My Genealogy Hound

Cuthbert Swepson Jeffries, a prominent citizen and one of the early settlers of Franklin County, was born in Mecklenburg County, Va., July 1, 1805. He is the son of Achilles and Susan P. (Williamson) Jeffries, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father was born in Mecklenburg County, September 3, 1783, and died in Franklin County, Mo., at the age of eighty-three. The mother was born in Charlotte County, January 14, 1783, and died in Franklin County a few years subsequent to the death of her husband. They came to Franklin County, Mo., the latter part of 1819, where the father in his younger days followed the occupation of a school teacher, and later devoted his time and attention to farming. He was a member of the Methodist Church and a truly good man. The mother was also a life-long member of the Methodist Church. From Virginia they moved to North Carolina, where they lived three years before coming to Missouri. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, only three of whom are now living. He received a limited education, but, on account of the few schools existing at that time, being a great student, is now a well-informed man. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, his time being employed in assisting on the farm and in teaching. Upon leaving home he tried mining, but an attack of inflammatory rheumatism caused him to abandon this, after which he was engaged in mercantile transactions for about two years. He then engaged in farming and school teaching until 1830, when he was elected sheriff of Franklin County. In 1836 he was elected to the united office of circuit and county clerk, which then embraced the office of recorder, and filled this position in a capable and efficient manner for a period of twenty-four years. During this time he never missed a session of court, circuit or county. After this long term of public service he returned to his farm at Boles, where he is spending his last days. He has been a life-long Democrat in political principles, but has never been so tied down to party politics as to support nominees whom he considered unworthy of public trust. Thomas H. Benton was with him a beau ideal statesman. Gen. Jackson was the first President for whom he voted and Cleveland the last. He was not in any sense a secessionist, and did not at any time advocate the policy of dividing the Union, though he sympathized with the suffering Southern people, whom he regarded as conscientiously engaged in a wrong work. In religion Mr. Jeffries has always been liberal and extended his aid to all, and, though not attached to any religious denomination, yet he is an avowed Universalist. September 13, 1827, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan W. Williamson, a native of Charlotte County, Va., born February 14, 1811, and the daughter of Charles Williamson. They celebrated their golden wedding about ten years ago. They reared a large family, and their children have had excellent educational advantages. They have buried two sons and five daughters. Charles W. was taken in the prime of life, and is still remembered as a polished and skillful physician. He left a wife and seven children. Two daughters constitute the survivors of our subject’s family; one, Virginia, is the wife of Col. W. B. Crews, a well-known lawyer of this county, and Eudora is the wife of John C. Davis, a merchant and farmer of Boles Township.