The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-05
GEN. PERsAMG's
BoYAoOD DAYS

General John Joseph Pershihg was
born September 10, 1860, near
rLaclede, Mo. The old quarrel Of the
seven cities for the honor Of being
t. birthplace OF Homer threatens
to break forth in a new form over the
place where Pershing hrst saw the
light. The oldest inhabitants OF
Laclede are pointing proudly ana posi-
lively to the spot in their village on
which stood the little house In which
General Pershing vas born. The
neighboring township OF Meadville,
however. with equal pride liz prepar-
ing a marker for mis- birthplace. which
they vociferously declare is within
their bounds. | have a letter from
Grandma" Warren, who was present
hen the future general arrived. She
first washed and dressed him and was
a frequent visitor In the Pershing
household while he was a baby. She
ought to know. and Is positive that
she does know, that the general was
born In Meadville, and a year later
went with his father and mother to
live in LacIede. General Pershing
himself discreetly states that he was
born near Laclede." Without cues
ton he passed his boyhood In that
place, which sixty years ago was al
most a frontier settlement, having as
many blacks as whites among it's in
hab itants.
His father was section foreman at
that time on the Hannibal and st.
Joe, railroad. He was a man Of mar
velous energy, and speedily pushed
ahead. After a brief service as sutler
IN the Northern rmy he became the
postmaster and foremost merchant of
the village. Afterward he was a
travelling c4 lnam for clotHtr~
house OF st. Joseph, and later made
his home in Chicago. where he was
engaged in the wholesale clothing
business. Several times he met mis-
fortune. but. ~undaunted by failure. he
speedily recovered himself. He origf-
nally came from western Pennsyl-
eania, his ancestors having emigrated
from Alsace-Lorraine.
In Laclede>the senior Pershing. as
a member OF the board OF education.
pushed through a reorganization of
the educational system OF the village.
and was chiefly responsible for the
new school buildings. He vas a de-
vout member OF the Methodist church,
and superintendent of it's SUNDAY
school. and it is reported at times even
filled the pulpit. One of the Oldest
inhabitants of Laclede writes me that
he distinctly recalls the sight of the
Pershing family regularly to be seen
on Sundays on their way to church.
Mr.. Pershing with the General and
Jim in advance. and Mrs. Pershing
and n girls following"
Most great men have great mothers,
General Pershing il no exception. His
mother was Ann Eliza beth Thompson.
who was born "a Nashville. Tenn.
A resemblance almost weird appears
in her likeness to her first-born. She
had brothers in the Southern army,
but with her husband she herself was
s~taInchly loyal to the North. She
risked her life by raising the first nag
in Linn county. Mo. and with her hus-
band and children first observed
Memorial day by personally decorat-
ing the graves OF the fatfen linton
soldiers in that county One of her
children rises and calls her blessed in
the following tribute: She was al
ways an inspiration to her family,
n her ambition for them, especially
in an educational way. was unbound
ed"
Into this family was born John
Joseph Pershing, the eldest of nine
children. six of whom lived to matur-
ity. AS a boy he was known as a tow
head having lark eyes. a nrm-set
mouth. and a sturdy erect frame that