James McCaskill of Texas County, Missouri

James McCaskill, merchant of Summerville, Mo., was born in Maury County, Tenn., February 13, 1854, his parents, William and Mary (Blassingame) McCaskill, being born, reared and married in Giles County, Tenn. In 1855 they immigrated to Shannon County, Mo., where they entered land and settled down to farming and stock dealing, which occupations were attended with good results. During the late war he served the entire time, with the exception of six months, under “Old Pap” Price, and was with him on his raid through Arkansas and Missouri. He was captured on Pike Creek, Shannon County, but made his escape and returned to his command. After the war he resided in Shannon County until 1876, when he came to Texas County where he died on the 17th of April, 1881. He and wife were the parents of the following children: Eliza, James, George, John, Elizabeth, William, Zimri, Levi, Alice and Dona. Mrs. McCaskill is now living with a daughter on the old homestead. The paternal grandparents were natives of the “Old North State,” and immigrated to Tennessee at an early day, making the journey in wagons. The grandfather served during the War of 1812 under Gen. Jackson, and became one of the prominent residents of Tennessee. James McCaskill was reared principally in Shannon County, Mo., but received very limited early educational advantages, owing to the scarcity of schools in those days. He resided on the home farm until twenty-four years of age, and was then married to Alcy Summer, a daughter of Jesse and Ditha Summer, who were early settlers of the county, the town of Summerville being named in honor of the family. On the 1st of May, 1881, Mrs. McCaskill died, and three years later Mr. McCaskill wedded Miss Orpha, a daughter of William and Eliza Weakley, who were from Bloomington, Ill., and by her is the father of two children: Cecil and Myrtle. Mr. McCaskill has been a merchant of Summerville for a number of years, and in 1886 bought the milling plant of the town, which was conducted on a small scale until 1888, since which time the roller process has been added at a cost of $3,000, and the mill is now doing an extensive and profitable business. He is also engaged largely in farming and stock dealing, and is one of the progressive citizens of the county. He is the postmaster of Summerville, and in his political views is a Democrat.