Clay County, Missouri - Biographical sketches (1 of 4 so headed), 1885 (part 2 of 3)

O'Fallon Dougherty

Mr. Dougherty was a son of MaJ. John Dougherty and is a brother to L. B. Dougherty, whose sketch precedes this. In the former sketch an outline of the family history has been given. Mr. Dougherty was born in St. Louis June 5, 1832, but as the family subsequently removed to this county, he was principally reared here. His education was acquired at William Jewell College, where he took a thorough course of four years and subse(iuently graduated. After the close of his college ccjurse he returned to the farm and engaged iu farming with his father with whom he continued until the latter's death. Mr. Dougherty inherited the old family homestead and stills owns it. He has a fine place of 1,1(32 acres, all improved except about 200 acres of timber. He has been extensively engaged in farming and raising stock for many years, to which his place is well adapted. His improvements on the farm are of an excellent class, a large comfortable, tastily built residence, good barns and other buildings, and good fences. November 30, 1865, Mr. Dougherty was married to Miss Sarah, a daughter of James and Eliza Nutter, early settlers of this county. Mrs. Dougherty was educated at the Liberty Female Seminary. They have two children : Katie and Mary Hertzog. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Dougherty removed to Liberty in order to educate his daughters. He is now just completing a handsome, spacious two-story brick residence in town, where he will make his permanent home. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Baptist Church and he is a member of the Chapter and Commandery in the Masonic order. Mr. Doughei'ty's father, Maj. Dougherty, was at one time engaged in this county in the unusual pursuit of raising butt'alo. He begun with one cow and in a few years his stock of buffalo had increased until during one summer he had 23 head of calves. He was a great admirer of Henry Clay and sheared some wool from oueof his best buffalo which his wife carded, -siHin and knit into a pair of mittens and a pair of socks. The Major sent them to the great Whig chief and statesman of that day, Henry Clay, from whom he received a most complimentary acknowledgment. After the death of Mr. Clay they were contributed by his heirs to the cabinet of reliques of public men at Washington, and they are now on exhibition in a glass case, with a card giving their history, in the Patent Office, in the Literior Department building.

Dr. Georo'e W. Eaton, one of the most accomplished scholars and eminent educators of New York. His whole life was devoted to the cause of education. The following concerning him and his services is reproduced from the report of the Commissioner of Education of the United States for the year 1872 : -

Dr. James E. Eaton received his general education at the Madison University of NewYork. He graduated in 1856 and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Immediate)}' following his graduation from the Madison University he entered the Hamilton Theological Seminary of the. Baptist Church, in which he continued as a student for a period of two vears, graduating in 1858 with the degree of Master of Arts.

Well recommended for ripe scholarship and for the natural characteristics necessary to a successful and useful career as an educator, Prof. Eaton, after his graduation at Madison, was tendered, in 1859, the chair of Adjunct-Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences in the Union University of Murfreeshoro, Tenn., which he accepted. He tilled that position and discharged the duties which it imposed with ahilit}' and eminent satisfaction to all concerned for two years. He was then oflered and he accepted the professorship of Ancient Languages in Bethel College of Rnssellville, Ky. The events of the war, however, soon unsettled affairs in Kentucky so much that he resigned his position at Bethel College and left the State.

Prof. Eaton now went to New York, and soon afterwards received the appointment of superintendent of the advertising department and of the foreign mail delivery in the post-office of the city of New York. He continued at the head of that department in the New York city post-office until the close of the war. Prof.Eaton found official life in the civil service of the government by no means as congenial as the profession of teaching, and in 1866 he accepted the chair of Natural Sciences in the Universitj' of Louisville, Ky. He contiiuied there for three years and until he came to Liberty, Mo., in 1869, to enter upon the duties of Professor of Natural Sciences and Natural Theology in William Jewell College, a position to which he had been called by the boardof regents of this institution. He has occupied this position in William Jewell College from that time to the present, continuously, a iicriod of 16 years. In the meantime, in 1876, his Alma Mater, Mailison University of New York, honored him and herself by conferring ui)on him tiie degree of Doctor of Philosophy. The promise early given of a successful and useful career for Dr. Eaton as an educator has already lieen fulfilled to an eminent degree. With him teaching is a labor of love, the source of his greatest pleasure outside of his family and his church; and he has devoted his life, all his energies, to it with that zeal and disinterestedness, and that singleness of purpose - the mental and mora! elevation and improvement of those committed to his charge - which stamp him a man of great nobility of character, and one fitted for the delicate and rosjiousible duties of an educator, not less by the native qualities of his head and heart than by his superior attainments as a scholar. The Doctor is justly regarded as one of the leadinsr educators of the State. For ten vears he was president of the Education Board of William Jewell College, and until he resigned the position. His resignation was accepted with gi'eat reluctance.

Dr. Eaton is also active and prominent in the church and his services have been of great value to his denomination at Liberty and to the cause of religion. Though a scientist of profound learning and great abiHty and a devoted Ijeliever in the great principles establislied by scientific research, unlike many of greater pretentions but of unquestionably less depth of thought and thoroughness of investigation, he has never found anything to shake his faith in the Word of God, the doctrine of faith in Christ as contained in the Holy Scriptures. On the contrary, he has ever found science an unerring witness for religion, the faithful handmaid of religious truth.

Dr. Eaton devotes much of his leisure from his regular duties to general reading, and in the course of his studies of a general character he has collected an unusually large and valuable library, probably the best general library in this i)art of the State, outside of a largo city. He has nearly twelve hundred volumes, all works of solid merit, and most of them standard authors on the subjects which they respectively treat.

On the 6th of June, 1872, Dr. Eaton was married at Liberty, Mo., to Miss Mattie E. Lewright. She is a lady of superior education and intelligence. She is a native of Missouri, born in Franklin county, and was educated by a private tutor, a gentleman who was a graduate of the ancient and famous University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She is a daughter of Wm. P. Lewright, formerly of Virginia.

The Doctor and Mrs. Eaton have one child living, Hubert L., a promising son aged about four years. Two others are deceased, both sons, Harold W. and Lewright B.

Dr. Eaton has an interesting and valuable collection of geological specimens, many of which he gathered himself in the West and elsewhere in the United States. He also has an interesting cabinet of curios of various kinds, collected from ditl'ereut parts of the world, and one of the finest collections of ancient and rare coins in the United States. His collection of coins, in fact, is said to be the best, though not the largest, one outside of Europe. It was exhibited at the Louisville Exposition in 1884 and one of the i)apers of that city made the following notice of it : -

" Among the uew features at the Exposition will be the rare collection of coins belonKing to Dr. J. R. Eaton, of William .Jewell College. He has been 30 years making this collection, and it is probably the best and most complete one this side of the British Museum. All the coins mentioned in the Scriptures are here, from the gold darlc, contributed to build Solomon's temple, to the mite, such as the poor widow cast into the treasury. Here al.^o are the old Greek coins from the didrachma of .Egina, which must have been coined before the year 8()'.» B. C, to the quarter obohts, the smallest coin ever circulated. The sacred ubolus which was placed in the mouth of each corpse to pay the dead mail's ferriage across the river Styx. The coins of Alexander the Great and his successors.

The collection embraces all the varieties of Roman coins. There is the original ^Is.of bronze and weighing one pound, the largest coin in existence. It was recently exhumed at Naples and is a better specimen than the one in the British Museum. Besides these there are moderncoins of all nations now in use."

William W. Estes

Whutever may be said of the productive quality of mucli of the farming hiiid of Virginia, no one who knows anything about Virginians will question the fact that they know a good piece of land when they see it. In all the emigrations from different States to the West, Virginians have generally gotten the best of their fellow-emigrants fromother States iu the choice of good lands. Away back in the territorial days of Missouri, the more intelligent class of people in Virginia have made themselves familiar with the general character of the lands in this part of the country ; especially well informed were those who expected to emigrate West. Among these was the father of the subject of the present sketch, together with a large number of other Virginians. Before coming to this State he had visited Kentucky when quite a young man, but returning to Virginia he was married and shortly afterwards, in company with quite a colony, came out to Missouri and settled in Salinecounty. That wasas early as 1819. About two years afterwards he and a number of his fellow-emigrants came up tlie river, and crossing over, settled on the fertile lands of Clay county. This was one of the early settlements made in the county. Thomas Estes became a well-to-do farmer of this county and respected Ijy all who knew him. He died here in 1854. His wife died in 1866. Their homestead was about a u.-'.e and a half northeast of Liberty. He left a large landed property at his death and a number of slaves. It should have been remarked before this, however, that after his first wife's death he was married again. By each wife he left a family of children. Of the first family only one is now living, and also one of the last marriage. William W. Estes was born in Saline county, March 7, 1821, but was reared on the family homestead in Clay county. In 1849 he, with a company composed of twelve young men of Clay county and twelve from Howard county, went to California overland, being about three months on the road. He spent two years in California engaged in mining. Returning in the fall of 1851, he came by way of Panama and New Orleans, and on reaching home settled down permanently to farming and stock-raising, which he has ever since followed. June 1, 1852, he was married to Miss Catherine Lincoln, a daughter of David Lincoln, one of the pioneer settlers of the county. She lived to l)rightcn his home for nearly thirty years, but was at last taken away by death, Septeml)er 25, 1881. She" was a good and true and faithful wife and was esteemed by her neighbors and acquaintances only less than she was loved in her own family. Hut one child was reared to mature years. She is still living, Elizalielh D., the wife of James Bevins, who resides on the Estes' homestead and assists in the management of the farm. Mr. and Mrs. Bevins have two children, Katie C. and Plum, and have lost two, all of whom died in infancy. The farm contains 230 acres and is one of the choice farms of the

Robert C. Ewing

Mr. Ewing is a representative of a family, whose name he bears, that has given to several of the Western States, including Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, some of their leading citizens. He was a son of J. B. Ewing, who came to this county from Kentucky in an early day, and who was a nephew of Rev. Finis Ewing, one of the noted preachers of his day, a man of finished education, fine presence, a magniiicent oi'ator and of profound piety. J. R. Ewing came to Clay county a young man in 1821. His parents had previously settled in Lafayette county, this State, at a very early day. He was married here to Miss Ruth IMoore, a daughter of James Moore, formerly of North Carolina. After his marriage he settled on a farm adjoining the one where his son now resides. Robert C, the subject of this sketch, was born on that place, October 23, 1833. On the 5th of January, 1859, he was married to Miss Sarah Downing, a daughter of Charles Downing, formerly of Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Ewing continued farming, which he had previously engaged in, for himself and i)y industry and good management he has become comfortably situated. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have three children, Charles R., John D. and Robert C. One is deceased, Nettie. She died in the fall of 1881, being at the time the wife of Lilburn Arnold. Mrs. E. is a member of the Baptist Church.

He whose name heads this sketch was for many years, and until his death, regarded as one of the prominent repi-esentati,ve citizens of Clay county. He was long a leading farmer and held many positions of public trust, as well as being prominently identified with business affairs and in every relation of life acquitted himself with great credit. He was born in Madison county, Va., December 10, 1798, and was the eldest of a family of nine children. In 1800 the family removed to Kentucky and settled in Bourbon county, where he grew to manhood, and resided until approaching middle age of life. In 1838 he went to Boone county, that State, where he made his home for several 3'ears and became a prominent citizen of that county. He was elected sheriff while there and discharged the duties of that ofSce with marked elEcieucy and popularity. From Boone county, Ky., he emigrated to Missouri, and made a permanent settlement in Clay county. Here he was married in 1845 to Miss Mary A. Thompson, of Caldwell county, but formerly of Kentucky. She survived her marriage, however, only a short time, and left him one child, Sarah E., now the wife of John Chancellor. To his second wife Judge Field was mar- ried in the spring of 1848. She was a Miss Margaret Wymore, daughter of Samuel Wj'raore, of this count}', an earlj^ settler from Kentucky. Meantime he had bought land and improved a farm and by his industr_y and good management was steadily coming to the front as a prominent farmer and stock-raiser. Later along he was honored with different official positions in the county and among others was twice elected a member of the county court and served one term as county treasurer. As a county judge he is said to have been one of the most efficient ever honored with that position in Clay county,' and in various other positions he held he acquitted himself with not less credit and popularity. He also became interested in banking and was director of the Liberty branch of the Farmers' Bank of Missouri. During the latter years of the career of the liank he served as its president, and under his management it obtained a wide and enviable rei)utation. By his economy and industry and admirable good judgment, he was enabled to acquire a comfortable fortune. He died at his homestead in this county March 19, 1881, at the ripe old age of 82. Judge Field was a valuable, good citizen, and as a friend, generous and faithful. As a husband and father, he was all that loved ones could have wished him to be, a good and true man in every relation of life and one whose memory is kindly cherished by those who knew him. In business affairs he was remarkably methodical and systematic and punctual and precise in all his transactions. His second wife died only a short time after her marriage, and he was subsequently married to Miss Amanda J., daugiiter of Leonard Brastield, who came to this county from Kentucky in 1818. Four children were the fruits of his last marriage: Mary J., wife of William Clark; Ada, wife of Hon. James M. Bohart, of Clinton count}' ; Joseph E. and Daniel B. Tiie latter has charge of the old family homestead and is a young man of liberal educa,tion and of marked enterprise and personal worth.

James D. Ford

Prominent among the young men of Clay county who, by their own merits, are steadily and surely coming to the front in public and business affairs, is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Ford, who is a young man of industry and sterling character, received more than an average general education at Lii)erty High School and at William Jewell College. Sul)sequently he followed farming for two vears and then, in 1877, engaged in the grocery business at Liberty. Three }'ears later he sold his interest in the grocery trade and became a <!lerk in the clothing house of J. J. Stogdale, one of the leading houses in that line in the county. Since Mr. Stogdale's election to the office of county collector, Mr. F. has had entire control of the store and also fills the office of deputy collector under Mr. Stogdale. lu the spring of 1880 Mr. Ford was elected mayor of Liberty, and was the youngest mayor who ever occupied the office at this place.

Although he has taken an active interest in politics for some years, and is regarded on all hands as one of the influential young men of the county, he has never himself been a candidate for office, except when he ran for mayor. March 13, 1884, he was married to Mrs. S. J. Haskill, a young widow lady, daugiiter of James H. Hubbard, of Plattsburg. Mrs. F. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Ford was born at Libert}', March 13, 185G. His father is Capt. James H. Ford, a retired and highly respected citizen of this place. Capt. Ford was deputy sherifl' when he entered the Southern army in 1862. Since the war he has held the offices of deputy sheriff and deputy collector. He came to this county from Kentucky in 1837, wliere he was afterwards married to Miss Mary Duncan, also formerly of Kentucky.

PHILIP P^RAHER (Of Fraher& Son, Manufacturers aud Dealers iu Boots and Shoes, Liberty). Philip Fraher, the senior member of the aljove named firm, was l)orn in Ballinamona, County Limerick, Ireland, April 2, 1822, and was the third son of Thomas Fraher and Johannah Herbert. He received a fair education, and learned the shoeniaking trade. After completing his apprenticeship he carried on business on his own account for a few years, but, concluding to emigrate, came to the United States in May, 1846. After spending short periods in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New York City, he came West and located in Liberty, Mo., in March, 1851. He formed a business partnership with his brother, James, which was continued u[) to January 10, 1874, at which time the partnership between the brothers was dissolved, and the separate firms of Philip Fraher & Son and James Fraher & Sons were established. Previous to the late war the old firm of P. & J. Fraher did a large business in manufacturing boots and shoes to order, employing as many as thirteen hands during the busy season. Of late years the use of improved machinery by large manufacturers has so lessened the cost of production, and the products themselves have improved so much in style and quality, as to decrease the demand for the home-made article and increase the business in readymade boots and shoes, in which the present firm of Philip Fraher & Son, in connection with their custom department, are extensive dealers, carrying the largest stock in the county and having built up a very satisfactory trade. Philip Fraher was married June 17, 1849, in St. Peter's Catholic Church, New York City, the Rev. Father Quinn officiating, to Miss Mary Anne Frazer, oldest daughter of Thomas Frazer and Elizabeth McLean, of Scrabby, County Cavan, Ireland. Miss Frazer was born May 15, 1828, and came to the United States also in 1846. After their marriage, she came West with her husband, locating, as above stated, in Liberty, Mo., where she died July 30, 1879, universally beloved and respected. Of this marriage there was born one son, Thomas J., who is a graduate of William Jewell College, and since attaining his majority has been associated with his father in business. He is a young man of good

Thomas H. Frame

Ml". Frame was a son of Col. Thomas T. Frame, of Daviess county, this State, and was reared and educated in that county. He completed his education at the Gallatin High School, where he graduated in the spring of 1861. Following that, he began an apprenticeship at the printer's trade in the office of the Stm, at Gallatin, having decided to devote himself to the profession of journalism, and desiring to become familiar with the practical details of printing in order to make his success as a journalist the more assured. Mr. Frame worked at the case about three years and during that time also did considerable work as a writer for the paper in both its local and editorial departments. In 1865 he bought the Torch-Light newspaper, and afterwards was editor and proprietor of that paper for five years. While in charge of the Torch-Light he greatly improved it, both in mechanical make-up and influence, and its circulation and patronage steadily increased. Under his management the Torch-Light was brought to an enviable position among the country newspapers of the State. In 1870 Mr. Frame sold his newspaper office in order to accept a position at the head of the local department of the Kansas City Times, which had been tendered him. There, as in charge of the Torch-Light, his services were of much value to the paper. For five years he was connected with the Times as local editor, and it is well known to every one at all familiar with newspaper affairs in this State that while he was connected with the Times its local department was generally remarked for life, enterprise and ability. The Times became the popular local paper of Kansas City, and was looked upon as a model in this respect. But it is one thing to work on a salary, with little or no hope of accumulating means or establishing one's self in life, and another thing to have a business of one's own, the growth and increase in value of which is one's own profit. i\Ir. Frame preferred to return to country journalism, in the hope of securing a good paper and building it up. An opportunitj' of this kind was oli'ercd at Liberty. Accordingly, in 1875, he came to this place and took charge of the Advance, and two years later he purchased the office. His long experience in newspaper life enabled him to bring the Advance, by a few years of hard work and good management, to an envial)le position of influence and prosperity. Its history for the last eight or nine years is one of gratifying progress in every feature that renders a newspaper valuable and influential. The circulation ®f the paper has largely increased. The office has been greatly improved by repeated purchases of new and additional material, and its advertising patronage is more than ordinarily large, considering the general business of Liberty and the count}'. The Advance is one of the leading Democratic country papers of the State, and Mr. Frame, himself, is recognized as ii prominent and influential member of the Democratic party of Western Missouri. In 1884 lie was delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago. He is an earnest, consistent Democrat, but not an extremist, and as an editor he is a vigorous, pungent writer, one who gets his subject in hand before putting ids views in print, and who expresses himself cleaidy, briefly and with more than ordinary pointedness and vigor. Mr. Frame is justly recognized as one of the representative, public-spirited citizens of Liberty. Twice he has been elected to the office of mayor, and in all matters of public advantage, either to Lilierty or the county, he is ever ready to do his full share by contributing both his means, as far as he is able, and his time and personal exertions. Fel)ruary 4, 1871 Mr. Frame was married to Jliss Hosa L. Riggins, a refined and accomplished daughter of B. L. Riggins, Esq., of Kansas City. They were married at Glasgow, Mo., where Mrs F. had Ijeen attending the Pritchett Institute for some time. Mr. and Mrs. F. have three children, Fredonia, Callie and Olin. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Frame's father. Col. Thomas T. Frame, was originally from Virginia. He was married in that State to Miss Myriani C. Catlett, and removed to Missouri with his family in 1830, locating in Daviess county. In a few years afterwards he was elected circuit and county clerk, and subsequently held one or both of these ofE<!es almost continuously for a period of nearly twenty 3'ears. In 18.56 he was a candidate for State Treasurer, l)ut was defeated by the Democratic nominee. He died at Jetiersou City in 18(51.

William J. Francis

Mr. Francis came to this State when in childhood, away back in the " twenties." The family first settled in Gasconade count}', where the father, Pearle Francis, died in 1850. The mother died in that county in 18G3. William J. Francis was born in Lincoln county, Ky., iu 1825. Principally reared in Gasconade county. Mo., he was married in 1852 to Miss Martha Waller, a daughter of Judge J. G. Waller, of Warren county, but originally of Henry county, Va. Meantime Mr. Francis had begun life for himself as a farmer, and was then engaged in that occupation. But during the Mexican War he had served a part of the time under Gen. Doniphan, but principallj' under Gen. Price, being nevertheless under Gen. Kearney also a short time. Mr. Francis removed to Clay county in 1866, and has been a resident of this county continuously ever since. His business has been that of farming and raising stock, and also dealing in stock. He has a good farm of 360 acres with more than average improvements. His farm is almost devoted exclusively to stock-raising, and is run in blue grass principally. In 1873 Mr. Francis had the misfortune to lose his'first wife; She had long been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and was a true-hearted Christian lady and a devoted mothei' and wife.

She left six children : William W., Louisa B., wife of James Collier, of Fort Worth, Texas ; Mary A., wife of French Boo^gess ; Leoma A., Sarah E., wife of Gen. Price Boggess, and Emmet L. Mr. Francis' present wife was a Miss Abbie E. Ecton, a daughter of John Ecton, of Chiy county. They have one child, Betsey Brooks. Mrs. Francis is an estimable lady, and she is a member of the Christian Church. Her husband belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church.

Capt. William G. Garth

The Garth family, or rather that branch of it to which our subject belongs, were early settlers in Central Missouri. His grandparents were from Virginia - the Russels on his mother's side, she being Miss Mary Ann Russel before her marriage to Jefferson Garth. Capt. Garth was born near Georgetown, Ky., November 19, 1832. His father moving to Missouri in his early childhood, he was reared on a farm overlooking the town of Columbia, where his father still lives, and even yet in his old age holds a prominent place in public enterprise. Capt. Garth's education was mostly received in the State Universit}', to the location of which institution his father was a liberal contributor. In 1847 Capt. Garth enlisted in the U. S. army for five years or during the war, serving as a private under (now) Col. William H. Royal, of the U. S. army. The surrender of New Mexico returned him home at the end of the year, from which place the next year he started to California, making the overland journey of over 2,000 miles on the back of a mule. After a sojourn of two years in that then wild country he again turned his face homeward by way of Vera Cruz and the city of Old Mexico. The next three years he remained at his father's, farming and stock-raising, when, again leaving home, he located in Holt county. Mo., where he bought land and lived some two years. In the year of 1856 he was married to Miss Katharine Berry, daugliter of John Berry, a prominent citizen of Liberty, Mo., to which place Capt. Garth removed and settled down to a useful, busy and active life, devoting himself to the handling of live stock. Successful in most his efforts, he is known in the various markets as a shipper whose judgment and ability can be relied upon. He owns three handsome farms ; a substantial citizen of his county, his home for 24 years has been in the town of Liberty, identified with all its interests and enterprises. He served three years during the war as captain of a company of militia, which was organized and stationed in this county, and represented his county during one term of the Legislature. Capt. and Mrs. Garth have had two boys born to them, but reared but one (John B. Garth), who is now a young man. engaged in stock-raising in New Mexico. They are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Blue Lodije of tiie A. F. and A. M.

Christopher Geib

Mr. Geib commenced his trade as saddle and harnessmaker at the age of 15 ill 1854 at Mineral Point, Wis., and has been at work at it as workman, foreman, or proprietor ever since. There is probably not a man in the State who understands the Inisiness better than he does. He served an apprenticeship of three years and a half at Mineral Point, Wis., and then ^vorked in a large establishment at St. Louis until he entered the government service. May 5, 18(50, and became foreman of the harness establishment at Fort Leavenworth Arsenal, and remained foreman 13 years. Since that time he has worked at different points, and once again for the government at Rock Island, 111., being for a time at the head of a harness and saddle establisimient for a company at Kansas City. During this time, until he located at Lil)erty in the spring of 1877, he has been at Wichita, Kas., Leavenworth, at different points in Iowa, at Rock Island and Kansas City. For a time he carried on business himself at Allerton, Iowa. When he began business at Liberty Mr. Geib had strongcompetition to meet, but being a fine workman, economical and an upright man, he soon gained the confidence of the people and overcame all opposition. He carries a good stock of saddles, harness and other goods in his line. Mr. Geib was married in 1862 to Miss Maria J. Johnson, daughter of Greenup Johnson, formerly of Kentucky. She was reared in Platte county. They have six children : Mary A., Annie, Emma, Christopher, Thomas and Allen. Mr. and Mrs. Geib are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Geib was born in Lu.xemburg, Germany, September 13, 183i». His father was John Geib, and his mother's maiden name, Mary Rume. The family came to America in 1847 and settled at Mineral Point, Wis., where the father still resides. The mother died in 1877. Mr. Geib was educated at the common schools and a private academ}'.

Maj. James A. Gillespie

When a lad about 11 years of age Maj. Gillespie was left an orphan by the death of his father. He was one of a largo family of chiUh-en. Some of the older children of the family had already grown to mature years, and one had married. In 1855, on the death of his mother, James A., with two others of the children, went to live with their married sister, Mrs. R. A. Stout, of Woodford county, Ky., where the family had long been settled. In 185(! Mr. Stout I'emoved to Missouri and settled in Clay county, young James A., who was then in his nineteenth year, coming with him. Some years afterwards Mr. Stout returned to Kentuck}', but young Gillespie remained in Clay county. In 1858 he obtained a clerkship in a general store at Liberty, and in 1860 engaged in business with Richard Evans, at Liberty (tirni of Evans & Gillespie), until the breaking out of the war. He then enlisted in Thompson's regiment, of Stein'a infantry lirigade, under Gov. Jackson's call, and became second lieutenant of Capt. L. B. Dougherty's company. After about five months' service under Col. Thompson in the State Guard, he resigned and re-enlisted in the Southern service, becoming a volunteer in the regular Confederate army. At first he was a member of Col. John T. Hughes' battalion, but afterwards became a private in Co. B, Third Missouri infantry, but was shortly promoted to a first lieutenancy and ordered to report tor the Twelt'th battalion of Arkansas sharpshooters. He was with that l)attalion until the fall of Vicksburg, when he was directed to report at Washington, Ark., to reorganize his command, and was there given charge of a regiment with the rank of first lieutenant. At the battle of Saline river, though only holding a lieutenant's commission, he commanded a regiment, being made a brevet-major for the occasion. His brigade commander especially commended his gallantry and impoitant services in this engagement. Subsequently he went to Northern Arkansas where he recruited a battalion for the Confederate service, and was elected its major. He. served in that position until the close of the war, surrendering finally at Natchitoches, La. In the course of the war, among other engagements in which he participated were the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, Corinth, luka, Baker's Creek and Vicksburg. At Baker's Creek he received quite a severe flesh wound and was dii^abled for service for about a month. At the fall of Vicksburg he was, of course, captured, but was shortly paroled and exchanged, and, as stated above, was thereupon ordered to rejoin his command at Washington, Ark. After the war Maj. Gillespie returned to Liberty, and having lost all he had by the war, he shortly accepted a clerkship at Kansas City, where he was employed about six months. On the 2d of November, 18(55, he was married to Mrs. Alice Breeden, daughter of Capt. John SuUenger, of Woodford count}', Ky. In 1867 Maj. Gillespie engaged in the grocery business at Lil)erty for Mr. Bearing, which he continued for about six 3'ears. Returning to Kentucky in 1875, he made his home in Woodford and Scott counties until 1880, when he came back to Lil)erty and engaged in the hotel business. He had charge of the Arthur House for two years, and by his good management, hospitality and fair dealing as a landlord, placed the house in the front rank of popular hotels in this part of the State. Maj. Gillespie is an ardent Democrat, and takes an active and public-spirited interest in political matters. la 1884 he was a candidate at the general election for county collector, and was elected l)y a large majority. He is now (1885) serving the first year of his term in that office. He is a man of high standing, good business qualifications and justly popular wherever he is known. Maj. and Mrs. Gillespie have two sous: Elmer Lee and Willa Johnson. Maj. Gillespie was born in Woodford county, Ky., July 11, 1837. His parents were George E. and Louisa (Campbell) Gillespie, the father originallv from Virginia, and the mother of a former Virginia family. James A. was the eighth in a family of 10 children.

namel}^ : Melvina, now Mrs. M. L. Wallace, of Hayes county, Texas; Fannie, the wife of R. H. Stout, present slieriti' of Woodford county, Ky. ; John W., present jud^e of the county court of that county; Ciiarles, assistant in the Secretary of State's office at Jetierson City; the others now being deceased. The mother died in 1855.

Joseph C. Goodwin

Joseph Goodwhi, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a gallant soldier in the War of the Revolution, and commanded a company of brave Virginians in that long and terrible struggle for independence. He participated in a number of the leading battles of the war and assisted to win the final triumph of the Revolution at Yorktown. His son, Capt. William Goodwin, became the father of the subject of this sketch. Capt. William Goodwin was an officer in the militia organization of Virginia, holding the rank of captain. He married in that State Miss Mary Wells, and made Virginia his permanent home. Joseph C. Goodwin, the subject of this sketch, was b(U'n in Henrico county, near Richmond, March 27, 1824. Up to the age of sixteen his time was principally spent at school. He then began an ap])i"enticeship of five years at the cal^inetmaker's trade. Completing this, he subsequently worked at different places in Virginia, NorUi Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. Later along he located at Bowling Green, Ky., and after awhile at Lexington, that State. There he was married July 15, 1853, to Mrs. Rosana, relict of John Young, and daughter of William Rickets. In 1853 Mr. Goodwin came to Missouri and located at Liberty. A year later, in 1856, he established a shop of his own which ho carried on until the outbreak of the war, having a full stock of furniture. He also had a stock of dry goods and groceries. But during the war his business house was robbed. After that he removed to Lexington, Ky., and in 1864 to Illinois, engaging in merchandising at Zanesville. From there Mr. Goodwin removed to Augusta, Arkansas, and sold goods with a partner under the firm name of Goodwin & Bost, for about four years. But in 1869 he returned to Liberty and the following year resumed the furniture business and has been in business ever since. Mr. Goodwin is a substantial property holder at Liberty, owning a good business house and three residence houses. Recently he has been engaged in shipping apples, and this year shipped about 12,000 l)arrels. Mr. Goodwin's wife died in 1866. She left him one daughter, Rosana, who is the wife of Thomas Gasney.

Judge William F. Gordon

actions of the lives of its prominent, representative citizens. No worthy representative history of Chvy county would, therefore, be complete which failed to include at least an outline of the life of the subject of the present sketch, and something of the record of his family. Judge Gordon's parents came here among the early settlers of the county. His father, Hon. Thomas C. Gordon, was originally' from Virginia, but was brought out at an early age to Kentucky by his parents, who settled in Clark county. Mr. Gordon, senior, grew to manhood in that county and in young manhood was married in Kentucky to Miss Charlotte Grigsby, of an early family in that State. They resided in Clark county for a time after their marriage and while there the subject of the present sketch was born June 24, 1831. The same year of his birth the family came to Missouri and settled eight miles northwest of Liberty, in Clay county. Here the father bought a large body of land and improved a farm. He owned a large number of slaves and engaged in farming quite extensively, which he followed with success. He also dealt in stock and all in all accumulated an ample property. Mr. Gordon, senior, repi-esented Clay county for a uumt)er of terms in the Legislature and was a member of the House from this county at the time of his death, which occurred January 8, 1866. He was at the time at home from Jefferson City spending the holidays. For many years he had been a member cff the Christian Church and was an earnest worker and liberal contributor in his church. Judge Gordon, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest in his father's family of eight children, four sons and as many daughters ; all grew to mature years, and all, save one, lived to become the heads of families themselves. Two of the brothers and three of the sisters are still living. Judge Gordon was reared on his father's farm, eight miles northwest of this place, and spent his youth at farm work and in neighborhood schools until he was about 18 3'ears of age. At this time the California gold excitement broke out and he was one of the first in the county to determine on crossing the plains and visit the land of stored wealth on the Pacific sea. He started across the Continent early in 1850, and took a drove of 150 head of cattle and a number of mules with him. He had a squad of fifteen men to accompany him as help and as guard against the Indians. They were on the way one hundred and ten days up to the day they for the first time grazed their cattle on the height overlooking the city of Sacramento. The Judge's impression of that scene as he descrii)es it would make a subject worthy the pencil of a Diefonbach. There fed his cattle above the valley of the Sacramento, here and there in small groups, with a travel-stained and weary herder or cowbov near each group, either astride his trusted jmny and with a long whip in one hand and his bridle rein in the other while the wide rim of his great sombrei'O quivered in the breeze; or, .else, lying outstretched on the ground, refreshing himself with a peaceful slumber and naught above him but the clear blue sky, whilst his pony grazed around him all saddled and bridled for use at a moment's call and made secure by a long lariat staked to the ground. Below in the mist of the valley stood the quaint and wierd little city of Sacramento, with the steeple of its single cathedral piercing above into the clear light of the sky. The queerness of the dress of its few inhabitants and the promiscuity of their apjjearance and nationalities added an additional interest to the scene. Away off, thousands of miles from civilization, with the boundless, l)oundless sea on one hand and an almost impassal)le waste of country' on the other, stopping there down the distant slope of the Cordilleras with no signs of civilized life near save the little semicivilized city of Sacramento with its strange buildings, little, narrow, crooked streets and its admixture of [)eople from every quarter of the globe, among the native Mexicans and Indians and half and quarter lireeds, it was, indeed, a sight to be seen only in one generation in the history of a country. Judge Gordon remained in California, principally engaged in freighting and dealing in stock, for nearly two years, and then returned to his old home in Clay county, l)y way of Panama and New York. On his return home he visited Philadelphia, Pittsbni-g, Cincinnati and St. Louis, fully "doing" each city, as young men were then, as they now are, wont to " do " cities on their first visit. Coming on up home he settled down quietly and engaged in farming, having seen the world and interviewed the great " white elephant " to his entire satisfaction. Industry and close attention to his farming interests soon began to bear their usual fruits and in ample abundance. In a word, he shortly became one of the well established and prosperous farmers in the county. He also engaged in stock raising and in handling stock, after awhile turning his attention largely to fine short horn cattle. Judge Gordon finally bought and improved two other farms, the management of which he has been superintending for a number of yeai's. Though engaging in the banking business as far back as 1865, he has nevertheless continued to carry on his farming and stock interests. Judge Gordon now has one of the best herds of short horn cattle in the county. He has been breeding and handling short horns for nearly twenty years, and was among the first farmers of the county to introduce them here. In 1865 he engaged in merchandising at Liberty as a member of the firm of GfU'don, Reymon & Co.. and continued in the business with success for about three years. He was one of the original organizers of the bank association of this place, which engaged in the banking business in 1865, and started at first on a capital of $1,000, but now has a capital of $3('), 000. His father was also one of the first stockholders of the association and was its first president. The Judge has been pi'esident of the l)ank since September, 1873. In 1878 he was elected presiding judge of the county court for a period of six years, but held it only two years on account of the change of law. On the 17th of October, 1853, he was married to Miss Rebecca Bland, a daughter of James Bland, formerly of Warren county. She was educated, however, at the Liberty Female College. On the 2d of April, 1872, she was taken from him by death, leaving eight children: Mary E., James B., Katie, wife of S. Burkhead ; Frank Lee, Minnie, Carrie, William and Lena. On the 27th of January, 1875, Judge Gordon was married to Miss Louisa Oliver, a daughter of S. A. Oliver. His present wife was also educated at Lil)erty. They have one son, Oliver. The Judge and Mrs. Gordon are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, in the Masonic Order.

Capt. John S. Groom

The family name of the subject of the present sketch is one so long and worthily identified with Clay county, that no history of the county could fairly be considered complete which failed to make proper allusion to the Groom family. Capt. Groom's father, Josepli Groom, was a Virginian b}' nativity, but was reared in Kentucky. His father was a pioneer settler of Clark county, in that State, having removed there from Virginia during the latter part of the last century. Joseph Groom was reared in Clark county, and in early nnmhood was married to Miss Nancy Hudtison, a daughter of Col. Hudtison, another pioneer from Virginia and a brave old veteran of the Revolution. After their marriage Joseph Groom and wife removed to Missouri and settled in Clay county, back in 1824. The inhabitants of what is now Clay county could then have been numbered on one's fingers, so few and far between were the settlements in the county. He bought land and improved a farm and resides on the place he then improved to this day, now closely approaching a continuous residence on one farm of sixty years. His life, during the years of his activity, was one of industry and much usefulness, and from the beginning he has always [)rescrved a character and good name that reflect only credit upon himself, his family and the community with which his life has been so long identified. Although now in his eighty-ninth j^ear, he is still well preserved in mind and body, uncommonly so considering his advanced age. His good wife passed away some years ago, a motherly, noble-hearted old lady, loved and venerated by all who knew her. They reared a numerous family of children, all of whom are now worthy members of their respective communities. Capt. Groom, the subject of this sketch, was born about four years after his parents came to Clay county, November 28, 1828. He was reared in the county, and in youth attended the comnu)n schools of his neighborhood. On the outbreak of the Mexican war, early in 1846, he enlisted in the service under Col. A. W. Doniphan, i)ecoming a member of Capt. O. P. Moss' company. With his command Capt. Groom took part in the expedition to Santa Fe, being finall}' ordered to New Orleans at the close of the war, by wav of Matamoras, where he was honorably discharged. Li common with his command he participated in the battles of Brazeta and Sacramento and in some lesser engagements. After his return from the Mexican War Capt. Groom engaged in farming, to which he had been brought up. and on the 24th of February, 1848, was married to Miss Catherine Hadley, a daughter of Samuel Hadlc}', deceased, an early settler of this county from Todd county, Ky. Capt. Groom continued farming after his marriage, and with good success. He bought a fsirm eight miles west of Liberty, where he resided some eight 3'ears, and in 1859 bought a phice a mile from Liberty, west of town. The same year he was elected assessor of the county, and discharged the duties of that office something over a year, when the Civil War broke out. Like the great body of the property holders and the intelligence and character of the people of Clay county, he warmly espoused the cause of the South, and promptly enlisted in the Southern service. He organized Co. A, of Col. Thompson's regiment, being elected captain of the company, and soon, for the second time in his life, was taking part in the trials and dangers and hardships of war. He was in the active service for nearly three years, and during that time participated in the battles of Lexington, Pea Ridge, Independence and Lone Jack. In the latter, one of the deadliest and most resolute engagements of the war, though not a great battle in point of numV)ers, he was shot through the shoulder and disabled for further service. The battle lasted for nearly eight hours, and every inch of ground was resolutely contested. Col. Yard. Cockrell commanded on the Southern side, and Muj. Emory S. Foster had command of the Federals. Both were Missourians, and had been reared neighbor boys together, and their men were all of neighboring counties. So, there, Greek met Greek, and it was a matter of personal pride in each side to win the battle. The Southerners, however, finally won the field. According to the numbers engaged, there were more men killed than in any other battle of the war. \Yith the exception of two other fights, it is believed that this is true. After the battle Capt. Groom returned home for a short time and soon recovered, at least became strong enough, as he thought, to re-enter the service. He thereupon organized another company in Clay county, and at once started South with his men to rejoin the Southern army. But when about five miles from Liberty he was met by a body of Federals, and a fight ensued. During the fight Capt. Groom's horse was killed under him, and his men were routed and scattered, he himself l)arely escaping with his life ; and for nine days afterward he was compelled to secrete himself in the brush, whilst the woods were literally "driven" for him, as hunters say when on a deer hunt. From Clay county he made his way to Denver, in Colorado, and remained there and in Nebraska until the close of the war, principally engaged in merchandising. After returning to Clay county he resumed farming again, but in 1866 established a store at Kearney, where he sold goods for about eight years. He was then, in 1874, elected sheriff, in which office he served for two terms. Immediately following that he was elected county collector, and served in that office for four years. He then bought the place where he now resides, in the vicinity of Liberty, a good farm of about 40 acres, where he is engaged in farming. He also has another farm of 320 acres, and other lands on the Misscniri river. Capt. Groom is engaged in raising fine thoroughbred short horn cattle to some extent, and is having excellent success. On the 11th of August, 1864, he had the misfortune to lose his first wife. She left him four children : Fannie, wife of Richard Myall, of May's Lick, Ky. ; Ruth, deceased, late wife of A. S. Brown : Jennie, wife of Charles Mosby, and Walter. To his present wife Capt. Groom was married in 18t5(]. She was a sister to his first wife. There are no children by this union. Mrs. G. is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and her husband of the Christian.

Michael A. Groom

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Liberty) . Like a large majority of the people of Clay county, Mr. Groom is of Kentucky antecedents. His father, Joseph Groom, came to this county from the Blue Grass State in an early day, settling with his family about two miles west of Liberty. Mr. Groom, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm in this county, and in 1861, the beginning of the late Civil War, he entered the State Guard under Gen. Price and served in Col. Thompson's regiment, in Capt. Groom's company, until in 1862, when he entered the regular Confederate service, serving in the Trans-Mississippi department. During this time he took part in a number of leading battles and many lesser engagements and skirmishes until the surrender, after which he returned home, and resumed farming and also engaged in dealing in stock. He was married to Emma P., daughter of D. J. Adkins, in Clay county, November 5, 1867, and in 1882 he had the misfortune to lose his wife. She left him six children, namely : Eima, Ruth, Darwean, Artie E., Minnie G., and Lizzie E. Groom. Mr. Groom feeds cattle for the markets and is one of the energetic stockmen of the township. He has a good farm of about 500 acres, which is well improved, including a handsome brick residence and a new and commodious barn. His farm is principally run in blue grass for stock purposes. His present wife was a Mrs. Amelia Collins, widow of the late Jesse B. Collins, of this county, and a daughter of James M. Watkins. She has two children by her first husband, Jesse B. and Martha J. Collins. Mr. Groom is a man of warm domestic attachment and is greatly devoted to his family. With him there is in truth no place like home, and to both his own and his second wife's children he is all that a kind and afiectionate father could well be. His first wife was an earnest and life-long member of the Christian Church and a devoted wife and mother. His present wife is a member of the Baptist Church and a worthy, excellent lady. Mr. Groom is a memiier of no secret order and often remarks that his own family is as pleasant and welcome a loilge as he cares to spend his leisure evenings in. Still, he is not insensible to the great good done by many of the secret orders and warmly approves the object for which they are instituted. He is a member of the Christian Church.

Samuel Hardwicke

(Attorney at Law, Liberty). For more than 25 years Mr. Hardwicke has lieeu engaged in the active practice of his profession at Liberty and in the courts of this

State. A young man of a thorough cUissical education to begin with, a teacher of the classics in fact, and subsequently qualifying himself thoroughly for the l)ar by a regular and exhaustive course of study under Judge Norton, then one of the leading practicing lawyers of West Missouri and since 187(j a distinguished member of the Supreme Court, he entered upon his career as an attorney at Libert}' immediately following his admission in 1857, under auspices of a successful and honorable future in the legal profession. Nor has his record in the practice disappointed the just expectations that were formed of him at the beginning. For years he has held a prominent and honorable position among the leading lawyers of his judicial circuit, and he has long been recogTiized as one of the first lawyers in point of ability and success at the Liberty bar. Close habits of studiousness have always been one of his most marked characteristics, and while he is thoroughly wedded to his profession, a constant student of the science of law, by which he has become one of the best read lawyers in this part of the State, he has at the same time found leisure to gratify his taste for general literature and the classics. His knowledge of the law and his judgment upon legal questions command respectful consideration from the court and bar wherever his duties as a lawyer call him, whilst his culture, eloquence and ability as an advocate and his integrity, professionally and in private life, are recognized by all. Though an active, successful lawyer, Mr. Hardwicke is a man of unusually quiet nuuiners, and of a retiring disposition, more given to the study of his books and to reflection than to the enjoyment of society or the pleasures of conversation. He has a fine law library, where most of his time is spent when not in the court-room or at home with his family. His library is by far the best in the county, and one of the best in the circuit. Samuel Hardwicke was born in Clay county, Mo., September 8, 1833. His father was Capt. Philip Allen Hardwicke, from Brooks county, Va., and his mother. Miss Margaret Gregg (then called "Peggy"), born in Tennessee, I)Ut reared in Howard county, Mo. She was the daughter of Hannon Gregg, whom Gen. A. W. Doniphan pronounced one of the strongest men in native intellect he ever met. Her brother, Josiah Gregg, was distinguished in science and as an author. Mrs. Hardwicke was brought out to this State by her parents when she was in childhood, and for a time they lived in Cooper's Fort for protection against the Indians. She was a witness to the death of Capt. Cooper, who was shot by the Lidians in the fort. Mr. Hardwicke' s grandfather was a gallant old Eevolutiouary soldier from Virginia, and received a grant of land from the State for his services in the struggle for independence. An incident in this connection is worth mentioning, as it gave rise to two ways of spelling the family name. In the instrument of grant, or patent, the name was spelled " Hardwick " instead of Hardwicke, the proper orthography. Since then some of his desceiulants have kept up the former way of spelling the name. In a very early day the grandfather, Hardwicke, died in Virginia. His son Philip was then a small boy. He was l)ound out to the cabiiietmakei-'s trade. Before he was grown, however, lie went to Loijan countv, Ky., where he helped to build the first house in Lebanon, a town in that county. About the time of attaining his majority Philip Hardwicke came to Missouri and located in Howard county. There he met and was married to Miss Margaret Gregg (then called " Peggy"), mentioned above. In the early Indian wars Capt. Hardwicke took an active and prominent part, and commanded a company of volunteers through several campaigns. In 1824 he removecl to Clay county, having land about five miles north of Kansas City, where he improved a large and valuable farm and lived a nseful and respected life until his death. He was a very successful farmer, and was a man of marked influence in the community. Often urged to stand as a candidate for official position he uniformly refused, being tlioroughh' averse to every idea and practice of the politician's life. He had no taste for the turmoil, confusion, slander, iusincerit}' and double dealing incident to politics, and scrupulously avoided everything of the kind, though lie believed earnestly in the principles of the old Whig party, and never failed to vote his honest convictions. In 1849 he joined the general movement of Argonauts to the Pacific coast, and died on his return the following year on the ocean, and was buried at Acapulco. Mr. Samuel Hardwicke was reared on his father's farm in this county, and received a general and classical education at the Sugar Tree Grove Academy, then an institution of more than local repute, which he attended for a period of three years. After this he was professor, in that institution, of Greek and Latin for a year, at the close of which he resigned his professorship to engage in the study of law. As stated above, he read law under Judge Morton at Platte City, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1857. He at once located at Liberty for the practice of his profession, and has been here continuously ever since, except during an absence of about eighteen months while at St. Paul, Minn. Mr. Hardwicke's professional career has already been spoken of. It is only necessary to add here that there has scarcely been a case of any importtincc in the county for years past with which he has not been identified as one of the counsel. Mr. Hardwicke has given little or no attention to politics, except to vote his honest convictions, and at times to help his friends. He has therefore neither held nor desired any strictly political position. When a young man he was city attorney of Liberty for a time, and in 1874 his name was canvassed by his friends for the Democratic nomination for <|fJj^i?Guit judge. His candidacy was very favorably received, and liutfor political trickery he would have been declared the regular nominee, for he fairly and honorably won the nomination. On the 27th of December, 18(!(), Mr. Hardwicke was married to Miss Ada Hall, a refined and accomplished daughter of the late John D. Hall, formerly a leading and wealthy citizen of this county. Mrs. Hardwicke was educated at Clay Seminar\% where she graduated in the class of '59. Mr. and Mrs. Hardwicke have four children, namely: Miss Maude, a young lady of superior accomplishments, a graduate of the Baptist Female College of Lexington, where she won six medals for superiority in the many different departments of culture, and afterwards tausfht music in that institution ; Claude, who was educated at William Jewell College, which he attended for six years - he is now conducting a cattle ranch in Arizona; Philifi and Norton, both youths, still at home and attending school. Mr. H. is amemher of the Cuml)erland Presl)yterian Church, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. H. is a prominent and active member of the Masonic Order, and founded theCommandery at this place. His mother is still living, at the advanced age of 81, remarkably well preserved in health and mental vigor.

Prof. George Hughes

Prof. Hughes is a native of this count}', born in what is now Gallatin township, July 1, 1826. His father was Daniel Hughes, and his mother's maiden name Elizal)eth Woods. Both were originally from Kentucky, his father from Bourbon count}' and his mother from Madison county. Mrs. Hughes was a daughter of Rev. Peter Woods, who early came to Missouri and was one of the pioneer Primitive Baptist preachers of the central [)art of the State. He settled in Cooper county. Mr. Hughes, Sr., came out to Missouri in 1824 and stopjied for a time in Cooper county, where he met and was shortly married to Miss Woods. They then came to Clay county and located on land in Gallatin township, where he im|)roved a farm, and where the son, the subject of this sketch, was born. Mr. Hughes, Sr., served as magistrate of the township for a numljer of years. He was also an earnest and useful member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Though not an e.xtreme partisan he was an active and consistent member of the Whig party until its final defeat and disorganization in 18.56. After that as against the Republicans he was a Democrat and voted the Democratic ticket. He died at his homestead in Gallatin township July 9, 1875, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. His wife, however, still survives in comparative good health, at the age of seventy- seven, and quite active considering her years. Prf)f. Hughes is the eldest of five children of the family living, three sons and two daughters. Four others lived to reach mature years, two brothers and two sisters. Prof. Hughes received his general elementary education in the public schools of the county, though afterwards he continued tostudv outside of the school-room and materially advanced himself in the higher branches. Indeed, he has been a constant studentall his life, as well as a teacher most of the time for nearly forty years. In point of experience he is unquestionably the father of the teacher's profession in this county. In 1854 ho succeeded Gen. Donii)han as school commissioner of the county, and has held the office ever since, a period of thirt}' years. For tliree years he was a teacher in William Jewell College immediately prior to its reorganization after the war. Subsequently he was three years principal of the Liberty High School for young ladies. Under his long administration in the office of school commissioner, the public schools of the county have made remarkable progress in numbers and efficiency. When he took charge of the office they were not considered the chief reliance of the youth of the county for an education. Now the public schools of Clay county are among the best aud most successful to be found in any of the counties of the State, and are so constituted as to amply qualify those who attend them and complete the curriculum studies prescribed for all the ordinar_v business affairs of life. September 29, 1859, Prof. Hughes was married to Miss Margaret, a daughter of the late Andrew Russell, of this township, one of the early settlers of the county. They have two' children, Frank and Ralph. The Professor and wife are members of the Christian Church. Prof. Hughes served three years as mayor of Liberty and was councilman for a number of terms. Prof. Hughes gives much of his leisure time to literary pursuits, being an active member of the principal literary societies of the community in which he lives.

Daniel Hughes

Mr. Hughes, who is a regular registered pharmacist and a druggist of experience and enviable reputation, began to learn the drug business nearly 20 years ago, when he was in his eighteenth year. He worked at it as a clerk for five years, and iu 1870 formed a partnership with S. W. Warren, and began business on his own account at Liberty, buying out his former employer and succeeding iiim in business. Two years later he bought out his partner and became sole proprietor of the business, which he has ever since carried on alone, for a period now of over 14 years. He has been satisfactorily successful, and has one of the principal drug stores at Liberty. Mr. Hughes carries a large and well selected stock of goods in his line, and has a good trade. Personally, he is a man of pleasant, popular address, of an agreeable social disposition, and is much esteemed in the community. July 27, 1871, he was married to Miss Annie McCarty, a daughter of William A. McCarty, and niece of Capt. Thomas McCarty, deceased, former State Senator from this district. Mrs. Hugiies was educated at Liberty, and is a gradinite of the Female Seminary at this place. They have four children : Alia, George, Albert and Charles. Mr. aud Mrs. H. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. H. is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Chapter, Commandery and Blue Lodge. Mr. Hughes was born in this county December 6, 1847, and was a son of Daniel Hughes, mentioned in the sketch of George Hughes, on a former page. Daniel Hughes, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was reared in this county and educated at the common and high schools and at William Jewell College.

George W. Jones

Mr. Jones descends from an old Virginia family, one that has been settled in this county since the earliest days of that colony, as the large number of Jones in eveiy quarter of the Union conclusively attest. He was horn in Rappahannock county, Va., September 22, 1825, and was a sou of William and Elizabeth E. (Easham) Jones, his father a veteran of the War of 1812, and a substantial planter of Virginia. Geoi'ge W. received an advanced education, attending New Baltimore Academy, under the tutorship of that distinguished educator Prof. Ogilvie. Afterwards he came West, locating at Buffalo, Mo., where or in the vicinity of which he taught school for seven years. Mr. Jones came to Clay county in 1847. Here he also followed teaching for some j'ears. He had a number of negroes, but these he hired out to other parties for farm work, etc. He married Miss Elizabeth, a daughter of William Bywater, an early settler of Platte county, from Virginia. He then engaged in farming and raising stock in Platte county, and so continued up to 1862, when, on account of war troubles, he went to Virginia, which seemed a good deal like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. Nevertheless, he obtained the favor of both sides in Virginia and was granted free passport through their lines to go and come as he pleased. There he did a thriving business in furnishing stock and supplies for the two armies. In the fall of 1863, however, he returned to Missouri, and located on a farm in Lafayette comity. There he followed farming and also handling stock until the spring of 1881, when he came back to Clay county, and bought the place where he now resides. This is about two miles east of Liberty, and contains nearly a quarter of a section of land. Mr. Jones, besides farming in a general way and dealing in stock, makes a specialty of raising Poland-China hogs, of which he has some of the finest to seen in the country. Mr. Jones has been unirried three times. His first wife died a number of years before the Civil War. His second wife was a Miss M. A. Tillery, who only survived her marriage about two years. He was married to his third wife in the spring of 1863. She was a Miss Belle H. Hudson, a daughter of Capt. J. M. Hudson, of Saline county, this State. She is a member of the Christian Church, as he is, also, himself. By Mr. Jones' first marriage two children were reared : Alline E., the wife of James M. Elliott, of Cooper county, and William E., who was a graduate of the State University and of the Jeflerson Medical College pf Philadelphia, but died early in February, 1883, being at the time the leading physician of Jamestown, Misscniri. Thomas L. Jones, the second son, was born of his father's second marriage. He is a substantial farmer in the vicinity of Liberty. By Mr. Jones' present wife there are four children: Mattie B., Jesse B., Unis B. and Dilburn D. He is a member of the Odd Fellow's Order.

James M. Keller

Like most of the early settlers of Missouri, Mr. Keller is of Virginia descent. Both his grandfather, John Keller, and father, Jacob Keller, were natives of the Old Dominion. His grandfather served three years in the War of the Revolution and afterwards became one of the pioneer settlers of what became Jessamine county, Ky. There he sei'ved in several of the earh' Indian wars, as did also his son, Jacob Keller. Jacob Keller was married in Kentucky to Miss Mary M. Rice, formerly of Maryland, and became a large farmer and also extensively interested in distilling. He died in Jessamine county, at an advanced age, in 1824. James M., the subject of this sketch, was the third in the family of children. He was born in Jessamine county, Ky., October 13, 1809, and was reared in his native county, witb farming experience and at work in the distillery. However, after his father's death he learned the gunsmith's and blacksmith's trades, continuing to work at that in Kentucky for about eight years. Februaiy 27, 1833, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Dillingham, a daughter of Henry H. Dillingham of Madison county, that State. Three years later Mr. Keller removed to Missouri, and opened a shop at Liberty, where he soon secured a large custom as a gunsmith and blacksmith. He continued at work in his shop until about 1857, when he bought land about three miles northeast of Liberty, to whicii he removed, engaging there in farming. Ever since that time he has been actively identified with farming and for many years past has been engaged in stock raising. Mr. Keller has a small herd of fine shorthorn cattle, which class of stock he is making a specialty of breeding and raising for the markets, and in which he has iiad good success. Mr. and Mrs. K. have three children, namely: Mary E., wife of James G. Adkinson of Kansas City ; Pauline, a widow of Thomas J. Harper, deceased ; Mrs. H. being now a resident of Lil)erty, and herself the mother of three children; and Amanda B., wife of D. K. Bogie, who resides on the Keller homestead, and is interested in the farming and stock business of the place. He is a native of Kentucky and a l)rother to Dr. Bogie, of Kansas City. He and wife have three children: Marcus, Keller and Mary H. Mr. Keller is a man who has led a life of industr}' and strict integrity and has brought to him and to the retirement of old age the esteem of all who know him.

Hon. John R. Keller

Among the old and prominent citizens of Clay county, the subject of the present sketch has long held a well recognized and enviable position. Mr. Keller is a son of Jacob Keller, reference to whom is made in the slietcii of James M. Keller, elsewhere given. He was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, December 18, 1812. Reared in that county, June 6, 1833, he was married to Miss Eliza J. Faulconer, daughter of Nelson Faulcouer, of Fayette county, K3\ After his marriage he settled down in Fayette county, where Mr. Keller followed farming for about five years. But in 1837 he came on a prospecting trip to Missouri and traveled through several counties, particularly in the Platte Purchase. While on this trip he decided to make his home in Clay county, and, according]}^ dis- posing of liis saddle horse, having come ont from Kentucky horseback, he went hack by river, and at once went to work arranging his affairs for removal. In due time he returned to Missouri and bought a place of 320 acres, near to what is known to old settlers as Gladpen Siirings, for which he paid about $17 an acre. Since tiien he has adtled to his landed estate until he now has about 700 acres, but still resides on the old homestead on which he settled when he first came to the county. Mr. Keller is very comfortably situated, has, in fact, one of the best homesteads in many respects in the county. He suffered considerable loss during the war, and was compelled to leave home for a time, but returned as soon as peace was restored and has ever since, as he had always been ])efore, been regarded as one of the useful and prominent citizens of the county. In 1874 he was elected to the State Senate and served with marked ability in that body for two years. He also served on the State Boai-d of Equalization and has filled other positions of trust, all with entire credit to himself and to the public service. Mr. and Mrs. Keller have a family of six children: Elizabeth, wife of M. B. Brooks ; Sarah, wife of John D. Harper ; George N., Thomas J., Martha J. and Joseph F. Mr. and Mrs. Keller are members of the Christian Church, and have been for 50 years. As the above facts show, Mr. Keller has been a resident or this county for nearly half a century. But he has not been a man to confine his full time and attention to the acquisition of means or pi'operty. He has been a man who has given much study to (]uestious of public interest .'ind has well informed himself upon the politics of the day and the (iolitical history of the country. He has also read a great ileal in general literature, histoi-y and other branches, and is well informed. Nor has he neglected the information to be derived from travel, but has visited different parts of the country, and being always a close observer, he has profited much in this way. Mr. Keller is one of the intelligent, well informed representative citizens of the county.

Maj. Alvan Lightburne

No name is Justly entitled to a more enviable place in the history of Clay county than the one which heads this sketch. For nearly half a century Maj. Lightburne has been usefully and honorably identified with the growth and dcveloi)ment of the county, with its advancement in every woi'thy particular. Abundantly successfully himself in the activities of life, his industry and business enterprise have been even of more value to the community where his fortunes were cast than to himself. Not only has he been useful in promoting the material interests of the comity, but his public spirit and liberalit}' have been worthil}' represented in every step taken for the higher social interests of the people - the establishment of advanced educational facilities, the encouragement of mental culture and moral improvements, and support of the churches, and the building up of a healthy, religious sentiment - the best safeguard of society. In a word, the influence of his life upon those around him has been only for good, and of marked force and value. The family originated in England, from whence some of his ancestors went to Ireland. i\Ir. Lightburne is a Keutuckian by nativity, born in Scott county, December 13, 1803. His father was Richard Lightburne, a son of Lieut. Richard Lightburne, of the Virginia State nav}', who served in the American navy during the War of the Revolution. There were only two children, Staford and Deborah. The children of Richard Lightburne were all born' and raised in Scott couuty, Ky. ': Richard P., on tiie 23d of July, 1805, but died at Louisville, K3\, December 4, 1883 ; John S., born April 11, 1811, living in Clay count)', Mo., and William L., born June 4, 1820, living at Stamping Ground, Scott couuty, Ky. Stafl^ord Lightburne was the founder of the family in this country, whose immigration here was something of a romance. He was an Irish lad, about 16 years of age, in his native county, when he was " kidnaped " on a British vessel, which sailed for the New World. He was left on the cost of Virginia, and afterwards he found a home in a hospitable fumil}' in Caroline county, Va., where he remained until after he attained his majority. Stafl^ord Lightburne was the father of Richard Lightburne, Jr., the father of the subject of this sketch. Richard Lightburne, Jr., came out from Kentucky when a young man, in about 1790. He was sul)sequeutl_y married in Scott county, that State, to Miss Temperance Sutton, formerly of Caroline county, Va. They made their permanent home in Kentucky after their marriage, and reared a family of children. Richard Lightburne, Jr., an energetic farmer by occupation, died in 1820. The mother survived until 1855. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters, and of their family of children, Alvan (Maj. Lightburne) was the eldest. Maj. Lightburne received a good common school education as he grew up, which was supplemeuted by instruction at private school and a course in a local seminary. Of a bright, quick, active mind and of studious habits, he soon became qualified for teaching, and for any oi'dinarj' business pursuits, so far as educational attainments were concerned. At the age of 17 he was appointed deputy circuit clerk, the duties of which position he discharged with efficiency and general satisfaction. Maj. Lightl)urne's father died the same year that the Major was appointed deputy circuit clerk, and from that time forward he had the care of his mother's family, with the responsibility and burdens his position as the eldest son imposed. The family was large, and had but little means to go upon, so that the chief dependency was upon him. But he i)r()ved himself worth}' of his difficult position, and was at once a father to his younger brothers and sisters, a kind and atfectionate son to his mother, and a competent, liberal provider for the family. He remained with them for some 14 years after his father's death, until most of the children had grown up and stai-ted out for themselves. After his close of service in the circuit clerk's office, his time was busily and jirofitubly occupied with farming and teaching school, though principally the latter. He taught, however, for some 12 or

14 years, cluring the usual school terms in his county. During the year 1831 he was a clerk on a steamboat, plyiug between Louisville and St. Louis. In 1832 he was elected constable of Scott county, the duties of which ofBce were only second in importance to that of the sheriff', so that almost ail his time was occupied. In 1834, having accumulated a little means, he went to Cynthiana, Ky., where he formed a partnership with Manlius V. Thompson, under the firm name of Lightl)urne & Tliompson, for the manufacture of rope, twine and bagging, which they followed with success until they were burned out during the following year. His old partner, Manlius V. Thompson, was afterwards Lieutenant-Governor of Kentucliy. From Cynthiana Maj. Lightburne returned to Scott county, where he established a rope factory. A year later he decided to cast his fortunes with those of the then new State beyond the Mississippi, Missouri ; and lie accordingly came out to this new country. This was in 1836. He came out on horseljack and " prospected " all through the Missouri river counties of the State. Finally Maj. Lightburne located at Liberty, where he establislicd a hemp factory, and a year later, in 1833, bought the farm adjoining town, where he now resides. The Major continued in the hem}) industry for a period of 22 years, and was very successful. He retired from the business, however, in 1859, and after that devoted his whole time and attention to his farming interests. He became the owner of a number of valual>le farms, and managed them with marked energy and enterprise. Though burned out twice while engaged in the manufacture of hemp, lie never allowed himself to become discouraged, but went to work with redoubled energy to make up for losses, which be soon succeeded in doing. During the Mormon War he was a major of Missouri volunteers under Col. Doniphan, and was major of militia under the old militia laws of the State. He was mayor of Liberty, and from time to time has been prominently identified with enterprises for the improvement of the place and the advancement of the interests of the community. He was one of the leading spirits in securing the location of William Jewell College at this place and in founding that institution. As early as 1847 he went to work on the enterprise and spent the principal part of three years at work to se(!ure the establishment of the institution and building it up, to the neglect of his own l)usiness. He made a thorough canvass of the people of the county for subscriptions, and by his and other citizens' efforts secured $24,767, which he turned over to the college committee. (Al)out 1872 the subscription by town and county amounted to near $40,000). At the time of the committee for location, Hon. E. M. Samuel, Judge J. T. V. Thompson and Gen. A. W. Doniphan's departure from Libert}' Landing, Maj. Lightburne arrived, handed subscription l)apers and said : " Gentlemen, you go to get the college ; if the amount is not sufficient on your arrival at Boonvillo, add $3,000 or $5,000 more - secure the college." The proffered aid was not needed. For lliis noble institution, a credit to the State and an honor to the community in which it is located, people are inider no greater obligations to any one than to Maj. Lightburne. His zeal and public spirit for the college ai'e entitled to udditioiial credit from the fact that he was not interested in it so far as his own family are concerned, for he has never been blessed with children of his own. In numerous other enterprises looking to the educational, moral and social improvement of the communitj', as well as in those of a material character, he has been hardl}' less public-spirited and liberal of his time and means than in his efforts in behalf of the college. He has also been an active and prominent worker in the Masonic Order, and has held the offices of High Priest and Eminent Commander. He has also represented his ' lodge in the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter. In whatever he has interested himself he has worked with zeal, energy and ability, and has made it a success. As earl}' as 1837 he took an active part in founding the Female Seminary at this place, and putting it on a successful basi^, contributing liberally to itsfund. On theSdof May, 1846, Maj. Lightburne was married to Miss Ellen J. Sutton, a daugliter of Capt. William Sutton, of Scott county, Ky. She and Maj. Lightburne were children together, and were reared on adjoining farms. They played together in childhood, and in the morning of life formed that attachment for each other which has continued unbroken through the lapse of years, and has bound their lives together in a union which only death can sever. Their married life has been one of singular congeniality and happiness, and from the beginning each has seemed to study and labor to make the other happy. Mrs. Lightburne, though now advanced in years, is a lady of marked grace and dignity, and makes a most favorable impression ujion all by her manifest superiorit}' of intelligence, her amiability of disposition, and her gentle, motherly bearing. Maj. Lightburne is a man whose name stands a synonym for honorable and useful citizenship, and for purity and ui)rightness of character. For some years past he has been retired from business activities ; and in the Indian summer of a well spent life is enjoying the comforts and pleasures which his industry lias brought him and his good name and large circle of friends afford. He has a handsome residence property, a spacious and stately brick in the suburbs of town, provided with every comfort and convenience, where he is living in ease and retirement, esteemed and venerated for the nobility of his nature and the good that he has done. He and his good wife have reared several orphan children, for whom they have made ample provision, and by whom they are esteemed and loved as the best of parents. Certainly two lives, crowned as these have been and jewelled with so many noble deeds, arc worthy to l)e commemorated in any just history of the county. Consistent members of the Cliristian Church for many years, and having lived lives in keeping with the teachings of the Father of all, the}' may now look l)ack without i-egret, and forward to the final end with hope and jov.

and Iciuliiiii; faniiei-. He died here in 1840, leaving five children, four of whom are living, the Doctor, an older brother and two sisters. Dr. Marsh was born on the family homestead in this count}' Feliruary 18, 1833. In early youth he attended the common schools and afterwards took a course of two years at William Jewell College. He then entered Westminster College, in whicli he continued two j'ears, graduating in 1857, witli the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Imniediatcdy following his graduation he began the stud}' of medicine. In due time young Marsh matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College, and subsequently took a course of two terms there, graduating in the class of '60. After his graduation Dr. Marsh located at Weston, in Platte county, liut a year later removed to Clinton county, where he practiced until the spring of 18()3. Dr. Marsh then came to Liberty, and has been in the active practice of his profession at this place ever since. Dr. Marsh is a member of the County District Medical Society and of the State and the National Medical Association. In the spring of 1860 Dr. Marsh was married to Miss lioxanna Brashear, a daughter of the late Cyrus Brashear, one of the pioneer settlers of Clay county. Dr. and Mrs. Marsh have four children, Carlton, Laura, Nellie and Morton. Mrs. Marsh is a lady of culture and refinement. She is a graduate of the Baptist Female College, at Liberty, and has long been a diligent and discriminating reader of the better class of literature. Dr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the Doctor is a memlier of the I. O. O. F.

It is no empty compliment, but the statement of a plain fact necessary to be written in any truthful biography of the suliject of the present sketch, that Dr. Meffert, liy his unusual energy, ability and ambition, has rapidly pushed himself forward in his profession, in point both of education and practice, until now, although a young man only little past the age of 27, he occupies an enviable position among the leading ]jhysicians of the State. Graduating with honor at William Jewell College in the class of 1878, he at once thereafter began the study of medicine under Dr. Records of this place, having a decided preference, and a more than ordinary aptitude, as the result is showing, for that profession. Making extraordinary vapid progress in his studies, he shortly miitriculated in the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Ky., and tiicre by hard study he succeeded in graduating in June, 187!). Without stopping he entered the Kentucky School of Medicine where he graduated the following fall. From there he entered upon a course in the Hospital Department of Central University, of Kentucky, which he succeeded in completing the following spring. At that time the position of Hospital Surgeon and City Physician was vacant, which was to be filled l)y appointment, and the appointee to be selected by a competitive examination as to his qualifications and medical attainments. Dr.

Meffert and a number of other physicians applied for the place, as it was quite a lucrative and prominent position in the profession. Upon competitive examination Dr. Meffert was selected as having shown the best qualifications among all those competing for the place. He desired the position not alone for its prominence in the profession and the salary, but also because the large and varied experience he would obtain there in a few years would be worth more to him than the practice of half a lifetime. He held the position for two years, until from overwork he was completely broken down and compelled to resign for rest and recuperation. However, he did not remain idle, but at once entered a medical institution at Buffalo, N. Y., where he spent several months, and afterwards occupied several months visiting the different hospitals of New York City and making a stud}' of special cases. While there he received the appointment of physician to the State Lunatic Asylum of Arkansas, at Little Kock, which, however, he declined, for the reason among others that his presence was required at home, in Liberty, at that time to take charge of his father's business. On returning home at this place he shortly entered actively upon the practice of his profession and has continued in it ever since. He has a very large practice, having special cases, in tact, from other States, and, as has been said, occupies a position among the leading physicians of the State. He is administrator of his father's estate, and superintends the management of the proiierty of the family. Dr. Meffert was a son of Frederick and Mary (Hubbach) Meffert, both formerly of Germany, but from Louisville, Ky., to Liberty. His father was largely engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe business in this State, first at Missouri Cit}-, Mo., then at Leavenworth, Kan., and finally he removed to Liberty in 1866, wiiere he carried on a boot and shoe house for a number of years. He was a leading member of the Masonic Order and held a number of prominent positions in that order. During the last seven years of his life he was engaged in the drug business at Liberty. He died here August 20, 1884. "'

John Messick

Considering that Mr. Messick is still comparatively a 3'^oung man, and that he began for himself with little or no moans to start on, his career has been a more than ordinarily successful one. At the age of 43, he is now one of the substantial property holders at Liberty. His means he has accumulated by successful business enterprise. He was born in Jessamine county, Ky., November 10, 1841. His father, John Messick, Sr., has resided in Indiana since 1861. Mr. Messick, Jr., received a good general education in the common schools and academy of Nicholasville, his native place, and at the age of 23 came out further West to Alton, Illinois, where he became clerk in a hardware store. After two years spent at Alton he had succeeded by economy in saving some monej' from his salary, and he returned to