Biographical Sketch of G. B. Bozarth, Johnson County, Missouri, Simpson Township >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** G. B. Bozarth, who has long been recognized as one of Johnson county's leading citizens, is a worthy representative of an honored and respect- ed pioneer family of Johnson county. Mr. Bozarth was born February 6, 1862, near Jacksonville in Morgan county, Illinois, a son of Abram Johnson and Olive (Ticknor) Bozarth, both of whom were natives of Illi- nois. The Bozarths are of French and the Ticknors of English descent. The maternal grandmother of G. B. Bozarth was a direct descendant of the Richardsons, who were among the one hundred two Pilgrims that set sail in the "Mayflower from Plymouth, England on September 6, 1620. The Richardsons in England have for centuries been a noted family. Samuel Richardson (1689-1761) was the discoverer of a new literary form, the modern novel, and the author of many well known books, among which are, "Pamela," "Clarissa Harlowe," and "Sir Charles Grandison." Sir John Richardson (1787-1865) a distinguished naturalist, was a surgeon in the English navy and an Arctic explorer, whose works on Arctic zoology have been widely studied. He was knighted in 1846. The Richardsons who came to the New World in the "Mayflower" were closely connected with the families that produced the author and the explorer. Olive (Ticknor) Bozarth died in Illinois in 1864. She left three children motherless: Arthur, who died in October, 1880; Dr. Charles Walter, who is now a prominent physician of Los Angeles, California; and G. B., the subject of this review. The father remarried and to the second union was born one child, a son: Dr. J. R. Bozarth, a well known physician of Center- view, Missouri. In the spring of 1866, Abram Bozarth came with his family to Johnson county, Missouri, and they settled near Kirkpatrick's Mill, now the site of Valley City, on a tract of land comprising 500 acres, which he purchased for about $15 an acre. The farm was all "raw land," 360 acres of which were open prairie lying to the southeast and the remainder was in timber. By much hard labor, Abram Bozarth cleared and reduced to a good state of cultivation his vast acres and in a few years was one of the prosperous and successful farmers of his community. During the Civil War, Abram Bozarth enlisted with the Union army, serv- ing with the 27th Illinois Infantry as captain under Logan, Grant, and Sherman for nearly 3 years. Though he had been a Federal soldier, Mr. Bozarth was not imbittered by the conflict and in after years, spent countless days and nights cheerfully giving assistance to some ex- Con- federate friend or neighbor in times of trouble or grief. As in war, so in peace, Abram Bozarth was a leader of men. It will be remembered that it was he who killed the "Marshall Branch Railroad Bond" proposi- tion in Simpson and Grover townships, which was as crooked a business deal as has ever been promulgated in Johnson county. Innocent of its true import, Abram Bozarth was originally a "booster" for the proposi- tion, but when he was approached with a counter-proposition to accept a secret share of the "hush fund," he was highly indignant, promptly turned down the offer, and used his influence, which was by no means small, to defeat the bonds and he accomplished his purpose. Although a busy man, deeply immersed in his private business interests, Abram Bozarth unselfishly gave much of his time to the advancement of educa- tion and church. He was one of the founders of Valley City Christian church and of this religious institution was an elder for many years. As a citizen, neighbor, and friend, no man in this county occupied a larger place in the respect and esteem of his fellow men than did Abram Bozarth. In the social circles of his community, he was a favorite. He lived wisely and well, discharging in the feear of his Master all the duties of citizenship, and leaving a record as an honorable, honest, courteous gentleman, a name of which his descendants may be justly proud. Captain Bozarth died May 1, 1906 and his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Knob Noster. His widow survives and she is now residing in Warrensburg. December 30, 1880, the marriage of G. B. Bozarth and Mary S. Foster was soleminized. Mary S. (Foster) Bozarth was born November 16, 1858, on her father's farm in Johnson county. She is a member of a prominent pioneer family of this county, a family that was among the first settlers of Missouri. Mrs. Bozarth is a daughter of Sanford Foster, who was born in Kentucky on January 17, 1829, a son of James Foster, who came to Missouri from Kentucky bringing his family and a vanguard of slaves as early as 1840. The Fosters were wealthy plantation owners in the South and they cleared and cultivated as much as a section of land in Johnson county, Mo. They were dominant factors in the growth, development, and upbuilding of the county. James Foster died on his farm in Johnson county May 7, 1867. To G. B. and Mary S. (Foster) Bozarth have been born the following children: Bessie Lee, who was born March 8, 1882, married Charles E. McNary, of Barton county, Mo., on December 23, 1902 and died August 8, 1913; Hattie May, who was born May 2, 1885, married Milton A. Boone on September 22, 1907, and they are now residing on a farm in Simpson township; Olive Ann, who was born September 3, 1888, married B. W. Bracken on April 5, 1906, and they reside on a farm in Hazel Hill township; Frank Foster, who was born July 25, 1890; Beulah L., who was born August 1, 1894, married J. C. Erdweiss on May 22, 1913, and they now reside in Lafayette county; Charles A., who was born May 15, 1898; and Willie S., who was born January 5, 1900. Frank Foster, Charles A., and Willie S., are now at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bozarth have resided in Simpson township with the exception of six years, all their married lives. They own 120 acres of the Sanford Foster place and their residence is locat- ed on the site of an old, Indian camping ground. The first white man to locate here was "Uncle George" Angel, who settled in Johnson county in a very early day. Sanford Foster was the next owner of this farm and since 1852 the title to the land has never once passed out of the ownership of some member of the Foster family. Mr. and Mrs. Bozarth are highly respected members of the Valley City Christian church. Mr. Bozarth is a firm adherent to the principles of the Republican party. The Bozarth home is well known to the best people of Johnson county and the influence of the Bozarths have long been exerted in behalf of all that conduces to kindness, benevolence, and right living. ==================================================================== 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. 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