My Genealogy Hound

JOSHUA J. PUCKETT. The prosperity of a county depends upon the aggregate industry of its individual citizens. Mr. Puckett is one who contributes his full share to the general activity, being a worthy representative of the agricultural interests of the community. He has been a resident of Southern Kansas for thirty years, but has made his home in Woodson County only since 1879. Forty-five years, however, have elapsed since he arrived in the Sunflower state, years in which great changes have been wrought.

He is descended from Virginian ancestry. His grandfather, Lewis Puckett, was a native of the Old Dominion, and William Puckett, the father of our subject first opened his eyes to the light of day in the same state, in 1820. After attaining his majority he removed to Kentucky, but was married in Virginia to Miss Louisa Corel, a daughter of William Corel, a cabinet maker who spent his active life in the Old Dominion and died in Jackson County, Missouri. In the year 1854, William Puckett, accompanied by his family came to Kansas, locating in Wyandotte County, where he remained until 1871 when he went to Wilson County. There he spent the residue of his days, passing away in 1886, when sixty-six years of age. His widow still survives him. She is the wife of A. J. Roe and resides with the subject of this review. Her children, born of the first marriage, are: Henry, who was a member of the Twelfth Kansas Infantry and died in 1863, while loyally serving as a defender of the Union; Joshua J.; John, who served in the Twenty-second Kansas State Militia; Emeline, deceased wife of James Forbes; Rebecca, widow of Joseph Williamson, of Woodson County; Charles J., who is living in Wilson County, Kansas; William C., of Woodson County; Oliver F., a resident of Woodson County; Sherman, who makes his home in the same county; Lewis, of Allen County, and Louisa, who completes the family.

Joshua J. Puckett was born in Kentucky, June 20, 1845, and was therefore a lad of eleven years when the family came to Kansas — there a territory which was to play an important part in national affairs before its admission to the Union. He was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period and pursued his education in the common schools. He was seventeen years of age when he joined Company A, Twelfth Kansas Infantry, under Colonel Adams, and went to the front to do service for the Union cause. He was in the army for a year and participated in the movements of his regiment in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas, taking part in the engagements of Prairie Grove, Lone Jack and Independence. Company A met the guerrillas under Quantrell on many occasions, and was on the north side of the Kaw river at Lawrence during the raid and massacre. He was wounded on Wea creek, Miami County, Kansas, being shot through the left leg, and this necessitated his retirement from the service. The duties that devolved upon him as a member of the Twelfth Kansas Infantry were faithfully and ably performed, and his record as a soldier is commendatory.

On the 7th of January, 1879, Mr. Puckett was married in Woodson County to Miss Phebe A. Taylor, a daughter of William R. Taylor, who came to Kansas from Tennessee. He married Sarah Hunter and they became the parents of seven children. Six children graced the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Puckett: Omega, Azalia, Curtis, Ransom, Alta and Jay, and the family circle yet remains unbroken. In ante bellum days the Pucketts were adherents of the Whig cause and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks, but although Mr. Puckett of this review was not then a voter, he joined the party when he attained his majority, voting for A. Lincoln for his first vote, and has since been one of its advocates. He has served as treasurer of Belmont township, but does not aspire to political honor, preferring to devote his time to his business pursuits which bring him more satisfactory financial returns.