My Genealogy Hound

J. L. Bozarth, furniture dealer and one of the first-class citizens of the county, was born in Dade County, Mo., October 16, 1863. His parents, William M. and Eleanor D. Bozarth, were natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. The father was born In Christian County May 28, 1812, and followed agricultural pursuits until 1833, when he learned the blacksmith trade in the little village of Bellview. In 1839 he went to Henry County, Mo., and here carried on his trade for several years, but in 1866 moved to Washington County, Ark., where he has since been identified with the mercantile interests of the county. He is the son of Abner and Fannie (Means) Bozarth, natives of Virginia. The Bozarths were frugal, industrious people, and were strong Baptists, holding closely to the faith of that church. Of the Means very little is known farther than that they made early settlements in Kentucky. Mr. Bozarth was married twice, his first marriage resulting in the birth of two children: Elizabeth F., widow of James Conner, and Franklin S., both of Henry County, Mo.; and his second resulting in the birth of Lillie, wife of T. J. Rogers, and J. L. Mr. Bozarth is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and for five years filled the position of sheriff of Henry County, Mo. He deviated somewhat from the religious faith of his forefathers, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. J. L. Bozarth moved with his parents to Washington County, Ark., in 1866, and there grew to manhood. He learned the furniture business in Fayetteville, and in 1882 engaged in the same for himself. In this county he married Miss Sue B. Schoolfield, of Fulton, Ark., daughter of Mrs. Mary A. Schoolfield. Mr. Bozarth is an organizer and member of the Fayetteville Gun Club, and an official in the same. He is a member of the K. of P., in which he is master of arms. He also adopted his father’s religious belief and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in April, 1882.