Audrain County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 12 of 17)

Benjamin F. James

The branch of the James family to which the subject of the present sketch belongs is coeval with the history of Pennsylvania. Its founder in this country came over from England and settled in the land of the Quakers soon after Penn established the colony, away back during the last quarter of the seventeenth century. Mr. James' grandfather, Abel James, was a gallant soldier from that colony in the American army dur¬ ing the Revolution, and his father, Barton James, was a soldier from the Keystone State in the Union army during the War of 1812. Mr. James' mother was a Miss Wilhelmina Lynch before her marriage, of an old Maryland family. In 1817 Mr. James' parents removed to Ohio and settled in Butler county, near the city of Hamilton, where the mother died in 1835 and the father in 1863. Of their family of children, but two are now living, Benjamin F., the subject of this sketch, and Annie M., now the widow of Jacob Matthias, an old resident of Hamilton, O. Benjamin F. James, born September 4, 1830, was reared on the farm near Hamilton, and received a good general education as he grew up. In 1852, then a young man, he went to California overland, and was engaged in mining there for three years, meeting with substantial success and returning by the Isthmus of Panama. He now has a watch made of the ^old (0r rather a part of it, for that was not all he dug out of the mines of the Pacific coast), which he mined himself, and although the watch was made over thirty years ago, it is still keeping time with the regu¬ larity of the sun, and is warranted for a hundred years. After his return to Ohio, Mr. James was engaged in the milling business for a number of years - principally, however, on the Wabash in Indiana - manufacturing lumber. He was very successful in this and accu¬ mulated a handsome property. About this time a thrifty Yankee came out from New England with more experience than money and proposed a partnership with Mr. James in the lumber business, which was accordingly formed, but which only lasted for a short time, the result being that the partners changed positions exactly in worldly affairs, Mr. James getting the experience and the Yankee the money. How¬ ever, Mr. James found a balm for his troubles in the love and devotion of a trusting wife, to whom he was married on the 27th of July, 1859. Her maiden name was Miss Jennie Matthias, of old Virginia parent¬ age. She was also of Hamilton, Ohio. Six years afterwards they came to Missouri, and have since resided on their farm two miles and a half south-east of Mexico. Mr. James has a good farm here of nearly 200 acres, and is comfortably situated. He and his good wife have four children living : Mina, Fannie, Bertie E., Charles E., Willie, deceased. Mina is the wife of Fred Tompkins, of this county. Mr. James has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for thirty years.

William S. James

of James & Coats, proprietors of livery, feed and sales stables, Mexico. For anyone to see how rapidly Mexico is filling up with the best class of enterprising young business men, it is only necessary to glance over the pages of this work. Here are presented a long list of the names of such men - those who, well qualified for the activi¬ ties of life and with some means already acquired to help them for¬ ward in their careers, still have a long and promising future before them, during which they may not only make themselves men of abundant means, but may rise to positions of influential and useful citizenship, and in thus carving out their own fortunes, will add to the wealth, growth and prosperity of Mexico, and to its importance as a leading business center of North-east Missouri. Such men as these are the men who build cities and advance the communities in which they live to prominence in every essential element of progressive civilization. In addition to those of the class we are considering already mentioned, we have now to add the name that heads this sketch. Of course in the space to which we are confined in these biographies, only a leading fact or two in each man's life can be given, and, therefore, in scanning the life of Mr. James, we can only mention but one or two facts. If space permitted, we would be glad to give all the particulars of his career, for in the facts interwoven with the lives of such men is to be found the true material for the his¬ tory of the times and communities in which respectively they live. Macaulay well said that, " The history of a country is but a narration of the leading events in the lives of its people.'' Mr. James was born in Howard county, February 8, 1859. He was a son of William and Mary (Smith) James, both born and reared in this State, but their parents, respectively, were from Kentucky. In 1866 William's parents removed to Randolph county, where he grew to manhood. His early education was acquired in the common schools, and after¬ wards he took a course at Central College, in Fayette, Missouri. At the age of eighteen, however, he started out for himself and has been engaged in business ever since. Mr. James came to Mexico in the spring of 1883 and engaged in his present line of business. Later along, as stated in Mr. Coats' sketch, the latter became his partner, and since that time they have carried on their business together. The nature and extent of their business have already been spoken of. Suffice it to say here, therefore, that they have one of the best estab¬ lishments in their line in Audrain countv and throughout the surrounding country. Mr. James is a young man of superior intelli¬ gence, good education and more than ordinary business enterprise, and in the progress of years he will doubtless take a prominent posi¬ tion in the business affairs of Mexico.

Francis M. Johns

joiner, contractor and builder, Mexico, Mo. Among the Protestants in religion, it is conceded that there are divers and sundry roads to Heaven, any one of which, if the seeker but follows the straight and narrow way, will lead him on in safety to the goal. However that may be, it is certain that there are many ways to success in the ma¬ terial affairs of life. Half a dozen young men may start out in the radiant morning of manhood to carve out their fortunes in the world, each adopting a different vocation, and all ultimately achieving suc¬ cess. And it is this adversity of employments that makes up and completes the social economy of civilization. It is true that there are broad distinctions of taste, adaptability and even prejudice between the pursuit that the one may adopt and that entered upon by the other. Yet in the end, characters, personal worth and intelligence being equal, these distinctions disappear and he who commenced in what the world regards as an humble occupation, and achieves honor¬ able success, holds as high a place in general esteem, and justly so, as he who rises in a learned profession, or in the polite arts. We are drawn on along this train of remarks by casting a retrospective glance over the career of the subject of this sketch. Commencing when young, and with but little opportunities in life to rise in the world, he learned the carpenter's trade, and has adhered to that as the means of accomplishing a useful and successful future. Mr. Johns was born in Logan county, Kentucky, May 20, 1847. Five years thereafter he removed to Shelby county, Kentucky, after the death of his father - J. H. Johns. He was a native of Tennessee and was an honest Chris¬ tian gentleman. His mother was Mary H. Glass, a daughter of Robt. Glass, of Shelby county, Kentucky. Francis' advantages for an education were exceedingly limited, but notwithstanding he succeeded in acquiring a sufficient knowledge of books for all the practical pur¬ poses of the ordinary affairs of life. At the age of twenty, young Johns commenced to learn, under his brothers, the carpenter's trade, working under them up to 1872, or some four or five years. He then went South and worked at different points until 1873, when he located in Fayette county, Kentucky, and continued there with good success in his business for about seven years, coming thence to Mex¬ ico in 1880. By this time Mr. Johns had not only become to be a su¬ perior carpenter and joiner, but had accumulated some means, and had already taken the position in his business of a boss workman and contractor. A man of good general information, he became apprised of the fact that Mexico was improving very rapidly, and that it offered an inviting field to a thorough-going contractor and builder. Coming here, he engaged actively in business in his line, and the high quality of his work, as well as his character as a man, soon recommended him to the confidence and patronage of the public. Mr. Johns has stead¬ ily gone forward in his business and is now one of the prominent con¬ tractors of the city. He works constantly some twelve or fifteen men, and his business is steadily increasing. As a citizen he exercises a marked and beneficial influence in the community. On the 6th day of December, 1877, Mr. Johns was married to Miss Bettie Busby, of Fayette county, Kentucky, a lady of high Christian character. They have no children.

George N. Johnson

farmer. Among the substantial and energetic farmers of Salt River township, is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Johnson's father, William O. Johnson, was from Virginia, and came to this State when quite young, the family settling in Callaway county, where he grew up and was married to Miss Mary A. Carter, also of an old Kentucky family. After his marriage he removed to Audrain county and set¬ tled on a farm where he still resides, and where George N. was born on the 22d of October, 1856. George N. was educated in the schools of the neighborhood and was brought up to habits of industry on the farm. On reaching manhood, farming naturally became his regular occupation, which he has since followed and with good success, as the sequel shows. On the 23d of March, 1881, he was married to Miss Georgia A. Dowell, a daughter of James O. Dowell, formerly of Monroe county. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have one child, Clide N. Johnson, born October 29, 1883. Mr. Johnson settled on his present farm immediately following his marriage. He has a fine tract of land with 220 acres fenced, nearly all of which is in cultivation. His improvements are substantial and his buildings neat and comfort¬ able. He is making a specialty of dealing in and feeding stock. Mr. and Mrs. J. are members of the Christian Church.

James T. Johnson

farmer, stock raiser and auctioneer. Mr. Johnson, a brother to George N., whose sketch precedes this, and one of the leading agri¬ culturists of Salt River township, like his brother, was born and reared in Audrain county. His education was acquired in the com¬ mon schools and in the State Normal School at Kirksville. Born on the 1st of March, 1853, and brought up to a farm life, on reaching manhood he naturally adopted the pursuits of agriculture as his reg¬ ular occupation. Mr. Johnson has one of the largest farms in the county. His place contains about 800 acres of land and is all fenced, and either in pasturage, meadow or cultivation ; indeed, he has several places, for his land is not in a solid body. The homestead on which he resides contains 120 acres. He makes a specialty of raising stock, for which he is well prepared, and also feeds large numbers annually for the wholesale markets. He is a young man of great energy and activity, and well calculated to carry on the large farming interests which he conducts. Being a good talker and acquainted with every¬ body in this part of the county, for several years he has been called upon to act as auctioneer at stock and other kinds of sales, and has become generally recognized as one of the best auctioneers in the county. He is a man who is as generally respected and esteemed as he is widely known.

Henry Kunkel

Audrain county to the great advantage of the county. Mr. Kunkel was born in Tumpstead, Germany, March 8, 1825, and received an ordinary education in the place of his nativity. At an early age he became an apprentice to the saddler's trade, which he learned and worked at in Germany until 1848, when he came to Missouri and located in St. Louis, where he was married. Mr. Kunkel followed his trade at the Mound City until 1858, when he came to Audrain county and engaged in farming. Here he followed farming with satisfactory success for about fourteen years, when he removed to Mexico and established his present dairy. Mr. Kunkel pails about twenty cows, or rather he sees that they are pailed, and furnishes milk of the best quality to a large custom in the city. Those who have used Mr. Kunkel' s milk give it a very high name for purity and rich¬ ness, and his popularity is rapidly increasing as a dairy-man. He is a fine judge of cows, and keeps only those that give a first-class article of milk, while at the same time he knows how it ought to be attended to, to keep it sweet and pure. Mr. and Mrs. Kunkel have eight children : John, George, Edward, Clara, Henrietta, Emma, Matilda and Charles. During the war Mr. Kunkel served a year in the State militia. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

farmers and stock raisers. These gentlemen, who are now carrying on one of the largest stock farms in North-east Missouri, and justly occupy a leading position in the agricultural affairs of the county, were born and reared in the City of St. Louis, and are the sons of Rufus J. Lackland, the president of the Boatmen's Saving Bank of that city, and one of its old and influential citizens. Their father's family being one of wealth and influence, as they grew up they had the best advan¬ tages to qualify themselves for the activities of life. Besides acquiring superior general educations, each took a thorough course in the Com¬ mercial Departments of Washington University. Reared in the city, and having had every opportunity to arrive at a just appreciation of the attractions of city life, they yet came to prefer the open, free and independent life of the agriculturist, and decided to come to the coun¬ try and engage in farming and stock raising. With marked natural preferences for handling stock, they have given to that business the close attention which almost invariably brings success ; and their ex¬ perience has been no exception to this general rule. Their farm con¬ tains 1,240 acres, and is mainly devoted to grazing or pasturage.

They keep about 200 head of cattle and 200 head of sheep, besides a line stud of blooded horses, numbering some 20 or 30 head, includ¬ ing driving and trotting stock, of which they have some of the best representatives in the State. Indeed, they make a specialty ol raising line horses, and several of their "flyers" are well known in the country. Their farm is finely improved, their barn alone costing $12,000. It is not only architecturally a handsome building, but is peculiarly well arranged for handling stock, and is furnished with every convenience and comfort, which means and modern ingenuity can provide. The elder brother, Mr. Lamartine Lackland, was married on the 21st of November, 1876, to Miss Louisa B. Lakenan, a daughter of Joseph G. Lakenan, deceased, for many years a promi¬ nent citizen of St. Louis. Mrs. Lackland's mother, Mrs. Mary A. Lakenan, is still a resident of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Lackland have three children : Harry Marvin, Paul Lamartine and Guy. Mr. Lack¬ land's mother before her marriage was a Miss Mary Cabel, of the well known Cabel family of Kentucky and Virginia, as well as of this State. The Lacklands, however, were originally from Maryland.

Abram Larimore

farmer and stock raiser, comes of one of the oldest and best families of Callaway county. His father, Hon. Henry Lari more, was for many years one of the prominent agriculturists and leading, influential citizens of that county. He was representing the county in the State Legislature with distinguished ability at the time of his death. He was one of those brave-hearted, upright, old-fashioned men, as honest and honorable as any who ever accepted the commission in the public service, and was as sincerely and earnestly devoted to the common¬ wealth of the county and State as his character was above reproach. He was very successful in life and left a good estate. Mr. Lari more mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Jane Thomas, ot another old and | respected family of Callaway county. Abram Larimore was born on his father's farm two miles west of Fulton, on the 23d of Feb¬ ruary, 1844, and was there reared. His education was acquired at Westminster College, taking a course in the higher branches. Quit¬ ting college at the age of twenty, he began farming for himself, and also handling stock, and these occupations he has since followed. In 1869, still a young man, he located on his present place, but in a little while, January 3, 1870, was married to Miss Latona Hitt, a daughter of A. C. Hitt, formerly of Oldham county, Kentucky. She was born in that county January 8, 1850. Mrs. Larimore's mother was a Miss Caroline A. Netherton before her marriage. Mr. Lari more has continued to reside on the place where he had settled in 1869. This is a fine farm of 520 acres, devoted mainly to stock raising. Mr. Larimore has a small herd of short-horn cattle, and also has about seventy-five good graded cattle. He makes a specialty, however, of raising mules, having the best stock in that line in this part of the county. He has at the present nearly 40 head on hand. Mr. and Mrs. L. have three children: Henry, Jennie and Amma. He and wife are members of the Salt River Christian Church.

agent of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New York, Mexico. Dr. LaRue, who represents one of the best life insurance associations in the United States, and is a gentleman of deserved popularity, is a native of Kentucky, born at Elizabethtown, December 9, 1838, and was reared at that place. He received an advanced academic educa¬ tion, his early youth being spent almost exclusively at school. At the age of sixteen he began the study of medicine under Dr. W. F. Coons of Elizabethtown, and afterwards also read under Dr. William Sher¬ wood, of Cincinnati. In due time Dr. LaRue entered medical college and graduated at the Cincinnati Medical College with distinction, in February, 1859, a year before he reached his majority, and therefore had to wait under the rules of the college until he was twenty-one years of age to receive his diploma. However, before this, he had begun the practice of medicine, and in 1860 he came to Boone county, Missouri, and practiced there for nearly five years. In the winter of 1864-5 Dr. LaRue removed to Lewis county, where he practiced until 1881, and then came to Mexico. Since coming to this city Dr. LaRue has been almost exclusively occupied by the agency above mentioned. A man of superior natural qualities of mind and of fine education, he is at the same time a very genial and sociable gentleman, and is much valued for his many estimable qualities both as a man and a citizen. Dr. LaRue is doing an excellent business in the insurance line, and is looked upon as one of the most efficient and capable life insurance agents of this section of the State. On the 1st of February, 1861, Dr. LaRue was married to Miss Mattie E. Cretcher, of Frankfort, Kentucky. They have one child, Annette W. The Doctor is a prominent member of the Masonic order. Dr. LaRue's father, Jesse B. LaRue, was a prominent farmer near Elizabethtown, and lost a number of slaves by the war, and a large amount of other property by Federal vandalism. The Doctor's mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Latitia Hardin, of the well-known Hardin family of Kentucky.

druggist, Mexico, and one of the prominent and popular business men of this city, is a native of Kentucky, born in Louisville, September 13, 1845. His parents were Robert Llewellyn and wife, whose maiden name was Miss Abbie Knott, both originally from England. They came over to this country many years before the Civil War, and the father was a book-keeper in Louisville. J. F. Llewellyn, the son, was reared in that city, and had the benefit of a high school course as he grew up. He early began to learn the drug business, and was for three years in the Louisville Chemical Works, and was afterwards with George H. Cary, druggist, for seven years. While learning the business he also occupied his leisure with study, so that at the expira¬ tion of his experience in the drug and chemical houses mentioned above, he was justly regarded not only as a superior theoretic and practical pharmacist, but also as an experienced chemist. Mr. Llewellyn is a man of singular unpretentiousness, but as little as he most capable men in his line of business in the interior of the State. He came here in 1869, and engaged in the drug business, which he has since followed. His sterling qualities as a man, as well as his pleasant agreeable manners, and personal popularity, not less than his thorough knowledge of pharmacy and close attention to business, have had the result that was to have been expected, that is, he has become the leading druggist of Mexico. He keeps an unusually fine stock of goods, always fresh and well selected, for he will not sell stale and deteriorated drugs to his customers, and, being a man of good taste, he keeps his store always in presentable and attractive shape. In fact, in this respect he shows rare taste, for his store is so handsomely arranged that it almost approaches in appearance an art study. It is without question one of the neatest and handsomest kept drug stores in this section of the country. Of course Mr. Llewellyn commands a large trade ; among the physicians, especially, he is relied on for the careful compounding of prescriptions, his superior qualifications in this respect being well understood. Mr. Llewellyn takes an intelli¬ gent and public-spirited iuterest in the general affairs of Mexico and vicinity, and always manifests a commendable zeal for the advance- meat of the prosperity of the place. None are more ready to contribute of their time and means for the benefit of the city and surrounding country than he. On the 2d of October, 1879, Mr. Llewellyn was married to Miss Sallie C. Duncan, of this county. They have two children, Henry and Frederick. Mr. L. is a member of the Episcopal Church.

Benjamin L. Locke

clerk of the county court. In January, last, Mr. Locke had served twenty-one consecutive years in the office he now holds, with the ex¬ ception of a short time during the years 1865-6, when the ordinance of the State convention ousted him without a shadow of just cause from his position. But no sooner could the lawful voice of the peo¬ ple be heard again than he was returned to the office, and has held it ever since. In comparison with this record as an officer, carrying with it as it does, the evidence of the confidence and esteem of the people among whom he has lived for so many years, what can be said worthy of his character, high standing and long and faithful services? He has gone forward in the even tenor of his W4y, faithfully per¬ forming his duties as they have appeared before him, not from mo¬ tives of vanity and ambition, but because they were his duties, and it was right that he should perform them. Tides in the affairs of men carry some on to fortune, while others of equal merit are left in shal¬ lows and in obscurity. Mr. Locke has led a worthy and useful life, and has ever held the confidence and esteem of those who have known him the longest and best - and is not this a past that any honest man may well afford to look back over with satisfaction and a pardonable degree of pride? Identified with the county for a generation as one of its faithful public officials, the history of the county would be incomplete which should not include his name. Benjamin L. Locke was born near Louisville, Kentucky, on the 23d of January, 1826, and acquired his elementary education in the schools of the county, and after a preparatory course, entered Brown University at Provi¬ dence, Rhode Island, in which he continued until his graduation in 1847. Believing there were better opportunities further West than wTere to be found in Kentucky for young men of education and spirit to establish themselves in life, he came to Missouri soon after his grad¬ uation, and cast his fortunes with the future of this State. The same fall, on the 28th of October, 1847, he was married to Miss Emily A. Moore of Callaway county, in which county he at once settled and engaged in farming. He remained there successfully engaged in the honest pursuits of a tiller of the soil until 1858, when he crossed over into Audrain county and settled in this county. He here followed farming until 1862, when he was elected county clerk, as stated above. Mrs. Locke is a worthy member of the Christian Church, as is also Mr. Locke.

pastor of the M. E. Church South, Mexico. Emerson says that, " Versatility of mind is one of the highest marks of genius." And in looking over the held of men who have become distinguished in life, and noting their varied abilities and attitudes, it must be confessed that the truth of the remark, of perhaps the wisest of New Englanders, is fully confirmed. He who has a capacity for one great work may not be qualified for all important undertakings ; but he is invariably capable of achieving success in more than a single calling. Those who have become the most distinguished in the various departments of lite have generally been led into their respective pursuits by some casual circumstance, and oftentimes a most trifling one. It is unnecessary to take space here for instances of the truth of this fact. It is well known to every man of general information. Any one ot superior mind has the natural qualities for the achievement of success in almost any occu¬ pation ; and he will not fail to do so, if he but apply himself to the work which it imposes with the energy and perseverance characteristic of the lives of all successful men. These remarks are induced by cast¬ ing 'a retrospective glance over the life-record of the subject ot the present sketch. Mr. McClintock has shown the ability and versatility of mind to rise to prominence, from circumstances by no means the most favorable, and by his own exertions and strength of character, in more than a single calling in lite. A popular and eloquent minister of the M. E. Church South, to-day, he is at the same time one of the most energetic and enterprising business men in this county ; and in the past his voice has been heard at the bar as that of an eloquent and successful pleader. Mr. McClintock is a native of Illinois and was born at Mt. Carmel, Wabash county, on the 3d of December, 1841. In youth he received a good common school education and also had the ben¬ efit of a course in commercial school. His early aspiration was to be¬ come a lawyer, and after qualifying himself to enter upon the study for that profession, he became a student under Hon. W . M. Harmon, a prom¬ inent lawyer of Wabash county. In due time, in 1867, he was admit¬ ted to the bar, and was highly complimented on his proficiency in the curriculum of studies required for admission. About this time he was married at Decatur, Illinois, to Miss Josephine Brockway of that city. Locating at Decatur, he remained there some years, and then went to Newcomb, Illinois, where he resided for about ten years. Prior to this Mr. McClintock had become a member of the Methodist Church, and being earnest and sincere in his faith, he felt that it was his duty to exert his energies in the ministry of his church. Having accord¬ ingly studied for the ministry before going to Newcomb, and having been duly ordained, he was installed as minister of his church at that place. As a minister, Mr. McClintock was, and is, very popular in his church, and he was so much liked at Newcomb that he was made their local pastor, and continued to serve the congregation at that place for over ten years. This is a marked evidence of the high appreciation in which he was held by those who knew him so long and well. He was very successful in his ministry at Newcomb, and under his charge the church was greatly strengthened and enlarged. It became one of the most prosperous and worthy congregations throughout the surrounding country. In the spring of 1883, Mr. McClintock located at Mexico, and has since had charge of the M. E. Church South of this citv. Although he has been here but a short time, the impression he has made is an unusually favorable one, and his work in the pulpit is not only highly prized and appreciated by his own congregation, but has com¬ manded the attention and respect of the community at large. A man of far more than ordinary natural ability, he has been a constant stu¬ dent not only of theology but of other branches of knowledge, and has stored his mind with an inexhaustible fund of information, both theo¬ logical and general, so that when he rises to address a congregation, he is never at a loss for an idea of pith and force, and of circumstances and incidents from the whole field of letters with which to illustrate what he says. A ready, smooth, even speaker, he is always agreeable and entertaining, and oftentimes when he becomes wrought up with the interest and importance of his subject, he is truly and irresistibly elo¬ quent. We have spoken of Mr. McClintock's qualities as a successful business man. For some time past he has been engaged in the real estate abstract record business, and of this he has made a marked suc¬ cess. His records have a wide and enviable reputation, and are extensively used, not only in this State, but elsewhere. He is also interested in the abstract business himself, and has an interest in the abstracts of titles at Fulton, Fayette, Columbia, Warrensburg, etc. Mr. McClintock also has charge of the Bell Telephone Office at this city, which he has conducted with great ability and enterprise. Under his management the business has rapidly increased, and he has proved himself one of the most capable and energetic local managers in the service of the company. Mr. McClintock's parents were David and Catherine (Gould) McClintock, his father originally of Virginia, but his mother a native of Ohio. Both are now deceased. Mr. McClin¬ tock's married life has been blessed with a worthy family of children. Six of his family are living: Charles, Eddie, Reed, Beulah, Paul and Hattie. Mr. McClintock has long been a member of the Masonic order, and he is also a member of the A. O. U. W.

an old and respected citizen of Audrain county, and one of its sub¬ stantial farmers and stock raisers, was born in Clark county, Ky., at Winchester, the county seat, on the 9th of October, 1821. When he was a lad ten years of age his parents removed to Missouri and settled in Callaway county, about three miles north of Fulton, where both the parents lived until their death, and where one son, Henry C., and a daughter, Sallie, are still living. The father, Samuel McClure, was, like David B., a native of Clark county, of the Blue Grass State, but the mother was of Barren county, of that State. David B. McClure, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood on the farm in Callaway county, and continued there until 1849, when he was at¬ tracted to the Pacific coast by the California gold excitement. He spent three years in the Midas-land beyond the Cordilleras, engaged in mining, and with satisfactory success, returning to Missouri in 1852. Soon after his return Mr. McClure bought a tract of 140 acres of land in Audrain county and entered about 600 acres, on which he improved his present farm. While on the Pacific coast he learned the art of living as a celibate, or keeping bachelor's hall, and he spent about seven years in this maledicine state on his farm in this county. But it was no use - it was too lonesome - and he couldn't stand it any longer; and accordingly, on the 13th of October, 1859, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Mcllroy, of Pike county, a young lady singularly calculated to brighten his home and make his life one of comfort and domestic happiness. She was a daughter of Daniel Mcllrov and wife, nee Jane Wiseley, who. resided on the Louisiana plank road, near Bowling Green. Mr. and Mrs. McClure have four children: William E., Robert L., Frank H. and Henry Clay. Wil¬ liam was educated at Westminster College, graduating in June, 1882. He was married September 30, of the same year, to Mrs. Venie Cow- herd, widow of Jacob Cowherd, and a daughter of Frank Hall, now of Barton county. Her husband died a few months after their mar¬ riage. Mr. McClure and son are carrying on the farm together, and are very successful as farmers and stock raisers. Mr. and Mrs. McC. are members of the Presbyterian church at Fulton, and Mr. McC. is a member of the Masonic order at Mexico.

of Macfarlane & Rhodes, physicians and surgeons. Dr. Macfarlane, who was engaged in the practice of his profession in Callaway county for nearly ten years prior to coming to Mexico nine years ago, for nearly three years of which time he was assistant physician at the State Insane Asylum, was born and reared in that county, and was a son of George Macfarlane, now deceased, and long known as the Nestor of the teacher's profession in the county. George Macfarlane was a native of Scotland, born at Stewarton, in Ayrshire, and came from that country early in life. He was married to Miss Cathe¬ rine Bennett, of Madison county, Kentucky, and removed to Cal¬ laway county in an early day. He taught school until he was sixty years of age, after which he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1867. Every one who knows anything about the institutions of the different countries, knows that Scotland, a generation or two ago, had the reputation, which it perhaps still has, of having the best schools of any country on the globe. The first people to inaugurate a system of general education, and at a time when all other countries were enveloped in a cloud of ignorance, they built up schools that provided teachers to go forth to all lands and in¬ struct the young. George Macfarlane was one of those thoroughly educated, old-time, and successful teachers, a teacher who looked more to substance than to form, and who saw to it that those who went out from his school were well grounded in the essentials of a good, common English education. He was, without doubt, one of the best common school educators who ever presided over a school in this section of the State ; aad such was his popularity as a teacher, that after he had become an old man, white-haired and bent in form, he was preferred to the young men who had grown up under the new order of things. He was a man of fine mind, great strength of char¬ acter, and as upright in all he did as any who ever honored the county with their residence. He died universally regretted, and his memory is still cherished by those who knew him as that of a true man and valuable citizen. Dr. Macfarlane was born in Callaway county Feb¬ ruary 23, 1834. His education was largely received under the in¬ struction of his father, and was completed at Richland Academy and Westminster College. After this he began the study of medicine, and read under Dr. Howard, of Fulton. Subsequently, entering the St. Louis Medical College, he took a regular course there and graduated with distinction in 1866. He now located at Concord, in Callaway county, where he was successfully engaged in the practice for a num¬ ber of years. Such were his recognized qualifications and his success as a physician, that while in Callaway county he was appointed as¬ sistant physician to the Insane Asylum, a position he filled with great satisfaction to the board of managers and the public generally. Dr. Macfarlane came to Mexico in 1875, where he has since resided. Dr. Rhodes is now his partner in the practice, and their firm has a large and lucrative practice, numbering among their patients many of the best families of Mexico and the surrounding country-. Both are physi¬ cians of superior qualifications and long experience, and are devoted to the practice of medicine with more than ordinary zeal and pride, beino; even more attached to it as a science than as an industrial calling. On the 5th of November, 1867, Dr. Macfarlane was married to Miss Mary E. Thurmond,1 a daughter of Philip Thurmond. The Dr. and Mrs. M. have four children : Wallace S., Clade T., Irnie M. and Paul. The Doctor is a leading Mason, having taken the highest de¬ cree in that order, and is also a Knight of Honor and a member of the A. O. U. W. He is a member of both the District and State Medical Societies. He and wife are identified with the Baptist Church. He was appointed one of the managers of the Insane Asylum by Gov. Woodson, and afterwards, also, by Gov. Phelps.

superintendent of public schools at Mexico, Mo. Missouri has had a system of public schools of more or less value and efficiency from its organization as a State, but not a great deal can be said for its success and importance prior to the Civil War. The State suffered greatly by that unhappy conflict, but of the few blessings that have resulted from it, by far the greatest is the improvement in our public school system. The old idea of every father seeing personally to the education of his children gave way in a marked extent to the new one of the State's caring for their education. If it is a correct doc¬ trine that governments should be founded on the consent of the gov¬ erned, and that that consent is intelligent and wise according to the education of the people, then certainly the highest duty of the State is to see to it that its young are afforded ample opportunities for the acquisition of the knowledge necessary to the intelligent discharge of the duties of citizenship. This is the philosophy of the public school system - a philosophy as true as the. axiom that but one straight line can be drawn between two given points. Since the war, the public school system of Missouri has steadily improved, and has increased in popularity so much that he who would raise his hand to¬ day to strike it down would be palsied in the effort (so far as his suc¬ cess in public life is concerned), as surely as the pillar of salt marked the fatal mistake of the wife of Lot. The great value of this system of education had been fully tested in other States before its adoption in its full extent in Missouri, so that we had the benefit of the long and successful experience of others to guide us in our efforts to per¬ fect the system in this State. The people soon coming to realize the great benefits which flow from it, every encouragement was given to legislators and school officers to carry it forward to completion. Hence, in this State to-day we find a school system that will compare favorably with the systems of States oldest in experience with public schools. The original plan of our system was taken from the public school system of Ohio, conceded to be one of the finest and most successful in the Union. And many of our best teachers have been drawn from that Stale. Immediately after the war there was a heavy influx of teachers from Ohio, and it was largely due to their practical knowledge of the work before them, and to their zeal, that the sys¬ tem proved successful so early in this State ; and now, although nearly twenty years have elapsed since public schools have been in constant and active operation in Missouri, we still get many of our best teachers from the great Empire State of the West. True, many excellent teachers have been sent out from our own district, central and normal schools, and from our colleges, but such is the reputation of the teachers and educators of Ohio that on coming to this State they find no difficulty in securing satisfactory and enviable positions at the start. Among the examples verifying this fact is that of the subject of the present sketch, Prof. McMillan, a young gentleman of thor¬ ough education and born and reared in Ohio. He came to this State in 1874, and located at Boonville, in Cooper county, a county that would be expected to be a very South Carolina against Northern ideas, institutions and men. Yet at Boonville such was the change that had been wrought in the complexion of public opinion since the war, and such were young McMillan's qualifications and recommend¬ ations, that he was appointed principal of the public schools of that city, and he held the position with marked success and distinction for nine years, consecutively. Prof. McMillan was born in Preble county, Ohio, October 20, 1848, and was a son of Rev. Gavin Mc¬ Millan and wife, whose maiden name was Rosanna Ronalds. She was formerly of Vermont, and was a lady of superior mind and cul¬ ture. Prof. McMillan's father was originally from South Carolina, and went to Ohio when young. He became a popular and valued Presbyterian minister in Ohio, and did service in the pulpit of that State until his death. He was quite prominent in his church, and was looked upon as one of its ablest and best ministers in his section of the State. Daniel A. completed his education at Miami Univers¬ ity, in Oxford, Ohio, from which institution he was graduated with distinction in 1868, at the age of twenty years. He subsequently taught school in his native State until his removal to Missouri. A man of advanced and thorough education and a professional teacher, Pi of. McMillan has proved one of the most successful educators among the younger class of teachers in this section of the State. A cultured and refined gentleman, urbane and agreeable in manners, he makes a most favorable impression wherever he goes, and has become very popular in this county. In 1882 he was chosen superintendent of the city schools at Mexico, a position which he occupies at this date.

dentist, Mexico. Even middle-aged men of this State can remem¬ ber the time when a dentist was not to be seen outside of a large city, unless, perhaps, on a trip to attend a special call in his profession at some interior point. Indeed, dentistry itself was at that time, so far as its general practice was concerned, in its infancy. But now a vast change is wrought, and there is scarcely a town of any consequence in Missouri or any of the States without its skilled and educated den¬ tists. Dental colleges have sprung up in all the cities, and the day is not far distant when the rules. of practice in dentistry will be as strict, so far as requiring a high order of qualification is concerned, if, in fact, they are not already so, as are the rules for the practice of medicine or surgery. The standard of attainments in this profession are being steadily advanced. Here and there a dentist becomes prominent by virtue of his thorough knowledge of his calling, and this begets a spirit of emulation in others which spurs them on to higher efforts. Among the more prominent dentists in North-east Missouri is the subject of the present sketch. Dr. McWilliams, to commence with, had a thorough general education, graduating with distinction at the State University in 1866. He subsequently entered upon a regular course of study for his profession, and at the same time was occupied with the practical work of the laboratory, as well as iu assisting at the patient's chair. His preceptor was that distinguished dentist of this State, Dr. J. W. Reed, now president of the State Dental Association. Dr. McWilliams, although practicing some time before tuiS, completed his regular course in dentistry, or his dental education, in 1880. He then formed a partnership with Dr. Thomas Flint, at Mex¬ ico, and they carried on the practice together until finally Dr. McWil¬ liams bought his partner's interest, and continued the practice alone. Dr. McWilliams has had marked success in his profession and is one of the most prominent dentists of Mexico and throughout the surround¬ ing country. He has a large practice which is steadily increasing. Dr. McWilliams is a member in good standing of the State Dental Association. Dr. McWilliams was born in Warren county, Missouri, in 1846, and was a son of George McWilliams, of that county, for many years sheriff and one of its most prominent citizens. The Doctor's mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Levisa B. McKin¬ ney. The Doctor was reared in that county and received his higher education as stated above, at the State University. On the 18th of December, 1878, he was married to Miss Nellie Pearson, of Audrain county. She was a daughter of R. S. Pearson, of this county, and was born August 10, 1855. The Dr. and Mrs. McWilliams are mem¬ bers of the M. E. Church South, and the Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Judge Thomas Jefferson Marshall

retired; residence, Mexico. On this page of the "History of Audrain County," the reader will find the life-record of a man, briefly and but poorly written indeed, whose earthly career, now closely ap¬ proaching its completion, has been ;is honorable in the honesty of manhood, as worthy in so far as duty well and faithfully performed goes, and as untarnished by reproach as that of any man mentioned in the history of the county or of the State. Judge Marshall was born and reared in the Old Dominion, a State whose fame is unap- proached for the good men it has produced ; and in his character are combined many of the stronger and better qualities that distinguish the typical old Virginian. His place of birth was near Culpeper court-house, in the county of Culpeper, and on the 2d of June, 1812, the year of the outbreak of the Second War with Great Britain, he first looked upon the light of day. His parents were John W. and Parmelia (Moore) Marshall, both of old and respected Virginia fam¬ ilies. They were in comfortable circumstances and belonged to the better class of Virginians. Judge Marshall, or Thomas J., as he was then called, was given a good education in the local schools and academies. In 1831 he came to Missouri, and located in Warren county in 1834, then being a young man about twenty-one years of age. The father died in Virginia five years afterwards, but the mother survived him until 1865. Judge Marshall taught school in Warren county for about six years, and became known as one of the most capable and popular teachers in that county. So enviable was his standing, indeed, that he was elected clerk of the county by an almost unanimous vote, and he subsequently filled the office by continued re-elections for eighteen consecutive years. When he was clerk, the duties of county clerk, circuit clerk and recorder all devolved upon one officer, which he discharged with singular efficiency, and to the great satisfaction of the public. In 1865 Judge Marshall removed to Audrain county and made his home at Mexico. The qualities that had made him esteemed by his fellow-citizens in Warren county, were not less appreciated by his new neighbors and acquaintances. Two years after his removal to this county he was elected a member of the county court, and after his service on the county bench, he was ap¬ pointed treasurer of the county to fill a vacancy in that office. He was subsequently elected to that position for four terms in succession, and at last retired at his own pleasure in obedience to the demands of old age for rest from the laborious activities of life. During much of all this time Judge Marshall was engaged in merchandising, and as a merchant was entirely successful. Yet, now two years passed the allotted age of three-score and ten, and having lived an industrious, economical and well directed life, he is not a rich man. Indeed, his old age is hardly blessed with a competence of this world's goods to keep him in ease and comfort until the fading evening of this life shall be illuminated by the approaching dawn of the life beyond the grave. As has been said, Judge Marshall has ever been known atnong his fellow' men as a good man. This quality, so much esteemed by all men, is often abused by not a few. And here follows a fact or two, that brings out in bold relief the nobility of the mind and heart of the man whose sketch we are now giving;. Honorable and honest himself, and of a liberal and generous disposition, he assumed, as is often the case with good and unsuspecting men, that others are equally honest and honorable with themselves. He became surety on the paper of friends, who used their friendship with him to their own advantage. The result was that he had their debts to pay ; and in his old age, broken down with rheumatism and paralysis, he saw the honest accumulations of a life time of industry swept away to pay for what he, himself, had never enjoyed or even seen. In these circum¬ stances how few men are there who would not have availed themselves of the benefit invocable under our benign homestead and exemption laws, and thus saved for themselves a pillow whereon to rest their aged and weary heads? But this Judge Marshall did not and would not do ; but, rather, chose to see his property born away and his home sold, than to permit his word of promise to go unfulfilled. Thus, on the books of this life his name stands clear and without a charge, and who can doubt that on the books of the life beyond, no charge will stand against his name? To be left poor in old age after a long and well-spent life, is hard ; but to live in the possession of property to which others have a claim, and to die at last with debts unrequited is harder. When Judge Marshall is born to his grave, all who stand around its threshold will say in their hearts, " Here sinks to his final rest a good and true man.'' And after all, is not this the highest and best reward of a worthy life? Judge Marshall has reared a worthy family of children, those who have inherited his name and character and will perpetuate both untarnished. On the 9th of August, 1838, Judge Marshall was married to Miss Martha A. Wyatt, origin¬ ally of Kentucky. She lived to a good old age, and died in 1875, a beloved companion, a devoted mother, and an esteemed neighbor and acquaintance, strong and buoyant through life and on the last day, that this world is not all there is of living, but that there is a certain and glorious immortality beyond the grave. Six of her children are living : Mary E., Anna E., Ada P., John A., Thomas H., and Charles A. Judge Marshall was made a member of the Masonic order away back in 1839, and has long been a Knight Templar. He has also been a member of M. E. Church South, as his beloved wife was, for many years.

John M. Menefee

dealer in furniture, glasses, brackets, coffins, and other undertaker's goods, and manufacturer of parlor furniture, mattresses, lounges, etc., Mexico. Mr. Menefee, one of the most enterprising and successful of the young business men of Audrain county - tor he is still under middle-age - is a native Missourian, and comes of one of the pioneer families in this section of the State. His parents, Alfred and Mary Menefee, removed to this State from Kentucky in 1830, and settled in Callaway county. Later along, in 1848, they went over into Mon¬ roe county, where they still reside, a venerated and respected old couple, both now closely approaching eighty years of age. Though far advanced into the twilight of life, they are still in the possession of all their faculties and in the enjoyment of comparatively good health. They reared a family of ten children, and all of them are still living, now residents of various States, and in almost every sec¬ tion of the Union. The father was a farmer by occupation and was satisfactorily successful, accumulating, during the harvest of life, a comfortable competency for old age. There is a beauty in the spec¬ tacle of such lives as this venerable old couple have lived, so useful, so happy and so blessed in old age - the past unclouded, and fading away as a calm and serene twilight, the future almost beginning to dawn before the past is hidden, like the yellow waves of approaching . morning. John M. Menefee, the subject of the present sketch, was born ip Callaway county, September 4, 1843, but was principally reared in Monroe county. Coming up on the farm and under his father, a sterling, sincere man, he learned those habits of industry and inherited that strength and worth of character so indispensa¬ ble to successful and useful citizenship. He received a good com¬ mon school education as he grew up, and before reaching his majority started out in life for himself and began its business activi¬ ties. In 1863, he went to Portland, in Callaway county, and enwao-ed in the General merchandisino; business, in which he continued at that place with increasing success for some thirteen years. A man of energy, close attention to business, and a good manager, his career from the beobnnino; has been one of steadv and substantial success, achieved by what some would call slow methods, but, nevertheless, the sure method of honesty and industry. In 1876, Mr. Menefee came to Mexico and engaged in his present line of business. Two years later he had prospered so satisfactorily that he felt able to erect himself a fine new business house. He accordingly built his present handsome structure on the court-house square, which is a fine build¬ ing, three stories high, now all filled with goods, and was the first large modern style business house built on the square. It is need¬ less to say that Mr. Menefee has one of the finest and largest stocks of goods in this section of the State. His business, considering the size of Mexico and the population of the tributary country, has grown to colossal proportions, and like a giant oak in the midst of a forest of dwarf trees, overshadows all competitors, and stands out unrivaled, a monument to the energy, industry and high character of the man who built it up. No business man in Audrain county stands higher in general esteem, and justly so, than the sub¬ ject of this sketch. On the 23d of April, 1868, Mr. Menefee was married to Miss Virginia Davis, of Callaway county. They have six children : Ida, Clarence, John, Bettie, Charles and an infant. Mrs. Menefee is a member of the Christian church, and Mr. Menefee is a Sir Knight in the Masonic Order.

Charles W. Mitchell

farmer and nurseryman. Mr. Mitchell is one of the many new¬ comers in Audrain county who are doing so much to develop the material resources of this county and to promote its prosperity. He is a native of New Jersey, born July 17, 1826. His father, Michael Mitchell, was a native of Germany, and belonged to one of the better classes of the untitled people of that country. He came to America when young, and was afterwards married here to Miss Abigail Wood¬ ruff, a grand-daughter of General Woodruff of Revolutionary fame. Of this same ancestor came Hons. George C. and John Woodruff, distinguished members of Congress from New England before and during the late war. Mr. Mitchell's mother was a lady of fine and superior culture, and was devotedly attached to the church, of which she was an earnest and faithful member. Mr. Mitchell, when a young man, went to Juniata county, Pennsylvania, where he resided until his removal to this county in 1881. However, for fifteen years after going to Pennsylvania he was a soldier in the United States army. Aside from this, he has been almost continuously engaged in either farm¬ ing or the nursery business, or both, up to the present time. He is one of the most capable and experienced nurserymen in the county, and will doubtless take a leading position in this industry in this sec¬ tion of the State. He resides in the city of Mexico and has valuable nursery property in the vicinity. In 1862 Mr. Mitchell was raarrifed to Miss Sarah E. McKinney, daughter of Charles E. McKinney, of Columbiana county, Ohio. She was a granddaughter of Major Charles Edgar McKinney, of Revolutionary fame, he being a native of Ireland. Mrs. Mitchell, after the death of her mother, was adopted by Mr. Isaac Kipp, Judge of the Court of Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have two children : Abraham L., and Ella V. Mr. Mitchell takes an earnest interest in the promotion of the cause of temperance, and is a worthy member of the Sons of Temperance.

Joseph E. Moore

of Bickley & Moore, dealers in groceries, queen's-ware, glass-ware, wood and willow-ware, tin-ware, earthenware, etc., Mexico. Mr. Moore, one of the stirring and successful business men of this city, like so many of the better class of citizens of Audrain county, is a native of the Old Dominion, born in Rappahannock county, May 12, 1842. His father was Lewis Moore, and came of an old and respected Virginia family. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Rickets, was of the well known family of Virginia of that name. The father was a farmer and trader by occupation, and was quite success¬ ful in the affairs of life. He died there in 1866. Joseph E. Moore was reared in his native county, his early youth being spent on the farm, but later along he followed clerking in various mercantile houses until the beginning of the war. He then enlisted in Company K, 17th Virginia Infantry, and served under Captain John Q. Marr. Subsequently he was detailed as private secretary to Gen. Longstreet, with whom he served until Longstreet was wounded in March, 1863, when, upon his recovery and return to his command, Mr. Moore was again detailed and served until the surrender of the army at Appomattox C. H. Mr. Moore came to Mexico in 1868, and en¬ gaged in the dry goods business here for about four years. His part¬ ner dying in 1872, he was occupied for some time afterwards in settling up their business. In 1875 he engaged in his present busi¬ ness with Mr. Bickley. These gentlemen have one of the leading houses in their line in Mexico and do a large and steadily increasing business. They have among their patrons some of the best families in the citv and surrounding country, and hold their customers by sell¬ ing only the better class of groceries and other goods when called for at prices which cannot be objected to, for they buy largely for cash, indeed almost exclusively so, and in considerable quantities, so that they can mark their goods down to the lowest possible figures, con¬ sistent with sound business management. Both are gentlemen of fine business qualifications and are personally highly esteemed. On the 21st of December, 1871, Mr. Moore was married to Miss Nannie Wade, originally from Kentucky, They have three children : Rosa Lee, Lewis and Joseph B. Mr. Moore is a member of the Masonic order, having taken the Chapter degree in that fraternity.

Joseph D. Morris

dealer in dry goods, clothing, gents' furnishing goods, hats and caps, boots and shoes, etc., Mexico. Over twenty-five years, consecu¬ tively, except for one year during the war, Mr. Morris has been en¬ gaged in merchandising at this city, and his career has been one of steady, substantial and unbroken success. He now has one of the neat, well arranged and well constructed dry goods stores of Mexico, as he has had for years, and he has customers who have been trading with him continuously for nearly a generation. This fact is one of the strongest evidences of his high character as a citizen and reliability as a business man. Mr. Morris was born in Callaway county, November 5, 1833. When three years of age his parents removed to Audrain county, and here he grew to manhood, or rather up to the age of sixteen, when he went to California, where he was engaged in mining and other employments for some six years. Returning in 1856, having had some success on the Pacific coast, the following year he engaged in merchandising, which he has since followed. On the 4th of November, 1858, Mr. Morris was married to Miss Martha L. Cauthorn of this county. They have six children : Landon, Mary, Luke, Julia, Emma and Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Morris are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. M. is an elder in the con¬ gregation in Mexico. He is a Master Mason and a member of the A. O. U. W. The name of Mr. Morris' father, Judge John B. Morris, is familiar to every old resident of Audrain county. He was originally from Kentucky but came out to Callaway in an early day, and removing to Audrain in 1826, he subsequently became one of the prominent farmers and leading citizens of this county. He was county clerk fora number of years, and was also judge of the county court. He was a man of fine intelligence, wide general information, and superior business qualifications, and was as upright in all he said and did as he was true to his friends and unfaltering in the discharge of his duties as an officer and citizen, and in every relation of life.

The biographical annals of Audrain county are honored with the names of few men whose character and services hold a place in the esteem of the people equal to the estimation in which he was held. His wife, and the mother of our subject, was a Miss Julia A. Shumate, of the old Virginia family of that name.

physician and surgeon, Mexico. Dr. Murdock came to this city in 1880, and has since been successfully engaged here in the practice of medicine. He was brought up in the East, and in early life had the best of advantages for both a general and professional education. Union College, at Schenectady, New York, is his Alma Mater in the branch of his general education. After completing his course at that well known institution, he began the regular study of medicine, and while pursuing this, before entering a medical college, was under the preceptorate of Dr. Asa Pitch, of Delhi, New York, an eminent physician of that State. Dr. Murdock also studied under Dr. Voorhees, a prominent physician of Ann Arbor, Michigan. After a regular course of preparatory study, he entered the Medical College at Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he took a course of lectures, and sub¬ sequently matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, where he continued for two vears, graduating with distinction in 1863. Following his graduation, Dr. Murdock came West, where, indeed, he has already studied and attended medical college, and engaged on this side of the Alleghanies in the practice of his profession, locating at first in Michigan. He subsequently removed to Indianapolis, where he practiced with success until his location in this city in 1880. Dr. Murdock possesses, to a marked degree, the qualities of mind and heart, as well as the acquirements of a success¬ ful and popular physician. A man of refined sensibilities and gen¬ erous, tender impulses, he enters at once into sympathy with the patient at whose bedside he is called, and makes the unfortunate feel that it is really the desire of the physician to do something for his relief, while the thorough knowledge of medicine which Dr. Murdock posses¬ ses, as well as his long experience in the practice, enables him at a mo¬ ment, almost, to diagnose the disease and prescribe for the relief of the patient. Personally, Dr. Murdock is a gentleman of suave, agreeable manners, pleasant and entertaining in conversation, and justly very popular. He can hardly fail to take an advanced position among the leading physicians of this section of the State. On the 18th of April, 1866, Dr. Murdock was married at Ypsilanti, Michigan, to Mi ss Ella L. Yost, originally of New York State. The Dr. and Mrs. Murdock have two interesting children : Willie and Thomas. Dr. Murdock and wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church, and the Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, being a Sir Knight, as well as of the Knights of Honor and of the Sons of Tem¬ perance. Dr. Murdock's parents were Samuel and Sarah (Lawson) Murdock, both originally of Vermont, but both now deceased. The father was a farmer by occupation, and the Doctor was born on his father's homestead in Delaware county, New York, April 23, 1839. At Port Huron, Dr. Murdock was hospital surgeon and was assistant surgeon of the 2d Michigan Cavalry.

Benjamin F. Orear

farmer. The Orear family is an old one in the history of the country. John Orear, the grandfather of Benjamin F., was a gallant soldier in the War of the Revolution, and John D., his son (Benjamin F. Orear's father), was also a brave soldier of his country, serving in the Ameri¬ can army throughout the War of 1812. The Orears early settled in Kentucky, and there John D. married Miss Mariam B. Calbreath. She was of Montgomery county and they lived in that county until their death. Benjamin F. was born there on the 2d of May, 1829. His family was rather a well-to-do and prominent one, and he was given more than an average general English education. After becom¬ ing old enough, he taught school in Montgomery county, and became very successful and popular as a teacher. In 1859, however, desiring to engage in farming for himself and to get a comfortable start in life, for he had married the year before, he came West where lands were cheap, and settled in Audrain county. A short time after coming here he taught school and then engaged in farming, which he has since followed. Mr. Orear has been satisfactorily successful as a farmer and owns two good places. His homestead contains 260 acres, all fenced, and a large portion in active cultivation. He also has good pastures and meadows in this farm and it is otherwise well improved. His other farm is situated a short distance from this one, and it is also substantially improved. It was on the 14th of July, 1858, that Mr. Orear was married. His wife's maiden name was Margaret C. Bartlett. She was a daughter of Rev. Francis Bartlett, formerly of Massachusetts, who was born in sight of Plymouth Rock. He afterwards settled in Ohio and remained there until his death.

Mrs. Orear is a lady of fine intelligence and superior culture. She was educated at South Headley, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. O. have seven children: Margaret M., wife of M. L. Everett, a teacher of Audrain county; Benjamin F., Lucy B., Emily D., John D., David B., and James L. Mr. Orear has held several local offices, and has been dis¬ trict clerk for about twelve years. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Mexico.

late proprietor of the West End Bakery, and General Grocery Store, Mexico. Mr. Patterson, who died in Mexico on the 13th of January, 1883, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington county, March 30, 1832. Left an orphan at an early age by the death of both parents, his opportunities for an education were very limited. Of an inquiring and aspiring mind, however, he overcame his disadvantages in this particular, and by his own industry and economy obtained means to take a course at college, thus becoming well fitted, so far as the knowledge of books was concerned, for the ordinary business activities of life. While still young, he learned the baker's trade, and the business of conducting a bakery and grocery store became his permanent occupation. In an early day he went to Jacksonport, Arkansas, where he carried on a bakery and grocery store for a short time, and then removed to Fulton, Missouri. He there, also, carried on a bakery with which he combined an ice-cream saloon, and con¬ tinued the business for a number of years. While at St. Louis he was married to Miss Mary E. McDonald, of that city, a daughter of Edward McDonald. That was on the 25th of September, 1855. Mr. Patterson continued at Fulton until the summer of 1882, when he came to Mexico and established the West End bakery and grocery store mentioned above, which he conducted with success until he was stricken down with his last illness. He built the business house where he established his store and bakery, and indeed, had accumu¬ lated a substantial start in life. Mr. Patterson was a member of the Catholic Church, and also an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance, and was an active member of the local temperance society. He was a man of industry and honesty, and was well re¬ spected. He was a kind husband, affectionate father and good man, and his loss was deeply mourned, not only in his own family but by his neighbors and acquaintances. His death left a vacancy in the temperance cause that it will be hard to fill. The bakery and grocery store is now being carried on by his eldest son, Robert, a young man of good character, excellent business qualifications and bright promise. Besides Robert, there are these children : Mary, Margaret, Charles, Emma, and William. Two are deceased, Lulu and Andrew. Mrs. Patterson survives her husband, a lady much esteemed by those among whom she lives. She was born in St. Louis, July 16, 1837, and while she was still young her parents removed to Fulton. She was educated in the schools of Fulton and at the St. Louis Catholic Convent. She is a lady of intelligence and much personal worth.

physician and surgeon, Mexico. Dr. Pipino, one of the most thoroughly educated and experienced young practitioners in his pro¬ fession in North-east Missouri, is a native of Maryland, born in the city of Baltimore, September 4, 1852. He was educated with the view to the medical profession, and at a comparatively early age began the study of medicine. After a course in the University of Maryland, he entered Bellevue Hospital, New York, where he continued until his graduation in 1873. Dr. Pipino then came West to engage in the practice of his profession, and located at Quincy, Illinois. Becoming acquainted with the physicians of that city and with the better classes of its citizens generally, his qualifications and aptitude for the successful practice of his profession soon became known and recog¬ nized, and in a few months after his location there he was recommended for, and appointed, to the responsible position of physician and surgeon in the Jacksonville Surgical Infirmary, a position he held for two years and with marked success and distinction. The following five years he was engaged in the general practice at Quincy, having returned to that city from Jacksonville. During this time he was also appointed surgeon of the Blessing Hospital and physician to the Orphan's Woodland Home. Dr. Pipino resigned these positions in the summer of 1880 to remove to Missouri, for the purpose of devoting his whole time and attention to the general practice in this State. He located at Mexico and has since been a resident of this city. Dr. Pipino's skill and ability in his profession are well recog¬ nized at this city, and he has a large and increasing practice, his clientele including many of the best families of Mexico. Professionally, he is highly esteemed, and socially is welcomed by the best people ot this city. A gentleman of culture and refinement, as well as of rare attainments in his profession, he is justly very popular, and exercises a marked, though quiet influence in the community. On the 12th of April, 1877, Dr. Pipino was married to Miss Katie Gwin, a daughter of W. C. Gwin, a prominent citizen of Winchester, Illinois. Mrs. Pipino was born in that city on the 16th of July, 1856. The Dr. and Mrs. P. have two interesting children : Will. T. and George Berry. The Doctor is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias and of the A. O. U. W. His residence is at the corner of Liberty and Calhoun Streets.

William Pollock

of William Pollock & Co., proprietors of the Mexico City Mills, dealers in grain, and manufacturers of flour, meal, feed, etc., Mexico. Among; the better class of Northern men who have come to this country since the war, those of intelligence, enterprise and means, who have linked their lives and fortunes with this county, to its great benefit and prosperity, the subject of the present sketch justly occu¬ pies an enviable position. Mr. Pollock came to this country in the spring of 1870. He was from Indiana to Missouri, but was originally from Penns}dvania. Mr. Pollock is a miller and mill-wright by life¬ long experience, and has achieved his abundant success in life in that occupation. He is now one of the large mill operators of the coun¬ try, and is not only interested in this county in this industry, but has important interests in the same line elsewhere. Mr. Pollock was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., September 23, 1831. His father was David Pollock, a miller by occupation, and also a successful farmer ; and his mother was, before her marriage, a Miss Elizabeth Day, of an old and respected Pennsylvania family. William Pollock, the subject of this sketch, was brought up to mill building and the mill¬ er's business, and following it up to 1864 in his native State. He and his brother Joseph then came to Vincennes, Ind., and built a large mill at that place with a capacity of 200 barrels every twenty-four hours, which was afterwards increased to 325 barrels. Prior to this, however, he had built several fine mills in Pennsylvania. As stated above, Mr. Pollock came to Missouri in 1870. Since then he has run his present mill, which during that year he built. This is well known as one of the best mills in this section of the State. Besides this, he also has a mill at Slater, Mo. There is also an elevator run in connection with it. Mr. Pollock has justly always held a high place in the es¬ teem of the public wherever he has lived, and not less so in this county than elsewhere. In 1879 he was elected mayor of the city, a position he held until 1882. He subsequently represented the fifth ward in the city council for three terms. In 1851 Mr. Pollock was married to Miss Nancy Bell, of Pennsylvania, but she was taken from death some ten or twelve years afterwards. In 1865 he was married to his present wife, who was previously a Miss Sarah Eliza¬ beth Walker. By this marriage there are two children : William Walker and Sarah M. Mr. Pollock is a member of the Masonic or¬ der, and of the I. O. O. F.

Granville Read

for nearly half a century a worthy and respected citizen of Audrain county, like so many of the early settlers of this county, came from that fairest and proudest daughter of the Old Dominion - the Blue Grass State of Kentucky. He was born in Scott county, Kentucky, on Cane Run (famous in the early history of that State as the scene of many Indian outrages), on the 3d of October, 1813. Mr. Read comes of an honored old Revolutionary ancestry. His grandfather, Samuel Read, was a native of Scotland, but came to America prior to the war for Independence, and took a gallant part in that long and terrible struggle. Samuel Read's brother was the famous John Read referred to in Bancroft's " History of the United States " for the dis¬ tinguished services he rendered under the command of Gen. Washing¬ ton. Mr. Read's father, whose name was also Samuel, became a pioneer settler of Kentucky, and was married there to Miss Nancy Baldwin. In 1831 they came on out to Missouri and settled in Boone county, where both parents lived until their death, Samuel dying in about 1846, and his wife, Nancy, the following year. Gran¬ ville Read, the second of their family of children, was in his eigh¬ teenth year when his parents came to Missouri, and on the 21st of February, six years following, he was married to Miss Nancy Black, a daughter of Isaac Black of Callaway county. She was born in that county August 5, 1821. After his marriage Mr. Read settled on Cedar River in Callaway county, and the following year came to Audrain county, entering land on which he improved a farm. As a farmer Mr. Read has prospered with his advancing years, and now has a fine place of half a section of land, and is otherwise comfortably situated. Prior to the war he was an extensive stock dealer and handled a great many mules and horses. By the Emancipation Pro¬ clamation he lost about $16,000 worth of slaves. He also grew tobacco quite extensively before the war. Mr. Read has been absent from home but very little, a trip to California in 1865, which occupied a year, being his longest absence from the county. He and his good wife have reared eleven children : Samuel, now of Nevada , Sarah A., now Mrs. A. C. Morehead, of California; John T., also of Nevada; William J., a twin with the last named, and now deceased, having died at the age of twenty-two ; Mary E., now Mrs. David L. Jesse, of Benton county, Arkansas ; Nancy B. died whilst the wife of William Brown; Isaac B., Minerva, now Mrs. John S. Jesse, of Wheatland, California; Granville, Eliza, now Mrs. Benjamin Brown. Mr. Read has never taken any active part in politics and has had no aspirations for official preferment. However, he has served as deputy sheriff and in some other minor positions.

William F. Reed

dealer in dry goods, clothing, hats, caps, millinery goods, boots, shoes, gents' furnishing goods, carpets, trunks, valises, etc., Mexico. The true history of the rise of this city in population and wealth, and its progress in prosperity, is to be found more accurately and clearly written in the history of the lives of its leading business men who came here years ago when it was but a prairie village, and by their energy and enterprise in carving out their own fortunes have built the city up to its present importance as a trade center, and have thus attracted to it increased population and multiplying wealth. A popu¬ lous and prosperous city is a fair sight to look upon, but when we contemplate it Ave should never forget that behind the picture which it presents are to be found the causes which produced it, the steady, silent, earnest workers, striving from day to day through the months, the seasons and the years to bring it to its position of prominence in the trade affairs of the country. It is well to look upon the place with pride, but it is better to honor the men and bear witness to their services who made it. No worthy history of Mexico can ever be written which does not accord to the name that heads this sketch a conspicuous and honorable place. Over twenty years ago William F. Reed came to Mexico a young man of humble means and a stranger, one who had made his little all by his own exertions and worth. He engaged here in general merchandising, cast his fortunes with the for¬ tunes of this place, neither of which then seemed any too bright; but he was young then and the future was written all over with bright letters, his courage was unfaltering and his hope as radiant as the early morn. His faith was fixed on the future of Mexico, he believed in it, and he went to work with all his energies to contribute the full measure of his duty towards making it what he felt in his prophetic soul it was destined to be. The years came and went, the great oceantides of fortune ebbed and flowed, the sky darkened with the storm clouds of Avar, and again brightened Avith the serene light of peace, and amidst all changes and vicissitudes William F. Reed kept his faith, fading misfortune Avith fortitude and equanimity, and improving to the best advantage the seasons of prosperity as they came and went. His business steadily greAv in importance and his trade continued to extend itself out over the surrounding country. Year by year he in¬ creased his stock, and from time to time enlarged his building accom¬ modations. Thus, from a handful of goods in a small frame shanty, which was rented at that twenty-odd years ago, his store has grown to the dimensions of one of the first establishments in his line in North¬ east Missouri. From a youth Avith but little or no means, he, himself, has risen to the position of one of the principal merchants in reputa¬ tion, means and influence in this section of the State. If it is asked what has produced this change so honorable to him and of so much advantage to the city, the answer comes involuntarially to every in¬ telligent man, - business capacity, integrity, enterprise and a determi¬ nation to succeed. Such men succeed everywhere and anywhere ; and such men will build up any country and make it great and prosperous. Let us uoav take a glance at the colossal establishment which the brain and energy of one man have built up. It is divided into seven large and independent departments, a capable and experienced manager being at the head of each department : (1) the clothing and furnishing goods department, including also trunks, valises, etc., is in charge of Messrs. Frank R. Turner and James W. Pledge, both efficient and successful managers in these lines of goods ; (2) the boot and shoe department is in the charge of Mr. Frank Tucker, Avell known as one of the most capable and popular salesmen in this line in the city ; (3) Mr. Shelton Insley has charge of the dress goods department, and he is so popular among the ladies that they hardly knoAV whether most to admire him or the lovely goods he so much delights to shoAv : any afternoon one Avould easily mistake the scene his department presents for a ladies' grand toilet-room, from Avhich, after the ladies give them¬ selves the finishing touches, they enter the ball-room, so many hand¬ somely dressed and beautiful ladies are there ahvays present admiring Mr. Insley's goods and casting occasional but illy concealed glances of admiration at the manager : it is not too much to say that this is the most popular center of the dress goods trade in Mexico ; (4) the cloak department is in charge of Mr. Mounce, and this fairly rivals in every particular the department of Mr. Insley ; (5) then comes the staple goods department, under the charge of Mr. Pearl Glenn; this department is conducted with marked success and is very popular with the custom in this line, in Mexico and the surrounding country ; (6) Mrs. Davis and Miss Mollie Harrison have charge of the dressmaking department : a specialty is made in dress-making, and these ladies are known to be the most thorough and accomplished modestes in this section of the State ; when dresses are required for special oc¬ casions, the public ladies invariably rely on this department for their work, while it also has a very large run of general custom ; (7) the notion department, the last, but by no means the least, in this great bazaar of stores, is presided over by a Mr. Charles Hoblitzel ; here may be found everything in the notion line, and it is but truth to say that it contains a perfect confusion almost, of articles, so numerous and varied are the goods to be met with on its shelves, yet everything is kept in the best of order, and customers are waited on with expedi¬ tion and the utmost politeness. Taking this large business establish¬ ment as a whole, it is a monument to the man to whose character and business ability it owes its existence more eloquent than any testimony that could be engraved on brass or cut in stone. A sketch of the life of such a man is well worthy a place in this volume. He makes a motto of low prices and cash, - cash always, both as a seller and a buyer, for this he conceives is the true basis of successful business enterprise. Mr. Reed was born in Boone county, Missouri, on the 5th of April, 1839. His early educational advantages were very poor ; indeed, he may be said to have educated himself. He continued on the farm until 1862, when, ambitions to rise something above his sur¬ roundings, he came to Mexico and established in a small way the nucleus of his present business. From that time forward the threads of his life have been interwoven so intimately with those of his busi¬ ness that the historyAf one is the history of the other. In the month of October, 1861, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Mary A. Williams of this county. They have two children : Henry and Bessie. Mr. Reed's father, John Reed, is still living, and is now a resident of Boone county. Mr. W. F. Reed owns and is successfully conducting one of the largest dairy farms in this section of the State. His place contains 925 acres of land adjoining Mexico, and he milks regularly over 100 head of cows, having on his place, however, over 200 head. Mr. Reed's mother is now deceased. Mr. Reed is justly regarded as one of the public-spirited citizens of Mexico, and wields a potent in¬ fluence in its business affairs.

physician and surgeon, Mexico. Dr. Reed, who has been engaged in the active practice of his profession for nearly twenty years, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Washington county, April 5, 1837. He was a son of Rev. Samuel Reed, a well known and eminent Presbyterian divine of the Keystone State, a graduate of both Jefferson College and Princeton Theological College. He moved from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1838, to Beallsville, Monroe county, Ohio. Dr. Reed was reared in Monroe county, Ohio, on a farm, and at a comparatively early age began the study of medicine (in the year 1855), studying during the summer months and teaching school dur¬ ing winter months. He studied with Drs. Grier and Armstrong, at Beallsville, Ohio. Afterwards he attended the Detroit Medical Col¬ lege of Michigan, from which he was duly graduated, and he also attended the Rush Medical College of Chicago. Dr. Reed began the practice of medicine at Cerre Gordo, Piatt county, Illinois, in 1864. Subsequently Dr. Reed removed to Kansas City, and after remaining there for about two years came to Mexico in 1882, where he has since resided. Dr. Reed makes a specialty of eye and ear diseases, in which he had remarkable success ; but^e also, of course, attends to the gen¬ eral practice. By his long experience in the practice, as well as his thorough medical and general education, Dr. Reed has become a more than ordinarily skillful and successful physician. Indeed, in the line of his specialty he has effected some cures which have given him a very wide and enviable reputation. On the 17th of October, 1865, Dr. Reed was married in Jackson county, Iowa, to Miss Mary Sartwell, originally of Niagara, New York. The Dr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the M. E. Church South. The Doctor is also a member of the Masonic order, as well of the Linten District Medical Society. He is president of the Audrain County Medical Society, and also a member of the Illinois State Medical Society. Three of Dr. Reed's uncles, on his father's side, were prominent ministers in the Presby¬ terian Church. The Doctor's mother was a Miss Margaret Thompson before her marriage, and was born and reared in Pennsylvania. His father survived to a ripe old age, dying when 78 years old.

Joseph Renie

parentage, and was a son of Bartholomew Renie, of Paris, and wife, nee Miss Marie A. Buchey, also of the Land of Vines. They came to America in about 1816, and met each other for the first time on the ship which bore them across the blue waters of the Atlantic. They were married the same year after landing at New Orleans, and subse¬ quently came West to Dearborn county, Indiana, locating at Lawrenceburg, where Joseph, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 25th of April, 1827. As he grew up, Joseph Renie learned the black¬ smith trade, serving his apprenticeship at Vernon, Indiana, where he worked, in all about seven or eight years. On the 17th of April, 1854, he was married in Jennings county, of that State, to Miss Lydia Griffith, and two years afterwards he removed to Missouri, locating at Mexico, where he became blacksmith to the North Missouri Railroad, which was building at that time. Subsequently he located on Rich¬ land creek, and ran a shop there for about four years. In 1863 Mr. Renie removed to Bloomington, Illinois, where he carried on a shop with success for seven years. He then, in 1870, returned to Audrain county and settled on a tract of 80 acres of land, which he had bought in 1858, where he opened a shop, made a farm and has since resided. Industry and good management have prospered him abundantly, and his former small place has expanded into a handsome landed estate of nearly 480 acres. He is engaged also in stock raising, and has about fifty head of good cattle, besides a number of mules, horses, hogs, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Renie have a family of seven children : Augustus A., Albert A., Josephine E. (now Mrs. Lew Payne, of Wellsville, Missouri), Edward H., William R., John S. and Charles A. Mrs. Renie is a member of the Methodist Church.

Joseph A. Ringo

of Ringo Bros., dealers in hardware, stoves, tin-ware, farm imple¬ ments, wagons, buggies, etc., Mexico. Their present business was established in March, 1883, and from the beginning, the establishment of these gentlemen has been one of the leading houses in their line in this city. They come of one of the old and prominent families of Audrain, and therefore have an extensive and favorable acquaint¬ ance throughout the surrounding country - and being men of thor¬ ough business qualifications and of popular address, it was but natural to expect that they would assume a leading position in business. Be¬ sides having a more than an ordinarily good trade in the several branches of their business, mentioned above, they make specialties of the " Old Hickory Wagon," " The Columbus Buggy," and the " Betze Washing Machine" and those of " The Steam Cookers." These goods are well known to the public, and even where they are not known they need no higher recommendation than their use gives them. A heavy demand is constantly pouring in for them, and the trade is steadily increasing. It is not too much to say that the " Old Hickory Wagon," and the " Columbus Buggy " are two of the best vehicles ever introduced into general use in Audrain county. As has been said, the Bingo family is one of the old and respected families of Audrain county. Mr. Bingo's parents came to this county from Illi¬ nois in 1854, and the father followed farming here for a number of years. Mr. Burt Bingo, one of the above firm, subsequently ran the Bingo House at Mexico, well known throughout this State and all over the West as one of the best hotels in the smaller cities of the country. The family was originally from Kentucky, from which they emigrated to Illinois in about 1851. Joseph A. Bingo was born May 15, 1857, and was reared on a farm. His education was received in the common schools, and on the 17th of March, 1874, he was married to Miss Sadie White of Monroe county. They have one child, James Alvin. Mr. Bingo's mother was a Miss Mary J. Clark before her marriage, and was of the well known Clark family of Kentucky. His father, Alvin Bingo, was also of an old Kentucky family. Mr. Bingo and wife are members of the Christian Church.