Audrain County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 3 of 17)

William R. Gwillim

manufacturer of and dealer in saddlery, harness, etc. Mr. Gwillim, one of the leading men of Vandalia, is a native of North Wales, born November 29, 1835. His parents, William and Elizabeth Gwillim, while William R. Avas still in infancy, immigrated to the United States, settling in New York city. In 1846 the family moved to Hartford, Conn., his father engaging in the saddlery business, in Avhich he continued for a number of years. William R., after Avorking at the business a year, went to California and located with an older brother in San Francisco. His brother dying, in 1852 he came back after a year's absence and again Avent to Avork for his father, where he continued till he was of age. Wanting to see the world, he then accepted an offer to go into the lightning-rod business, in which he continued four summers, traveling through the New England States principally, but going as far south as Georgia. In 1862 he entered the United States service as a saddler in the quartermaster's department, department headquarters, Army of the Potomac, Avhere he soon obtained the appointment of superintendent of saddlers. After six¬ teen months' service in the field he Avas transferred to Gosboro Point, Washington, D. C., and assisted in organizing the cavalry bureau depot, where he continued until October, 1865, when he resigned. Going back to Hartford, he entered into a copartnership in the jewelry business, but camp life had unfitted him for the confinement and re¬ straints of a city jewelry store, so after a five months' trial he, think¬ ing well of Horace Greeley, took his advice and came West, landing in Missouri May 28, 1866, and, after traveling through the State five months, finally settled in Louisiana, Pike county, where he engaged in the saddlery business for several years, and subsequently went into the hotel business there, in which he continued for four years. In 1873 he moved to Bowling Green, Mo., where he again entered the saddlery business. Again, in 1877, he moved to Curryville, Mo., engaging at his trade. In 1878 he went to Wichita, Kas., but not succeeding in getting a store-room, came back to Missouri and locating in Vandalia, established his present business, which he has carried on successfully for over five years, during which time Mr. G. has iden¬ tified himself fully in the growth and prosperity of Vandalia, which he now considers his home. In politics he is a National Republican, though not much of a partisan, and is looked upon as one of the leading Republicans of Vandalia. In public matters he occupies the position of a leader, being interested in all that pertains to the ad¬ vancement of Vandalia, and he was elected mayor, not from political bias, but rather for his public zeal and spirit of enterprise, working for the best interests of the town. In other years Mr. G. has been activelv encased in the Masonic bodies where he has lived, and is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery. Having helped to organize Cyrene Commandery in Louisiana, he was chosen as its second commander. His mother, now over eighty years of age, is still living, and resides with her youngest son in Bristol, Conn. His father died in May, 1865, by disease contracted with him while in the army. Mr. Gwillim was married in 1868 to Miss Lottie R., oldest daughter of S. A. Stillman, of Louisiana, Mo. They have one child, Reed. Mr. and Mrs. Gwil¬ lim are members of the Presbyterian church, but take an interest in the building up of the several churches here. A man of the strong, clear intelligence characteristic of the Welsh race, he is also a man of wide and varied information, obtained through a life of travel, reading and study.

Adrian Hageman

son of the Tippecanoe State, and was born in Switzerland county on the 30th of October, 1839. His father, Simon Hageman, was from Ohio, but his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Shuff, was from the Blue Grass State. Mr. Hageman's father served under Harrison in the campaign of the North-west, and also through the War of 1812. He was a typical old pioneer and Indian fighter, and was a hospitable, whole-souled old farmer in the then new country of Indiana. Adrain came up in the early days of the country, and in¬ herited not a little of his father's courage and military spirit. When the Rebellion broke out he held no half-hearted opinion as to what was the duty of every lover of his country. Believing that the Union should be maintained at all hazards, he threw himself into the conflict with a zeal and intrepidity not surpassed by the resolution of his father. On entering the ranks of his country in the War of 1861, he became a member of Company D, 93d Indiana Infantry, and served until discharged in August, 1865, when the last shot of treason had died upon the wind. The 93d Indiana was distinguished as one of the most gallant regiments from the North-west during the war, and Mr. Hageman contributed his whole share to its honorable distinction. He was in a large number of hard-fought battles, including the first and second engagements at Jackson, Mississippi, the siege of Vicksburg, the fight at Guntown, also the one at Nashville, Tennessee, and most of the engagements growing out of Price's raid in Missouri. At the battle of Nashville he was wounded, being shot in the knee, which disabled him for about six months. After his discharge Mr. Hage¬ man returned to Indiana and engaged in farming, as an industrious, worthy citizen. On the 3d of April, 1857, he was married to Miss Fannie P., a daughter of William and Polly Protsmon. Directly after his marriage Mr. Hageman removed to Missouri, having become acquainted with this part of the country while serving out here as a soldier. Every one who was in this State for the first five or ten years after the war very well remembers the rush of immigration into its borders during that time. Perhaps ninety per cent of these new comers had been soldiers in the State, and thus became familiar with its many natural advantages for successful farming and business pur¬ suits. Mr. Hageman located in Audrain county, and bought the land where he now resides, on which he improved his present farm. He has 640 acres, all under fence and in cultivation, and has excellent improvements on his place, including a good residence, a substantial barn, neat carriage-house, excellent fencing, a good orchard, about 300 acres of meadow and other improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Hageman have five children: John, William A., Simon C., George W. and Allen A. Mr. and Mrs. Hageman are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Hageman, as the above facts show, is one of the solid men and progressive farmers of Cuivre township, one of that class of men who are mainly productive of the prosperity of an agricultural community. Personally he is an accommodating neighbor, and as a citizen he takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of the public.

James F. Hall

farmer and stock raiser. In ninety-nine cases out of a hundred the farm¬ ers in this State, who came originally from Bourbon county, Kentucky, rank amongst the most substantial, intelligent and successful in their respective communities. Nor is Mr. Hall, the subject of the present sketch, any exception to the general rule. A native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, he has three fine farms, aggregating nearly l,i00 acres of land, and is accounted one of the leading agriculturists in the eastern part of the county. Though partly reared here, he was brought up by his hither, an experienced farmer from Bourbon county, Kentucky. Mr. Hall's parents were Jesse Hall and wife, whose maiden name was Sarah E. Gardner. The former came from Bour¬ bon county, the center of the blue grass regions of Kentucky, with his second wife (James' mother having died February 9, 1849) in 1858, and settled in Audrain county. Here the father bought exten¬ sive tracts of land and improved a large farm. During the war, on account of the criticalness of the times, he returned with his family to Kentucky, where he died December 4, 1882. He was twice married, James F. being the second child of his first family of three children. James F. Hall was 15 years of age when his father came to Mis¬ souri, in 1858, having been born April 16, 1843. The war breaking out three years after the family removed ' to Audrain county, young Hall, being a Southerner by birth and education, naturally identified himself with the South, and, under Gov. Jackson's call in 1861, he became a member of the Missouri State Guard, in which he served out his full term of enlistment of six months. From 1865 he has been occupied with his father's interests in this county. Mr. Hall is a gen¬ tleman of a high order of intelligence and of excellent general educa¬ tion. He completed his education at the Troy Academy in Lincoln county, an institution of repute at that time. On the 28th of Novem¬ ber, 1866, he was married to Miss Jennie B., a refined and amiable daughter of George W. and Serrepta (Blanks) Pollard, formerly of

Virginia, but for many years residents of Lincoln county. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have an interesting family of five children : Jesse G., Jennie F., James W., Florence L. and John N. The farm on which Mr. Hall resides, which contains about 700 acres of land, is the old family homestead which his father settled in 1858. He has about 500 acres in cultivation and pasturage on this place, his pastures all being set with blue grass. His improvements are all of a substantial class, and his buildings are commodious, comfortable and neatly appearing. Being a Bourbon county man, of course Mr. Hall has fine stock ; his graded cattle and Cots wold sheep are of the finest breed. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Christian Church.

James Heaton

farmer, and one of the energetic go-ahead citizens of Cuivre township, is a native of Illinois, born in Madison county, December 20, 1839. He was the youngest son of a family of four children, two sons and two daughters, of John Heaton and wife, whose maiden name was RocceannaKensler, the father a native of Pennsylvania, but the mother originally from Virginia. They were married in Pennsylvania and removed to Madison county, Illinois, in an early day. The father died there in 1844. He was a substantial farmer of Madison county, and was highly respected and esteemed as a citizen. James, the subject of the present sketch, was brought up to habits of industry on his father's farm and to principles of sterling integrity. Reared to a farm life, that calling after he reached manhood naturally became his permanent occupation. Starting out for himself soon afterwards, on the 30th of May, 1863, he was married, in St Louis, Missouri, to Miss Lucinda Braden, a daughter of Isaac Braden, an old citizen of Madison county, Ill., where Mrs. Heaton was born and reared. Mr. Heaton continued farming in his native county, and with substantial success, until 1871, when he removed to Missouri, locating in Audrain county, where he bought the farm on which he now resides. Mr. Heaton has nearly a quarter section of good land in his homestead place and, besides, has another tract not far distant from the home farm. Mr. Heaton is one of those industrious push¬ ing men who farms with intelligence and energy and keeps every¬ thing around him up in business-like shape. His home place is well improved and is apportioned to fields, meadows and pastures to the best advantage for general farming purposes and for stock raising. There is a new, substantial, neatly appearing two-story residence on his place, with a one-story ell attached, under which is an excellent cellar. He also has a good new barn, 40x40 feet in surface dimensions, suitable for horses, hay, grain, etc., to which is attached a shed for other stock. His place also has a good orchard with about 100 bearing apple trees and numerous peach, plum, and pear trees. He likewise has an excellent variety of small fruits on his farm. On the 3d of June, 1882, Mr. Heaton had the misfort¬ une to lose his wife by death, a lady of the most amiable and devoted qualities as a wife and mother, and who was much beloved by her neighbors and acquaintances. She was a worthy and devout member of the Presbyterian church, and died in the faith that the rest in the grave will be at last broken by the dawn of a happy and eternal day. She left her bereaved husband five children, as the most sacred pledges of the love and devotion of a true and noble wife, namely : J. Isaac, Sarah, Jacob, Martha B. and Rocceanna. Left with a family of children, and being a man of an affectionate, domestic nature, Mr. Heaton doubly felt the loss he had sustained by the death of his wife. Still hardly a middle aged man, it was of course not sensible nor reasonable to think of going on through the twenty or thirty years more of his life without a wifely companion to share his home with him, to assist in bringing up his family, and to partake of his joys and sorrows. Accordingly, on the 30th of September, 1883, he was married to Mrs. Mahala, the widow of the late William Chandler, Esq., and a daughter of Matthew Hall, of Callaway county. This lady was eminently worthy of the affection he bestowed upon her, that of a true-hearted, generous-minded man, and to take the place in his family which was made vacant by the death of his first wife. She is a lady of singular kindness of heart, of many excellencies of character, and of superior intelligence, and contributes her full share to make their home a comfortable and happy one. The union was a most proper and fortunate one. She has two children by her former marriage: Albert and William. Mrs. Heaton is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Heaton is a worthy member of the Patrons of Husbandry.

Silas Hendrix

blacksmith, Vandalia. Mr. Hendrix, one of the industrious men and worthy citizens of Vandalia, is a native of Indiana, and was born in Jennings county, May 24, 1843. His father was Rudy Hendrix, orig¬ inally of Kentucky, and his mother's maiden name was Cecelia Reed, who was born and reared in the great Hoosier State. In 1851 Mr.

Hendrix's parents removed to Missouri, and located in Audrain county, near Mexico, where his mother now lives. The father died in Vernon county in 1860. He was a farmer by occupation and to this calling Silas was brought up. He followed farming until during the war, when he enlisted in the 12th Missouri cavalry, Union service, in which he did gallant duty as a soldier for two years. Returning to Audrain county after his enlistment, he resumed farming, which he followed up to 1876. On the 12th of March, 1868, Mr. Hendrix was married to Miss Martha E. Wood, formerly of Shelby county. Mrs. Hendrix lived a happy married life of nearly 13 years, but was at last taken from her family by the hand of death. She died May 4, 1881, leaving two children: Orie and Annie. After Mr. Hendrix was 33 years of age he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has followed now for nearly eight years with untiring industry and with satisfactory success. In 1881 he located at Vandalia and opened a shop at this place. Since then, besides carrying on the general blacksmithing business, he has engaged in manufacturing spring wagons, which he has found to be a very profitable line of business. Mr. Hendrix is one of the best mechanics in this part of the county, and has a high reputation for the class of work he turns out. On the 7th of November, 1883, he was married to Miss Mattie J. Elzea, a daugh¬ ter of John Elzea, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Mr. H. is a member of the Christian church. He is a partner with Mr. Whitta¬ ker under the firm name of Whittaker & Hendrix.

merchant tailor, Vandalia. Every one who is in the least familiar with German history knows that the Hesse family is one of the old¬ est and most distinguished in that country. Representatives of this family are now to be found among the nobility of every European nation, and in not a few they are connected with royalty itself. Space can not be given here to enter into an account of the descent of this family. Suffice it to say that Mr. Hesse, the subject of the pres¬ ent sketch, comes of a branch of the family which, though not be¬ longing to the nobility, is of one of the higher classes of the Ger¬ man people. His parents, August and Dora (Hinkel) Hesse, were both of well-to-do and highly respected families in their native country. A. A. was born after his parents came to America, they having settled in Ohio. The date of his birth was the 29th of January, 1849. He was reared in Ohio, and educated in Pike county, that State, his native county, having the benefit of a thorough course in both the English and German languages. Following the custom of his father's native country, young Hesse learned a trade as he grew up, that of merchant tailoring, at which he worked under instruction for two years. Mr. Hesse then came to St. Louis, and after working in that -city for three years, he returned to Ohio and followed tailoring at Waverly for the following two years. In 1875 he came to Vandalia and established his present business. Here he has since resided, and has been very successful in the tailoring business. His trade he learned thoroughly, and being a man of good education and fine taste, he is able to adapt his cuts to the forms of his customers so as to make his work not only conform to the fashion, but also to fit. He keeps a superior class of the very latest styles of goods, and is always in the van of fashion. Personally he is a man of strict integrity and of popular manners, and stands very high, not only in his business, but as a citizen. In 1876, June 11, Mr. Hesse was married to Miss Clara Hoffmann, of Hamilton county, Ohio. She was born December 18, 1858, and is a daughter of Frederick and Clara (Baker) Hoffmann, formerly of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Hesse have three children : Emma, Theodore and August.

These gentlemen, who are among the most worthy and highly respec¬ ted citizens of Vandalia, are related by marriage, and for the sake of brevity are included in the same sketch. Mr. Hout, who is the sonin-law of Mr. Liter, and was lately of the grocery firm of Daniel & Hout, of this citjr, is a native of West Virginia, born in Shepherdstown, February 23, 1858. He is a son of David H. and Margaret* A. (Miller) Hout, both of old Virginia families. L. T. was the seventh of their family of nine children. He was reared at Shepherdstown and re¬ mained at home until he was about nineteen years of age, when, am¬ bitious to strike out in the world for himself, and believing that he would have better advantages to get a start in life in the West than in the older country where he was 'brought up, he came to Missouri, and stopped at Warrensburg, where he obtained a position as clerk in a jewelry store, which he held for about a year, to the satisfaction of his employer. Young Hout then went to Kansas City, where he became clerk in a hardware store, and from that time up to the fall of 1882 he clerked at various places in Missouri in the hardware line, but principally at Marshall. In October of 1882 he came to Vandalia and obtained a clerkship here in a hardware store, but in July follow¬ ing became a member of the firm of Daniel, Brother & Hout. In July of the following year the firm became Daniel & Hout, which it continued until the dissolution a few months ago. Mr. Hout is expecting to engage in business here again at an early date. He is a young man of more than ordinary business ability, and is full of energy and enterprise, and belongs to that class of stirring men who make a success of almost anything to which they turn their attention. Personally, he is a young gentleman of popular manners and pleasing address ; and while he is liked by his male acquaintances, it is only the truth to say that he is pretty generally admired by the ladies. It is said that the proof of the pudding is the chew of the bag, and Mr. Hout has pretty well established his power over the fair sex by winning for his wife one of the choicest flowers of all the field. On the 6th of October, 1882, Miss Lucy W. Liter, the brightest ornament in the society of Vandalia, became his happy wife. Mrs. Hout is a lady of singular attractiveness, not only in personal appearance, but in the charm of her manners and conversation. She is a daughter of Abraham Liter, hereafter referred to, and was born in Ralls county, April 12, 1863.

Mr. Abraham Liter, an old citizen of Ralls county, but now a resident of Vandalia, was born in that county on the 2d of November, 1828. His father's family was one of the pioneer families of Ralls county. Abraham Liter was reared to the life of a farmer, which, on reaching manhood, he adopted as his regular occupation. On the 29th of March, 1850, Mr. Liter was married to Miss Delia J. Ely, of Ralls county. He became very successful as a farmer of that county. In 1875 he removed to Vandalia, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. E. have been blessed with a family of six children : Susan E., Sarah J., Isabel, Mollie C., Lucy W. and Della D.

Thomas D. Hughlett

farmer, post-office, Vandalia. A large part of the population of the eastern part of Audrain county is composed of representatives of old Pike county families. Pike, as every one knows, was settled long before Audrain, that is, the principle part of its settlement was made years before Audrain county was opened up. Between 1812 and 1835 a heavy tide of immigration came into Pike county, principally from Kentucky and Virginia. These early settlers entered land there and improved farms. . Audrain count}7 commenced settling up principally after 1825, and from that up to the war. The better class of lands in Pike county having been taken up by entry, the sons of the farmers in that county came over into Audrain, where lands were still to be had by entry. Having secured lands here, these young men moved into Audrain county from time to time up to the war, as indeed they have since. Of course Audrain has received large immigration from others of the older counties, and since the war from the Northern and Eastern states. Of the former class of settlers in Audrain county is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Hughlett is a representative of an old Pike county family. His parents, George and Syrena (Dun¬ can) Hughlett, came to that county from Tennessee in the pioneer days of Missouri. They became a well-to-do and highly respected family of the county. Both are now deceased. Thomas D. H. was born on his father's homestead in Pike county, May 29, 1831. After he grew up he became a farmer, to which, indeed, he was reared, and which he has since followed. In April, 1852, he was married to Miss Lamira Burroughs, of another old family of that county. Mr. Hughlett continued farming in his native county until 1873, when he came to Audrain, where he already had land. Mr. Hughlett has a farm of over a quarter section of good land, one of the comfortable home¬ steads of fhe township. Like most hard working, intelligent men, he is a good citizen and takes an intelligent interest in the general affairs of the community and county. In fact, he is a man of more than ordinary intelligence and information, and belongs to our best class of farmers. Mr. and Mrs. H. have live children : George S., James A., Estella S., Thomas W. and Emma I.

Stephen Ingram

Among the prominent farmers and influential citizens of Cuivre town¬ ship is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Ingram is a native of the old North State and was born in Caswell county, December 15, 1827. Originally the Ingrams were from Maryland. His father, Stephen Ingram, was born, however, in North Carolina and was there married, after he grew up, to Miss Myra Bush, of that State. In 1835 the family removed to Pike county where the father was a successful farmer and died in honored old age. Stephen, Jr., attained his majority in Pike county, and up to the age of nineteen worked with his father on the farm. He then, however, apprenticed himself to learn the boot and shoe trade, and worked as an apprentice for two years. Following this, he worked at the trade on his own account some six years, part of the time at Louisiana, part at Bowling Green, and the balance at Middletown. His tastes, however, were always agricultural, and his chief desire was to be able to engage in farming in a substantial, satisfactory way. By saving up his income, as lie worked at the boot and shoe business, he was able to buy a tract of land in 1854, and accordingly he purchased about a quarter section, being the land on which he now resides. Fitting himself out with a team and a necessary farming outfit, he went to work with a lusty vigor to make himself a home. Applying himself with energy, in a little while he had the nucleus of a neat farm fairly made. He kept steadily at work and managed his affairs to the best advantage so that the substantial evidences of thrift multiplied around him. It was not long before he was regarded as one of the thriving farmers of the township. But Paul, or some of the other public men of early times, has wisely said that it is not good for man to be alone. He had a cozy, comfortable home, but the only light that could render it a radiant and happy one was not present. Bryant has aptly said that,

Recognizing the delightful wisdom of the philosophy expressed in these lovely lines, Mr. Ingram decided not to let his particular rose wither upon its parent stem. Accordingly, he went over to Middletown and was married there on the 12th of December, 1850, to Miss Mary A. Crews, a refined and amiable young lady of that place. Bringing his young wife to his Audrain home, he now felt doubly armed and strengthened for the great labor of life. Prosecuting his farm industries with renewed zeal, step by step he advanced to the front rank of the farmers of this township. In due time he was able to buy another place which he purchased and still owns. This second farm contains 160 acres, a mile from his homestead, and is alsb well ' improved. Making a long story short, Mr. Ingram has been abun¬ dantly successful as a farmer and is comfortably situated in life. On the accumulations of years of honest industry, he can now look for¬ ward to approaching old age with the satisfaction and resignation with which the harvester whose labors had been abundantly rewarded can contemplate the approaching fall and winter. In his domestic relations Mr. Ingram has been greatly blessed. His married life has been a happy one, for his wife was such a lady as would have made the home of any worthy man cheerful and contented. Providence has favored them with eight children: George E. (married), Alice A., Henry P., now a minister in the C. P. church ; John (married), Anna, wife of Arthur Butts ; Edward F., Elizabeth C. and Charles B. Mr. and Mrs. I. are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he is a ruling elder. Mr. Ingram takes a commendable and active interest in the public affairs of the township and county. Recognizing his high character and his intelligent business qualifica¬ tions, he has been called on to discharge the duties of different local offices, including those of township clerk and township treasurer, the latter of which he filled for three years.

John Jones

farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Jones is a native of the Empress Island of the Seas, whose drum-beat with the morning light circles the earth. His father, whose name was also John, and his mother, whose maiden name was Jane Price, were likewise both natives of England, where they reared their family and spent their whole lives. John Jones, the subject of the present sketch, was born on the 29th of February, 1827. Immediately on attaining his majority, satisfied that he could better his fortunes in the New World beyond the Atlan¬ tic, he took passage for America, and came straightway into the interior, not stopping until he reached Milwaukee, then on the frontier of civilization. Remaining there three years, he then went to the opposite extreme of the country and spent nearly a year in New Orleans. In 1858, however, he came up the river and located at St. Charles, settling a short time afterwards in Lincoln county, where he engaged in farming, which he followed with the success that industry and good management, united with productive soil and favorable sea¬ sons, never fail to bring. Continuing farming in Lincoln county, he became the owner of a neat and well improved place of 120 acres, 80 of which were used for tilling purposes and 40 as a timber reserve, the latter being covered with a fine growth of timber. In December, 1875, Mr. Jones was married to Mrs. Frances Ann Clair, whose maiden name was McCoy, a worthy widow lady of that county in which she was born and reared. The following vear after his marriasre Mr. Jones bought his present farm in Audrain county, to which he removed, not, however, selling his Lincoln place, which he still owns. On the farm where he now resides Mr. Jones is engaged in grain growing and stock raising, the latter of which he expects to make a specialty. He is at present feeding steers for the wholesale market.

and is also giving considerable attention to sheep raising. Mr. Jones' farm in this county contains 240 acres of land and is well improved. He has a timothy meadow of about 25 acres, and his residence is a substantial two-story structure. He also has two good barns on his place, and has it well arranged for handling stock. By a former marriage Mrs. Jones has seven children, four of whom are still with her: Mollie, Bettie, William H. and George Clair. Mrs. J. is a member of the M. E. Church.

George V. Kelley

one of that large number of thrifty Northern farmers who have settled in Audrain county since the war, is by nativity a son of the Empire State of New York, and was born in Livingston county, on the 4th of August, 1825. His father, William Kelley, was a gallant soldier of the Union in the War of 1812, and after the close of that struggle settled in New York, having himself been born and reared in Ken¬ tucky. In New York he married Miss Harriet Whiting and resided there until his death, which occurred in 1832. George V., having been left an orphan at an early age by the death of his father, made his home in the family of a neighbor of his father's in New York, and when he was twelve years of age, his foster parents removed to Michi¬ gan where George Y. K. attained his majority and lived for a number of years afterward. Every one knows of the excellent school system of the Peninsula State, and young Kelley had the benefit to a substantial degree of the schools of Michigan. The result was that being no less studious at school than industrious and energetic on the farm, he acquired an excellent common school education, - so much so that he was well qualified to teach, and when a young man taught several terms of school with excellent success. On the 15th of March, 1847, Mr. Kelley was married to Miss Julia A., a daughter of Levi and Amanda Dewey, formerly of New York, in which State Mrs. Kelley was born, but was reared and educated in Michigan. After his mar¬ riage Mr. Kelley lived in Washtinaw county, the county in which Ann Arbor University is situated, in which county he taught school a num¬ ber of terms. Mr. Kelley then turned his attention to farming, and in 1849 removed to Montcalm county, where he resided twenty years. In 1869, however, he sold out in Montcalm county and removed to Missouri, locating in Audrain county, where he has since resided. Michigan is noted all over the Union for having; the best farmers, the most energetic, business-like and successful in the country.

ancl Mr. Kelley sustains the reputation of the State in this particular. Here he has a good farm of 250 acres which he has improved as all Northern farmers improve their places, neatly and to good advantage. His fences, buildings, etc., are of an excellent class, and everything is kept in farmer-like condition. Mr. Kelley is one of the thriving, worthy farmers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. K. have reared a family of four children : Dewey, who is married and lives in Illinois ; Altha C., wife of Frank Rogers; Eunice E. and Harrison L. Five of their children are deceased, Emma A., Ida J. and three died in infancy. Mrs. Kelley is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. K. is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry ; he was one of the first settlers on the prairie where he now resides.

George Kennedy

farmer and stock raiser, post-office, Yandalia. No pioneer history of Missouri would be complete which omitted from its pages the family name of the subject of the present sketch. Warren county was dne of the first counties settled in North-eastern Missouri, and one of its first settlers was Thomas Kennedy, the grandfather of George Kennedy. Thomas Kennedy was a South Carolinian, and came to Warren county, Missouri, during the early years of the first decade of the present century. It was at a time when the Indians were still in the country and were hostile. The pioneer families, therefore, had to " fort" for protection against the savages. One of the first forts built in that county was erected by Thomas Kennedy and his neigh¬ bors, the contemporaries of the Boones and Callaways, and was named Kennedy Fort. It stood for many years afterwards, an ancient landmark of the first appearance of civilization in Warren county. Thom as Kennedy made his permanent home in that county and became a large land-holder and influential citizen. He lived to a ripe old age and left a worthy family of children at his death. His son, Pleasant, was born soon after the removal of the family to this State in February, 1814. He was born in Kennedy Fort, in which the family was still compelled to live. Pleasant Kennedy, after he grew up, was married to Miss Harriet Sullivan, formerly of Virginia, born in 1823, and of another pioneer family of Warren county. They had a family of nine children, six of whom are living: Sarah, Geyan, Pleasant, George, Thomas and William. Pleasant Kennedy continued to reside in that county and is still living on a part of the old Kentucky estate. This land was located by his father, Thomas, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War from South Carolina, and as such received a land-warrant which he came West to locate, and, as said above, located it in Warren county. Pleasant Kennedy, now seventy years of age, is believed to be the oldest native inhabitant of that county, and one of the oldest in the State. He has always been a farmer and has handled stock quite extensively, but is now in very feeble health and is entirelv blind. He has been living in retirement for the last eight or ten years. George Kennedy, the fourth of his family of living children, was born in that county on the 30th of November, 1846, and was reared to manhood on the old Kennedy homestead. He, too, became a farmer, and followed that occupation in his native county up to the spring of 1873. He then came to Audrain county and bought his present place, which he had, partly, to improve. He has 160 acres of good land and is one of the better class of farmers of Cuivre township. His brother, Geyan, came to him, and neither being married, they kept what is called " bachelor's hall " for several years. But on the 26th of February, 1878, Mr. Kennedy was married to Miss Northcutt, also of Warren county, Missouri. She was a daughter of John and MaryC. (Kite) Northcut of that county, and was born May 27, 1855. Mrs. Kennedy is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Kennedy's brother returned to Warren county about two years ago. He was well known in this part of the county, and was much esteemed. His removal from the county was greatly regretted, and was no small loss to the best interests of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have one child, Hattie M. Mr. Kennedy is one of the worthy and useful citizens of this part of Audrain county and is well respected by all who know him.

K. A. Laird

of K. A. Laird & Son, general merchants, Vandalia. Mr. Laird, who is at the head of one of the leading business houses in the north¬ eastern part of Audrain county, comes of an old and well known Missouri family. His father was born and raised in St. Louis county, Missouri, in an early day, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Ralls county, where K. A. was born. Later along, in 1833, the family removed to Pike county, where K. A. was principally reared. The date of his birth was the 17th of January, 1832. He spent his early youth on his father's farm, but at the age of fourteen he went to Lincoln county, returning, however, soon afterwards ; following which , he became an apprentice to the wool carding business. Learning this business, Mr. Laird followed it at Spencersburg for over twenty years. In 1865, he engaged in merchandising, to which, since that time, he has given his undivided attention. A man of general information and a keen insight into business affairs, when the Chicago and Alton Rail¬ road was put through this part of Audrain county, and Vandalia was laid off for a town, he saw at a glance that the place, being surrounded by a fine agricultural country which would rapidly fill up with an en¬ terprising class of people, was destined to become an important local trade centre. With an enterprise worthy of his sagacity, he decided to take time by the forelock and be one of the first merchants on the ground, thus drawing to himself the trade of the country as it filled up. He therefore opened a store here as early as December, 1873,. and has been engaged in business at this place ever since. He is a clear-headed, enterprising, business man, and has one of the largest and best general stores in the place. He commands an extensive and lucrative trade, the increase of which keeps pace with the improve¬ ment of the country. Mr. Laird has been twice married: First, on the 5th of February, 1852, to Miss Annie Smith, of Pike county. She died five years afterwards, having borne him three children, but one of whom, however, is now living, George M. To his present wife, formerly Miss Emma Ferrill, of Pike county, Mr. Laird was mar¬ ried the 5th of May, 1856. They have had seven children, four now living: John H., Annie L., Viola M. and Effie D. Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Laird's .parents, Isaac and Nancy ( Allen ) Laird, had a family of twelve children. Both parents are now deceased.

Albartes B. Lofton

farmer. Mr. Lofton's parents came in an early day from South Caro¬ lina, where their ancestors respectively had been settled since long prior to the War of Independence. The father's name was John G. Lofton. The mother's maiden name was Agnes Gillum. They set¬ tled in Illinois from the Palmetto State prior to the War of 1812, during which Albartes' father kept the fort on the Union side in Madi¬ son county. Albartes was born in Greene county on the 31st of July, 1819. Subsequently the father, after leaving Greene county, went to Madison county of that State. He became a leading and suc¬ cessful farmer of Madison county, and was one of its most promi¬ nent and influential citizens. He represented that county in the Legis¬ lature, and afterwards was probate judge of Greene county for many years. He died in 1832, respected and esteemed by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and as sincerely mourned as any old pio¬ neer who was ever borne to his grave in the State of Illinois. Albartes B. grew to manhood in the Prairie State, and after he attained his majority, on the 12th of March, 1840, was married to Miss Lucinda Chappell, a daughter of Bartholomew Chappell, originally from En gland, but at that time a substantial citizen of Greene county. Mr. Lofton continued farming in Illinois with satisfactory success until 1871, when he came to Missouri and located in Audrain county. Here he bought the place on which he now resides, which contains a quar¬ ter section of land. His entire tract is well fenced and over half of it is in active cultivation. It is a comfortable homestead and Mr. Lofton is justly looked on as one of the worth}^ farmers of the town¬ ship. Mr. and Mrs. Lofton have a family of eight children : John G., Agnes, now the wife of J. B. Overstreet; Thomas W., Walter, Mahala, now Mrs. J. S. Carpenter; Jennie, now Mrs. J. S. VanDeventer ; Ambrose and Jesse. Three, besides, are deceased. Malinda died in infancy, Perry died in youth, and Emma died several years ago, the wife of Charles Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Lofton are members of the United Baptist Church, and each has been from an early age.

an industrious farmer and worthy citizen of Cuivre township, is an Illinoisan by birth and bringing up, and was reared on his father's farm in Pike county of that State, where he was born on the 21st of June, 1846. His father, Alexander McCarl, was a native of Ohio, but his mother, whose maiden name was Minerva Likes, was origi¬ nally from Pennsylvania. At the age of 19 Andrew P. apprenticed himself to the blacksmith's trade in Barry, Pike county, Illinois, where he worked under instruction for two years. Prior to this, how¬ ever, he had served about six months in the Union army during the Civil War. He enlisted in the spring of 1864 in Company F, 137th Ill. Vol. Inf., and served until the fall of the same year, when, having been wounded at Memphis, Tennessee, he was discharged for disability. In September, 1869, Mr. McCarl was married to Miss Mary, a daughter of Moses Decker, his wife a native of Pike county, Illinois. After his marriage Mr. McCarl farmed in Adams county, Illinois, until the winter of 1870, when he came to Audrain county and bought land on which he improved his present farm. The following spring (in 1871) he removed his family to his new home and there he has since resided. Mr. McCarl has a neat farm of over 100 acres, which is comfortably and substantially improved. He and wife have a fam¬ ily of six children : George Anson, Lena May, Herlv Aldo, Norval Alexander, Moses Idel and Ninis Floyd. Mr. McCarl is a member of the Triple Alliance of the F. and M. M. L. A.

farmer and stock raiser. Mr. McDannald, now approaching old age, and the head of a large and worthy family of children, comes of one of the pioneer families of Audrain county. His parents, Thomas and Hannah (Franklin) McDannald, came from Kentucky to Missouri in 1831. His father was originally from Maryland, but his mother was from New Jersey. The parents of each were early settlers in the then wilderness, of what is now the great Blue Grass State of Kentucky. On coming to Missouri, Thomas McDannald first located in Calla¬ way county, but in the northern portion, close to Audrain. Two years afterwards, however, he crossed over into Audrain county, where he entered and bought land on which he settled, his residence being built not far from where his son Arthur now lives. Here he lived for over twenty years, and became one of the leading farmers and highly re¬ spected citizens of this part of the county. He died June 18, 1854, in the 65th year of his age. His wife survived him about eight years, following him to the grave in January, 1862. Of their family of children five are now living : Malinda, now the widow of George Myers (deceased) ; Elizabeth A., wife of Thomas Rickman ; Amanda, the wife of James Dungan ; Nancy, now Mrs. William Moss, and Arthur McDannald. He, Arthur, the only son living, was born in Nicholas county, Kentucky, December 23, 1821. He was therefore principally reared in Missouri. His father being a farmer, Arthur McDannald was brought up to that occupation, which, in after life, became his permanent calling. In 1847 he was married on the 20th of October, at which time Miss Felicia A. Lockridge, a daughter of James Lockridge, became his wife. She lived through a happy married life of over 30 years, but was at last, on the 18th of September, 1879, called away to her home on high. She left five children : Martha A., now Mrs. Alexander Duckworth ; LucyJ., now Mrs. Marcus L. Waters; James Thomas, hereafter referred to, and Arthur and Judah. The father of these still resides on his homestead in this township, a man whose life has been of great industry and satisfactorily successful. He has a good farm and a comfortable home, and as he approaches old age, he can look forward to the twilight of life without apprehension that his last years will be disturbed for want of the necessities incident to old age. Having lived uprightly in the sight of men, and as true to the precepts of the Commandments as frail humanity can ordinarily conform, he has brought down with him to the afternoon of life the re¬ spect and esteem of all who have known him, and the assurance that his future beyond the grave will not be darkened by the frown of a merciful God. James T. McDannald, his oldest son, was born on the 12th of July, 1852, and was reared on his father's homestead. He remained at home for some time after reaching manhood, but not without beginning the activities of life on his own responsibility. The Mc- Dannalds for generations have generally been farmers, and James T. has proved no exception to this rule. He was married on the 5th of April, 1880, to Miss Jessie Cockrill, a daughter of Samuel Cockrill of Callaway county, but formerly of Dalghren county, Alabama, where Mrs. McDannald was born August 7, 1860. Prior to his marriage, however, Mr. McDannald had engaged in farming, and already had a neat little start in life. He has since continued farming, and with good success. He now has a place of about a quarter section of excellent land. James T. and his wife have two children : Clarence and Pearl. Arthur, the next son, or one of James T.'s younger brothers, was born February 1, 1857, and was married December 6, 1882, to Miss Annie E. Greer, a daughter of Edwin H. Greer. Judah, the youngest brother, is still a young man. The father of these, Arthur McDan¬ nald, has been a member of the Baptist Church at Union Chapel for nearly 25 years.

farmer. The McDonalds are well known in Pike county as one of the old and respected families of that county. Cyrus McDonald, Sr., came from Kentucky with his family to Missouri in about 1829, and after residing a few years in Lincoln county came on to Pike county, where he entered lands, on which he made a farm and where he still resides. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Lemasters. She was also a Kentuckian. He is one of the substantial farmers and well-thought-of citizens of Pike county. Cyrus, Jr., was born while his parents lived in Lincoln county, but a few weeks before they re¬ moved to Pike, on the 10th of March, 1838. He grew up on the farm in Pike countv and received a good common school education in the neighborhood schools. He took no important part in the late war, though he sympathized with the Government, and, indeed, was in the Union State servicepibout six months under Capt. McElroy, of

Gen. Henderson's division. After this, on the 1st of January, 1863, Mr. McDonald was married to Miss Eleanor McKeldy, daughter of Samuel (of Ohio) and Phoebe McKeldv, originally of Virginia, but long residents of Ohio prior to their removal to Missouri. Mrs. Mc¬ Donald was born and reared in Ohio. Mr. McDonald was engaged in farming in Pike county up to the fall of 1878, when he bought the farm where he now resides in Cuivre township and moved to it. Mr. McDonald has 160 acres all fenced and in cultivation. His place is more than ordinarily neatly improved, including good buildings, fences and orchard, and an excellent variety of small fruit. Al¬ though Mr. McDonald has been a resident of Cuivre township only about five years, he has become well and favorably known as a thor¬ ough-going farmer and accommodating worthy neighbor, and is one of the valuable citizens of this part of the county. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. She is a lady of many excellencies of mind and character. They have an interesting family of two children : Samuel Everett, a popular young teacher of the county, and Miss Florence, a very entertaining young ladv.

farmer and teacher. Capt. McIntyre, who was one of the most gal¬ lant soldiers that trained under the stars and stripes during the late war, and is one of the most successful teachers and neat, business-like farmers of this section of the county, is a native of the Empire State of the West, Ohio, but is of an old Virginia family. The McIntyres settled in Virginia prior to the Revolution and Capt. McIntyre's great-grandfather was one of the founders and first settlers of Wheeling, West Virginia. The Captain's grandfather was the first white child born in that city, his parents living at the time in a block house built on the present site of Wheeling. Capt. McIntyre's mother was Miss Eliza Welch of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In an early day the family removed to Ohio, and the Captain was born in Zanesville, of that State, on the 28th of March, 1840. His father was a farmer by occupation and was substantially successful in life. John L. had good school advantages. His education in higher branches was acquirecl at Woodfield, Ohio. When the war came on he was just ap¬ proaching majority, and, warmly attached to the cause of the Union, he threw himself into the conflict with all the patriotism of a true citizen of his country and all the zeal and ardor of youth. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. E, 77th Ohio Vol. Inf., and served without flinch- ing for nearly five years, and until he was honorably discharged on the 25th of April, 1866. He went through all the trying experiences including forced marches, heavy engagements, and prison life of that long and terrible struggle. Such was his conspicuous gallantry ag a soldier that he rose by speedy and well merited promotions through all intermediate grades, from sergeant to the command of a company. During the latter part of the war he was an aide on Gen. Slack's staff. In the battle at Mark's Mill he was taken prisoner and held for about a year at Tyler, Texas, being finally exchanged at the mouth of Red river. Among the many hard fought battles in which he took a brave part are recalled those of Shiloh, Corinth, Little Rock, Cam¬ den, Mark's Mill and Mobile. After his discharge he came to Alton, Illinois, where, in the meantime, on the 15th of July, 1862, he had been married to Miss Harriet, a daughter of Daniel Widaman. Three years after his return to Alton he removed to Audrain county and bought his present farm. Since coming to this county Capt. Mclntvre has been dividing his time between farming and teaching school. Having an excellent general education, and being a man of wide prac¬ tical experience, he has, as would naturally be expected, been more than ordinarily efficient and successful as a teacher. He is justly ranked with the best and most popular teachers by both parents and pupils in this section of the county. He seeks to advance his scholars by plain and intelligible illustrations and symbols, by taking upon himself the work of explanation and thus making everything which he desired them to understand clear and manifest. With abstractions and impracticable knowledge he has little to do. His idea is that education is a means of success in life, and only so far as it is of prac¬ tical utility should time be taken in this fast and busy age to acquire it. In short he is a plain, practical common-sense teacher, one under whom pupils take a pleasure in studying. As a farmer Capt. McIn¬ tyre is one of those neat, tidy men who have an eye more to quality and value than to the quantity of what they raise and the extent of their farming operations. His idea is, of which his farm presents a manifest illustration, that one acre of land well managed can be made of more value than ten acres butchered up in the slip-shod sort of way shown to be the method of so many farmers in the South-west. His farm contains but 90 acres, yet it is safe to say that he realizes annually as large a net profit on it as many whose farms are doubly as large. Capt. McIntyre and wife have two children : Jennie E. and Harvey I. Mrs. Mcl. is a member of the Cumberland Presby¬ terian church, the Captain, however, belongs to the Christian denom- iuation. Capt. McIntyre is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has filled all the chairs in the Middletown lodge. He is also commander the Gen. Lytle Post, G. A. R.

founder of Vandalia, and agriculturist and business man. For over forty years the name that heads this sketch has been as familiar to the people of Pike county and its contiguous territory, almost as a house¬ hold word. During all this time Aaron McPike has been one of the most successful, enterprising and prominent agriculturists and busi¬ ness men in this section of the State. One of those active, stirring and progressive men, his interests calling him almost weekly into all the different communities throughout the surrounding country ; and of an open, frank and social nature, he became acquainted, it seemed, with everybody, and every one knew Aaron McPike, from the small boy to the aged grandsire. He was largely, and for many years, interested in the stock business - raising, buying, shipping, etc., and was well known as one of the foremost stock men in North-east Missouri. Like most of the pioneer settlers of this State, Mr. McPike was by birth a Kentuckian, and by descent of a Virginia family. He was born in Henry county, Kentucky, March 16, 1815. His father was Edwin McPike, originally of the Old Dominion, but later, one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. His mother's maiden name was Sarah VanCleve, of a family not unknown to fame in Kentucky and Virginia, and indeed, in this State. An incident in Mrs. VanCleve's life is of more than ordinary interest, especially since the conditions out of which it grew have long since passed away, at least on this side of the Cordilleras, never again to return. While she was a little girl, her father's family being then residents of Kentucky, from which the red men had not yet made their exit, she was captured by hostile Indians. Every effort was made to discover her whereabouts and restore her to her family. Finally her sister came upon the band of Indians who held her, and under cover of night stealthily slipped up and stole her away. When Aaron was quite young his parents moved out into the wilds of Indiana, where the father died soon afterward. A few weeks following the mother, also, was borne to her grave, and the son was thus left an orphan with his own way to make in the world and had three young sisters, one a mere child, to support - to whom he gave one-half of his little earnings for thirteen years. Aaron made his way, as best he could, back to Kentucky, and remained in his native county until he grew to manhood. His educational opportunities were of course virtually 7iil, and all the education he succeeded in acquiring he had to master by his own application and without the aid of an instructor. But he obtained a sufficient knowledge of books to answer for the practical purposes of farming and business life. At that time in Kentucky there was not that diversity of employment which we see to-day, and accordingly, young McPike became a farmer, as indeed he perhaps otherwise would have become, from natural taste and preference. Becoming apprised of the advantages for suc¬ cessful farming and the stock business in North-east Missouri, where lands could be had at a nominal price, and where shipping facilities by the river were unrivaled, he decided to cast his fortunes with this part of the country. Accordingly, in 1838, he came to Missouri, and settled first in Marion county, but five years later dropped down into Pike county, where he made his home, and resided for over thirty years. A man possessed of all the elements of success - untiring industry, energy and enterprise, and with the finest natural qualities for business management, he came rapidly to the front as a leading, influential and wealthy citizen of Pike county. Engaged in farming, at a time when grain and other cereal products were hardly worth hauling out of the field because there wras no demand for them, he steadily prospered, and soon was enabled to engage in the stock busi¬ ness. He handled hogs, cattle and mules for years, and so carried on his business that he rapidly accumulated property. He became one of the largest land-holders, if indeed not the largest, in Pike county. His name as a stock man became as familiar in St. Louis and the lower river cities, almost, as it was in the community where he lived. And his career has always been characterized by the strictest integrity and the highest sense of honor. Nor was he ever one of those parsimonious, close-fisted, selfish men, who are bent alone on their own aggrandizements. He has always been liberal and public spirited. In Pike county he was active in promoting all works for the general good, and was one of its most valuable and useful citizens. He never allowed a widow or an orphan to want when in his power to prevent it. Before the time of railroads he was promi¬ nent in advocating and assisting to completion roads, public build¬ ings, school-houses, churches, etc. The turnpike, or rock roads, of Pike county, are largely indebted for their establishment to his enter¬ prise, public spirit and liberality. When it was proposed to build the Missouri branch of the Chicago and Alton road through this section of the State, Mr. McPike took an active interest in securing its location along its present route in Pike and Audrain counties. Indeed, he was largely instrumental in securing the right of way for the road from Louisiana to what is now Vandalia and beyond, and in consideration of his public spirit and liberality in this matter, for it cost him about $900 of his own money, the company gave him the privilege of naming the site for a depot and town in the north-eastern part of Audrain county. He accordingly located the depot on the present site of Van¬ dalia, and laid off the town, giving it its present name. A man of good judgment and of a thorough knowledge of the conditions which go to build up a town, he saw that the site of this place had all the natural advantages for becoming a good business center. Nor have his expectations been disappointed. Fortunate in the natural advantages of its location, Vandalia has been even more fortunate in having such a man, as it has, for its founder. He went to work putting up houses - business and residence - to advertising the town liberally, selling its lots at nominal prices, making public improvements, etc. In fact, he put his shoulder to the wheel to make the town a success ; and he has not failed. Vandalia is now the leading trade-center between Louisiana and Mexico, and for enterprfse and go-aheadativeness, it is characterized by the same spirit, though in a small way to be sure, to be observed at Moberly, Sedalia, Kansas City and places of that class. The town will be considered at length in another part of this work. Here Mr. McPike has given liberally to all sorts of public improve¬ ments, including school-houses, churches, etc. A member of the Baptist Church himself, he gave to that denomination for the erection of its house of worship about $1,200 ; he has also given to the other denominations for building their churches here large sums, perhaps greater than have been given by any of their members. Mr. McPike, before dividing with his children, owned over 5,000 acres of fine land, and still has about 1,000 acres. He has improved more farms in Pike and Audrain counties than probably any man in either of them. In a word his life has been one of extraordinary success. Mr. McPike has been twice married. To his first wife, previously Miss Susan Prickett, of Pike county, he was married January 25, 1855. She was taken from him by death May 18, 1862. She bore him eight children, only four of whom, however, are now living: Sarah A., James, Thomas and Fannie. Each of these are now grown up, and to each he has given 1,000 acres of land, and large values of other property. Mr. McPike's second wife was formerly Miss Ellen Ferguson, a native of Virginia. There are two children by this union : Susie and William Charles Hardin. Mrs. McPike is also a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. McPike is the largest property holder of Vandalia, and has been a resident of the place since he founded it. No man in the county is more highly esteemed. He has never aspired to any official position, and has never held any, being decidedly averse to anything like polit¬ ical life.

Mr. Mateer comes of that old and substantial Pennsylvania-German stock of people, whose industry, thrift and solidity of character have made the Keystone State one of the brightest in the galaxy of the Union. On both sides his parents were of German extraction, but each family has long been settled in this country. J. K. was born in Bedford county, Penn., May 29, 1846. His father was Jacob Mateer. His mother's maiden name was Catherine Wiltz. Both the Mateers and Wiltzes were among the better class of people of Bedford county. When J. K. was about seven years of age, his parents came West and first located at West Ely, in Missouri. A couple of years after¬ wards, however, they removed to Benton county, Iowa, where J. K. grew to manhood. After growing up in Iowa, Mr. Mateer started out for himself as a farmer, which he followed up to 1871. He then entered a blacksmith shop to learn the trade, at which he worked in Iowa for about two years. In 1873, having been out to Audrain county two years before, he came to Vandalia and followed blacksmithing here with success for about ten years. These years were well spent at hard work, and Mr. Mateer showed the good judgment to save what he earned. By the spring of 1883 he had accumulated enough to engage in mercantile business, for which he always had a strong inclination. Accordingly, he opened out a stock of hardware, stoves, tinware, etc., and also all kinds of iron, steel, wagon material, etc. A man of sterling integrity and good business judgment, he had already won the confidence of the people in and around Vandalia, so that he at once commanded a good trade in his lines of business. Mr. Mateer thus far has been entirely successful, and he has every promise of a prosperous future. He keeps an excellent stock of goods and sells them at prices which cannot fail to make his house a popular establishment in the hardware line. On the 22d of February, 1871, he was married to Miss Virginia Bramblett, formerly of Ralls county. They have three children : Alice, Everett and Lizzie R. Mr. and Mrs. Mateer are members of the Presbyterian Church.

John W. Maupin

the younger generation in this county, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Marion county on the 29th of January, 1850. His parents, F. C. and Mary (Brown) Maupin, were both originally from Virginia, but came out to this State with their parents, respectively, when quite young. They were married in Marion county. Mr. Maupin 's father was a cooper by trade, and worked at Hannibal until 1850, the year John W. was born, when the California gold excite¬ ment having broken out, he went to the Pacific coast, where he was engaged in mining and other pursuits for fourteen years. On his return in 1864 the family removed to Marion countv, where he engaged in farming. John W., as he grew up, received a good, ordinary English education, and afterwards taught school for a term. On the 29th of June, 1875, he was married to Miss Mary Ayers, of Pike county, daughter of William Ayers, formerly of Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Maupin located on a farm in Ralls county, where he followed farming with satisfactory success until 1880, when he removed to Audrain county and settled on the farm where he now resides. Mr. Maupin sold this place last spring (1883) and bought another farm in this township, to which he will shortly remove. His farm contains 80 acres of good land, and is substantially and well improved. He has a fine young orchard on his place, now bearing, and good buildings, etc. Mr. Maupin takes an active interest in educational affairs, and has bee.n a member of the school board for several years. He is now district clerk. Mr. and Mrs. M. have a family of two children : Ada R. and Katie E. He and wife are both members of the Baptist church. Mr. Maupin's father removed to Arkansas, near Bentonville, in 1871, where he still resides and follows farming.

James H. Minor

of Minor, Tolson &Co., Farber, general merchants. Mr. Minor, the senior partner of the above named firm, is by birth and education a son of the Old Dominion, born in Orange county on the 7th of March, 1849. His parents, James H. and Mary W. (Morris) Minor, were also both natives of Virginia. While James H., Jr., was still quite young the family removed to Charlottesville, in Albemarle county, of the same State, where the son was reared. His education was received at the Military Institute of Virginia, from which he graduated in 1862. Then only just past his thirteenth year, he nevertheless offered himself as a volunteer in the Confederate army and was accepted, be¬ ing mustered into Gaber's Battery of the 21st Battalion under Stone- wall Jackson, in which he served with conspicuous gallantry until Lee's surrender. Mr. Minor participated in many of the hardest fought battles of the war, including Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, etc., and was twice wounded, the first time at Spottsylvania, where he was struck with a ball on the head which disabled him for sixty days, and the second time at New Market, where he was shot in the arm. After the war Mr. Minor engaged in school teaching, which he followed for about two years. He then began the lumber, wood and coal business, which he carried on with success for nearly four years. In the spring of 1871 , having relatives in Pike county, Missouri, he decided to come West and, accordingly, immigrated to that county, located at Louisiana, where he engaged in the grocery trade. Mr. Minor is a relative of Hon. Peter Minor, now deceased, for many years one of the ablest lawyers and most influential citizens of Pike countv. In 1873 Mr. Minor engaged in school teaching. Prior to 1880 he had taught school in Audrain county about three years, two years of which were at Farber, his present place of busi¬ ness. As a school teacher Mr. M. was justly regarded as one of the most efficient and successful in this part of the county. A man of superior qualifications, industrious almost to a fault, and eminently common-sense and practical in his ideas and methods, he made the pursuit of knowledge a plain and even an agreeable employment to his pupils, by stripping everything of abstractions and presenting the ideas he wished them to learn in a concrete and manifest form. Mr. Minor's tastes, however, have always been for business pursuits, and while teaching he still kept that object constantly before him. Accordingly, in 1880, being in a situation to engage in business on his own account, he established the store of which he is now the senior proprietor. Later along the present firm, including Messrs. Tolson and Bradbury, was organized. This firm was organized with ample means, and all being men of well known integrity and popularity, as well as good practical business men, their success was assured from the first. They brought on a large and well selected stock of general merchandise and opened their store in the fall of 1880. Farber being exceptionally well situated for a trade center, being on the line of the Chicago & Alton road and nearly equi-distant between Mexico and Bow¬ ling Green, and surrounded by a fine prairie country, nearly all of which is settled up by a thrifty, enterprising class of farmers, they at once commenced a good trade and by dealing fairly with their customers, selling goods at the lowest possible figures for the quality kept, they have proven themselves worthy of their prosperous beginning and have steadily increased their trade. They now carry one of the larg¬ est and best stocks of goods to be found in this part ot the county, and rank among the most popular and successful merchants throughout the surrounding country. Mr. Minor is a man of enterprise and pub¬ lic spirit, and has done as much as any man in the community to build up the place and promote the best interests of this part of the county. He is a citizen of no ordinary value to Farber. On the 31st of May, 1883, he was married to Miss Ida Lake, a daughter of Jephtha Lake, Esq., of this county, and a most estimable and refined young lady. Mr. and Mrs. Minor are both church members, Mrs. M. of the Baptist denomination and Mr. M. of the Episcopal. He is also a prominent member of the Laddonia lodge A. F. and A. M.

Joshua C. Moore

farmer. To all old settlers of the eastern part of Audrain, 'Squire Moore's name is a familiar one. For over 32 years he has been a resident of Cuivre township, and nearly 30 years ago such was his recognized character, sound judgment and qualifications, that he was called by the vote of his fellow-citizens of the township to discharge the responsible duty of judicial magistrate or justice of the peace. During his entire residence here he has been prominently and worth¬ ily identified with the material development of this part of the county, with public affairs and with the social life of its people ; and he stands out as an honored old land-mark in the history of the country. His father, John G. Moore, was a native son of the Old Dominion, and when a young man came out to Kentucky, where he married Miss Nancy Carlisle, originally of North Carolina, and of a branch of the family of which Hon. John S. Carlisle, of Virginia, successor in the U. IS. Senate, to Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, was also the representative. In 1829, following his marriage, John G. Moore removed with his family to Pike county, Missouri, locating near Bowling Green, where he bought land and improved a farm, and lived until his death, which occurred in 1833. Joshua C. was nine years of age when his parents removed to Missouri, having been born in Adair county, Kentucky, on the 3d of April, 1820. In that early day he had but indifferent opportunities to acquire an education as he grew up, indeed, he had to obtain what education he has mainly after he reached early man¬ hood and by his own study without a teacher. But appreciating the importance of a sufficient knowledge of books for the transaction of practical business affairs, he applied himself to study at home to ac- quire it, with the same energy that he does everything else, and suc¬ ceeded in becoming more than ordinarily familiar with the details of business transactions, i.e ., calculation, the elements of book-keeping, etc. While still a young man he came to Audrain county when this part of the county was almost a trackless wilderness, and here he opened a farm. Prior to this, however, he had lived about three years across the line in Monroe county. On the 1st of May, 1855, 'Squire Moore was married to Miss Sophronia, a daughter of Samuel and Eleanor (Wells) Yates, of this county, but originally of Ken¬ tucky, Mrs. Moore having been born and reared in Shelby county, of that State. 'Squire Moore has lived on the farm where he now re¬ sides, since prior to his marriage. His mother, left a widow, lived with him and before his marriage conducted the household affairs. Subse¬ quently she found a hospitable and, so far as was possible in her widow¬ hood, a happy home under his roof until her death, which occurred February 26, 1866. The 'Squire cherishes with more than ordinary tenderness the memory of his beloved mother, to whom he was at¬ tached with singular filial affection. 'Squire Moore's farm contains over a quarter section of land, most of which is either in cultivation or pasturage. His place is one of the comfortable, choice homesteads of the township. The* 'Squire has from youth been identified with the Democratic party, and as intimated above was elected justice of the peace as early as 1854. The war coming on subsequently, he was not in office any more until 1872, since which he has held the office continuously. He has discharged its delicate duties with a fairness, and withal, with a degree of intelligence and sound judgment that have won him the entire confidence and the esteem of the public- 'Squire Moore and wife have been constant and exemplary members of the Baptist Church for over 30 years. They have a family of eight children: John S., Nancy E., wife of John Romans; William C., Amanda M., wife of John Moran ; Matilda S., Edward D., Bertha A. and E. Kate. They have lost two children in infancy.

John J. Mosby

farmer. Mr. Mosby has been a resident of Audrain county for nearly thirty years, having removed to this county from Callaway, where he was reared, long prior to the war. This section of Audrain county was at that time almost a wilderness, there being but very sparse settlements in the north-eastern part of the county. He had been married some years, and came to this county for the purpose of making it his permanent home. He entered land here and went to work to improve a farm. He, with those of his class who settled here at an early day, are the men who have mainly made this county what it is - one of the best in this section of the State. From a wilderness they have transformed it into a thriving, prosperous county. Follow¬ ing their industry, schools have been organized, commodious and pre¬ sentable school buildings have been erected, churches have gone up, and all the evidences of an enlightened, cultured community are present. Towns have shot up throughout the county, and the county seat, receiving its prosperity from the labor and success of the farm¬ ers throughout the county, has become one of the principal cities in North-east Missouri - a busy hive of energetic, thrifty business men, whose trade is of the utmost value in the general commerce of the country. The farmers constituting, as they do, the foundation of all prosperity, should be viewed with the most earnest consideration, and their interest looked to and protected equal to, if not above, that of any other class of people. Mr. Mosby is one of the thrifty, worthy farmers of Cuivre township, and as such the biographical department of this work would hardly be complete with his record absent from its pages. His parents, James and Eliza (Robards) Mosby, were both natives of the Blue Grass State, and immigrated to Missouri away back in 1828, locating at that time in Callaway county, where his father became a successful farmer and highly respected citi¬ zen. John was born a short time before his parents removed from Kentucky, in Scott county of that State, on the 20th of March, 1821. He was, therefore, principally reared in Callaway county. He remained with his father's family up to about the time of his marriage. On the 30th of July, 1845, Mr. Mosby was married to Miss Susanna S., a daughter of William Shortridge, of Callaway county, but formerly of Kentucky. Mr. Mosby having been reared on a farm, on reaching the age that it was necessary for him to choose an occupation for life, he naturally adopted that to which he had been brought up - farming. He followed farming in Callaway county for about ten years, but the better class of lands being taken up by that time in Callaway county he entered land in Audrain county, upon which he improved a farm. Mr. Mosby has been continuously en¬ gaged in farming from that time to this, and, as the evidences show, with abundant success. His life has been one of constant industry, and, as the fruits of his toil, or rather as an emblem of those fruits, is to be seen his present large, well improved farm, well stocked. Mr. Mosby's farm contains 420 acres, or rather that's the area of his tract of land, nearly all of which is under fence and either in cultiva¬ tion or pasturage. His buildings are substantial and comfortable, and his other improvements are of an excellent class. Mr. Mosby is a man of good, sober common sense, fair education and perfect integ¬ rity, and bears a good name among his neighbors and acquaintances. He takes an intelligent interest in the affairs of the neighborhood and the county, and is a worthy, good citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Mosby have a family of eight children : James, at present a merchant in Wellsville ; Mary, the wife of P. C. Kent; Sallie, the wife of I. Hockaday ; Almira, the wife of James Farthing; Betty, William S., now a prominent teacher and lately graduated from the State Univer¬ sity, and Lucy. Three are deceased: George R., Susanna died in maidenhood, John died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Mosby are mem¬ bers of the Christian church.

John Naysm1Th

farmer, post-office, Vandalia. Among the better class of immigrants who come to this country are those from Scotland - people noted all over the world for their intelligence, enterprise and thrift. It is a historical fact that the first public schools ever established were those of that country, which opened to the children of the land free and liberal instruction. Hence it was, that before even the Hollanders had made any appreciable progress in educational and industrial affairs, representatives of the Scotch race were in request throughout Europe as teachers and directors of the learning of the time. Scot¬ land at that time attained a high reputation for the intelligence of its people, which it has ever since enjoyed. The Scotch who have come over to this country have almost invariably taken high rank among our best citizens. And the subject of the present sketch is a not unworthy representative, by descent, of this class of our people. His father, John Naysmith, came to this country from Scotland with his family when nine years of age, and grew to manhood in the State of New York where the family settled and made their permanent home. After he grew up he was married to Miss Mercy A. Price, of that State, and in 1845 removed to Michigan and settled in Kent county. He was a carriage and wagon-maker by trade, and followed that for many years, but later in life he turned his attention to farming, and became a well-to-do farmer of Kent county. He died there at a ripe old age and his loss was greatly regretted in the community in which he lived. He had many sterling qualities of character that drew to him the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances.

His wife died some years afterwards. They had a family of eight children, and of these John, Jr., the subject of the present sketch, was the third. He was born before the family left New York, on the 28th of May, 1829, and was therefore principally reared in the Empire State. Mr. Naysmith was educated in the public schools of Living¬ ston county, New York, and after reaching his majority engaged in farming in Michigan for himself. In August, I860, he was married to Miss Mary E. Stocking, formerly of Genesee county, New York. She was a daughter of Alvin and Annie (Cox) Stocking, at that time residents of Michigan. In 1868 Mr. Naysmith came to Missouri, and located in Audrain county, where he bought land and engaged in farming. He has an excellent place of 160 acres and has a good class of improvements. Mr. N. is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and has taken the Chapter degree. He is regarded as one of the energetic farmers and well informed citizens of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Naysmith have four children : Clara E., Frank M., Fred H. and Effie. Miss Clara is a young lady of superior refinement and culture, and is greatly admired, not less for her many accomplishments and charm of conversation than for her singular personal attractions.

Robert O. Neely

contractor and builder, Vandal ia. The rapid progress Audrain county has made in material wealth and population for the last eight or ten years has attracted favorable comment throughout this whole section of the State, and it is often asked why it is that this county should develop so much more rapidly proportionaly than most of its neigh¬ bors? Those who read the biographical sketches of the present work will hardly fail to find an answer to this question, for the fact is here strikingly apparent that there has been a large immigration into the county, during the period mentioned, from the Northern States, and particularly from Ohio. All the world knows that Northern people are noted for their enterprise, industry and thrift, and whenever they settle in a county they built it up, almost, as by magic. No State in the Union has contributed better citizens to Audrain county since the war than the great Empire State of the West. In agriculture, in merchandising, in the professions and in the trades, the Ohioans are to be found here among the most progressive, intelligent and thorough¬ going of our people. A worthy representative of his native State in this county is the subject of the present sketch, Mr. Robert O. Neelv. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, November 29, 1849, and was educated in that county. Not afraid to work, and having the intelli¬ gence to see that most successful men come from the trades and useful arts, he learned the carpenter's trade, beginning at it as early as his sixteenth year. Choosing this calling as the avenue of his future activities in life, he has continued in it, having begun with the deter¬ mination to succeed. Striving to go to the front in his trade, he has worked hard and faithfully at it for nearly twenty-five years, and has become one of the best carpenters and most capable contractors and builders in this section of the country. Mr. Neely came to Vandalia in 1875, and has been engaged in business here as a contractor and builder from that time to the present. Almost from the beginning he has been the leading man in his line in the north-eastern part of the county. He has built many of the best houses in Vandalia, and throughout the surrounding country. Becoming well known, he is trusted by those having work in his line not less for his well known character and integrity than for his skill as a carpenter and judgment as a builder. In a word, for nearly ten years he has been one of the active, useful citizens of the county, and has done as much as almost any other one man for its advancement and prosperity. On the 24th of November, 1874, Mr. Neely was married to Miss Josephine Wilson, of Noble county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Rachel (Guinn) Wil¬ son. Mr. and Mrs. Neely have one child, Lelia. Mr. N. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

Isaac N. Oaks

a gallant soldier in the late war on the side of the Union, and one of the thrifty farmers and progressive citizens of Cuivre township, is a native of Illinois and was born in Greene county, December 9, 1827. His parents, Henry Oaks and wife, whose maiden name was Nancy J. Wilson, were from Tennessee and settled in Greene county, Illinois, in about 1826, where they reared a family and lived until their death. The father became a well-to-do farmer of that county, and died re¬ spected by all who knew him in .1847. Isaac N. was brought up to farm work and had only limited advantages for an education. How¬ ever, he succeeded in acquiring a sufficient knowledge of books for all the ordinary purposes of farm business life. Although of South¬ ern parentage, his feelings were against slavery and his principles for the preservation of the Union at whatever cost. Accordingly when the Southern States sought to dissolve the government, he was in favor of restraining them within the Union. In 1862 he volun¬ teered as a private in Co. G, of the 91st Ill. Inf., and served until he was honorably discharged in December, 1864. Such was his merit as a soldier and his gallantry that he was steadily promoted until he reached the first rank below captain - a first lieutenancy - which he held at the time of his discharge and for eighteen months previously. He was in a number of hard fought battles, including the one at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, where his whole regiment was captured. The exposures and hardships of military life, however, so wrought on his health that he became broken down and was discharged for disability at Brownsville, Texas, in 1864, as stated above. Returning home as soon as he was sufficiently recuperated, he carried on the farm, but in 1865 was appointed provost marshal of Greene and ad¬ joining counties, the duties of which position he discharged with such credit that he was made the recipient of a handsome testimonial of merit by the people in the shape of a fine watch. Mr. Oaks held the office of provost marshal until the close of the war. After the res¬ toration of peace Mr. Oaks removed to Missouri in September, 1865, and located on the farm where he now resides. Mr. Oaks' place is not a large one, as farms are accounted in this State, containing some¬ thing less than a quarter section of land ; yet it is so arranged with regard to crops, etc., and managed so business-like, that he realizes as much from it as many farmers make on places several times as large as his. He runs his place in grain, hay, pasturage, etc., and raises considerable stock. Mr. Oaks is one of the thrifty farmers of the township. He was married some twenty-five years ago in Greene county, to Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of Bird Waltrip, formerly of Virginia, the date of their nuptials being December 30, 1858. Seven children have been sent to bless this long and happy union, namely : Delia, Ida, Emma, Jennie, Henry, Charles and Annie. Mr. and Mrs. Oaks and their four older daughters are member^ of the C. P. Church, and Mr. O. has taken the Chapter degree in the A. F. and A. M. fraternity.

Pelatiah Osterhout

farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Osterhout comes of an old and respected Pennsylvania-German family, though he himself was principally reared in Missouri. His parents, Hiram and Amanda ( Strickland) Oster¬ hout, removed from Pennsylvania to Missouri in 1836 and settled in Ralls county in the fall of that year. The father bought land in Ralls county, on which he improved a farm, and where he followed farming successfully until his death, which sad event occurred on the 17th of July, 1872. He was a substantial citizen of Ralls county, and was respected by all who knew him, a good, honest, hospitable old farmer. Mrs. Osterhout, his wife, died in 1882. She was a motherly, kindhearted old lady, and was much beloved by all her neighbors. Pelatiah was eight years of age when his parents came to this State, having been born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1823. He was therefore mainly reared in this State. He was brought up to know what hard work is from the beginning, for his father was a man of energy, and even if Pelatiah had been disposed to nap in the shade during the cropping season, which he was not, the old gentleman would not have tolerated it. In a word, Pelatiah was so brought up that he learned, both by the example of his father and by his own ex¬ perience, that in honest toil is the only certain source of honorable success in life. Reared to a farm life, that, after he grew up, very naturally became his permanent occupation. He followed farming in Ralls county until 1853, by which time he was able to purchase a place, or rather the land for a place, of his own. Accordingly, he came across into Audrain county and bought a piece of land, which is a part of his present place. Keeping up his habits of industry, which he had never forsaken, and having the good sense to save what he made, he steadily accumulated property around him and soon became comparatively well fixed. So absorbed, in fact, was he in his farm operations, and so intent on getting along in the world, that for a long time it seemed that he was going to overlook the greatest joy this life affords - the delights of a faithful and loving wife. The years slipped by, and hardly before he knew it he began to find himself an old bachelor, with autumn frosts of age descending upon him and streak¬ ing his hair here and there with lines of whitish gray. But waking up at last to a realization of his situation, he lost no time in providing himself a worthv, affectionate and true-hearted wife. On the 18th of September, 1881, Miss Josephine E., a daughter of Joseph Spears, late of this countv, became his wife. Mr. Osterhout' s married life has been one of great happiness, and is blessed with two bright children : Hiram J. and Lyman. Mr. Osterliout's farm contains 320 acres, nearly all of which is under fence and over 100 acres in cultiva¬ tion. His farm contains a good meadow, a large pasture, and is otherwise well improved. Mr. Osterhout served for about two years in the Union army - Company L, 9th volunteers - and participated in the battles of Independence, Jefferson City and numerous engagements. He is a worthy member of the M. E. * Church South.