My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM F. POULTER. Classed among the capable and efficient agriculturists of Pettis County stands Mr. Poulter, who follows farming on section 18, township 44, range 23. He is a native of Mercer County, Ky., and was born November 26, 1846, he being the eldest member of the parental household. James and Hannah (Thompson) Poulter, his parents, were also natives of Kentucky, to which state their respective parents emigrated upon leaving Virginia. The father, who is a farmer by occupation, still lives in his native state, and enjoys good health. He is an energetic, industrious man, and with his wife has the respect and confidence of the community in which he lives. There he intends to pass the remaining years of his life, surrounded by those comforts which early years of toil have made it possible for him to enjoy.

William P., of this sketch, attended the schools of his native county, which, although greatly inferior to those that the youth of to-day enjoy, were the best in the locality. He was trained to a full understanding of farm work, and aided his father in carrying on the home place until seventeen years of age. In March, 1864, he enlisted as a member of Company F, Fourth Kentucky Infantry, being mustered into service at Louisville, Ky., and for fifteen months participated in all of the many engagements in which his regiment took part. During the siege of Atlanta, however, he was taken prisoner, and confined in prison for seven long months. At the close of the war, in June, 1865, he was honorably discharged, but it was some time before he fully recovered from the exposures and hardships to which he was subjected. He remained under the parental roof and gave his father his services until attaining his majority, when he began life for himself and engaged in farm work.

In February 1881, Mr. Poulter came to Missouri, locating at once in Pettis County, which has been the scene of his labors ever since. Young, energetic and anxious to succeed, he went to work with a determination, and his efforts have brought him success, as to-day he occupies a place among the well-to-do and progressive citizens of the township.

William F. Poulter and Miss Elizabeth Sanders, a native of Kentucky, were united in marriage in 1867. To them has been granted a family of nine children, all of whom are living, namely: Georgean (the wife of Jesse Renfro, of this county), Andy T., Harriet E., Hannah E., Benjamin B., James T., Walker A., Maggie F. and Elijah E. The wife and mother closed her eyes in death in 1885, firm in the faith of the Christian Church, to which denomination her husband also belongs. In politics our subject is a Republican, but as he finds all he can do to look after his farm, has never aspired to office-holding. Socially he is a Mason, and belongs to the Grand Army post at Green Ridge.