My Genealogy Hound

JAMES LILLIE was born in the city of New York, Oct. 31, 1836, and is of Scotch ancestry. His father was a Presbyterian minister (Rev. James Lillie), who was born in Kelso-on-the-Tweed, Scotland. The subject of this sketch was married in Ritchie county, West Va., June 10, 1869, to Sarah F. Sharpnack, who also was born in this county in 1847. The names of the children are Rachel A., James, and William. Mr. Lillie enlisted at Flemington, N. J., in the Thirty-first New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, in response to the call for men for nine months. In 1862 he came west and settled on a farm near the city of Des Moines, Iowa, being induced to come west by his father, who was at that time professor of Latin and Greek in the University of Iowa, at Iowa City. Having returned to New York in 1863 he shortly engaged his services as superintendent for an oil company back in old Virginia, remaining there three years. He again returned to New York City in the employ of A. T. Stewart, but becoming dissatisfied removed to Kansas City in 1868, entering into partnership with Charles Skinner in Miami county, Kan., and later for himself in Lisbonville, Ray county, Mo. He engaged in the milling business in West Virginia, but as the country failed in the requisite water-power, he sold out and came to Jasper county, Mo., where he now resides, at Carl Junction. He was the first to discover blende, or zinc ore, on the lands facetiously, though not wholly inappropriately, known as the mining camp of “Skeeterville,” from the quantities of mosquitos infesting the timber at this spot. He obtained, in company with James Cummings, of Oronogo, a miner’s lease of several acres of these grounds, but afterwards disposed of them to the above named partner, although holding leases on other lands near by these grounds, which are more fully described elsewhere. Mr. Lillie is at present engaged as the manager of the store of N. M. McFerran, at Carl Junction. Of a genial and obliging disposition, he commands the good will and respect of a large circle of friends.