My Genealogy Hound

James B. Sally, clerk of the county court of Phelps County, Mo., was elected to his office in November, 1886, by a Democratic majority of 611 votes, this being the largest majority ever received in the county with or without opposition. Mr. Sally was born in Phelps County May 27, 1857, and was educated in the public schools and the School of Metallurgy at Rolla. After residing until twenty years of age on his father’s farm, he engaged in teaching school as a means of gaining a livelihood, and taught one term at Elm Spring. In 1878 he was appointed deputy county clerk, and served until 1886, with the exception of one year, 1882, when he acted in the capacity of deputy collector. In 1883 he was married to Sarah, a daughter of ex-Judge John R. Bowman, whose sketch appears in another part of this work. She was born in Phelps County, was educated in the common schools and by Mr. Sally became the mother of two children. Mr. Sally cast his first presidential vote for Hancock in 1880. He has taken all the degrees in the Masonic fraternity, being at the present time a Knights Templar, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F., Cuba Encampment. Mrs. Sally is a member in good standing in the Christian Church. Mr. Sally is a son of John A., and grandson of George Sally, who was born in Franklin, Ky., in 1806, and is of French descent. When he was a very small boy his parents died, and he was taken to rear by an uncle, with whom he remained until he was ten years of age, and then started out in life for himself. Two years later he landed in Phelps County, Mo., with a party of emigrants, and here he grew to manhood and afterward made his home. He was married to a Miss Lenox, who bore him four children, John A. being the second child, and for fifty-five years resided on one farm, which consisted of 600 acres, and is at present in possession of his heirs. He died on the 12th of March, 1888. His wife died many years ago. His son, John A., was born in Phelps County, Mo., in the 30’s, and was reared on the farm on which he now resides. His marriage with Miss Margaret Coppedge was celebrated in Phelps County in 1853. She was born in the county in 1833, and is a daughter of Henson and Nancy (Kitchen) Coppedge, who were born in Kentucky, and came to Phelps County about 1820, being among the first white settlers of this part of the State. Mr. Coppedge was a prosperous merchant for many years, and died in the county in November, 1888, in his eighty-eighth year. He was a member of the Old School Baptist Church.