Biographical Sketch of James M. Mays, Pulaski 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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James M. Mays, farmer and stock raiser, of Liberty Township, was
born in Hawkins County, East Tenn., in 1828, being a son of William
and Crotia (Miner) Mays, who were born, reared and married in Hali-
fax County, VA.  They afterward removed to Hawkins County, Tenn.,
and there spent the remainder of their lives, the father dying at
the close of the war and the mother six years later.  The father 
was a farmer and stock raiser, and was a soldier in the War of 1812.
His father, Beverly Mays, was a Virginian, and resided in his native
State for many years, but during the latter portion of his life re-
moved to Tennessee, where he spent the remainder of his days, and is
now resting in the family burying ground in that State.  James M.
Mays is the eighth of thirteen children, three of whom are living in
Pulaski County, two in Tennessee, one in Kentucky, two in California
and one in Oregon.  Two sons served in the Federal army during the 
late war, and two in the Confederate army.  One of the latter, the
youngest of the family, Charles T. H., was killed at Altoona Pass, GA.
near the close of the war.  James M. was educated in the common schools
of East Tennessee, and at the age of twenty began life for himself,
coming to Pulaski County, MO., in October, 1847, and was engaged in
clerking for his brother-in-law in Waynesville until 1850.  In the
latter year he, in company with eighty persons, started on the over-
land trip to California, driving ox-teams, and after a seven months'
journey reached their destination.  He mined successfully for three
years, and then went to the valleys, where he invested his means in
cattle, and was engaged in stock raising until 1857, when he returned
to Waynesville via the Isthmus of Panama and Cuba.  He soon after made
a visit to his parents in East Tennessee; then he and a brother-in-law
J. A. Rayl, engaged in the mercantile business in Waynesville.  About
a year later Mr. Mays established a store in Camden County, which he
continued to conduct until the breaking out of the war, and since that
time has been engaged in farming.  In 1860 he was married to Elizabeth
Gillespie, daughter of Judge William and Mary Gillespie, who were 
natives of North Carolina, and were among the earliest settlers of
Pulaski County, locating on the farm, which was then densely covered
with woods, now owned by Mr. Mays.  The mother died about 1853, and 
the father several years later.  Mr. Gillespie was a man of prominence
and influence, and was one of the judges of the Pulaski County Court.
Mr. Mays became the father of four children, but only three of them
are now living.  He resided on a farm until about 1883, and then came
to Richland to educate his children.  He owns 340 acres of land, the
greater portion of which is rich bottom land, and all this he has 
obtained by his own exertions and the aid of his worthy and intelligent
wife.  He was formerly a Whig in politics, but now supports the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party.  His wife is a member of the Christian
Church, and one daughter is a member of the Methodist Church.

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