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

Biographical sketches

Ml'. Anderson is a nutive of Kentuckv, horn in Woodford county, April 14, 1835. His fiitiier w:is Spencer Anderson, and liis mother's umiden name, Catherine Hicks. Both were of early Kentucky families. Mrs. Anderson inhei'ited her father's homestead in Kentucky, where she made her home after marriage, and where all her children were l)orn. But in 1852 they came to Missouri and located in Clay county, purchasing a farm near Kearney the following year. They resided there until the breaking out of the war, and the fother became a prosperous farmer. He was also a contractor and builder, and a very capable carpenter by trade. He completed William Jewell College, which had previousl}' been put under contract, but had not been completed. Before coming to this State he had erected a large number of important buildings, public and otherwise. He died in this county January 8, 1881. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1872. Of their family of children only tive are now living, namely : Mary E., wife of Thonuis M. Gasney, president of the Kearney bank ; Dr. Joseph Anderson, of Colorado; Rachel A., wife of William D. Wright, of Denver, Colorado ; R. S. Anderson and the subject of this sketch, partners in business. Presley D. Anderson was reared on the farm near Kearney and educated priuci|)ally at select schools in Kentucky and Missouri. He also attended William Jewell College, at Liberty. In 18fil Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Helen M. Almy, a daughter of Hiram and Rebecca Alniy, formerly of New York, but who came to St. Louis in an early day and to Lil)erty in 1852. In 1860 Mr. Almy removed to Saline county and engaged in farming and in trading in stock. He died at Palmyra in 18(35. His wife is still living and making her home with the sulyect of this sketch. In the first of the war Mr. Anderson served a short time in the Southern army, but was compelled to retire from the army on account of ill health. In 18()2 he went to Kentucky, but returned to Clay county in 18(;4. He was in the battle at Lexington. After the war he engaged in farming and stock raising, but in 1872 came to Kearney and for two years kej)t a hotel. He then followed bridge building, and in 1883 engaged in his present business at Kearney. Mr. and Mrs. A. have had seven children : Fannie, wife of Samuel A. Pence ; Katie, Allie, David, Ella Eva, Willie and Ida. The last two died in childhood. Mr. Anderson is a pi-ominent member of the Masonic Order, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

Robert S. Anderson

Mr Aiuler.soii is a brother to Presley D. Anderson, whose sketch precedes this, in which somethinjy of a historj' of the family has been given. Robert S. was born in Woodford county, Ky., April 25, 1842, and was the second in the family of children. He was reared on the farm and educated principally at private schools and at William Jewell College. In 1868, iiaving come to Missouri with the family when a mere boy, as stated in his brother's sketch, he engaged in the saw mill business, which he followed for eight years. He then became clerk in a general store and continued clerking until 1882, when he purchased a stock of goods at Holt, in Clay countjs and began merchandising on his own account. Mr. Anderson continued at Holt until the spring of 1883, when he sold out on account of the ill health of his family at that place. He then went to Colorado for their health and remained until the winter of 1883-84, when he became a partner with his l)rother in his present liusiness. In 1880 he was married to Miss Emma J. Clause, daughter of George and Elizabeth Clause, of this county ; but formerly of Mason county, K}'. They came to Missouri in about 1864 and settled in Platte county, but afterwards came to Clay county in about 1858. Mr. Clause di'ed here in 1868. He left his widow with seven children, two of whom have since died. Mrs. Anderson died October 1, 1883. She was an earnest and consistent member of the Baptist Church. Mr. A. also lost a child, who died in infanc}'. iNIr. Anderson is a member of the Baptist Church. He has a good fai-m of about 100 acres near Kearnev. He is a member of Kearney Lodge No. 311, A. F. and A. M., at Kearney.

Henry D. Anderson

Mr. Anderson was born in Clay county in 1847, and was the second of six children, five of whom are now living, of Joseph D. and Mary (Young) Andcirson, both parents natives of Kentucky. The Andersons, however, were originally from New Jersey and the. Youngs from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson's parents on either side have long been deceased. Mrs. Anderson's parents died over 30 years ago, but since their decease there has not been a death in the famih', and there !ire now living nine children and 42 grandchildren. On the 10th of June, 1884, a family reunion was held, at which all the children were present, together with sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and it was a most enjoyal)le affair. To the outsiders present it was quite an interesting sight, somewhat different from the illustration of the Logan family presented in PikIc a few months ago, but even more pleasant to 1o6k upon. Henry D. Anderson was reared on his father's firm in this county, the family having settled here in 1834. Mr. Anderson, Sr., died in 1858, and the mother now makes her home .with her children :uid rents the okl fiimily liotnestcad. Henry D. in young manhood attended the conmiercial school of Buffalo, N. Y., and also the Toronto (Canada) Business College. In 1874, having returned to Clav county, he was married to Miss Bettie Gosney, a daughter to Thomas M. and Susan Gosney, of this county, from Kentucky. In tile meantime Mr. Anderson had engaged in farming and stock raising, which he has ever since followed. He makes a specialty of stock, and has on hand a handsome herd of fine, thoroughbred short horn cattle; his farm is set in blue grass, and is one of the choice stock farms of the vicinity and contains 212 acres, and is well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Christian Church. They have one child, Thomas J., but three others have died in infancy.

W. H. Arnold

Mr. Arnold's father, Fauntleroy Arnold, was one of the first settlers of what is now Kearney township, in Clay county. He was from Kentucky, born in Woodford county, in 1807, and came here when he was in his twenty-first year, in 1828. His father, Lewis Arnold, was a native of Virginia, but early settled in Kentucky, and served from that State in the Northwestern campaign under Gen. Harrison. Fauntleroy Arnold served in the Mormon War under Cai)t. Shackleford. Sliortly after coming out to Clay county he entered and pre-empted 280 acres of land, all of which but forty acres arc still in possession of the family. He died here in 1857, after being an invalid for some years, resulting from exposures undergone while in, and going to and coming from, California during the gold excitement. He was a meml)er of the Primitive Baptist Church. His widow is still living. She was a daughter of Mr. Carter, of Lexington, Ky., and was liorn in 1812. She resides on the family homestead near Kearney with two of her children. She is also a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and has been for many years. W. H. Arnold was born near Kearney on the 25th of July, 1832, and was reared on a farm. At the age of 22, in 1854, he went to Leavenworth, Kan., and thence to Harrison county. Mo., two years later. In 1871 he returned to Clay county and followed farming here, where he has a good farm of 160 acres, for eight years. In 1879 he removed from his farm to Liberty, for the purpose of educating his children. After sending them to school there for two years he returned to the farm and in 1883 came to Kearney and built the elevator, which he now owns and conducts. His elevator has a capacity of 10,000 bushels and the past year he handled 35,000 bushels of grain. It is the only elevator at Kearney and has proved an entirely successful enterprise. Mr. Arnold has served as deputy assessor of the county and in other positions of put)lic trust. In 1856 he was marrieil to Miss Mary Jane Brawner, daughter of David O. and Sarah (Uttinger) Brawner, who came from Jc^ssainine county, Ky., in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have live children ; Charles F. D., a graduate of William Jewell College, now a Baptist minister; F. G., a hardware merchant at Holt; John T., a fanner hv occupation; Willie J., wife of S. B. Wilhoit, and James M., a oraduate of the St. Joe Comniercial College, and now clerk and book-keeper for the elevator.

William B. Arnold

In about 1825 Mr. Arnold's parents, Lewis and Arabella Arnold, came to Missouri from Garrard county, Kv., and made their home in the then wilderness of Clay county. Here the father improved a farm. At an early date he went to the Rocky mountains for his health and died while absent. He left five children, four of whom are now living : John, William, Henry, and Lucy, the wife of William Grooms. Mary F., the wife of Henry Shaver, died some 3'ears ago. The mother subsequently married Rev. William AVarren, formerly of Kentucky, and of the Primitive Baptist Church. Five children are the fruits of her last union, all living except the youngest. William B. Arnold, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county in April, 1833, and was reared with farming experience. In 1856 he was married to Elizabeth Collins, and then located on a farm as a householder in the township of Kearnej'. He has ever since been engaged in farminii: and also handles some stock. His farm is mainly a grass aiul stock farm. Mrs. Arnold was a daughter of S. N. and Jane (Tilford) Collins, originally of Virginia, but came to this county by way of Kentucky. Her (Mrs. Collins') father was a pioneer of this county, and made the first clearing on the site of the present town of Liberty, away back when the Indians circulated the superstitious and ridiculous story that the Missouri river rose out of the earth in the distant West, where the sun sinks to rest behind the shadows of the mountains. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold had five children, two of whom are living : Alice, wife of Herman Davis, and Claude. Three are deceased, having closed their infant eyes in the sleep of death before looking on to understand the wrong and sin of the world. In 1872 Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Cleopatra Ann Hurt, daughter of Joel and Sallie Hurt, formerl}' of Virginia. Her father is now deceased. By the last union there have been two children, both of whom arc deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Franklin G. Arnold

Franklin Grimes Arnold was born in Harrison county, Mo., on the 24th of February, 1859. His father, W. H. Arnold, was the son of Fauntlcroy Arnold, origina'lly from Kentucky, but who came to this State ami here made his [)ermanent home. W. H. Arnold, who was a native of Missouri, was married in Clay county to Mary Jane Browner, a Kentuckian by birth, though she had been reared in this State. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. David O. Biowner. The parents of the subject of this sketch were denied the benefits of even a coaunon scliool education such as could now be obtained. The father, a i'armer by occupation, was very successful as such, industrious, energetic and possessed of good characteristics. He is still living (as is also his worthy wife) and takes a deej) interest in the current atl'airs of the day. Politically he is a Democrat, and has a high regard for religion. He has been active in the Grange movement, and has also served as justice of the peace. After having lived in Clay county for 13 years he made his home in Harrison county some ten years, then returning to Clay county in March, 1872. To them were boru Hve children : C. L. F. Arnold, Franklin J., J. T., W. J. and J. M., all of whoui have reached mature years and three of whom are married. Two are in the mercantile business, one is a farmer, one a minister and one daughter is the wife of S. B. Wilhoit, a farmer. Frauklia J. was brought up in the county of his l)irth to the life of a farmer, not being very well favored with educational advantages. For three years he has been occupied in the hardware business, but has recently disposed of his interests in this branch of business, desiring to resume agricultural pursuits in the coming spring. The present position in pecuniary affairs to which he has achieved, has been acquired only through his own efforts, as no assistance was given him with which to start in life. Like his pai'ents, he has divided his life I)etweeu Harrison and Clay counties - 13 years in the former and 15 in the latter. He is now connected with the Masonic fraternity. November 14, 1883, Mr. Arnold was married at Holt to Miss M;iry Jane Holt, a most estimable lady. She was born in Clinton county, Mo. Mr. A. is one of the highly esteemed residents of this community.

Benjamin A. Atchison

Mr. Atchison is engaged in the same pursuit which his father, William Atchison, made a life occupation. His father was a very successful farmer, and was one of the first men of Clay county who introduced the breeding and raising of tine stock. He became a large landholder, and at one time owned over 1,500 acres of choice lands in the county. Mr. Atchison, Sr., was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Catherine Baker. She left him six children at her death : David R., James B., William, Lewis C, Catherine and Mary. His second wife, who is still living, and the mother of the sui)ject of this sketch, with whom she makes her home, was a Miss Sarah Robertson. There were two children by this marriage: James F., the other one besides Benjamin A., died in March, 1.S82. The father died in 1871. He was a brother of Hon. David R. Atchison, ex-United States Senator from this State, and for whom Atchison county. Mo., was name<l. In July, 1881, Benjamin A. Atchison was married to Miss Ella Lee Trumbo, a daughter of John A. and Ora Trumbo, formerly of Wootlford county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. A. have two children : James F. and Ora Lee. Mr. Atchison's farm contains 260 acres.

David M. Bevins

Mr. Bevins, now (February, 1885,) just past the age of 80 years, has been a resident of Clay county for nearly 60 years, and has l>een closely and usefully identified with the history otthe county throughout all this time. He was born in Madison county, Ky., January 17, 1805, and was the eldest in his parents' family of 12 children. They were pioneer settlers of that county. When in his seventeenth year his father sent him to Missouri to enter land for the family, and begin the improvements of a farm. He came here horseback in 1821, and after leaving the settlements in the eastern part -of this State he found the country so sparsely populated that several days he rode from dawn until nightfall on the main route of travel without passing even a solitary house. Mr. Bevins came to what is now Gallatin township, in Clay county, and entered a tract of 160 acres in the timlier. That winter he cleared eight acres, and the following spring put in a small crop, building, in tlie meantime, a comfortable log cabin. He also entered an additional 160 acres, and in the summer of 1822 his parents, Truman and Annie Bevins, with their family of children, came out from KentucW. He continued with the family two years longer, and then went out for himself to work with a whip saw, the day of circular saws not yet having dawned in this part of the country. He sawed lumber for several years, and furnished the lumber for the first business house ever erected at Liberty. In a short time he also took up the carpenter trade, and followed contracting and building for several years. He built the old arsenal building at Liberty away back in 182-. In 1830 Mr. Bevins was married to Miss Hulda C, a daughter of James Riley, who came out from Fa3'ette county, Ky., in 1828. In the meantime he had entered and bought considerable land, and soon turned his attention to farming and stock-raising, at which he was very successful. He raised and handled all kinds of farm stock - horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep, etc., - and is still interested in farming and stock-raising. From time to time Mr. Bevins continued to add to his landed estate, until it aggregated over 5,000 acres, all choice land, S|)eciall3' selected by him. He and his good wife, however, have reared a large family of children, and in providing for them they have been veiy lii)cral. Mr. Bevins has divided his lands among his children until he now has only about 1,000 acres left. Of these 807 acres arc in the family homestead. As these facts show Mr. Bevins has been abundantly successful in the affairs of life, and has an ample competency. Although now past 80 3'cars of age, one would hardly take him to be more than 65, iind he still takes an active interest in the coniluct of his farm. He is making a specialty of sheep, and has a fine stock of 300 head. Mr. and Mrs. Bevins have reared a family of nine children, namely: Harriet, the wife of John S. Martin, deceased ; Mary A., the wife of Hon. E. C. Cook, ex-representative of Clinton county ; Oliver P.,

David R., who was killed in the Southern army, at the battle of Franklin, Tenn. ; Thomas T., of Clinton connty ; James, Alice, wife of Cass Atchison, nepliew of Gen. Atchison, and Riley E. Three others died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. B. are memi)ers of the Christian Church. The family of Mr. B.'s parents were David M., Walker W., Tyra T., Malinda, Minerva, Mary Ann, Martha, Maro;aret and America. Malinda married a Mr. Hudson ; Minerva married a Mr. Merryman ; Mary Ann married a Air. Karey ; Martha married a Mr. Cain ; America married a Mr. Reed, and Margaret married a Mr. Adkins. All except Tyra are living.

George E. Bishop

Mr. Bishop is a native of England, born in Kent county March 24, 1838. He was the eldest in a family of ten children of Edward and Eliza (Ditton) Bishop, both of old English families. His father died there in 1871 in his si.Kty-first year, but his mother is still living, a resident of England. Nine of their family of children are also still living. Mr. Bishop, the subject of this sketch, is tiie only one in this country. He was reared in Kent county and brought up to the occupation of raising sheep, which his father followed. He received an ordinary school education, and at the age of 27 years l)egan keeping a l)ublio inn, or tavern as we use to call them in tliis country, now denominated hotel, as it sounds more fastidiqus and Frenchy. He followed that business for five 3'ears, or until he came to the United States in 1871. In this country he at once loc-ated at Kearney, and for a time was engaged as a laborer, doing also, however, something in the line of trading in stock. In 1878 he opened a butcher shoi), which he has since carried on with success. For some years he has furthermore been engaged in handling country produce, buying all kinds of I'arm products commonlv classed as produce, including l)utter and eggs, hides, etc., and sliipping them to the wholesale markets. In 1869 Mr. Bishop was married to Miss Martha A. Frampton, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Frampton, of England. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop have five children: Ellen M., Bertha E., Fredie F., Edmond and All)ert J. They have lost two, Katie, aged six years and ten months, and Emma, ten months old. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop ^ are members of the Episcopalian Church. Mr. Bishop has a fine city residence ; also a small place of 30 acres, and makes a specialty of raising fine hogs and brown Leghorn chickens. His purpose is to give his entire attention to Durock Jersey-red hogs and brown Leghorn chickens.

Charlton B. Burgess

Among the younger agriculturists of the county who have become prominent in their calling, through their own etforts, is C. B. Burgess, comparatively a young man, now but thirty-six 3'ears of age.

He was brought to Clay County, Mo., ])y his parents, while still in infancy, and grew up in this vicinity, attending, in common with sons of other farmers (for his father was a farmer) the common schools. He was favored, however, with more of an education than could there ))e obtained, attending for some time the Mount Gilead High School, where he received an excellent course of instruction. He had been born in Mason county, Ky., March 8, 1849. His father, Joseph V. Burgess, and his mother. Charity (Morris) Burgess, were Kentuckians by birth, and were reared and married in that State. They came to Clay county in 1850, and before the father died, November 24, 1858. The mother is yet living. They were both members of the Christian Church, as the mother still is. Charlton was the youngest of the three children in the family. On the 10th of November, 1874, Miss Margaret Anderson, daughter of Joseph D. and Mary Anderson (whose maiden name was Young), of Clay county, became his wife. She was also a native of this countv, and was educated at Mount Gilead High School. They have two children, Nora and Mary A. Mr. Burgess owns a farm of 210 acres, well improved, and in a good state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of the stock business, and particularly of short horns, and at this time has upon his place about 50 head of thorough l)red short horn cattle. His wife is a member of the Christian Church.

James Costello

Nearly 35 years ago Michael Costello came to Missouri from Ireland, settling at Lilierty, in Clay county, where he married Catharine Keatley. They made that pla<?e their permanent home, and the father, after a residence there of nearly 30 years, which was well oc(nipied with useful industr}', died December 15, 1868. He waas life-long member of the Catholic Church. The mother is still living, a resident of Lil)erty. Five of their children are living, nameh' : Mary, Katie, Annie, Nellie, and the sul)ject of this sketch. Two others died in early years. James Costc^llo was born at Liberty, Fel)ruary 3, 1856. His parents not l)eing people of means, his educational advantages were quite limited. At the age of 12 he left school and was employed in difTerent kinds of work for some time. In 1880 he was employed in the lumber business in Liberty, which he followed until early in 1883, when he formed a partnershi[) with P. B. Burnes, under the name of Burnes & Costello, and engaged in the lumber i)U«iness on their own account at Kearney. They carr}' a full line of lumber and all kinds of building material, and also lime, hair, doors, sash, blinds, mouldings, etc. Their ex[)erience has been quite successful in the lumber business and their trade, already a good one, is steadily increasing. Mr. Costello, who is of Irish ancestry, is a young man entitled to much credit for the energy and success with which he is making his way up in life. The qualities that have brought him to his present position in business, and as a respected, useful citizen, at his present early age, will doubtless carry him forward through the long years before him to a much more advanced station in life.

Josephus Courtney

The sul)jeot of this sketch was the youngest of the family of children referred to in tlie sketch of his brother, which is given elsewhere, where something of an outline of the history of the family has been given. Josephus Courtney was born in Clay county in 1844, and like his brother was brougiit up to a farm life. In 1868 he was married to Miss Nettie Arnold, daughter of J. B. Arnold, who came to this State from Kentucky in 1851, and after a residence of 10 years in Franklin county, removed to Clay county, where he now resides. Mrs. C.'s mother died here iii 18G3. Her father is still living, now a retired farmer, and firmerly, for about nine years, justice of the peace. After his marriage Mr. Courtney continued in the occupation of farming and also engaged in raising stock, in which he has ever since been interested. He has a good farm of 267 acres, principally a stock and grass farm. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney have six children: Ebba, Maggie N., Willie R., Rosa J., Robert B. and Melissa E. They have lost one, an infant. Mr. Courtney's farm is well improved, including a handsome two-story brick residence.

Nathan E. Crawford

The second in a family of 12 children, of Maj. Smith Crawford and wife, nee Jane Reed, Nathan E. was born in this county on the 10th of September, 1830. His father. Major Crawford, was well known in an early day in this county. He came from Alabama here, but was a native of Tennessee. After coming to Missouri, he served with distinction in the Black Hawk War, and was major of a regiment of Missouri volunteers. He was also quite active and prominent in [)ublic affairs, and was suddenly taken off by death while on a campaigning tour. His death occurred before he could reach home, and his remains were interred at the cemetery, near his old homestead. His wife, to whom he was married in Alabauui, survived him several years. Only four of their family of children are now living. Nathan E. was reared on the farm in this county, and in young manhood learned the carpenter's trade. He followed his trade for some years, but subsequently located on a farm, and finally turned his entire attention to farming. In 1881, however, he removed to Holt and engaged in merchandising, but two years later sold out and returned to his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have five children: Smith, Hattie, wife of Robert Shackleford ; Andrew J., Lydia and Willis. They have lost three, Lutie and Mollie, at tender ages, and Mamie, at the age of 13 years. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford arc meml)ers of the Baptist Church.

Joseph P. Ditto

On his father's side Mr. Ditto is a representative of a family that has been long settled in this country and has rendered valuable service in time of war as well as being worthily identified with affairs in' times of peace. The family settled originally in Maryland and from that then colony William Ditto, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, enlisted under Washington in the War for Inde[)endence. He was engaged in tiiut memorable struggle from the beginning until its close, for seven long years. His son, Abraham Ditto, the father of Joseph P., who early went to Kentucky, served in the War of 1812 from that State. His wife was a Miss Martha Force, and both he and wife were natives of Baltimore. In the War of 1812 he held the rank of a commissioned oiEcer and did valuable service for his country. The Ditto family is of Scotch descent, and came over to this country prior to the Revolution. Mr. Ditto's mother was a daughter of Joseph Force, originally of Fairfax county, Virginia, and who also served in the War for Independence. The Forces are of French descent. Joseph Ditto was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, Jul}' 12, 1824. He was the fifth of twelve children, only three of whom are living. Reared on the farm in Kentucky, he remainded there until 1858, and then came to Missouri and located near Plattsburg, in Clinton county. The following year he was married to Miss Eliza A. Albright, a daughter of Daniel Albright, and in 18(J6 Mr. Ditto came to Clay county, buying a farm near Kearnc}', where he settled. He has ever since been engaged in farming and most of the time in trading in stock. He has a good farm of 100 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Ditto's family consists of Bettie, wife of J. N. Hunter; Prior D., Florence, Erasmus, Lego, Cf)rda, Prentice and Daniel. Three are deceased, two in childhood, and William L., a young man grown, in the spring of 1884. Mr. Ditto is a memi)er of'the M. E. Church South. Mrs. D.- is a meml)er of the Christian Union.

James W. Eastin

In the matter of fine horses, at least for saddle and driving purposes, Kentucky has the reputation for pre-eminence, not only in this country but in Europe. There the breeding and training of fine riding and driving stock was early made a favorite pursuit with farmers and others, which they have ever since followed. Thus they not only succeeded in developing the finest horses in their line to be found in any country, but built up a school of fine-stock men who are not surpassed in skill and judgment in any country. Take a fine-horse Kentuckian anywhere and he stands in the front rank of professional fine-horse men.

saddle and driving horses as well as other fine stock. But whatever name she has made for herself in this direction is ver^' largely due to former Kentuckians, who, on coming and settling here, brought their taste for, and skill in, raising and training tine horses and other stock with them. This State has every advantage for the purpose, ecjual if not superior to the advantages of Kentucky ; and if our farmers would more generally turn their attention to this branch of industry, they would doubtless soon make the State a rival of the Blue Grass Commonwealth, a consummation devoutly to be wished by every Missourian who feels any pride in the fame of his State. Seeing, however, that our people do not take the interest in this pursuit they should, we ought to feel oidy tlie more grateful to the few among us who do, the worth}', true sons of Kentucky, who, having made homes iu this State, are ambitious to make her fame equal to that of their mother commonwealth.

Prominent among Missourians from Kentucky who have virtually devoted their whole lives to the tine-stock interests of this State, particularly to breeding and training fine horses, is the subject of the present, sketch, a fine horse raiser, who has done his full share toward placing Missouri in the front raidv of fine-stock States. Nor has anyone, even in Kentucky, more reason to feel proud of the record he has made in his branch of industry than Mr. Eastin. He has produced stock whose fame has circled the earth. One of his horses, the celebrated "White Stocking" breed, raised and trained by him in this county, he sold to Dr. "Wallace, of New York City, for $10,000 in spot cash. Other horses which have attained a wide reputation have been bred and brought up by him; among fine-horse men in this State he stands second to none, either in point of success, good judgment in passing upon the qualities of a horse or skill in training him. Mr. Eastin has a fine-stock farm of 400 acres near Kearney, one of tlie finest places in the county, devoted exclusively to this purpose. His place is run almost entirelv in blue grass, divided up into convenient pastures and arranged with rare good judgment for handling stock. Its l)arus and other outbuildings are of a superior class, and in addition he has a handsome, tastily built and imposing two-story brick dwelling, containing ten rooms, a ver}' picture of a home for a successful farmer and stock-raiser. However, he owns good property in Kearney, including his residence, as well as other dwellings, business houses, etc., and makes his home here as ji matter of convenience in posting himself daily in regard to the markets and iu communication with stock men .at other points by mail and telegraph. He rides out to his fine-stock farm nearly every day to see his stock and attend to the i)lace.

As has been said, Mr. Eastin is a Kentuckian by nativity, born in Madison county, November 22, 1820. Reared in Kentucky, he was married in that State in 1846 to Miss Kezia Bishop, a daughter of John Bishop, a fine stock raiser of Ma<lis()n county. Afterwards, ill 1851, Mr. Eastin came to Missouri and located for a short time in Platte county, where he engaged iu farming. But in 1851 he came to Kearney, then known as Centre ville, where he carried on the business of handling fine horses and dealing in stock generally, in connection with a livery stable. He also owned and conducted a general store at this place. Handling fast horses, however, he made a specialty, and his livery stalile was run more as being advantageous to his stock business than with any other object in view. He also carried on a stock farm in connection with his stock business. Mr. Eastin bought his present large stock farm near Kearney in 1876.

Considering that he is advancing well along in years, he is a man of wonderful energy and activity, and seems to be as warm and enthusiastic in the stock business as would ordinarily be expected of a mau in the meridian of life. Nevertheless, he is aware that in the usual course of nature he must in a few years more retire from active life, and he is wisely shaping his atlairs with that object in view. But he has the satisfaction of knowing that he has an ample competence for old age and has made a name as a fine stock raiser which he can contemplate in retirement without regret, to say the least.

In 1877 Mr. Eastin had the misfortune to lose his devoted and good wife by death. She had been a member of the Christian Church for many vears. Two sons of their famil}' of children are living, Frank W. and William H.

Subsequently Mr. Eastin was married to Miss Anna D. Burgess, of Clinton county, a daughter of O. B. Burgess, formerly of Mason county, Ky. By his present wife Mr. E;istin has two children, John R. and Walden J.

Mr. Eastin is a worthy member of the Masonic Order. His parents were Reuben J. and Nancy Eastin, who settled permanently in Clay county of this State, from Kentucky, in 1851. Both are deceased- Six of their children are living.

Mr. England was one in a family of twelve children of Capt. James and Nancy (Campbell) England, of Garrard county, Ky. The father, however, was originally from Virginia. He was a carpenter and farmer by occupation, and died in 1856 at the age of 74. The mother survived up to January, 1884, until her ninety-second year. Slie had l)een a member of the M. E. Church for over 60 years. Eight of their family of children are living. John C. England was born in Garrard county, Ky., March 24, 1825, and was reared in Kentucky. At the age of 17 he began to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for a period of twenty j^ears. In 1855 Mr. England came to Grundy county. Mo., but not liking the country he returned to Kentucky. He followed blacksmithing up to 1862, when he began merchandising in the grocery line in Garrard county. In this he continued for twenty years, and then came to Kearney, Mo., and established his present i)usiness here. He keeps an excellent stock of goods, and iias a good trade. In 1884 he was elected a member of the town council, and is now serving out his term as a member of the council. Ill 184:9 Mr. England was married to Miss Amanda Smith, a daughter of Jacol) Smith, a merchant of Mercer county, Kv. They have live children : Thompson A., wife of Mundy Curd, a farmer of Kentuck}' ; James W., Alice S., Warren H., in Chicago, aud John C, a clerk in a store at Chillicothe. They have lost two children in childhood.

Ambrose S. Garrett

Mr. Garrett was partly educated at William Jewell College, where he took a course of several terms after quitting the common schools. Havingbeen reared to farm life he continued at that after leaving college until the spring of 1884, when lie came to Holt, and became a HKMnber of the present firm. He is well respected as a business man and otherwise at Holt, and has a favorable outlook for a successful business experience. His father resides on a farm near this place, and Mr. Holt, Jr., is still interested in farming with his father, and also to some extent in raising stock. Mr. Garrett was reared in Clay county, though born in Kentucky, March 12, 1848, in Shelby countv, that State. His parents, William P. and Angeline (Stone) Garrett, removed to Missouri with their family in 1853, locating where the father now resides, near Holt.' The mother died in 1877. A short time before his mother's death Mr. Garrett, Jr., was married in this county to Miss Ella Wilhoit, a daughter of Thomas Wilhoit, a substantial farmer and stock-raiser of Clay county. Mr. aud Mrs. G. have three children: William G., Pearle H. and Agie. The parents are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Thomas M. Gosney

Thomas M. Gosney was born in Clark county, Ky., January 13, 181.5, his father, Richard Gosney, being of German descent and his mother, Jane, JJc'eLackej', of Irish ancestry, though l)oth were Virginians by liirth. Tiiey were reared, educated and married in Clark county, Ky., and removed to Clay county. Mo., in 1845, where the mother died August 27, 184G. The senior Gosney then made his home with the subject of this sketch for seven years, after which he removed to Monroe count^s Mo., where he was married a second time. Ho departed this life on the Kith of June, 185(i. In early life he was a hatter by occuijation, but during later years was engaged in farming. He was a menil)er of the Old School Baptist Church, his wife having been connected with the Christian denomination. They were the parents of 15 children, six sons and nine daughters, 13 of whom lived to be grown; eleven were married, but only four are now living. Thomas M. Gosney was the seventh child in his father's family and, like his brothers, grew up upon the farm in his native county, receiving only such education as could be received in the primitive common schools of the day. Having iiccompanied his parents to this county in 1845, he has made it his home ever since and has risen hy his own aid in life from a small, obscure and almost unknown tiller of the soil, to one of the most prominent, influential and highly successful men of the county. His first start to obtain a competence was in working as a farm hand and driving stock to the South, having for 14 years, while still in Kentucky, gone to South Carolina and Georgia with stock. With the exception of 40 acres of timber, he now owns 500 acres, all under fence, upon which is a good residence and also excellent outbuildings. This is admirably adapted for stock purposes. He has turned his attention for the last 20 years principally to stockraising and feeding beef cattle ; he has had ready for market nearly every year from two to four car loads of beef cattle besides quite a number of fat hogs. He has not bought over 100 barrels of corn in 20 years. As has been estimated, he is recognized as a man of excellent financial ability, in recognition of which he was elected president of the Kearney Bank and in which he is one of the prominent stockholders. A man of high, social and moral standing in his community, he is recognized everywhere for his true, sterling worth and inestimable value to the county in which he has chosen to make his home. A warm friend and supporter of education, he has proven his appreciation of the school system of this county l)y having without compensation furnished a number of persons with the means necessary to obtain good school facilities. During the existence of that party, he was a Whig in politics and since that time has been an ardent Democrat. In March, 1847, Mr. Gosney was married to Miss Susan E. Gosney, a daughter of Rev. Fielding Gosney, of Monroe county, Mo. She died November 10, 1854, leaving one child, Sirsan E., wife of Henry Anderson, a iironiinent farmer of Clay county. Mrs. G. was a member of the Christian Church. Ff)r his second wife Mr. Gosney married Miss Mary E. Anderson, June 1, 1859. She was born, reared and educated in Woodford county, Ky., and is a lady of many estimable qualities. Her parents were Capt. Spencer and Catherine (Hicks) Anderson, of this count}'. Mrs. G. is a member of Kearney Missionary Baptist (Jhurch, while her husband is connected with Mount Gilead Christian Church, in which he is now and has been a deacon for a number of years. He became a member of the Christian Church in Kentucky in 1838, uniting with Mt. Gilead in 1845. He has since had his membership there.

William O. Greason

Mr. Greasou has been at Holt for over ten j'ears, having come here from North Carolina in 1873. However, one year prior to that he had spent in Clinton county, of this State. He has been engaged in general merchandising at Holt ever since coming to the county. Mr. Greason is a man of excellent education, good i)usiness qualifications, and is justly popular both as a merchant and a citizen in and around

Holt. He was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, in 1851, and when he was a youth lost his father, who died in the Confederate service at Charlotte, N. C, February 15, 18()5. Mr. Greason, Sr., was one of the substantial and highly respected citizens of Guilford county, in his native State. William O. was reared in that county and educated at Yadkin College, where he took a course extending through a period of about six years. He was then appointed deputy sheriff of Guilford county, although he was only 19 years of age. Mr. Greason continued in the office of deputy sheriff until he came to Missouri, in 1872. In 1881 he was married to Miss Maggie A. Fitch, a daughter of John F. and Sarah J. (Dicky) Fitch, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Greason have no children, having lost their only child, a little son, in infancy. Mr. G. is a member of the C. U. Church, and Mrs. G is a member of the M. E. Church South. Mr. Greason's mother, whose maiden name was Elizalieth J. Rankin, is still living, a resident of North Carolina, on the old family homestead. His father's Christian name was Gideon. In 1882 Mr. Greason was elected a justice of the peace, and has continued to serve in that capacity ever since he qualified for the office after his election. He has made an efficient and capable magistrate, one in whose integrity and good judgment the community have implicit confidence.

John T. Harmon

Mr. Harmon was next to the eldest in the family of children of Jacob I. Harmon, additional reference to whom is made further along, and was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, December 15, 1843. He was a lad six years of age when his parents removed to Clay county, Mo., where they made their permanent home, and young Harmon was accordingly reared here. His school advantages were quite limited, and his father not lieing a man of large means, he was compelled to start out in the world for himself without a dollar. When the war broke out in 1861 he was a youth about eighteen years of age, and at once enlisted in Co. D, Fourth Iowa infantry, under Cajjt. Burton, of Col. Dodges' regiment, and was afterwards out in the active service for nearly two years. In 1863, however, he was honorably discharged on account of physical disability. He then went West, across the plains, principally for the benefit of his health, and returned in 1864. The following year Mr. Harmon was married to Miss Sarah, a daughter of George and Louisa (Brooks) Oder. At the time of his marriage, Mr. H. had a good team and three mule colts, which was all the stock he possessed. Nevertheless, he went resolutely to work, and made a good crop the first year. He was soon able to bu}' the necessary farm stock to carry on farming ; though he owned but 65 acres of land when he married. From that beginning he has steadily prospered, and is now one of the substantial citizens of the county. He owns over 500 acres of fine land in different tracts, and in his home place, which is well improved, has 347 acres.

This was the T. T. Bevins f:inu which he bought in 1881. He is a reraarlvablv hard worliing man, and possesses unconquerable energy. What he has now he has made by his own hard labor, economy and good management. Although he has been successful by honest daily industry, it still looks a little hard that some who never did a hard day's work in their lives should be able l)y a simple dicker or trick or twist in the grain market to make five times as much, and five times five, as Mr. H. has succeeded in gathering together by a lifetime of labor and self-denial ; in other words, the farmer works in the rainaiid burning sunshine, and in all the changes of weather to I'aise a bushel of wheat, while the grain speculator makes as much as the price of thousands of bushels in two minutes, and without even ungloving his delicate, tender hands, - a condition of afl'airs which renders such an anomaly and wrong as that not only possible, but the regular rule must necessarilj' l)e radically wrong ; and some day the people will become educated up to the point of seeing it and remedying it. Mr. and Mrs. Harmon have six children: James H., Mary F., wife of Adam Foreighner, Lizzie B., Sarah T., Walter D. and Louisa. Three others they lost in infancy. Mrs. H. is a member of the Cliristian Church. The Harmon family is of German descent. Mr. H.'s great grandfather, Jacoi) Harmon, was reared in this country and served in the War for Independence. Jacob J. Harmon, the father of John T., was ason of Reese and Nanc}' (Nelson) Harmon, originally of Pennsylvania. Her father, Wm. Nelson, also served in the American army during the Revolution. He was of Irish descent. Jacol) I. Harmon was born in Garrar<l county, Ky., December 13, 1819, and in 1838 was married to Miss Mary Conn, daughter of Rev. John and Elizabeth Conn, of Kentucky. In 1849 Mr. H. came to Missouri, and settled in Clay county. Two years later he went on the plains, and afterwards, for about seven years, followed teaming in the far West, cither on his own account, for private parties, or for the Government, generally coming home, however, to raise a crop during each cropping season. Ever since that he has followed farming exclusively, in this county. During the war he was in the militia for a short time ; and in 1865 he was al)sent from the county some months on account of the unsettled condition of affairs. Since then he has been engaged in farming, and has served as deputy sheriff of the county and as constable of the township. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a meinl)er of the Blue Lodge and the Royal Arch Chapter, A. F. and A. M. He has a good farm comfortably improved and is pleasantly situated in life.

Frederick Hartel

After an active and useful career of more than a generation, not without reward in the substantial evidences of success, as well as otherwise, Mr. Hartel has now comparatively retired fron; the regular duties of l)usiness and industrial affairs, and is spending the evening of life in (;()ni|)iir:itive ease and contentment. He coninienc(;(l f'oi- liimself at an early age, and from that time until the present his career has l)een one of unceasing industry and activity. Like many of our better foreign iiorn citizens he is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, wiiere he was horn November 15, 18()S. He was the fourth of six children of Abraham and Anna Marie Hartcl, and after being reared and educated at his native place accompanied his parents to the United States. Subsequently they located in Missouri, taking up their home ill Clay county in 1<S42, where they afterwards died. The subject of this sketch, Frederick Hartel, has continued to live here since that time, a period now of over forty years. Tiiough not numbered among tiie wealthiest men in the county he is, as before mentioned, in comfortable cir<nimstances, having a farm of 100 acres under fence and in cultivation. His family is one of which any husband and father might well be proud. In October, 1845, Miss Barbara Hoff became his wife, and to them have been born si.x children: Louis, Jacob ( de(;eased ), Frederick, Kate, Conrad and William. Louis married Miss Agues Sell, and is a farmer in Clinton county. Mo. ; Kate is the wife of_ Prof. John H. Frick, professor of mathematics and natural sciences in Central Wcsleyan College at Warrenton, Mo. A sketch of his life and mention of the college with which he is connected are given in the History of St. Charles, Montgomery and Warren Counties, recently published by the authors of the present volume. Frederick is engaged in raising and shipping stock. Conrad married Miss Lizzie Irmiger, and is living on the farm with his parents. He is an industrious young man, and is more than ordinarily successful in the management of the homestead. William is a student in the Theological Department of Boston Univ(>rsity in Boston, Mass., and is a graduate of Central Wesleyan College. Jacolt married Miss Susan Frick. He and wife aie nowl)oth deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hartel and all'of their childi'cn are members of the German ^L E. Church.

Willlim H. Hawkins

Mr. Hawkins has long been engaged in the occupation whit-h he, nf)W follows. His father, Capt. John C. Hawkins, was in the same business l)efore him. However, in later years his father was also a farmer, and William H. was ]iartly reared on a farm. He received a common school education. Having gone to Texas, in the meantime, in 18(i2, he entei'ed the Confederate army, becoming a meml)er of Co. F, Eighth Texas regiment, under Col. ()verton. He did not serve, however, throughout the war, i)ut after being in Col. Overton's regiment, returned to Milan county, Texas, where he had previously resided. In ISUC) ]\Ir. Hawkins came back to Clay county. Mo., and resumed shoemaking, which he had previously followed in Texas. He has followed shoemaking also continuously ever since. However, in 1861), he made another tri]> to Texas and was absent aliout a year eniraged in farminic. Mr. Hawkins has a <rood run of eustoni at

Kearney, und is doing as well as could be expected in a place the size of this. In 18()8 he was married to Miss Mary -T. Groom, a daughter ot" Amos and Sallie (Chauey) Groom, early settlers from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. H. have one child: Mary il.; they have had the misfortune to lose six in childhood. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. H. is a strict temperance man. His father, Capt. Hawkins, came from Woodford county, Ky., and located at Liberty in about 1829. Subsequently he engaged in farming in Clay county. He was in the Mormon War, and helped to drive the disciples of polygamy out of the States. There was where he received his title of captain. He died in 1868, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Turnum, died in 1857. They had 12 children, 11 of whom are living. William H., the seventh in their family of children, was born June 14, 1840.

George S. Henderson

Mr. Henderson was a youth seventeen years of age when his parents came to Missouri in 1853, and had received an elementary knowledge of books in the log school-houses of the period. But here he went to work at hard lalior on the farm and was beginning to get something of a start wlien the war broke out in 18(31. He then enlisted in Capt. Tom McCarty's company for the Southern service, and served until 18()3, when he was taken sick and compelled to return home. In 18(55 he went to St. Louis county, where the family had removed in the meantime, and remained there until 1866 engaged in farming. At that time he was emplo\'ed by Messrs. E. M. Samuel & Sons, commission merchants, to travel for their house, which he followed for a year. After his emplo^'mcnt with Messrs. Samuel & Sons, Mr. H. went to Holt county and engaged in the saw milling business. Two years later he bought a saw mill at Rulo, Neb., but in 1874 came back to Clay county, where he was interested in a farm and engaged in farming. In 187(;Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Nannie B. Leacii, a daughter of Daniel and Ijlizabeth Leach, formerly of Scott county, Ky., but afterwards of Platte county, and later still of this (Clay) county. Mr. Henderson l)ought his present stock of goods in February, 1884, and has been engaged in business ever since. He and wife have two children : Daniel H. and G. DeMatt. Mrs. H. is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Henderson was formerly interested in short horn cattle. He is a man of energy and enterprise and will doui)tless jirove one of the successful men of the county. Mr. Henderson's father was James Henderson, originally of Mason county, Ky., but whose parents came from Virginia. He was a large trader from Kentucky with the South before the railroads, and made as many as 13 trips from New Orleans to Kentucky on horseback. He dealt largely in nudes and also in bacon, and transported his bacon either b}' wagons or b}' flatboats to the South. He w'as a man of great enerev and thorough reliabilitv. He came to Missouri with his faniilv in 1853, locating first in Lafayette county, but settled in Clay county the following year. He died here in 1877 in the seventy-second year of his age. His wife, who was a Miss Brittyann Howe before her marriage, lived to reach the age of 66, dying in 1870. They were both members of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and are buried at Mount Gilead, Clay county. Mo. They had a family of five children, four sons and one daughter; the daughter is dead.

On the 13th of August, 1881, died at his homestead in this county, Jacob Hessel, where for over 25 years he was known as one of the highly respected and influential citizens of Kearney township. He was a man who achieved success in life solely by his own exertions and personal worth, and his intelligent appreciation of the conditions and opportunities of life ar(nind him. From early circumstances but little or no Ijetter than the average of those of the youths among whom he was reared, he rose to a creditable degree of success in life, both in standing and influence. He came of a well respected German family, and was the youngest of five children, born February 14, 1824, in Germany. In 1845 he left the country of his nativity and came to America, locating in Clay county. Mo., in 1846. He was a farmer by occupation, but when the news of the discovery of gold in California reached the citizens of this county, he was drawn into tlie tide of Western emigrants, and went to tiie golden coast of that far-ott' Eldorado, remaining for three years. However, he then returned to Clay county, and here made his home until his death. Successful in the material affairs of life, he had accumulated 21(i acres of land, all of which is now under fence, and 1(30 acres are in cultivation and blue grass pasture. On Octolier IG, 1855, he had been married to one of the fairest daughters of the old Fatherland, Mrs. Malia Bauman, whose maiden name was Moeller. Their family consisted of seven ciiildreu : William is now in Denver, Col.; Louis is a student at Central Wesleyan College, at Warrenton; Carrie is attending the same school; Mary is living with her mother; Jacob died September 15, 1883 ; Edw.ud and Henry live on the old homestead and carry on the farming and stock-raising operations. They are enterprising and progressive 3'oung agriculturists, and have achieved quite a reputation in the stock business, having sold during the past year two car loads of cattle and one of hogs. Mr. Hessel was a member of the Bethel German M. E. Church. His wife and her children are connected with the same denomination.

Conrad Hessel

foreiiiu birth who liave seeu fit to locate within the lioundaries of this countiT. Like many of the oldest residents of this connty who have become possessed of means and gained a competence sufficient to enable them to i)ass their later years in ease and retirement, is a native of Germany, having been born there February 8, 1821. Other memliers of this family have also settled in Clay county from Germany, mention of whom is made elsewhere. The youth of Conrad was passed as those of other youths of the country, and when 22 years of age he left the place of his birth and emigrated to the United States, locating' first in Ohio, in 1843, and then in 1847 in Clay county, which has continued to be his home for a period of about 40 years. His beginning in this county was indeed an humble one. Poor in purse, and by no means thoroughly conversant with the customs of this country, he commenced at once with characteristic thrift and industry to situate himself comfortably in life, which he has done, though at a cost of many years of hard toil and labor. The fruit of his success is now seen in the handsome homestead which he owns, a beautifull}' cultivated farm of 525 acres. In 1855 he was married to Miss Christina Heinz, and to them were born seven children: Fred, Kathrina, Elizabeth, Conrad, Louis, Barbara and Christina. Three of these are married, viz. : Frederick married Miss Katie Weber, and is now engaged in farming in this county ; Elizabeth, wife of O. H. Weber, also a farmer, and Kathrina, now Mrs. William H. Stein, whose husband is l)astor of the German Methodist Church at Hays City, Kas. Conrad is superintendent of the Sabbath-school connected with the Bethel ]\L E. Church, of which Mr. and Mrs. Hessel and their children are members. His domestic life has been one of great contentment and happiness, and he has reared a worthy family of children. A j)rogressive farmer and an intelligent citizen, he is held in high respect l)y all who know him.

John L. Hodges

It was as early as 1826 that the family of which Mr. Hodges was a member settled in Clay county. His parents were among the pioneer settlers of the county, and became well-to-do and highly respected residents of Fishing Itiver townshii). His father. Judge Hodges, served as an officer in the Black Hawk War, and was afterward elected a judge of the county court for a number of terms. He was one of the most popular men in the county, and was elected by an almost unanimous vote of the people. He died iiere in January, 1873. His wife, whose maiden name was Louisana Lingfelter, of German descent, died in April, 1881, in her seventy-seventh year. Judge Hodges had a fine farm of-some 400 acres, most of which is still in possession of the famil\'. He was a slaveholder before the war and a man of strong Southern feeling, though he took no active part, on account of his advanced years. Still, he enlisted in the State Guard, for home protection. He was an earnest and consistent member of the Old School Baptist Church, as was also his wife. He was quite zealous for the church, and a liberal supporter of both it and the cause of good schools. Of their faniil}' of eleven children seven are living, all sons except one, Amanda, the wife of A. G. Mosby, and all residents of Clay county, except All)ert, who went to Oregon in 1850. Jolm L. Hodges was born in this county March 11, 1851, and at the age of 20 eniisk'd in Co. F, under Capt."^ Pixley, of the Missouri State Guard, of which company he was orderly sergeant. He was in the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge. But on account of inflammatory rheumatism, brought on by the exposures of camp-life, he was compelled to return honie. In 18(i5 he was married to Miss Sarah E. Riley, a daughter of William P. Riley of this county. Mr. Hodges has been engaged in farming and stock-raising and also dealing in stock up to four years ago. ^He had a good farm, l)ut sold his place in 1880 and removed to Kearney, where he is engaged exclusively in dealing in and shipping stock. He is considered one of the I)est judges of stock in this part of the county, and has had a successful experience as a stock dealer. Mr. and Mrs. Hodges have three childi-en : John L., Jr., Anna M. and Allen O. They have lost one, William H., at an early age. Mr. H. and wife are members of the Christian Church.

John T. Huffaker

As is well known Clay county received its largest early immigration during the "Thirties," at which time there was almost a flood tide of pioneer settlers, princii)aliy from Kentucky. Among the hundreds of other families who came during the tirst years of the " Thirties," was that of the father of Mr. Huffaker, Washington Hutfaker. He settled in this county in 1831, and was the tirst sheritt' of the cftunty after its organization. He was subsequently a county judge for a number of years, and held other otScial positions. Judge Huflaker was one of the prominent and highly respected citizens of the county. He was a successful farmer and died hero in 18(>3. His wife, who was a Miss Sarah Shackleford before her marriage, died in 18G4. They reared a family of seven children, all of whom are living and are themselves the heads of families. John T. was born on the farm in this county in 1850. On growing up he became a farmer and followed farming and stock-raising until 1S79, when he engaged in business at Holt with the Rev. Mr. Mitchell. Mr. Hnfl'aker has served as mayor of Holt and in the town council. In 1880 he was married to Miss Laura Holt, a daughter of Col. John B. Holt, the founder of the town of Holt, and one of tlie leading wealthy citizens of the county. He was a gallant soldier in the ^lexican War, and served in the Confederate army through the Civil War, rising by his ability and intrei>idity as an olEcer to the command of a company which became noted for its valor on many a hard fought field. He is now living a quiet, retired life at Holt, in the possession of a competence, but best of all of an honored name and clear conscience. Mr. Huffaker, the subject of this sketch, is a leading and prominent Mason, and a worth}' and exemplary member of the Christian Church.

John N. Hunter

Mr. Hutiter is a native of Nebraska, a fact whicii can perhaps be truthfully asserted of no other citizen of Missouri, at least of none not younger than he and probably a few others in the whole country, Nebraska included. His father, R. M. Hunter, was one of the pioneers of Nebraska, going there away back in the " Fifties," before - the scream of the locomotive was heard on the plains, or the l)utfalo and Indian had been pushed on against the apron of the Cordilleras. He was born in Nemaha county, Neb., in 1859. His mother's maiden name was Miss Hollenbeck, a native of Illinois. His father was originally from Ohio, and was a saddle and harnessmaker, a trade that was very profitable in Nebraska in an early day, when one could exchange a good saddle for nearly enough buffalo robes to wall in and cover an ordinary sized house. There was also a good demand for saddles and harness among the white pioneers and emigrants bound for the golden shore, washed by the Pacific sea. However, on account of the severity of the climate in that early day when all the country was open and the biting frost came flying across the country with the speed of the wind, apparently guided only by the portentous sun dogs that seemed to absorb the warmth from the cheerless star of day, the family left Nebraska and came further south, to Missouri, where the elements and animal life were not so much at war with each other as they are in the young Stale of the plains. After residing in Atchison county for awhile, they settled in Clay county, near Holt. In 187!) they removed to Kansas, where they now reside. Mr. Hunter, Jr., was partly" reared in the vicinity of Holt, and has made this iii.s home continuously from the time the family first came here. In 1883 he was appointed deputj' postmaster of Holt, and a short time afterwards was himself made postmaster. He has held tiie office ever since. He also carries a stock of ])ooks and stationeryin connection with his duties as postmaster. In 1876 Mr. Hunter was married to Miss Elizabeth Ditto, a daughter of J. P. Ditto, of Clay county. Mr. and Mrs. H. have two children, John J. and Leonard W. They have lost one in infancy, Ida May. Mr. and Mr. H. are members of the Christian Union Church. Mr. Hunter's father also followed farming and handling stock, in which he is still engaged to some extent.

George M. Isley

Mr. Isley has been in active business life for over thirty years, and is a man, who by experience, energy and business qualifications, is justly entitled to be classed among the better class of business men of the county. He is a North Carolinian by nativity, born in Alamance oountv, June 27, 1832. He was the eldest in a family of children of Austin ;uid Polly Isley, both of early North Carolina families. On his father's side the family is of German descent, but has been settled in this country for generations. The father is still living and is a retired stock-i'aiser, having been quite successful in life. The mother died only about tour years ago. Mr. Islej', Jr., or the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county, and at the age of 21 engaged in merchandising at Giljsonville, that county. He continued in business as a merchant for about five years, at the expiration of which he was appointed postmaster at Gibsonville and also station agent on the railroad. Mr. Isley had charge of these offices for some seventeen years. He then removed to Raleigh, where he bought and took charge of a large distillery. Two years later, however, he sold out at Raleigh and removed to Missouri, locating in the vicinity of Holt. Here he also established a distillery and carried on a farm, which he purchased on coining to this county. He still owns the farm, and is engaged in farming, in addition to his milling business. Ho bought a half interest in the flouring and grist mill at this place, becoming a member of the firm of Morgan & Isley in 1875. He has ever since been engaged in milling. In 1855 Mr. Isley was married to a Miss ShoS'ner, a daughter of Daniel and Barbara Shofl'ner, of Alamance county, N. C. Her parents are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Isley have had seven children, all living and residents of Holt. Thomas and Augustus are engaged in the livery business at this place and are young men of energy and enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Isley are members of the Christian Union Church. Mr. I. is a member of the Masonic order and is one of the Democrats who has been voting the straight ticket (except while North Carolina was out of the Union) ever since 1851), without seeing a Democratic President inaugurated. That interesting event he was fortunate enough to enjoy on the 4th of March last.

Mr. LaRue was a teacher by profession, having come from Indiana to this State, and after coming here taught some three years in Clay count}' before engaging in the drug business. However, ho had had experience in handling drugs and in pharmacy anil had a good knowledge of the business before he became a member, of the firm with which he is now connected. The firm of Stowers & LaRue have a neat drug store, keeping constantly in stock a full assortment of fresh and pure drugs. They also carry other lines of goods usually found in a first-class drug store. Being both good business men and upright and obliging in their dealings, they have of course succeeded in attracting a good trade. Mr. LaRue was born in Greene county, Ind., April 18, 18G0. His parents were Jesse and Nancy (Dugger) LaRue, his father being a carpenter and contractor by occu|)ation. The family on either side was from Tennessee and Virginia, respectively. The mother died in 1883, but the father is still livins'. William H.

was reared in Indiana and educated at the coninion and Normal Schools and tlie State University. Prior to entering the Normal School, however ( at which he graduated ), he had taught school and after concluding his educational course he resumed teaching, coming West to Missouri for that purpose. He came to Holt, Clay county, Mo., iu March, 1881. The following year after coming to Missouri Mr. LaRue was married to Miss Lura L. Harris, a daughter of William Harris, of Clay county. They have one child, a daughter, Jessie, Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the M. E. Church South. He is a member of the' Masonic fraternity.

William B. Leach

Mr. Leach engaged in his present business in 1880, as a successor in the business to George S[)ears. Mr. Spears had previously' carried it on for some 3'ears,but in the spring of 1880 committed suicide in his store by shooting himself. Mr. Leach afterwards bought the stock and continued the business. He has materially enlarged and improved the stock of goods and added much to the patronage of the house. It is now one of the leading houses of this class in the northeastern part of the county. j\Ir. Leach was born in Scott county, K}'., July 23, 1840. When he was a lad about seven years of age his parents removed to Missouri and settled in Platte county, where young Leach grew to manhood. In 18(57 the family removed to Clay couutj', where they still reside. In the meantime William B. had grown up and gone out into the world for himself. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, but after a term of service of less than a year, returned to Platte county, and the same year went to New Mexico. He came back, however, in 1862, but in June of that year went to Montana Territory, and was engaged in trading in stock for the following six or seven years. He was also in Utah, Idaho and British America. He went to the noted Kootney mines on a prospecting tour. In 1869 he returned to Missouri, and as his father's family had removed to Clay county, he stopped at Kearney. Here he engaged in farming and handling stock to some extent, which he continued until 1880, when he bought out the Spears stock of goods as stated above. While handling stock in the West Mr. Leach wi:s also engaged in farming. In 187(5 he was married to Miss Cassie McGinnis, daughter of James McGinnis, of Kearney, i)ut formerly of Kentuck}'. They have one cliild, a little son. Mrs. L. is a memi)er of the Christian Church and he is a member of Lodge No. 311, A. F. and A. M., at Kearney.

give their principal attention to stock-raising, for which the county is remarkably well ailaj)ted, but tliey are generally a class of men of enterprise and information, who take pride in securing the best stock for l)reeding purposes to l)0 had. This practice has had a beneficial result in two ways : it has not only been profitable to the farmers themselves, but has given the county an enviable name as a fine stock county. Prominent among the farmers who have done their full share toward advancing the stock interests of Clay county is the subject of the i)resent sketch, Mr. Leavell, who came here in 18.54. He was a well-to-do fine stock raiser of Kentucky, and after coming here bought about 1,700 aci'es of fine land. Having some forty odd or fifty negroes, he improved a large farm, and engaged in farming and stockraising quite extensively. His negro property was soon afterwards taken from him by operation of the war, but he has, nevertheless, had a prosperous career in other respects. For years he has been recognized as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He is a man of high character and superior intelligence and information, and occupies a prominent position in the community. He was born in Todd county, Ky., December 12, 1821, and was reared to a farm life, receiving a common-school education as he grew up. In 1838 he was married to Miss Harriet D. Winn, a daughter of George Winn, of Christian county, Ky., a prominent and wealthy citizen of that county. Eight children have been the fruits of their union, namely, Frances, now the wife of Rev. G. W. Rogers, of Dallas, Texas ; Sarah, the wife of Samuel C. Greenfield, of this county; Georgia A., the wife of Dr. Silas Denham, of Clay county. Mo.; Daniel W., now a resident of Kansas; Eugenia S., wife of William Rust, also a resident of Kansas ; Leonidas, W. Llewellyn, Lane and Robert Ernest Lee. Tlu-ee others are deceased, who, however, lived to mature years. Lycurgus L., their eldest son, who died in California; Harriet L., who died whilst the wife of John J. Eastin, and Montgomery D. Mr. and Mrs. Leavell are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. L. is a Royal Arch Mason. Mr. Leavell's farm contains 860 acres. The l)alance of his land is divided up among his cliildren. He has a handsome homestead, including a commodious and tastily built residence, and substantial, neat appearing barns and other outbuildings. He is very comfortably situated in life.

Albert Lincoln

Only the few who have given the subject any thought and investigation have any idea of the imj^ortant part Virginia has taken in the history of the country, and of the vast influence she still exerts, perhaps now not so much directly as indirectly. Leaving out of the account what she has done directly and is still doing, her indirect influence in affairs is not even approached in importance by that of any other Commonwealth in the Union. She not onl}' gave to the country its great Northwest Territory, out of which have been formed some of the most populous, prosperous and progressive States of the Union, hut hirgely gave the sturdy pioneers and brave settlers who founded these States and made them what they are. Besides this she peopled Kentucky, presenting the territory and the population of the Blue Grass State to the Union as a proud and free and generous gift. All Southern Ohio was mainly settled by her sons, or the sons of her eldest and fairest daughter, Kentucky, as were also most of Indiana and Illinois, and a large percentage of the other Northern States, and of the Pactolian Commonwealth of the Pacific coast, California. So, - the younger States of the South were largely peopled from the Old Dominion, including Missouri and Arkansas. Likewise there is Texas, settled almost exclusively by Virginians, Kentuckians, Missourians and West Tennesseeans, settlers who sprang originally, almost without an exception, from Virginia families. Any comprehensive genesis of the population of the West and Southwest would show that, more then 75 per cent of the people are of Virginia descent. But it is not in this respect alone that the Old Dominion holds a distinguished and pre-eminent position in the history of the couutr}'. Take the names of the great men that shed the i)rightest lustre on our career as a nation, and they are in a large majority of cases the names of Virginians, either by nativity or descent. Hardly less is this true of the present, than of the past. At the beginning, the " Father of our Country " was a son of the Old Mother Commonwealth. So, also, with most of the other early characters of prominence and distinction. Nor has there been an important epoch in the history of the country since that time in which the name of a Virginian has not stood out above and brighter than all others. In the great crisis of the Civil War the brightest names that illuminated that dark period were either of or from the Old Dominion. This was true on both sides. To the North and the Nation, Virginia gave Abraham Lincoln, a mati who, on the Union side, was nearer than all others after the pattern of Washington, a brave, pure, true, great man. On the side of the South we had Lee and Stonewall Jackson, names that any country might well be proud to boast. Now and at all times Virginians have occupied the first places in the history and in the hearts of their countrymen. Jackson, the " Iron President," Harrison, the " Hero of Tippecanoe," of Indiana, the great Clay, and hundreds of others traced their lineage back to Vii'ginia. And it is a remarkable circumstance that the Washingtons, Lincolns and Lees were all orginally settled in Northern Virginia. From there branches of these families s[)read out into other parts of the State and into other States. But in the [)resent sketch wo have only to do with the Lincoln family - Ali)ert Lincoln, whose biography is here given, being one of the descendants of that family. The Lincolns came to this country from Euglaud in early colonial times and settled, in the first place, in Northeastern Virginia. - Lincoln, ot that section of the Old Dominion, was the great-grandfather of President Lincoln and the grandfather of .\braham Lincoln (the father of the subject of this sketch), who became one of the pioneer settlers of Western-Central

Missouri. Judge James E. Lincoln, oF Liberty, is also a descendant of the same family. His father, George Lincohi, was a son of Thos. Lincoln, of Fayette county, Ky., but originally from Rockingham county, Ya. Thomas Lincoln was a brother of Abraham Lincoln, the grandfather of President Lincoln. Judge Lincoln's father and Albert Lincoln's father were brothers. George Lincoln was one of the pioneer settlers of Clay county. He and Albert Lincoln's father, Abraham Lincoln, who were brothers, were both blacksmiths by trade, and both from Kentucky to this State. Abraham Lincoln, however, came to Missouri at an earlier da}' than the removal of George Lincoln. He, the former, settled in Saline count}', or what is now Saline, before the county was formed, and in early territorial times. Subsequently he removed to Clay county, in about 1823 ; and later still (but yet at an early day), he settled on the Platte Purchase, where he located a claim ; but while temporarily absent his place on the Platte Purchase was taken possession of or "jumped," as they termed it then, by another party, who hadn't even a color of right to it. Still, Mr. Lincoln being a quiet, upright man, preferred to lose his claim rather than engage in a lawsuit, or have any personal trouble with the claimant. He therefore decided to make his permanent home in Clay county, and afterwards resided here for many years, until his death, engaged at his trade and in farming. He was a man of sterling worth, stiict integrity and strong, natural good sense - characteristics everywhere of the Lincoln family. His wife came of an old and respected family of Kentucky, but originally of Virginia. Her Christain name was Agnes Feming. They had a family of five children,

11 of whom lived to reach mature years and to become the heads of families themselves. Only three are now living. AUtert Lincoln, whose name stands at the head of this sketch, was born in Saline county, April 18, 1819, but as his parents subsequently removed to Cla- county, he was partly reared in this county. He learned the trade under his father, as he grew up, and afterwai'ds f llowed it for some years. In 1844 Mr. Lincoln was married to Miss Armilda Soper, a daughter of Benjamin Soper, formerly of Kentucky. In about 18.50 Mr. L. engaged in fiirmiug, and soon afterwards quit blacksmithing altogether and turned his entire attention to farming and stock-raising. Ever since that time he has made agricultural life his sole pursuit. A man of industry and good intelligence, he has always lived comfortably and has never been embarrassed by the rewu-ses that often overtake men of more venturesome disposition. His greatest desire has been not to accumulate large means, but to live an ">.i|n-ight, quiet, unobtrusive and respectable life, and to rear his family f children in comfort and creditably ; but above all to rear them :: ith the ideas of personal honesty thoroughly instilled into their minds, and with the conviction that only by honest industry should success be sought or hoped for. In all this he may be truthf"ully said to have been successful to the utmost of his desires. No man has traveled down the pathway of life to the shades of old age with a name more spotless than his. Albert Lincoln stands as high in the esteem of all who know hiiu for integrity and personal worth as any man whose citizenship ever did honor to the country. Mr. Lincoln has a comfortable farm of 160 acres, and is now living in retirement from the severe activities of life. Nevertheless, he is a man of industry and perseverance and still assists, when necessary, at farm work. Though closely approaching the allotted age of three-score and ten, he is well preserved and is unusually active, considering his years. He and his good wife have reared a family of four children, one of whom is now deceased. The living are: John W., Newton H. and' Benjamin F. Archibald died in young manhood in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. L. arc members of the Christian Church.

Among the officials of Clay county L. A. Logan, the subject of the present sketch, is deserving of more than a passing notice. Though only having been elected to his present office in 1882, sufficient time has elapsed to judge of his ability for the position to whicii he was chosen, and doubtless the people of this county will show their appreciation of his services by electing him to discharge the duties of this office for another term when it becomes necessary to do so. He is a Kentuckian by birth, having been born Juue 17, 1832, in Shelby county. After leaving there in 1857, he came to Missouri, but subsequently went to Colorado and Montana where he remaiaded until 1866, then returning to Platte count}'. Mo. In 1872 he took up his home in Clay county and here, on the 18tii of January, of that year, he was married to a daughter of one of the old pioneers of Clay county. Miss Jennie E. Duncan, whose father was Alexander Duncan. They have been blessed with four children, one of whom, however, is deceased, Mary Ann. Those living are Gwathmey P., Matt. D. and A3'tchmonde. When Mr. Logan came to this county he settled on 80 acres of land, but in 1879 moved to the place on which he now lives. 'Here, in addition to his agricultural pursuits, he is occupied to some extent in the stock business, more esjiecially in the breeding of short horn cattle. His landed estate embraces some 300 ;icres. He and his wife are members of the Mount Gilead Christian Church.

John S. Major

Mr. Major, in addition to his duties as cashier of the Savings Bank, is interested on his farm near this place in breeding and raising fine stock of different kinds. His interest in stock includes horses, cattle and hogs, and he deals to a considerable extent in all of these. He makes a specialty of Pure Bates and Bates Topped short horns cattle, of which he has some unusually fine re|)reseiit:itives. His other stock also are generally of superior grades and his experience with fine stock mid ill the stock business, ceiieraily, has been one of success and entire satisfaction. Mr. Major became identified with the Kearney Bank on its fix'st organization. Indeed, he was one of its original .stockholders and was instrumental in organizing the bank. It was organized in 1882, with a paid-up stock of $10,000, and has since had an entirely prosperous career. It has ever since paid an annual dividend of 25 per cent. It is cue of the well-conducted, substantial banking institutions of the county, and is the onlj^bank at this place. Mr. Major is a native of Clay county, born in this township February 22, 18.52. His father was Dr. Herman S. Major, a leading and successful physician of this part of the county, originally from Kentucky, but now deceased. Dr. Major was also extensively engaged in farming and stock-raising and was prosperous. He gi'aduated at the Louisville Mefjical College in 1850, and came to this county the following 3'ear. The same year of his graduation he was married to Miss Mary L. Swearingen, of an old and highly respected Kentucky family. The Doctor died here in 18G9. His widow, Mrs. Major, is still living and i-esiding on the old family homestead near Kearne}'. They had a family of nine children : Charles S., a farmer of Clinton county ; William W., now in the bank at Kearney ; Mary R., a twin sister to William W., and the wife of R. E. Bevins : Slaughter G., a farmer of this county, with whom his mother resides on the old homestead ; Susan Y., a twin sister to Slaughter G. ; Sallie B., Reuben H., Hermonetta, now deceased, and John S. John S. was reai'ed in this county and educated at Kentucky Military Institute, near Frankfort, Ky., and at William Jewell College, of Liberty. In 187(5 he was married to Miss Jennie Anderson, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Anderson, who came to this county from Clark county, Ky., in 1843. The father died here in 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Major have one child and have lost one.

Slaughter G. M.Uor

Mr. Major was born in this county in July, 1860, and was the fifth in the family of children of Herman and Mary Major, reference to whom is made in the sketch of John S. Major, another son of theirs, which precedes this. Slaughter G. was reared on the farm and received his primary education in the common schools. In 1878, at the age of 18, he entered William Jewell College, in which he took a course of three years, graduating in the class of '81. Besides taking a general English and classical course, he graduated in German and French. After his graduation he returned to the farm where he was reared, and resumed farming and stock-raising, to which he was brought up. He has continued occupied with these industries ever since that time. He and his brother, Reuben, and their sister, Sarah B., remain at home with their mother, their father having previously died. Mr. Major is at the head of the afl'airs of the farm and is showing nuirked good judgment and enterprise in its management. The place contains 240 acres and is well improved. He has about

75 head of good cattle on the phice aside from a small herd of short horns and other stock, and he feeds annually for the markets about 40 head of beef cattle and a larger number of hogs. The younger brother, Reuben, is now completing his course at college.

Zenas F. Milbourn

Mr. Milbourn has a first-class establishment in the livery line, in-, eluding a capacious and neatly built stable and a full stock of riding and driving horses and buggies, carriages, drummers' wagons, etc. He has been in this line of business some years and has had a successful experience as a liver^'man. His stables have an established reputation and a patronage which is steadily increasing in extent and profit. Mr. Milbourn is a native of Maryland, born July 4, 1848. His fatlier was Zenas F. Mill)ourn, Sr., formerly of Virginia, and his mother's maiden name was Adeline C. Marcellus. She was i)orn and reared in Marj'land. Mr. Milbourn Sr., went from Loudoun county, Va., to Maryland, where he was married, in Baltimore, to Miss Marcellus, a young lad}' of French descent. After some 3'ears' residence in Maryland he returned to Virginia. During the war he served in Co. A, Eighth Virginia regiment, and was wounded at Ball's Bluff, October 21, 1861, by which he was disabled for the service, and thereafter returned home. He is still living in Virginia but his wife died in 1856. Of their family of children three are living. Zenas F. Milbourn was reared in Virginia and in 1861 entered the Southern army. He was a member of Mosby's command and was out until the close of the war. Just before the lireaking out of the war he had begun to learn the shoemaker's trade, and after the war he finished his apprenticeship at Baltimore. In 1868 Mr. Milbourn, Jr., removed to Ohio, where he followed his trade a year and then came to Missouri, working at difierent points until 1870, when he came to Clay county. Here he worked at his trade until 1878, and then engaged in the livery business at Kearney in partnership with Z. M. Tapp. Five years later he sold his interest in the stable aud built the one he now occupies, where he has ever since been engaged in the business. June 23, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary L. Peper, a daughter of William Peper, of Mason county, K}'. Mr. and Mrs. Milbourn have one child, Zenas F., Jr. They lost one child in infancy. Mr. Milbourn has a good farm of 180 acres, where he is engaged in raising fine short horn cattle. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Christian Church.

Rev. George W. Mitchell

Rev. Mr. Mitchell's father's family was one of the early families to settle at Independence, in Jackson county. They remained there, however, only a short time, removing thence to Lafayette county, where they resided for a ()eriod of about 25 years. The father,

Benjamin F. Mitchell, was a fanner and carpenter, and removed from Kentucky to this State. After farming some years in Lafa3'ette county, he made his residence at Lexington. But in 1866 he removed to Haynesvillc, in Clinton county, where lie resided until his death, which occurred at the age of 70, in 1877. The mother, the wife of Mr. Mitchell, Sr., preceded her husband to the grave in 1860. She was a Miss Margaret Franklin before her marriage. At her death there were five children, including the subject of this sketch, who was about 17 years of age. He was born in Lafa3-ette county in 1842. As his parents shortly removed to Lexington, he had the advantages afforded by the schools of that place, and received a good general English education. However, at the age of 18 he went to work at the blacksmith's trade, which he afterwards followed for some six or seven years. In 1866 he engaged in general merch;indising at Haynesvillc, remaining in business there for about 13 years. Mr. Mitchell then removed to Holt, and became a menxber of the firm of Mitchell & Huffaker, general merchants, with which he has ever since been connected. He has long been a meuiber of the Christian Union Cinirch, and in 1875 he felt that it was his duty to prepare himself for the ministry and exert whatever power and influence in the pulpit he might have for the highest and best interest of humanity, the salvation of souls. He accordingly studied the Scriptures thoroughly, and informed himself in general theology, particulai'ly the theology and polity of his own church, and in 1876 he was licensed to preach. Two years later, Mr. Mitchell was regularly ordained a preacher of the Gospel. Ever since becoming a licentiate of the church he has been an active i)reacher, and has done much good for the cause of religion and of the church. In 1864, Mr. ^Mitchell was married to Miss Josephine Harris, a daughter of Solomon Harris, a farmer of the vicinity of Excelsior Springs. Mr. M. and his good wife are blessed with a family of ten children. Mr. Mitchell has a good farm of 120 acres on the Clay and Clinton county line. Ho is a member of the A. F. and A. M., including the Royal Arch Chapter, and is a member of the school board at Holt. At a series of revival meetings, held by Jlr. Mitchell in 1883, and extending over a period of 47 days, 35 at Haynesville, and 12 at Holt, no less than 160 converts were made.

Mr. Netherton was born in Jefferson county, Ky., Octoi)er 18, 1830, .-tnd was the youngest in a family of five children of John and Betsey (Wells) Netherton, both of Maryland. They came to Kentucky in an early da}', and the father is still a resident of that State, in Bullitt county. The mother died in 1884. Mr. Netherton's grandfather was a physician by profession and served in the War of 1812. They leared a family of five children : Eliza, wife of William Hall, now deceased, his witlow being a resident of Louisville, Ky. ; William, a farmer of Kentucky ; Richard, a farmer of Callawav county. Mo. ;