My Genealogy Hound

John J. Bourn, a well-to-do farmer and stock dealer of Scotland County, Mo., and a resident of Miller Township, was born in Howard County, Mo., September 17, 1836, son of John D. and Nancy (Higbee) Bourn. It is thought that the father was a native of Fayette County, Ky. He died in Scotland County, Mo., in the year 1878, when eighty-four years of age. He came from Lexington, Ky., to Howard County, Mo., at a very early date, and was one of the county’s early settlers. In 1841 he moved to Scotland County, where he followed the plasterer’s trade for some time. He then turned his attention to farming and to the office of magistrate, having been elected to that office, which he held for several years. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The mother of our subject was a native of Fayette County, Ky., and at the time of her death, which occurred in July, 1868, was sixty seven years of age. She was the daughter of Joseph Higbee, a native of Germany, who came to America before the Revolutionary war, and took part in that memorable struggle. The parents of our subject were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and to their marriage were born eight children. He received a fair education in the schools of Lewis County, Mo., and Davis County, Iowa. At the age of twenty-one he left his parents, and began to improve the property he now calls home. He remained a resident of Scotland County until 1865, when he made a tour westward, and worked in the mines near Virginia City, Mont. Since 1867 he has made Scotland County, Mo., his home. On the 24th of February, 1860, he wedded Miss Adeline Stewart, a native of Ohio, born September 9, 1839, and died in November, 1861. She was a daughter of William Stewart, and was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. To this marriage was born one son, James E. January 24, 1864, our subject married Julia A. Buford, a daughter of Henry P. Buford. She was born in Schuyler County, Mo., April 10, 1844, and by her marriage became the mother of two children, both sons: Robert H. and John D. The former is deceased. Our subject is a Freemason, is a decided advocate of the Democratic platform, and he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.