My Genealogy Hound

J. F. Mahan is one of Clay County’s worthy tillers of the soil, residing near Vidette. He was born in Ozark County, Mo., on the 30th of May, 1841, and is the eldest of eight children, five now living, of the family of Noah and Orinda Mahan, who were born in Tennessee and Missouri, respectively. The father emigrated with his parents to Missouri in 1840, locating in Ozark County, where he and his wife died, as did also his parents. They were among the early settlers, and experienced many hardships and privations in their endeavors to obtain a home. Noah Mahan cleared several farms, and became quite wealthy. His children who are living are: James F., William, Cynthia, Mary, Hansen. James F., the eldest child, was reared on a farm in Ozark County, but owing to poor school facilities at that day, received a somewhat limited education. In 1882 he enlisted in Company F, Greene’s regiment, and served a little over two years, participating in the battles of Helena, Little Rock, Camden, Shreveport, Gaines’ Ferry and several skirmishes. In the fall of 1864 he stopped on furlough in Clay County, Ark., having but $10 in Confederate money, and without a whole garment on his back. He fell into the hands of strangers, but was kindly cared for by his future wife’s father. After recovering, he worked out for some time, and in 1869 bought a farm in Richwoods, on which he lived until 1884, when he sold out and bought the place where he now resides, consisting of 160 acres, about 100 of which are under cultivation and finely improved. He has put over $1,000 worth of improvements on his farm in the last five years, and it is now one of the finest places in the county. He usually devotes about thirty acres to cotton, and raises about one bale to the acre. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Susan J. Cleveland, a native of North Missouri, and by her has five children: William T., Don, Mary, Hugh and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Mahan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Masonic order. He has been a resident of Clay County for twenty-three years, and is considered one of its best residents.