History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, and Dent Counties 1889- By Goodspeed Publishing Co.

John Arthur, tiller of the soil and stock raiser of Watkins Township, was born in Washington ( now Marion) County, Ky., March 20, 1814, and is one of the oldest and enterprising citizens of the township. He is the son of Barnabus and Nancy (Vaughn) Arthur, the former probably a native of Virginia, and the latter a native of Washington County, Ky. The mother died a few years after her marriage, and the father married again and removed to Boone's Lick in North Missouri, where he spent one year, removed to Franklin County, Mo., and again returned to Ky., but later removed to Crawford County, Mo., where they both father and step-mother passed their last days. Mr. Arthur was one of the pioneers of South Missouri, settling there when it was a wilderness, and when it was probably a territory. He reared four sons and a daughter, John Arthur being the only one living of the first family. He was reared principally where Meramec Iron Works were when that country was vast wilderness, teeming with bear, wolves, panthers, elk, deer, etc., and it was common for fifteen years to see from 1,000 to 1,500 Shawnee Indians. He was reared with very little schooling, and when not working generally spent a great deal of his spare time in hunting with the Indians, and learning the shawnee language, in which he learned to converse readily. Before he was twelve years of age he had killed a bear. When old enough, he began working in the old Meramec Iron Works, where he was employed until twenty-four years of age. In 1839 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Hyer, whose sketch appears in another part of this work. Mrs. Arthur was born in Cumberland County, Penn., and by her union to Mr. Arthur became the mother of twelve children, five now living: Mattie, wife of Dr. Frank Craven, of Licking; Dr. Samuel, of Phelps County; Alice, wife of Alfred Craven, of Licking; Anna Mary, wife of J.H. McFarland; and Kate, wife of Joseph Hodges. The eldest daughter, names Julia, died in 1883, leaving her husband James T. Whitelaw, a lawyer, now of Dodge City, Kas., and three children. When first married Mr. Arthur settled on his present farm, on Hyer's Branch of Dry Fork, and was one of the first settlers on that creek. Here he has since lived, adn is one of hte prominent and enterprising farmers and extensive land-owners of the county, owning about 1,400 acres, with about 300 under cultivation. He began life in the woods, coming to his home with a yoke of cattle and a cart, the latter containing all his household effects. He has hauled wheat to St. Louis for 50 cents a bushel, with an ox team, taking twenty days to make the trip, when he would lay in a supply of groceries for one year. The nearest post-office at that time was Meramec Iron Works. By industry, economy, and good management he has accumulated a good property, and now, when getting old, can enjoy the results of his labor. He has long been known as a honest, industrious, and upright citizen, and at present is largely engaged in stock raising, and is making considerable effort to improve the grade of stock in the county, and has spared no pains to educate his children. The eldest was educated at the Convent of Visitation, St. Louis. The son is a graduate of Missouri Medical College, and is now a successful practicing physcian of Phelps County, Edgar's Prairie. The remainder of the children were educated principally at home, by private tutors. Mr. Arthur is a Democrat in his political views, his first presidential vote being for Martin Van Burin in 1836. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for forty years, Royal Arch degree, and Mrs. Arthur has been a member of the old Primitive Baptist Church since May, 1888.