My Genealogy Hound

Col. John W. Priest, a prominent citizen and resident of Jefferson Township, living eight miles west of Memphis, was born in Fauquier County, Va., July 31, 1826, and is the son of William and Sarah (Smoot) Priest, both natives of Fauquier County, Va. The Priest family is of Welsh descent. The grandfather of our subject — John Priest — and two brothers, ran away from Wales on account of political troubles in England, immigrated to America, and settled in Virginia. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in numerous battles. He died in Fauquier County, Va. The father of John W. died in Fauquier County, when the latter was but one year of age, and was comparatively a young man at the time of his death; he was a farmer. The mother of John W. was of English and Irish descent, and died near Palmyra Marion Co., Mo., in 1856, at the age of sixty-three years. Both of her parents were members of the Baptist Church, the mother having been a member from early girlhood. John was the youngest of six children, four now living. The mother after the death of her husband, did not again marry, but when John W. was twelve years of age, she, with her family moved to Marion County, Mo., and purchased land there. He received his education in this county, and remained with his mother until 1850, when he crossed the plains to California. Here he engaged in trading, and also ran a pack train from Sacramento to North Feather River; he also worked some in the mines. In September, 1851, he came home on the Vanderbilt line by way of Panama and New Orleans. In April of the next year he again conducted a private train composed of fifty persons, and arrived in California in August, and returned to his home by the former route in 1856. He then purchased the old home farm, and engaged in farming, but in a short time sold the farm, and engaged in merchandising at Emerson, Marion Co., Mo where he remained in business until the breaking out of the late war. He then left his business, and organized a company of 130 men, of which he was made captain. Mr. Priest afterward joined the Tenth Missouri Cavalry (Confederate States Army), but later changed to infantry. After serving the first six months he was made lieutenant-colonel, and three months following was made colonel of the regiment, and was in many battles, among them being Athens, Monroe City, and Shelbina, and then Lexington, Mo., where he joined Gen. Price’s forces and was afterward transferred to Tennessee, or the East, and arrived at Corinth a short time after that battle. He was in general fighting for the next month, then was sent West to Arkansas Post in Parson’s brigade. He was then in different places until 1864, when he was sent to Missouri as a scout; was there captured and taken to St. Louis, and transferred from there to Alton Ill., and was finally relieved from prison on account of sickness’ just before the close of the war, by giving heavy bonds. He has been shot twice through the clothing, but was never wounded. In April, 1860, he came to Scotland County, Mo., and again engaged in merchandising near his present residence, continuing at this occupation until 1872, when he abandoned the business purchased the farm upon which he is now living, and has since been engaged in farming and stock dealing. October 30, 1867 he married Rhoda Downing, a native of Scotland County Mo., born in May, 1845, and the daughter of Henry H. Downing. To this marriage four children have been born, viz.: Ara, Permelia, Henry D. and John W. Mr. Priest is a Democrat, a Mason, and in 1884 he was elected to represent the county of Scotland in the Legislature, serving two years.