COL. RICHARD A. BOUGHAN

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 625:

 Col. Richard A. Boughan

(Retired, Nevada).

   Among the highly esteemed and respected citizens of Vernon county Col. R. A. Boughan justly holds an enviable position, for besides being a man of marked intelligence and culture, he has been an active business man and one of the county’s public-spirited, useful citizens. Born in Essex county, Va., December 13, 1822, he was the son of Henry H. and Julia (Wood) Boughan, both of whom were Virginians by birth, where their lives were passed until death. Richard A., the eldest son and second child of the family of five children, was brought up to the occupation followed by his father, that of farming, becoming thoroughly familiar with all its details. In November, 1844, he went to Alabama and up to the time of his removal to Cooper county, Mo., in the winter of 1845, his home was in Demopolis, Marengo county. After leaving Cooper county Mr. B. resided in Osceola, St. Clair county until the fall of 1846, following which he lived at Harmony Mission, Bates county, and from there he went to Papinville in 1848. Going thence to Balltown in 1850, he became associated in a general business with Col. R. W. McNeil and S. H. Loring, under the firm name of R. W. McNeil & Co., the trade which they then carried on probably being unexcelled at the time. Mr. Loring subsequently disposed of his interest in the concern to Mr. Boughan, who in turn afterward sold out to Col. McNeil in 1855. From that time until the breaking out of the war he gave his attention to farming. When the noise of war was first sounded he enlisted in the cause of the Confederacy and became lieutenant-colonel of the Vernon county battalion, which took part in the battle of Carthage. Upon the reorganization of this command it was joined to Hunter’s regiment and Mr. B. received the appointment of lieutenant-colonel; at Corinth, Miss., they were joined to Gen. Price’s army and from there Col. Boughan, together with Col. Waldo P. Johnson, R. W. Musser and A. W. Slayback, received orders from Price to proceed to Arkansas to meet Missouri recruits and form them into a regiment. The regiment was formed by Col. Johnson, and Col. Boughan was made quartermaster, serving as such until Jackman’s brigade was formed when he was appointed brigade inspector. In this capacity he served until the close of the war, taking part in numerous severe battles. After the war closed Col. Boughan was engaged for two years in the real estate business at St. Louis, but in 1867 he embarked in milling at Belvoir, Vernon county, continuing to be so occupied until his election to the position of county clerk in 1872. He filled this position for two terms, and for one term was presiding judge of the county court, discharging his official duties in a most satisfactory manner. At present he is retired from the duties of active business life, and makes his home in Nevada, where he is well and favorably known. May 31, 1850, Col. Boughan was married to Miss Rosalie Carter, of Kentucky, and they have three children: Ella, wife of J. H. Maus, of Schell City; Mollie and Farley. In 1850 Col. B. took the census of this county and Bates and at that time knew every man within their borders. He is indeed a man of extensive acquaintance who at this day can say the same.

[Transcribed by Becky Siple]

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