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Below is a family biography included in the book, Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published by Chapman Publishing Company in 1895.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JACOB F. MIDDLESWORTH, who is numbered among the representative citizens of Johnson County, is the owner of a very fine farm on section 28, township 45, range 28. He is an honored veteran of the late war, and comes from one of the best and most distinguished families of the Keystone State.

The great-grandfather of the above-named gentleman, John Middlesworth, was born in New Jersey, and moved to Pennsylvania in 1792, locating in Northumberland County. In the War of 1812 the grandfather, Ner Middlesworth, raised a company, of which he was made Captain, and in 1814 recruited another company, serving on the Niagara frontier. In 1815 he was elected to the State Legislature on the Whig ticket, representing his district for the long period of thirteen terms, during which time he was Speaker of the House twice. In 1848 he was honored with the position of State Senator, and from 1853 to 1855 served as a Member of Congress. The last public post held by him was that of Associate Judge. At all times he took an active part in the promotion of industries. He was one of the projectors and leading stockholders in Beaver Furnace; from 1841 to 1860 owned a flouring- mill and two gristmills, and besides possessed a great deal of real estate. His death occurred in Beavertown, Pa., in June, 1865.

Aaron J., father of Jacob F. Middlesworth, was born in Snyder County, Pa., January 23, 1814, and was a farmer by occupation. For many years he held the office of Constable, and served as Associate Judge from 1865 to 1870. For a number of years he was a Major in the militia and also held the office of Brigadier-General. In the Lutheran Church he was an Elder, and by all who knew him he was held in high esteem. September 9, 1891, he was called to his final rest at his old home in Pennsylvania. Our subject’s mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Feese, died when he was a mere child, and he has slight recollections of her.

The sixth in a family of twelve children, Jacob F. Middlesworth was born September 23, 1839, in Snyder County. He gained a fair education, and worked in iron mills after attaining his majority for two or more years, chopping wood at intervals, in order to make an honest living. Among the first to respond to the call of duty, he became a member of the Pennsylvania Home Guards, on the hundred-days call, and was first stationed at Harrisburg. Before his term had elapsed he enlisted for three years in Company I, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Infantry, and took part in the siege of Petersburg, Hatcher’s Run and others. He was neither wounded nor in the hospital. After seeing Lee’s surrender at Appomattox he went to Washington and participated in the Grand Review, having been in the regular army from September 7, 1864, until June 2, 1865.

Prior to entering the army Mr. Middlesworth was married, the date of the event being April 2, 1860, and the lady of his choice Matilda, daughter of George and Margaret (Kern) Fall. She was born in Snyder County, November 7, 1840, and by her marriage became the mother of seven children. Elmer Ellsworth, born December 24, 1861, lives on a tract of fifty acres near his father; Alice Lydia was born September 9, 1863; Horace Grant, who was born December 27, 1864, resides in Madison Township, is married and has two children; Sarah Margaret, born May 16, 1867, is the wife of John Stewart, a farmer of Chilhowee Township, Johnson County, and has three children; Mary Priscilla, born March 2, 1870, in Lagrange County, Ind., married Virgil Richardson, is the mother of one child, and lives in Johnson County; Millard J. was born in Lagrange County, Ind., April 11, 1875; and Frederick Edward was born May 26, 1882, in the same county. The elder children are natives of Snyder County, Pa.

At the time of his marriage our subject was a poor man, and was variously employed for a few years. In 1869 he moved to St. Joseph County, Mich., where he engaged in carpentering, which occupation he had followed to some extent in his native state. In 1870 he went to Lagrange County, Ind., and there made his home for twelve years. The forty acres of land which he owned he sold in 1882 and settled upon his present homestead. It comprises eighty-five acres, on which the proprietor has put up a good residence and made other substantial improvements.

The first Presidential ballot of Mr. Middlesworth was cast for Lincoln in 1860, and he has steadfastly adhered to the Republican party since. Though both he and his wife were reared in the Lutheran faith, they are now members of the Presbyterian Church at Holden.

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This family biography is one of the numerous biographies included in the Johnson County, Missouri portion of the book,  Portrait and Biographical Record of Johnson and Pettis County Missouri published in 1895 by Chapman Publishing Co.  For the complete description, click here: Johnson County, Missouri History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Johnson County, Missouri family biographies here: Johnson County, Missouri Biographies

View a map of 1904 Johnson County, Missouri here: Johnson County, Missouri Map

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