Notes:

I. Josiah Bell McWhirt (William McWhirt, John McWhirt)
b. September 1840, OH
d. 24 July 1908, Webb City, Jasper Co., MO
bur. 26 July 1908, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Webb City, MO
m. 26 September 1861, Mason Co., IL, to Anna Elizabeth Valentine
Dau. of William Valentine and Mary Elizabeth Bell
b. 10 July 1844, Camden, Camden Co., NJ
d. 13 November 1925, Galena Cherokee Co., KS
bur. 14 November 1925, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Webb City, MO

Children: 1. Frank
2. Minnie
3. Frederic
4. Ida May
5. William Harry
6. Gertina "Gertie"
7. M. Ola
8. Garfield

There is some confusion as to the exact name. Early records list him as "Joseph Earl," leading one to think that perhaps Josiah himself decided later on to change his name.

Josiah and Anna were married in Fulton County, Illinois. Sometime before 1870, the family moved to a farm outside of Girard, Sheridan Township, Crawford County, Kansas. At the time of the 1870 Census, Josiah's farm was valued at $1000. He had personal property worth $300. The farm consisted of 80 unfenced acres. Twenty of these acres had been planted in corn, one in Irish potatoes, and one in sorghum. Josiah had paid $15 in wages during the year, presumably to farmhands, and had made 150 pounds of butter for his family's use. He owned two horses, one milch cow, and five other cattle.

In 1880, Josiah was still in Sheridan Township. The 1885 Census, however, found the family in Altamont, Labette Township, Labette County, Kansas. The Census states that Josiah rented 160 acres of land and owned machinery valued at $75. Thirty of these acres were under winter wheat, four under corn, and six under hay. The preceding year they had raised 50 bushels of corn and 20 tons of hay, and had made 100 pounds of butter for family use. Josiah owned 2 horses, 2 mules, 1 milch cow, 2 other cattle, 10 hogs, 1 dog and 80 apple trees.

Just a few years before he died, the 1900 Census listed him at 72 North Hall Street in Webb City, Joplin Township, Jasper County, Missouri.

His great-granddaughter, Ruby (McWhirt) Frazier, said that Josiah worked with herbs and roots and sold patent medicine throughout much of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. Alta (McWhirt) Wade remembered being told that Josiah had the wanderlust and would take off without telling anyone where he was going or when he would return. His son Frank had to help with the family at an early age.

Joseph Earl McWhirt recalled that on the night his grandfather Josiah died, Josiah and Anna attended church. Josiah got up and testified, saying that he loved the Lord and that he appreciated his neighbors. He added that this was the last time he would see them as he felt that the Lord was calling him home. His wife told him not to be silly, but Josiah died that very night.

Anna's father was born in Germany and her mother in England. The files of Mt. Hope Cemetery state that Anna died of indigestion. Ruby (McWhirt) Frazier suggested, however, that perhaps it was a heart attack. At the time of her death, Anna was living with her daughter Ola in Kansas City. However, she died while visiting her daughter Gertie at 819 Wall Street in Galena, Kansas.

Josiah married VALENTINE, Anna Elizabeth on 26 Sep 1861 in Mason, Illinois, USA. Anna was born on 10 Jul 1844 in Camden, Camden County, New Jersey; died on 13 Nov 1925 in Galena Cherokee County, Kansas; was buried on 14 Nov 1925 in Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri (Mt. Hope Cemetery). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. MCWHIRT, Gertina was born in Jun 1877 in Kansas, USA.
2. MCWHIRT, Ola Mary was born on 26 Feb 1878 in Kansas, USA; died in Jun 1953 in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, USA; was buried in Webb City, Jasper County, Missouri, United States of America.
3. MCWHIRT, Frederick was born on 30 Oct 1866 in Kansas, USA.
4. MCWHIRT, Frank was born on 18 May 1863 in Illinois, USA.
5. MCWHIRT, William Harry was born on 23 Dec 1872 in Independence, Montgomery County, Kansas; died about 1954 in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, USA.
6. MCWHIRT, Minnie was born on 16 Jul 1865; died about 1866.
7. MCWHIRT, Ida May was born on 6 Oct 1870 in Kansas, USA.

William married SHARP, Susan on 18 Jun 1819 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Susan was born about 1803 in Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married UNKNOWN, Wife. Wife was born about 1774. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]