My Genealogy Hound

John Early, Sr., one of Knox County’s leading citizens, is a native of Ireland, and was born in 1821. He is a son of Peter and Catherine Early, both natives of Ireland, where they lived and died. Our subject immigrated to the United States in 1848, landing at New York, where he remained but a short time. He then lived in St. Louis about seven years, engaged in carriage driving and horse trading. After leaving St. Louis he came to Knox County, Mo., where he settled upon a farm in partnership with two brothers, which was finally divided, each receiving his share and starting in life for himself. Our subject, John Early, is now in possession of a fine farm of 560 acres, well improved, which he has cultivated, it being in a wild condition when he purchased it. Upon his farm is a handsome residence and good out buildings, and, in connection with his farming, he is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising. Our subject was united in marriage in Knox County, in 1860, to Hannah Frieal, daughter of Frank and Grace (Daugherty) Frieal. The father was of Irish descent, and came to the United States at the age of seventeen, settling on a farm in Perry County, Ohio, where he lived until 1855, when he came to Knox County, and engaged in farming, and here he died in 1871. The mother was also a native of Ireland, and came with her parents to the United States when but seven years old, and also lived in Perry County, Ohio, where she married Frank Frieal. This lady died in Knox County in 1877. Mrs. Early was born in Ohio in 1832, and by her union with our subject has had six children, viz.: Catherine, Thomas F., Mary A., Hannah, John J. and Edward. Mr. Early is a strong Democrat, but has never sought nor held political office. Himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church, and are recognized as among the honored and prosperous citizens of the county. He is a liberal donator to all laudable public enterprises, especially of a religious nature, and assisted in building two churches in Knox County.