 1821, and then settled in Clay County. In 1836 he explored the Platte Purchase, and as soon as it was opened for settlement, he moved up into Buchanan County inj 1837, in the midst of severly cold weather, with snow on the ground six inches deep, in order to secure the location he had selected the year previous. He purchased a cabin standing on section 13, which had been occupied by a settler who had located in the country while it was yet in possession of the Indians, but was compelled to leave by the United States troops. While that part of the purchase that now includes Buchanan County was attached to Clinton County, he was elected on of the members of the Clinton County Court, and served until the organization of the County. In 1855 he was selected as the Democratic nominee for the State Legisla- ture, and was elected by a handsome majority, receiving every vote in Platte Township, but five out of 225. The winter of 1855 was re- vision session, and the same was prolonged until the succeeding winter. During that period the Legislature had not more faithful, industrious and conscientious public servant than Judge Everett. He was afterwards solicited to again become a candidate, but declined, much to the regret of all. His early education was limited to the schools of the period, which were few in number and inferior in grade, but he made the best possible use of his opportunities, and by reading and observation, as well as contact with the world, obtained such knowledge as places him among the leading men of the county. He married Miss Hannah Crockett March 8, 1829. She was born in Tennessee, September 8, 1808. Her father, whose name was David Crockett, was a second cousin of the re- nowned David Crockett, whose name is so closely identified with pioneer life. Judge Everett is at this time the oldest resident of Platte Township, and no one enjoys and merits the esteem of all in a higher degree than he does. Politically he is a Democrat of the old school, and voted for Jackson in 1828. Judge Everett's birthplace, in Halifax County, was at the historic place of Bull Run, and it may not be amiss to relate the circumstance from which it derived its name. The Judge's father, had a neighbor, and each of them owned a bull. These animals met near a stream and commenced bellowing until it became the signal for a conflict. The neighbor's bull punished Mr. Everett's by pitching him into the water, after which feat he ran away from his opponent. From this circumstance the name Bull Run became identified with that locality, and has remained so to this day. ==================================================================== 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 ====================================================================