Biographical Sketch of W. Boon Major, Lafayette County, Missouri

>From "History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled
from the most authentic official and private sources" St. Louis, Mo.
Historical Company, 1881.
**********************************************************************

W. Boon Major, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Aullville; was born in
Franklin county, Kentucky, December 19, 1825.  He was raised on a farm
and partially educated in his native county, completing his education in
the high school of Frankfort, Kentucky.  When the Mexican war broke out
he enlisted on the 8th of May, 1846, in Capt. Thomas F. Marshall's comp-
any, 1st Kentucky cavalry, under Gen. Taylor.  Fought in the battle of
Buena Vista, his company having the honor of firing the first guns in 
that engagement.  His company originally consisted of 110 men, but when
they were mustered out at the end of twelve months, they numbered only
33.  After the war he went back to Kentucky, and in August, 1847, he came
to Lafayette county, landing at Lexington.  In the following year his
father, Joseph M., bought 560 acres of land in this county, for $6.50 per
acre; a portion of which Boon now owns.  November 12, 1849, he was united
in marriage to Prudence Worder,  native of Lafayette.  Shortly afterwards
he engaged in the mercantile business at Wellington, where he sold goods
until 1858.  The following year he took a trip acros the plains, remain-
ing 9 months in the mountains, engaged in superintending some business
operations for Russell Major and Mr. Waddell.  Returning from this trip,
he engaged in farming a short distance north of where he now resides. Mr.
Major is the father of six children, all living: John D., Joseph R., 
Alfred H., William M., Kitty J. and Ida M.  In June, 1861, he enlisted in
the M. S. G., company G, Col. B. Elliott's regiment, in which service he
remained six months.  He held the rank of 1st lieutenant, and assisted in
organizing the company.  In the spring of 1862 he re-enlisted in the 
regular confederate service, company I, Shelby's regiment.  Was orderly
sergeant of his company.  In 1863 he was commissioned quartermaster of
the regiment commanded by Col. Elliott.  He was engaged in the following
battles: Coon Creek, Newtonia, Hartsville, Springfield, Pine Bluffs,
Jenkens' Ferry, Prairie de Ann, Duval's Bluff, Clarendon, Helena, Cape
Girardeau, first at Lexington, Jefferson City, Boonville, Potosi, Iron-
ton, Pilot Knob, Chalk Bluff, Marshall, Sedalia, Independence, Blues, 
Westport, Little Osage, and several minor engagements too numerous to
mention.  He surrendered personally, at Augstin, to Gen. Merritt.  He is
now engaged in farming and stock raising, owning a fine farm of 242 acre.

====================================================================
     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: Joe Miller <mio@netins.net>
		      Penny (Eisenbarger) Harrell <Incog3678@aol.com>

====================================================================