My Genealogy Hound

John J. Pitchford was born in Allen County, Ky., in 1842, and is now one of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Saline Township, Miller Co., Mo. He is the second son of ten children born to Fleming and Susan (Russell) Pitchford, who were born in Kentucky. The father was a farmer, and immigrated to Cole County, Mo., in 1855, and, after buying and selling land, and improving about six farms, at last located permanently, and is there living at the present time, well known throughout Cole and Miller Counties as a good farmer. John J. Pitchford was educated in the schools of Barren County, Ky., but at the age of thirteen was brought to Missouri by his parents, and assisted in the development of the farm. In 1862 he enlisted as a soldier under Capt. Blaton, being in Parson’s brigade and Frost’s division. He was at the battle of Prairie Grove, and was in several skirmishes. He was captured at Prairie Grove in 1862, but was soon after paroled, and returned home. He was married in Cole County, in 1867, to Kate Enloe, by whom he became the father of four children, three of whom are living: Ella (Mrs. Jordan), residing in Cole County; Jennie, James W., who died at the age of four years, and Annie. Mr. Pitchford was engaged in farming in Cole County for some time after his marriage, but in 1874 removed to Saline Township, Miller County, and purchased and improved a farm of 120 acres of land. He gives considerable attention to stock-raising, and is considered one of the successful farmers of the county. He is a Democrat, and has served ten years as justice of the peace, and two years as judge of the county court, and at one time came within twenty-nine votes of being elected to represent Miller County in the State Legislature, the county being very strongly Republican. He is a member of Pleasant Mount Lodge No. 95, I. O. O. F., and represented the Forty-sixth District in the Grand Lodge, being special deputy to organize the Aurora lodge. He is a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He has always taken an interest in school matters, and has assisted in organizing the school districts in Cole County, and has served as a member of the school boards in both Cole and Miller Counties. Mrs. Pitchford’s parents, John S. and Matilda (Stevens) Enloe, were born in Kentucky and Cole County, Mo., respectively, the former coming with his parents to Cole County in 1834. He was a farmer and lawyer, and served as county surveyor for about sixteen years. In 1844 he was elected to represent the county in the State Legislature, and served two years. His death occurred in January, 1886, and that of his wife in March, 1884.