My Genealogy Hound

Henry P. Willett, a farmer residing one mile northwest of Stockton, Mo., was born in Roane County, Tenn., March 7, 1840, and is a son of Nathaniel and Charity (Russell) Willett, who were born in Tennessee and North Carolina in 1806 and 1812, respectively. In the fall of 1840 they emigrated to Callaway County, Mo., and ten years later became residents of Cedar County, where his wife died in 1876. In 1878 Mr. Willett gave up housekeeping, and has since lived with his children, whose names are as follows: Thomas, William, Church, Henry P.; Mary E., wife of Samuel Swingle; and Ann, widow of John C. Leemaster. Henry P. Willett was an infant when his parents moved to Missouri, and ten years of age when they came to Cedar County. Until twenty-one years of age he resided with his father on the farm, and August 13, 1864, enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and during his service of over eleven months participated in many skirmishes. He received his discharge July 1, 1865, and December of the same year married Miss Rebecca Wrenn, a daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca A. Wrenn. She was born in the State of Tennessee, June 10, 1844, and her union with Mr. Willett resulted in the birth of six children: Cordie, who died August 23, 1887, at the age of twenty years; James W., Lucy A., Nellie A., Minnie E., and Henry C. In October, 1866, he located in Stockton, and has since been engaged in farming, being now the owner of 160 acres of land, which farm he has owned since 1883. His property has been acquired by hard work and good management, and he deserves much credit for his success, and he started in life for himself a poor man. His first presidential vote was cast for Lincoln in 1864, and he has always been a Republican in politics. He is a member of the G. A. R., Hubbard Post No. 194, and his wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.