After leaving college J.R. taught school near home for a time." On December 25, 1863 he married Elizabeth Ann Artt." Their first three children were born there in Jacksonville, but then a desire to grow up with the country caused them to move to Mossiouri." There Lizzie gave birth to nine children, one of whom was stillborn." They had financial problems and moved to different places in Missouri, and Iowa before finally settling in Kansas in 1885."
J.R. had at the age of seventeen idenitified himself with the Church Of Christ and had begun to preach about the time he began to teach school." He continued to preach as well as farm the rest of his life." In 1889 J.R. decided that Oklahoma looked pretty good compared to what they had in Kansas." The Shuff's found Oklahoma a satisfying place to live." J.R. still traveled a lot to preach, but he and his family worked diligently to make a prosperous farm." Some time later his wife inherited some money and purchased the quarter section adjoining theirs."
The Shuff's were were very, active in their community." They held spelldowns in their home as well as attending other literary functions in the community."
The Shuff's had suffered much through the years." Several of their children died young." But they werre strengthened by their faith and their friends."
Their children were: Ervin Allison Shuff, Born December 11, 1864, Died April 9, 1951." Buried at Matthewson Cemetery, Piedmont." Eva Ethelind Shuff born February 9 1866." Died January 25, 1873, buried near Graham, Mo: David Edwin Shuff, born January 23, 1869, Died March 22, 1956, Buried in Hutchinson, Kansas." Jessie Richard Shuff, born December 3, 1870, died February 5. 1873, buried near Graham, Missouri." Lizzie Luella Shuff, born December 3, 1870, died January 2, 1938." Buried Mathewson Cemetery, Piedmont." Mollie Angelina, born July 9, 1872." Died Azpril 17, 1896, buried in Mathewson Cemetery, Piedmont." James William Shuff, born December18, 1874." Died December 26, 1960, buried in Los Angelas, California." Harvey Oliver, born April 18, 1876, died June "?" 1950, buried in Stroud, Oklahoma;" Benjamin Franklin Shuff, born February 1, 1878, died in June 28, 1957, buried in Somora, California." Amilda Ann, born February 12, 1880, died November 10, 1922, buried in Mathewson Cemetery near Piedmont; Laura Euzetta, born November 2, 1882, Bradford Iowa, died January 4, 1896, buried in Mathewson Cemetery Piedmont." J.R. Shuff died of heart failure on February 10, 1904, and is buried in Mathewson Cemetery near Piedmont." His faithful wife Elizabeth Ann, also, Known As Elizabeth Ann (Artt)." Died at her home on May 26, 1923, and his buried beside her husband in the Mathewson Cemetery."
An interview appears in the Indian Pioneer History of Harvey Oliver Shuff." And an article appears in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Oklahomans on John Richard Shuff."
None of the decendents live in Canadian County today, but 6 great-grandchildren and 13 great-great- grandchildren live in the Edmond or Oklahoma City area."
The subject of this sketch was born September 1837, in Morgan County, Illinois." And is the eldest son of John and Angelina Shuff, of both deceased." In 1834 his parents migrated from Kentucky to Illinois, and purchased a farm five and on-half miles east of Jacksonville, where they raised a family of seven sons and four daughters." All whom except two brothers, are still living." He obeyed the gospel in 1854 under the labors of Wm. A. Mallory." Attend school at Berean College in Jacksonville, Illinois In 1856-1858." Of this school Jonathan Atkinson was first president." He was succeeded by Walter S. Russell." In 1857 he de delivered is first discourse in the town of Virginia, Cass County, Illinois." In 1858 he went to Behtany College, Viriginia, where he continued until the breaking out of war in 1861." Taught several terms of school and discoursed occassionally." December 24, 1863, he was married to Elizabeth Ann Artt." There have been born to them twelve children, eight sons, and four daughters." Their eldest daughterm Eva Ethelind, died in 1873, aged seven years old." Ten days later Jesse Richard-twin boy-also, passed away at the age of two years old, and two months." Also, and infant son lies with them in Nodaway County Missouri." Their baby daughter, Laura Euzetta, Left them January 4, 1896."
Removed from Illinois to Nodaway County, Missouri." In 1868." Where he remained as a farmer--preacher for about ten years." Becoming financially involved, solde his farm and rented, first in Hodgeman County, thein in Nodaway, next in Motgomery and Taylor Counties Iowa." In 1885 moved to Western, Kansas, Hodgeman County - went west to grow up with the country." But the Country, failed to grow,hence in 1889 came to Okalhoma Territory." Here he still works on his "claim" and preaches what he can." Has always been uncompromising with all perverts of the Gospel. His children are all in the same body." They much regret tghat the opportunities for their children receiving and education, have been so, limited." He has kept no account of names or number of those either baptized or married by him." They run, however, in the hundreds." His name has appeared occassionally in the A.C. (and
