My Genealogy Hound

James F. Alburty, merchant, postmaster and hotel keeper at Ritchey, Mo., and one of the representative citizens of Van Buren Township, was born in America of Italian-German origin. Frederick Alburty (the name being spelled Allburthy in German, and Alberti in Italian), the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, and the founder of the American branch of the Alburty family, was born in Italy, and immigrated to Poland, which became a German Province. He was a general in the German army, and in a duel with a German officer, killed his opponent, whereby he was compelled to flee to this country. He settled in North Carolina previous to the Revolutionary War, and was an officer in that struggle. After the war he carried on farming, and his son, Henry Alburty, also followed that pursuit, as did also his son, Henry Alburty, the father of James F., the subject of this sketch. The father was born on the Yadkin River, North Carolina, July 15, 1815, was reared on the farm, and when a young man went to Indiana, where he married Miss Nancy Douthit, daughter of Abraham Douthit of Indiana. In 1840 Mr. Alburty moved to Washington County, Ark., where he remained two years and then came to Van Buren Township, Newton Co., Mo., settling on a farm which he had purchased of the government, and here passed the remainder of his days. He and Mrs. Alburty were the parents of thirteen children: John Thomas, William H., Margaret V., Edward H., Mary E., Martha F., Nancy C., Samuel N., James F., Mahala E. and three who died in infancy. At the breaking out of the late war two of the sons, William H. and Edward H., enlisted in the Union service, William H. as foraging master in the Fifteenth Missouri, Company K, and Edward H. as a private in the State Militia. Mr. Alburty was a Douglas or Union Democrat, and was loyal to the government during the war. Southwest Missouri was the raiding ground for both armies, and a great many depredations were perpetrated by lawless bands of both sides. He was in constant danger on account of his Union sentiments, and, like many other citizens of Newton County, was obliged to secrete himself in the woods to avoid the bloodthirsty bands who were committing depredations. His family was abused, his property destroyed and only by the greatest exertion were they enabled to secrete enough food to prevent them from being entirely destitute. After the war Mr. Alburty remained on the farm until his death, which occurred February 5, 1888, at the age of seventy-three years. He was an honest, upright citizen, a member of the Baptist Church, as is also his widow, who is still living on the farm. Their son, James F., was born on his father’s farm June 26, 1859, and was reared among the thrilling scenes of the Civil War. He remembers well of hearing the roar of the cannon, musketry and pistols, and the shouts and outcries of the soldiers at the battle of Newtonia. He also remembers the visits of the midnight raiders to his father’s home, and of his fear and trembling on those occasions. Our subject received an academic education, and began teaching school before he was of age, having taught for six years, including the school of Ritchey, three years. April 10, 1881, he married Miss Sarah E., daughter of James and Jane (Mason) Elliott, of Newton County, Mo., formerly of England. This union resulted in the birth of three children: Everett V., Irma L. and Mason, who died in infancy. Mr. Alburty was appointed postmaster in 1885, and engaged in merchandising with T. B. Douthit, in 1886. He is a Mason, a strict Democrat, and is a prosperous, energetic young man.