Audrain County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 13 of 17)

Chables D. Bodgebs

county surveyor and road and bridge commissioner. Mr. Bodgers, a young man of more than ordinary prominence in Audrain county, and one of its most popular public officials, is a native Missourian, and has resided in Audrain county since he was one year old, except while attending school or teaching. His primary education was ac¬ quired in the school of the district where he was raised, until 1874, when he entered the select male high school, taught by Prof. H. M. Hamill, in Mexico, Missouri, and afterwards he attended the State Normal School at Kirksville, in 1875 ; the State University in 1877- 78, and graduated in 1878 in the Normal department of the Univer¬ sity. He attended the Normal at Kirksville again in 1879, and sub¬ sequently, in 1880, he took a special surveyor's course at the State University, and the same year was elected surveyor of this county. Mr. Bodgers was reared on a farm, and prior to his election to his present office followed farming and school teaching for some years. Having made a special study of surveying, as well as be¬ ing a young man of irreproachable habits and good business qualifica¬ tions, it is but saving what is known to all the countv that he has made one of the most capable and efficient surveyors the county ever had. Personally he is very popular, and will doubtless hold other positions in the gift of the people aside from the one he now occupies. His parents, Andrew J. Rodgers and Jane M., nee Dunlap, were na¬ tives, respectively, of Virginia and Kentucky. They came out to Cal¬ laway county from the Blue Grass State in an early day. The father became a successful farmer of that county, and one of its most highly respected citizens.

Charles A. Rolling

of Ogle & Rolling, dealers in boots and shoes, Mexico. On his father's side Mr. Rolling is of French parentage, but on his mother's, of German origion. Both parents came to this country when young, the father from Paris, France, where he was born August 19, 1837, and the mother from Kurhessen, Germany, where she was born May 10, 1839. They were married in St. Louis, in 1863, and the father, whose name was Adolphus Rolling, followed coopering, of which trade he was a master at that city for many years. Charles A. was born in St. Louis, February 1, 1864, and learned the boot and shoe business as he grew up. He subsequently followed the business from 1876 for seven years in his native city, four years at Win. Ogle's, 1028 Broadway, and the three following years at J. G. Brandt's, 504 and 506 Franklin avenue, one of the most prominent shoe houses in the country. In the fall of 1883 he came to Mexico. He and Mr. Ogle then formed a partnership and have since been carrying on the boot and shoe business at this city together. Although they have been here only a short time, they will doubtless become a leading firm in this line, for both understand their business thoroughly, are men of perfect reliability, and have opened a good stock of goods. They keep the best qualities and latest styles of boots and shoes, ladies, gents, children's and infants'. Courteous and polite to all who enter their store, they show by their actions that it is no bore to show goods, and this makes every one feel at ease and welcome in their house. In a word, they possess every quality and qualification to build up a large custom, and this they are rapidly doing. Close atten¬ tion to business, fair dealing and politeness will win, and these three qualities they are determined to show at all times and under all cir- plasterer and contractor, Mexico. Mr. Rosenbury, the leading busi¬ ness man of Mexico in his line, and an artisan of life-long experience in his trade, has been engaged in this business at Mexico since 1872, and, although coming here a young man and a stranger, he has risen to the foremost position in his line at this city. For the year 1883 every business house of any importance constructed at Mexico was plastered by him or under him as contractor, as were most of the dwellings worthy of mention. He has been very successful, as these facts show, and as a citizen he is well respected. Untiring industry and close attention to business, as well as good management, have brought to him, as they almost invariably do, entire success. Mr. Rosenbury is a native of Ohio, born on the 25th of June, 1864, in the county of Tuscarawas. When he was a mere lad, in 1853, his parents removed to Plymouth, Indiana, where he grew up and learned the plasterer's trade. His father, George Rosenbury, was a regular plasterer and a contractor in that line, and Clement F. thus had ex¬ ceptional advantages to learn the business. In 1864 he enlisted in the 13th Ind. Cavalry and served from February of that year until the latter part of November, 1865, being mustered out of the ser¬ vice at Vicksburg, Mississippi. After the war he returned to Indiana and followed plastering at various points in that State until 1872 when he came to Mexico, where he has since resided. Mr. Rosenbury's success here since that time has already been spoken of. On the 7th of January, 1875, Mr. R. was married to Miss Mary C. Dearing, a daughter of J. W. Dearing, whose sketch precedes this. Mr. and Mrs. R. have two children : Frank L. and Alice D. Mrs. R. is a member of the Christian Church.

physician and surgeon, Mexico. Dr. Rothwell, a physician who has risen to a position of prominence in his profession in North-east Mis¬ souri, comes of one of the oldest and best families in this section of the State. He was the third in the family of six children of that old citizen and eminent physician of Callaway county, Dr. John Roth¬ well, a sketch of whose life occupies a deservedly conspicuous place in the history of that county recently published. In Dr. Rothwell's, Sr's, family there were two other sons, both of whom have risen to prominence in life : William R. Rothwell, A. M., D. D., is professor of theology and moral philosophy in William Jewell Col¬ lege, at Liberty, Missouri ; and Hon. Gideon F. Rothwell, of Moberly, was a member of the 46th Congress from the Moberly district, and is a leading lawyer of Randolph county. Dr. Rothwell's, Jr's., mother was of the well-known Renfro family, of Virginia. She is still living (her husband being deceased) and is a lady of great strength of mind and character. Dr. Rothwell, Jr., was born in Callaway county, Sep¬ tember 14, 1833, and was reared in his native county. As he grew up circumstances were no more favorable for him to secure an advanced education than they were for other young men of the vicinity. But his life illustrates again the truth of the old adage " that men make circumstances, not circumstances men." Dr. Rothwell rose superior to his surroundings, and almost alone, by his exertions and strength of character, succeeded in acquiring a higher education. Qualifying himself in the home schools, by private study, and as teacher in the district school, to enter college, he matriculated at the State University and continued a student there until his graduation in 1857. Prior to entering the University, however, he had studied under his father, and after completing his course at Columbia, he resumed the study and attended his first course of lectures at the St. Louis Med¬ ical College, session of 1860 and 1861. By this time, and also having the exceptional advantage of constant instruction from his father, as well as having a marked aptitude for the profession, he Avas amply qualified to engage in the practice. On the coming on of the Avar Dr. RotliAvell, being of Southern ancestry and sympathies, as Avell as sincerely believing that the South was right on the question of pro¬ tecting her institutions from overthrow by outside influences, enlisted in the State Guard, under Gov. Jackson's call for troops, and Avas appointed assistant surgeon of Maj. Robinson's battalion - Avas finally taken prisoner but Avas afterwards released under bond. He then a^ain entered the St. Louis Medical College, from Avhich he graduated in 1863. FolloAving this, Dr. Rothwell located at Mexico in the prac¬ tice of his profession, Avhere he has since resided. He is therefore one of the oldest practicing physicians in duration of residence in this city. For over twenty years he has been visiting the sick and admin¬ istering to the suffering, going Avherever duty called, at all times, and in all circumstances ; and thus he has steadily risen, being thoroughly qualified, capable and faithful, to the position of one of the leading practitioners in his profession in Audrain county, and to that of one of the leading physicians in North-east Missouri. Dr. Roth well's career in his profession has been one of uninterrupted success. In the meanwhile he has not failed to accumulate some of the substantial evidences of prosperity. However, he has not made the acquisition of wealth his controlling object in life, and what he has accumulated has come to him more as a result of long and well directed industry than as an object of special solicitude. As a citizen, no man in Audrain county stands higher in public esteem than he. On the 10th of May, 1865, Dr. Rothwell was married to Miss Carrie Adams, a daughter of the late Judge Increase Adams, an old and prominent citizen of this county. The Doctor is a member of the County and District Medi¬ cal Societies, and is one of the leading physicians in these organi¬ zations.

Jacob Ruloff

of Clacher & Ruloff, dealers in hardware, stoves, tin-ware and cutlery, also in the leading manufacture of farm and spring wagons, carriages and buggies, repairing and mowing machinery and form implements of all kinds; also, manufacturers of tin and copper-ware, etc., etc., Mexico. Mr. Ruloff is a native of Germany, born in Prussia, August 25, 1822, and was a son of Jacob, Sr., and Anna (Gallo) Ruloff, the father also a native of Germany, but the mother born and reared across in France. Mr. Ruloff 's early youth was spent in his native country, where he attended the native parochial schools. In 1834, however, his parents came to America, and located at Winchester, Ya. Jacob grew up at that place, and when nineteen years of age came to St. Louis, Mo., where he was engaged in different lines of employment up to 1860. After this he began farming in Callaway countjq and followed it with success for fifteen years. In 1875 Mr. Ruloff came to Mexico, Audrain county, and the following year com¬ menced the hardware business at Mexico, by associating himself with Mr. Clacher, his present partner, and they established their present business. Both are energetic, thorough-going business men, and keep a good stock of goods constantly on hand in the lines indicated above. They make it a motto to deal fairly with their customers, and thus secure and retain the confidence of the public. They have a good trade, which is steadily increasing. In 1844 Mr. Ruloff was married to Miss Anna M. Andries, of St. Louis, but originally of Germany. They have seven children : John M., George A., Barbara, Ellen, Katie, Emma and Fannie. John, the eldest, is engaged in busi- ness in St. Louis ; Katie and Emma are married, and reside in that city ; but Barbara is married to a commercial traveler, and lives in Chicago. Mrs. Ruloff was principally reared in this country, and is a lady of many estimable qualities. She has shown herself a faithful wife and devoted mother, and is much esteemed by her neighbors and acquaintances.

proprietor of Runkel's meat market, Mexico. Mr. Runkel is one of those industrious, energetic Pennsylvanians whose names are al¬ most invariably synonyms of success wherever they are, and in what¬ ever line of business they are engaged. Mr. Runkel has been in business in Mexico less than four years, yet such is the character of man he is, that in that short time he has gone to the front in the meat trade of this city, and is now its leading business man in this line. He first began business in a frame building, located where his present spa¬ cious establishment now stands, but the former was burned down by accident in December, 1882. Besides attending to the general retail trade, he supplies a number of other butchers in the city with their stocks. Mr. Runkel was born in Lebanon county, Pa., September 10, 1829. His parents, Henry and Christian (Mark) Runkel, were both also natives of that State, and were both of Swiss descent, their ancestors having, respectively, come over from that country during the early history of the Keystone State. They both lived in Penn¬ sylvania until their death. J. H. was reared on a farm, and learned the butcher's trade, working desultorially at that trade while on the farm. In 1873 he located at Port Royal, in Pennsylvania, and estab¬ lished a butcher shop of his own, which he carried on with success until he came to Missouri. On the 10th of November, 1850, he was married to Miss Rosanna Miller, of that State. She died in 1869, leaving a family of two children : George C. and Christiana E. In January, 1872, Mr. Runkel was married to his present wife. She was formerly a Miss Elizabeth Foreman, of Palmyra, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. R. have one child : Annie R. Mrs. R. is a member of the Pres¬ byterian Church, and her husband contributes liberally to the support of that denomination.

James Ruse

one of the substantial men of Audrain county, is a native of England, and was born in Suffolkshire, May 15, 1830. He was reared there by his parents, James and Ether (Walker) Ruse, and in 1848, with his brother, David, came to the United States, landing first at New York. James, the subject of this sketch, located in Connecticut where he re¬ mained for thirteen years, and was married there April 7, 1863, to Miss Augusta Simms, of Norwalk, Conn., but of English parentage. Following his marriage, Mr. Ruse came West, stopping first at Mon¬ mouth, Ill., where he lived for three years, and then, in 1866, came to Missouri, settling in Audrain county. Here Mr. Ruse engaged in farming, and three years afterwards settled on his homestead near Mexico. That is an excellent farm of 240 acres, one of the better homesteads of Salt River township. Mr. Ruse has followed farming and stock raising exclusively during his residence in this county, and he is still carrying on these interests. His farm is well stocked with a good class of cattle, hogs, etc., and he annually puts on the market large numbers of each. Besides his homestead, Mr. R. has another place of 80 acres, which is on the Littleby, and is well improved. In the fall of 1883 Mr. Ruse removed to Mexico, where he is now resid¬ ing, for the purpose of educating his children, but he still carries on his farming and stock industries. A man in comfortable circum¬ stances, he has erected a substantial and neat residence in this city, which he occupies with his family. Mr. and Mrs. R. have five chil¬ dren : Carrie E., Annie F., Franklin, Hattie and Minnie. All are attending school in this city. He and wife are members of the Epis¬ copal Church. Mr. Ruse's brother also came out to Illinois and is now a resident of that State.

Francis M. Sallee

comes of French ancestry on both sides. Both the Sallees and Mose¬ leys are old Virginia families, and branches of these families early settled in Kentucky as well as in other States. Mr. Sallee, the sub¬ ject of this sketch, comes of the Kentucky branch of his ancestry. His father was Edward Sallee, who came out to Kentucky in the pioneer days of the country, and afterwards, having grown up and married, removed to Missouri, and settled in Callaway county in 1829. Mr. Sallee's mother was, before her marriage, a Miss Magdaline Mose¬ ley. She reared a large family of children, there having been thirteen in all, but six of whom, however, are now living: John P., still ad¬ joining the old Sallee homestead in Callaway county ; Thomas, in Henry county ; Francis M., the subject of this sketch ; Robert, Martha A., widow of Sandford Jameson now of this county; and Keren, a maiden lady also of this county. On first coming to Callaway county the family settled on what is now the site of the State Insane

Asylum, but afterwards removed to Richland, where the parents died years afterwards; the father, August 18, 1851, aged seventy-five, and the mother, August 15, 1855, aged sixty-five. The father was an in¬ dustrious, successful farmer, and well respected as a citizen. lie left a comfortable estate. Francis M. Sallee, our subject, was six years of age when his parents removed to Missouri, having been born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, December 21, 1823. Growing up on his father's farm, he attended the schools of the neighborhood, and early acquired an average education among the young men of the vicinity. Fond of adventure, he fell an easy victim to the California gold excitement, and joined that innumerable caravan which moved on to the mysterious land of the far-off* Pacific Coast. He returned to old Callaway in 1851, a wiser, if not a happier man, fully persuaded that about the surest way after all to win success in life is by the steady methods of persevering industry. Mr. Sallee then engaged in teach¬ ing school in Callaway county. In 1855 he entered a body of land near Benton City, in Audrain county, where he improved a place and farmed until 1857, and also carried on carpentering. On the 9th of May, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary C. Sampson, a daughter of John and Mildred (Tinsley) Sampson. After his marriage Mr. Sallee carried on a farm near Mexico, and has since been farming in this county. Mr. Sallee lives three miles south-west of Mexico. Mrs. Sallee died November 8, 1874. She left a family of five children : Martha M., Rachel T., Elizabeth, Catherine A. and Millie Buford, the last two twins. Mrs. Jameson at present makes her home with her brother, Francis M., her husband having died in 1866. She is a lady of charitable impulses and has reared several orphan children.

James H. Sallee

of Sallee & Brooks, dealers in books, stationery, wall paper, fancy goods, newspapers, periodicals, school supplies, chromos, fine pict- * ures, notions, etc., Mexico. Mr. Sallee, who has had a long business experience, began in his present business at Mexico, some fifteen years ago, at which time Mr. Thos. Y. McConnell Avas his part¬ ner. Mr. Sallee has continued in the same business from that time up to the present. His large trade and established business success are therefore not the Avork of a day, nor of a year, but of nearly half a generation of unceasing industry, good management, and close at¬ tention to business. Mr. McConnell, his first partner, subsequently sold to Mr. N. M. Roberts, and the latter sold to Mr. Henrv F.

Brooks, thus forming the present firm. Well established as this bus¬ iness is, it is of course one of the permanent institutions in their line in Mexico, and is so thoroughly grounded in the confidence of the public that it justly holds an influential position among the business houses of this city. Messrs. Sallee & Brooks carry a stock of goods in their respective lines that would do credit to a place much larger than Mexico, for they have not only a heavy custom in this city, but their trade extends out over the surrounding country, even beyond the ordinary limits of the business patronage of this place. They have built up a reputation for low prices and good goods, surpassed by no store in this part of the State. Mr. Sallee is a native Missou¬ rian, born in Palmyra, October 9, 1843. His education was acquired in the common schools, but having a natural inclination for business pursuits, he early turned his attention to the acquisition of that knowledge of mercantile life which would enable him ultimately to successfully establish himself as a business man. He began as a clerk in a business house, and having come to Mexico, he became deputy postmaster under Enoch Hooton at this place in 1858. He after¬ wards clerked and was otherwise busily occupied until 1869, when he had accumulated sufficient means to start in business on his own ac¬ count. He and Mr. McConnell then formed a partnership in the present business, already mentioned. On the 30th of June, 1868, Mr. Sallee was married to Miss Dee Robards, formerly of Boone county, of this State. She was born in that county November 18, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Sallee have five children : Katie, Elizabeth, John, Leila and Dorcas. Mr. Sallee is a member of the Masonic Or¬ der. Mr. Sallee's parents, John H. and Elizabeth R. (Chandler) Sallee, were from Kentucky. They came to this State in 1830. The father was a mill-wright by trade, and followed that occupation for many years. He died at Mexico in 1864. The mother survived her husband some ten years.

Hezekiah Shafer

a successful farmer and stock raiser of Audrain countv, is of German-Irish parentage, his father, Michael Shafer, having been a de¬ scendant of the historic land of the Nibelungen Lied, and his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Ireland, having come of an ancient ancestry native to the Emerald Isle, whose name she bore. They were married, and reared their family in the Empire State of the West - Ohio, where both lived until their death. Hezekiah Shafer was the eldest in their family of eleven children, and was born in Knox county, Ohio, near Mt. Vernon, on the 31st of March, 1820. Later along the family removed to Hancock county, where Hezekiah was reared, and received an ordinary common school education. About the time of completing his majority he obtained a situation as clerk in a store, and continued in the same position for nearly five years, and under the same proprietor. He then obtained a clerkship in an¬ other house at greatly advanced wages, and after clerking two years in this 'position became a partner in the house, continuing in it thus for six years. On the 10th of November, 1846, he was married to Miss Cynthia A. Wiseman, of Hancock, Fairfield county, Ohio, born November 20, 1827, and a daughter of Benjamin and Alma Wiseman, her father formerly of Virginia, but her mother originally of Con¬ necticut. At the end of his six years' partnership, Mr. Shafer con¬ tinued the business on his own account, until 1856, when he came to Illinois and engaged in hotel keeping and farming and handling stock. He was located at what is now called the Ten-mile House, near Chi¬ cago. He remained there until 1863, and then removed to Will county, Illinois, where he continued the stock business and farming for about nine years. In 1872 Mr. Shafer came to Missouri and bought a farm in Callaway county, near McCredie, where he carried on farming and handling stock for some seven years, coming thence to his present place, the William Day farm, in Audrain county. This place contains 400 acres of good land, and is one of the best stock farms in the vicinity. Mr. Shafer makes a specialty of raising short¬ horn cattle, and has a good breed of that class of stock. He also has a cattle ranch in Kansas, and for a number of years past has dealt in Kansas and in Indian cattle as well as in horses, etc. Mr. Shafer has been quite successful as a stock man and is one ot the substantial property holders of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Shafer have but one child, a daughter, Mary C., now grown and the wife of William Telfair, of Chicago. They have two adopted children that they are rearing, Maud and Ralph. Mrs. Shafer is a member of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Shafer is a member of the Masonic Order.

Major D. E. Shea

real estate, insurance and loan agent, Mexico. Major Shea has been a resident of Mexico'since 1873, and is, by nativity, ot Ireland, having been born near Ennis, in the County Clare, of the Emerald Isle, on the 23d of May, 1838. He was reared in his native county lip to the age of sixteen, and by this time had received the elements of an ordinary English education in the local schools. In 1854 Major Shea emigrated to the United States, and on reaching this country, located first in Fulton county, New York, where he was engaged in cheese-making for about a year. He was then employed in a paper mill until his removal to Wisconsin. In the Badger state, Major Shea located at Racine, where he learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade, and worked at it until the war was well under headway. However, he was not constantly engaged in his trade, for during this time he attended normal school, and afterwards took a course at com¬ mercial college. Making his home in the North on coming to this country, and becoming identified with its people and interested on the Union side, he naturally espoused the cause of the Government when the rebellion broke out, and early in the war enlisted in the Federal service. He was first a private in Company A, First U. S. Mechanic Fusiliers, in which he served a term of three months. He then en¬ listed in Company K, of the 33d Wisconsin, of which he was made second lieutenant, and served with conspicuous gallantry until the close of the Avar. He participated in no less than tAventy-one regular engagements, and although he always led his men wherever duty called and without a fear, he Avas Avounded but once during the entire war, and then only slightly. At the battle or siege of Vicksburg he was promoted to the first lieutenancy of his company. After the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, in July, 1864, between General A. J. Smith and General Forrest, he Avas placed in command of Company M, First Missouri Light Artillery, on detached service, and after about six months' service Avith the battery, joined his regiment in time to take part in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, Avhere he was made adjutant of his regiment. Such an army record any soldier might be proud to boast, and although it is one of great credit, Mr. Shea is not the man to plume himself on his own exploits. No man speaks of his services in the army Avith more modesty than he. He Avas honorably discharged after the close of the war, and returned to Wis¬ consin. Prior to this, on the 15th of November, 1863, Miss Mary RoAvan, of Racine, Wisconsin, had become his wife. This union has proved one of much domestic happiness. The Major and Mrs. S. have had nine children : Martha C., Sarah F., Alice, J., Ed Avar d L., Daniel Emmet, Nellie (deceased), Kate R., George F. and Mary B. After the Avar (in October, 1865 ) , Major Shea moved to Audrain county, Missouri, and followed farming for about eight years. He then moved to Mexico, and engaged in his present business. Major Shea was public administrator for some twelve years, and is at present a member ot the school board of this city. In 1882, with some other gentlemen, he organized a military company at Mexico, of which he was elected captain, Mr. D. T. Gentry being first lieutenant, and Mr. Houston, second lieutenant; and upon the organization of the Sixth Regiment National Guards of Missouri, he was commissioned Major, his commission bearing date January 3d, 1884. Major Shea, as the above facts show, has been engaged in his present business for a number of years, and being a man of high character, marked influence and thorough business qualifications, he has taken a position among the foremost men in the real estate, insurance and loan business in Mexico. He has a large and steadily increasing business. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

Judge James H. Shell

a veteran of two wars, and an old and esteemed citizen of Audrain count}', is by nativity from the old Rhomboid State, the home of the iron-willed President, Gen. Jackson, and was born in Sullivan county, August 6, 1818. Growing up in East Tennessee, in 1836 he enlisted in the Forida War, and was made sergeant of his company. He fol¬ lowed the flag of his country for fourteen long months through the everglades and morasses of the Flowery Peninsula, and until the ex¬ piration of his term of service, or rather, until the conclusion of the war. Returning then to his native State, like Andrew Johnson he learned the tailor's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years, and becoming a thorough master of the art adapter ; and on the 5th of July, 1840, he was married to Miss Ancret T. Payne, originally of Virginia, born October 11, 1818. Judge Shell continued to work at his trade in Tennessee until 1843 when he came to Missouri, and located at New London, in Ralls county, where he carried on the merchant-tailoring business for several years, and until the outbreak of the Mexican war. An old soldier, when the clash of arms was heard in the far-off Land of the Cactus, like a race-horse at the tap of the drum, he was off again, and was soon found keeping step to the music of the Union as the Stars and Stripes floated above him. He was under the command of Gen. Price, then Col. Price, and unknown to fame as a grand old Pater Patroe of Missouri, the noble title he afterwards gloriously won. Judge Shell served for eleven months in the gallant ranks of the Missouri soldiery, but unfortunately was attacked by a malignant fever then proving more fatal to our troops than the death-dealing musketry of the dark-visaged Mexican. He was confined to the hospital for some three months ; and his malady proved so serious that he was forced to accept a discharge for disabil¬ ity. The effect of the fever settled in his right leg and hip, and to this day he is affected with lameness, and is a great sufferer from ulcer¬ ation of his leg. Returning to Missouri after his discharge, he resumed working at his trade at New London following his recovery ; and also began farming, to a certain extent. He continued these in Ralls county until 1856, when he came to Audrain county, and settled on Lick creek. The following year Judge Shell located on his present place, where he has since resided, and has been occupied exclusively with farming. Judge Shell has been fairly successful as a farmer and has a good place of nearly 200 acres. A man of superior intelligence and high character, and having always taken an intelligent interest in the affairs of his county, he has long held the position by common consent of one of the leading men of his vicinity. Judge Shell has served as treasurer of his township for fourteen years, and has been warmly urged from different parts of the county to become a candi¬ date for county judge, but preferring the quiet and comforts of home life to the annoyances and distractions incident to prominent official position, he has steadily declined to accept the position sought to be thrust upon him. His friends, however, have insisted upon conferring upon him the title, even if he would not undertake the duties of the office, and he is everywhere called "Judge" Shell, a compliment sin¬ cerely bestowed, and which Judge Shell is not the man to despise. Judge Shell is quite extensively engaged in the stock business, and also runs a large hay press, having most of his place in meadow. He ships about $2,000 to $3,000 worth of hay annually. The Judge and Mrs. Shell have been abundantly blessed in their family, and have nine children: Malissa, now Mrs. Canterbury ; James Richard, who lives near Laddonia, in Audrain county ; Susan, now Mrs. Milton Hurley, of Ralls county ; Virginia, now the widow of A. J. Gardner; Emma, now Mrs. J. P. Gass, of Pike county; Alice, now Mrs. How¬ ard Gass ; William, residing near Mexico ; and Frank M., now one of the professors of the college at Paynesville. One, besides, is deceased, Charles, who shot himself accidently, dying at the age of seventeen. The Judge and Mrs. S. are both members of the church, the Judge of the Christian, and his wife of the M. E. South. The Judge is a mem¬ ber of the I. O. O. F.

James M. Sims

comes of ancestry of pioneer settlers, his grandfather, William Sims having been one of the first settlers of Madison county, Kentucky,' and his father, Elias, having been one of the first of Boone county, Missouri. His grandfather was from North Carolina, and the family,' residents of that State, can be traced back to the time of Lord Raleigh, the founder of the old North State Colony. Mr. Sims' mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Elizabeth Martin, also of a pioneer family of the Blue Grass State. The parents came to Mis¬ souri in about 1825, and located in Boone county, where the motherdied in 1832. The hither, Elias Sims, was married a second time, Miss Cynthia Pemberton, originally of Virginia, becoming his last wife. James M. was the fifth of his father's first family of children, the others being William M., of Mexico, this county ; Winifred J., who died while the wife of Jacob Mosely ; Garland M., of this county ; Lucy A. and Minerva, now Mrs. Yount, of Callaway county. In the second family there were three children : - John G., who died leaving a family'; Robert, now of Saline county ; and Sallie, now the wife of James Boone, ot California. James M. Sims was fourteen years of age at the time of his father's death, which occurred in 1842, having been born in Boone county, April 11, 1828, and being left at that age with his own way to make in the world, he went over into Howard county, where he had a married sister residing, with whom he made his home until eighteen years of age. He then came to Audrain county and entered upon his career as a farmer and citizen of this county. A young man of industry and good habits, he steadily prospered in life, and soon entered a fine tract of about 240 acres ot land on Schullick, where he improved a farm. He subsequently entered 500 acres near by, and as the years rolled around became one of the solid farmers and substantial citizens of the county. He sold that place in 1861 and removed to his present farm. Heie he has an excellent stock farm of several hundred acres, and is comfortably situated. On the 1st of February, 1849, Mr. Sims was married to Miss Louisa Goatly, a daughter of John and Nellie (Marshall) Goatly, early settlers of Boone county, but later along residents of this county. Mrs. Sims has two sisters, both married, Elizabeth, the wife of Gideon P. Williams, and Sarah, wife of Thomas J. Martin. She also has one brother, Armistead, now of California, where Mr. Martin and family also reside. Mr. and Mrs. S. have eleven children, eight of whom are now living: Lucy A., now Mrs. William Hensley, of Jackson county; Nellie, now Mrs. Charles Dingle, of California; Mary E., now Mrs. Charles Lewis; Minerva E., now Mrs. James A. Lewis ; Winifred J., who died while the wife of Charles House; Elias W., Jefferson D., Louisa and James D., all at home.

Daniel Pierce Sinnott

baggage-master of the Chicago and Alton and the Wabash Railroads, Mexico. Mr. Sinnott, one of the most efficient and popular baggagemasters in the railroad service in this section of the State, is a native of Ireland, born in Wexton, June 10, 1837, where he remained until he was fifteen years of age. He then came to America and landed at Quebec, locating, however, at Montreal, where he worked for two years in a machine shop. He then did farm work in Canada for several years and in 1856 came to St. Louis. Mr. Sinnott was employed in the Missouri Railroad shops for three years, and then went to Vicks¬ burg, Mississippi, working for the Jackson Railroad at that place for two years. In 1861 he left Mississippi for St. Louis and afterwards went to Chicago and then to Cincinnati. At Cincinnati Mr. Sinnott enlisted in the gunboat service, and served afterwards under Admiral Porter for three years. During this time he was severely wounded in the face by a piece of a bomb-shell. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Sinnott came to St. Louis county, and followed farming in that county for some five years, but in 1871 he was employed by the North Missouri Railroad and worked at Moberly for six years, coming to Mexico in 1877, where he has since resided. In 1868 Mr. Sinnott was married to Miss Johanna Sheahan, of St. Louis county, and a native of St. Louis. They have three children, Mary, Anna and Daniel. Mr. and Mrs. Sinnott are members of the Catholic Church.

Oliver P. Smith

a highly respected business man of Mexico, was a son of Capt. William Smith, of Boone county, and was born in that county February 2, 1835. Mr. Smith's father was a native of Madison county, Kentucky, and came out to Missouri in 1819. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed that calling in Boone county until his death. He became quite successful and left a comfortable estate. Mr. Smith's mother before her marriage was a Miss Martha McMichael, a native of this State. She was married in Boone county. Capt. Smith commanded ey reared a family of seven children, most of whom are still resi¬ dents of this State. Oliver P. Smith, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm in Boone county, and besides the ordinary advant¬ ages for an education had the benefit of a term at the State University.

n the 18th of February, 1862, he was married to Miss Martha Barnes, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Burckhartt) Barnes formerly of Randolph county. Mrs. S. was born in that county June 10, 1841. Her father came to this State in 1810, and was married at -b ort Hempstead, in Howard county. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three c u dren : Ella, Mattie and Leona. They are both members of the Church, he of the Presbyterian and she of the Methodist. Mr. Smith followed farming and stock dealing in Boone county with success until h,s removal to Mexico in 1881. Here he has since followed various lines of business, including the drug business for about nine months, e is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and also of the A. O. U. W.

J. Add. Smith

farmer, and although a mere youth during the progress of the civil war bravely cast his life into the balance for the sunny southern Southland* and became a plighted soldier of the three-barred but ill-starred ban¬ ner of the Confederacy. It was in 1862, when a veritable cataclysm of internicene strife was sweeping over the State, that he enlisted in the army under the command of Col. Porter, being at the time only nineteen years of age. He bore a gallant part in Porter's raid of that year in North Missouri, and was severely wounded at Kirksville, and taken prisoner. Kept at the St. Louis and Alton prisons for Ibout six months, he was then sent to Johnson's Island, at Little Rock Arkansas, then exchanged, and thus restored to the ranks of his brave comrades to follow the banner of the South until it was furled to float no more in the heavens for ever. He surrendered at Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1865, having participated in many a hardfought battle, where the mysterious death-river moaned and all else was mute- During the latter part of the war he was under Gen. Par¬ sons, serving in Capt. Bowles' company of the 9th Missouri infantry, and one year in Vonpool's Battery, and participated in the whole of Banks' campaign. Mr. Smith was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, near Somerset, July 2, 1842, and was a son of James' C. and Sarah (Suber) Smith, who came to Missouri with their fam¬ ily in 1844 and settled in Audrain county, two miles north-west of Mexico, where J. Add. grew to manhood. His father is now a resident of Vernon county, having removed to that county from Audrain in 1874. On the 6th of November, 1866, Mr. S. was married to Miss Emma Smith, a daughter of John R. Smith (no rela¬ tive of his, however). Prior to this, Mr. Smith, the subject of this sketch, had been constantly engagedin farming in the county, and he now settled on his present place. Here ho has a neat, excellent farm of over 100 acres, and has it comfortably improved. Mr. Smith is an industrious and well respected citizen, and is steadily coming to the front in the industrial affairs of life, as well as otherwise. He and his good wife have a family of three children : Eddie, May and Eolla.

Lowkie C. Smith

one of the most stirring and energetic farmers and stock men of Audrain county, was born at Paris, in Monroe county, October 2, 1853, and was reared at that place, Hannibal, and in this county, principally in the latter, however. His father, John R. Smith, was a merchant tailor by occupation, and followed that business at the places named during Lowrie C.'s youth. He is still in the business and is now at Belton, Tex., to which he removed in 1883. For a number of years in this county, however, he was engaged in farming and had a comfort¬ able place on Lick creek. He was originally from Virginia, as was also his wife, whose maiden name was Miss Lucy Allen. They came to Missouri in 1838. They had a family of five children : Thomas E., now of Belton, Texas ; Oliver P., now of Temple, the same State ; John, of this county; Emma, now the wife of James A. Smith, of this county, and Lowrie C. Lowrie C., after he grew up, engaged in farm¬ ing and handling stock for himself, but almost exclusively the latter. He first fed stock on a large scale in Pike county, this State, and in 1875 went to San Antonio and engaged in the sheep business in part¬ nership with Dunlap Sims, the firm buying about 1,200 head. The summer of that year Mr. Smith sold his interest to his partner and returned to Missouri. His partner, who remained in Texas, continued the sheep business, and is now worth $75,000. On his return to Mis¬ souri, Mr. Smith resumed dealing in stock, buying, feeding, shipping, etc., and continued it with success until 1881, when he and Mr. K. Mourney formed a partnership in the sheep business and bought 1,200 head, which they took to Texas, where they established a sheep ranche. Mr. Mourney now has charge of the ranche, and they are still in the business together. Mr. Smith came back to Missouri in January, 1882, and was married the 15th of the following February, to Miss Callie El¬ lis, a daughter of Squire John Ellis, of Young's creek. Mrs. Smith was born in this county May 15, 1861. Immediately following his marriage, Mr. Smith bought his father's old homestead on which he settled and still resides. Besides carrying on his farm, he is engaged in handling stock quite extensively, buying and shipping cattle and hogs to the wholesale markets and also buying and shipping sheep to Texas. Last year he shipped about 1,600 head of the hitter to that State. Mr. Smith's farm is situated about two miles and a half north¬ west of Mexico, and has a neat and well improved place. He has also had good success in shipping fine blooded short-horn cattle to Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have a little daughter, Pearl. He and wife are much esteemed by their neighbors and acquaintances.

Nicholas Sneed

is a farmer and stock raiser, and resides five miles north of Mexico, the county seat of Audrain county. The early settlement of Audrain county was composed very largely of Virginians, but later along the Kentuckians became more numerous, and since the war the Northern States have perhaps furnished a larger quota of immigrants to this county than either of the two States just mentioned. But that Virginians have not ceased to regard this as a very desirable part of the country to settle in, is shown by the large number who have come here in re¬ cent years. And indeed it begins to look like they are soon to become the largest class of our new settlers. Prominent among the more sub¬ stantial Virginians who have settled in this county since the war is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Sneed came to this county in 1876, and is one of our leading farmers. He has a fine farm of 360 acres of land, all of which he has fenced and otherwise improved. Mr. Sneed is making something of a specialty of stock and hay farming. He has over 200 acres in tame grass which he finds to be one of the most profitable crops he can grow. His farm is well stocked with cat¬ tle, hogs, horses, etc. His buildings are commodious, neat and com¬ fortable, and all in all, his place is recognized as one of the choice farms of the county. Mr. Sneed was born in Albemarle county, Vir¬ ginia, October 25, 1822. His father was Richard A. Sneed, formerly of Hanover county, the same State. His mother's maiden name was Lucinda Bick. She was of English descent. He was married on the 18th of April, 1848, in Augusta county, to Miss Frances J. Koogler, a daughter of George Koogler, formerly of Rockingham county. She survived her marriage only about a year, however, dying February 28, 1849. She left one child, George R. In the fall of 1850, Novem¬ ber 28, Mr. Sneed was married to Miss Mary J., a daughter of David Hup man, of Augusta county. Thirteen children were born at this union, which has proved a long and happy one, as follows : David A., Frances J., Jacob A., Eliza A., Mary E., Nicholas T., Thomas W., Diana E., John H., Benjamin F., James W., Arthur L. and Joseph, the latter of whom died in infancy. Mr. Sneed followed farming suc¬ cessfully in Augusta county until his removal to Missouri in 1876. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he has been a member for over thirty years. He is justly regarded as one of the best citizens of the county.

Arthur Soles

manager of the Mexico Foundry and Machine Shops. As the days of the stick chimneys pass away and the era of railroads and telegraphs dawns, manufactories appear, and soon the busy hum of machinery is heard and the red fires of furnaces are seen to light up the darkness like the lurid flames that issued from the vats of purgatory as described by Dante in his immortal Inferno. The appearance of manufactories in a country marks a signal step in its progress and development, and nothing adds more to its prosperity and its advancement in wealth, and intelligence. If Ohio and Indiana, indeed if Illinois, can become leading manufacturing States, there is no reason why Missouri may not become equally so. Here we have all the advantages for manu¬ factures they have there, and many more besides. All that are needed in addition to these and the wealth and enterprise of our people are the men with a practical knowledge of the various lines of industry to come here and establish and carry on the factories. Those, it is gratifying to note, are rapidly coming on, and evidently the day is not far distant when Missouri will occupy as high a place in the manufac¬ turing affairs of the country as Ohio does at this time. Among those practical manufacturers who have come into this State in recent years is the subject of the present sketch, Mr. Arthur Soles. He is a thorough molder and machinist. Mr. Soles came to this country a year or two ago, and largely at his instance a company was formed for the establishment of a large foundry and machine shop at Mexico. With the characteristic enterprise and liberality of the citizens of this city, they readily subscribed the necessary capital ; and the large and substantial structure which we now see in this city with the machinery and apparatus with which it is furnished, used in connection with the foundry and machine industry, was provided. Mr. Soles was placed at the head of this establishment, and the regular manufacture of house and bridge castings and stove repairs was begun. This wil L doubtless prove a successful enterprise, and if it does others will soon follow, so that at no distant day we may fairly expect to see Mexico one of the prominent manufacturing* centers of the interior of the State. In this event the name of Mr. Soles will always be honorably asso¬ ciated with one of the leading material interests of Mexico. Mr. Soles is a native of England, born September 24, 1847, and was educated in the common schools of Woolwich, eight miles from Lon¬ don. Before reaching his majority he came to America in 1853, and learned the foundry and machinist's trades in this country. He first worked at Philadelphia for a year and then at Pittsburg for five years. From Pittsburg Mr. Soles went to Nashville, and from there to New Orleans, coming thence to St. Louis in 1870. After working a year in that city he came to Moberly and worked there seven years, and came on to Mexico in 1883. In 1874 Mr. Soles was married in St. LouisJ to Miss Ellen Tiplin. They have two children, Arthur and Maggie. Mr. Soles is a member of the Molder's Union, and of the Episcopal church.

John J. Steele

circuit clerk of Audrain county, and one of its most popular citizens and efficient officers, is a native Missourian, born in Monroe county, May 11, 1838. Mr. Steele was reared principally in town and received a good common school education. While a vouth he had considerable experience in the official affairs of the county by being clerk in the offices about the court-house, and a young man of good address and irreproachable character, as his acquaintance extended he became quite popular - indeed, so much so, that as early as 1858 he was elected assessor of this county. The following year, however, like many young men of spirit, he became seized of a desire to see some¬ thing of the world, and he thought he could better his fortunes by going to California. Accordingly, resigning his position in 1859, he crossed the plains, and for the following five or six years made his home on the Pacific coast. Mr. Steele returned from California in 1865, and has since been a resident of this county. Here, in 1872, he was elected to the responsible office of sheriff, and was re-elected in 1874. At the expiration of his term of sheriff, he was elected county collector, and in 1882 was appointed circuit clerk by the Gov- ernor on the death of Mr. Carroll, his predecessor in that office. Since then he has held the office and has discharged its duties with marked efficiency and with entire satisfaction to the public. Having a long experience in county affairs, and being a thoroughly qualified officer as well as of unquestioned integrity, he brings to the discharge of the duties of his position those qualities and qualifications which could not fail to make him an efficient clerk and popular officer. On the 6th of September, 1859, Mr. Steele was married to Miss Mollie Lander, a daughter of Israel Lander, of this county, but formerly of Christian county, Kentucky. Mrs. Steele was born in that county, herself, the date being June 6, 1840. She survived her marriage, however, only about six years, dying on the 13th of November, 1865. She left him three children : Frank L., Lina L. (Linnie) and George E. On the 24th of October, 1872, Mr. Steele was married to his present wife. She was formerly Miss Sallie Lowry, a daughter of James Lowry, of this county. They have two children, Charles F. and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. S. is a member of the Masonic order - a Knight Templar, and also a member of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Steele's parents were William J. and Margaret J. Steele, his father originally of Ken¬ tucky, as was also his mother. His father is dead, but his mother is living in this county.

Judge William H. Stewart

has for over thirty years been a respected and worthy citizen of Audrain county, and has served his people with efficiency and fidelity on the bench of the county court. He was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, September 3, 1821, and was there reared to man¬ hood. He was a son of James Stewart and wife, nee Henrietta Hens¬ ley, both natives of the Blue Grass State, but his father's family was originally of Pennsylvania, and his mother's formerly of Virginia. Both families, however, were among the early settlers of Kentucky. The father died there in May, 1849, and the mother followed him to the grave in 1872. Judge Stewart was brought up on his father's farm in Montgomery county, and when he reached his majority, he learned the carpenter's trade, but did not work much at it afterwards until he came to Missouri, being occupied in the meantime, with driv¬ ing stock to the South Atlantic States and East. On the 17th of Sep¬ tember, 1846, Judge Stewart was married in his native county, to Miss Julia A. Couchman, formerly of Cane Ridge, Bourbon county,

Kentucky, a daughter of Peter Couchtnan and wife, nee Frances Wil¬ son. Her father's family were ol German ancestry, hut had long been settled in this country. Mr. Stewart was born on the 29th day ot October, 1820. In 1853 Judge Stewart came to Missouri, and on Christmas eve ot that year settled on the place where he has ever since resided. He then had but thirty-five acres of land, on which he made a small farm, but tor ten or fifteen years followed carpentering mainly. Since then his farm interests have occupied his whole time and atten¬ tion. He has a good piece of about a quarter section of land, which is handsomely located and is neatly and conveniently improved. Judge Stewart raises stock in a general way, and grain, etc., after the usual order of farmers of the county. In 1876 Judge Stewart was put up by his triends as a candidate for countv judge, and was tri¬ umphantly elected. He served for two years on the bench, but since that time has not desired to continue his official experience, much pre¬ ferring the comforts and quiet of home life to the annoyances and contentions incident to official position. On the 21st of November, 1880, Judge Stewart was subjected to the severest trial one can undergo in this life, the loss ot his loving and devoted wife. She was borne to her grave amid the sorrow of all who knew her, for she was a lady of exceptional worth and much beloved by her neighbors and acquaintances. She had borne him two children : Sanford A. and Mary C., the former of whom is now at Dallas, Texas, but the lattei is at home. The Judge also has an adopted son, whom he took in April, 1877 - Bertie G., now a smart lad of 12 years. Another adopted son, Ollie S., whom he took in August, 1875, died November 25, 1876.

William Stuart

President of the Mexico Savings Bank. Mr. Stuart has been a resi¬ dent of Audrain county for over twenty-five years, having removed to this county from Clark county, Kentucky, in 1857. From the be¬ ginning, he has occupied an enviable position in the affairs of the county, material and otherwise. He was long a leading farmer and stock raiser, and still has important interests in these lines. He was one of the original board of .directors of the bank of which he is now piesident, which was organized in 1867. This institution, by good management, soon came to be one of the most substantial and suc¬ cessful banking houses in the interior of the State, a reputation it has held for years. Its stockholders and officers include some of the best men of the county, and the high characters of those connected with it have mainly contributed to the perfect confidence with which it is regarded by the public. The following are the present officers of the bank: William Stuart, president; J. M. Marmaduke, cashier; and S. M. Lock, assistant cashier. The board of directors are : J. N. Marmaduke, J. E. Ross, E. C. Cunningham, John Menefee, Thomas Harrison, Lewis Hord and William Stuart. The bank owns the handsome block in which it does business, which was erected in 1878. It does a general banking business and, financially, as well as other¬ wise, is one of the solid banking establishments of the State. Mr. Stuart was born in Clark county, Kentucky, near the city of Win¬ chester, on the 19th of May, 1817. His father was a farmer of that county in well-to-do circumstances, and was one of its most respect¬ able citizens. Roy Stuart, the name of his father, was familiar less than a generation ago in North-central Kentucky, for he was quite prominent in the agricultural affairs of that section of the State. He married Miss Elizabeth Williams, a daughter of U. S. Senator Williams, of Kentucky, who so greatly distinguished himself at the bat¬ tle ofCerro Gordo during the Mexican War, while leading the gallant 4th Kentucky in the historic charge of the American army at that battle, that he was ever afterwards called Cerro Gordo Williams, and is known by that title to-day throughout the length and breadth of the Union. Gen. Williams was afterwards a distinguished division commander in the Confederate army, under Gen. Joseph E. John¬ ston. He was elected to the U. S. Senate in 1878, and took his seat in March of the following year. Mr. Stuart, the subject of the pres¬ ent sketch, was reared on his father's farm in Clark county, and re¬ ceived an excellent general education. Brought up to a farm life, on reaching the age that it was proper for him to begin in the world on his own account, farming naturally became his regular occupation. He followed that in Kentucky with success until his removal to Mis¬ souri, and in the meantime, in 1840, was married to Miss Elizabeth Judy, a young lady of marked intelligence and culture, born and reared in the Blue Grass State. There are two children, the fruit of this union : George and Louisa, the hitter the wife of Mr. Davis, of Monroe county, Missouri. During the war Mr. Stuart, having re¬ moved to this State in the meantime, lost a great deal of property by depredations of lawless parties, and, indeed, by some who claimed to represent lawful authority, but who disgraced the authority they rep¬ resented. He also lost largely in slave property as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation. Mr. Stuart's life has been one of con¬ tinued activity and industry, directed by sound business judgment?

and characterized by untarnished integrity from the beginning. He has of course been successful, and has accumulated a handsome estate. But well-to-do in this world's goods as he is, he has so lived and so borne himself among those with whom most of his life has been spent, that there are none to think him ill or wish him evil. He enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him, the highest reward that can come of a useful and upright life. He and his wife are both church members, and exercise a potent and worthy influence in their respective church organizations, the Baptist and Christian.

Judge Duke W. Sumner

Judge Sumner, an old and highly respected citizen of Audrain county, now living in retirement at Mexico, on a competency accumu¬ lated by honest industry and good management through a long and wellspent life, is a native Missourian, born in St. Charles county, April 5, 1823, and comes of one of the pioneer families of this State. His father, 'Squire Joseph Sumner, was born in 1773, and was from North Caro¬ lina, and in 1800 was married to Miss Elizabeth Sumner, a cousin of his. The following year they removed to Nashville, Tennessee, and in 1814 came to Missouri, locating in St. Charles county. This was seven years before this State was admitted into the Union, and but two years after it was organized into a Territory. The only settle¬ ments in the Territory at that time of any consequence were at St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid, and a small colony in each of Cooper, Howard, Boone, Pike, and two or three other of the older counties. In a word, the State then was practically an unexplored wilderness, still inhabited by savages and wild beasts, hardly disturbed by the approach of white men. 'Squire Sumner was a county magistrate of St. Charles for many years, and indeed for a number of years before he came to that county. He died there in 1835. He was a man of strong character, general intelligence and great personal worth, and stood very high in the esteem of his pioneer fellow-citizens. It is sadly to be regretted that a diary was not kept by some such old pioneer resident as he for the information of sub¬ sequent generations. What a treasure it would now be regarded by the Missouri Historical Society, and, indeed, by all lovers of history, and intelligent people. Judge Sumner, the son, and the subject of this sketch, though quite a youth at his father's death, took charge of the homestead farm in St. Charles county and conducted it with com¬ mendable industry and success. Of course in that early day his school advantages were very limited and his opportunities to attend school, on account of his duties at home, were even less. What little instruction he received in the school-room, he had to go four miles to attend, and then it was of the kind that pronounced fatigue " fattygew " and bigamy " bigmary." Still he improved his leisure to the best advantage, and succeeded in acquiring a sufficient knowledge of books for all the practical purposes of ordinary farm and business life. And in after years, as books multiplied and avenues of knowl¬ edge opened up, Judge Sumner, being a great reader, became a man of wide and varied information, and justly took a prominent position among his neighbors for intelligence and general and thorough knowl¬ edge/)!' the current events of the times and of the history, political and otherwise, of the country. Minds are not made by education, they are only improved. There are as many fools, and probably more, among college graduates, numbers considered, than among the so-called " plebeian non-alumni." Where a man is gifted with a good mind and the spirit to rise in the world, he soon overcomes the draw¬ backs resulting from the absence of early educational advantages. Our history is filled with the examples of such men. Judge Sumner, though a plain, quiet, unassuming man, is one of this class. By the strength of his own character and the force of his own intelligence and exertions he has made a success of life in the face of all obstacles. To be sure, he has not become President, nor anything of that sort ; nor is any such thing necessary. The height that a monkey climbs a pole is not always considered a true criterion of his wisdom. There are not a few who have occupied the Presidential office, that would have shown to better advantage in an humbler sphere of life ; while there are those, on the contrary, who have never aspired to that exalted office, whose native good sense and soberness of mind would have become the position with much greater grace. Be that as it may, we pass on to the thread of Judge Sumner's life. On the 19th of August, 1844, he was married to Miss Elizabeth H. Chawning, originally of Tennessee ; and the following year they removed to Monroe county, where Judge Sumner sold goods for three years, his store being located at Santa Fe. He then removed to Audrain count}/ and opened a farm in Prairie township, where he remained pursuing the even tenor of his way, as a quiet, industrious citizen, for thirtyfive years. Of course he prospered, and prospered abundantly. He became one of the prominent and substantial men of his section of the county. He was a large slave holder before the war, and besides a fine landed estate, had an abundance of other property. But the dolent scoundrels thrived by plundering honest men, the great carnival of robbery, when the people of one section of the country swooped down upon those of the other, and by dint of superior numbers enriched themselves from the accumulations of ages of toil of their unfortunate victims. The second great cataclysm of thievery came, and silver spoons, and Brussels carpets, and fine horses, and every¬ thing that could be carried away were taken. Men guilty of no crime but defending their property and firesides, were murdered ; and the whole land was made a scene of desolation with smoked chimneys standing here, and there, and everywhere, the black monuments of ruined homes, a veritable reproduction of the scenes produced by the desolation of the Roman Empire by Northern barbarians - the old story, in fact, re-told, with only changes in the details to suit the dif¬ ference of times and places. Judge Sumner's property was all swept away except his land, and that would have gone, too, if it could have been carried off. Ever since the war he has been working hard to recover his, and to pay the pensions of the men who robbed him in the form of taxes. He has succeeded fairly well, and a year ago retired on a comfortable competency. Judge Sumner, being a man of high character and general intelligence, has always stood high in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. He has sat on the county bench and has held other positions of public trust. Though a modest, unassuming man, he has ever wielded a marked influence where he has lived, and always for the best interests of the public. Judge Sumner and wife have three children : Joseph C., Elizabeth A. and James R., all mar¬ ried and with families of their own. William, the third son, died in Texas about five years ago. Judge and Mrs. Sumner are old and earnest members of the Presbyterian Church, and the Judge is a prominent member of the Masonic order.

Joseph C. Sumner

stock dealer, Mexico. Mr. Sumner, who has been very successful as a farmer, and is now a resident of Mexico, occupied at present not alone in dealing in stock, was a son of Duke W. and Elizabeth C. (Chawning) Sumner, of Monroe county, an old and respected resi¬ dent of that county. He was born on his father's farm, in Monroe county, October 22, 1846, and was educated at Westminster College, in Fulton, Mo. Reared on a farm, he began farming on his own ac¬ count when a young man, and soon afterwards also engaged in raising and handling stock. The latter, indeed, became his principal line of industry, and it is to the stock business mainly that he owes his suc¬ cess. Prior to coming to Mexico in 1883, he fed stock on his farm for the wholesale markets quite extensively, and did a large shipping business. Having come to this city, it is Mr. Sumner's purpose to deal in stock on a large scale. On the 31st of May, 1877, he was married to Miss Anna Cauthorn, of Audrain county. Of their family of three children, but one, an infant, is now living. Mr. Sumner is a man of stirring industry and full of enterprise, and will prove a valuable acquisition to the citizenship of Mexico. By those who know him best, he is regarded as one of the best judges of stock in the county. Keeping thoroughly posted on the state of the market, and having a large business acquaintance at the leading wholesale points, he is enabled to buy with intelligence and safety, and at the same time to give sellers the best prices the daily market quotations allow. Being a careful buyer, and selling only when his judgment justifies him in putting his stock on the markets, he is thus a dealer who avoids those doubtful transactions that often prove so disastrous to less cau¬ tious stock men. Although Mr. Sumner has been in Mexico but a short time, he has made a very favorable impression upon the busi¬ ness men of this place, and is much esteemed by those with whom he has become acquainted.

Mrs. Eliza Threlkeld

widow of Marcellus Threlkeld, deceased, was born in Orange county, Virginia, June 10, 1831, and came out to Missouri with her parents, Tartan and Lucy (Mallory) Smith, when she was still in tender years, in 1834. The family settled in Callaway county, where Mrs. Threl¬ keld was reared, and where her parents lived until their death. On the 16th of August, 1857, she was married to Marcellus Threlkeld, who was of a pioneer family of that county. His father was a man in well-to-do circumstances, and besides, being a substantial farmer, once owned large tracts of land. Mrs. Threlkeld's husband was born in Kentucky, November 28, 1839. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Threlkeld settled on the place in Audrain county where they now reside. Here she has since lived, and here her husband spent the remainder of his life. He died on the 15th of September, 1865. He had succeeded in making a good farm, and was well on the way of becoming a prominent agriculturist. He was a man who was well liked by all his neighbors and acquaintances, and throughout children in the family : Edgar, Hiram, Thaddeus and Annie Marcella. The oldest is married, and all are still on the old family homestead. They have a fine place of 520 acres of land. Mrs. Threlkeld is a member of the Beaver Dam Baptist Church.

Richard Terrill Throckmorton

farmer, and a respected old gentleman, whose whole life from boy¬ hood has been identified with the history of Audrain county since its earlier times, comes from that historical and imperial old Mother of States, Virginia, where he was born on the 30th of March, 1824. His parents were Henry and Mary B. (Terrill) Throckmorton, his father of Scotch-Irish descent and his mother, through a long line of ancestry, from the Green Isle beyond the sea. The father died while Richard T. was still quite young, and in 1834 the family took the road for this then boundless Terra Incognita, the Great West. Coming on to the land of the Cis-Mississippi, they stopped for a time in Indi¬ ana, but came on to Missouri, landing in Audrain county in the spring of 1835, in which they settled, and on Salt river. Here Richard T., who was then eleven years of age, grew to manhood, and in 1848 he improved the farm where he now resides. Of an adventurous, enterprising disposition, when a young man he took great delight in hunting and fishing, and was one of the finest "shots," in those days, in the country. During the Mexican War he enlisted in the army for five years, and was sent to Santa Fe, N. M., but before he had seen any actual service the war was brought to a close. Re¬ turning home then, he located again on his farm, but in 1850 went to California during the gold excitement, returning, however, the follow¬ ing year. He now 'settled on his farm, and four years afterwards, becoming tired of the lonely, heavy-hearted life of a maledictine celi¬ bate, he was married on the 18th of April, 1855, to Miss Rebecca J. Bomer, a daughter of George and Nancy (Burns) Bomer, who settled in this county in 1831. Mrs. Throckmorton was born in Illinois, February 14, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. T. have had nine children: Annie E., now deceased ; Mary C., now the wife of Joseph T. Crews ; George H., Alice, Robert T., Noah, now deceased ; Nancy J., Sarah B. and Vannie. Mr. Throckmorton has led an active and industrious life, and has a good farm as the reward of his labors on which to spend his old age in ease and comfort. His place contains 244 acres and is substantially and conveniently improved. He was the seventh of a city clerk and recorder, Mexico, and an old Kentuckian by birth and bringing up, has been a resident of this State for over twenty-five years, and has contributed his full share as a man and citizen toward its growth, prosperity and greatness. He was less than thirty years of age when he came to Missouri in 1858, at which time he located at Perry, in Ralls county, where he engaged in selling goods. He had of course accumulated a comfortable start in life by this time, for he was always a good business man, and he continued to prosper in busi¬ ness afterwards until the war was well under headway. Before the war most people were considered honest in this part of the country, and it was a common thing for merchants to sell their goods on credit, giving several month's and often a year's time, or more. Mr. Tom¬ linson did as the other's did in this respect, and when the soldiers marched off to the war they left as his creditors, that is, those in his vicinity did, not, however, with the intention of defrauding him. Many of them never came back, and the few that did were not in a situation to pay old debts, so that he was badly crippled by these cir¬ cumstances in his business. But to complete his ruin, the loyal militia stepped in, those valiant soldiers when smoke houses were to be rifled, wardrobes gutted, stables robbed and stores plundered. True to their instincts of patriotism, they took possession of his store and left only after it was as empty as a last year's bird's nest. The long and the short of it was, that Mr. Tomlinson was broken up, and after the war he had to begin again at the ground rail, and without any rail either. He began farming, and followed that until 1877, accumu¬ lating another start by bouncing over the clods for twelve or fifteen long and weary years. He now came to Mexico and engaged in the grocery business, which he followed for several years. Subsequently he was elected city clerk and recorder, and has since made one of the most faithful and efficient officers the city ever had. This position he still holds and will probably continue to hold it as long as he de¬ sires to occupy it, for he is unusually popular with all classes of his fellow-citizens. While in Ralls county 'Squire Tomlinson held the office of justice of the peace for four years. He was born in Bath county, Kentucky, April 19, 1819, and was reared on a farm up to his seventeenth year, when he engaged in selling goods first at Gill's

Mill, in that county, and then at Owensville. Following this he came to Missouri in 1858. 'Squire Tomlinson's father was Archibald Tom¬ linson, originally of Cumberland's Gap, Virginia; his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Briggs, and she was formerly of North Carolina. On the 29th of December, 1849, 'Squire Tomlinson was married to Miss Mary J. Langsdo wn, formerly of Kentucky. They have four children : Richard M., now in business at Slater, Missouri ; Jewett, now a drummer for a St. Louis house ; Eugene is now in business at Mexico. A lemarkable fact about his family is that his four sons ag¬ gregate in weight nearly 800 pounds, one tipping the beam at consid¬ erably above 200, and another falling something below that figure.

J. Wood Trimble

of Houston & Trimble, dealers in lumber, lath, shingles, sash, doors, lime, cement, plaster, etc., Mexico. Like many of the younger busi¬ ness men of Missouri, Mr. Trimble was born and reared in this State. He was brought up on a farm in Monroe county, and is a son of James W. and Isabel (Sterretts) Trimble, both originally of Virginia. Mi. Trimble, the subject of the present sketch, was educated in the common schools, and after quitting the farm, his first employment was clerking in the dry goods store of Mr. J. D. Morris. He en¬ gaged in his piesent business in July, 1882, and has since carried it on in connection with his partner, Mr. Houston. The rapidity of the improvement of Mexico and surrounding country has made this busi¬ ness one of exceptional prosperity, and these gentlemen, both being good business men and dealing fairly with the public, have built up a large trade. Their motto has always been, " Once a customer, always a customer ; " for they conduct their business so as to give satisfac¬ tion to their patrons, both as to the character of goods they sell and the prices they charge. They buy in large quantities and almost exclusively for cash, so that they are able to sell at figures which place them beyond the danger limit of hurtful competition. Thus they have gone steadily forward, extending and increasing their trade and enlarging their stock, until they now have one of the leading establishments in this line in the county. Mr. Trimble is still quite a young man, having been born in Monroe county, July 4, 1859. Consideling the start that he has made and his business qualifications, his future seems one of more than ordinary promise. Mr. Trimble is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Jasper D. Tucker

of Bassford & Tucker, real estate, loan and insurance agents, Mexico. This firm and its business have already been spoken of in the sketch of Mr. J. C. Bassford, the senior partner, to be seen on a former page of the present work. As one of the leading agencies in the county, it has been given deserved prominence, and it would therefore be repe¬ tition to speak of it further, or in addition in this connection. Mr. Tucker, the junior partner, is a native of Illinois, and is one of those stirring, enterprising Northern men who have come to Audrain county since the war, and whose progressive ideas and public spirit, as well as his energy and industry, have done so much for the improvements of the City of Mexico and the material resources of the county, and for its advancement in prosperity and all the conditions that go to make up an enlightened, progressive community. He was born at Noble, in Richland county, of the great Prairie State, on the 29th of August, 1842. His youth was spent on his father's farm in Richland countv, and his education was received in the excellent schools of that county. Indeed, he acquired by far more than an average general education, and while still a young man he became a very successful teacher of the county. He taught for about five years with increas¬ ing reputation and success, but becoming wearied of the monotony and confinement of the school-room, he engaged in the canvassing bus¬ iness for a large nursery, which he continued until his removal to Mexico after the war. By industry and good management Mr. Tucker has accumulated some little means with which to engage in business, and he started a grocery and produce store at Mexico, which he car¬ ried on for some eleven years, or until 1579. His house during this time had a good trade and his business was conducted with marked energy and intelligence. From 1879 until he engaged in his present business, Mr. Tucker was occupied mainly with attending to his prop¬ erty interests, and having a large acquaintance in Audrain county, as well as being a man of excellent business qualifications, he became a partner with Mr. Bassford in their present agency. The success of this is well known to every citizen of Mexico. On the 14th of Feb¬ ruary, 1867, Mr. Tucker was married to Miss Julia F. Dobyns, origi¬ nally of Kentucky. They have three children : Pearl, Herbert E. C., and Tucia M. Mr. Tucker is a member of the Masonic order and a Knight Templar. As a citizen, he has always held an enviable posi- tion in the esteem and respect of the community. For four years he held the office of city treasurer, and he has represented the Sixth and Third wards in the city council. He has also been president of the board of school directors for two years, and secretary of the board. While in Illinois, although quite a young man, he was township as¬ sessor. These facts show in what consideration he has ever been held where he has resided.

Orange R. Waite

station agent of the Chicago and Alton Railroad, Mexico. Mr. Waite has been engaged in the service of the Chicago and Alton road at Mexico since 1874, and has so faithfully and efficiently discharged the duties of his position that he has justly taken a high place in the esteem of the general officers of the company, as well as of all who have had business relations with him. Mr. Waite is entitled to more than ordinary credit for the success with which he has made his way up in life. When a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade, and had but a limited education. But he was anxious to accomplish some¬ thing in the way of rising in the world, and he saw that a good busi¬ ness education was the surest means of gratifying his ambition. His general education he may be said to have acquired himself. From 1864, for about two years, he served in Company K, of the 2d Wiscon¬ sin Cavalry, and the little means he saved up during this service en¬ abled him to secure a business education. He accordingly entered Eastman's Business College of Chicago, from which he graduated in 1866. He then secured a position in a drug store and learned the business, and worked at it for seven years. In 1873 he was employed in selling goods for a Chicago house, and the following year began his career with the Chicago and Alton road at Mexico. Mr. Waite has made a very popular agent, and his politeness and accommodating disposition are recognized by all who have dealings with him. Thoroughly honest and attentive to business, he has the confidence of the company and the respect and esteem of the community. On the 28th of April, 1868, Mr. Waite was married to Miss Frances A. Jones, of Wiscon¬ sin. I hey have two children, Lena and Guy L. Mr. Waite's parents were Isaac N. and Harriet A. ( Williams ) W^aite, both originally of New York. They early removed, however, to Wisconsin, and set¬ tled at Walworth, where Orange R. was born on the 24th of Decem¬ ber, 1844.

William H. Wakefield

farmer and stock raiser, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 26, 1835, and was a son of J. C. Wakefield and wife, Sarah D. Davis, his father originally of Pennsylvania, but his mother born and reared in Ohio. William H. was reared on his father's farm in his native county and received a good common school education. After he grew up he removed to West Virginia, and was married in Brook county, of that State, February 24, 1858, to Miss Sarah M., a daughter of Hugh D. and Rachel Neely. Mr. Wakefield continued to reside in West Virginia until 1866, when he sold his place in that State and came to Missouri, locating in this county. In the spring of 1869 he settled on his present farm ; here he has a good place of about a quarter section of land, a part of which he has in tame grass and the balance in active cultivation. His improve¬ ments are good and he has a fine young orchard on his place. In 1872 Mr. Wakefield was so unfortunate as to lose his wife. She died the 20th of September of that year. She was a gentle-hearted woman, devotedly attached to her family. Her loss was a sad bereave¬ ment to her afflicted husband. She left six children: Rachel A. , Hugh L., John J., Charles L., Joseph B. and Selina J. Mr. Wakefield is a member of the M. E. Church South.

Albert White

farmer, and for thirty years a popular teacher and educator of Long Island, New York, was born at South Hampton, on Long Island, December 11, 1825. The White family is one of the oldest of Long Island, having been settled there for generations. Mr. White's father was Nathan White, who still lives at South Hampton, now in the ninety-fourth year of his age. His mother was a Miss Mary Bishop of another old New York family. They were married in 1820, and the mother is now deceased. Albert White, the third child in their family, was of course reared on Long Island, but received his higher education at Amherst College, not, however, graduating. At the age of eighteen he engaged in school teaching, and followed it in New York, principally on Long Island, for more than a quarter of a century. He was for years principal of the Hampton Academy of Long Island, and subsequently of the public schools ot Long Harbor and other places, in New York. In 1848 Prof. White was married to Miss Jane C. Morgan, originally of Pennsylvania, but at that time of New York. Prof. White continued to reside on Long Island until 1866, when he went West and purchased a farm in Audrain county of this State, on which he located and where he has since been farming. For about two years, however, since he came to Missouri, Prof. White has taught school. Prof. White's wife died in 1877. She left him four children: Robert M., Albert A., Annie May, now Mrs. Atkinson, and Nathan R., at home. On the 17th of March, 1881, Prof. White was married to Miss Hester Ware, of this county. There are no children by this union. Prof. White is a member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife is con¬ nected with the Baptist denomination. Prof. White's farm con¬ tains 134 acres, and is situated a mile south-east of Mexico. It is a neat farm and he is comfortably and conveniently situated on his place.

Robert Morgan White

editor of the Mexico Ledger. Although still quite a young man, comparatively, Mr. White is well known in press circles throughout the State, and by a large portion of the public, as one of the terse, vigor¬ ous writers and clear-headed, independent journalists of North-east Missouri. A Democrat, and always true to the best interests of his party and country, he is nevertheless independent of all self-seeking cliques and combinations inside of his party and outside of it ; and every schemer in Audrain county seeking his own advancement with¬ out merit and to the detriment of the general «;ood, knows very well that in the Ledger he will find an uncompromising, fearless antagonist. While this paper, under Mr. White's management, has been of great service to the public in advocating just and salutary measures and the advancement of good and true men to the various positions of public trust to be filled, it has been of even more service in mercilessly ex¬ posing and denouncing shams, corrupt schemes, and designing trick¬ sters. Himself with a record without reproach and with none but sincere and upright purposes to subserve, Mr. White has nothing to fear from the attacks of others on his character, and being thoroughly educated and well qualified for the work of an editor, he is the man to conduct a live, influential and valuable paper at a place like Mexico or in any other intelligent and worthy community. Under his man¬ agement the Ledger has taken high rank among the interior journals of the State for ability, character and influence. Ever looked upon as a faithful, unswerving exponent of Democratic principles, it is the more respected because it is known to be above being prostituted to base purposes either for unjustifiable party measures or for private gain. In the general management of his paper, Mr. White strives to give each week a condensed, intelligent conspectus of the latest news, political, business, and general, and nothing is admitted to bis columns merely for the purpose of filling up, or of a hurtful character to public morals and decency. In short, so far as the news department of the Ledger is concerned, it is a live, reliable, and genteelly-con¬ ducted journal. Mr. White, being a man of extensive general infor¬ mation, and a close student of current events, is able to discuss with intelligence the leading questions of the times, and to keep his readers well up in the affairs of the country. His editorials are usually short, perspicacious and well written, and the ideas he has to present appear to have been well matured and clearly formed before his pencil was touched to give them to the public. Having already achieved an enviable reputation as a newspaper man and writer, his future seems to be one of not a little promise. Mr. White is a native of New York, born in South Hampton, Long Island, May 3, 1857. His father, Prof. Albert White, was also of South Hampton, and was a man of a high order of intelligence and of fine education. He was a graduate of Amherst College, Massachusetts, having the reputation of being one of the finest Greek and Latin scholars that ever emanated from that ancient and eminent institution, and was, himself, for many years a college professor. In 1867 (Robert M. then being ten years of age), Prof. White removed to Missouri, and settled in Audrain county. Here he engaged in farming and stock raising, which he has since followed, and with excellent success. His wife's maiden name was Miss Jane Catherine Morgan, and she was originally from Pennsylvania. In mental endowments and culture, as well as in qualities of heart, she was a worthy companion to her hus¬ band, for she was a ladv admired only less for her charms of mind and conversation, than she was esteemed for her amiable, gentle dis¬ position. Robert M. White is the oldest of the four living children of their family. The others are Albert, now of Mexico ; Nathan, now of Mexico, and Anna May, now of Mexico. Robert M., the subject of this sketch, received his advanced education at Westminster College, of this State, from which he was graduated with distinction in 1875. While still a youth he showed marked partiality, and, indeed, more than or¬ dinary ability for the work of an editor, or rather for composition. While at college, such was his recognized merit in this regard, that he was advanced to the position of editor of the college paper, and he discharged the duties of that position with such energy and ability, that he was retained in it for two years, and up to the time of his grad¬ uation. This was an excellent schooling for the work he was soon to enter upon - that of the editorial sanctum. Soon after his graduaation Mr. White bought the Ledger office, and from that time he has continued to edit and publish this paper. The success he has had is shown by the stability of the paper as a newspaper enterprise, and the character and influence his journal is known to have. On the 22d of July, 1879, Mr. White was married to Miss Belle Mitchell, formerly of Alton, Illinois, a young lady of rare qualities of mind and of su¬ perior accomplishments. They have one child, Leander Mitchell, an infant son of the brightest promise. Mrs. White is a member of the Episcopal Church. Personally, " Bob White," as he is familiarly known to all his friends, is a genial, whole-souled, live companion, and is very popular among all with whom he associates, and hardly less so with the public generally. Public spirited and enterprising, he is for Audrain county and the Democratic party first after his family, and then he is for all the balance of the world, with the hope that the Lord will take the hindmost.

Thomas M. White

farmer and stock man. Among the better class of citizens of Audrain county who have settled here since the war is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. White is one of the prominent farmers and stock men of Salt River township, and is from Illinois, having removed to this county in the fall of 1869. He was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, October 31, 1839, and was a son of Hon. J. M. White and wife, whose maiden name was Malinda George. The family removed to Illinois in 1852, and located in Ogle county. The father became a prominent farmer in that county, and also dealt largely in grain and stock. He was for many years one of the leading men of the county, and represented it several times in the State Legislature. He died there in July, 1881, at an advanced and honored old age. Thomas M. White was thirteen years of age when his parents removed to Illinois, and he therefore received the principal part of his education in the Prairie State, completing his course at school in the Mt. Morris Seminary. In the fall of 1862 he was married to Miss Sarah, a daughter of Dr. A. E. Hurd, of that county, which union has been blessed with six children : Walter H., Hiram E., Lewis M., Annie P., Julia R. and Eva, the latter the second in order of birth in the family.