Person:John Tarbet (5)

John Walker Tarbet

John Walker Tarbet

John Walker & Nancy Kenning TARBET

John W. was born in Kentucky. He moved to Indiana prior to 1860. Listed in 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Fleming Co., Kentucky, District No. 1, 11 September 1850, dwelling 800, family 829. Tarbet, Robert, 35, Farmer, b. KY;

Mary, 35, b. KY; 

John, 9, b.KY; James, 7, b. KY;

Amanda E., 2, b. KY.

He lived on the farm in the Elisville community near Mudlick Creek.

The 1860 Census has John W. living in Indiana, where he married Nancy E. Kenning, and they had 9 of their children.

Listed in 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Rush Co., Indiana, Posey Twp, June 1860, Beech Grove P.O., dwelling/family 161.

Tarbet,Robt, 42, Farmer;
Mary, 36; John, 20; 

James, 16;

Amanda, 7; allb. Ind.

Sometime between 1867 and 1870, when John Marion was born, he moved to Shelbyville, MO. He and Nancy had 5 more children in Mo. The first child born in Mo was John Marion, in 1870. They lived west of Shelbyville in a community known as Kirby, OH. His brother James B. Tarbet also came to this same area.

1880 Census has John W. living in Black Creek, Mo./with; Nancy E. George M. Charles F. Mary J. Walter E. James H. John M. William R.

John W. and his family were members of the Christian Church that met in the Old Chick School building until a new building was erected in 1890 and named the Berea Christian Church. john Jarrell, John Tarbet and James Robinson were the first Elders of Berea. Along with farming, John W bought the general store, and was appointed Postmaster of Shelby County Missouri post office on Aug 7, 1889. His successor was appointed Sept 1, 1900 according to the national archive records. John also owned a grist mill in which, along with his farm and store, he had help from his many sons. His last 12 children were born while he was living in Missouri.

1900 Census has "James" living in Black Creek, Shelby, Mo with his family. James is a mistake. This is actually John W.

Head James (John W.) b. Oct 1840 KY Farmer Wife Nancy E. b. Aug 1848 Dau Mary B. b. Apr 1874 ( should be Mary J.) Son Jessa E. b. Jan 1882 Dau Bessie E. b. Jan 1882 Son Grover b. May 1884 Son Thomas H. b. May 1884 (Thomas Hendrix Sr.) Dau Jossie b. Dec 1889

By this census, William, Samuel, & Martin had died. Jessa died later in the same year. James had married and moved out of the family home. Also staying with the family is John D. Kenning b. Jan 1850. Probably brother of Nancy E. Walter, John M. and George had moved to Texas, soon to be followed by Grover. Next door is living;

Head Callie Tarbet b. Apr 1866 Dau Blanche b. Sept 1888 Son Edward b. Feb 1891

Who is Callie's Husband? Probably William who died two years earlier. William was still living at home in the 1880 Census.

The boys who had moved to Texas successfully enduced the rest of the family to join them and in October of 1900 John W. sold his properties in MO and started out for Haskell Co., TX. in "two covered waggons and a Spalding hack." They would travel for six days and rest on Sundays. They crossed Indian territory (now Oklahoma) and had many interesting experiences there. They finally arrived at the J.L. Jones farm on Dec 22, 1900, where they farmed for two years. John W. bought a farm northwest of Rule, where the family lived until 1908 when he sold it and moved into Rule.

In 1910 John W. engaged in a strong campaign to become Tax-Assessor & Collector for Haskell county. A letter to his son John Marion, dated July 17, 1910 tells about his struggle. "One week from yesterday will tell the tale whether I success in my race or not, but I firmly believe that I will win out. I am making the fight of my life to win honersbly. My opponent has the advantage of the second term proposition over me, but his official record is not satisfactorily. he has 3 or 4 men out helping him. they are circulating false reports about me. One is that I was in the Federal Army. Another is i raised a big family of boys that were always in trouble nothing thought of. Another is I was no democrat and just wanted the office for my boys and other reports. I have been all over the county. We have spoke in most parts of the Co. and have 3 dates for this week one of them at the Irby School house tomorrow night I will not fill but will be at the other 2. He runs a church question on me says I am a Camelite but these things wont work with many people"

John W. won the election, and moved to Haskell while he served 2 terms.

John Walker Tarbet Died Jan 24, 1922 and was buried next to his daughter Jessie who had died in 1908, in the Rule Cemetery, Rule TX.