Biographical Sketch of Hon. James M. Ming, Franklin County, Missouri

>From "History of Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Crawford and 
Gasconade Counties", Biographical Appendix, Goodspeed Publishing 
Company, 1888.

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Hon. James M. Ming, a prominent citizen of Franklin County, Mo., was
born in Campbell County, Va., May 16, 1824 and is the son of W. and
D. (North) Ming.  The father was a native of Culpeper County, Va., 
and died in Franklin County, Mo.  In 1837 he left his native county,
and with his family moved to Franklin County, Mo., where he passed 
the remainder of his days.  He followed the tanners trade while in
Virginia, and after coming to Missouri was engaged in farming.  His
father was a revolutionary soldier, and was a commissioned officer.
The mother of James M. was born in Campbell County, Va., and here
she married the father of our subject.  Nine children were the result
of this marriage, only two now living.  Young Ming received his educa-
tion in Virginia and Missouri, at country schools, and at the age of
fourteen entered the store of his uncle, William North, where he re-
mained for about five years, or until 1843.  He then purchased the 
stock of goods and began on his own responsibility as a merchant, and 
has continued the same for twenty years, being postmaster at Port 
William during that time.  In the spring of 1864 he took a trip to
the mountains of Montana, had charge of the train, and took a stock
of goods, and engaged in merchandising at Virginia City and Helena.
In 1866 he came back to Franklin County, Mo., and again soon after
returned to Montana with another stock of goods, but in the fall of
the same year returned once more to Franklin County, sold out his 
stock of goods and settled on his farm, near Gray's Summit.  He was
elected to the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth General Assemblies from
1868 to 1872.  In 1881 he purchased and engaged with others in the 
cattle business in Colorado, and continued at the same for three years,
since which time he has been farming.  He was elected three times as 
one of the county judges, and during this time he and his associates
settled the road bonds.  After filling the office for six years, he 
declined to serve further in that capacity.  During the years 1884 and
1885 he was again elected to the General Assembly.  October 24, 1846,
Judge Ming married Miss Jemima Osborn, a native of Franklin County, Mo.
born August 12, 1824, and the daughter of William Osborn, one of the 
early settlers of Franklin County.  The fruits of this marriage were
nine children, five now living: William F., E. D., Emmet M. (who is
engaged in merchandising and farming in Henry County, Mo.), Fannie F.
(the wife of Dr. J. R. Wallace, of Ladue, Henry County, Mo.) and Clara
W. (now at home).  Those deceased are Robert P., Robena T., James M.,
and an infant.  Mr. Ming was formerly a Whig, but is now a supporter
of the Democratic party.  In 1886 he, in partnership with J. H. Kinsel
and J. R. Haigler, purchased a cattle ranch in Arizona, and still con-
tinues the business at the present time.

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