John Henry Earnhart
Early Life and Family Origins
John Henry Earnhart was born on October 6, 1841, in Bedford County, Tennessee, to Daniel Earnhart and Martha Ann. His father Daniel (1809-1883) was a well-established resident of the area, having been born during the presidency of James Madison. The Earnhart family had put down deep roots in Bedford County, which was still considered frontier territory when John Henry came into the world.
John Henry grew up during a pivotal time in American history. When he was born in 1841, the nation was experiencing westward expansion, and Tennessee was transitioning from a frontier state to a more settled agricultural region. Bedford County, located in south-central Tennessee, was known for its rolling hills and fertile farmland.
Childhood and Youth (1841-1860)
The 1850 census shows nine-year-old John Henry living with his parents in District 18 of Bedford County. As a boy growing up in rural Tennessee, he would have experienced the typical life of a farming family - helping with chores, attending whatever schooling was available, and learning the skills necessary for agricultural life.
By 1860, when John Henry was about 19 years old, he was still living in his father's household in the Western Division of District 18. This was a crucial time in American history, as the country was on the brink of civil war. The tensions between North and South would have been felt even in rural Tennessee, and young men like John Henry would soon face difficult decisions about their futures.
Marriage and Family Life
Around 1860, at approximately age 19, John Henry married Evaline Wise, who was born in 1838 and was about two years his senior. Evaline came from the local area, and their marriage represented the joining of two established Bedford County families. Unfortunately, no marriage documents have survived for this couple, which was not uncommon in rural areas of the time.
John Henry and Evaline were blessed with six children over the course of their marriage:
Martha Elizabeth Earnhart (1861-1940) - Their first child, born when John Henry was just 20 years old
William Daniel Earnhart (1863-1954) - Named after his grandfather Daniel, William lived to be 91 years old
James Robert "Bob" Earnhart (1867-1950) - Known by his nickname "Bob," he lived to age 83
Margaret Susan Earnhart (1870-1948) - Born when the family was establishing itself in the post-Civil War era
John Wesley Earnhart (1873-1959) - Named after his father, he lived to be 86 years old
Francis Matilda Earnhart (1875-1956) - The youngest daughter, who lived to be 81
The Civil War Era (1861-1865)
John Henry's early married life coincided with the American Civil War. At age 20 when the war began, he was prime age for military service. Tennessee was deeply divided during the conflict, with the eastern part of the state remaining largely loyal to the Union while the western and middle sections, including Bedford County, generally supported the Confederacy.
The war years would have been challenging for the young family. Even if John Henry didn't serve in the military, the war affected everyone through economic hardship, food shortages, and the general disruption of normal life. The birth of their first two children, Martha Elizabeth in 1861 and William Daniel in 1863, occurred during these turbulent times.
Post-War Life and Family Building (1865-1880)
The post-Civil War period brought both challenges and opportunities. The 1870 census shows John Henry, now 29, established as the head of his own household in District 18, Bedford County. The family included Evaline (listed as age 32), and their children: Martha (8), William (7), James Robert, who was recorded as "Jones" (4), and baby Margaret, listed as 7/12 years old (meaning she was 7 months old).
By 1880, the census reveals a thriving family. John Henry, now 38, was still farming in the same district where he'd grown up. Evaline was 42, and their household included Martha (17), William (16), Robert (14), Susan (11), John (8), and Fanny (5). The family had grown and prospered during the Reconstruction era, managing to maintain their place in the community despite the challenges of the post-war period.
Historical Context of John Henry's Lifetime
John Henry lived through some of the most transformative years in American history. Born during the presidency of John Tyler, he witnessed the Mexican-American War, the California Gold Rush, the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
During his lifetime, Tennessee experienced significant changes. The state was readmitted to the Union in 1866, and the period of Reconstruction brought both political upheaval and gradual economic recovery. Agriculture remained the backbone of Bedford County's economy, and families like the Earnharts represented the continuity that helped communities rebuild and thrive.
The Move to Missouri and Final Years
Sometime after 1880, John Henry and his family made the decision to leave Tennessee and relocate to Christian County, Missouri. This move was part of a larger pattern of westward migration that characterized the late 19th century. Many Tennessee families sought new opportunities in Missouri, which offered fertile farmland and the promise of a fresh start.
Christian County, located in the southwestern part of Missouri, was experiencing growth and development during this period. The area offered good agricultural opportunities and was served by expanding railroad networks that connected rural communities to larger markets.
Death and Legacy
John Henry Earnhart died on August 25, 1896, in Christian County, Missouri, at the age of 54. His death came during a time when the American frontier was officially closing, and the country was rapidly industrializing. He was laid to rest in Wise Hill Cemetery in Clever, Christian County, Missouri.
John Henry's legacy lived on through his children, who went on to live remarkably long lives. His wife Evaline survived him by 17 years, passing away in 1913. Together, they had created a family that spanned nearly a century of American history, with some of their children living well into the 1950s.
The Earnhart family story represents the experience of countless American families who made the journey from the established communities of the East to the developing regions of the West, carrying with them the values, traditions, and determination that helped build the nation. John Henry's 54 years encompassed some of the most dramatic and transformative decades in American history, and his family's survival and prosperity stand as a testament to the resilience of the American spirit.
John Henry Earnhart is my 2nd Cousin 4X Removed.
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Note: My AI friend, Claude Sonnett 4, and I created this biography using an Individual Summary sheet from my RootsMagic Genealogy software. All research was done by the author of Carolinafamilyroots.
Endnotes 21 August 2025
1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed June 2025); Memorial page for John Henry Earnhart; (6 October 1841–6 October 1841); Find a Grave memorial # 70064390, Citing Wise Hill Cemetery; Clever, Christian County, Missouri, USA.
2. 1850 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, Page: 185A (Stamped); Line 7, Dwelling 2, Family 2, Household of Daniel EARNHEART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 May 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm M432.
3. 1860 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, Western Division District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, Page 248 (Stamped); Line 8, Dwelling 1241, Family 1195, Household of Daniel EARNHEART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2 May 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm M653.
4. 1870 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, Page:#331B (Stamped); Line:#20, Dwelling:#181; Family:#191, Household of John EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online June 2025); citing National Archives Microfilm M593_.
5. 1880 U. S. Census, Bedford County, Tennessee, population schedule, District 18, Bedford, Tennessee, enumeration district (ED) 12, Page:#331B (Stamped); Line:#7, Dwelling:#1; Family:#3, Household of John EARNHART; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : online June 2025); citing National Archives Microfilm T9_
6. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed June 2025); Memorial page for Evaline Wise Earnhart; (30 April 1838–21 July 1913); Find a Grave memorial # 70064258, Citing Wise Hill Cemetery; Clever, Christian County, Missouri, USA.
7. 1910 U. S. Census, Christian County, Missouri, population schedule, Porter, Christian, Missouri, enumeration district (ED) 0040, Page:#21B/100B (Stamped); Line:#76, Dwelling:#76; Family:#76, Household of James M. LETT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : online June 2025); citing National Archives Microfilm T626_Roll:.
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