Audrain County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 2 of 17)

Benjamin F. Clark

farmer and stock raiser. That immigration to Missouri has not ceased and immigration too of the best class, becomes apparent to any one who gives the matter the least investigation, and especially is this true of Audrain county. In many parts of the State the great rush of immigration was during the first few years after the war, since which it has somewhat slacked ; but this can hardly be said to be the case in so far as Audrain county is concerned. Indeed, it is more than pro¬ bable that this county has settled up more since 1875 than it did dur¬ ing the ten preceding years. Evidences to this effect are to be met with in every part of the county, in the large number of new comers that are settled in every township and, in fact, in almost every neigh¬ borhood. There is perhaps not a county in the State that has settled up so rapidly during the past eight or ten years as Audrain. And the most gratifying feature of this is that the settlers are men generally of superior intelligence, high character and liberal means. Prominent among these justly stands the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Clark came to this county from Illinois in 1877. A man of middle age, his life has already been a successful one, and the fruits of his long years of industry and intelligent business management he brought with him to augment the material wealth and prosperity of the county in which he made his new home. But his own personal worth as a man and citizen is of greatest value to the community in which he has settled. It is hard to estimate the advantage such men as he is are to a country. Energetic, enterprising and progressive in all their ideas in striving for personal success in life, they contri¬ bute by their exertions and thrift even more to the general wealth of a community than to their own ; for it is well known that what one saves is only a fraction of what he makes, and all the proceeds of his industry enter into the business of the country. It is the successful men of every community that make it wealth}7 and prosperous. Every neighborhood of wealthy citizens is, of course, a wealthy community, and it is to this class of thriving, progressive men to which every community must look for its prosperity. Mr. Clark is a native of Logan county, Kentucky. He was born on the 3d of September, in the year 1823. His father, Samuel B. Clark, and his mother, Elizabeth Clark, were also both natives of the Blue Grass State. Mr. Clark's father came of a branch of the well known family of his name in Kentucky and Virginia, prominent for genera¬ tions in business and public affairs. When Benjamin F. was a lad about six years of age, his parents removed to Illinois, first locating in Madison county, but two years later settling permanently in Ma¬ coupin county, where Benjamin grew to manhood and lived for many years. His father was one of the pioneer settlers of Macoupin county, there having been but little settlement in the county when he made it his home. Afterwards, when the Black Hawk War came on in 1832, he became a volunteer against the Indians, and fought with distin¬ guished courage and intrepidity until they were driven into the then wilds of Wisconsin and that section of the North-west. He became a substantial citizen of Macoupin county and was long prominent as one of its oldest and most highly respected residents. He died there in 1839. His wife survived him only a year. Benjamin, coming up in that early day of the country, was not favored with the best school advantages, his opportunities for an education being limited princi¬ pally to local private schools. Still, by improving such advantages as he had, and by study at home, he succeeded in acquiring a suffi¬ cient knowledge of books for all the practical purposes of farm and business life. January 11, 1847, he was married to Miss Nancy M. Mitchell, a daughter of Rev. James Mitchell, of Macoupin county, but formerly of Kentucky. Mr. Clark engaged in the flouring mill busi¬ ness after his marriage and also established a general store at Mount Olive, in Macoupin county, which he conducted with success. For a longtime he had to freight his goods by wagon from St. Louis, a dis¬ tance of 50 miles. He continued at Mount Olive until the fall of 1855, when he removed to Gillespie on the railroad (the road having been built about that time), or rather to the site on which Gillespie now stands, which he had bought and on which he laid off the town, now one of the thriving trade centers of Macoupin county. He built the first store-house in the place, opening a stock of goods, built a flouring mill and also established a number of dwelling houses. In a word, he was the founder of the town and was mainlv instrumental in embarking it on the high tide of prosperity upon which it has since continued. Mr. Clark continued business there for over 20 years and became one of the leading business men and most prosperous citizens of Macoupin county, such a man as builds up a community and takes the lead in all material and business enterprises where he resides. Besides his varied interests at Gillespie, he also established a store and flouring mill at Clyde, on the railroad some miles from that place. In 1876 Mr. Clark built a large flouring mill in East St. Louis, and engaged extensively in business. The following year, however, having an opportunity to sell out to advantage, he disposed of his milling interests and came to Audrain county for the purpose of engaging in farming and stock raising. Here he bought a large farm embracing some 500 acres, the place on which he now resides, and has since been devoting his attention principally to agricultural affairs. It is needless to say that Mr. Clark is one of the solid men of Cuivre township. Although he has been here only five or six years, he has already become widely and favorably known as one of the broad¬ minded, enterprising and progressive men of the township. Being a new comer, he does not seek to make himself especially promi¬ nent in public affairs, but still in his quiet way he wields an impor¬ tant influence on those around him. Mr. and Mrs. Clark have four children: James B. (married), in business at Laddonia ; Christo¬ pher C. (married), Walter F. and Edward B. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the M. E. Church.

John Clayville

a thrifty farmer and well respected citizen of Cuivre township, is a native of Maryland, born in Worcester county, April 5, 1824, and was a son of William and Ava (Atkinson) Clayville, both of old and respected families in that State. John Clayville was reared on his father's farm in Worcester county, receiving, as he grew up, a good ordinary education in the common schools of the neighborhood, and on reaching manhood he engaged in farming in that countv for himself. On the 18th of August, 1847, he was married there to Miss Priscilla Sturgis, daughter of John C. Sturgis, a respectable farmer of Worcester county. Mr. Clayville continued farming in that county with industry and energy up to 1871 when he removed to Missouri, believing that he could better his fortune in the West where lands were cheaper and more fertile. His experience here has not disap¬ pointed his expectations. Settling in Audrain county in 1872, he went to work with a resolution and energy that could not fail of success. Five years afterwards he bought his present farm, a neat place of eighty acres, one of the best small farms in the township. Mr. Clay¬ ville is a man of integrity and intelligence, and is esteemed as a good neighbor and worthy citizen by those among whom he lives. He and his excellent wife have a family of eight children: Denard W. (mar¬ ried), E. W. (married), Zipporah, married George W. Board m an ; Cora B., married George Schroll ; Alice R., John A., Francis C. and Lillie B.

John A. Clithero

farmer and broom manufacturer. Mr. Clithero, a young man not yet thirty years of age, is one of the most energetic, enterprising men who have the aptitude and disposition to turn their attention to any line of industry or business accessible which promises substantial returns - such men as have hardly ever failed of success in life, sooner or later. He commenced without anything to speak of but his own industry and ability to work, and a determination to make his way up in the world.

His parents, Joseph and Caroline (Jones) Clithero, came from Ohio to Missouri in 1852. His father was a native of that State, but his mother was originally from the Old Dominion. On coming to this State they located in Pike county, where the father still lives, but the mother is now deceased. John A. was born two years after his parents came to Missouri, on the 17th of September, 1854. He was reared to hard work, and learned from early experience and by the example of his father that the only way to succeed in life in an honest way is by unceasing labor and good management. Although having a strong predilection for a farmer's life, he has the intelligence to en¬ gage in any thing honorable that presents an opportunity of realizing substantial results. Going to work for himself in early manhood, in 1876 he moved on the land in Audrain county where he now lives. He lias resided on this place since that fall. He has followed farming here but has devoted a large part of his attention to raising broom corn ; and seeing no reason why he couldn't manufacture into brooms himself to a better advantage than to sell the raw product at the prices ordinarily realized, he engaged in making brooms, and has been en¬ tirely successful. He now manufactures about three hundred brooms per annum, working at it during the bad weather while he cannot be engaged in out-door farm work. Selling his brooms at market prices, he makes a better profit than the regular manufacturers do, for he saves the freight of the manufacturing establishments and back to the retail market, and also the profit to the middle men. Taking this view of it, which by experience he has found to be the correct one, he expects ultimately, as soon as his means will allow, to engage reg¬ ularly and extensively in the broom manufacturing business, which statistics show is one of the most profitable lines of industry in the country. Mr. Clithero is a man of very natural aptitudes, and may al¬ most be said to be a natural mechanic. For some time past he has worked at the carpenter's trade, and besides doing his own work in this line, he does considerable outside work when not otherwise em¬ ployed. His place contains 80 acres of land and is neatly improved. On the 23d of March, 1882, Mr. Clithero was married to Miss Bettie S., daughter of Granville and Mary A. Henderson, formerly of Vir¬ ginia, but for many }rears residents of Pike county, where Mrs. Cli¬ thero was reared and grew up. Their only child, Walter S. Clithero, a promising little infant son, died in July, 1883, in the sixth month of his age. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the C. P. Church - soldiers of Zion, saved and sanctified to God through Christ our Savior.

William Cornett

farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Cornett, who has been a citizen of Missouri for nearly sixty years, was born in Clay county, Kentucky, on the 4th of October, 1806. His father, Robert Cornett, was a na¬ tive of Washington county, Virginia. His mother, whose maiden name was Charlotte Calliham, was also originally from Virginia. They came out to Kentucky in an early day where they lived until death. William Cornett, the subject of the present sketch, was reared on his father's farm in Clay county, Kentucky, and as he grew up received a fair, practical education in the common private schools of the neighborhood. Of a naturally energetic mind and enterprising disposition, he early determined to cast his fortunes in the new coun¬ try beyond the Mississippi. In the fall of 1828 he came out to Mis¬ souri, making his first stopping place at Columbia, staying for a short time at Wall's tavern, the first house of public entertainment ever es¬ tablished in Boone county. A short time afterwards he came over to Ralls county and purchased land in the north-eastern part or corner of the county, about two miles from Hannibal, where he improved a farm. He lived in Ralls about twenty-five years, and a couple of years after settling there was married on the 4th of January, 1830, to Miss Theresa A., a daughter of Peter Cochran, originally of Surrey county, North Carolina, but later along a resident of Harrison county, Kentucky, and finally of Marion county, Missouri. Mrs. Cornett was born near Cynthiana, Kentucky, and came out to this State with her parents when a young lady. She is a lady of intelligence and many excellent qualities and is highly esteemed by all who know her. Mr. Cornett became a successful farmer of Ralls county, and was one of its well respected citizens. In 1853, however, he sold out in Ralls and moved across in Pike, where he was engaged mainly in stock trading for several years. He then bought land in Audrain county, in which he has since made his home and has been engaged in farming and handling stock. A man of industry, frugal habits and a good man¬ ager, his life has not been spent thus far without realizing substantial evidences of prosperity. Mr. Cornett and his excellent lady have eight children : Elizabeth, now Mrs. N. D. Bradley ; Charlotte, now Mrs. J. J. Brice ; Robert H., W. W., N. B., Thomas J., Thursa A., wife of Leander Chesnut ; and Mary S., wife of James Euslan. James B., the next to the youngest of the family, died August 18, 1871, in his twenty-third year. Mr. Cornett, in connection with his son, has about 500 acres of land divided into three farms, all contiguous and each well improved. Mr. Cornett at one time had nearly 865 acres of land, most of which he has since distributed among his children. Mr. Cornett is a thorough-going farmer and one of the best judges of stock in Audrain county. He is now, however, retiring from the ac¬ tivities of life and has a comfortable estate to rely upon in old age. Mr. and Mrs. Cornett are members of the Baptist church, as also are all his family ; he is likewise a member of the A. F. and A. M.

Joseph Culwell

farmer. Mr. Culwell's parents, James and Peachy (Willhoit) Culwell, came to Missouri in about 1838 and settled in Pike county, where his father entered land and improved a farm, on which he still resides. His father was a native of Kentucky, but his mother was originally from Virginia. Joseph was born on his father's farm in Pike county, on the 3d of March, 1840. He was reared there and when twenty years of age, on the 9th of August, 1860, was married to Miss Susan, a daughter of Thomas Chamberlain, formerly of Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Culwell removed to Audrain county and settled on the place where he now resides. Mr. Culwell has a good farm of 240 acres, all in cultivation and otherwise in an excellent state of improve¬ ment. He has a substantial two-story residence, just completed, and finished with an eye, not only to comfort, but to appearance as well. His other improvements compare favorably with his residence. Mr. Culwell is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, a thrifty, ener¬ getic farmer, and has contributed his full share by his industry and enterprise to making Cuivre township one of the best in the county. He is a man whose name is well and favorably known throughout this part of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Culwell have a family of four children: Mary Lizzie, Joe Herman, Susan Alice and J. William, the latter the eldest. Mr. Culwell and lady are members of the Bap¬ tist church, and are highly esteemed as neighbors and acquaintances.

John Cunningham

farmer. The family names of Mr. Cunningham's father and mother - Cunningham and Pendleton - are as familiar almost to one in the least versed in the public affairs of this country, as household words. Both families were originally native to the Old Dominion, but have since sent out branches to nearly all of the North-western and Western families who have become distinguished in the history of the country. Nor is it necessary. Their names will occur to any one of average information. Nor does Mr. Cunningham, the subject of the present sketch, lay claim to any consideration simply on account of his dis¬ tinguished family connections. A plain, straight-forward, sensible man, he is worthy of mention in the present volume on account alone of his own merits as a citizen. While he is not as conspicuous as some, he is a man of solid character, substantial qualities and great personal worth, a man who when his sun of life has set, will be found not to have spent his days in vain. John Cunningham was born in Franklin county, W. Ya., (a county named for his mother's family), on the 29th of December, 1803. His father, whose name was also John, was a worthy son of the Old Dominion. His mother, formerly Miss Elizabeth Pendleton, also came of the old mother of Presidents, Virginia. There were four children in the family of which John, Jr., was a member. The mother dying while he was young, the father was afterwards married a second time, and this wife also dying, he was a third time married. John Cunningham, Jr., is the only one of the first family of children now living. His father died in Sangamon county, Ill., to which State he had removed years before. John, the son, was educated in Virginia, or rather he educated himself in that State, for his early opportunities were very limited, a deficiency for which he made up by study at home. However, he succeeded in ac¬ quiring a good education, and afterwards engaged in merchandising in Virginia. Later along he was made deputy sheriff of Pendleton county, and in 1837 he removed to Missouri, and located in Boone county, where he sold goods for some years following. Prospering in business affairs, he also bought a farm and superintended the con¬ duct of that. From merchandising he turned his attention to steam¬ boating and ran that for several years. He then bought a hotel in Lewis county, and also rented a farm in that county, which he car¬ ried on successfully for some time. Mr. Cunningham came to Audrain county nearly twenty-five years ago, in 1860, and four years afterwards located on his present farm. Comfortably situated in life, though by no means a wealthy man, for he has never been avari¬ cious, in 1878 he retired from the active management of his farm in order to spend the closing years of his life in ease and free from the annoyances and responsibilities of active affairs. He has a comfort¬ able homestead and a good home, and is blessed with a worthy and affectionate family. Mr. Cunningham was married away back, over a half a century ago, and the 1st of March, 1882, was the day tor the celebration of his golden wedding, fifty years of happy married life having elapsed since he and his good wife first took the vows at the altar to love and cherish each other as husband and wife. Both are still spared to accompany each other through the evening hours of life. They have reared six children : James J., Jesse 8., William P., Isaac B., George H., and John H. Two besides are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Methodist church. They are now on a visit in Texas among their children, some of whom reside in that State.

farmer, post-office, Vandalia. Mr. Daniels is another of the many instances that can be pointed out in almost every township in Audrain county, in proof of the gratifying fact that immigration, including the better class of immigrants, is still pouring into this county. He came here as recent as 1880, and is from the great Prairie State of Illinois, a State noted all over the Union for the intelligence, enterprise and thrift of its farmers. The Daniels came originally from New York State, from which Mr. Daniels' father, C. B. Daniels, came in 1843, and settled in Pike county, Ill. His wife was, previous to her mar¬ riage, a Miss Temperance Potter, of the Potter family of Pennsylva¬ nia. Farming was his life occupation, and he was substantially suc¬ cessful in that calling. D. P., one of a family of nine children, was born after his parents came to Illinois, in Pike county, May 14, 1846. He was reared in his native county, and on reaching manhood engaged in farming for himself. On the 20th of June, 1867, he was married to Miss Lucinda Jeffers, daughter of Elijah Jeffers, of Pike county, Ill., but formerly of Ohio. As has been said, Mr. Daniels removed to this county in 1880, having lived for the nine previous years in Ralls county. He has an excellent farm here of 160 acres, which he has well improved. His fences particularly are of superior quality. He is one of those thrifty Northern farmers who have done so much for the agricultural interests of Missouri since the war. Mr. and Mrs. D. have two children, Mareellus and Frank A. Mr. D. and wife are members of the M. E. Church, and he is a member of the A. F. & A. M.

Hon. Charles G. Daniel

Legislature, was principally reared in this county, though he is a na¬ tive of Kentucky. He was born in Trigg county, of the Blue Grass State, August 12, 1849, and is a son of Andrew B. and Matilda (Greening) Daniel, of this county, his father originally of Virginia, but his mother formerly of Kentucky. The family came to this county in 1854, where they still reside. The father has long been one of the well respected and well-to-do citizens of the county. Charles G. had good educational advantages as he grew up. Besides courses through the common and high schools of the county, he had the benefit of a course in the State University. Having made up his mind to devote himself to the profession of the law, he entered upon the study for the bar immediately after his general university course. Later along he spent a term or two in the law department of the State University, and was afterwards admitted to the bar, locating at Vandalia in the practice in 1875. Here his thorough qualifications, excel¬ lent natural ability and popular manners readily recommended him to the esteem and confidence of the community, both as a citizen and as a young lawyer, and he made rapid progress in the acquisition of a good, lucrative practice. He was shortly after elected town attorney, which he held for five successive terms, and rose in his profession until he came to occupy a prominent position at the bar of Mexico. By 1880, so well and favorably known had he become throughout the countv, that he was nominated for the Legislature bv the Democratic party, and was elected at the succeeding election by a handsome ma¬ jority. He served in both the regular and extra sessions of the thirtyfirst General Assembly. In the House of Representatives he greatly distinguished himself by the leading and successful part he took in the passage of the bill re-districting the State. He also became promiment as a leader in other important measures. He acquitted himself of his legislative position with high honor, both to himself and to the people whom he represented. He was highly complimented by promi¬ nent journals in different parts of the State upon the ability and suc¬ cess with which his career as a legislator was characterized. In the meantine Mr. Daniel, besides attending to his law business, had be¬ come somewhat largely interested in mercantile pursuits, owning in¬ terests in several successful stores. He was also engaged in dealing in grain. In 1883 (January) he began in his present banking busi¬ ness, succeeding Messrs. Mayes & Burckhardt, who established the bank about a year before. This is one of the solid banking institu¬ tions of the county, and enjoys an enviable reputation both with the public at large and in banking circles here and elsewhere. Mr. Daniel has the qualities and qualifications for a successful business man, and his career, already past the experimental point, promises to be one of more than ordinary usefulness. He is a large property holder in Vandalia, and one of its leading citizens. On the 19th of October, 1876, Mr. Daniel was married to Miss Fannie McPike, a daughter of Aaron McPike, the founder of Vandalia. Mr. and Mrs. D. have four children: Claude B., William McP., Tiney B. and Charles G., Jr. Mrs. D. is a member of the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the A. F. and A. M., the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W.

George W. Daniel

of the firm of Daniel & Towler, dealers in general merchandise, Van¬ dalia. It was in 1877 that Mr. Daniel, who is a brother to Charles G., a sketch of whom precedes this, came to Vandalia and engaged in business in this place. He was then a member of the firm of C. Daniel & Bro., in which he continued until the present firm was organized, in the spring of 1883. Messrs. Daniel & Towler have one of the leading general mercantile houses, if not the leading one, in the eastern part of the county. They are also engaged largely in the grain business and have done much to make Vandalia an important local center of the grain trade. Mr. Daniel is a man of good education, ample business experience, safe judgment as a merchant, and full of enterprise, such a man as would go to the front in the business affairs of any place or community The success he has already had in merchandising is strong proof of what his character and qualifica¬ tions are, and. they give almost conclusive assurance of what his future will be. The firm of which he is a member carries an excep¬ tionally large and well selected stock of goods, one, in fact, in which may be found every article in their line, and believing in the doctrine of quick sales and small profits, and doing business on a cash basis almost exclusively, they could hardly fail of being abundantly suc¬ cessful. Their trade extends for miles around Vandalia, over into Pike and Ralls counties, and includes many of the best and most sub¬ stantial citizens in the business jurisdiction of this place. Their cus¬ tom is more than an ordinarily good one, and by fair dealing and an accommodating disposition, they have proved themselves eminently worthy of it. Mr. Daniel, like his brother, is a native of Kentucky, born in Trigg county, December 10, 1854. He was therefore still in infancy when his parents removed to Missouri. Mr. Daniel's early education was acquired at the high school of Mexico, under Prof. H.

M. Hamell. But at the age of 16 he began clerking in a store, and from that time up to the present he has been identified with mercantile business. From his long experience it is therefore apparent that his business qualifications are of the best. On the 10th of November, 1878, he was married to Miss Mollie E. Bowen, of Pike county, but formerly of Henry county, Kentucky. She was a daughter of B. J. Bowen. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel have one child, Annie Georgia. Mr. Daniel is one of the substantial men of Vandalia and one of its most highly respected citizens.

Varnor J. Davis

farmer. Mr. Davis' life has been one of more than ordinary adven¬ ture. He was born in Shelby county, Indiana, January 12, 1834, and was a son of David and Lucy (Gardner) Davis, his father a native of Pennsylvania, but his mother formerly of New Jersey. In 1833, when Varnor was a mere boy, some four years of age, the fam¬ ily removed to Missouri and located in Audrain county. They were among the early settlers of this county, and Varnor had practically in that early day no school advantages. His education, which he ac¬ quired later in life, was obtained entirely by self-culture. When a young man, in 1855, he went overland, in company with William Boyce and others, to California, thus commencing a career of adven¬ ture in the great West, which was to extend over a period of nearly fif¬ teen years. Reaching California, he was engaged in mining there three years, and then made a trip in the far North, across into British America and along the Frazier river. Returning then to California, he spent three years more in the gold mines of that State, and then went to Nevada, where he followed mining two years. In 1865 he went to Salt Lake City, and from there across to Nevada City, Mon¬ tana, where he worked in the mines about three months, and then went to Helena. Shortly afterwards he mined in Cave Gulch, Montana, for about six months, receiving as compensation $10 per day. In June, 1868, Mr. Davis, having now been absent from home for about thir¬ teen years, started on his trip to old Missouri. Taking the boat at Fort Benton, he came down the river to St. Louis, a distance of 3,100 miles, having a boat ride such as it is the fortune of but few men to enjoy. From St. Louis he then came on up to Audrain county. The following winter Mr. Davis was married to Miss Sallie M., a daughter of John Oliver, of Montgomery county. The great philosopher, Bacon, has said that, " He that hath a wife and children hath given hostages to fortune, for they are impediments to great enterprises, either of virtue or mischief." However that may be* certain it is that after his marriage Mr. Davis' adventures in new countries ceased, and he settled down and became a quiet, contented farmer and worthy and useful citizen. He soon bought a farm on which he settled, and where he has until recently resided. This place contained 170 acres, in a good state of cultivation and improve¬ ment. He and his wife are both members of the Baptist church at West Cuivre. Mr. Davis has sold the place on which he located in 1872, and has removed to Texas, where he expects to make his future home.

late agent and telegraph operator Chicago and Alton road at Vandalia, and now in the employ of the banking house of C. G. Daniel. Mr. Davis, a gallant soldier in the Union army during the Civil War, and for nine or ten years agent of the railroad at this place, is a native of the great Prairie State, born in Tazewell county, April 4, 1841. His father, Hezekiah Davis, was from Kentucky, and settled in Illinois as early as 1821. He was married in the latter State to Miss Sarah T. Scott, also originally of Kentucky, but who is now deceased. The father, who was a tanner by occupation, which he followed for many years, is still living, and is now in his 86th year. They had a family of six children, of whom H. T. was the youngest. He was reared in his native county and educated at the high school of Tremont, Ill. Twenty years of age when the war broke out, he was strongly Union in feeling and convictions, and at once threw himself in the conflict for the maintenance of the old flag with all the ardor and enthusiasm of youth. He became a member of Co. L., 4th Illinois Cavalry, and remained out until the close of the war, participating in many of the hardest fought battles of that great struggle. He was severely wounded, which afterwards rendered him unfit for hard labor. Re¬ turning home after the restoration of peace, he engaged in farming, having been reared to that occupation, but not being strong enough, on account of the disability resulting from his wound, to undergo the exertion necessary in farm labor, he quit the farm two years after¬ wards and entered the depot office at Tremont, Ill., to learn the agency and telegraph business. He acted as assistant there for about six months, and then became assistant in the office at Petersburg, Ill., on the Chicago and Alton road, where he remained until 1875, master¬ ing both the telegraph business and the details of the duties of station agent. In April, 1875, Mr. Davis was tendered the position of station and telegraph agent at Vandalia, this county, which he accepted, and which he tilled with efficiency and to the satisfaction of the road au¬ thorities and the public. Though a man of reticent disposition, he is a man of many estimable and sterling qualities, and is highly esteemed for his solid character. Recently he has accepted a situation in the banking house of C. G. Daniel, of this place. On the 4th of Decem¬ ber, 1873, Mr. Davis was married to Miss Elizabeth Masteller, for¬ merly of Menard county, Illinois. They have one child, Nellie. Mr. Davis is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and of the A. O. U. W.

Thomas R. Dodge

editor and proprietor of the Vandalia Leader. Mr. Dodge, who has been engaged in the newspaper business for about twenty-five years, and is well known in North-east Missouri as a successful manager and good writer, is a native of Kentuckjq born in Louisville, August 25, 1836. His father, William R. Dodge, was an Englishman, and came to America when a young man in about 1819. He was a machinist and blacksmith, and worked at the former, principally, for several years in New York City after his arrival in this country. From New York he went to Pittsburg, where he was married to Miss Eleanorah Lambert of that city. Later along he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, the birth place of Thomas R., where he lived some years and then removed to St. Louis. Soon afterwards he located in Lincoln countv and worked at his trade there until 1850, when he went to California for the purpose of mining, and died there in 1862. His widow died in New London, Ralls county, in 1875, to which place she had come to make her home with her son, the subject of the present sketch. Thomas R. Dodge was principally educated in Troy, Lincoln county, Missouri, having, while the family resided there, the benefit of in¬ struction in a local academy of excellent repute. After quitting school, he apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, which he learned and worked at for some vears. At the age of fifteen he went to Ralls county, and four years afterwards he entered a printing office in St. Charles county to learn the typographer's art. Six months after he bought the Kaleidoscope office at St. Charles and continued its publication for a short time, when he removed the office to New London, where he established the Ralls County Beacon, which he con¬ tinued to publish until the outbreak of the Civil War. When it came to the question of union or disunion, the perpetuity or the overthrow of the Government, Mr. Dodge was unequivocally and earnestly in favor of upholding the authority and integrity of the Government. Having the courage of his convictions and willing to throw his own life in the balance, as he believed every patriotic man should do, for the maintenance of the Union which Washington and the hero fathers of the Revolution had founded, he bravely went to the front before the sound of the cannonading of Fort Sumpter had died upon the wind, and enlisted in the 3d Missouri State Militia, in which he did his duty as a soldier until the close of the war. Less embittered against his friends of the South than he was devoted to the Union, when the last shot of the Rebellion was fired he' was in favor of receiving the Southern States back into the Union and extending to their people all the rights of citizenship. This, his old-fashioned Democracy taught him and this he earnestly advocated. Subsequent events have fully vindicated the wisdom of such a policy. On the return of peace, therefore, he together with his brother-in-law, C. C. M. Mayhall, established the Ralls County Record , in which he advo¬ cated the full and equal enfranchisement of all the people of Missouri, regardless of the position they had taken during the war. In the course of a few years this was brought about. And there is no debt of gratitude in the history of politics in this or any other county greater than that which the Southern people of Missouri owe to their patriotic and disinterested neighbors and fellow-citizens on the Union side, through whose exertions the shackles of outlawry, disfranchise¬ ment and obloquy were stricken from them. Mr. Dodge and his partner continued the publication of the Record for over seventeen years and with increasing influence and success. That paper became well known under their combined management as one of the sterling, ably conducted weekly papers of North-east Missouri. In 1881 he bought the Palmyra Democrat , which he published for about fifteen months. In the meantime, the handwriting had become so plain on the wall that Vandalia was destined to be a town of more than ordi¬ nary local importance, that he saw no excuse for disregarding it, and always inclined to anticipate results to the best advantage, he there¬ fore decided to cast his fortunes with the future of this place. Accord¬ ingly, having an opportunity to purchase the Leader at Vandalia, he bought it in May, 1883, and transferred the scene of his labors as a newspaper man to this place. Although Mr. Dodge has been con¬ nected with the Vandalia Leader only a short time, he has greatly improved it both in the mechanical get-up of the paper and in its literary character. The circulation of the paper under the manage¬ ment of himself and son, S. W. Dodge, has greatly increased, and its influence is far more substantial and extended than at any previous time. The Leader , in fact, is one of the best country papers in this sectiou of the State. Mr. Dodge is a man of sterling character, extensive general information and a vigorous writer, and although a Democrat, he is not one of the hide-bound, bread-and-butter kind, who are afraid to call their souls their own, or express an honest con¬ viction, for fear that what they say may conflict with some influential man's prejudices or cranks. In other words, he is a broad-gauge Democrat and a liberal-minded man, and thinks freely and independ¬ ently for himself. With no friends to reward or enemies to punish, he goes straight forward in the conduct of his paper, keeping steadily in view the higher and better interests of the community in which he lives, of his party and of the whole country. Incorruptible himself, corruption in office and fraud out of office find in him a dangerous and merciless enemy. In a word, the Leader is a worthy and faithful tribune of the people. On the 24th of September, 1860, Mr. Dodge was married to Miss Frances M. Mayhall. They have six children : Samuel W., the present local editor and assistant manager of the Leader , Louisa E., Thomas A., Paul R., Fannie and Josie, the last two twins. Mrs. D. was a daughter of Samuel W. Mayhall, Esq., of Ralls county, and is a lady of marked intelligence and cultured refinements.

Thomas S. Dougherty

an industrious farmer and respected citizen of Cuivre township, was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, April 2, 1838. He is a son of Thomas and Dianna (Tolman) Dougherty, both natives of that State. The family removed to Missouri in 1845 and located first in Scott county, but two years later they settled permanently in Pike county, where Thomas S. grew to manhood and lived for a number of years afterwards. He was brought up on a farm and has made farming his occupation thus far through life. On the 29th of November, 1866, he was married to Miss Cornelia, the daughter of Edwin Stone, formerly of Virginia, in which State Mrs. Dougherty was born and principally educated. Mr. Dougherty continued to reside in Pike county until 1876, when he removed to Audrain county. He located on his present farm in 1883, where he has a place of 160 acres, which he has all under fence and in a fair state of cultivation. His improvements are sub¬ stantial and his buildings comfortable. He has a good orchard on his place and he has his farm in good condition. Mr. and Mrs. Dougherty have a family of five children: Thomas E., Maggie D., Lou E., railroad agent, and of Draper & Jenkins, land agents, Farber, Mo. Mr. Draper, a prominent young business man of the north-eastern part of the county, is a native Missourian, born in Pike county on the 13th of March, 1853. His father was Daniel Draper, now deceased, for many years one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Pike county. Daniel Draper was a man of wonderful strength of character. Decided in his convictions, broad-minded, and taking the interest of a patriotic citizen in public affairs, he wielded a justly important influence in the politics of his county and this section of the State. Although a native of South Carolina, he was one of the most ardent and uncondi¬ tional Union men in Missouri during the war, and exerted himself in every direction in which he could serve his country for the mainte¬ nance of the Government and its laws. He held various official positions of prominence in county, State and National affairs, including both the civil and military service. In short, his name throughout North¬ east Missouri was as familiar almost, for over twenty years prior to his death, as a household word. And from the beginning to the close of the long and useful life, never a breath of discredit fell upon his name. He was, in the truest and best sense of the word, a stalwart, brave and downright honest man, respected and esteemed by all who knew him. Such was the father of the subject of the present sketch. The mother, whose maiden name was Julia A. Riggs, of an old and eminently re¬ spected Missourian family, was a most amiable and exemplary Chris¬ tian lady, well known through all the vicinity where they lived in Pike county for her benevolence and estimable qualities of mind and heart. Frank, the son, was reared in Louisiana the principal business part of his life. His youth was spent mainly at school but during the va¬ cations he assisted his father in the latter's business house at Louisiana, thus, as he grew up, not only acquiring an excellent education, but also learning the practical duties of business life. He completed his education at the high school of Louisiana, where he received an ad¬ vanced English education, but did not study the languages to any con¬ siderable extent. After the death of his father, which occurred in 1875, he started out for himself, commencing as clerk and book-keeper ; but soon afterwards, during the fall of the same year, he came to Farber and built the first grain elevator at this place or in Audrain county.

Inheriting the character he did, which was strengthened by his bring¬ ing up, and having received a good education, it was manifest from the beginning that he was destined for a successful and useful life, and although still quite a young man, he has already given such evidences of his worth, energy and intelligence, that it is safe to predict a more than ordinarily prosperous and enviable future for him. Before com¬ ing to Farber, Mr. Draper had met a young lady of singular charms and excellence to whom he became ardently attached, a young lady worthy in every particular of his affections, and who reciprocated them with the sincerity and gentleness of a pure and devoted heart. Soon after he had established himself at this place they were married, on the 29th of December, 1875, and he at once brought his young wife to their new home. Mrs. Draper's maiden name was Katie Drumey, but her parents having died while she was yet in infancy, she was adopted into the family of Simeon Fitch at Barry, Ill., where she was reared and given every advantage, educational and social, to be had in that cultured and refined city of the North-west. In the charms of mind and person she is all that Green, the gifted English poet, claims in his Menaphon' s Eclogue for the gentle lady he there describes, and as a housewife, it might almost be thought that Surrey had her prototype in mind when he wrote his well known pen-picture of the true English housewife. Happy in his domestic life, Mr. Draper directed his at¬ tention and energies to business affairs with a courage and resolution that could not fail of success. He continued in the grain business with success for two years and then sold out to excellent advantage. Being offered the agency of the railroad at this place - ticket, freight, telegraph, U. S. express, etc. - he accepted it and has since continued to dis¬ charge the duties of that position for nine years. Too active and en¬ ergetic, however, to confine himself to a single employment, he formed a land agency which he has since carried on, and has been engaged in various other enterprises, etc. Mr. Draper is taking a public-spirited interest in the German carp industry, and in this, as in everything to which he gives his attention, he has been very successful. He has made a large pond at heavy expense, covering an area of about 40 acres, which he has well stocked with the finest quality of German carp. This promises to become an industry of great value and has already passed beyond the bounds of mere experiment. In his land agency business, he is enterprising and successful and is doing a great deal to build up Farber and the surrounding country. He has large bodies of fine lands both raw and improved for sale in Audrain and adjacent counties, and is doing an excellent business in this line. Mr.

Draper is one of the most sterling, public-spirited citizens of this part of the county, and has proved a valuable acquisition to the citizenship of Farber. Personally he is highly respected. He and his excellent wife have an interesting little son, DeWitt C., aged seven years. Mrs. D. is a member of the M. E. Church.

He whose name heads this sketch, for over twenty-five years a wor¬ thy citizen of Audrain county, lived a life that was useful and just and died a death that was a triumph of the Christian's faith. From the morning to the evening of his earthly career, his life shone out like a dimless star unclouded by a breath of reproach. To have lived such a life and died such a death as he did, is to have fulfilled to the full measure of man's mission on earth the duties for which he was in¬ tended. If all could thus live and thus die, how much purer and brighter this world would be, how much more radiant, how much hap¬ pier would the hereafter appear. The memory of such a life is well worthy of preservation in the present volume, well worthy the affec¬ tionate cherishment of those near and dear to him, well worthy of the veneration of all good people. Ivinneth D}re was born in Mason county, Kentucky, April 29, 1812. He came of a good family. His father was Peter Dye, formerly of Virginia and a worthy citizen of that noble old Commonwealth. His mother's name was Abigail. Reared in Kentucky, he learned the brick-mason's trade, and in 1837 came to Missouri and located in Pike county. The following year, on the 18th of January, he was married to Miss Martha A. Burroughs, a young lady worthy in every way to have been the wife of such a man. Mr. Dye followed his trade in Pike county for nearly twenty years, and became one of the leading and successful contractors and builders in the brick line in the north-western part of that county. He was a man of more than an ordinary mind, and of an exceptionally generous heart, and rose high in the confidence and esteem of those among whom he lived. A business man of superior qualifications, he was looked upon as one of the most capable and reliable men in his line of business in the county. He also became largely interested in farming, and owned a fine farm in Pike county which he carried on with great energy and success. Having a large family of children growing up around him, he determined to remove to Audrain county, where lands were cheaper and where, when the time came for them to start out in life for themselves, they could establish themselves on comfortable homesteads with less expense and difficulty. Mr. Dye removed to Audrain county in 1866 and settled about three miles south of Laddonia, where he lived until his death. After his removal to this county he was engaged almost exclusively in farming, and through the re¬ mainder of his life held the rank of one of the best farmers in this part of the county. He died on the 16th of May, 1878. For many years he had been an earnest and faithful member of the Christian Church. And through all his long life the better qualities of the Christian character were manifest in his walk and talk among men. He was a man of great charity, and gave liberally of his means to the destitute and unfortunate ; and in the church none stood before him in contributing for the promotion of the cause of religion. His house was the stopping place for the ministers of his church, and ministers of other denominations ever found a cheerful welcome at his hearth¬ stone. A man qualified both by education and the natural attributes of his mind for the discharge of duties of high public trust, he was yet without political ambition and preferred rather to devote himself to the duties of home and the church than to participate in the exciting affairs incident to public life. He therefore lived quietly at home, modestly discharging the duties of citizenship in the neighborhood where he lived, and died at last as sincerely regretted as any man who was ever borne to the grave after a long and useful life. He and his good wife were blessed with a family of nine children: William H., now of Wright county ; George W., whose sketch appears elsewhere ; Elizabeth, who died the wife of Daniel Branstetter ; Sarah, now de¬ ceased, and previously Mrs. David A. Hart; James A., mentioned in this volume ; John F., now of Vandalia; Annie, died in maidenhood ; Abigail died about three years ago ; Lucy is now Mrs. George Ram¬ sey, the sketch of whose husband appears in this work. Thus it is seen that within five years, five of this family, the father and four daughters, have fallen to sleep in death. But to the Christian death is not all. There is something beyond,

Mrs. Dye, the mother, was the daughter of George and Mary (John¬ son) Burroughs, her father originally of Virginia, but her mother formerly of Kentucky. They were married in Madison county, Ken¬ tucky and came to Pike county, Missouri, in 1828 ; Mrs. Dye was born in Kentucky October 31, 1822, and died January 13, 1884, in Vandalia, Mo. She was a motherly, kind-hearted old lady, a faithful follower of the Cross, and beloved by all who know her.

James A. Dye

farmer. Mr. Dye, who is a man of energy and industry, and has been fairly successful in getting a start in life (for he is still comparatively a young man), is something more than the average hum-drum tiller of the soil that one meets of a summer's dav. There is a great deal of that quality in him which the French call spirituel , that is, liveli¬ ness of mind, ingenuity, quick wit, and far more than average intel¬ ligence. His mental characteristics, furthermore, are courage and determination; and being a man of strong affection, when his mind and heart become enlisted in an enterprise he knows no such word as fail. Looking out, of course, for the substantial interests of life, he yet believes that there is something more to live for than mere bread-getting and property, hogs and hominy. In his life, therefore, there have been numerous incidents a little out of the order of the average plow¬ man and citizen. Mr. Dye was born in Pike county, Missouri, on the 10th of June, 1848, and was a son of Kenneth and Martha (Burroughs) Dye, his father originally from Kentucky, from which State also his mother's family came. There were eight other children besides James, not all of whom, however, lived to reach maturity. James was reared on the farm just about as boys usually are in the country, that is, with advantages no worse and no better than the average run. But having an aspiring mind, and being ambitious to rise above his humble sur¬ roundings, he struck out in the world at an early age and sought em¬ ployment in a more public and prominent station. Such was his address and popular manners, and such the favorable impression he was able to make on those around him, that at the early age of eight¬ een he succeeded in securing the responsible position of deputy sheriff of his county, the duties of which he discharged with marked effic¬ iency and with entire satisfaction to the people and to the sheriff, him¬ self, up to 1867. Following this he engaged in the brick making and brick mason business, and afterwards secured a position in the service of the Government. This brings him up to one of the most exciting, as it is by far the happiest events of his life. In the fall of 1868 and the following winter he had been paying his addresses to a young lady who had won his heart, and to whose affections he laid siege with all the ardor and resolution of his nature. To a young man of his qual¬ ities and appearance there could be but one result of such a campaign, and that result followed, of course, in this case. Miss Selina F. Graffort became his plighted fiancee. Their married life has proved one of singular happiness, and has been blessed with three interesting and promising children : Frankie P., Artie K., and Joseph M. Mr. Dye has also been successful in the material affairs of life, and has a comfortable homestead of 80 acres of good land, all well improved, including good buildings, fences, etc. - all the result of his own in¬ dustry and determination to succeed in life. He is one of the most intelligent, active-minded and progressive citizens of Cuivre township, and becomes a leader in everything with which he becomes connected. Not yet having reached the middle age of life, he will doubtless be heard from in the public affairs of Audrain county before the frosts of old age settle upon his head. There are numerous incidents in Mr. Dye's life, of more than ordinary interest, and all to his credit, but we have not the space here to relate them. Suffice it to say that he is a citizen eminently worthy of the mention he has received in this work.

George W. Dye

farmer. Mr. Dye, brother to James A., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere, like his brother, James A., is a native of old Pike, and was born on the 10th of August, 1843. Principally reared in Pike county, he was educated in the schools of that county and brought up by his father to a farm life, which he has since followed. On reaching manhood he engaged in farming for himself, which he followed up to 1863, when, on the 10th of August, of that year, he en¬ listed in the 39th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, C. S. A., and served for nearly a year in that regiment. Returning to Pike county after the close of his term of service, he soon afterwards went to Mon¬ roe county, where he re-engaged in farming. Two years afterwards, on the 15th of March, 1866, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Paris, of the old and honored Paris family, of Monroe county, for which its county seat is named. In 1870 Mr. Dye removed to Audrain county, where he has since resided. On the 31st of September, 1879, he lost his wife, who left him at her death four children: Annie M., Thomas F., Walter C. and Isaiah. September 19, 1880, Mr. Dye was mar¬ ried to Miss Marinda M. Likes, a worthy and excellent lady. They have one child, Siras T. Mrs. Dye was born in Adams county, Ill., November 14, 1853, and was there reared and educated. She was a daughter of R. F. and Bethada (Callaham) Likes, her father a sub¬ stantial farmer of that county and a native of Kentucky. Her mother was originally from Virginia. There were nine children in the family, of whom six are living, including Mrs. Dye. The history grocer, Yandalia. Mr. Eddleman's father, Aaron Eddleman, was a native of Tennessee, but came out to Kentucky in an early day, where he lived to an advanced age and reared a large family of children. He was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, and afterwards became a substantial and well respected citizen of Bourbon county, Ky. His wife's maiden name was Mary Warth, and she is still living, now in her eighty-fourth year. They had eleven children, including Abra¬ ham, the subject of the present sketch. Abraham Eddleman was born on his father's homestead in Bourbon county, Ky., on the 16th of July, 1821. After growing up in Kentncky he was married there on the 28th day of November, 1848, to Miss Mary A. Roberts. Mr. Eddleman remained in Kentucky for about eight years after his mar¬ riage, and was engaged in farming and during part of the time in merchandising. In the spring of 1856, however, he removed with his family to Missouri, and located oil a farm in Pike county, where he spent the following twelve years. Buying land then in Audrain county, he came to Cuivre township, and became one of the pioneer farmers of this township. He was engaged in farming in this county up to 1882, and was substantially successful. Industry and good management placed him in comparatively comfortable circumstances. Mr. Eddleman has always had a taste for mercantile pursuits, and he has a marked natural aptitude for the business. The settlement of the country around Yandalia made this place an exceptionally good business point, which he had the intelligence and sagacity to see. He therefore decided to gratify his long-felt desire to engage in merchandising, and accordingly he came to this place and opened out a stock of groceries and other goods of a kindred line. His success here since his location at this place in the spring of 1882, has been en¬ tirely satisfactory, and he has built up a good trade for his grocery house. Mr. Eddleman is an accommodating, courteous gentleman, and is highly thought of by those who know him, and having lived in this part of the county for many years, he has a wide acquaintance. In 1868 Mr. Eddleman lost his first wife, who left him seven children at her death : James, Joseph W., Mary E., Thomas, Benjamin, Lida Lee and Jefferson D. Three others were deceased. To his present wife, an estimable and worthy lady, Mr. Eddleman was married in

1869. She was a Miss Sarah B. Henry, of Lincoln county, before her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Eddleman have four children : Tissie I., Annie, Walter, and David.

retired farmer, Vandalia. Considering that Audrain county is still comparatively a new country, it has a wonderful wealth of venerable old pioneer citizens, men whose lives reach back to the early years of the present century, and who have gone through experiences in set¬ tling the county and building it up to what it is to-day, one of the first counties in the State, that render their careers of great interest. Prominent among these is the subject of the present sketch, Uncle John Elzea, as he has long been called, who is now closely approach¬ ing the allotted age of three-score and ten. Like most of the early settlers of North-east Missouri, he comes from the Old Dominion, that grand old Commonwealth which has done more for the progress and prosperity of the nation than any of the other mother States of the Union. Mr. Elzea was born in Frederick county, Virginia, November 5, 1814, and was a son of Samuel and Frances (Self) Elzea, both of old families in Virginia. His father was born in 1791 and his mother in 1796. In 1836 the family immigrated to Missouri, and settled in Marion county, John T., who was then about grown, coming with them. The father died in that county in 1851, but the mother lived up to the 1st of August, 1882. They had a family of twelve children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, and all of these, but one, five sons and five daughters, are still living. Thomas T. was the eldest of the family, and he remained at home with them until his marriage in 1839. On the 24th of October, of that year, Miss Mary J. Silvers, also of Frederick county, Virginia, and three years his junior, became his wife. She was a daughter of James and Nancy (Hand) Silvers, early settlers of Marion county. Mr. Elzea moved to a place of his own shortly after his marriage, and commenced the work of establishing himself in life. He farmed in Marion county for about four years, and then crossed over into Ralls county, where he lived for the follow¬ ing thirteen years. In 1856 he came to Audrain county, where he has since resided. Up to 1880 Mr. Elzea followed farming and stock raising continuously, and being one of the stirring, energetic men of his time, he was very successful, and accumulated a comfortable competency. In the spring of 1880, his good wife having died the year before, he retired from the farm and came to Vandalia to spend the remainder of his days free from the worry and responsibility of carrying on a large farm. Mr. Elzea's wife, whose death occurred the 27th of September, 1879, was the mother of eight children : Sarah A., James A., John T., William S. (deceased), Mary F., Henry L., Martha J. and Josephene. The next to the youngest daughter, Mattie, as she is called, who is unmarried, has charge of the house¬ hold affairs of his father's home in Vandalia, and worthily discharges the duties of a good house-keeper and an affectionate daughter. Mr. Elzea, like most old Virginians, is a man of fine natural intelligence, fair education and much general information, and is one of the worthy, highly esteemed old men of Vandalia. Unbounded hospitality, sociability, and a kind open disposition are his leading characteristics. He is a man whom every one that knows him respects and venerates. He has for years been a member of the Baptist Church.

of Ely & Utterback, dealers in hardware, stoves, tin-ware, agricul¬ tural implements, etc. ; also undertakers, Vandalia. At a time when Balls county had hardly more inhabitants than Vandalia now has, Mr. Ely's hither, Benjamin Ely, settled in that county, where he lived until his death, for over half a century. He was from Kentucky, and became a citizen of Ralls county as early as 1819. His wife's maiden name was Martha Lane. She was originally from Virginia, but was of a pioneer family in Ralls county. Benjamin Ely was a farmer by occupation and became one of the substantial citizens of Ralls county, and was judge of the Ralls county court, elected for one term. He and his wife both died the same year, in 1871. They had a family of nine children, including S. D., who was born on the family homestead, on the 25th of January, 1838. On reaching manhood he, too, became a farmer, and on the 14th of February, 1860, was married to Miss Mary Leister, originally of Kentucky, and a daughter of Martin and Elizabeth (Edwards) Leister, who were early settlers in Ralls county. Mr. Ely continued farming up to 1865, when he engaged in the mer¬ cantile business at Cincinnati, this State. He followed merchandising for three years, but desiring a more active life, sold out and entered the stock business, in which he continued for about eight vears. In the meantime, however, he spent one year in the army. It was in July, 1862, when he enlisted in the Confederate service, returning home about twelve months afterward. In 1876, Mr. Ely, perceiving the great advantages that Vandalia possessed for a successful business center, decided to come to this place and engage here in business. He accordingly became a partner in the firm of Crawford, Ely & Laird, which carried on a general store for about eight years, or until June, 1882. The present firm of Ely & Utterback was then formed. This fi rm, as has been indicated above, carries a general stock of hardware, stoves, tin-ware, agricultural implements and other goods of kindred kinds. They also carry a line of coffins, cases, etc., and do a general undertaking business. In their lines these gentlemen have the leading house of Vandalia. Mr. Ely is a man of marked intelligence, full of energy, enterprise and public spirit, and besides being one of the foremost business men of the place, he is one of its most useful and valuable citizens, taking a leading part in all move¬ ments designed for the good of the place, material and otherwise, and is as highly esteemed as any man in this part of the county. He and his good wife have a worthy family of five children : Callie P., Martha E., Bertha L., Ernest D. and Edna B. Their family is wel¬ comed in the best society of Vandalia.

Port. A. Emmons

editor and proprietor of the Vandalia Argus. Mr. Emmons, an ex¬ perienced newspaper man and worthy citizen of Vandalia, is a native of Ohio, born at Elyria, Lorain county, February 15, 1855. When he was three years of age his parents, B. P. and Sadie (Smith) Em¬ mons, removed to Missouri and settled in Macon county, where Port. A. was partly reared and educated. In 1868 the family went to Jackson county, and later along to St. Clair county, where Port. A. learned the printer's trade under an experienced workman at Appleton City. After acquiring his trade he became a partner with his brother in the publication of the St. Clair county Gazette , which they published during the years 1874, 1875 and 1876. Following this Mr. Emmons came to Audrain county, where he formed a partnership with D. Reddington in the publication of the Daily Herald, in which he was engaged for about five months. Selling out at the expiration of this time, he went to Kansas, and was connected with different papers and publishing houses up to 1881, when he came to Vandalia and, in connection with Mr. C. G. White, edited and published the Vandalia Leader for about six months. Subsequent to this Mr. Em¬ mons was sole proprietor of the Leader for a short time. In May, 1883, he established the Vandalia Argus , which he has since con¬ ducted. This is one of the sprightly, newsy weekly papers of the county, and has an enviable reputation throughout the country around Vandalia. It has a large circulation, and is one of the best advertis¬ ing mediums for business men in Audrain, Pike, Ralls and Montgom¬ ery counties, and for wholesalers, to be found in this section of the country. Mr. Emmons is a thorough practical printer, an experienced business manager and a good writer, and knows how to successfully conduct a weekly paper, as the career of the Argus conclusively at¬ tests. On the 11th of June, 1879, Mr. Emmons was married to Mrs. Lizzie Coons, a widow lady and daughter of Richard P. Fox, of Pike county. Mr. and Mrs. E. have two children: Lottie G. Emmons and Ernest L. Coons. Mr. E. is a man of sterling character and is highly respected at Vandalia. Besides giving his attention to journalism, he is also interested in the real estate and insurance business, being a member of the firm of Sharp & Emmons. The total amount of their policies for 1883 was $73,275, divided between five companies.

George D. Ermey

farmer. Mr. Ermey, a worthy farmer and venerable old citizen of Cuivre township, himself a gallant soldier in the Black Hawk war of over fifty years ago, was a son of Christian Ermey, formerly of Vir¬ ginia, and later a pioneer settler in Indiana, and one of the bravest of Gen. Harrison's gallant army in the War of 1812. Mr. Ermey, sub¬ ject of the present sketch, was born in Botetourt county of the Old Dominion, February 11, 1810, and when still quite young went with his father's family to Indiana, where they settled, and where the father died in about 1848. In 1832 George D., then a voung man. enlisted for service in the Black Hawk War, and continued in the ranks of the intrepid Indian fighter of the North-west until the doughty chief of the Winnebagos was vanquished. In civil life Mr. Ermey learned and followed the stone-ware trade, at which he worked for nearly forty years in different parts of Indiana, be¬ fore and after the Black Hawk War (in which he was a second sergeant). He was* married in Morgan county, Indiana, to Miss Jen¬ nie Fletcher, daughter of Barton Fletcher, formerly of Virginia. Six children followed this union: Christian married, and Maria was the wife of Bartman Fletcher, she and her husband now, however, being both deceased. Mr Ermey' s first wife died a few years after their marriage, and in 1842 he Avas married to Miss Melvina, a daughter of Valentine Worley, likewise from Virginia. Six children came of this marriage also ; among whom were George W. and William D. Mr.

Ermey had the misfortune to lose his second wife and subsequently he was married in Park county, Indiana, to Miss Beulah A., a daughter of Samuel Hockett of the old North State. Mr. Ermey removed to Missouri in 1866, and located in Audrain county, since which, excepting a residence of four years in Montgomery county, he has resided continuously in this county. He has a comfortable place of 120 acres, 90 acres of which are in cultivation. His improvements are substantial and he is comfortably situated on his farm. Mr. E.

is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist church. Mr. Ermey is a member of Wellsville lodge or the A. F. and A.M., and has filled nearly all the offices in the lodge. By his present wife he has two children : Perry J. and Zimri.

Philip Fobbach

manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes, Vandalia. Mr. Forbach, who has the only exclusively boot and shoe house in Vandalia, and who carries a large stock of goods and is doing a first-class business, is a native of Germany, and was a gallant soldier of the Fatherland in the Franco-German war. He was born January 20, 1850, and was reared in his native country. In Germany all youths are required to learn some useful employment, either a trade, profession or other reg¬ ular occupation. And to whatever one becomes apprenticed, he must learn that thoroughly. So it is that in this country, wherever we see a German mechanic, we see one who is a complete master of his trade. Mr. Forbach is no exception in this particular to the generality of his countrymen. At the age of fourteen he became apprenticed to the boot and shoe trade, and worked at it continuously from that time up to 1873, when he came to this country, or rather up to the out¬ break of the Franco-German war. In 1870, when Napoleon III. massed his armies on the Rhine for the invasion and subjugation of the old German Fatherland, young Forbach, as a true son of his native land, rallied to the flag of his country, and for three long years did gallant service in the German army. Enlisting at the early outbreak of the war, he remained with his com¬ mand until it marched in triumph down the great boulevards of Paris, and afterwards until he was honorably discharged from the service. He then came to America, and stopping at St. Louis for about four years, came on to Vandalia in 1877 and engaged in his present busi¬ ness. In April, 1882, Mr. Forbach was married to Miss Wilhelmina Schmidt, of St. Louis. They have one child, Casper. Mr. and Mrs.

F. are members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Forbach has had good success in this country and has a comfortable home of his own at Vandalia, and, as we have said, a prosperous business.

Daniel W. Farrington

In 1867 Mr. Farrington, now one of the substantial farmers and enterprising stock men of the eastern part of the county, came to Mis¬ souri, a young man just past his twenty-first year, and without means, but with the ability and disposition to work and the intelligence to know how to work to the best advantage. He had been reared to habits of industry and to a farm life, and brought up in Pike county, Ill., where they had good schools, he received a good, ordinary English education. On coming to this State he located first in Howard county, where he lived about a }rear, and on the 3d of March, 1868, was married to Miss Mildred Burch, of Audrain county, a daughter of William Burch, formerly of Pike county. After his mar¬ riage Mr. Farrington removed over into Chariton county, from which, after a residence of about a year, he removed to Vernon- county. He was engaged in farming in Vernon county with success until 1873, and while a resident of that county was registering officer under the State registration law, now repealed. Mr. Farrington settled in Audrain county in 1873, and the following year was able to buy a part - eighty acres - of his present place. Working with energy and managing his affairs with intelligence and success, he has continued to prosper, and now has a handsome place of 240 acres, all under fence and well improved. His fencing and buildings are of a superior quality, and he has a handsome orchard of over 400 trees and a large variety of small fruit. For a number of years Mr. Far¬ rington has been engaged in handling stock - raising, buying, feed¬ ing and shipping - and has been entirely successful in this line of business. As a citizen he takes an intelligent and public-spirited in¬ terest in the affairs of the community, and is active in the exercise of his best endeavors and personal influence for the common welfare of this section of the county. He is particularly earnest in behalf of good schools, and has been identified with the school interests of this district almost from the first year of his residence here. Mr. and Mrs. Farrington have a family of three children: Owen P., Bertie F. and Alvin W. Mrs. F. is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Farrington's parents, D. H. and Martha (Shaw) Farrington, were both originally from North Carolina, and came out to Pike county, farmer. Mr. Furber, for over ten years a prominent farmer and in¬ fluential citizen of Cuivre township, is a native of New Hampshire, born on the 25th of November, 1839. Elis father, John H. Furber, was a ship carpenter by occupation and followed that at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for many years. Mr. Furber's mother's maiden name was Tryphena Downing, born and reared in the same State. In 1849 the family came West, and the father is now living at Carlinville, Illinois, in retirement. There were seven children in his family, of whom Simeon S. was the youngest of live boys and fifth in the fam¬ ily. He was ten years of age when his parents came West, and after he grew up in Illinois, engaged there in farming, which he followed with success up to the third year of the Civil War. Coining of New England parentage, and identified with Northern interests, he natur¬ ally felt a deep interest in the triumph of the Union army, for, aside from his sympathies, which were all for the maintenance of the govern¬ ment, he conscientiously believed that the disruption of the Union would be the greatest calamity, inconceivably the greatest, that could befall the country. Accordingly, when it became manifest that it would require all the power the loyal people could command to put down the Rebellion, he bravely offered himself as a volunteer in the army of the nation. For over two years following he kept step to the music of the Union, and until the stars and stripes floated in triumph on every mountain top and in every valley in the seceding States. After the close of the war Mr. Furber returned to Illinois and resumed farming, and on the 3d of January, 1869, he was married to Miss Fannie Ridgeley, a native of Illinois. Mrs. Furber survived her marriage only about three years, dying in 1872. She left one child, Loretta. In 1873 Mr. Furber removed to Audrain county and located on his present place. Here he has an exceptionally neat and well improved farm of 80 acres. On the 14th of January, 1873, a short time before coming to Audrain county, he was married to Miss Flor¬ ence I. Hawley, an adopted daughter of Benjamin F. Hawley, her parental name being Ridgeley, a sister of Mr. Furber's first wife. She also was taken from him by death, being borne to her grave in the fall of 1879. She left two children: Maudie and Warren D. On the 26th of December, 1880, Mr. Furber was married to his present

-wife. Her maiden name was Susan Graffort, formerly of Pike coun¬ ty. She was a daughter of Thomas Graffort, whose sketch appears in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Furber have one child, Ada. Mr. Furber is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and is one of the neatest and most progressive farmers and highly esteemed citizens in the township.

John C. Gowin

Pollard Gowin, the father of John C., was by birth and partly by bringing up a son of the Old Dominion, that noble old Common¬ wealth that has given birth to the greatest and purest of the great and pure whose names adorn the history of the country. From Washington down to her not less gallant and Christian commanders in the late war, no State, no country of equal extent in the same length of time can show so long and proud a list of names " that were not born to die." From that proud old mother of Presidents comes the family of which the subject of the present sketch is a representative. Pollard Gowin's parents removed to Kentucky when he was young, where he attained his majority and was married to Miss Mary Coner, whose family was also originally from Virginia. Of this happy and worthy union John C. Gowin was born on the 25th of June, 1831, in Madison county, one of the fairest and best counties in the Blue Grass State. He was reared on the farm in his native county, and when twenty years of age, believing that he could better his fortunes in the North-west, he came to Illinois and located in Cole county, where, on the 23d of August, 1855, he was married to Miss Martha A., a daughter of Oliver Stone, formerly of Pennsylvania. After his marriage Mr. Gowin located on a farm in Cole county, where he con¬ tinued to reside up to 1865. In the meantime the war came on. Virginia and her sister Commonwealths of the South feeling that their rights and institutions were imperiled by the coming into power of an administration in the National Government declaredly antagonistic to their interests, acted as she and her sister colonies did in like cir¬ cumstances in 1776 - severed their connection with central government. But the National Government took the same course that the British Government did nearly a century before, and war was the in¬ evitable result. As in the first war for independence there were some Virginians who were conscientiously opposed to secession and gal¬ lantly fought for the maintenance of the union with England, so in her second struggle for independence some of her sons believed that she was wrong and fought with heroism in the ranks of the Union.

Who was right in the first war or who in the second is not here to be discussed. In the first war she won ; in the second she lost ; - that is enough for the present. Mr. Gowin, although warmed and ani¬ mated by Virginia blood, felt that the old Commonwealth was wrong in the last war, and like a true Virginian, courageous enough to fight for his convictions, he became a gallant soldier of the North, with which his life and interests became identified. It has been said that " when Greek meet Greek, then comes the tug of war ; " with equal truth it may be said when Virginians meet Virginians, then comes the tug of war. No soldiers shone with more conspicuous gallantry on either side in the late war than Virginians. Who, indeed, equal them? Nor was Mr. Gowin's career as a soldier unworthy of the State from which he descended. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company H, of the 123d Ill. Vol. Inf. and served until the close of the war. He was under fire more than a hundred times, participat¬ ing in many of the hardest fought battles of the conflict, including Perryville, Milton's Heights, Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Selma and many others. At Perryville, Kentucky, he was seriously wounded by a shot in the hip and was disabled for three months. But on his recovery, nothing daunted, he went bravely to the field again, and did gallant soldier's duty until the last shot was fired. He en¬ listed as a private and rose gradually by merit as a soldier until he became orderly sergeant of his company. He was with Sherman throughout his celebrated march to the sea. Such is the war record of a descendant of Virginia ancestry, a record that for bravery and fidelity will bear comparison with that of any volunteer in either army. After the war Mr. Gowin returned to Illinois, and the same year ( 1865) removed to Missouri, locating first in Monroe county. In 1866, however, he removed to Audrain county, where* he resided four years, engaged in farming, and then went across the line to Palls county, where he farmed five years. In 1875 he bought the farm where he now lives and where he has since resided. He has a good place of 160 acres and has it well improved. Mr. Gowin is one of the energetic farmers and highly respected citizens of the township. He is a man of solid intelligence, public spirit, an accommodating neighbor and a true friend to those who win his confidence. Such men are of no ordinary value to a community, and their acquisition is to be looked upon as of the highest importance to the welfare and prosperity of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Gowin have a family of ten children: Oliver (married), John (married), Mary E., Anna J., Sylvester, Joseph, Alice, Sarah, Susan and Alonzo.

Thomas Graffort

a venerable octogenarian citizen of Cuivre township, and a man whose long life has been devoted to useful industry, is a native of the Dis¬ trict of Columbia, born February 14, 1803. Mr. Graffort is of Scotch descent, on both his father's and mother's sides, and was a son of John Graffort and wife, whose maiden name was Mary Deacons. Subsequent to their son's birth they resided in Fairfax county, Vir¬ ginia, where Thomas was reared and educated. His instruction was received in an old log school-house with a stick chimney, puncheon floor and split-slab benches, a typical temple of learning of the old Virginia field school system, a system under which some of the first men and most profound statesmen of this country were educated. Mr. Graffort, in these schools, did not, of course, receive a very showy and flashy education, but a very substantial and solid, practical one nevertheless. He was brought up to a farm life, which he subse¬ quently followed and also learned the shoe-maker's trade. In 182H, then a young man, he went out to Kentucky, and located in Bourbon county, where he followed farming for about ten years. During this time, on the 10th of October, 1830, he was married, in that county, to Miss Nancy A. Smith, who was about eight years his junior. Six years after his marriage, Mr. Graffort removed to Indiana, where he resided for about three years. He then came to Missouri and settled in Pike county. There he lived successfully engaged in farm¬ ing for nearly twenty years. He became one of the substantial, solid men of that county. While in Pike county, Mr. Graffort gave considerable attention to stock raising, and was also very successful in this department of industry. In 1857, having in the meantime bought a large tract of land in Audrain county adjacent to the pres¬ ent town of Vandalia, he came to this county and opened a farm here on his land. For over twenty-five years past Mr. Graffort has been a resident of Audrain county, indeed he has lived on the place where he now resides since 1857. Brought up to old-fashioned ideas of industry and economy, to the faith that success can only be achieved in life honestly by labor and by saving what one makes, he has lived in keeping with the principles to which he was reared, and by his own exertions, frugality and sound common sense, has made a com¬ fortable fortune. Undoubtedly the world has made rapid strides in pursuit of knowledge and on the career of civilization, but it is more than questionable whether the people have become happier than they were in the good old days long agone. Certainly they are no better, if they are as good, as they were then. Hospitality, neighborly gen¬ erosity. and old-fashioned honesty were then the rule. Now it seems that the dollar, even the cent, is the great desideratum for which everybody is striving, and too many, alas ! are not particularly scrup¬ ulous as to the means they employ to get it. Mr. Graffort stands out in the present generation an honored old monument of the pioneer days of the country, and if his life were fully written, and written as it should be, it would include much of the early history of Audrain county. But in this work space cannot of course be given for anything more than statistical sketches - records of births, mar¬ riages, deaths, removals, etc. Two years after coming to Audrain county, Mr. Graffort's good wife was taken from him by death. She left him ten children ; Joseph M. and Benjamin R. (twins), Mar¬ garet M., Jacob D., and John W., Amanda C. and Emily J. (twins), Selina L., Daniel D. and Susan O. Mr. Graffort has long been a member of the Presb3fferian church. The writer is unacquainted with his family of children, except Daniel D., whom he met and who is one of the most worthy and highly respected citizens of Cuivre township. The others are said to be among the well respected and useful residents of the communities in which they reside. A man who had led such a life as Thomas Graffort, having labored for nearly three-quarters of a century for the material development of the coun¬ try, and been entirely successful, and having reared a large and useful family of children, such a man has not lived in vain, and is entitled, as he receives, the veneration of all good people who know him.

Edward B. Gregg

farmer. In about 1866 Mr. Gregg, then a young man some twentytwo vears of age, started out in life for himself, or rather began farming operations on his own account. He had nothing to begin on of any appreciable value, and therefore had to make his own way up in life entirely by his own industry and intelligence. He was reared on a farm and as he came up from early youth had the ordinary school advantages of the neighborhood, which he improved to the best advantage. Of course one cannot long farm to advantage without the comfort and encouragement and even the assistance of a worthy and devoted wife ; and recognizing this fact, Mr. Gregg went about pro¬ viding himself with that indispensable vade mecum. He directed his attentions to and won the heart and hand of Miss Lucy Harris, a beautiful and amiable daughter of Jarrett Harris, of Montgomery county, but formerly of Virginia. They were married on the 6th of May, 1869. Prosecuting his farming operations after this with renewed zeal, he steadily accumulated the substantial evidences of thrift and prosperity. Mr. Gregg continued farming in Ralls county, where he was born and reared, until the spring of 1874, when he removed to Audrain county, where he now resides. Excepting one year since that time, during which he resided in Ralls county, where he bought land and improved a farm, he has since resided on his present place, now in Audrain county, for a period of about ten years. Mr. Gregg's farm in this county contains a quarter section of land, all improved and in cultivation or pasturage. His place is more than ordinarily well improved. He has just built a new barn and has also just completed a new and neatly constructed residence. His other improvements compare favorably with his buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg have a family of five children : Virginia, John H., Robert Alanson, Everett and Jesse. One besides, an infant, is deceased. Mr. Gregg was a son of Nelson Gregg. Mr. Gregg's mother was, previous to her marriage, a Miss Mary A. Haydon, born and reared in Kentucky, where she was married to Nelson Gregg, originally of Virginia. In 1850 the family settled in Ralls county, Missouri, where Edward B. was born on the 6th of April, 1844. His father now resides at Center, in that county.

dealer in lumber, sash, doors and other building material, Vandalia. Among the successful business men and worthy citizens of Vandalia, none are more justly entitled to a creditable sketch in the present work than Mr. Greer. A man who succeeds in life by his own exer¬ tions and rises to useful citizenship is fairly entitled to more than or¬ dinary consideration. At the age of twenty, Mr. Greer, who had nothing to start on, and had only such an education as he was able to pick up himself, partly in the common schools, but mainly by study at home, apprenticed himself to the carpenter's trade, and went to work with a resolution to learn it and make it the means of his suc¬ cess. He worked at the trade at Mexico until he had mastered it, and for sometime afterwards. He then went to Chicago, where work at that time was in great demand and wages good. After some time spent in Chicago he worked at various points in Illinois, econo¬ mizing his expenses all the time and saving all he could. By the spring of 1883 he was in a situation, in a point of means, to begin business for himself, and he accordingly came to Vandalia, opening a large stock of lumber and other building material. Here his career as a business man has been a marked success. A thorough, practical builder himself, he knows all about what carpenters need and about the qualities of lumber, how and what to buy, and the prices, etc., so that he has a great advantage over others not situated as he is in this respect. A man of upright character, the custom have learned that they can rely on his representation of the quality and value of what he sells, so that they prefer to come to him and thus have the benefit of his judgment and opinion as to what they need, as well as their own. He has built up a large trade in the lumber business, and is rapidly coming to the front as one of the substantial men of Vandalia. Mr. Greer is a son of Joseph H. Greer, for many years past a resi¬ dent of South Wilson township, in this county, and was born nine miles south-west of Paris, Monroe county, Mo., the 1st of May, 1855, and came t© this county in 186(1. He was reared in this county, and remained here up to the time of going to Chicago, in 1878. On the 15th of May, 1883, he Avas married to Miss Florence Reid, of Colum¬ bia, a daughter of Frederick Reid, now deceased. Mr. Greer is a member of the Triple Alliance.