JOHN A. TYLER

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 699-700:

John A. Tyler

(Of the J. A. Tyler Hardware Company, Dealers in Hardware, Stoves, Tinware, Furniture, House Furnishing Goods, etc.; also Undertakers and Dealers in Coffins, Nevada).

   Illustrating the possibilities of this country for young men without means or influence, but the character and determination, ability and industry, to succeed, a most striking example is afforded in the life and career of the subject of the present sketch.  John A. Tyler, now in the prime of life, occupies an enviable position among the business men of Nevada.  Deprived of his mother while still an infant, and later left alone when only 10 years old by the death of his father, he has had to carve out his own career, and every stone that has entered into the structure of his character has been placed there by his own design and his own hand.  Born at Worcester, Worcester county, Mass., October 24, 1832, he was the son of George W. and Clara (Patch) Tyler, themselves natives of Massachusetts.  The father died in 1842 at Natchez, Miss.; his wife, as intimated, had preceded him to the grave some years before.  John A. remained in the State of his birth until 1850, growing up with a mercantile experience.  In 1854 he came west as far as Chicago, and from there went to Bloomington, Ill.; thence to St. Louis for a short time, and later to New Orleans.  Afterwards, owing to ill health, he went to Bell county, Texas, where he became interested in the horse and mule and cattle trade.  He continued this business some twelve years with good success, and upon the cessation of hostilities which had existed between the North and South he settled at Pleasant Hill, Cass county, Mo., from whence he came to this county in 1869.  He at once embarked in the hardware business and has since continued it with such substantial results that he is now the president of the J. A. Tyler Hardware Co., recognized as among the largest establishments of the kind in Southwest Missouri.  As a public-spirited citizen as well as a representative business man his position is known to all.  From his first settlement here he has taken active part in everything ending to the interest of Nevada and Vernon county, and while firm in his convictions and of decided opinions, his course has been so liberal, and withal conservative, that popularity has been almost unavoidably awarded him.  Especially in educational matters has he been quite prominent.  In 1860 Mr. Tyler married Addie A. Smith, a native of New York City.  She died in Texas in 1863, leaving one daughter, Nellie, now Mrs. Charles Thom.  In 1867 he was married to Miss Maggie Thomas, who was born and reared in Pleasant Hill, Mo.  By this marriage there are two children:  George R. and John A.  Mr. T. is a Knight Templar in the Masonic Order.

[Transcribed by Julia Brown ]

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