My Genealogy Hound

JOHN B. LAMPKIN, Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, is a leading citizen of Kingsville. Politically he is a Democrat, but his personal popularity is shown by the fact that he has been Justice of the Peace for a period often years, during which period he has settled amicably more cases than any other man holding a similar office. Beside fulfilling the duties incumbent on him, he also deals extensively in live stock, and altogether is a business man of well known ability. He was named after John Bell, at one time candidate for the Presidency, and a man whom his father greatly admired.

Mr. Lampkin has been a resident of Kingsville since 1882, having come hither from Osage County. His father, Andrew Jackson Lampkin, a namesake of “Old Hickory,” was a farmer by occupation, following this industry for some time in connection with his trade as a stonemason. The earlier years of his life were passed in Williamson and Davidson Counties, Tenn., but at the present time he makes his home with our subject, being now seventy -five years of age. He left Tennessee in 1840, and, traveling across the line into Missouri, lived for a time at Jake Prairie. He later returned to the state of his birth, but in 1854 we find him again a resident of Missouri, this time as a resident of Osage County. There he entered land on the Gasconade River, near Prior’s Mills, under the “Bit Act,” and on this made his home for many years. The property at that time was almost a wilderness, but he had the satisfaction of seeing the results of his arduous toil before disposing of the place, in the well cultivated fields and orchards which he planted.

The mother of our subject, Rosama (Adams) Lampkin, was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1820, and lived until 1879, when she was called to her long home. Her children were four in number. Sarah Elizabeth, now the widow of Albert Davis, makes her home at Centropolis, Mo.; Frances is the wife of A. L. Goddard, of Kingsville; John B. was the next-born; and James H. is also a resident of Kingsville.

The original of this sketch was born in Williamson County, Tenn., November 5, 1848, on a farm eighteen miles southeast of Nashville, and seven miles east of Franklin. His birth occurred on the day General Taylor was elected President of the United States. He was reared to farm life, and remained in his native state until 1869, in the mean time being given opportunity for securing a limited education in the primitive schools of the neighborhood.

During the winter of 1869-70, our subject packed his household goods in a wagon, and, together with several other families bound for Texas, journeyed to within ten miles of Dallas, where he lived for one year. The following year found him a resident of Collin County, in northern Texas. Subsequently he lived at Armstrong Academy, the capital of the Choctaw Nation. In the fall of 1873, however, he made his way to Osage County, this state, and was there employed in farming for five years. At the end of that time he was elected Constable, and moved with his family to Linn, the county seat. On the expiration of his term of office, he was appointed Deputy-Sheriff, holding the office for two years.

In the fall of 1882 Mr. Lampkin came to Kingsville, and for a time was engaged in the merchandise business in partnership with Ed King. Later, in company with his brother, he purchased a grain elevator, and after two years’ experience in this line, sold out his interest in the enterprise and turned his attention exclusively to the stock business, and at the present time is one of the largest buyers in the county.

Mr. Lampkin was married, in 1869, to Miss Lucy Davis, whose parents, Frederick and Catharine Davis, were born in Virginia. Prior to their marriage, they came West and settled in St. Charles County, this state, where they were classed among its first residents. The children of our subject and his wife are three in number. Walter L. is engaged in teaching school at Miami; Ida is the wife of Eli Greaves, of Kansas City; and John Adams is attending school.

Although in no sense of the term an office-seeker, our subject is greatly interested in the success of the Democratic party, with which he has always voted. He has been Justice of the Peace for ten years, and is now serving his second term as Notary Public. As Squire of this locality, he endeavors to adjust cases brought to him for settlement without litigation, which is a very commendable feature in his official conduct. He is a very close observer and a good judge of human nature, and keeps himself thoroughly informed on all topics of general interest. In conversing with him one can hardly believe that he is self-made as regards his education, he being well posted in science, philosophy, political economy and all kindred subjects. He belongs to the Christian Church, but is not sectarian, and is a man of strong convictions. As a loyal citizen, he never fails to acquit himself satisfactorily of the duties devolving upon him.