John W. Cazzell, a prosperous general agriculturist residing upon Section 28, township 52, range 18, Chariton County, Missouri, is an energetic, enterprising and popular citizen, satisfactorily discharging his duties as Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, and most efficiently transacting his public business as Collector of the township. Our subject was born in the good old state of Kentucky, January 17, 1844. His father, John (Henry) Cazzell, was a native of West Virginia, and was born December 27, 1818. He is yet living and resides in Indian Territory. The mother of our subject, Mrs. Jane Cazzell (Almyra Jane Wamsley), was born in La Fayette County, Kentucky, in the year 1820, and passed away in 1875.

Unto John and Jane Cazzell were born thirteen children; William F. (deceased); Elizabeth, now Mrs. Bullock; John W., our subject; and and America (deceased); James; George and Nancy M. (deceased)' Sarah A., now Mrs. William M. Morrison; Lourana, now Mrs. John Avery; Henry H.; Benjamin; and Joseph (deceased).

Our subject was but eight years of age when his parents removed from Kentucky to Ohio, where they resided for two years, in the Spring of 1855 locating in Missouri. They made their journey hither by water, landing at Glasgow, and from there came direct to Chariton County, which they made their permanent home. John W. received his primary education in the schools of Kentucky, Ohio and Missouri, and assisted his father in the agricultural duties of the farm. When the father, mother and children arrived in their Missouri home, the father had just one dollar with which to begin life here. Nearly two score years have passed since upon April 3, 1855, the Cazzells settled in Chariton County, where the father met with success and from his very small beginning amassed a comfortable competence. Our subject owns two hundred and forty-two acres of valuable land, eighty acres of which he has bought under a high state of improvement, the homestead annually yielding an excellent and profitable harvest.

In 1866, John W. Cazzell and Sarah W. Price were united in marriage. Mrs. Cazzell was a native of North Carolina and for some time previous to her marriage a resident of Missouri. She was a widow, Mrs. Alexander Price, when our subject made her acquaintance. The union was blessed by the birth of two children, John W. Jr. and William (deceased). Mr. Cazzell and his wife are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the active workers of that religious organization. The family are also widely known as interested in the social and benevolent enterprises of their locality and are ever ready to assist in the promotion of all matters tending to the elevation and betterment of humanity. In the troublous times of the Civil War, Mr. Cazzell served bravely for three years in the Federal service, and from January 20, 1862, until February 20, 1865, was constantly exposed to privations and danger and actively participated in several hard-fought battles and was present at the encounters of Kirksville, Missouri and Fayette, also engaging in numerous skirmishes with the bushwhackers. The war ended, our subject returned again to the peaceful life of a farmer, after three years of faithful service in the behalf of national existence, having just attained his majority one month before his honorable discharge from the Federal Army. As was the ardent and patriotic young boy, so is the adult man, an earnest true and public-spirited American citizen, highly respected by the entire community among whom he passes his useful and honored life. Politically, Mr. Cazzell is an ardent advocate of the Republican Party. Besides his other offices of trust he has for some time occupied a leading position as a valued member of the School Board, and wise suggestion and prompt action has materially assisted in the upward progress of the district schools. A friend of education, the interest of youth of his locality may be safely intrusted to his fostering care. Always busy, cheerful and courteous, our subject winds his upward way, and, a man of upright character, rests secure in the confidence and regard of a host of friends."