My Genealogy Hound

DAVID W. GUINN is engaged in general stock-raising on section 22, township 45, range 25, Johnson County, coming here from Jasper County, Mo., in 1878, and purchasing one hundred and forty acres. He has placed substantial improvements on the farm, consisting of good buildings, fences, etc., and keeps everything up in a thrifty and creditable manner.

The parents of the gentleman above mentioned were Peter Robinson and Lucy (Sharp) Guinn. The former was born in Wayne County, Tenn., and his father was a member of the Legislature of that state, his death occurring while he was attending session. He owned a large place known as the old College Farm, from the fact that there was an institution of learning established there. The homestead, which is situated eight miles south of Greenville, is now the property of Joe Williams, whose wife carried the word as to Morgan’s whereabouts. The noted Confederate was at the house of Mr. Williams’ mother in Greenville, and was soon after killed by his pursuers. Peter R. Guinn received a medical education, but did not practice, as he preferred teaching. In this line he was very successful and never had any trouble in obtaining a school. He was three times married, having six children by his first union, four by the second, and three by the third marriage. During the war he lived in Chattanooga, and was employed by the Government as a watchman over army supplies. Five of his sons were in the Union army, and one of these, the eldest half-brother of our subject, George, also served in the Mexican War under General Taylor. At the close of the war the senior Mr. Guinn returned to Greene County, where he died in 1867.

David W. Guinn was born in Greene County, Tenn., July 18, 1843, and as his mother died when he was quite young, he was taken by some of her relatives to bring up. He had to work hard at farm labor in his boyhood and at the time he was eighteen could spell and read only a very little. With three of his older brothers he was conscripted into the Confederate army, and on one occasion, while he was stationed at Tupelo, Miss., was on picket duty with orders to let no one pass without a written note from General Bragg. That official, with a few others, came along, and as Mr. Guinn demanded a pass, the General produced one, but said that he believed he could not read it, which was true. After this incident our subject determined to learn to read and write, and his Orderly at once began teaching him. He was at the siege of Corinth and in the battle of Perryville, and was finally discharged in the fall of 1862. Returning to Greene County, he enlisted in Company F, Fourth Tennessee Infantry, on the Union side, in April, 1863. He was captured that year and soon afterwards paroled. He later went to Knoxville, and from there to Camp Nelson, Ky., taking the first supply train from the latter point to Knoxville after the siege was relieved. His final discharge was dated August, 1865.

While living in Tennessee, in 1867, Mr. Guinn was united in marriage with Jane Smelser, who died in 1876, leaving two children, Ida May and Robert W. In 1870 he moved to Texas, but after sojourning there a few months, he came to Missouri and settled in Jasper County. There he married Mrs. Weaver, who was called to her final rest in February, 1892. The lady who now bears his name was formerly Mary L. Russell, and became his wife in November, 1892. Ida May, his only daughter, is attending school in Greene County, Tenn., and is a very bright and promising young lady.

Fraternally Mr. Guinn is identified with the Odd Fellows’ lodge at Gun City, Mo., and he belongs to Winfield Scott Post No. 63, G. A. R., of Holden. For many years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and is actively interested in the prosperity and good accomplished by his denomination. He is a Republican and served as School Director for eight years, whereupon he refused to act longer in that capacity. He bears a good reputation among his neighbors and friends for his integrity of word and deed, and for his business-like methods.