J.W. Miresl of Texas County, Missouri

Hon. J. W. Mires, physician and surgeon, Cabool. Prominent among the many good citizens of this community, and among those deserving recognition for their long residence in Texas County, stands the name of the above mentioned gentleman, whose brief biography follows. Dr. Mires has passed the last twenty-nine years of his life among the people of Texas County, and has been in active practice as a physician and surgeon; for eighteen years has been identified with its mercantile and farming interests as a principal factor, has held a seat in its councils, represented its interests ably and well in State matters at Jefferson City, twice as its representative, has been prominently before its people as one of its educational men, and in many other ways has added to its interests by his sterling worth and public spirit. He was born in Wilson County, Tenn., September 17, 1843, being the son of George W. and Elizabeth A. (Telford) Mires, grandson of Peter and Diana (Carter) Mires, and the great-grandson of Charles Mires, who was born in Germany. Peter Mires and wife were natives of Wilson County, Tenn., and George W. Mires and wife were also natives of Tennessee, and he was a farmer by occupation. Of the history of the Mires branch of the family in America, it is known that Charles Mires came from Germany to America with his parents prior to the Revolutionary War, and made a settlement in the Carolinas. They were mainly farmers, although we find them in the professions, trades and as artisans. Elizabeth A. (Telford) Mires was the daughter of Hugh A. and Mary W. (Brown) Telford, natives of Tennessee and South Carolina, respectively, worthy people, who after making a settlement in Southeast Missouri, where their daughter was born, returned to their Tennessee home in Wilson County. In the spring of 1860 George W. Mires made a settlement in Texas County, Mo., and here followed the teachings of the political doctrines of his native State. When the Civil War broke out he joined the Confederate army, and lost his life in 1864. He left two sons and a daughter. Dr. J. W. Mires was attending school at the opening of the war, and was but eighteen years of age. He remained engaged in his studies until 1862, when he left school for the battle-field, enlisting in Company I, Thirty-second Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Federal Army, and rendered honorable and active service until at the battle of Resaca, Ga., when he received a gunshot wound in his right groin, which incapacitated him for further field duty. In January, 1865, he was honorably discharged. The following six years of his life were spent in patient and industrious toil for the purpose of furthering his designs for a medical education. He completed a thorough course of study in the St. Louis Medical College at St. Louis, Mo., and graduated from that institution in 1872. Dr. Mires has served very creditably as a deputy county official in 1867-68 [see history], and after graduating located at Houston, the county seat of Texas County, and here he became an active worker in the general development of his locality, particularly to the advancements of its educational interests, and became one of the important factors in the establishment of the Houston Academy. He served as its trustee and upon the building committee. He then left Houston, and locating at Elk Creek again performed similar duty to the educational interest of that place, and likewise at Cabool. In each of these places he became to their educational institutions an important aid, contributing liberally upon each and every occasion, and serving faithfully and well officially. He has always identified himself with the Democratic party, and has on many occasions served his party well in their caucus deliberations, both upon county and State matters. In 1875 he filled the unexpired term in the Legislature of his honored father-in-law, the Hon. Charles H. Latimer [see sketch], and in 1880 he was elected to represent Texas County. In his legislative associations he formed many strong attachments for his seniors in the Assembly, and by his honorable bearing added an important luster to the “Lone Star” County. He served with credit upon the committees of Militia, Retrenchment and Reform, and upon Claims, serving as chairman in the latter. Socially Dr. Mires is of a genial disposition, and has drawn around him a host of friends. He is a Master Mason of several years standing, serving in the Blue Lodge as Past Master six times. He has been master of Barnes Lodge, Cabool, since its organization, and served as District Deputy Grand Master of the State in 1886. He has an interesting family of two sons, Benjamin and Edison, children of his union to Miss Elizabeth P., daughter of Hon. Charles H. Latimer. Dr. Mires buried his first wife, Miss Margaret Missouri Rutland, in 1870, and in 1874 he buried Walter, their only child.