Cooper County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 13 of 24)

country. Upon coming here, he settled in what then was known as Midway, bought a "40" from William Snodgrass established his home and set up on his place a blacksmith shop, the first in this part of the country. At that time, long before Prairie Home had found a place on the map, Midway was regarded as the half-way place between Jefferson City and Boonville, and was a stage stop and postoffice site, the postoffice being "kept" by Albert Tompkins at his home on the present site of the W. F. Carpenter residence a short distance southeast of Prairie Home. Albert Tompkins "entered" that place from the Government in 1833, and he and his wife and sister are buried there. John G. Kaempfer's home and blacksmith shop were about two miles from the Midway station, and this necessitated quite a walk for him when called on to shoe the stage horses at Midway, which he often was called on to do. He was the first smith in this part of the country to make a steel mold-board plow, and his services were in wide demand. Later, however, he gave more attention to farming, becoming a considerable land owner. His wife died in 1852, and he died October 7, 1887, and both are buried on the home farm. Of the children born to them two survive, Mr. Kaempfer having a sister, Mrs. Mary Schnuck, who makes her home with him at Prairie Home. Mrs. Schnuck is the widow of Henry Schnuck, Sr., one of the pioneers of Saline township, who came here with his parents when about 12 years of age, and died June 2, 1909.

Robert Kaempfer received his schooling in the Hornbeck School, and among his teachers he recalls particularly Robert Carlos, who was a halfbrother of Frank and Carter Carlos.

Mr. Kaempfer has always lollowed farming, becoming a part owner of the home place, and there resided until his recent retirement and removal to Prairie Home, where he and his. wife now reside. March 1, 1919, Mr. Kaempfer moved to town, buying there the William Byler property. Mr. Kaempfer still owns 156 acres of the old home place. Not long ago he sold to B. L. Morris a tract of something more than 52 acres. He is in a position to "take things easy" in the pleasant "evening time" of his life. Mr. Kaempfer is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Gooch's Mill.

Sept. 10, 1873, Robert Kaempfer was united in marriage to Catherine Alice Graff, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of Joseph and Margaret Graff, old settlers of Saline township. Mr. and Mrs. Kaempfer have nine children, one son and eight daughters, and these daughters at the Prairie Home Fair in 1918 brought to their mother quite a unique distinction,

Mrs. Kaempfer having been awarded the premium for the largest family of girls reared in Cooper County. The only son, John Kaempfer, the fourth child in order of birth, married Anna Hertsick, and lives in Cedar County. He and his wife have two children, Homer and Mary Bernice. The daughters are as follows : Margaret, wife of William H. Kuhn, Prairie Home ; Mary, wife of Millard Pipkin, Russellville ; Emma, wife of William Oerly, Wooldridge; Elizabeth, wife of Jesse Byler, Moniteau County; Anna, wife of Walter Byler, same county ; Nora, wife of B. L. Morris, who owns a part of the old Kaempfer farm in Prairie Home township ; Louisa, wife of Otto Wallenmeier, Moniteau County, and Meta, wife of Clarence Hornbeck, Prairie Home township. Besides the two grandchildren, Homer and Mary Bernice Kaempfer, mentioned above, Mr. and Mrs. Kaempfer have 22 other grandchildren, namely: Lawrence, Herbert, Floyd, Elmer, Blanche and Alice Kuhn; Newell Pipkin; Lester, Curtis, Raymond, Oliver and Alvin Oerly ; Garland, Roger, Joseph, Charles, Arthur and Ruth Byler; Kenneth Hornbeck, and Gerine, Ruby and Fern Morris.

Henry Louis Muntzel, one of LaMine township's best known and most progresive farmers and the owner of a well improved farm of 275 acres in that township is a native of Cooper County. He was born on a farm south of Boonville on Dec. 17, 1866, son of Christian and Lavinia (Meyer) Muntzel, the latter of whom, also a native of Cooper County, is living with the subject of this review.

Both the Muntzels and the Meyers are of Hanoverian stock and among the pioneers of Missouri, settling first in St. Louis County and then coming to Cooper County. Peter Muntzel, the founder of the family in this state, was born in Hanover in 1799 and came to America in 1843, locating on a farm in St. Louis County, where he remained until 1856, when he came to Cooper County. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the remainder of his life. He and his wife were the parents of four sons, Henry, Albert, Daniel and Christian.

Christian Muntzel was born in 1840 and was but a child when his parents came to this country. He was 16 years of age when the family came to Cooper County. When the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the Union army and went to the front as a member of Company A 29th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, with which command he marched with Sherman to the sea and was mustered out at the close of the war as one of the nine survivors of his company. He then returned to his home in Cooper County and Sept. 10, 1865, was united in marriage to Lavinia Meyer, who was born in this county on April 1, 1846.

Christian Muntzel And Wipe, I.Avima

Mrs. Lavinia Muntzel is a daughter of Henry and Anna (Baldwin) Meyer, Hanoverians, who came to this country shortly after their marriage and settled in Cooper County about 1840, where Henry Meyer bought 320 acres of Congress land, he and his wife spending the remainder of their lives here. He and his wife were the parents of 10 children: Mary, Elizabeth, Katherine, Lavinia, Sophia, Louise, Annie, George, Henry and William. Following his marriage to Lavinia Meyer, Christian Muntzel settled on a farm south of Boonville and there spent the rest of his life. He died in 1886. His widow still owns the home place of 340 acres.

To Christian and Lavinia (Meyer) Muntzel were born four children: Henry L., Matilda, Ida and George, all of whom are still living. Matilda Muntzel was born in 1869 and completed her schooling in the Pilot Grove High School. In 1893, she was married to C. H. Phillips, and now resides in Kansas City, where Mr Phillips is cashier in the city water department. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have two children, Charles, who is now (spring of 1919) still in France, a member of Base Hospital Unit No. 28, which was called on for much active service during the pi*ogress of Amercia's participation in the World War, and Frances, a senior in the Central High School. Ida Muntzel was born in 1873 and completed her schooling in Missouri Valley School at Marshall. In 1899, she married Dr. W. H. Gentry, physician, of Carthage, Mo., who in 1918 was called to the colors in the World War, was commissioned captain and stationed at Camp Taylor, Louisville, Ky., and now lives at Carthage, Mo. George Muntzel was born in 1876 and completed his schooling at the Haynes School in Boonville and in the Gem City Business College, Quincy, 111. In 1901, he married Fannie McNulty, and made his home on a farm south of Boonville. They have three children. Frances, Wilbur and Charles, who are now attendim; high school at Boonville.

Henry L. Muntzel was reared on the home farm south of Boonville. Upon completing the course in the Pilot Grove High School, he took a supplemental course in the International Business College at St. Louis, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then farmed on his own account on the home place until in 1895, when he bought his present farm east of Blackwater, and has since resided here. Mr. Muntzel carries on general farming and gives considerable attention to raising hogs. His farm of 275 acres is well improved.

Dec. 23, 1893, Henry L. Muntzel was married to Margaret Rudolph, who was born in this county. Dec. 20, 1868, and who died on Aug. 27, 1904. Mrs. Margaret Muntzel was a daughter of George and Anna (Bowman) Rudolph, Virginians, who settled in Cooper County before the Civil

War, and the former of whom is residing seven miles south of Boonville. To Mr. and Mrs. Muntzel were born three children: George, born in 1894, attended Central College at Fayette, and who died in 1916; Robert, born in 1896, also attended Central College, and died in 1915, and James, who was born in 1900, is now attending Boonville High School. Mr. Muntzel is a member of the Baptist Church, and is a republican, and for a number of years served as committeeman from his precinct.

Henry W. Oerly, postmaster and general merchant at Overton, and one of the influential citizens of that section of Cooper County, postmaster at Overton for nearly 15 years, was born in this county, April 7, 1882, son of Samuel and Mary A. (Schunck) Oerly. He received his schooling in the Highland Schools in Saline township, and continued making his home on the home farm until his appointment to the office of postmaster at Overton in August, 1905,and has since held that office. When he took charge of the postoffice Mr. Oerly started in connection with the same a local jewelry shop and watchmaking establishment and maintained that business until in June, 1916, when he opened a grocery store and moved the postoffice into the building he erected at that time, and has since been engaged in the grocery business in addition to looking after the affairs of the postoffice. Starting his grocery with a $450 stock, Mr. Oerly has increased his business until he now has a well stocked and well equipped store, carrying a full line of goods required in the general trade of the community. In October, 1915, he bought the T. L. Tucker residence at Overton and he and his family have since resided there. Besides this property and his store building Mr. Oerly is the owner of six half-acre lots at Overton and one smaller lot.

June 16, 1908, the twenty-seventh anniversary of the marriage of his parents, H. W. Oerly was married to Sara Martha Grannemann, who was born at Morrison, Mo., and to this union one child has been born, Laura Marie. Mrs. Oerly was born on July 9, 1887, a daughter of Louis and Minnie (Noltensmeyer) Grannemann, both natives of Missouri, now deceased. They are buried at Wainwright. Mr. and Mrs. Oerly are members of the Evangelical Church at Boonville. Mr. Oerly is one of the leading factors in the business life of his home town.

W. H. H. Rowles, a prominent farmer of Kelly township, is a descendant of early pioneers of Cooper County, both on his father's and mother's sides. He was born May 29, 1841, and is a son of Reuben and Margaret (Stephens) Rowles. Reuben Rowles was born near Baltimore, Md., in

1814, and came to Cooper County, Mo., in 1835. Margaret Stephens was born in Cooper County and was a daughter of Joseph Stephens, one of the very first settlers of Cooper County. Reuben and Margaret (Stephens) Rowles were married in Cooper County in 1840, and spent their lives in this county. He died at Bunceton in 1900 and his wife departed this life at Bunceton in 1905. They were the parents of the following children: W. H. H., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Catherine Stephens, Tipton, Mo. ; Alpha Marge, deceased ; Mrs. Sallie Barber, deceased; Joseph died in Oklahoma; Reuben on the home place, Kelly township; John on the home place, Kelly township; Charles Ochiltree, Texas, and Mrs. Maggie Carpenter.

William H. H. Rowles was reared in Cooper County and attended such schools as were in the neighborhood when he was a boy. His first school was held in a log building in the Davis school district and was taught by his uncle, John D. Stephens. Later he attended school at the Dublin district, north of Bunceton, and recalls among early teachers, Mary Chilton, Thomas Bridges, Mr. Hogue, Benjamin Hickman and Mrs. Smoot. He also attended school at the Hopewell Church school, which was taught by Jack Stephens and B. R. Cully. Mr. Rowles has always lived in Cooper County, except three years spent in California and 18 months in Texas. He bought his present home in 1873. This farm was entered from the Government in 1819 by Joseph Stephens, grandfather of Mr. Rowles. The home place consists of 147]/i acres and Mr. Rowles owns two other farms, one of 80 acres and one 240. The home place is well improved, with a neat six room residence and good substantial barns and other buildings. Mr. Rowles carries on general farming and stock raising.

Dec. 26. 1871, W. H. H. Rowles was united in marriage with Miss Perlina J. Arnold, a daughter of James S. and Malvina (Lahue) Arnold, both natives of Indiana. They went from thoir native state to Iowa in early life, and in 1864 came to Missouri. The father was born in 1823 and died in Benton County, Texas, in 1887. His wife was born in 1824 and died in Oklahoma in 1896. They went to Texas in 1872. They were the parents of the following children: Perlina J., the wife of W. H. H. Rowles ; Mrs. Mary Miller, Denton, Texas ; Willard, Dallas, Texas ; George resides in Colorado; Mrs. Dorcas Stephens, deceased; Mrs. Lola Morgan, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Rowles have been born two children: A. D. married Alta Yarnell and lives three miles west of Vermont Station, and James R. lives near Hopewell Church. He married Pauline Walge. There

Samuel Y. Thornton, president of the Farmers Stock Bank of Blackwater, and one of the best known stockmen in Cooper County, proprietor of the great "Rose Hill" Stock Farm in LaMine township, and recognized throughout the country as the most extensive breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs west of the Mississippi, is a native of Ohio, but has been a resident 6f this State since the days of his boyhood, and therefore regards himself as a Missourian "to the core." He was born in Clermont County, Ohio, Dec. 23, 1851, son of Dr. Samuel Y. and Frances (Clarke) Thornton, the latter of whom also was born in that county and both of whom spent their last days in Missouri.

Dr. Samuel Y. Thornton was born in Maryland in 1807, and early turned his attention to the study of medicine. He began the practice of his profession at Batavia, Clermont County, Ohio, about 1832, and later practiced at Bethel, Ohio, where he remained until 1857, in which year he came to Missouri with his family and located near Jefferson City, where he began farming on 1,000 acres 12 miles south of that city on the Osage River, where he died in 1877. On this big farm there was a tract of 300 acres of "bottom" timber land, which he cleared and brought under cultivation. Doctor Thornton's wife died in 1868. She was born in 1809. They were the parents ,of eight children, of whom but two survive, the subject of this sketch - the last in order of birth - having a sister, Mrs. Lida McMillan, residing at Jefferson City. One of the sons of Amos B. Thornton, who died in 1880, is well remembered in Cooper County as a newspaper editor at Boonville, and further reference to him is made in the chapter relating to the press of Cooper County elsewhere in this work.

The younger Samuel Y. Thornton was but five years of age when he came to Missouri with his parents, and he grew to manhood on his father's big farm on the Osage, where he became thoroughly familiar with the details of farming operations, and early began to pay particular attention to stock raising. He supplemented the schooling received in the local schools by a course in Westminster College at Fulton and at Missouri State University at Columbia, and after leaving college returned to the farm and became engaged as a partner of his father in the operations of the home place. In 1887. about five years after his marriage, Mr. Thornton bought "Rose Hill." his present fine stock farm of 540 acres in LaMine township, and has since made his home there. For years on that place he gave much attention to apple growing, having a fine orchard of 80 acres, maintained his own cooperage, and in 1906 raised 10,000 barrels of apples. Of late years, however, Mr. Thornton has devoted his place particularly to the breeding of Duroc Jersey swine and the raising of cattle and grade sheep. It was in the latter '80s that he began to give his particular attention to the breeding of Durocs, and it was not long until his success in that line gave his name a high standing among swine breeders throughout the country, the demand for stock swine of the "Rose Hill" herd coming from widely separated districts in the United States. He has for years taken an active part in the deliberations of the Swine Breeders Association, and has been an extensive writer for stock journals, his advice on matters relating to proper breeding of swine being widely sought. The operations on "Rose Hill" farm are carried on in accordance with modern principles of agriculture, and there has been created one of the best farm plants in this section of the State, including three tenant houses, two silos and three feed barns. Of late Mr. Thornton has been relieved of much of the detail of farm management by his younger son, John P. Thornton, whom he made his partner some time ago, and who now is in practical management of the place, thus giving his father more time for the details of other forms of business in which he is engaged. In 1897, Mr. Thornton became a stockholder in the Farmers Stock Bank of Blackwater, and in 1909 was elected president of the bank, a position which he since1 has maintained. In 1910, Mr. Thornton was appointed by Governor Hadley to serve as a member of the Sixth Missouri District Board of Horticulture, and he retained that position as long as the board continued, his activities in that connection giving him a wide acquaintance throughout the State. Mr. Thornton is a democrat and has long given his earnest attention to local civic affairs, but has not been a seeker after public office. He is a member of the Church of Christ.

May 4, 1882, Samuel Y. Thornton was united in marriage with Fannie Collins, who died Oct. 24, 1916. Mrs. Thornton was born in Montgomery County, Ky., March 1, 1855, daughter of Samuel R. and Sarah (Tipton) Collins, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Missouri in 1860, and in 1861 settled on the farm in LaMine township, now owned by Mr. Thorton, where they spent the rest of their lives. It was thus that Mrs. Thornton (Fannie Collins) grew to womanhood on beautiful "Rose Hill" farm. She completed her schooling in Farringer Seminary at Boonville. where she was awarded the prize offered her class for excellence in penmanship. To Mr. and Mrs. Thornton six children were born, namely :

Mattie C, who is at home, hostess at "Rose Hill" ; Sadie B., deceased ; Samuel C, a substantial young farmer of LaMine township; William B., who died at the age of three years and six months ; Lida Frances, who is at home, and John P., who, is also at home and is now his father's partner in the operations of the stock farm.

Charles Henry Bodamer, a leading citizen of Prairie Home township, was born in Moniteau County, Feb. 2, 1870. He was reared by Charles and William Bodamer from the time he was five years of age. He is a son of Bernard and Catherine (Hens) Keucherer, who both died when Charles H. was an infant.

Charles Bodamer was born in Germany and brought to this country by his parents, who settled in Philadelphia, Pa., when Charles was three years of age. His brother, William B., and sister, Mary, were born in that city. The family lived in Philadelphia for a time when they removed to Indiana. After remaining there seven years they came to Missouri and settled in Moniteau County in 1857. Here the two brothers and a sister lived together during the remainder of their days. Charles died in 1912 ; William in 1919, and Mary in 1905.

Charles Henry Bodamer was educated in the public schools at Jamestown, Mo., and has made farming and stock raising his life occupation. He first bought 120 acres of land, which is his present home place, in 1893. Since that time he has acquired 250 acres more, which was given him by Charles and William Bodamer. Mr. Bodamer's place is known as "High View Farm," and is located two miles south of Prairie Home. The place is well improved, with a modern farm residence of 10 rooms, built in 1910. The house is equipped with actylene lights, furnace heat and a hot water system. The barns and other farm buildings are in keeping with the residence. For a number of years Mr. Bodamer specialized in raising Aberdeen Angus cattle, but a few years ago sold his herd to his son, Arthur.

Mr. Bodamer was married April 3, 1895, to Miss Elizabeth Kuhn. a daughter of Henry and Amelia (Scholle) Kuhn, early settlers at Jamestown, Mo. The father was a native of Ohio, born in 1835. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War. During his active career he was engaged in the milling business, and operated a mill at Jamestown for 25 years. He is now 83 years of age. His wife was born in Germany in 1845, and came to America with her parents when she was eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn were the parents of the following children: Alvina, married H. R. Burroughs, and resides at Kingman, Kan.; Henry, cashier of Farmers and Traders Bank, California, Mo.; Emma, married John Reuszer, and resides in Moniteau County; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles

H. Bodamer, the subject of this sketch ; Sophia, married Fred Knorp ; and William died at the age of 23 years. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Bodamer have been born five children, as follows: Arthur, born April 6, 1896, a farmer and stockman of Prairie Home township ; Carl, born June 26, 1897, resides at home ; William, born May 12, 1899, a graduate of the California High School, resides at home; Marie E., born April 28, 1914, and Elsia Gertrude, born Feb. 18, 1911. William was at the Washington University Training School at St. Louis, Mo., when the war closed.

Charles H. Bodamer is a progressive and public spirited citizen. He , and Mrs. Bodamer are members of the Methodist Church at Jamestown. Frank Irving Hale, a progressive and enterprising young farmer and stockman, of Prairie Home township, was born near Gooch Mill in Saline township, March 10, 1896. He is the son of Thomas F. and Sallie Bell (Carey) Hale, both also natives of Saline township. They now reside at California, Mo. Thomas F. Hale was born in 1857, his father being a pioneer of Cooper County. His wife was a daughter of George Carey, who now resides about a mile north of Prairie Home at the advanced age of 80 years. To Thomas F. and Sallie Bell (Carey) Hale were born the following children: Allie, married Richard Summers, California, Mo.; Bertha, married Arthur Bottom ; John, resides in California, Mo. ; Oliver M., Prairie Home ; Edna, married Alvin Carpenter ; Frank I., the subject of this sketch ; Charles, Prairie Home; William, California, Mo.; and George, died at the age of six years.

Frank Irving Hale was reared in Cooper County and educated in the public schools. He was reared on a farm and has made farming and stock raising his life occupation. He purchased his present place, which bears the very appropriate name of "Pretty Prairie Farm," from his father in 1919. The farm consists of 160 acres with a good farm residence and other improvements to correspond. Mr. Hale carries on general farming and stock raising, and is meeting with well merited success. Mrs. Hale has developed a department of her own. She is successfully engaged in raising Rhode Island Red chickens.

Sept. 29, 1917, Frank Irving Hale was married to Miss Estella Brandes, a daughter of Theodore and Marie (Knorp) Brandes, of Clarks Fork township, where Mrs. Hale was born, reared and educated. Mrs. Hale was one of the following children born to her parents: George, resides in Boonville; Herman, Boonville; Amelia, married John Banon, of North Moniteau township; Nora, married John Bonhauser, who is now deceased, and she resides at home with her parents; Estella, the wife of Frank I. Hale, of this sketch.

July 26, 1918, Frank Irving Hale enlisted in the U. S. Army and was sent to Camp Funston, Kan., for training, where he became a member of the 69th Infantry, 10th Division. He was mustered out of service Feb. 26, 1919, when he returned to his home in Cooper County and engaged in farming again.

Amos Gorrell, a retired farmer of LaMine township, for many years justice of the peace, and a veteran of the Civil War, has made his home in this county for more than 50 years. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Beaver County, Feb. 12, 1837, son of Amos and Leah (Wollarn) Gorrell, who were the parents of six children, four of whom are living. When he was but six years of age, in 1843, his parents moved with their family to Ohio and settled in Ross County, where they spent the remainder of their lives.

Amos Gorrell was reared on a farm in Ross County, Ohio, and his schooling was received in the district schools. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted at Frankfort, Ohio, in July, 1861, in the Union Army and went to the front as a private in Company A, Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With that command, Mr. Gorrell participated in some of the most important engagements of the war, including Athens, Perryville, Stone River, Davis Cross Roads and Chickamaugua. During this latter battle, Sept. 19, 1863, he was shot in the right arm and for some time was on the invalid list, but early in 1864 was able to return to his regiment and continued in active service until mustered out in the fall of that year. Mr. Gorrell then returned to his home in Ohio, where early in 1866 he married. After his marriage he continued to make his home in Ohio for a few months, when he and his wife came to Missouri in the summer of 1866 and located in Morgan County. A year later they came to Cooper County, and here Mr. Gorrell has ever since resided. His first employment here was in the timber, chopping cord-wood, and he continued working as a timberman until 1869, when he bought 40 acres of timber land and proceeded to clear a small farm for himself. He cleared the land and farmed it for several years, when he sold the place to advantage and bought another farm. In 1881, he bought the farm of 80 acres he now owns in LaMine township, and there continued to make his home until his retirement in 1912, when he removed to Blackwater, where he since has made his home. Mr. Gorrell is a democrat, and for 16 years during the time of his residence on the farm served as justice of the peace for his home township. He is a member of the Methodist Church.

and who died at her home in Blackwater on Sept. 22, 1918. To that union were born six children, namely : Leula, wife of William E. McMahan ; Sarah L., wife of P. Netherton, living on the Gorrell home place in LaMine township; Joseph N., of Carthage; Ada, wife of John Whitlow, of LaMine township; one who died in infancy, and Arthur, also deceased.

M: K. Gentry, a prominent citizen of Cooper County, who has served as county treasurer for two terms, is a native of Kentucky. He was bom in Clark County, Ky., Sept. 27, 1855, and is a son of Nelson B. and Francis (Elkin) Gentry. Nelson B. Gentry was born in Madison County, Ky., Dec. 23, 1823, and died in Kelly township, Cooper County, in 1912. He came to Cooper County in the fall of 1865 with his family, and the following spring bought 380 acres of land in Kelly township for which he paid $7,500.00, 95 acres of which is now owned by M. K. Gentry, purchased of the other Gentry heirs in 1919. Francis (Elkin) Gentry was born in Jessamine County, Ky., Sept. 12, 1833, and died in Cooper County, in 1897. She and her husband are buried in the Masonic cemetery at Bunceton. They were the parents of the following children, all of whom were born in Kentucky : M. K., the subject of this sketch ; Pauline B., deceased ; Lucy Francis, married J. H. Goodwin, Kansas City, Mo. ; W. D., deceased, and Orpha P., Kansas City.

M. K. Gentry was educated in the public schools of Kentucky, and D. S. Cully's private academy, which was three miles northwest of the present town of Bunceton. After Bunceton was laid out this school was moved there and occupied the site of the present Bunceton High School. Mr. Gentry was reared to manhood on the home farm in Kelly township, and in 1880 removed to Boonville, and for a time was engaged in the grain business. In 1884 he was elected county treasurer on the Republican ticket by a majority of 48 votes. He was the first republican ever elected to a county office in Cooper County. He was again elected county treasurer in 1894. He resided in Boonville from 1880 to 1898, and during that time he served as bookkeeper in the Central National Bank for six years, and for eight years he was engaged in the clothing business. During the balance of the time, while in Boonville, he served as county treasurer. Mr. Gentry is now engaged in farming and stock raising, and has a well improved and valuable farm in Kelly township.

Mr. Gentry was married in 1886 to Miss Emily F. Haynes, a daughter of Anthonv and Mary (Montgomery) Haynes, both of whom are now deceased. The father was a prominent educator, and for many years was a professor in the Young Ladies Seminary at Boonville. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry have an adopted daughter, Catherine Sneed Gentry, who is

Mr. Gentry is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and Mrs. Gentry are members of the Presbyterian Church, and rank among Cooper County's leading citizens.

Frederick Charles Betteridge, the capable cashier of the Cooper County Bank, Bunceton, Mo., is a native of Canada. He was born at Guelph, Ont., Oct. 10, 1870, a son of George and Ann Maria (Jones) Betteridge. The parents were both natives of England, where they were married, and about 1860 went to Canada, settling at Guelph. In 1874 the family removed to Connecticut and settled near Woodstock. In 1877 they went to Illinois and lived at Greenville about 10 years, and in 1888 came to Missouri and settled in Cooper County near Bunceton. The father now resides at Bunceton at the age of 85 years, the mother having died in 1899. They were the parents of the following children: William A., a well known breeder of Shorthorn cattle at Pleasant Green, Mo.; G. A., a farmer and stockman in Kelly township; Mrs. A. L. Palmer, Lebanon township, and Frederick Charles.

Frederick C. Betteridge was educated in the public schools and Kentucky University at Lexington, Ky., where he was graduated from the business department of that institution. He taught school for 11 years in Cooper County, and was very successful as an educator. In 1903, Mr. Betteridge accepted the position of assistant cashier of the Cooper County Bank, and after 11 years of service with that institution he became cashier, a position which he has since held. Mr. Betteridge has been identified with the Cooper County Bank for over 16 years, and during that time this institution has developed rapidly and kept pace with the commercial and financial requirements of the progressive town and surrounding country. The deposits of this bank in 1903 were about $80,000.00, and today they are about $300,000.00. The original surplus was $2,000.00, and it is now $42,000.00. The capital stock is $20,000.00.

Frederick Charles Betteridge was united in marriage Aug. 14, 1900, to Miss Lillian May Baughman, a daughter of Samuel P. and Laura Baughman, natives of Kentucky. The father died in 1919, aged 81, and the mother now resides with Mrs. Betteridge in Bunceton.

Mr. Betteridge owns a fine farm of 145 acres in Kelly township, which he bought in 1899. He directs the operation of this farm personally, and has made a success of farming and stock raising, as well as banking. He is a careful student of the complicated problem of banking and financing, which, together with years of experience in this field, well qualify him for the responsible position which he holds. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and has an extensive acquaintance over Cooper County and an intimate knowledge of it's business affairs.

Benjamin Harned, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Kelly township, is a descendant of a pioneer family. He was born at Price's Landing, Scott County, Mo., March 25, 1859, and is a son of George and Marcia (Pash) Harned, both natives of Nelson County, Ky. They settled in Scott County about 1855, and 10 years later came to Cooper County and settled on the farm which is now owned by W. P. Harned, and here spent the remainder of their lives. George Harned was one of the earliest Shorthorn breeders of Cooper County and prior to his death he sold a part of his herd to his son. W. P. Harned, who still continues the business. Lee Harned, a brother of George Harned, was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh. Another brother, Atkin Lee Harned, lost an arm in the battle of Baton Rouge, La., while in the Confederate service. George and Marcia (Pash) Harned, were the parents of the following children: W. P. lives near Vermont Station; Benjamin, the subject of this sketch; Edwin Price, Bunceton ; Hulda, married Walter Williams, and died at Columbia, Mo., and Atkins, died in infancy.

Benjamin Harned was educated in the public schools at Franklin and in Professor Cully's school at Bunceton. He has followed farming and stock raising all his life, and has met with very satisfactory success. He moved to his present farm in April, 1902. His home farm consists of 247 acres and is known as "Walnut Rows Farm". This very appropriate name is given the place on account of two rows of walnut trees which stood along the road side at the place. Mr. Harned owns in all 563 acres and Is one of the prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Cooper County. His other farm of 320 acres is called "Tanglewild".

Jan. 10, 1888, Benjamin Harned was married to Miss Bettie Bradley, a daughter of R. L. and Marian (Clark* Bradley. The tormer a native of Page County, Va., and the latter of Frankfort. Ky. R. L. Bradley came to Cooper County in 1847 and settled on a farm 4 miles west of Bunceton. He spent the remainder of his life in this county and died in 1892, age 67 years. His wife died in 1908, age 78 years. They were the parents of the following children: Frank Slaughter, born Nov. 17, 1856, and died Sept. 13, 1881; John Williams died in infancy; Margaret Lee, died in infancy; Tompkins, born Jan. 13, 1859, lives in Camden County,

Mo.; Mary McPherson, born Feb. 24, 1865, and died June 30, 1895; Sue Clark, born Feb. 24, 1869, and resides at Boonville, Mo.; Bettie, the wife of Benjamin Harned, the subject of this sketch, born June 23, 1867. All of the above named children were born in Kelly township, Cooper County. Mrs. Harned was educated in the public schools of Kelly township and the Baptist Female College at Columbia, Mo.

To Benjamin Harned and wife have been born the following children: George, at home with his parents ; Bettie married R. L. Harriman, Bunceton; Clara Virginia, married Clyde T. Nelson; Benjamin, Jr., married Eunice Jones; Josephine, Hulda, Atkin Lee, Porter Allen, Myrtle Jewett, and Marian and Marcia, twins, all residing at home with their parents. There is one grandchild in the family, Bettie Lee Harned, daughter of Benjamin Harned, Jr.

Adam Schuster, one of LaMine township's most substantial farmers and land-owners, and a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Stock Bank of Blackwater, was born in this county in 1855. He is next to the youngest of the six children born to Frank and Terrica (Cleatta) Schuster, pioneers of Cooper County.

Frank Schuster was a weaver by trade in his native Germany, and early became imbued with a desire, like thousands of his fellow countrymen, to come to America to find a home amid the free conditions of the unsettled West. Weaving by night and farming by day, he saved enough money to bring himself and wife and their small children here. Upon his arrival in this country, he settled in St. Louis, and after a couple of years there joined the German colony in Cooper County and bought a farm of timbered land in LaMine township, and there built a home. Among the children born to him and his wife after their arrival in this country was Adam, the subject of this sketch. The other children of this pioneer couple were as follows: Moritz, deceased, further mention of whom is made in this volume; Mrs. Sophia Sandrock, deceased; Joseph, a shoemaker at Boonville; William, deceased; and Anna, who married Joseph Esser, and is now deceased. The mother of these children died at her home in LaMine township about 1861, and five or six years later Frank Schuster returned to Germany and there married a second time, returning to his home in Cooper County with his second wife. Some years later he made a second trip back to Germany on a visit to kinsfolk. Not long after his return home, about 1870, a wagon in which he was riding was caught at a railway crossing by a train and he received injuries from which he died not long afterward, he then being about 65 years of age.

Adam Schuster was about 15 years of age when his father died, and he thus early was thrown pretty largely upon his own resources. He began working as a farm hand at $14 dollars a month, but continued his schooling, however, during the winter months. When 17 years of age he began working for Adam Eckert at the butcher trade, and was thus employed for three years, when he went to St. Louis to work, and while there witnessed the completion of the first bridge constructed across the Mississippi River. He worked as a butcher in St. Louis for two years, and then went to Virginia City, Nev., where he worked at butchering for two years, when he returned to his old home in this county and resumed his work as a farm hand. In 1880, he rented the farm on which he now lives, and in 1882 bought the same. Mr. Schuster has 464 acres in his home farm, and owns beside a farm of 86 acres near Pilot Grove. He is a member of the board of directors of the Farmers Stock Bank at Blackwater, which he helped to organize, and of which he has been a director since its organization ; he also is a stockholder in the Arrow Rock Bank. When he bought his present farm it was raw prairie, and all the improvements on the place have thus been made by himself. He recalls well that in his father's day the farming was done by oxen, and the wheat was reaped with scythes. Many a day, he recalls, has he plowed corn with oxen. One year his father had 17 acres in wheat which made 1,700 bushels. This wheat was hauled in barrels to the mouth of the LaMine River, whence it was taken by steamboats to St. Louis, where it sold on the market at $2.25 a bushel. In those days, wild hogs, turkeys and other wild game were plentiful in the LaMine regions,, and the settlers had no trouble in keeping their tables supplied with meat. Hogs roamed the timber at will and without apparent ownership, and the man who found one could lawfully call it his own.

Sept. 9. 1883, Adam Schuster was married to Lowell Cramar, who was born on a farm a mile east of where she now lives, April 17, 1865, daughter of Gabriel Allen and Nancy (Hemdon) Cramar, the former of whom was born in this county, a member of one of the pioneer families, and the latter in Madison Countv. Kv. No children have been born to this union, but Mr. and Mrs. Schuster have reared several nieces and nephew^. Mr. Schuster is a republican, though, as he says, "not much on politics." and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

Joseph Sells, one of the enterprising business men of Prairie Home, and a member of the blacksmithing firm of White & Sells, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Moniteau County, Dec. 20, 1887, a son of William H. Sells. William H. Sells was a Union veteran of the Civil War, and a native of Iowa. He enlisted in his native State and served 18 months. After the war he went to Kansas, and from there to Moniteau County, Mo., and later removed to Texas County, Mo., where he died in 1913. His widow now resides in that county. They were the parents of the following children: Alice, married Joseph Chandler and lives in Oklahoma ; Dasie, married William Wood, California, Mo. ; Ed., resides at Lupus, Mo. ; Guinn, deceased ; Sarah, married Philip Wittenberger, Jamestown, Mo. ; George, Texas County ; Pink, Texas County ; Joseph, the subject of this sketch ; Willie, married Ed. Mayberry, Texas County ; and Vernon resides in Texas County.

Joseph Sells was united in marriage in 1913 to Ida Martin, a daughter of Menro and Eliza (Murl) Martin. The father died in 1908 and his remains are buried in Bethel Cemetery in Moniteau County, and the mother now resides at Lupus. They were the parents of the following children: Clara, married Ambrose Coots, Jamestown; Douglas, resides at Lupus ; Mary ; Nathan, Lupus ; Job, now serving in U. S. Army in France, having enlisted in California ; Ida, the wife of Joseph Sells ; Cora, married Harry Childers, Lupus. To Mr. and Mrs. Sells have been born two children: Mildred and Francis. Mr. Sells became a member of the firm of White & Sells in 1919. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Jamestown, and he also belongs to the Yeomen at that place. He is a young man of industry and integrity and is making good in his chosen line of industry.

David R. Cully, who during his active professional career, was one of the prominent educators of this state, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1836, a son of Joseph and Margaret Cully. Joseph Cully was born in Baltimore, Md., about 1798 and settled in Ohio when a young man. He lived to the advanced age of 99 years and 10 months. His wife was born in Washington County, Md., about 1802, and died at the age of 85 years. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom are living, David R., the subject of this sketch, and James, who lives at Cleveland, Ohio, and holds the position of president of the welfare board in that city. The deceased children are William, died at Massilon, Ohio ; Mrs. Elizabeth McMillan, died at St. Paul, Minn. ; Joseph died at the age of 21 years in Wayne County, Ohio; Mrs. Margaret

David R. Cully was educated in Vermillion Institute, Hayesville, Ohio, and was the youngest student in that institution. He then entered Jefferson College, now Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pa. and was graduated in the class of 1858. Mr. Cully then came to Boonville, Mo., at the invitation of John W. Sutherland, who was at the head of the Missouri Female College at that place. At that time there was a Baptist College at Hopewell Church, Kelly township, and Mr. Cully taught there for ten months. The following year Hopewell Academy was built and Mr. Cully taught at that institution for six years which included the Civil War period. He then taught two years at the Missouri Female College at Boonville. About this time a building was erected at Concord Church, 3 miles northeast of Bunceton, and was offered to Mr. Cully, provided he would conduct a school there for five years. He accepted the proposition and shortly after this the town of Bunceton was laid out and a railroad built, and this school was moved to Bunceton, where Mr. Cully conducted it for six years. In 1877 he was elected superintendent of the schools of Mexico, Mo., and held that position one year. He was reelected, but on the same day was elected superintendent of the Sedalia schools. He accepted the Sedalia position and served as superintendent of the schools of that city for 10 years. In 1898 he returned to Kelly township and took charge of "Seclusion Stock Farm", where he has since resided.

"Seclusion Stock Farm" is one of the valuable farms of Cooper County. It contains 320 acres and is one of the historic old places of the county. The farm residence, which is over 100 years old, was the second house built in Kelly township.

David R. Cully was united in marriage in 1864 to Miss Susan Chilton, a daughter of Charles and Mary E. (Chilton) Chilton native of Fauquier County, Va. The Chilton family came from Virginia to Missouri about 1840, and first settled at Old Franklin, Howard County, and soon afterwards removed to Boonville. Charles Chilton died at Boonville in 1849 at the age of 29 years. His widow died in 1912 at the age of 86 years. A sister of Mrs. Cully, Eloise Chilton, makes her home with the Cully family and is a half owner of the farm.

The Chilton family are of old American stock and trace their ancestry in this country back to Colonial times, and were early settlers in Cooper County. Mrs. Cully's grandfather, Mark Anthony Chilton, at one time owned 1,100 acres of land in Kelly township. He was a native of Vir- ginia. Gen. John Blackwell, of Revolutionary fame, was Mrs. Cully's great grandfather. He received a grant of land from the government in the Sciota Valley in Ohio, and Mark Anthony Chilton inherited an interest in that land, which he traded for the Kelly township land. Samuel Chilton, an uncle of Mrs. Cully, was a prominent attorney at Warrenton, Va., and was one of the attorneys who defended John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame. He was not in sympathy with John Brown's cause, however, he made an able defense for him. This was about the last case that he ever tried. He died in Washington, D. C. shortly afterwards.

Amos O'Neal, a veteran of the Civil War, and a retired farmer and land-owner of LaMine township, is a native of Virginia. He was born in Raleigh County, Va., Feb. 16, 1841, son of Jesse and Mary (Shumate) O'Neal, the latter of whom also was born in Virginia, who came to Missouri in the '50s with their family, and here spent their last days.

Jesse O'Neal was born in North Carolina in 1808, and was a farmer all his life. He married in Virginia, and there resided until the '50s, when with his family he came to this State. He first tried Moniteau County, but not being wholly satisfied with conditions there, came to Cooper County in 1856, and the next year bought a tract of land in LaMine township, paying $12.50 an acre for the same, and there spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1869. His widow died in 1885. She was born in 1812, a daughter of Daniel Shumate. Jesse O'Neal and his wife were the parents of 12 children, of whom Amos was the sixth in order of birth, and three of whom are still living.

Amos O'Neal was 15 years of age when he came to this county with his parents in 1856, and here he grew to manhood, attending the district school in LaMine township. He was 20 years of age when the Civil War broke out, and in 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate Army as a member of the Second Missouri Cavalry, with which he served most of the time under Gen. N. B. Forrest, though a part of the time the command was in the brigade of Gen. Sterling Price, west of the Mississippi. Mr. O'Neal was taken prisoner at Bahalia, Miss., and was a prisoner of war for nine months, when he was paroled on account of illness. During his long military service he one time came very near death, when his horse was shot from under him by a cannon ball. Another time a minnie ball struck a stiiTup and knocked it off. Upon receiving his discharge at the close of the war, Mr. O'Neal returned home, arriving by boat at Arrow Rock, July 4, 1865. The next year he returned South, where he remained for three years, when he returned to Cooper County, married in the fall of 1869, "settled down" on the farm and has ever since been quite content here to reside. Mr.. O'Neal has a well improved farm of 205 acres. For some yeai-s past he has been living practically retired, the operations of the farm being carried on by his eldest son, S. A. O'Neal, who is married and lives on the place. Mr. O'Neal is one of the veteran farmers of the county, whose memory extends back to the days when oxen were used in farming, and he has many interesting stories to tell of the days now long gone. He is a stanch democrat, and is a Baptist.

Oct. 2, 1869, Amos O'Neal was married to Lucinda Cramer, who was born in LaMine township, Oct. 19, 1851, daughter of Gabriel and Mary (Jeffress) Cramer, and who died on Oct. 22, 1914. To this union nine children were born, namely: Sanford Alonzo, who is farming the home place ; Edward Lee, a merchant, farmer and stockman living at Blackwater; Silas, also of Blackwater; Gabriel, deceased; Riley, deceased; Aubrey, of Kansas City Mo. ; Nora, deceased ; Grace, wife of D. L. Edson, of West Boonville, and Freeman, who is now (spring of 1919)- with the American Army in Europe. Freeman O'Neal enlisted in the Medical Corps of the National Army for service in the World War in 1917, and sailed for overseas in July, 1918. Sanford A. Freeman, who is looking after the affairs of the home farm, married Agnes Reynolds, who also was bom in this county, and has two children, Alma, wife of H C. Minard, and Amos, who during America's participation in the World War served as a member of the S. A. T. C. at Missouri State University, Columbia.

Howard B. Collins, proprietor of the Bank Hotel, Bunceton, Mo., is a mining man of vast experience. Mr. Collins was born in Denver, Colo., Sept. 27, 1875. He is a son of Samuel G. and Emilie (Browning) Collins, the former a native of Mississippi, born in 1849, and the latter of New York, bom in 1852. They went to Colorado in 1868, where the father was employed in the banking house of Koontz Bros., at Denver, until 1879. He then went to Leadville, Colo., where he has since been interested in mining and milling properties. They now reside at Denver, Colo. To Samuel G. and Emilie (Browning) Collins were born the following children: Howard B., the subject of this sketch; Edna W., who is now secretary of the Rocky Mountain Division of the Civilian Red Cross, with headquarters at Denver, and Walter G. manager for J. D. Lacy & Co., Portland, Ore. He was drafted by the war department as a timber expert, during the World War, and served in that capacity until the war closed. He is a Yale graduate.

Howard B. Collins was educated in the public schools at Denver, the Shattuck Military School at Faribault, Minn., and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston, Mass., where he was graduated in the class of 1898. He then went to Cripple Creek, Colo., and later to Leadville where he was engaged as mine operator and manager of mining and milling properties until Jan., 1918, when he came to central Missouri to take charge of a zinc and baryte mining property, where he remained until June, 1918. He then came to Bunceton in partnership with George H. Hubbard of Versailles, in the operation of the Hubbard Cannel Coal Mine. Mr. Collins sold his interest in this mine to his partner, and on May 4, 1919 purchased the Bank Hotel at Bunceton. Mr. Collins is giving Bunceton a good hotel, which is much appreciated by the public.

Howard B. Collins was married Sept. 2, 1902 to Miss Georgia Curfman, a daughter of Dr. George W. Curfman, of Denver, Colo. Mrs. Collins' parents are both deceased, the father died in 1918, and the mother in 1915, and their remains are buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Denver, Colo. Mrs. Collins has one brother, Floyd G., a mechanical engineer of New York City. He is a graduate of the State Agricultural College of Ft. Collins, Colo. Mrs. Collins was educated in the North Denver High School and the Iowa Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She has specialized in music and for a number of years taught music in Denver. To Mr. and Mrs. Collins have been born one daughter, Miriam Browning, who was born at Denver, Colo., and is now a student in the Bunceton high school. Mr. Collins is a member of the Masonic lodge and the Signa Alpha Epsilon College fraternity.

Charles E. Steele, cashier of the Farmers Stock Bank at Blackwater and many years one of Cooper County's best known educators ; is a native son of Cooper County. He was born on a farm six miles south of Boon-' ville Jan. 27, 1872, son of John A. and Eliza J. (Batten) Steele, the latter of whom, born in Howard County, is still living, now a resident of Boonville.

John A. Steele, who died at his home on the old Steele farm south of Boonville Jan. 26, 1917, just 50 years to the day from the time he had settled on that place, was a Tennesseean, born on Aug. 10, 1835, and was nine years of age when he came to Missouri with his parents in 1841, the family settling on a farm in the vicinity of Clarksburg. William H. Steele, the father, was a native of Ireland and his wife, who was a Blackburn, was born in Kentucky or Tennessee. They spent the remainder of their lives on the farm near Clarksburg. John A. Steele grew to manhood on that pioneer farm and in time became a substantial farmer on his own account. He was a member of the Masonic fratemitv and was a demo- crat. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this biographical review was the sixth in order of birth, the others being the following: John T., Webb City; Maggie, widow of M. C. Toler, living near Boonville ; Georgia, wife of J. E. Rennison, Boonville ; Frances, wife of U. T. Toler, Columbia; William H., near Otterville; Lavine, wife of John C. Muntzel, Boonville, and Claud W., deceased.

Charles E. Steele was reared on the farm. He completed his schooling in the Pilot Grove Academy and in Sept., 1890, entered upon a career of school teaching which was to continue for 16 years, during which period he also for four years occupied the position of school commissioner, serving two terms, beginning in 1897. In 1904 Mr. Steele was appointed principal of the public schools at Blackwater, a position he occupied for six years. Not long after going to Blackwater Mr. Steele became employed as a bookkeeper in the Farmers Stock Bank, keeping books after school hours, and in 1907 was made cashier of the bank, the position he has since occupied. Mr. Steele is a democrat, a Baptist and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

May 3, 1905, Charles E. Steele was united in marriage to Mattie Shouse, who also was born in Cooper County, and who died April 30, 1907, at the age of 24 years. A child born to that union died in infancy. Mrs. Mattie Steele was a daughter of the Rev. Charles O. and Marian (Ford) Shouse, the latter of whom is still living, residing on a farm in Blackwater township. The late Rev. Charles O. Shouse, a pioneer minister of the Christian Church in Cooper County, was a native of Kentucky, as is his widow, and was for many years a strong factor for good in this community.

Walter H. Shouse, cashier of the Bank of Blackwater was born on a farm three miles west of Blackwater, Aug. 5, 1884, son of Ernest and Mary (Harvey) Shouse, who were members of pioneer families and both of whom are now deceased. Ernest Shouse was a son of the Rev. Charles Q. Shouse, a minister of the Christian Church, who came to Missouri from Kentucky in pioneer days and who was for many years one of the strong factors in bringing about orderly conditions in this community. Ernest Shouse, who became a farmer, died in 1887, at the age of about 32 years, and his widow died in 1895, aged 40 years. They had two sons, Walter H. and Albert E. Shouse, born on Jan. 25, 1887, who is now (1919) in Belgium, a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, serving in the Signal Corps. Albert E. Shouse early became a telegraph operator and in Nov., 1917, while thus engaged at Kansas City, Mo., enlisted for service in the Canadian army, was attached to the Signal Corps of that army and on Jan. 25, 1918, sailed for overseas duty.

Bereft of his father when he was but a small child, Walter H. Shouse was reared in the home of his maternal grandparents, James A. and Sarah (Bagby) Harvey, whose home was in Saline County. vHe received his schooling in the public schools at Nelson and early began to "look out for himself." Until he was 18 years of age Mr. Shouse continued working on a farm and then he began his commercial career as a clerk in a village general store. For eight years he continued thus engaged and in 1909, became a bookkeeper in the Farmers Stock Bank at Blackwater, a position he occupied until in Aug., 1918, when he was made cashier of the Bank of Blackwater, a position of responsible trust he since has occupied. Mr. Shouse is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a democrat.

Walter H. Shouse was married Feb. 22, 1919, at Holton. Kan., to Peachie Griffith, a native of Saline County, daughter of Henry C. and Anna (McCutchion) Griffith, natives of Fairfield County, Ohio and Saline County, Mo., respectively. They live seven miles west of Blackwater on a farm. They are the parents of two children, Mrs. W. H. Shouse and Mrs. Reba Williams, living in Saline County.

Fleming Miles Marshall, banker, stockman, lumberman, merchant and land-owner, who died at Hot Springs, Ark., in 1910, had created for himself a distinctive piace along the several lines of activity in which his energies found their outlet, and there are few names held in higher remembrance than his. Mr. Marshall was born in this county, on the ild Marshall place in Blackwater township, the place where his father tvas born, which had been entered from the Government by his grandfather, and had lived here all his life, doing well those things whicl his hands had found to do, so that in his passing there was sincere moui -ling throughout the community.

The Marshalls are one of the old families of Cooper County, the irst of the name in this county having been Fleming Marshall, who came here ivith his family from Virginia in the early days of settlement, and enured a tract of Government land in section 18 of Blackwater township. Fleming Marshall and his wife (Frances Fray) were of the true pioneer type. Their son, James A. Marshall, father of the late F. M. Marshall, wa i born on that pioneer farm, Oct. 11, 1841, and there grew to manhood, becoming an extensive land-owner, proprietor of fine farms in this county .is well as in Saline and Johnson Counties. The original Marshall place in Blackivater township is still held in the family.

James A. Marshall, who died on April 21, 1902, in the 61st yea1 of his age, was united in marriage on Feb. 1, 1871, to Hannah Scott MiTns, who was bom in Hardy County, Va., Aug. 28, 1849, and whose fathe?', James S Miles, died in his native State, Virginia. His widow, with her hildren, came to Arrow Rock, Mo., in 1860, where her last days were sper K Mrs. Hannah Marshall died Feb. 15, 1917. By her union with James V. Marshall she was the mother of two sons, Fleming Miles having a surviving brother, Thomas F., who is now engaged in the real estate business at Kansas City, Mo.

Fleming Miles Marshall was born on Aug. 2, 1874, on the place on which his father was born in Blackwater township. His earlv schooling in the Kemper Military School was supplemented by a course in the Military Academy at Mexico, Mo., where he was graduated in 1892. The year following, Mr. Marshall married and established a home of his own. He, meanwhile, had become engaged on a somewhat extensive scale in the breeding of Shorthorn cattle, and it was not long until he became recognized as one of the leading stockmen in this section, his exhibits of Shorthorns at State fairs and other cattle shows winning numerous prizes.

At one time he was the largest individual stockholder in the Farmers Stock Bank of Blackwater, and for a number of years served as its vicepresident. He also was interested in the lumber business at Blackwater and Nelson, was a partner of Lee O'Neal in the hardware, implement and grain business of Blackwater, At the time of his death he was the owner of 2,500 acres of land one of the best improved farms in Cooper County. A democrat, he had ever taken a good citizen's interest in local political affairs, and was a firm promoter of the cause of good government. As a member of the Methodist Church, Mr. Marshall was more than a merely nominal member, and did much to advance the cause of his church, for years serving as superintendent of the Sunday School. He was affiliated with the Blackwater lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Marshall died Feb. 15, 1910.

Sept. 12, 1893, Fleming Miles Marshall was united in marriage to Anna Shouse, who, since the death of her husband, has been successfully carrying on the affairs of the estate. To her union with Mr. Marshall, (44) three children were born: Mary F., married J. B. Harris, Rocheport, Mo., and has one child, Helen Virginia; James A., deceased, and Fleming Willard, who is at home with his mother. Mrs. Marshall was born in Cooper County, a member of one of the pioneer families. She was born on a farm south of Nelson, Sept. 15, 1873, a daughter of Rev. Charles Q. and Marian (Ford) Shouse, and was one of the eight children born to them. Rev. Charles Q. Shouse, a well-remembered minister of the Christian Church in this county a generation ago, was born in Woodford County, Ky., on Jan. 2, 1836, and came to Cooper County in 1861. He died on his farm in Blackwater township in 1914, and his widow, who also was born in Kentucky, is living on the old home place. Mrs. Marshall is a member of the Methodist Church.

L. R Ervine, proprietor of a large department store at Blackwater and one of the leading merchants of this section of Missouri, is a native Missourian. He was born at Slater, Saline County, Nov. 8, 1877, son of Richard and Mary E. (Elder) Ervine, and was the third in order of birth of the five children born to them.

Richard Ervine was born near New York City, June, 1844, and was early trained to the details of the building business. Upon reaching manhood he came to Missouri and located at Slater, where he engaged in the contracting business, and there spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1916. Not long after coming to Missouri, Richard Ervine married Mary E. Elder, who was born in Kentucky and died in 1905, aged 50 years.

L. R. Ervine received his schooling in the schools of Slater, and early became engaged in the mercantile business, a line he has followed, with the exception of a few years spent in the newspaper business, ever since. The foundation of Mr. Ervine's successful business career was laid at Slater, where he became well grounded in the details of the mercantile business. He later was for some time also thus engaged at Kansas City and during the time of this latter connection traveled all over the country, putting on special sales of merchandise and thus became particularly well known to the trade in that line. During this period Mr. Ervine became attracted to the possibilities of Blackwater as a trade center and Feb. 4, 1910, located in that city and opened a general store, which has gradually been developed into one of the best-stocked department stores in the State. He has made a specialty of the study of advertising as an applied science and was for some years engaged in the advertising field with a Chicago publishing house, with other newspapers in Missouri, and was for three years in charge of the advertising of a Kan- sas City mail-order house. During this latter connection he won five prizes in a field offering the sternest competition for the business-getting qualities and general effectiveness of his advertising matter. Mr. Ervine has been able to turn that specialty to advantage in the promotion of his business interests since locating at Blackwater and he has thus made his name and the fame of his department store familiar household words throughout this section of Missouri.

In the year 1900, at Slater, L. R. Ervine was united in marriage to Lulu Ross Walton, who was born in that city, and to this union two children have been born: Esther, born in 1902, and Russell L., born in 1904. Mr. Ervine is a democrat and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Charles P. Hudson, of Blackwater, who for many years has been recognized as one of the leading auctioneers and criers of live stock sales in this section of Missouri, who also formerly was well known throughout this region as a dealer in mules, and who is a member of the directorate of the Bank of Blackwater, is a native Missourian, bora at Marshall, in Saline County. He was born on May 22, 1856, first born of the three sons of Laud and Amanda (Person) Hudson, the other sons being Austin W. Hudson, superintendent of the Saline County Poor Farm, and Laud O. Hudson, of Spokane, Wash.

The senior Laud Hudson was bora in Virginia about 1818 and was 18 years of age when he came to Missouri with his widowed mother, the family locating in Boone County. Not long afterward, he went to Arrow Rock, in Saline County, where he learned harness making. While living in Arrow Rock, he married Amanda Person, who was born near that place, daughter of O. B. Person and wife, the latter of whom was a Daniels, natives of North Carolina and early settlers in the Arrow Rock neighborhood. After a residence of some years at Arrow Rock, Laud Hudson moved to Marshall, and engaged in business as a saddler and harness maker until his death in 1860. His widow died in 1910, being 75 years of age.

Charles P. Hudson early felt the necessity of relieving his widowed mother of a portion of the care thus thrown upon her shoulders, and when 13 years of age, began working as a farm hand at $100 a year. He did not neglect his schooling, however, and he was able to complete the course in the common schools of Arrow Rock. Finally Mr. Hudson rented a farm and became engaged in farming on his own account. In 1892, he was able to buy a farm of 45 acres, five miles northeast of Blackwater.

He improved the place and in 1902 sold it and bought a farm of 80 acres near Blackwater, which he also improved ; resided there until 1916, when he sold the place and moved to Blackwater. In the meantime, as much as 40 years ago, Mr. Hudson began crying sales and it was not long until his reputation as a successful auctioneer became known throughout Cooper, Saline and Pettis Counties. This line he ever since has continued, making a specialty of live stock sales, and is widely known among stockmen throughout this region. For some years also Mr. Hudson was engaged in buying and selling mules. He is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Blackwater, and in other ways has given his active attention to the business interests of his home town and county. Mr. Hudson is a democrat and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

Dec. 21, 1875, Charles P. Hudson was united in marriage to Theodosia H. Turley, who was born in Cooper County, a daughter of Jesse and Julia (Riddle) Turley, natives of Kentucky and early residents of this county, both now deceased. Jesse Turley was a landowner in LaMine township, and in the earlier days was engaged in freighting between Boonville and Santa Fe. He died in Santa Fe, N. M. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson have no children of their own, but have reared five children, all of whom have grown up and married and in whose hearts there exists for their foster parents the same loving devotion as would be felt in behalf of real parents.

V. S. Irvin, a registered pharmacist, dealer in drugs and druggists' sundries at Blackwater, one of the most progressive young merchants in Cooper County, was born at Red Cloud, Neb., Feb. 7, 1887, son of John B. and Luella (Loney) Irvin, former well known residents of Blackwater, now residing at Kansas City. John B. Irvin is a native of Pittsburg, Pa., born in 1855. In his young manhood he came West and in Nebraska engaged in the building trades, in time becoming a successful building contractor. In 1891, he engaged in business at Kansas City and five years later located at Blackwater. After a residence of some years there, he returned to Kansas City, where he is now engaged in contracting. His wife was born in Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1865. They are the parents of eight children, of whom the subject of this biographical sketch is the eldest.

Having been but a child when his parents moved to Blackwater, V. S. Irvin received his schooling in the schools of that city and early turned his attention to the study of pharmacy, upon leaving school becoming engaged as a clerk in a drug store. That was in 1904. Ten years later, in 1914, he bought the store in which he had been engaged as a clerk and has since been conducting the same successfully, carrying on his business along strictly up-to-date lines. In addition to being a registered pharmacist, Mr. Irvin is a licensed embalmer, having taken a course in the latter art parallel with his course in pharmacy, and is a chemist of excellent qualifications. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a democrat.

June 16, 1909, V. S. Irvin was married to Beulah F. Mustain, and to this union one child has been born, V. S., Jr. Mrs. Irvin was born in Howard County, daughter of T. B. Mustain and wife, who have for some years been living in Blackwater, Mr. Mustain being a retired farmer.

Charles Q. Shouse, lumberman at Blackwater, where he is engaged in business in partnership with his sister, Mrs. Anna Marshall, is a member of one of Cooper County's old families. For years he was engaged in teaching and his impress upon the general social life of the community has thus been equally well marked in that direction. Mr. Shouse was born on a farm three miles west of Blackwater, April 13, 1877, son of the Rev. Charles Q. and Marian (Ford) Shouse, the latter of whom is still living on the old home place west of town.

The Reverend Mr. Shouse, who was a faithful minister of the gospel, connected with the Christian Church, was a Kentuckian, as is his widow. He came to Missouri in 1861 and settled in Cooper County, where his service thereafter was rendered until his death a few years ago. He and his wife were the parents of eight children: John H., deceased; Thomas F., on the old home place; Dr. William S., a physician at Kingston, Mo.; Ernest L., deceased ; Elizabeth, wife of Noland Taylor, Nelson ; Anna, widow of Fleming M. Marshall ; Charles Q. ; and Mattie, deceased wife of C. E. Steele.

The junior Charles Q. Shouse was reared on the home farm and received his early schooling in the public schools. He later attended the Warrensburg Normal School and Normal School at Chillicothe, and for 12 years was engaged in teaching in Cooper and Saline Counties during the winters, in the meantime following farming during the summers. In 1906, Mr. Shouse was made manager of the Marshall lumber interests at Blackwater and four years later bought into the business as a partner of his widowed sister, Mrs. Anna Marshall, and has since continued as general director and manager of the extensive interests of the firm at that place.

Sept. 3, 1903, Charles Q. Shouse was united in marriage with Elizabeth Duncan, who was born in the vicinity of Gillian, Saline County, a daughter of James P. and Naomi (Wilhite) Duncan, Kentuckians, and old settlers in Saline County, and to this union three children have been born, Ruth, Aaron and Mary E. Mr. Shouse is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife, the Baptist Church. Mr. Shouse is a democrat.

Riley S. Holman, former mayor of Blackwater and a landowner of Cooper County, now engaged in the livery business at Blackwater, was born on a farm near New Franklin, Mo., Jan. 9, 1857, son of Dr. John B. and Mildred (Sebree) Holman, both deceased. Dr. John B. Holman was one of the best known physicians hereabout ; was bora in Cooper County Nov. 9, 1828, his parents having been early settlers here. In 1849 he made a trip to California with an overland band of gold seekers, but after some time spent in prospecting, returned to Missouri and settled down to the practice of his profession at Boonville for the rest of his active life. He was the owner of a farm of 400 acres, four miles east of Blackwater, and upon his retirement from practice, moved to that farm, where his last days were spent. He died April 27, 1897. Dec. 20, 1855, Dr. John B. Holman was united in marriage with Mildred Sebree, who was born in Howard County, in 1832, and died in Cooper County in 1900. To that union were born four children : Riley S. ; Dr. Richard S. Holman, a physician, St. Louis ; Susan P., wife of Austin Blodgett, and Mary E., wife of Charles Harris, of St. Louis.

Riley S. Holman's early youth was spent in Boonville. When 14 years of age, he went to Colorado and spent a year or two on the cattle ranch of his uncle, Captain Sebree, when he engaged in cattle raising for himself until 1882, when he returned to this county and went onto his father's farm, east of Blackwater, and was there engaged in fanning eight years. He then moved to Blackwater and engaged in the drug business. Some time later he took up the livery business, which he since has been conducting successfully. He also continues to look after his farming interests. Mr. Holman is a democrat and has long been recognized as one of the leaders of the party in his home county. For about 12 years he served as mayor of Blackwater and in other ways he has given his close attention to local civic affairs. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Brotherhood of America.

Feb. 28, 1884, Riley S. Holman was married to Ruth Staples, who was born on March 18, 1864, in Saline County, and to this union one child has been born, Mildred, who married Harry T. Redd, cashier of the Boonville National Bank, and has one child, Rylie.

of this section of Missouri, her parents, James G. and Victoria (Sparks) Staples, both having been of pioneer parentage. James G. Staples, who during the time of the Civil War served as a soldier of the Confederacy, was born at Glasgow, Mo., in 1839, a son of James K. Staples and wife, natives of Virginia, who drove here from Hardy County, Va., and settled on the line between Cooper and Saline Counties, where James K. Staples became the owner of 1000 acres of land, entered from the Government at a fee of $1.25 an acre. Here this pioneer spent the remainder of his life, one of the influential members of the community. He died in 1881, at 85 years of age. His wife, Virginia Nicholas, died in 1903, aged 85 years. James G. Staples, who became one of Cooper County's substantial farmers, died Oct. 14, 1909. His widow died Feb. 3, 1917, while on a visit to her son, Harry Staples, at Fresno, Calif. She was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Dec. 31, 1842, a daughter of James Sparks, a well-to-do stockman, horseman and slaveowner of Kentucky. James G. Staples and wife were the parents of three children, the survivors being Mrs. Holman and her brother, Harry Staples, the latter a resident of Fresno, Calif. Mrs. Holman is an active member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and was for two years president of the Cooper County Chapter. She completed her schooling in private schools at Arrow Rock and at Cilnton and was for 12 years engaged in teaching in this county, a portion of that time a teacher in the Blackwater schools. For over 15 years she has been a correspondent of the "Bunceton Eagle-News," and takes an earnest interest in general public affairs. She was for more than 20 years an ardent worker in Sunday school work in the Christian Church. In later years she was converted to Christian Science.

John N. Sims, a well-known dealer in live stock at Blackwater and a substantial landowner, was boin in Howard County, Nov. 4, 1864, a son of John J. and Mary F. (Overstreet) Sims, the latter of whom is still living on the old home farm in LaMine township. John J. Sims, who died at his home in LaMine township in 1909, at 72 years of age, had been a resident of Cooper County since coming here from his native Howard County 40 years ago. He was a blacksmith and followed that calling until he bought the farm on which his last days were spent. His widow, who is also a member of an old Missouri family, was born in Howard County in Oct., 1840. To them were born eight children: William, farming the old home place in LaMine township; John N., the subject of this sketch; Joseph E., farming with his brother William; E. S., St. Louis;

Bettie, wife of Willard Worts, LaMine township; Clay Jackson, who is now living on the home farm; Susan, who also is on the farm with her mother and brothers, and Thomas, Blackwater.

John N. Sims has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He bought his first farm when a young man and has since enlarged his holdings until now he is the owner of 845 acres of excellent land in Cooper and Vernon Counties. In 1904, Mr. Sims located at Blackwater, where he has since successfully carried on his operations in the buying and selling of live stock, at the same time directing his extensive farming interests. Mr. Sims is a democrat, but has not been a seeker after public office.

In 1904, John N. Sims was united in marriage to Lydia Rucker, who was born in this county, daughter of Charles T. Rucker and wife, the latter of whom was a Poindexter, both of whom were also born in this county and who are now making their home in Blackwater. Mr. and Mrs. Sims have one son, John R. Sims.

William Schuster, who died at his home in Pilot Grove township in the fall of 1915, and whose widow is living on the home farm, which is being operated by her eldest son, William Schuster, was of European birth, but had been a resident of Cooper County since the days of his childhood, and was thus a devoted Missourian. He was born in Saxony, July 4, 1850, and was but four years of age when his parents with their children came to America. For a time the Schusters were located in St. Louis, and then they came to Cooper County and settled on a farm in LaMine township, where the family home was established, and where the parents reared their family and spent the remainder of their lives, earnest pioneers of that neighborhood.

Reared on the farm on which his parents had settled when he was about four years of age, William Schuster received his schooling in the district schools, followed farming all his life, and in which he was successful, and was the owner at the time of his death of an excellent farm of 243 acres in Pilot Grove township, the same now owned by his widow and operated by his son, William. In addition to his general farming the late William Schuster was an extensive breeder of Poland China hogs. For years he was a member of the board of directors of the Pilot Grove Bank at Pilot Grove. He was a member of the Catholic Church, as is his widow, and the children were reared in that faith. He died Oct. 22, 1915, highly respected in the community where he had lived since the days of his childhood.

William Schuster was twice married, and was the father of 22 children, all of whom are living, save one. His first wife, Christina Felten, who was born in this county, and who died in 1894, was the mother of 10 children, of whom nine are living, namely: Fred, farmer, a mile east of Pilot Grove; Margaret, wife of P. Hoffman, St. Louis; Mrs. Anna Miller, St. Louis; Frank, Pilot Grove township; Mary, wife of Henry G. Lammers, proprietor of "Hickory Grove" Farm, Pilot Grove township ; Sophia, wife of Frank Lammers, also of Pilot Grove township; John, of Pilot Grove township; Leona, wife of Henry Meyer, of the Pleasant Green neighborhood, and Christina, wife of L. Wittman, of the Pilot Grove neighborhood. Feb. 12, 1896, William Schuster married Anna Vollrath, who was born in this county, Oct. 27, 1876, and to that union 12 children were born, namely: William, born March 3, 1897, who is managing the home place for his mother; Grace; Hubert and Henry, twins, the latter deceased ; Nellie ; Florence ; Catherine ; Irene ; Alma and Alice, twins ; Martha; and Henry, died in infancy.

William E. McMahan, one of the best known farmers of LaMine township, is a descendant of one of the earliest pioneers of Cooper County, his great-grandfather, Samuel McMahan, who was slain by Indians in the vicinity of Boonville, having been one of the first settlers in this section of Missouri. The McMahans drove from Kentucky at the very beginning of organized settlement hereabout and settled in what is now LaMine township. It was while returning from Boonville one day, after having driven some cattle to that settlement, that Samuel McMahan was killed by hostile Indians. One of the sons of this pioneer was Samuel Woodson McMahan, who became one of the largest landholders of Cooper County, owner of a tract of 1000 acres and many slaves. He was born in Kentucky and his wife, Harriet Riddle, was born in Maryland, her parents also having been early settlers here. One of their sons, William H. McMahan, was bom in LaMine township in 1834 and became a substantial farmer, spending all his life here, and died Oct., 1895. He married Lucy Hornbeck, who was born in Kentucky, and died in 1870. To them were born five children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the first born, the others being: R. S. McMahan, Kansas City, Mo.; Susan, wife of John H. Duncan, Helena, Mont.; Anna, wife of William H. Duncan, Spokane, Wash., and Josephine, wife of Frank Duncan, Helena, Mont.

William E. McMahan grew up on the farm and continued farming, in time becoming the owner of the farm of 100 acres on which he is now living in LaMine township and which he has greatly improved. Ten years or more ago Mr. McMahan began to give special attention to breeding Duroc Jersey hogs and has made a success in that line. He was born Sept. 10, 1860,

March 27, 1894, William E. McMahan was united in marriage with Louella Gorrell, who also was born in LaMine township, a daughter of Amos Gorrell and wife, the latter of whom was a Schotts, natives of Ohio, who came to Cooper County in 1865 and settled on a farm in LaMine township. Mr. Gorrell is now living retired in Blackwater. Mr. and Mrs. McMahan are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. McMahan is a democrat.

Charles E. Woodroof, who died at his home in Blackwater, July 24, 1902, was a Virginian. He was born Oct. 30, 1822, a son of Wyett P. and Mary J. (Taliafero) Woodroof, Virginians, the mother of the former of whom was a Gatewood.

Wyett P. Woodroof came to Missouri with his family about 1825, locating near St. Louis, and later moved to St. Charles, and thence to Montgomery County, where he died about 1832, leaving his widow and her five small children in straightened circumstances. The widow, however, was typical of the true pioneer type of womanhood, and she kept her little family together, all working to the common good of the family, the four sons and one daughter in time all becoming quite successful in life. The sons were John, Charles Edward, Robert and David Barton, and the daughter was Sophia, who married Mason Freeland. All these are now deceased.

Charles Edward Woodroof was but 10 years of age when his father died and he was thus early thrown pretty much on his own resources for a livelihood, helping his widowed mother and the younger children. For some time he worked in the pineries of southern Missouri and in saw mills on the Piney River in Texas County and also helped to freight the lumber by raft to St. Louis. In 1848 he enlisted for service in the Mexican War and was honorably discharged at the close of the war, his health considerably impaired. He then went to California, the overland trip, but it was not long until he returned to Missouri, locating in Montgomery County, where in 1853 he was married. In 1888 he moved to Saline County and there he remained until 1896, when he came to Cooper County and located at Blackwater, where he died July 24, 1902. At the time of his death, he owned several hundred acres of choice land and was regarded as one of the substantial farmers of Cooper County. His

Charles E. Woodroof was twice married. Feb. 6, 1853, in Montgomery County, he was married to Catherine Jones, who was born in that county on July 4, 1829, daughter of Lewis Jones and wife, the latter of whom was a Hayes, of Callaway County, Mo., a relative of Daniel Boone. Of the children born to this union, all died in childhood save Anna Myrie, who married H. Ritter; Robert Mathew, who married Ida Moore, and Orpha K., who married Joseph H. Blades, of Montgomery County. Robert M. Woodruff died near Blackwater Aug. 16, 1914. He is survived by his motherless daughter, Kathryne. Catherine Jones Woodruff died on December 13, 1871, and Aug. 26, 1875, Mr. Woodroof married Susan Moseley, who survives and who since the death of her husband has been making her home at "Glenwood," the place in LaMine township which she purchased after her husband's death.

Mrs. Susan Moseley Woodroof was born in Montgomery County, Sept. 8, 1839, daughter of John and Sophia (McMahan) Moseley, Kentuckians. John Moseley was a son of Thomas Moseley, son of Robert Moseley, of Montgomery County, Ky. John Moseley was born in Montgomery County, Ky., in 1806, and came to Missouri in 1828, being engaged as a school teacher in Callaway County until 1833, when he married and settled on a farm in Montgomery County, where he and his wife lived the rest of their lives. Sept. 24, 1833, John Moseley was married to Sophia McMahan. She died on April 25, 1875, and he died in 1881. They were members of the Church of Christ, and their children were reared in that faith. Of these children two survive, Mrs. Woodroof's only sister making her home with her at "Glenwood" farm. For many years Mrs. Woodroof was a school teacher and she has always retained her active interest in cultural affairs. She has written a good deal and from her girlhood has found pleasure in expressing herself in poetic form. The poems she had thus written she collected after the death of her husband and published in a volume, to which she gave the title "Sea Shells," dedicating the same to the memory of her husband. She is a member of the Church of Christ. Though not granted children of her own, Mrs. Woodroof has reared to manhood and womanhood several children. She retains an interest in other forms of business activity and is a stockholder in the Farmers Stock Bank of Blackwater.

Henry Moss Wing, second vice-president of the Bank of Blackwater and one of the substantial farmers and stockmen of LaMine township, was born Aug. 21, 1876, son of David W. and Ella (Parker) Wing, the latter of whom, born in Boone County, daughter of Robnett Parker and wife, died in 1882. David W. Wing was born in Jan., 1849, on the farm now owned by his son Henry, and is a son of Freeman Wing and wife, the latter of whom was a Daniels, who came here from Virginia in an early day and located on the place in LaMine township now owned by Henry M. Wing. Freeman Wing and his wife lived in a log cabin which is still standing on the place, carefully and reverently preserved as a priceless relic of pioneer days, and on that place they spent the remainder of their days, and here their 13 children were born. The last born of these children was David W. Wing, father of the subject of this sketch, who remained on the home place, of which in time he became the owner, and there continued actively and successfully engaged in farming and stock raising until 1904, when he retired from the farm and moved to Marshall, where he is now living. Fifty years ago he erected on the place the substantial farm house which is still standing and to which numerous improvements have been made.

Henry M. Wing was reared on the home farm and received his early schooling in the local schools, supplementing this by a course at Kemper Military School at Boonville and at the Missouri University at Columbia. When 18 years of age he undertook farming on his own account, renting from his father. After his marriage in 1905, he established his home on the place, his father meanwhile having moved to Marshall, and in 1916 bought the farm, an excellent tract of 365 acres, where he is carrying on general farming and raising of live stock. He is a democrat and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

Dec. 18, 1905, Henry M. Wing was united in marriage to Martha Fray, who also was born in this county, and to this union one child has been born, Warner Fray Wing, born on Feb. 1, 1914. Mrs. Martha Wing was born Sept. 26, 1888, a daughter of H. G. and Dora (Pierce) Fray.

Willard A. Worts, proprietor of "Grand View" stock farm in LaMine township, and recognized as one of the most extensive breeders of Duroc Jersey hogs in this section is a native son of Cooper County. He was born on March 2, 1879, son of I. R. and Laura E. (Phillips) Worts, both of whom were born in Virginia and are now living i*etired at Boonville.

I. R. Worts came to Missouri from Indiana, having for some time made his home in the latter state after leaving Virginia. In the fall of 1878 he came to Cooper County and made his home, becoming the owner of 213 acres of land in Palestine township, where he made his home until his removal to Boonville. To him and his wife were born four children: Ida, deceased, was the wife of F. H. Muntzel ; Willard A. ; Leslie E., Palestine township, and Vernon, also of Palestine township.