St. Clair County Missouri
Biographies

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OUTHWAITE, Joseph Hudson
Joseph Hudson Outhwaite, representative, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 5, 1841; son of George and Harriet (Hudson) Outhwaite, and grandson of John Outhwaite. He attended the public schools of Zanesville, Ohio, 1847-60; taught in the Zanesville high school, 1862-64; was principal of a grammar school in Columbus, Ohio, 1864-67, and practiced law in Osceola, Mo., 1867-71, and in Columbus, Ohio, after 1871. He was prosecuting attorney of Franklin county, Ohio, 1874-78; a trustee of the Franklin County Children's home, 1879-83; a member of the sinking fund commission of the city of Columbus, 1883-89, and Democratic representative from the 13th and 12th districts of Ohio in the 49th, 50th, 51st, 52nd, and 53d congresses, 1885-95. He was a civilian member of the board of ordnance and fortification by appointment of President Cleveland in 1895, resigning in 1900, and was a trustee of the Ohio State university in 1897. In 1896 he was elector-at-large on the "Gold Democracy" ticket for the state of Ohio. He was president of the Columbus board of trade, 1900-1901.  -- Biographies of Notable Americans, 1904

OVERTON, Riley
Riley Overton, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Vego County, Indiana, in 1837. His father, Matthias Overton, was a native of Scotland, but left that country when he was ten years of age, coming to the United States and locating in Switzerland County, North Carolina. After residing there a few years he moved to Indiana. In 1822 he married Miss Nancy Whaley, of North Carolina, and to them were born eight children. When Riley was but four years old his lather died, and he continued to live with his mother until he was thirteen, then binding himself out to work until his seventeenth year. This contract expiring, he worked at different places for a time, and was then married to Miss Leona Wright Gunn, a daughter of John Gunn, of Vego County, Indiana. They have had three sons and three daughters: Mary E., Ella F., Edgar R., William R., Harriet C., and Arthur H., politically Mr. Overton is a Republican. He is one of the prominent farmers of this township; and now owns 319 acres of valuable land, under fence and well improved, upon which is a good vineyard, residence and outbuildings. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

OWEN, James B.
James B. Owen, section 29, a representative citizen of this township, is the son of Josiah and Sarah Owen, nee Butcher, and was born in Gasconade County, Missouri, in 1833. His father was born in South Carolina in 1801, and in 1824 was married, his wife having come originally from Calhoun, Tennessee. They had twelve children, James being the fifth child. Previous to his birth the senior Owen had moved to Gasconade County, Missouri, but when nine years old the subject of this sketch, leaving that vicinity, went to Camden County in 1842, to Dade County in 1843, Hickory in 1848, Cooper in 1860, and finally settled in St. Clair County in 1869. In 1855 Mr. Owen was married in Hickory County to Lucy A. Dickinson, and they are the parents of eleven children: Marion J., William, Medford, Louisa C., James M., Mary S., Sarah M., Nancy R., Mattie D., Charlie J. and John F. Mr. O. is a leading member of the Democratic party, and has been a delegate to conventions at Osceola every year since in the county. He took an active part in the rebellion, and was engaged in forty-two battles, first serving as lieutenant and then as quartermaster general. He received three severe wounds, and had three horses shot from under him. His landed estate embraces 240 acres. -- History of St. Clair Co., Missouri, 1883

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