JUDGE WILLIAM EASSON. No better citizens have come to Christian County, Missouri, than those who emigrated from bonnie Scotland, and who brought as their inheritance from Highland ancestry the traits of character and life which has ever distinguished the race. Among these we find Judge William Easson, who was born six miles from Sterling, Scotland, September 24, 1835, and who has been a resident of Christian County since 1869.
He is a son of Henry and Jane (Bryce) Easson, both natives of Scotland, who emigrated to this country in the year 1841. The parents located at Hamden, New York, after reaching the United States, and there the father followed farming until his death March 8, 1892. After coming to this country he advocated the principles of the Whig party, but later became a Republican. He became quite wealthy, and was a worthy member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. The mother died in the Empire State in August, 1893, and she, too, was a life long member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Eight children were born to them: William, our subject; James, who died in Scotland when a babe; Belle, single, is living in New York State; Henry, resides at Beaver Falls, Pa., and a preacher in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, who for twenty years was a missionary in Syria; Christina died when six years of age; John also died young; Andrew J. is living on the old home farm in New York; and Elizabeth J. is the wife of William Alexander and resides in the Empire State.
Our subject and Henry took part in the Civil War. Henry enlisted in the Third New York Cavalry Regiment, Company 1, and served two years. He participated in a number of prominent engagements, but was never wounded, Our subject’s boyhood days were passed in attending the schools of York State during the winter months, and in building stone fences during the summer seasons. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Eighth Indiana Battery, of New York, under Capt. Butler Fitch, and was not attached to any regiment. Some of his battles were Williamsburg, Yorktown, Seven Pines, and he was in the seven days’ fight across the Peninsula. He was also in the Gen. Cox raid through the South, cutting off railroads, etc., in South Carolina and other places. He was discharged in June, 1865, and although he had seven holes shot in his clothes at Seven mines, he was never seriously injured. At the close of the war he located in the State of New York, and remained there until 1869, when he came to Christian County, Missouri, buying a farm four miles northwest of Ozark. On this he resided until 1890, when he retired from farming and came to Ozark, in order to educate his children. He has a pleasant home in that city and this is presided over by his excellent wife, who was formerly Miss Sarah M. Morrison, daughter of James and Ellen Morrison, who came originally from Scotland and settled in Delaware County, New York. Mrs. Easson was educated in York State, and in early life was a teacher. To Mr. and Mrs. Easson have been born three children, two of whom are living. The eldest died young, and Nellie J. and Aggie B. are in school. Mr. Easson is the owner of 165 acres of land, and is a well-to-do citizen of the county. He has always affiliated with the Republican party, and is active in all matters of moment. In 1886 he was elected to the office of presiding judge of Christian County on the Republican ticket, and held that position for four years, being in office during the Bald Knob trouble. Fraternally, he is a member of the I. O. O. F., Finley Lodge No. 206, at Ozark, and is the treasurer of the organization. He is a member of Capt. Robertson Post, G. A. R., at Ozark, and has been commander two or three times. The Judge and family are members of the Protestant Methodist Church, and no family in the county is better respected. Mrs. Easson is a lady of character and high literary taste.
