Biography of J. H. Hutsell, Bowie County, Texas *********************************************************** Submitted by: V Richardson Date: Apr 2000 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/bowie/bowitoc.htm *********************************************************** (Written around 1924) An autobiography written seven years ago by the late J. H. Hutsell, who died August 31 in the Eylau Community, has been found among his personal belongings. It will prove of interest to many citizens of Miller and Bowie Counties. Mr. Hutsell was in his 91st year at the time of his death. The text of the autobiography follows: "I write this short biography from memory, which is as vivid as if it had occurred but yesterday". My mother always told me that I was born March 25, 1833, in Wythe County, Virginia, one mile north of Wytheville, the county seat (on a farm). I had a governess one year, which was the seventh year of my life. In my eighth year I was sent to Wytheville to select school taught by a Methodist Preacher. In my ninth year, I was again sent to Wytheville to a select school taught by a lady. In my tenth year, I went to a lady in the neighborhood. In the 11th and 12th years, I was sent to a select school taught by a Presbyterian preacher, who was the pastor of that church in Wytheville. His school was on a farm called Boling Green. My 13th and 14th years I was sent to a select school in Wytheville taught by a Methodist preacher whose name was Bishop, his youngest son is now presiding elder in the Central Texas conference. My father bought a large stock farm in Carroll County, sold out and moved to it November 1847. I remained on the farm until I was 18 years old. I looked after the stock, was almost always on the back of a horse, which was beneficial to my health as I was delicate. I was then sent to Hillsville, the county seat of Carroll County, to the Hillsville Seminary, where I remained two years. I was then given business in my father's store on a salary where I remained three years. I was married May 8, 1855 to Miss Hattie Miffline, daughter of Dr. Miffline, then of Patrick County, Virginia, formerly of Baltimore, MD, later of Richmond, VA. I bought a farm south of the Blue Ridge in Carroll County, my father gave me a Negro man and his wife; also a Negro boy 17 years old. I put them on the farm March, 1856, to raise a crop of corn and tobacco. I moved my wife and aunt to the farm in Oct 1856, where I remained until '59. I sold out all but the Negroes and came to Tennessee where I commenced my first school, Jan 1860. I taught 20 years in Tennessee, two years in Georgia and came to Texarkana, Ark - Tex, 1881. I taught in Miller and Bowie counties for ten years. My hearing being impaired, I quit teaching and went dairying, which is yet kept up. I was made a Mason in 1868, and Odd Fellow in 1869. Religiously, I was happily converted in my 12th year, 1844, joined the church and have been a member ever since, have been steward for 56 years, Sunday school superintendent and trustee often. I hope that I have been of some use to the world, but not what I might have been. I am now, as you see, almost 83 years old. I am trying to be prepared when the summons comes to pass over to he other side.