James R. Abernathy

James R. Abernathy (February 25, 1795 – January 29, 1886), also known as "Old Abby," was a 19th-century school teacher, Attorney at law, district attorney, Justice of the peace, and politician in Monroe County, Missouri. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. At the time of his death, he was the oldest man in Monroe County. He was a resident of Monroe County for over half a century, prior to its organization as a county on January 6, 1831. He was an early settler of Paris, Missouri and Madison, Missouri.

He was the father of Nancy Harrison Abernathy who married Dr. Hugh James Glenn, a wealthy California rancher and politician.

Abernathy became a farmer in New Madrid, Missouri and was in 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes. He lost everything in the quake. He taught school in Howard County, Missouri for a number of years.

Political career

Abernathy was a member of the Whig Party, and later became a Republican. He began his political career in the early 1830s. He was one of the first settlers of Paris, Missouri, Monroe County, Missouri in 1831. The town was laid out by Abernathy, James C. Fox, and E. W. McBride, and in 1837, contained seven stores and a number of families. In Paris, he started a school for early settlers. He was a resident of Monroe County for over half a century, prior to its organization as a county on January 6, 1831. At this time, he was appointed him commissioner to sell the school lands. On March 10, 1832, he and seven others organized the first Christian Church in Paris.

In November 1838, Abernathy was a prosecuting district attorney for the 4th Judicial Circuit of the Missouri Circuit Courts that was a 300-mile circuit and extended to twelve counties, composing Northeastern Missouri. He traveled the circuit three times a year on horseback. He held this office for ten years.

He was a constable, then Justice of the peace for sixteen years. During the American Civil War he was a Union man.