My Genealogy Hound

John T. McElhany may be mentioned as one of the energetic, persevering and successful business men of Neosho, Mo. Coming as he did only a few years ago to the place without means, by his unaided effort he is at the present time at the head of one of the most substantial and flourishing mercantile houses in the southwest portion of Missouri. He is a native of the county, born June 23, 1847, and is a son of William A. and Nancy (Lewis) McElhany, who were born in Tennessee, and came to Newton County, Mo., at an early day. They had a family of four sons: James R., John T., William and Henry C. Both parents died in 1860. John T. was reared in Newton County, and at an early day became the architect of his own fortunes. He commenced without means, but by industry, economy and close attention to business he succeeded in saving sufficient means to enable him to engage in merchandising, at first only on a small scale, but this he increased from time to time until his is recognized as one of the leading houses in this section. He is a man of strict integrity, fair and honorable in all his dealings, and has drawn around him a trade most complimentary to his standing as a business man and citizen. He was married in 1874, to Maud Robison, who died the same year, leaving one daughter, Maud. His second marriage took place in 1876, with Mary Roberts, a daughter of Joshua Roberts, and by her he is the father of two children, Katie T. and Frank W. Mr. McElhany was elected county coroner, but succeeded to the office of sheriff after the death of that official. Besides his property in the city he has seven farms, embracing in all about 1,400 acres of land. He has been alderman of the city of Neosho for twelve successive years, and is at present president of Newton County Fair Association, of which Newton County feels proud. He also was one of the proprietors and builders of the Eureka Railroad, which connects the St. Louis & S. F. Railroad with the famous Eureka Springs of Arkansas.