The Terrell Times-Star
Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas
15 November 1890

John Vesey, the county judge elect, was the fifth son of Capt. John W. Vesey.  He was born at Aberdeen, Monroe County, Mississippi, November 25, 1855.  His father served the entire four years during the civil war in the Confederate Army.  During the war his mother died at the homestead in Aberdeen.  At the close of the war he moved with his father to Wilson County, Tennessee, and lived with his grandfather four or five years.  In October 1869 he came to Texas and located at Clarksville, Red River County, Texas where his first educational training was received at the hands of his father.  In 18975 he entered Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, being the first student who matriculated at the institution.  He graduated in the class of 1878 with the degree of B. P. returning to his home at Clarksville, Texas, he assumed the profession of teaching taking the place of his father who died the year previous, as principal of the Clarksville High School.  In 1879 in connection with his oldest brother Prof. V. L. Vesey, now county superintendent of public schools of Anderson County, he opened a high school at Paris, Texas, where he taught four years.  In 1881 at Terrell, he married Miss Addie S. Allen, daughter of Rev. A. C. Allen, and sister of William H. Allen, Esq., of the Terrell bar.  He obtain ed license to practice law in the district and inferior courts in June 1885 was admitted to practice in the supreme court and court of appeals of the state.  In 1888 he offered for, and was elected to the office of county judge of this county and at the election on the 4th was re-elected to the same responsible position.  He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South about twenty years, during which time he has served in various official capacities, being now one of the trustees of that church in Kaufman.  He is a staunch member of the order Knights of Pythias and is an ancient Odd Fellow.  His administration of the public affairs of our county has been characterized by progress and enterprise and we believe the people of Kaufman County acted judiciously in electing such an energetic and progressive young man to fill the office of County Judge.