Born:  11/28/1824;  White County, Tennessee

Died:  3/19/1913;  Dallas County, Missouri

Father:  Maclin William Southard

Mother:  Nancy Wisdom

James was born and raised in White County, Tennessee.  In the spring of 1838, when James was only thirteen years of age, his father Maclin moved the family to Dallas County, Missouri and settled near the small community of Louisburg. 

When James was nineteen, he married Ethalinda Lindsey and together they began their family the following year with the birth of their first child, Nancy Elizabeth.  Together, they would be blessed with ten offspring.

James and Ethalinda were active in the Missionary Baptists Church (present-day New Hope Baptist) just east of Louisburg.  In fact, James' entire life was based upon service, not only to God and family, but also to state and country.

James served as a 1st Lieutenant in the 46th Regiment of the Missouri Infantry during the Civil War and is referred to #146 in the roster of Southard's that served in the Conflict.

With regards to politics, James was elected to represent Dallas County within the Missouri State Legislature in 1862 as well as 1864.  James ran as a Republican, a party created by the recently elected Abraham Lincoln ... a President that would be assassinated in 1865.  James was later asked to represent Dallas County again as he was re-elected in 1868.  

Two years later, James went on to represent the 20th District of Missouri as a State Senator and then finally returned to the State Legislature for one final term beginning in 1876.  

Two years following, James saw the passing of his wife, Ethalinda, in the autumn of 1878.  His political career then came to a close as James still had three children under the age of eighteen of whom to care for.  He was only 54.

James served as a Probate Judge and Justice of the Peace for a number of years and would eventually marry again to Caroline Luttrell.

James was laid to rest in 1913 in Dallas County, Missouri.

Contributed, in part, by Phyllis Robinette, gggGranddaughter of James Southard.

Spouse 1:  Ethalinda Lindsey

        Married:  9/4/1843;  Dallas County, Missouri

        Born:  2/25/1823;  Tennessee

        Died:  9/18/1878;  Dallas County, Missouri

   Children:            

       Nancy Elizabeth Southard:  Born 1844     

        Martha Ann Southard:  Born 1845

        William Abner Southard:  Born 1847

        Margaret Southard:  Born 1849

        Sarah L. Southard:  Born 1853

        Mary Jane Southard:  Born 1855

        Rachel E. Southard:  Born 1857

        Francis C. Southard:  Born 1861

        Hannah Cindy Southard:  Born 1864

        Susan I. Southard:  Born 1868

Spouse 2:  Caroline Luttrell

        Married:  Dallas County, Missouri

        Born:  

        Died:  Dallas County, Missouri

   Children:   

           none