Biographical Sketch of Joel S. Halbert, Texas County, Missouri >From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, from Earliest Times to the Present" Published by Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1889. ********************************************************************** Joel S. Halbert, one of the prominent farmers of Texas County, MO., is the son of Eli G. and Frances (Sherrill) Halbert, both natives of Tenn- essee, born in 1805 and 1812, respectively. In early life they both came to St. Francois County, where they married in 1828. About 1843 they came to Texas County, MO., and made Sherrill Township their home the remainder of their lives. Mr. Halbert was one of the leading farm- ers of his day, and in connection for some time ran a store in Licking. He held the position of county judge, being presiding judge at the time of his death, which occurred in 1872. He was a Democrat in politics. The mother was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and died in 1875. They were the parents of thirteen children, six of whom are living, one son and five daughters. Joel S. Halbert was born December 27, 1840, in St. Francois County, and was the sixth child in order of birth. He attained his growth on the farm, and received the greater part of his education in the old subscription schools, receiving a fair education for thatt day. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Capt. John Nichols' company, Missouri Infantry, State service, where he served six months. He then joined the regular Confederate army, and served three years. In the State service he participated in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Dry Wood and Lexington, MO. In the regular service he partici- pated in the battles of Helena, Ark.; Mansfield, LA.; and Jenkins' Ferry, Ark., and was neither wounded nor taken prisoner. He held no office save corporal. After returning home he was married, December 31, 1867, to Miss Martha J. Thornton, a native of this county, who was born March 13, 1849. To this union were born ten children: Eureka P., Eli C., Estella P., Ephraim G., Frances A., Mary E., Eva M., Bertha C., Bessie M. and Carrie. Mr. Halbert has carried on farming all his life, and is the owner of 302 acres, with about 125 acres under cultivation. As a business man he has been very successful, although commencing with limited means, and he is now the owner of a good property, notwithstand- ing that he came from the war penniless and that he has been burned out once since. Mr. Halbert is a Democrat in politics, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Bap- tist Church. ==================================================================== 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: Debbie Linton Penny Harrell ====================================================================