B. B. MELTON. Since the year 1851 Mr. Melton has been a resident of Christian County, and he is one of the best-known and much esteemed citizens of this section. It is a pleasure to chronicle the history of a man whose life has been one of honor and usefulness and although he is now in his seventy-fifth year, time has dealt leniently with him, and he is in the enjoyment of comparatively good health. Like many other citizens of the county, he is a native of Tennessee, born in Cannon County, August 12, 1820, to the marriage of Jacob and Lucy (Matthews) Melton.
The parents came to this county in 1851, located in Elk Valley, southwest of Ozark, and there passed the remainder of their days, the mother dying in 1865 and the father in October, 1871. Shortly after this worthy couple’s marriage, which occurred in Alabama, they moved to Tennessee, and from there to this State. Both were natives of North Carolina, and they were among the pioneers of the Big Bend State. Grandfather Matthews was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The father of our subject followed farming all his life and was fairly successful in that occupation. To his marriage were born eleven children: Mary, James M., Nancy A., B. B. (our subject), Elizabeth, Eliza J., Angeline, Ansel, Thomas, Elsie and Tilitia. Five of these children are now living and four are in this county. Thomas and Ansel were in the Union Army during the Rebellion.
Our subject was about twelve years of age when his parents moved to Tennessee, and he there finished his growth and married Miss M. C. Elkins, daughter of Thomas Elkins. To our subject and wife have been born eleven children, nine of whom are living: John M., Anna C., Alonzo D., Alexander, Eliza, Lucy, James B., Billard, one name unlearned, and two, Martha and Almeda who died young. While residing in Cannon County, Tennessee, Mr. Melton was elected treasurer of the county and although formerly a Democrat in politics he is now with the People’s party. He has a good farm of 160 acres and is succeeding fairly well as an agriculturist. He has ever been interested in all public matters, extends a liberal hand to all worthy movements, and is one of the county’s best citizens. He and his estimable wife have reared a large family and all are married except the youngest son. A number of children are residing in southwest Missouri, two sons, railroad men, are in Springfield, another son is in the State of Washington, and the remainder are in this county, and are well-to-do men and women. Mr. Melton and family are with the Christian Church. He is a good farmer and a prominent man.