My Genealogy Hound

OBED N. WHITSEL has been numbered among the progressive farmers of Johnson County for many years, his place of residence being on section 25, township 47, range 24. In addition to managing his farm, our subject is engaged in threshing during the summer seasons, and also owns the gristmill which he operates. He is a business man of more than ordinary ability, and is correct and upright in all his methods.

David C., father of the above-named gentleman, a native of the Buckeye State, was reared on a farm and was a tiller of the soil from boyhood. He continued to live in his native state until 1860, when, hearing glowing accounts of Missouri, he determined to cast in his lot here, settling near Sedalia, Pettis County. For eighteen years, or up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1878, his time was given to the development of a farm in that section. His faithful wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Smith, was also born in Ohio, and is still living on the old homestead in Pettis County, being now in her sixty-fifth year.

O. N. Whitsel was born on a farm in Ross County, Ohio, June 22, 1852. and is next to the eldest in a family numbering five children. He was eight years of age when he emigrated with his parents to Pettis County, Mo., where his district-school education was obtained. He continued in agricultural pursuits in that county until the spring of 1885, when he moved to this section, and four years later came to his present home. He is a Republican in his political views, having supreme confidence in the platform of his party, and never fails to deposit his ballot in favor of its candidates.

February 26, 1886, Mr. Whitsel married Alice L., daughter of James and Margaret (Drinkwater) Deckard, all natives of this state. Mrs. Whitsel was born in Cooper County, and by her marriage has become the mother of a daughter, Mary Ruth, who is the pride of the household, and a very bright and promising child.