Biographical Sketch of William J. Self, Dallas County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
 Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
 Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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William J. Self may properly be mentioned as one of the leading
farmers of Dallas County, of which he is a native.  His parents,
Peter and Nancy (Reynolds) Self, were born, reared and married in
Tennessee, and about 1835 immigrated to Dallas County, MO., coming
in covered wagons, and located on the land now owned by J.J. Rey-
nolds.  Here he erected a very primitive log cabin, and as soon as
the Government put the land on the market he took a claim, and be-
gan clearing his land.  Indians and wild game of all kinds were
plentiful in the region at that period, but they were little 
troubled by either.  They did their marketing at St. Louis, but
all their clothing was homemade.  In 1859 the parents moved to
Arkansas, where they both died, the former's death occurring in
1863.  Five of their eight children are living at present time, 
whose names are as follows:  Polly, wife of James Hatfield; William
J.; Charlotte, wife of Col. John D. Allen; Eliza, wife of Jacob
Mendenhall; and Ruth, wife of L.D. Little.  William J. Self, whose
name heads this biography, was born January 26, 1838, and has always
resided on a farm in Dallas County, in which he was the third child
born.  His early educational advantages were very meager, and he 
never entered a school-room until after ten years of age, and that
was a little log cabin with a dirt floor and no windows.  He has
always been noted for his energy and thrift, and is now the owner
of a valuable farm of 240 acres, all under fence, and with 125 
acres under cultivation.  He has a handsome and commodious residence,
substantial out-buildings, and is an extensive dealer in stock.  He
enlisted in the Home Guards for three months in 1861, and after ser-
ving about two years with the Rangers he enlisted in Company D, 
Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and was mustered out in July,
1865.  After the war closed he returned home, and bought the land
where he now lives, which was then heavily covered with timber.  He
has been married four times, his first marriage being to Miss Sarah
Cox, in 1857, who died six weeks later, and in 1859 he espoused 
Elizabeth Cowden, by whom he had three sons:  James H., Francis M.
and William R.  This wife died in July, 1863, and in August, 1865,
he wedded Mary McGinnis, who also bore him three children:  Mary E.,
Mark L. and Nancy J.  The mother of these children died in 1873, and
a year later Mr. Self was married to Sarah Shaw, by whom he has four
children:  Albert J., Minnie P., Lulu E. and Edward W.  Mr. and Mrs.
Self are members of the Baptist Church, and are much esteemed as 
citizens and neighbors.
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