My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH FOUNTAIN, postmaster, Carterville, is a native of Indiana, born in Jackson county, Sept. 1, 1845, and is the son of Thomas F. and Jencie Fountain. Thomas F. was a North Carolinian, born in 1809; mother Jencie, nee Owen, was a native of Kentucky, born 1818. They were married in Indiana. The subject of this sketch is the seventh of a family of twelve children. His parents came to Missouri when he was only thirteen years of age, settling in Jasper county and engaging in farming. He grew to manhood in the county, and has seen it grow from when not a tame animal’s track could be seen until it now has a population of 40,000. In 1862 he enlisted in the Sixth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry and served thoroughout the war. Came to Carterville in 1876, and has since resided here. On March 7th 1867, he was married to Miss Mary Laxson of this county; they have four children, Clara D., Alba T., Laura M., Stella M. Mr. Fountain’s a Master Mason, and at present W. M. of Mineral Lodge No. 417 of Oronogo, and is also a member of the G. A. R. Of him it can justly be said that he is a self-made man. His entire schooling comprised about six weeks of country school. While in the army he procured such books as he could and read and studied them, while in the saddle and at all spare moments. Since, he has studied law and read extensively, and now has a vast store of information, at once practical and valuable. He takes an active interest in all public affairs and is a wide-awake, enterprising citizen, such an one as is valuable to a community.