My Genealogy Hound

JOHN HYATT, a leading Democratic politician of Sedalia, was appointed Street Commissioner by Mayor Stevens in 1890 and was elected for four successive terms without a dissenting vote. He now has under his jurisdiction a force of from fifteen to twenty men, and it is a matter of public comment that the streets have not been in such good condition during the past few years as they are at present.

Mr. Hyatt was born in St. Louis, Mo., June 18, 1852, and is a son of William and Sarah (Tyler) Hyatt, natives of St. Louis County and Virginia, respectively. The Hyatts are of Scotch-Irish descent, and our subject’s grandfather, Frederick, was born in Kentucky. Coming West, he located in Glasgow, Mo., and built the first house west of the Missouri River, this being about 1812. He took part in several Indian fights, and returned to his native state, where he was married in 1818. With his bride he started on the trip to the new home which he had provided for her, but at St. Louis learned that the Indians had burned the structure to the ground. He then settled near Florisant, St. Louis County, where he engaged in farming until his death. His son William was County Surveyor of St. Louis County for one term, and was an expert at civil engineering. In 1859 he moved to a farm in Moniteau County, near Tipton, where his death occurred when he was in his fifty-third year. His wife was a daughter of George Tyler, own brother of President Tyler, and in early days moved from the Old Dominion to St. Louis County, Mo. Mrs. Sarah Hyatt is still living on the old farm and is now in her sixty-ninth year. For a long period she has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a lady of admirable qualities.

John Hyatt is next to the eldest of six children, all of whom are living, and was reared to farm life, receiving common-school advantages. On attaining his majority he engaged in the management of his father’s farm, and was thus occupied until 1880. At that time he moved to Pettis County, and for four years operated a farm five miles southwest of Sedalia. In 1884 he removed to this place and built a residence at No. 1609 Vermont Avenue. At this time also he became interested in the management of a lumber-yard, and for a few years bought, sold and shipped wood by the wholesale and retail, meeting with fair success. For the last five years he has served in his present official capacity and has made a good record.

September 25, 1873, Mr. Hyatt was married, in Versailles, Morgan County, Mo., to Miss Margaret J. Bowlin, a native of that county, and daughter of W. M. and Jinett (Winn) Bowlin. The former, a farmer by occupation, was a native of Alabama, but his wife was born in Missouri. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt, namely: Sarah J., Mrs. Russell, of this city; Effie J., Walter, Daisy J., and one deceased. Mr. Hyatt is a member of Amity Lodge No. 69, A. O. U. W., and belongs to the Knights of the Maccabees. He and his family are members of the First Congregational Church and are liberal in their contributions to worthy charities.