My Genealogy Hound

John W. Paynter, of the Fair Play Mercantile Company, of Fair Play, Polk County, Mo., was born in Cedar County, Mo., February 8, 1867, and supplemented his common school education with a course at Ash Grove College, Greene County, Mo. After leaving school he entered his father’s store, and engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he continued until September 1, 1887, when he became a member of the general mercantile firm of Fox, Potts & Paynter, at Fair Play. Immediately after becoming a member of the firm, they were burned out, but sustained only a small loss, on account of the insurance, and being able to save some of the goods. The firm continued as Fox, Potts & Paynter until December, 1887, when the firm title was changed to Fair Play Mercantile Company, and thus it still continues. They carry from $8,000 to $10,000 worth of goods, with an annual sale of $30,000. They do considerable jobbing work, and constantly employ four men. Mr. Paynter is the son of C. W. and Margaret A. (Jackson) Paynter, natives of Virginia and Tennessee respectively. C. W. Paynter was born in 1845, and came to Missouri before marriage, locating on a farm in Cedar County. Later he engaged in merchandising oh Bear Creek, Cedar County, and there he is occupied in business at the present time. During the late war he donned his suit of blue, shouldered his musket, went out in defense of his country, and served three years. He was married to Miss Margaret A. Jackson, in Cedar County, and to them were born three children: John W., Elsie and Mary. The mother died in Cedar County about 1873. The paternal grandfather, Huston S. Paynter, was a native of Virginia, and came to Missouri, where he died. He was a farmer by occupation. The great-grandfather Paynter was a native of Germany, and emigrated to America at an early date. He was a strong, active man. The maternal grandfather is a native of Tennessee, is still living, and is a resident of Stockton, Mo. He served in the Federal army during the late war. J. W. Paynter is one of the young, but wide-awake, stirring business men of Fair Play, Mo. He is a Republican in politics, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and keeper of records in Hines Lodge No. 114.