My Genealogy Hound

F. V. NETTLETON is prominent in both business and official circles in Du Quoin, being one of the enterprising and wide awake citizens, to whom the city owes its prosperity and progress. He is now manager of the Union Coal Company, and occupies the position of City Clerk of Du Quoin. A native of Missouri, he was born in Ste. Genevieve, October 24, 1856. His father, Gilbert Nettleton, was a native of New Hampshire, and in an early day emigrated to Missouri. In 1858 he came to Du Quoin. In Missouri, he had been extensively engaged in merchandising, and was also interested in lead mining. His death here occurred in 1863. The Nettletons came from good old Puritan stock.

The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Juliet E. Pratte. She was born in Missouri, and her father, Bernard Pratte, was one of the most prominent men in the lead and zinc districts of that state. He was of French descent, and his grandfather, who was a Frenchman by birth, at one time owned all of the Iron Mountains. His descendants did much to develop the mineral resources of that locality, and Felix Valle, brother-in-law of Mrs. Nettleton, was one of the most extensive operators in the lead and zinc districts of Missouri. The mother of our subject died in 1870. In the family were the following children: Charles, who died in Des Moines, Iowa; Bernard Pratte, who died in Pullman, Ill., where he was engaged in business; Mary, who lives in Du Quoin; Celeste, wife of Judge G. W. Wall, of Du Quoin, who is now Judge of the Appellate Court; and Emma, wife of Capt. Daniel Robinson, a retired army officer, now living in Highland Park.

When our subject was a youth of fifteen years, he started out in life for himself, going to Cairo, where he secured a position as clerk in the store of C. O. Patier & Co. A year later he went to Beaucoup, where he was connected with the interests of Judge Wall and W. K. Murphy. He was afterwards employed by a firm in St. Louis in the coal business, and in 1878 he returned to Du Quoin, where he embarked in merchandising. In that line of trade he continued for three years, since which time he has been connected with the Union Mines, owned by Judge Wall and J. M. Browning, holding the responsible position of manager.

In 1878, Mr. Nettleton was united in marriage with Hattie G. Ward, daughter of J. B. Ward, a prominent merchant and ex-County Superintendent of Schools of Perry County. They have four children yet living, and have lost one, Charles Eugene, who died in infancy. The others are, Eva, Celest, Mabel Gertrude, John Gilbert and Felix Bernard.

Mr. Nettleton takes considerable interest in civic societies, and is a leading member of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows’ lodges. In the former he holds the office of Keeper of the Records and Seals. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held the position of City Clerk for eight years. His long continued service in that office is certainly a high testimonial of his ability and fidelity to duty and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen. He has also been manager in the gas works since their establishment, and in his business trusts he manifests the same faithfulness that is displayed in his official career.