My Genealogy Hound

Joseph M. Hazlitt, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, of Lamar Township, Barton County, Mo., is a native of Sussex County, N. J., born September 16, 1816,and is the son of Alexander and Sarah D. (Mackey) Hazlitt, both natives of New Jersey, he being of Scotch descent. Robert Hazlitt, the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a boatman, and the grandfather, John Hazlitt, was a captain of militia in Revolutionary days, and took an active part in the stirring events of that period. Alexander and Sarah D. (Mackey) Hazlitt were married in New Jersey, and here Mr. Hazlitt followed the blacksmith business for many years, but later engaged in farming. Politically, he was a Democrat, and both were members of the Presbyterian Church. In 1837 they moved to LaSalle County, Ill., and two years later to Rock Island County, where Mrs. Hazlitt died in 1842, at the age of fifty-eight years. In 1849 he too passed away at the age of eighty-one years. Their family consisted of twelve children, six now living, three sons and three daughters. Joseph M. Haziitt, the seventh child, received his education in the old subscription schools, and like a dutiful child he cared for his parents as long as they lived. December 27, 1849, he married Miss Caroline Leeds, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, born March 11, 1831, and the daughter of Felix and Mary A. (Doughty) Leeds, born, respectively, in New Jersey and Ohio. When nine months old Mr. Leeds was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Doughty. About 1836 they moved to Ripley County, Ind., and six years later to Rock Island County, where she died in 1874, and he in 1883, aged sixty-seven and seventy-nine, respectively. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Hazlitt lived in Illinois until 1873, when they moved to Barton County, Mo., and bought his present farm, three and a half miles northeast of Lamar. He owns 360 acres, and his wife 120 acres. To their marriage were born ten children: Felix L., Lewis M., Joseph M., Sarah P., Mary Z., Levi Y., Margaret E. (deceased); Frederick, James and Alexander. Mr. Hazlitt is a Democrat, politically; is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, and is a successful and prominent citizen. Mrs. Hazlitt is a member of the Congregational Church.