John Jay Johns

“ My health was not good and my daughter Mary had badly salivated and her lower lip was seriously injured. Our second daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth, was born Feb. 1850. We had as our Pastor during this time Rev. Harry Ruggles, a very interesting young man of deep piety. He was in delicate health and after remaining with us about 18 months left and in a year or two died of consumption. In consideration of the unhealthiness of the prairie on Maria Chochi, we concluded to leave it and come to town to live and to be near schools for the children. ”

“ They were lovely in their lives and beautiful in death. Three of our children have married in that time, Louisa, Nan, (Mary perhaps) and Lizzie. We have tried hard to educate our children and train them in the fear of God. We have succeeded to a good degree. Our oldest son has just graduated from Missouri Medical College in St. Louis with honors and gives promise of success and usefulness. Our daughter Mattie has been teaching for several years and is a young lady of superior mind and character. Our daughter Lissie ( Mrs. Gauss ) is a very accomplished musician. ”

“ In the Fall of that year, I took my family south and spent the winter with my brother in Louisiana. He had improved a plantation on Pantha Lake, about 20 miles from Millington Bend on the Mississippi River in Madison Parish. My wife's health was very poor, threatened by consumption. There was quite a crowd at my brother's. Dr. Wharton, Alfred's father-in-law, and Dr. William Wharton, and his family were there. The winter was a very cold one. ”

“ My Father was a Planter all of his life. He commenced life poor, but by industry acquired considerable property for that poor country. In person he was large and had considerable energy and strong common sense. He had great integrity of character but made no pretension of religion. He was an amiable man and indulgent to his children and servants. My Mother was said to be a very pretty woman, when young. She was very domestic and industrious in habits. ”

“ Thousands had everything swept away. There was great suffering in the Summer and Fall. West, very sickly. In the Spring of 45, I rented a farm from Boal in the prairie, six miles below St. Charles, and removed to it. My second daughter, Mary, was born on the first day of January, 1845. The summer previously my wife had a severe spell of fever from which she never entirely recovered. In January, I went south and spent about two months on business with my brother, Alfred. In March, 1845, we left the Lindsay Farm and lived about two months in town, in the house now owned and occupied by Mr. ”

“ Louis and promises to make a first rate business man. Glover is at Wabash College in Indiana and is doing well from his grades which I have just seen. George is attending Old St. Charles College and is studying well. In these twenty years in this house we have enjoyed a great deal. ”