Capt. James Stockton

THE HISTORY OF GENTRY AND WORTH COUNTIES, MISSOURI, National Historical Company, St. Joseph, Mo., 1882 pp. 404-405

Gentry County Cooper Township

CAPTAIN JAMES STOCKTON, who is deserving of more than a passing notice, is one of the oldest residents, in point of years, in Gentry County. He was born in Mason County, Kentucky, October 9, 1797, and resided at his birth place until eighteen years of age, when he removed to Champaign County, Ohio. There he remained a few years, after which he returned to Kentucky, where he was married to Miss Margaret Torbet. In 1824 he settled in Jennings County, Indiana, living there until 1838 ; then removed to Hendricks County, Indiana, and remained six years. He then emigrated to Missouri, and settled in Platte County in 1844, making it his home eight years, when he changed his residence to Henry County, Iowa, in 1852. This was his home until the Spring of 1858, when he came to Gentry County, settling in this township April 4 of that year. Mrs. Stockton died, leaving a family of : Robert, James J., John S., James H., Mary, Hannah, Sophia, Jane, and Margaret. Mr. S. was married a second time to Margaret Wilson, of Jefferson County, Indiana. She died, leaving one son, Jackson. His third wife was Margaret Wilson, by whom he has living five children : Alexander R., Elizabeth A., Patrick W., Allen O. and William A. In his political preferences he is a Democrat of the old school. He cast his first presidential vote for General Jackson, and has voted at every presidential election, and at the last, in 1880, cast his vote for General Hancock. During the late war he was a strong Union man and raised a cavalry company, of which he was commissioned captain. He was in a number of skirmishes and proved himself a brave and efficient officer. At one time his horse was shot from under him, and in the fall Captain Stockton was considerably injured. In his religious preferences he is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he has held the position of deacon for fifty years, and in all this period he has not missed attending over three associations to which he belonged. For several years past he has been suffering from what was supposed to be a cancerous affection of his right arm. This had so affected him, by destroying the bone and subjecting him to such intense pain, that he made up his mind to have it amputated. A council of surgeons was called and advised adversely to it, but his mind was made up, that death would follow in a short time, and with a will characteristic of the man, insisted it should be done. They reluctantly acceded to his request, and a day was appointed for the operation. An interview with his sons (gray-headed men) on the evening previous is one long to be remembered, and a touching incident in their lives, as their father spoke of the loss he would suffer the following day in losing the best friend of his life - the strong right arm that had provided for their mother and themselves. When the day came, with unparalleled fortitude he placed himself in position to be operated on, which was skillfully and speedily done, and in a few weeks, to the agreeable disappointment of all his friends, he had entirely recovered and was walking around, feeling better than for years. And now, at over four score years, his step is still firm, his form erect, and his countenance cheerful, and he bids fair to see a mellow, ripe old age.

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Note: This 1882 biographical sketch incorrectly shows the children of Captain James and Margaret (nee Torbet) Stockton as "Robert, James J., John S., James H., Mary, Hannah, Sophia, Jane, and Margaret." The second child born to Captain James and Margaret (nee Torbet) Stockton was Thomas J. "T. J." Stockton, Sr., born 17 February 1820. In his book, Life Sketches and Reminiscences of T. J. Stockton, Senior, he wrote "My father's name was James Stockton, and my mother's maiden name was Margaret Torbet . . . He has had three wives . . . There were seven children by my own mother - Robert, Thomas J., John S., James H., Mary Hannah, Sophia Jane, and Margaret . . . Now I will give the births of my brothers and sisters: First wife - Robert T., born Sept. 5, 1818; T. J., Feb, 17, 1820; John S., Feb. 27, 1822; Mary H. (Norman now), January 30, 1824; Sophia (Swearengen now), September, 1825; James H. Stockton, July 14, 1827; Margaret Ann (now Wilson) July 18, 1830. Those were the seven children of my father's first wife. Second wife - one boy, Daniel Jackson; he was born Dec. 21, 1833. Now his third wife's children: A. R. Stockton, born Aug. 31, 1838; Martin VanBuren, July 18, 1840; Elizabeth (now Flowers), Sept. 2, 1842; Green B., Oct. 7, 1844; P. W., Aug. 14, 1846; A. O., May 12, 1848; George W., April 16, 1850; Wm. A., April 17, 1852; Lucinda E., Oct. 25, 1854. There were two born never named died out of the seventeen born . . ."

This 1882 biographical sketch, including the incorrect names of Captain James and Margaret (nee Torbet) Stockton's children, was later used in Captain James Stockton's obituary. In addition to the information from Captain James Stockton's 1882 biographical sketch his obituary included the following:

"On Friday, Apr. 10, 1891, the spirit of Capt. Jas. Stockton passed away. His death was no surprise to his relatives and the public, owing to his extreme age. He was 93 years, 6 months and 1 day old, and was the oldest person in this part of the country. His wife was buried last week, and he thus early followed her to the grave. He was loved and respected by all who know him. He was a kind husband and a true Christian - - one who never flinched nor swerved from duty. He has been known to come from Maryville, Mo., to the Cooper church to attend class - meeting. He had been an officer in the church for 59 years, and was an earnest worker . . . For the past few years he had been growing feeble with advancing years, and for many months before the final summons come he had been confined to his home. Capt. Stockton was one of those people whose aim on earth is to make it better by living in it, and who calmly await the call to the Silent Beyond, knowing that all is well. Funeral Services were held at the Baptist church Sunday at 11 o’clock, conducted by the Rev. Israel Christie. The remains were viewed by one of the largest congregations ever assembled in the Baptist church. The interment was at the Cooper cemetery."

Captain James Stockton was a son of Jesse and Mary (nee Hays) Stockton, a grandson of Thomas and Rachel (nee Allen) Stockton, Sr., and a great-grandson of Davis Stockton of Albemarle County, Virginia. This note was added by Jerry Stockton.

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THE CHILDREN OF CAPTAIN JAMES STOCKTON

Captain James Stockton m. Margaret Torbet on 24 July 1817 in Woodford County, Kentucky CHILDREN: Robert T. Stockton, 5 Sept 1818 Thomas J. Stockton, 17 Feb 1820 John Sellers Stockton, 27 Feb 1822 Mary Hannah Stockton, 30 Jan 1824 Sophia Jane Stockton, 18 Sept 1825 James H. Stockton, 14 July 1827 Margaret Ann Stockton, 18 July 1830

Captain James Stockton m. Margaret Wilson on 6 Aug 1832 in Jefferson County, Indiana CHILD: Daniel Jackson Stockton, 21 Dec 1833

Captain James Stockton m. Martha Wilson on 8 Aug 1836 in Jefferson County, Indiana CHILDREN: Alexander R. Stockton, 31 Aug 1838 Martin Van Buren Stockton, 18 July 1840 Elizabeth Stockton, 2 Sept 1842 Green Berry Stockton, 7 Oct 1844 Patrick Wilson Stockton, 14 Aug 1846 Allen Oliver Stockton, 12 May 1848 George W. Stockton, 16 April 1850 William A. Stockton, 17 April 1852 Lucinda E. Stockton, 25 Oct 1854

Source:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40829903/james-stockton