My Genealogy Hound

William B. DeBolt is a descendant of two brothers who came from France to America before the Revolution, and settled in Pennsylvania near the Virginia line. Daniel DeBolt moved to Licking County, Ohio, where he became a prominent citizen. His son, Thomas Jefferson, was born January 24, 1812, in Pennsylvania, on the old homestead, and was married in Knox County, Ohio, to Mary A. Peet, which union was blessed with following named children, who lived to maturity: Burr. B., Hester, Emily, Liddie, Hazletine, Minerva, Margaret and William B. Thomas J. DeBolt moved to Illinois in 1842, and located on a farm of 200 acres, in Peoria County, where he lived thirteen years, when he came to Newton County, Mo., in 1855, settling on the Pugh farm, three miles south of Neosho, in 1857, where he resided until 1862, at which time (when fifty years old) he was killed by desperadoes, being shot while coming home from mill by a guerrilla, by the name of Locke, who was in company with Col. Finny and others of a desperate character, all feared even by their friends. Shortly after shooting Mr. DeBolt, Locke was taken sick near Neosho, and was a raving maniac until his death. Mr. DeBolt owned 200 acres of land, was a Democrat in politics; in his religious views was a Free-Will Baptist, and commanded the esteem and respect of all who knew him. His son, William B., was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1838, and after sharing the fortunes of his father until December 10, 1860, he went to California, where he remained five years. He returned home December 12, 1865, and the following year married Mary E. Hearrell, a daughter of Lemuel B. and Talitha (Oliver) Hearrell, and to them were born eight children: Thomas L., Warren H., Lula, William H., Della D., George A., Mary T. and Charley J. In 1876 Mr. DeBolt settled on his present farm of eighty acres. He is a Democrat, and is now serving as deputy sheriff of the county of Newton, and is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.