J. A. WEATHERMAN. Among the prominent men of the county who have held the office of sheriff, none have filled it in a more efficient and satisfactory manner than has the subject of this sketch. He is an honored and respected citizen and, although young in years, is possessed of those advanced ideas and progressive principles which seem to be among the chief characteristics of the average Missourian. He is a product of Taney County, born December 7, 1859, and the eldest child born to the marriage of John and Matilda J. (Krithley) Weatherman.
The grandfather, James Weatherman, was a native of the Keystone State, but at an early day came to Missouri, where he was among the first settlers of Taney County. He became well known all over the county and followed farming until his death, in 1885. He reared a large family (about eighteen children) and some are still living in this county, although a number moved to other States. In politics he was first an old-line Whig, but later became a Republican, remaining with the same until his death. He was a good citizen and contributed his full share toward the improvement of the county.
John Weatherman, the father of our subject, became inured to pioneer life at an early age, for he was born in Missouri shortly after his parents settled here, and his education was received ‘in the primitive log schoolhouse of those days. He was but a youth when he came with his parents to Taney County, then an almost unbroken wilderness, and as he was a great hunter, much of his spare moments were spent with his gun. His father took up Government land on Bull Creek and this farm is now owned by one of the family. Having been trained to the duties of a farmer at an early age he naturally chose that as his occupation in life when starting out for himself and followed it until his death in 1875. He left a good farm, which is still owned by the family. During the Rebellion he enlisted in the First Missouri Light Artillery, Union Army, and served three years and six months in a creditable manner. He took part in a number of hard-fought battles and received a gun-shot wound in his arm. A member of the Baptist Church, he was highly esteemed in the community and was active in his support of all worthy measures. His wife was a daughter of Ambrose Keithley, who came to this county at an early day, settled at Bull Creek, but later he moved to Arkansas, where he died in 1870. Mrs. Weatherman was reared in Taney County principally and died here in 1885. She was the mother of six children, all of whom survive: J. A., the subject of this sketch; Lucy A., wife of John W. Gideon, of Christian County; Mary, wife of William Gideon, of Christian County; Martha, wife of Nathan Cochran, of Vernon County, Missouri; John F., a resident of Ozark, Missouri, and Rose A., wife of Hiram Griffith, of Vernon County, Missouri The parents were worthy members of the Baptist Church, and the father was a stanch Republican in politics.
Our subject passed his early life on Bull Creek, although during the war he resided with his mother at Rolla and attended the common school, where he received a good practical education. After reaching mature years he followed farming until 1886, and then embarked in the grocery business, which he followed at Forsyth until 1888, when he sold out. In 1892 he was elected sheriff and is now the present incumbent of that office. He is fearless in the discharge of his duty and is one of the best officials the county ever had. He has ever been a stanch Republican in politics and is a public-spirited and prominent citizen. When the city of Forsyth was incorporated he was city marshal, and he has held other positions. He chose his wife in the person of Miss Anna Shute, daughter of Joseph Shute, who lives in Taney City. Mrs. Weatherman was born in England and was but fourteen years of age when the family came to the United States.