My Genealogy Hound

James Liston. There are many citizens of foreign birth represented within the pages of this volume, but none are more deserving of mention than Mr. Liston, who was born in Ireland in 1838, and was the youngest in a family of four children, the result of the union of Patrick and Julia (Ahern) Liston. The parents emigrated to the United States in 1847, settled in Kentucky and there the father followed agricultural pursuits. They passed the balance of their days in that State, the mother dying in 1853 and the father in 1867. James Liston attended St. Peter’s school in Louisville, until fifteen years of age, when he went to Iowa and was engaged in working on a farm for two years. He then came back to Louisville and clerked in a wholesale grain house until 1862, when he went to Nashville, Tenn., and was employed as wagon master until 1866. After this he returned to Louisville, where he commenced the grocery and general hauling business until 1870, when he discontinued this and commenced railroad contract work on the Louisville & Paducah Railroad, also the Brownville & Durham Railroad. He then resumed his former business in Louisville, which he carried on for one year, and then, in 1873, came to Osceola, where he worked for W. P. Hale as general workman for about six years. During this time he started a small store, which was conducted by his family. In 1879 he started his present extensive business, which has been growing larger every year. Mr. Liston purchased quite extensive town property, which is yearly advancing in value. He also owns a half interest in a tract of 100 acres in the southern part of the county. He is quite active, politically, and has held the offices of justice of the peace and treasurer of the county, also the position of alderman, with the exception of four years, ever since the incorporation of the town in 1874. Mr. Liston buys all country produce, cotton, etc., and has a well selected stock of goods. He met Miss Honora O’Donell, also a native of Ireland, and was united in marriage to her in 1857. This happy union has been blessed by the birth of three children, only one now living, Anna. The two deceased are Patrick and Michael. Mr. Liston is an active worker in school matters, and all things promising to contribute to the good of this section.