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Obit For Marcus L. Abernathy
Headline Marcus L. Abernathy Dead
Text Marcus L. Abernathy, an old resident of Barry County and for many years an influential public official, quietly passed into the sleep which knows no waking at the home of his daughter, Mr. J. B. Hessee, near Cassville at 4:00 p.m. on the morning of Saturday, May 30, 1914, of kidney trouble, resulting in uremia poisoning and general complication of diseases.

The decease was 84 years 2 months and 24 days old and was born in Giles County, Tennessee, March 6, 1830. He lived with his parents in Tennessee until 1851 when he came to Greene County, Mo., and engaged in farming. He was a veteran of the Civil War, and severed in the Confederate army, being a member of Company A, Third Regiment of Missouri Calvary. He was in the Battle of Pea Ridge, Ark., and received a wound that caused the amputation of his left leg. After the war he located in Ebenezer, Mo., until 1851, when he came to Cassville. Within a short time he became deputy clerk of the county court. In 1874, he was ordered county clerk and was re-elected to the at position on the democratic ticket until 1899, serving 16 years. He made a good record as a public official, conducting the business of the office for the best interest of the people whom he served. For a number of years he was actively interested in public affairs and always discharged every duty with fidelity.

In 1854, he married Nancy J. Sims who died in 1879. To this union were born eight children, two of whom survive. They are Mrs. E. C. Drake of Texas and Mrs. J. R. Hessee. He is also survived by two brothers and two sisters.

The funeral ceremony was held at the family residence of J. B. Hessee, Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock. Short and most appropriate talks were delivered by Rev. E.W. Love, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, and Rev. T. B. Hickman, pastor of the Methodist Church. Following the funeral ceremony, the beautiful Masonic ceremony was given at the cemetery by the members of Cassville Lodge, assisted by members of the Seligman, Washburn and Purdy Lodges.
Ref: Page 1011, History Of Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties, Missouri, Barry County, The Goodspeed Publishing Co., Chicago, 1888

Research Note: Burial was at Oakhill Cemetery, Cassville, MO.

Marcus L. Abernathy, clerk of Barry County, Mo., was born in Giles County, Tenn., in 1830, and is the son of John Y. and Matilda (Alexander) Abernathy. John Y. Abernathy was born in North Carolina in 1806, of Scotch parentage. When a small boy he was taken by his father, David Abernathy, to Maury County, Tenn. It was here that he grew to manhood and married. He chose farming for his life vocation and soon after his marriage he removed to Giles County, Tenn., where he resided until his death in 1849.

He served in the Seminole war. His wife was born in Maury County, Tenn., and died in 1854. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living. They are Ann (wife of Jacob Yokley, who resided on the old Abernathy homestead in Giles County), Marupree) and Milton S. (a saddler of Rocky Comfort, Mo.)

Marcus L. was educated in a pioneer log schoolhouse in Tennessee. He grew to manhood on a farm, making his home with his parents until he was past twenty-one years of age. In 1851 he left his native state for Greene County, Mo., where he purchased land and resumed farming. In 1854 he married Nancy J. Sims, a native of Greene County, Mo., born in 1836. She became the mother of eight children, viz: Mary, wife of Archibald Hessee, a hardware merchant of Cassville,) Ophelia M., (deceased wife of W. T. McClure), William A., (a farmer), Ida (wife of J. B. Hessee, a farmer), Fannie, Frank, Minnie and Walter.

In August, 1861, Mr. Abernathy enlisted in the Confederate army, joining Company A, Third Regiment of Missouri Cavalry. During the battle of Pea Ridge on March 7, 1862, he was severely wounded by the bursting of a shell. It was necessary on account of the wound to amputate his left leg near the hip.

After the war he clerked in a store at Ebenezer, Mo., until 1871, when he removed to Cassville. Soon after he became deputy clerk of Barry county and in 1874 was elected clerk.

He has served his constituents so faithfully and well that he has been re-elected at each succeeding election, being the present incumbent. He is a man of the people, universally respected by all parties, and is an adherent to Democratic principals. He is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and is a member of I.O.O.F., and A. F. & A. M. His wife died in 1879.
Newspaper or Funeral Home Cassville Republican
Date Thursday, June 4, 1914
Death Cert Link Death Certificate
Resource State Historical Society of Missouri
Submitted by Donna Cooper