Biographical Sketch of J. M. Withers, 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.
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J. M. Withers, farmer and stockraiser; postoffice Mayview.  Born in
Jessamine county, Ky., March 3, 1827.  His parents, Peter and Evaline
Withers, were from Virginia.  At the age of 12 he left Kentucky and 
went to Bloomington, Illinois, where he remained for a few years.  At
the age of 18 he enlisted for service in the Mexican War, entering
Company B, 4th Illinois Regulars.  Shortly after enlisting he was
elected first lieutenant of the company.  In this latter capacity he
served one year, participating in the battles of Vera Cruz and Cerro
Gordo.  In 1849 he was married to Miss Mary Drysdale, of his native
county, Kentucky.  They have six children: William P., Mrs. Eva 
Worthington, Matilda, Sallie, Washington J. and Jessamine L.  Mr.
Withers came to Missouri and settled in this county, Washington town-
ship, in 1851.  Was engaged in freighting across the plains for 
several years.  At the breaking out of the civil war he was in command
of an independent company, which entered the state service, C. S. A.,
Gen. Raines' division.  They were engaged in the battles of Carthage,
Wilson's Creek, Drywood and Lexington.  Capt. Withers was captured at
Springfield and taken to St. Louis, thence to Alton, where he was
detained for eight months and then paroled.  His company was disbanded
in 1862.  Mr. Withers is an active and consistent member of the 
Baptist church, and a man honored and respected by all.

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