My Genealogy Hound

John M. Nowlin, one of the prominent agriculturists of Barton County, Mo., was born in Jackson County, Mo., February 23, 1840, being the fourth of five children born to the marriage of John and Elizabeth (Nowlin) Nowlin, of Virginia, who were born, reared and married in that State, and had one child previous to removing to Kentucky. Later they located in Jackson County, Mo., where they lived many years, he being engaged in tilling the soil, and while residing here helped drive the Mormons farther westward. He and wife were members of the Regular Baptist and the Missionary Baptist Churches, and he died in Jackson County in April, 1857, his wife’s death occurring August 4, 1886, in Barton County. John M. Nowlin received a very limited early education, for as soon as he was old enough he was compelled to assist in supporting the family, as his father’s health was very poor. He cared for his father and mother as long as they lived. March 25, 1860, he was married to Miss Emily J. Vermillion, a native of Loudoun County, Va., born July 13, 1835, and by her became the father of these children: Margaret E., Mary J., John H., Rhoda A., Francis M. and Calvin W. Mr. Nowlin settled on a farm in Jackson County after his marriage, but during the war served a short term in the Enrolled Missouri Militia. After moving to Fayette County, in 1863, they returned to Jackson County, and in 1866 came to Barton County; in April, 1881, settling on the farm where he now lives. It consists of 245 acres, and is well cultivated and improved. He is a Democrat in his political views, and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Nowlin’s parents, John and Margaret E. (Devine) Vermillion, were Virginians, he being a carpenter by trade, and died in Jackson County, Mo., whither they moved in 1849, when fifty-seven and seventy-one years of age, respectively.