HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI

Biographical Appendix

V. A. O'BANNON

V. A. O'Bannon was born in St. Francois County, Mo., December 13, 1855, being the son of William and Martha (Hunt) O'Bannon and grandson of Elijah O'Bannon. The father was a native of Madison County, Mo., born in 1818, a farmer by occupation and of Scotch-Irish descent. To his marriage to Miss Hunt were born eleven children, eight of whom are now living, V. A. O'Bannon being the eighth. He was reared on the farm, and in 1880 entered the sawmill on what is now known as Twelve Mile. He remained in business in that place for about three years, and then removed the business from Twelve Mile to Big Creek. There he remained another three years, when he was burned out and entered business in still another place. He sold a portion of the planning mill here and moved the rest of his effects to Hot Spring County, Ark., on the Iron Mountain Railroad. He and his brother-in-law are going in partnership at that place and will operate sawmills as well as planning mills. Mr. O'Bannon was united in marriage to Miss Batie Rhodes, who bore him three children: Virgie May, Robert Edward and Emma. He is one of the stirring, enterprising young men in the community and the place may well regret his departure.