My Genealogy Hound

James L. Plater, druggist, of Rocky Comfort, Mo., was born near Jacksonville, Ill., on April 29, 1837. He is a son of James L. Plater, a native of Virginia, who at a very early day immigrated to Morgan County, Ill., it being before the Black Hawk War. Later he removed to Jefferson County, where for many years he was engaged in merchandising. Then goods were sold for hides, furs and bees-wax, and taxes were paid in coon-skins. James L. Plater had limited educational advantages in his youth, and is mainly self-educated. During the Civil War he served in Company G, One Hundred and Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and is now a member of the G. A. R. After the war he spent two years near Paola, Kas., and in 1868 removed to Lawrence County, Mo. For nearly four years he ran the mail hack line between Cassville and Greenfield, and in 1872 went to Newton County, coming to Rocky Comfort in 1885. Here he has since been engaged in his present business. He carries a full line of drugs and medicines, and also keeps books, stationery, notions, perfumes, tobacco and cigars. On December 25, 1871, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Hughes, a daughter of John Hughes (deceased). They are the parents of four children: Iola, Earl, Willy and Georgia A. In politics Mr. Plater is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and family are mem­bers of the Christian Church.