Judge James R. Vaughan
of Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Submitted by Joan Lewin

As a citizen he is quiet and unassuming, but public spirited
and ever alive to progress at home and in the community.
He is a man who never gushes nor overflows; he is never
elated by small victories nor seeks small glories; he never
praises himself nor seeks for praise from others. His character
and intellect are solid, strong and practical, and for these
reasons he has succeeded so well under great difficlties and
without any special advantages.

He is the oldest and only living son of Thomas and Susan B.
Vaughan. His father moved to the section now embraced in
Christian County in 1849 and became a farmer. His father
was a man who always took much interest in political affairs,
and was always well read upon the current affairs of the
times. He was originally a Whig, was a stanch Union man
during the war, and after the war a Democrat. His death,
which occurred August 18, 1880, was deeply deplored by his
many friends. His widow survives him and makes her home
in Springfield with her two surviving children. She was born
in Tennessee, a daughter of Robert Lawing, who was an early
resident of that State, from North Carolina.

James Vaughan, Sr., the grandfather of James R., was
originally from Virginia.

Thomas H. Vaughan took a part in the Seminole Indian War
in Florida, and during his lifetime he and his wife were
members of the Prebyterian Church, but he is now connected
with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Of a family of seven children born to this worthy couple, only
three grew to maturity:

    Samuel R., who died in 1889, a young man twenty-two years
    of age;

    a daughter who became the wife of James R. Bell, of Spring-
    field,

    James R.

The youthful days of the latter were spent near Ozark, Mo., on
a farm and in attending the district school near his home. He
obtained his literary education in the schools of Ozark, in the
Union University at Murfreesboro, Tenn., entering the latter
institution in 1860, where he remained until the bursting of
the great war cloud upon this county, when the school was
closed.

He then returned to Missouri with an uncle, Dr. David A.
Vaughan, and remained with his parents until March 19,
1862, when he took "French leave" of his home, and attached
himself to the Sixth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, under Gen.
Samuel R. Curtis, enlisting at Cassville, Mo.,as a private.

Young Vaughan was quite patriotic, as upon his first effort
to join the Federal army he was followed by his father and
taken back, then being only in the beginning of his seven-
teenth year. He was in several engagements in western
Missouri, at Sarcoxie and other points, going from thence
to Vicksburg, after which he went up the Arkansas River to
Arkansas Post, after which he was on different transports
on the Mississippi River. He was at the siege of Vicksburg,
Jackson, Miss., and was in a number of cavalry raids in
eastern Louisiana, and was in the Banks expedition up the
Red River, taking part in the engagement at Sabine Cross
Roads and Pleasant Hill, and again in an expedition to
southeast Mississippi, along Mississippi Sound. He was
never severely wounded while in the service, but was usually
found ready for duty, and, by faithfully performing everything
required of him and by the courage he displayed on several
trying occasions, he rose to the rank of sergeant-major, and
as such was discharged after the battle of Baton Rouge,
March 22, 1865, and returned to his former home in
Missouri. He soon after engaged in teaching school, which
he continued for a short time, then entered the Illinois College
at Jacksonville, which institution he attended for one term.

He then entered the law department of the University of
Michigan, at Ann Arbor (in 1866), and graduated from there
in March, 1868, after which he practiced his profession in
Ozark, Christian County, Mo., until his removal to Springfield
in 1877.

While in Christian County he was a public school commissioner.
He was married there to Miss Barbara A. Weaver, May 10, 1871,
a daughter of John R. Weaver, who was formerly a Tennesseean.
The latter is one of the highly honored citizens of Christian
County, and on two different occasions he was elected to the
position of county treasurer.

Mrs . Vaughan was born December 17, 1852, being one of a
family of seven children, and has borne Judge Vaughan six
children, two of whom are deceased.

Those living are

        Lena E., who is at home;
 

 Anna C., who is attending school at Auburn Park, Chicago;

Charles, who is attending the public schools at Springfield,

James, who is also at school.

Susie died at the age of fourteen years

Mary died at the age of four.
 

In this responsible position he administered the law with justice
and impartiality, knowing neither friend nor foe, and while on
the bench his record was clean and pure.  He has always been
a live business man, was for several years vice-president of the
First National Bank of Springfield, and is the owner of
considerable valuable real estate and other property. He has
been and now is attorney for several railroads and other
corporate enterprises, and is now engaged in general practice,
which fully occupies his time and attention. Politically he is a
Democrat. He has a pleasant and comfortable home at 427
East Walnut Street, and it is there that his character shows
its most admirable traits.
 
 

Linda_Welden@Vaughan-Vaughn.org

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