Judge John N. Angel of Texas County, Missouri

Judge John N. Angel, of Texas County, Mo., was born in De Kalb County, Tenn., December 13, 1832, and is a son of Martin B. and Lucy (Stover) Angel, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively, both of whom died in Illinois, he in Jackson County in 1857, when about sixty years of age, and she in Union County in 1884, aged eighty years. They had moved from the mother's birth-place in 1853, and spent the rest of their days in Illinois, where the father was engaged in tilling the soil and teaching school. He was a Whig, and while residing in Tennessee filled the office of justice of the peace, and was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mrs. Angel was a member of the United Baptist Church, and she and Mr. Angel became the parents of four sons and three daughters, two sons and two daughters of whom are now living. Judge John N. Angel was quite young when he started in life for himself, but being plucky and persevering he began learning the blacksmith's trade, and afterward turned his attention to farming, and has been connected with every mail line except that which leads to Rolla, being engaged in the latter business in Southern Missouri for the past eighteen years. During the latter part of the Rebellion he was in the Government service as teamster. Since 1851 he has been a resident of Texas County, Mo., and in 1852 was appointed to the office of constable, being elected to the office the following year, and in addition to this has served as justice of the peace seven years. In 1866 he was appointed assessor of the county, which position he held four years, and in 1886 was elected justice of the peace, being elected, two years later, judge of the Western District, which position he is still filling. June 15, 1853, he married Miss Frances J. Wood, a daughter of Hon. John C. Wood. She was born in Wilson County, Tenn., January 4, 1835, and died in Texas County, Mo., January 23, 1880, having become the mother of the following children: James W., who was born July 9, 1855, and is now a resident of Texas County; Isabella A., born May 13, 1857, and now the wife of S. H. Fry; Susan B., born September 18, 1862, and Hershel A., born March 17, 1869. Those deceased are John C. Willis, born September 19, 1866, and died at the age of two years; Sarah Rebecca, born August 26, 1859, and died March 27, 1862, and Horace, born August 8, 1872, and died September 15, 1872. Mr. Angel began life a very poor boy, and on coming to Texas County, Mo., his entire capital consisted of 45 cents, but by industry and judicious management he is now one of the prosperous citizens of the county.