Dunklin County, Missouri - Chapter 11: Politics, Etc, 1896 (part 2 of 2)

natives of Georgia and Kentucky, respectively. Reuben Owen emigrated to Kentucky when a young man and lived there until 1836, when he removed to Bloomfield, Mo., and there resided until his death. Judge, or Dr. Given Owen, for he was one of the pioneer physicians of Dunklin County, grew to manhood in Hickman County, Ky., receiving a good education in the common and higher English branches. In 1835, when he was just seventeen years of age, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Carroll at Hickman, K3^ In 1838, he also removed to Bloomfield, Mo., remaining there and continuing the study of medicine for two years. In 1841, he settled on a farm in what was then Stoddard, but what is now Dunklin County. He was shortly elected County Judge. He was Presiding Judge of Stoddard County when this was cut off into Dunklin, and was elected County Judge of this county in 1854. He was elected Judge of the Clarkton Common Pleas and Probate Court in April, 1876, to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Stokes (deceased); also elected Judge of Probate Court and President of County Court in November, 1878. In April, 1877, he was commissioned Notary Public by Gov. Phelps, also by Gov. Crittenden in 1882, and by Gov. Marmaduke in 1886.

Judge Owen was first married in 1840 to Amanda SuUenger, a native of Cape Girardeau County. She died in May, 1852, leaving four children : Dr. Reuben P., A. B., Nancy M., Mrs.E.M. Bray, and Francis E.I. In August, 1852, he married a second time, taking Mrs. Louisiana Bozarth, a daughter of Jordan and Nancy Lacy. Two daughters were born to them, Martha E. (now Mrs. L. McCutchen of Campbell) and Mary E.

He was seventy-two years of age and was a successful practicing physician until a few years before his death - having been so long a judge of different courts and also being well known as a physician, both the title of Doctor and Judge clung to him until his death. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and Missionary Bnptist Church. Mrs. Owen is a member of the Baptist Church and resides with her daughter and son-in-law, Louis McCutchen of Campbell, whose picture may be seen among the family of those to be found in this volume. She has resided in this county for more than fifty years, and is one of the many living pioneers who enjoys good health considering their old age. She worshiped with the first congregation who ever worshiped in a church house in Dunklin County, in 1846; and her first husband, Jonathan Bozart, assisted in building this same house. She, like many other pioneer women, came here before either the horse-power or steam-power mill, and has often ground corn for bread on the little steel handmill, of which her father's was one of the first brought to the county. West Prairie post-office, the first in the county, was established after she came here, and many are the interesting events she can relate about the manner of bringing general supplies from Cape Girardeau, Mo. She is a lady whose conversation is always entertaining, and who knows much of the past history of Dunklin County.

William J. Oxley, merchant at Valley Ridge, Mo., was born November 11, 1837, and is the son of James and Annaretta (Faulkner) Oxley, natives of North Carolina. The parents came to Dunklin County in 1858, where the father died in 1864. William J. Oxley, the subject of this sketch, began working for himself at the age of eighteen years, and did not come to Dunklin County until 1860. In 1861 he was married to Winnie M. Bray, a native of West Tennessee and the daughter of Allen Bray (deceased). At the breaking out of the Civil War, Mr. Oxley enlisted in Jeff. Thompson's regiment for six months, at the expiration of which time he removed his family to Scott County, Mo., and engaged in the boot and shoe business for a time. In 1865 he returned to Dunklin County and located near Four Mile. In 1868 he removed to his present place of residence, and a few years later established and named the post-office of Valley Ridge. He first engaged in the grain and huckster business, but commenced merchandising about 1879. He also bought and improved land, making himself a comfortable home.

His dwelling-house and store and all their contents were burned on January 28, 1880. This, of course, was a severe loss, but he soon resumed business and now has a good local trade and carries a complete line of general merchandise. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Oxley are: A. R., James M. and Addie V. The family are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Oxley is a self-made man, as when he was married he could not write his name and did not know one figure from another, never having attended school but three months in his life. By self-application he was soon able to do all his own business, and was postmaster at Valley Ridge for about ten years. He is Republican in politics and one of the best known farmers aad merchants on the Ridge.

Col. David Young Pankey was born August 22cl, 1832, at Richmond, Va. His parents were Young and Rebekah B. Branch-Pankey, natives of Virginia. His father was an old soldier in the war of 1812, and his maternal grandfather was a colonel in the Revolutionary war. Col. Pankey grew to manhood and was educated in Virginia. In 1858 he emigrated to Madrid

Prior to leaving his native State, Col. Pankey was married in 1854 to Miss Sallie B., eldest daughter of Paul and Mary E. Jones of Lynchburg, Va. Their oldest child was Mary E , wife of Judge T. E. Baldwin of Kennett, the second daughter was Sallie B., deceased, Mrs. Schruggs of Maiden. They also lost by death two other children, Henry Young and Lilian.

In 1870, Col. Pankey married Tennessee Miller, who also died after having borne him four children, all of whom died in infancy. In 1876, Col. Pankey took for a third companion Adaline Grigory, daughter of Rev. James Grigory of this county. She became the mother of Charles, born January 12, 1877, and Stella, and one infant (deceased). The mother of these children also died, leaving Col. Pankey a widower for the third time. In 1890, he married Mrs. Smith, who is his present wife.

Col. Pankey is one of the oldest and best known pioneers in the county, having taken quite a prominent part in the late War of the Rebellion. He was on the Southern side, and first went into Capt. Picard's company and was elected First Lieutenant. A regiment was soon formed of which he was elected Lieutenant colonel. At the expiration of his term he re-enlisted in the Confederate service. He was in the bombardments of Fort Pillow, and after the evacuation of that place, went to Memphis, Tennessee, and with other Missourians was put under Col. Price, and participated in many hard skirmishes and conflicts with the enemy. Col. Pankey has filled the offices of Magistrate and Collector of the Revenue of Dunklin County. He is at present a grain dealer, and is a member of a grain company at Kennett, which ships hundreds of car loads every year. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat in politics.

D. B. Pankey, cashier of Bank of Kennett, was born January 17, 1861, and is a native of Dunklin County, Missouri. His parents, Col. D. Y. and Sallie B. eJones Pankey were natives of Virginia (see sketch). David Ballard Pankey grew to manhood in this county, was educated in the common schools of Dunklin County and at Cape Girardeau, Mo. ; he also completed the commercial course at the Mound City Commercial College, St. Louis, Mo. ; married Miss Josie Rayburn, daughter of Maj. W. C. Rayburn, late of Clarkton. As Miss Josie Rayburn, Mrs. Pankey was one of the leading belles of Clarkton, and is no less a leader in the society of Kennett. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Pankey are respectively Hugh, Blair (deceased), and a baby boy. Mr. Pankey has held a number of public and official positions in this county ; was appointed to fill the vacancy in the county clerk's office caused by the death of C. R. Mills in 1885, and elected to the same office in 1886. When the Bank of Kennett was organized in January, 1891, he was chosen cashier of same and has since held that position; under his management the bank had a deposit on Januarj^ 15, 1896, of $96,956.64. Any eulogy of Mr. Pankey is altogether unnecessary, but it is safe to say that Kennett is as proud of D. B. Pankey as any man it has. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities and both he and Mrs. Pankey are members of the Presbyterian Church.

John McKay is the oldest teacher in the county, and is a Democrat and a member of the M. E. C. S. He has taught school in nearly every district of the county, and as a most successful teacher is well and favorably known all over the county.

Tennessee. His parents, Milford M. and Nancy Petty, were natives of the above mentioned State. The father was a farmer and resided in Hickman County for over thirty-five years, removing to Dunklin County, Mo., in 1882, where he and wife have since died.

W. G. Petty, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in his native county and State and immigrated to this county in 1874. In 1879 he was married to Miss Amanda B. Herrmann, daughter of William Herrmann, an early settler of this county, vvho resides at Hornersville, but who was for long years a promi nent farmer and operator of a cotton gin and grist mill near Nesbit, this county. He was also the inventor and patentee of one of the first '« cotton cleaners," an attachment to the cotton gin. A few years after his marriage, Mr. Petty purchased timbered land in Salem Township and opened up a farm. In 1887 he pur- chased 200 acres of land near Nesbit, about 160 acres of which was in cultivation. This is one of the best farms in the country. Mr. Petty has farmed the greater portion of the time before and since his marriage. In 1894 he made the race for sheriff and was elected at the November election. In the early part of 1895 he removed to Kennett and took charge of the jail and sheriff's office, which position he is filling to the satisfaction of the general public. Mr. and Mrs. Petty are the parents of six children, Harry, Curtis, Neel, Bertie, Cohnie and Genie.

C. A. Petty, son of M. M. and Nancy Jones- Petty, natives of South Carolina, was born Feb. 15, 1851, in Hickman County, Tenn., where he resided until 1874, when he came to Dunklin County.

In 1876 he joined the I. O. O. F. at Cotton Plant and the Masonic order in 1882, and has passed through all the chairs of both orders and the Rebekah Degree of I. O. (). F. and is a member of the Dunklin Encampment. A Democrat in politics, a member of the M. E. C. S., always taking an active part in the duties of the societies to which he belongs, he has become well and favorably known, being recognized as a man of noble principles and unquestionable integrity.

Mr. Petty first married a Miss Miller in 1873. She died in January 1890, having borne him eight children, seven of whom are now living. Willie, a young man of about 21 years of age, is the eldest. In 1891 Mr. Petty took for a wife a Miss Baugus, who died in 1894, leaving one child. His present wife was a Miss Latty and they were married in January, 1895.

These ladies were all natives of Tennessee two of them from the same county. The present Mrs. Petty is a member of the Primitive Baptist Church.

John Richard Pool, proprietor of Hotel Card well, at Cardwell, Mo., was born May 5, 1845, in Hardin County, Tennessee. He is the son of John C. and Susan Haggard-Pool, natives of the above county and State. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools of his native county, later taking a course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, St. Louis, Mo. August 12, 1866, he was married to Barber E. Pearson and they became the parents of nine boys and two girls, all yet living. Mrs. Pool died July 11, 1889, and Mr. Pool took for a second companion, Rebekah J. Thomas on February 1, 1891. Both ladies were natives of Tennessee, of the same county as Mr. Pool. He came to Dunklin County in 1880, located on Grand Prairie and was subsequently in the merchandising business at Caruth. He removed to Buffalo Island in 1891, where he had bought a hundred acres of land near the present site of Card well. Mr. Pool has helped to start several post-offices in this county, *' Hasty," among others; this office was lately discontinued in favor of Card well. The post-office is now kept in Hotel Cardwell and Mrs. Pool, who is of a Democratic turn of mind, has been the postmistress under the Cleveland administration. She is quite an enterprising and progressive woman. Mr. Pool is in politics a Republican, and was the nominee of that party for sheriff of this county in 1888. He helped to organize the first Republican convention of this county and is at present chairman of Buffalo Township Committee. He is notary public and agent at Cardwell for the Paragould and Southeastern Railroad.

Much of the rapid progress of Cardwell is due to Mr. Pool's energy ; he has himself built several houses in that town and helped to get up an interest in the schools of his neighborhood.

George W. Peck, Mayor of the city of Maiden, Mo., was born November 22, 1848, at Madrid, St. Lawrence County, New York, and is the son of Burley and Sophroniii Fish-Peck. His parents were of English descent, their grandparents having crossed the ocean -in the year 1735, and settled at Norwich, Connecticut. The subject of this sketch was educated in the public schools of his native county and at the St. Lawrence Academy at Potsdam, N. Y. He taught in the public schools of his county for several years, but in 1872 went to Chicago, 111., and was employed in the office of the City Railway Co., for some time, returning to New York in 1875. Still he desired to locate in the West, his inclinations being toward the railroad business. He learned that a railroad was being constructed from New Madrid, Missouri, in a westerly direction and went there in the fall of 1876. He soon secured a position on the engineering corps who were surveying the new road under Chief Engineer Hon. Oscar Kochtitzky, who was also Labor Commissioner of Missouri during Gov. Marmaduke's adminis- tration. George W. Peck assisted in laying out the town of Maiden and was afterward railroad and land agent of the railroad company until it was merged into the Cotton Belt System, when he resigned at once engaging in the grain business, and to him belongs the honor of having bought and shipped the first car load of grain that ever left Maiden. His business has since grown until it is one of the leading enterprises of his town and county. It may be said that Mr. Peck handles nearly all of the surplus corn, etc., raised in the north half of Dunklin County. He is also engaged in the real estate business, owns several fine farms, bodies of timbered land, considerable town property, building lots, etc. In 1878 he was married to Julia A. Hopper, a native of Tennessee. They have four children, Wilbur, now a young man and a student of Searcy College, Arkansas, Elmer, Irene and Chester. Mr. Peck is in politics a Republican and was the nominee of that party for Representative of this county in 1892. He is at present Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge of Maiden, President of the Board of Trustees of the Maiden Public School, has been a member of the City Council for twelve years and is Mayor of his city. He is one of those men whom Democrats say have but one fault, that of voting the Republican ticket. Nevertheless Maiden is as proud of George W. Peck as any man it has.

age in Lake County, Tenn.,antl when the war came on, went in the army with the Madrid Bend Guards, and was attached to the 15th Tennessee Regiment under Col. Counol. In 1872 he came to the State of Missouri and resided in New Madrid County for about ten years, then came to Dunklin County. He was educated in the common schools of Lake County

Tenn., and studied medicine under Dr. Theodore Case. Attended lectures at Memphis, Tenn., and has practiced in the medical profession twenty-three years. Dr. Pollock was elected to the State Legislature from Dunklin County in 1894, which office he is now filling. He with his family reside at the new town of Cardwell. He is Democratic in politics and popular among the masses of the people.

Moore M. Eayburn was born September 8, 1843, in Mississippi, and is the son of Maj. W. C. and Melissa J. Malone Ray burn, natives of Alabama and

Mississippi respectively. The parents came to Missouri in 1865, and located near Clarkton, Dunklin County. Maj. Rayburn was always much interested in the schools, churches and public affairs of the county and was surveyor for a number of years. He resided in Clay County, Arkansas, from 1857 until the time of

His son, Moore M. Ray burn, grew to manhood in Arkansas, and in 1862 enlisted in the Confederate Army, in Col. Hart's regiment of Arkansas Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Pleasant Grove, Mansfield, and Pleasant Hill. At the close of the war he returned home and came to this county with his parents.

He has held the office of Sheriff and Collector of Dunklin County four years, since which time he has devoted himself to farming and stock-raising. In

F. Joe Kice, Collector of Dunklin County, is a native of this county, born December 3, 1859. He is the son of Hon. David Rice of this county and was educated in the common schools of Dunklin County and at the Southeast Normal of Cape Girardeau. Married Miss Minnie L. Fleer, of Franklin County, Missouri, on Nov. 5, 1882. She died June 23, 1884, having become the mother of one.child, who died in infancy. August, 1895, he married Miss Katie Fleer. To this marriage two children have been born, Vessie, August 2, 1891, and Hubert M., born June 4, 1884.

Mr. Rice taught school for a few years, but was elected to the office of Treasurer of Dunklin County in 1884. In 1886 he was elected to the Legislature and in 1894 to the office of Collector. His political career has attracted more attention than any other man's in the history of the county, and he makes staunch friends and bitter enemies. He is a Democrat in politics, and both he and Mrs. Rice are members of the M. E. C. S.

Hon. David Rice was born in Henry County, Tennessee, March 20, 1837. His parents, James P. and Casenclaney Hearn-Rice, were of French and English descent. The subject of this sketch is a pioneer of Dunklin County, having arrived here February 14th, 1853. He located northwest of Campbell, Missouri, where he married Jane Himmel, a native of Tennessee, May 6th, 1856. They have never lost a child by death but all of their children, live in number, are living and residing in this county. Their only daughter, Luretta, is the wife of John B. Cook, a merchant of Kennett; their sons are F.Joe, who has represented this county in the Legislature and is now Collector of same, NedN., a merchant of Kennett, and Van B. and Jimmer E., who are both prominent farmers. Mr. Rice has resided near Vincit for many years and has devoted most of his life to farming and stock raising. He owns 165 acres of good land, with large orchard, good house and outbuildings. Mr. Rice has also quite an extensive record in public life. In 1860 he was elected to the office of Assessor and served until the breaking out of the Civil War. From 1872 to

N. N. Rice was born September 1, 1867, in Independence Township, on the Old Rice farm, seven miles south of Kennett, Dunklin County, Mo. Here he grew to manhood, laboring on the farm and enjoying the privilege of the country school only, until 1885, when he attended the Southeast Normal School at Cape Girardeau, Mo. He returned to this school in 1887, but soon decided to take a business course instead of the course at the Normal. He entered the Central Business College at Sedalia, Mo., and on completing the course returned home and began work as salesman for T. E. Baldwin & Co. of Kennett. In 1889 he commenced business for himself at Vincit,

Mo., and in 1891 moved his mercantile business to Kennett. The firm of N. N. Kice & Co. deal in fancy and staple groceries, farm machinery, hardware, stoves, tinware and sporting goods. They are also large shippers of fish, game, poultry, egg^, etc. N. N. Rice was married August, 1890, to Dora Beidlee, of Rector, Arkansas. Their son Bland is two years of age. Mr. Rice is Democratic in politics.

Pascal Rice is, excepting Mrs. V. Horner, the oldest citizen in the county. Mr. Rice is in years older than Mrs. Horner. But his father, Abija Rice, did not bring his son when he first came into the county with Mr. Braunm, but later in the same year, 1830, so they have been in the county about sixty-five years. Mr. Rice thinks he was born in 1818, and is therefore about seventy-seven years of age. He has been to Indian war dances and was well acquainted with Chilletacaux, Cornmeal, Moonshine, Chickolee and many other Indians who used to live in this county. He also resides near Hornersville.

Louis Riggs, of the firm of L. Riggs & Co. , hardware, Kennett, Missouri, was born May 18, 1862, in Fredericktown. Mo. He is the son of A. and Fannie E. Gabriel-Riggs, natives of Indiana and North Carolina, respectively. They were, however, early settlers of Fredericktown, Mo., and Mr. Riggs was, until his death on August 26, 1882, proprietor of the A. Riggs hardware store of that place. On the death of his father L. Ris^gs took charge of the business. He ran the same in Fredericktown until March, 1892, when the blight prospects of Kennett, Mo., tempted him to remove to that phice and establish the present firm of L. Riggs & Co., hardware dealers. Mr. Riggs has identified himself with the people of this county by bringing his mother and sister, Miss Hattie, to Kennett to reside, and by marrying a Dunklin County girl. Miss Anna L. Jones, of Nesbit, on September 19, 1895.

Both Mr. Riggs and his partner in business, Mr. Charles Lanpher, have proved themselves to be enterprising business men, and are always ready to do anything or assist any enterprise that will stimulate the growth of their adopted town, and are the kind of young men that Dunklin County likes to Avelcome.

Thomas B. Reeves, born February 26, 1819, is the son of William T. and Michal (Hoskins) Reeves, natives of Virginia. T. B. Reeves, the subject of this sketch, was married to Miss Louisa E. Ford, a native of Tennessee, in 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves came to Dunklin County in 1859, and located at Clarkton, but in 1880 they settled in Maiden, where they now reside.

Their oldest child, Michal E., born June 28, 1849, married James M. Corder, and died February 8, 1876, leaving three children, Mattie B. (Mrs. Utley), Nannie C. (Mrs. Hampton), and Luther E.

The first son, William Wilson, born January 18, 1851, married Rachel E. Nunley, and William Timothy and Walter G. are the children of this marriage, now living.. His first wife having died, Mr. W. W. Reevea

Lou A., second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Reeves, was born September 18, 1853, and married John W. Stephens. By this marriage she has one son,

Mrs. Stephens lost by death Elizabeth E., born June 3, 1872, Lara M., born December 26, 1873, and William T., born February 1, 1875. But the fifth child is a bright young miss in Minnie L Stephens.

After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Stephens married Charles F. Moore (see sketch elsewhere) and their two sons, Edgar A., born December 18, 1883,

Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Reeves have two sons dead. Thomas P., born February 2, 1856, and Luther E., born February 6, 1858; John H., born November 8, 1860, and James L., born September 13, 1863. With William W. are now living in Texas John H., married Mary E. Twittie and became the father of Wilbur B. Raymond, Ola E. Hurburt, and one infant, James L. married Alice E. Wood and their children are Lola P. and Joe Amous.

The pictures accompanying this sketch represent the faces of a couple who have lived in Dunklin County for nearly forty years and who have thirty-one grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Uncle Tommie,ashe is affectionately called, owned and occupied one of the first business houses in Maiden but has been principally a farmer. He and his son W. W. are both charter members of Cotton Hill Lodge, I. O. O. F.

Major Willie Ray and wife, Dunklin County's little people, are known all over the county. Major Ray as the Missouri Midget. He was born in Perry County, Tennessee, April 22, 1860, and is the son of J. M. Ray and Mary (Wade) Ray, both natives of Tennessee. The parents, who were ordinary-sized people, removed to Dunklin County, Missouri, January 1, 1870. The Major was educated in the common schools of this county, and was first exhibited as a midget in 1881.

Their home is near Caldwell, Dunklin County, Missouri, where they own 160 acres of fine land which is being rapidly converted into a beautiful home. Major Ray is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Baptist Church.

Mrs. Jennie Meadows-Ray is a native of Franklin County, Illinois. Born March 16, 1871, and is the eldest child of L. F. Meadows and J. C. (Kaar) Meadows, both natives of Tennessee, but married and reared in Franklin County, Illinois. They removed to Woodson County, Kansas, in 1885. Since her marriage Mrs. Ray has traveled regularly with Sells Brothers' show ; is a member of the Rebekah degree of I. O. O. F. and M. E. C. S. The little lady is 37 1-2 inches high, weighs 38 pounds, and is 28 inches bust, and 16 inches waist measurement. She wears a shoe the size of a child's No. 7 and a number four glove.

The Major is purely honorary, but is never omitted from the little man's name. He is 36 inches high, weighs 38 pounds and his shoe is one size larger than his wife's. Major Ray and wife are the smallest married people in the world, and are the shortest, best formed, and intelligent midgets exhibited in either America or the Eastern Continent.

William R. Satterfield, of the firm of Baird, Satterfield &> Co., Senath, is a native of this county and the son of Wm. M. and Hattie F. Douglas Satterfield. William R. Satterfield is an out-and-out Dunklin County man, having attained his growth and most of his education in this county. In 1894, he took a partnership in the above mentioned firm and is at present a promising young business man. The father, William M. Satterfield, was the founder of Caruth post-village in this county and was born January 19, 1833, in Kent County, Del.

Mr. Satterfield was principally reared in Mercer County, Penn., but completed his education in the common schools and Arcadia College of his native county and State. He came to this county and engaged in the mercantile business at Hornersville as early as 1857. In 1860, he was married to Melinda Horner, a native of Dunklin County. This wife died October 14, 1862. At the beginnino: of the Civil War, Mr. Satterfield enlisted in the Confederate Army, First Missouri State Guards, under Col. Walker, and in the Second Missouri Cavalry Regiment, serving until the close of the war. He was paroled at Memphis and returned to this county in the fall of 1865. His marriage to Hattie F. Douglass, daughter of A. T. and Elizabeth Mott- Douglass, took place on January 7, 1866. Wm. R., and Jennie and Maggie (twins) are the children of this marriage living. In 1870 Mr. Satterfield engaged in the ginning business and was also in the mercantile business at Cotton Plant for several years. In 1881 he removed to Caruth and continued in the mercantile business as has been stated in the sketch on that postvillage. He operated a cotton seed huller, gin, general store and was postmaster at that place.

He was a man who took great interest in the public schools and in the general advancement of the county. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and Mrs. Satterfield, who resides in Cape Girardeau, Mo., is a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Wm. R. Satterfield is like his father was during his life, a Democrat in politics.

T. C. Stokes, merchant, of Maiden, Mo., was born in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., August 9, 1847, and is the son of John H. and Lucretia (Childs) Stokes, who were born in Ireland and Massachusetts respectively ; they came to Missouri in an early day and located in Cape Girardeau County.

The father was one of the early merchants of Cape Girardeau and removed to Dunklin County in 1861 and followed farming and merchandising until his death in 1876. He was judge of the Clarkton Common Pleas and Probate Court for several years.

The firm name is T. C. Stokes & Co., and includes some of the younger members of the Stokes family. This firm carries a splendid line of the best general merchandise, and occupies one of the finest buildings in Maiden.

In 1878, Mr. Stokes married his present wife, a Miss Virginia Coggashall, a native of Louisiana, who has also become the mother of several children.

Mr. and Mrs. Stokes are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Stokes is in politics a Democrat and is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities.

W. F. Shelton, senior member of the firm of W. F. Shelton, Jr. & Co., Kennett, Mo., was born June 4, 1838, in Perry County, Mo. He is the son of Enoch and Tabitha Brown-Shelton, natives of North Carolina.

The parents were early settlers of Tennessee, but removed from that State to Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1843, and came on to Dunklin County in 1846, where he died two years later. William F. Shelton, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Dunklin County, received only a common school education and worked on the farm until he attained to the years of maturity.

He then farmed for a short time and run a small business at Hornersville, and about 1865 begun merchandising at Kennett, Mo., where he has since remained, his business growing with the town and county.

County and is consideied the wealthiest man ; he is, however, a man of small pretensions and makes no display of wealth about his home or person. But his business house in Kennett is one of the best in Southeast Missouri and his stock of general merchandise is large and complete.

The Shelton firm has always done an extensive business in Kennett, but the fall of 1895 has been the busiest season for many years. W. F. Shelton, Jr. & Co., buy all kinds of produce and usually ship from 800 to 3,000 bales of cotton each season ; this is, however, only a liberal portion of Dunklin County crop, which runs from 6,000 to 20,000 bales per season. Mr. Shelton has since reaching manhood been prominently connected with the financial, political and public affairs of the county. He held the office of Treasurer of Dunklin County for a period of eight years.

He is a self-made man, started in business with a small capital and a limited education and with no better opportunities to make a fortune than other early settlers of this county, but being an energetic business man and a shrewd financier he has been exceptionally successful. His orphan nephews, W. Frank and Lee Shelton, whom he has reared and educated, are presumably tlie other members of the firm. They are young men of promise and business ability.

Mr. Shelton has never married and he has for years had Mr. and Mrs. Witham and amiable daughters, Miss Mary and Laura, as managers of his home. He is a Democrat and leader in political affairs and is the

James F. Smyth, Treasurer of Dunklin County, was born March 22, 1864, in Dunklin County, Mo. The parents, James A. Smyth and L. Minerva Jones, were married in Dunklin County in 1856, but were both born and reared in Tennessee. The father came to Dunklin County when quite a young man entered land and farmed in summer and hunted during the winter months.

He hunted about twenty-seven winters and often made as high as $700 or $800 in one season. In 1876, Mr. Smyth moved to Piedmont, Wayne County, Mo., to educate his children, and there died May 6, 1877. The family remained there until January 12, 1878, when they returned to Dunklin County where the mother died August 10, 1887. James F. Smyth grew to manhood in this county and received u good education in the common schools and in the Piedmont High School. He remained with his mother on the farm near Cotton Plant until he reached his majority, when he took a position in the store of Judge Langdon at Cotton Plant. In 1886, he and his brother-in-law, W. J. Davis, formed a partnership under the firm name of Davis & Smyth and did a general mercantile business at Hornersville for a few years. He subsequently sold out his interest to his partner and later opened a general store at Nesbit, this county, and in 1895 removed this to Caruthersville, Mo., where W. J. Davis is now manager of same.

At the general election in 1894 Mr. Smyth was elected to the office of Treasurer of Dunklin County; he soon afterwards removed to Kennett, where he now resides.

In September, 1887, he was married to Miss Kate Argo, a native of Tennessee, but a resident of Texas from 1880 until 1886, when she removed to Dunklin County.

To this union have been born four children: Eddie Argo, Maud, Roger Q. and Ruth. Mrs. Smyth is a member of the Baptist Church and Mr. Smyth is a Democrat in politics and a member of the I. O. O. F.

C. B. ScHULTZ, an early merchant of Hornersville, was born in 1827, in Weekly County, Tennessee, and was the son of David Weekly and Mary McClane- Schullz, natives of the above-mentioned State. C. B. Schullz, the subject of this sketch, came to Dunklin

In 1852 he married Miss Mary Duneway, of French descent, and a native of New Madrid County, Missouri. She bore him four children, Margaret, John Linamood, Mary, and one infant, all deceased, and Mrs. Schultz ako died in 1861. In 1862, Mr. Schultz took for a second companion, Mrs. Amanda E. Diineway-Horner, a sister of the first wife, and a native of same county and State. The children of C. B. and Amanda Schultz are, Joe Shelby (deceased), Sidney A. (Mrs. Clem Edmonston), Bedford E. (deceased), Hettie (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), Emma Ida (Mrs. James Wilford), and Ella (Mrs. Jordan of Kennett). Mrs. Schultz reared one child by her first marriage, Elniira Horner (Mrs. Benn Vardell), who, by the expressed wish of Mr. Schultz, shares equally in his estate with his owu children.

Mr. Schultz was in some things a very remarkable man, being reared in this county when schools and educational advantages were very meager indeed, and when he reached young manhood he could neither read nor write and did not know one letter from another. Nothing daunted, however, he formed a partnership with W. M. Harkey under the firm name of Harkey & Schultz, which was in a few years one of the leading and wealthiest firms in the county.

By close application he soon learned to write his name and to look after the financial affairs of the firm, and while Mr. Harkey was the salesman Mr. Schultz was the financial manager. After the dissolution of this firm Mr. Schultz ran a business in his own name and alone, which continued to gain in finance and popularity until his death in 1883. His estate was at that time worth something over $100,000. He was a man who always stood by a friend and openly opposed an enemy and while he was not a member of any church he was a good man in his own w^ay and a staunch Democrat in politics.

. James F. Tatum, of the firm of Tatum Bros., .Kennett, Mo., was born January 5, 1850, in Howard County, Missouri, and is the son of A. C. and Susan Franklin-Tatum, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, but early settlers of Howard County, Mo. James F. Tatum was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Howard County, where he lived until after he had attained his majority. He soon afterwards came to Dunklin County and the present firm of which he is the senior member was established in 1883.

The way this firm has grown in its business and its immense sales this past fall and winter of 1895-96, is sufficient evidence of the ability and integrity of its members, having sold mure goods in the past six months than ever before in a like period of time. This firm keeps on hand a fresh well-selected line of general merchandise, including the newest styles of fancy and staple dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, groceries, farm implements and in fact almost everything wanted by either the farmer or townsman. Their store is as nice as any to be

James F. Tatum was united in marriage to Miss Lillie Braggs, June 27, 1877. She is a daughter of Capt. William G. Braggs (deceased), who was an early settler of this county. Mrs. Tatum is one of the early leaders in the society of Kennett and a worker in the Ladies Christian Aid and other societies. Mr. and Mrs. Tatum have six children : Richard, Frank, Ira, John, Susie and Burnie, and one of the nicest homes in Kennett. Mr. Tatum is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities and Mrs. Tatum is a member of the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Tatum is a Democrat and wields considerable influence for his political favorites. He is undoubtedly one of the shrewdest business men in Dunklin County.

L. P. Tatum, of the firm of Tatum Bros., Kennett, Mo., was born January 3, 1863, in Howard Countjs Mo. He is the son of A. C. and Susan Franklin- Tatum, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The father grew to manhood in his native State, but emigrated to Missouri when a young man, where he found and wedded the lady of his choice, who had preceded him several years, her parents being early settlers of Howard County. Mr. and Mrs. Tatum purchased land and located near Fayette, where they reared their family.

L. P. Tatum came to Dunklin County when scarcely more than a lad and for a short time did business on his own account, but in 1883 the present firm of

Tatuin Bros., general merchants, was established, since which time their business has steadily grown with the town and county until they now own one of the best business houses and run one of the largest and finest general stores in Dunklin County.

L. P. Tatum was married in September, 1893, to Miss Sallie M. Baldwin, daughter of Judge T. E. and Mary E. Pankey-Baldwin, of Kennett, Mo. Mrs. Tatum was born, reared and educated in Dunklin County, with the exception of the finishing course from the Synod ical Female College, Fulton, Mo. As Miss Sallie Baldwin she was a leading belle of Kennett, and she has lost none of her attractions as Mrs. Tatum.

J. P. Tribble, attorney at law, Kennett, Mo., was born in Oregon County, Missouri, on February 1, 1^63. Educated in common schools and Alton

Academy. Was admitted to the bar February 28, 1884, in his native county and removed to Dunklin County in 1887, where he has since been engaged in the practice of hiw. He has never held nor asked for any office but has for several years been Clerk of the Probate Court. Real estate law is his specialty. He is a member of Pioneer Lodge No. 165, I. O. O. F., and a charter member of the Dunklin Encampment at Kennett. Married February 16, 1888, to Miss Annie Blackvvell of Mill Springs, Mo. They now have two children. Mrs. Tribble is a member of Helena Lodge No. 37, Daughters of Rebekah, I. O. O.F.,and of the Missionary Baptist Church.

John Turner, pioneer blacksmith of this county, was born September 1, 1835, in Perry County, Tennessee. He is the son of Samuel and Jeriicia Champ- Turner. He came to this county in 1850, and was married June 28, 1855,to Adaline S. Jones, daughter of Joseph and Phoebe Sanders-Jones, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, but pioneers of Dunklin County, coming here and locating on Grand Prairie, in 1854. Adaline S. Jones-Turner is a native of Tennessee, born July 14, 1836.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Turner lived on Horse Island for a few years, when they purchased and settled on their present home near Nesbit post-office. '* Uncle John Turner," as he is familiarly called, is the oldest blacksmith of pioneer days living in the county.

near his residence, and although he is sixty years of age he may be seen almost every day, still hard at work. While ho is past the necessity of such labor he yet continues it, and Aunt Adaline is equally vigilant in her labors. They have presented each of their children with eighty acres of good land and re- tained a home for themselves. Seven children have been born to them, Mary E., deceased, William T., Martha A., Mrs. Burns, Louisa S., Mrs. Kidge, Frances L., Mrs. Barham, Sarah D., Mrs. Joe Hutchins, and Minnie B., deceased. They have eighteen grandchildren living and have lost eight by death.

harvesting of crops and also in clearing his farms of heavy timber. Their home is one of the finest around Nesbit, Mrs. Turner's yard and orchard are noted for lovely flowers and luscious fruits, of which she is especially fond. She is an old-fashioned house and homekeeper and can weave anything, from a pair of suspenders to a bed blanket or '* Rising Sun " coverlet, but has not made any cloth for a number of years.

Hon. James Peter Walker was born in Lauderdale County, Tennessee, on March 14th, 1851. His death occurred at 2 o'clock, Saturday, July 19, 1890, at his home in Dexter, Missouri. May 12th, 1875, he married Miss Eva M. Bragg, daughter of Captain W. G. Bragg of Kennett, Missouri. She is a native of Missouri and practically a Dunklin County lady, for-she came here when a small child and was reared principally, educated and married, in this county. She survives her late husband, has returned to her old childhood home in Kennett, Mo., and is certainly a most estimable lady. She is, as was also her husband, a member of the M. E. C. S. Mr, Walker was a Democrat in politics. It will be noticed that Hon. James P. Walker was neither a native of this county nor a resident of it at the time of his death, and yet it is highly fitting that a mention of him should be made in this attempt of a history of Dunklin County.

support of his mother and young sister. Before he was eighteen years of age he had established himself in the general mercantile business at Kennett. He resided here several years, married a Dunklin County girl and at the time of his death was a mem* ber of the House of Kepresentatives from this, the Fourteenth Conofressional District of Missouri. Dun-

His almost tragic death was a sad blow to the people of Dunklin County, for on the very day and almost at the very hour on which the Democratic convention of this county met and instructed its delegates to go to the Congressional Convention at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and vote for James P. Walker as Dunklin County's choice for the nomination preceding the election, and to do all in their power to re-elect Mr. Walker to the position which he then held ; at a time when the masses of the people of this coanty were ready to go into roaring applause at the slightest mention of their favorite, a dispatch benumbed them like a current of electricity, by announcing the death of the man who was the best loved by Dunklin County of any man who ever represented it in the House of Representatives.

The many sincere and beautiful eulogies passed upon Mr. Walker by Hon. J. J. Russell at the Poplar Bluff convention just after his death, and by his former colleagues in the second session of the Fifty-tirst Congress in Washington, D. C, simply voice the sentiments of the people of this county, and in fact all who knew him.

I give here a few extracts from the memorial address on Mr. Walker's life and character delivered in the House of Representatives, January 10, 1891.

<*It may properly be said of him that, by his own indomitable pluck and energy he transformed himself from a poor plowboy in the cornfield, from a hewer of wood and a drawer of water, to the highest political position within the gift of his people.

*' At the age of fourteen he secured a position in a country store in Tennessee, where by hard labor and rigid economy he earned a living for himself and assisted in supporting a widowed mother and young sisters. In 1867 he moved to Missouri, taking his mother and family with him and settled near Kennett, in Dunklin County. He cleared land and worked in the fields the first year after moving to Missouri ; but seeing a good opening for a general store at Kennett, and having the assistance of his former employer in

*< From this small beginning, Mr. Walker in the course of a few years gradually advanced in his business until he became a large dealer in grain, in which he was interested at the time of his death.

*- In 1880 he was elected a delegate to the Cincinnati convention. In 1888 he was elected a member of the State Democratic Committee. In 1884 Mr. Walker became a candidate for Congress, and was defeated for the nomination by Hon. William Dawson after two conventions had been held and hundreds of ballots taken.

*' No better eulogy could be passed upon him than the resolutions of respect adopted by the citizens of his own city. Dexter, Mo., in which it was said :

'* * The life of James P. Walker is a fit commentary on our Government and its possibilities in developing men ; and in the purity of his character, in determination of purpose, in his fidelity to every duty, every trust, every friend, his example is commended to the youths of our land. Without the allurements of wealth, or the training of college, without friends in high places to lift him up, he rose by the strength in his own manhood, the energy of his own purpose, in the moral rectitude of his own life to the highest political honors.

** ' Twice called to represent his people in the Halls of Congress, he was still one of the people, loved and honored by them, and ever faithful to the trust reposed in him/ '*

** In public life he followed great principles, and was not an importunate mendicant for popular applause. He fell like a stricken soldier on the field, his banner full hisfh advanced and his face to the foe."

Judge James M. Waltrip was born December 28, 1837, in Daviess County, Kentucky, and is the son of James and Martha (Biven) Waltrip, natives of the above mentioned State. The father was a farmer and also held the office of justice of the peace in Daviess County, Ky., for sixteen consecutive years; his death occurred in 1871. When a lad of nineteen years James M. Waltrip came to Dunklin County with his Uncle, Stephen P. Waltrip, landing where the town of Clarkton now stands, November 13, 1856. For three years he worked with his uncle, and helped make some of the first brick ever made in this county. In 1859 he accepted a position as clerk in the general store of John H. Stokes. The store stood on the present site of Clarkton, but it appears that the little post-office was first known as Bach, then Beech Grove, and after the pole road was built was given the name of Clarkton. (See photo, p. 282.)

On the breaking out of the Civil War all the stores were necessarily closed, thus ending his clerkship. Judge Waltrip has been three times married. First on August 5, 1860, to Miss Lucy K. White, daughter of the late E. C. White, of this county ; Mrs. Waltrip was a native of Obine County, Tenn. ; she died in 1865, leaving three daughters : Mollie (Mrs. Penny), Augusta

(Mrs. C. p. Hawkins). March 26, 1866, Judge Waltrip took for a second companion Pjiscilla. A. Kirkpatrick, daugiiter of John D. Kirkpatrick (deceased). She was also a native of Tennessee, and became the mother of the following children : John, William, Vara, Henrietta, Adelia, Ray and Mamie (see pictures of Vara arid Henrietta on another page). Miss Vara is one of Dunklin County's promising young teachers and this year holds a position in the Maiden School.

After the death of his second wife Judge Waltrip was married to Mrs. Amelia Whitson, daughter of the late Sylvester Young, December 11, 1892. Mrs. Waltrip is one of the leaders in the society of Clarkton and a most estimable lady. Judge Waltrip has quite an extensive official career in this county. Shortly after the Civil War he was appointed Constable of Freebourn Township, and Deputy Sheriff of Dunklin County. These positions he held until 1871 , when he was elected to the office of Assessor, serving in this capacity two years. He also about this time engaged in the mercantile business at Clarkton, but sold out in 1880 and moved to Arkansas, and in October of the same year returned to Dunklin County.

In April, 1885, he again decided to leave.the county and this time took his family to Northwest Texas. He soon became dissatisfied, however, and in July of the same year returned to his old home in this county and again engaojed in the mercantile business, in which business he is now engaged at Clarkton. He keeps a full and complete line of general merchandise and has a substantial and thriving business. Judge

Waltrip has been twice elected District Judge, and once Presiding Judge of the County Court. He is well posted on the official matters of the county and is well and favorably known. both as an official and a business man. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity, and the family are of the Missionary Baptist faith.

Thomas Waltrip, present Judge of the First District of Dunklin County, was born March 8, 1844, in Davis County, Kentucky. He is the son of John and Elizabeth Downs-Waltrip, natives of the above mentioned State. Judge Waltrip came to this county August, 1873, he having previously married Jane E. Harrison of Kentucky, on October 25, 1866. The children of this marriage now living are Dollie, Mrs. Engelhardt, John T., Callie, Nannie B., and Nellie V., and they lost four children by death.

Mrs. Waltrip died March 24, 1891. April 11, 1893, Jadge Waltrip took for a second companion Mrs. Luella Jones. Their only child, little Artie, recently died, age 11 months.

He owns 160 acres of good land and has given most of his time to farming interests. He was elected to his present official position in November, 1894, and is fillino^ same with general satisfaction. He is Democratic in politics, and his present wife, as was also his first wife, is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

W. J. Ward, of the Ward, Shelton & Co. Steam Corn Shelling Company, Kennett, Mo., was born May 30, 1860 ; is a native of Tennessee, and the son of Daniel and Dilla A. Catcs-Ward, of Valley Ridge, Dunklin County. The parents came to Dunklin County in 1874, and located near Cotton Plant, but removed to the ** Eidge " about 1880, where they now reside.

W. J. W^ard remained with his father until he reached his majority, when he began working for William Herrmann, of Nesbit, this county. December 2, 1883, he married Mollie L., a daughter of Mr. Herrmann, and a native of Dunklin County, Mo. He then located on Horse Island, near where the Ward School is now situated. He purchased land and opened up and improved one of the best and largest farms in that part of the county, residing here until January, 1892, when he removed to Kennett, Mo. On removing to Kennett he engaged in the lumber business. He is a wholesale and retail dealer in all kinds of rough and dressed lumber, lime, hair, cement and building material. He is also manaojer of the Ward, Shelton & Co.'s Corn Sheller. Their machinery has a capacity of 30,000 bushels per day. Mr. Moore is the silent partner in the company.

The amount of corn bought, shelled and shipped from Kennett by this company is something immense, and yet there are several other busy corn companies in Kennett.

Mr. Ward is a very busy man, for in addition to the above mentioned enterprises he deals largely in live stock, pasturing and feeding on his farm east of Kennett. Mr. and Mrs. Ward are the parents of five little girls : Myrtle, Terah, Willie, Hattie, Nona, and Kuth. Myrtle, the eldest, is quite a little pianist for her age and a child of whom any parent might be proud. In politics Mr. Ward is a Democrat and he has held the position of Mayor since coming to Kennett, but owing to other business he resigned. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and both he and wife are members of the M. E. C. S.

I. H. Ward, assistant postmaster of Kennett, Mo., is a native of Mississippi, but removed with his parents, three sisters and one brother, to Tennessee in 1879. In 1880 he was married to Miss Laura Webb, who is a native of Kentucky, but who came to Tennessee with her parents when quite young, where she grew to womanhood and received her education, taking music as a special study. Mr. and Mrs. Ward came to Dunklin County, Missouri, about 1887, first locating in the north end of the county, but a little later they removed to Kennett, where they have since resided. Mr. Ward has been assistant postmaster at Kennett under both the late Harrison and Cleveland administrations, and has presumably discharged his duties to the satisfaction of all, though he is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Ward has been teaching music most of the time since she was eighteen years of age, and has taught almost constantly for the past eight years in Dunklin County. She has been quite successful in both a financial and intellectual way, for although there have been many other music teachers who have come and gone, Mrs. Ward is recognized as the <*old reliable" pianoforte music teacher of Kennett, and is nearly always called upon to take the leading parts in musical entertainments, etc., in her town. This fact and the fact that she keeps and adds to her class of pupils is a sufficient guarantee of her ability as a pianist. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have two children, Willie, aged 15, and Lottie, aged 13 years.

W. C. Whiteaker, Presiding Judge of the County Court of Dunklin County, was born April 19, 1844, in Bollinger County, Mo. March, 1847, he came to Dunklin County, where he received only a common school education, and the educational facilities of the county were in his youth somewhat limited. September 6, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate Army,

He is by occupation a farmer, but was elected to bis present official position in 1894. He resides in the northwest part of this county, his post-office is, however, St. Francois, Arkansas. Judge Whiteaker has been three times married, first to Emma Edwards, on December 13, 1866; she died February 24, 1874, leaving one son, A. D. Whiteaker, born September 18, 1873. February 13, 1876, Judge Whiteaker took for a second companion Carolina Geer, and to this union was born January 25, 1878, a daughter. Flora. The death of this wife occurred September 15, 1888. March 16, 1892, he was again married to Louisa Walker. A little daughter, Rosebud, born March 10,

1893, is the child of this marriage. Judge Whiteaker is well known and is looked upon as a good, true man, and he is filling his present official position in a satisfactory manner.

County, Illinois, and is the son of N. and M. M. Mulkey-West. He came to Dunklin County, December 15, 1878, and located near Kennett, having been married in his native State to Polina J. lialls, on September 26, 1872. Three children were born to this union. William H., a promising young man of Kennett; Daisy (deceased), and Luella M.

The mother of these children died March 29, 1881. Mr. West took for a second companion Miss R. T. Greer, a native of Scott County, Missouri, and by her is the father of several children, the eldest being Eosie.

since which time it has done a thriving business. They keep a fresh and nicely selected line of staple and fancy groceries, confectionery, etc.

Both Mr. West and Mr. Bailey are accommodating business men and Democrats in politics. Mr. and Mrs. West are members of the Christian Church.

Fabius M. WiLKiNS, M. D., late of Maiden, Mo., was born December 22, 1834, in Wake County, North Carolina. He was the son of John and Helen Grissona- Wilkins, who were also natives of North Carolina. The parents moved to Weakley County, Tennessee, in 1844.

Dr. F. M. Wilkins, the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood in the last named county and State and commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Valney Hawkins in 1853. He took his first course of lectures in the medical department of the University of Nashville, during the winter of 1856-57, and commenced the practice of medicine at Union City, Tennessee, in the latter part of 1857. (See photo, p. 282.)

He was a graduate of the University of Nashville, taking this final course in 1859. In June of the same year he removed to Dunklin County, Mo., and became one of the most successful pioneer physicians of this county. He was one of the early druggists of Clarkton and later a leading druggist of Maiden.

Dr. Wilkins was a member of the Southeast Missouri Medical Association and of the Masonic order. He was a Democrat in politics and one of the first members of the Christian Church of Maiden.

Dr. Wilkius had poor health several years before his death, which occurred in 1895. He left a wife, several children and an exceedingly large number of friends to mourn the loss of one of Dunklin's best and most distinguished men.

W. F. Young, M. D., Nesbit, Mo., was born May 8, 1861. His parents, Joseph H. and Lugenia Todd- Young, were natives of Kentucky. Here their son W. F. grew to manhood, receiving a good education in the common schools of Kentucky and Vandalia High School in Illinois. He came to Missouri in 1881 and married Miss Nannie Pickens of Crawford Co. He early united with the M. E. C. S. and was ordained a Deacon at Charlston, Mo. He was later ordained an Elder and joined the St. Louis Conference, to which he belonged eight years, four years of which time he spent in Dunklin County, being pastor in charge two years at Maiden and two years at Kennett. He then located at Kennett but soon removed to Nesbit and commenced the steady practice of medicine, having commenced the study of same during his ministerial career. Here he has continued to study under a well-known physician and in three years time has built up a surprisingly good practice. Dr. and Mrs. Young have five children: Lucelius, Lugenia, James, Paul and Ruth. Mrs. Young is also a devout member of the M. E. C. S.

Mrs. Dora (Keene) Arends, daughter of Mrs. Annie M. Kecne, of Maiden, Mo., was born in Missis sippi County, Missouri, but came to Dunklin County when but three years of age. She was reared in Maiden, Missouri, and was one of the prettiest and most popular belles of that town. She was married to Mr. Joe Arends, vice-president of the Levi Mercantile Co., on September 3, 1895. Mrs. Arends is a pleasing pianist, a graduate of the St. Vincent Academy at Cape Girardeau, Mo., and a member of the Catholic Church.

Mrs. ViCTORiNE (Braunm) Horner, who resides one mile north of Hornersville, is the oldest citizen of which this county boasts, not in point of years but citizenship. She came to the county with her father and mother, Michael and Angeline (Terror) Braunm in 1830. Mr. Braunm was an Irishman and Mrs. B. a French woman ; they were married on Brushy Prairie on the Mississippi River, where they were residing at the time of the earthquakes of 1811-12.

Their daughter **yictorine" was about five years old when they came to this county. She knows where the buffalo wallows used to be and has heard them bellow not so very far from the place where she now resides ; she has also seen elk and wild cattle, and the howl of the wolf she was perfectly accustomed to in her younger days. Since she first came to the county she has never resided even for a short period anywhere else, and has seen the population of the county increase from three or four families to 20,000 inhabitants.

Mrs. Horner is a sister to Tecumsy Braunm and Miss Lizzie Braunm, who are both living and are well known in this county. On growing to womanhood Miss Victorine Braunm was married to John Z. Horner, a cousin of the Mr. Horner who founded Hornersville. Mrs. Horner is strong and healthy for her age and is intelligent and entertaining.

She is the kind of old lady one always dreams of with pipe and knitting, and has a nice suit of soft grey hair and a kindly countenance. Her third son, Tecumsy or «<Cumps" Horner, has never married and lives at home with his mother.

Mrs. Hettie Langdon- Jones, daughter of E. J. Langdon, of this county, was born at Cotton Plant, Mo. She was principally reared in Dunklin County, and educated in Iron County, Mo. February 16, 1886, she became the wife of R. H. Jones, formerly editor of the *< Clipper," ** Enterprise Messenger," and other papers.

Miss Ida Morgan, daughter of Collin Morgan, Kennett, Mo., was born in Stoddard County, Mo., but came to Dunklin County when a child. She has been principally reared and educated in this county and in the State Normal at Cape Girardeau, Mo. She is quite pretty, one of Dunklin's brightest young lady teachers, holds a first-grade State certificate and is one of the teachers in the Kennett High School.

Susan Barnett-Ray was married to William Rayin Perry County, Tenn., and both were natives of Tennessee. *' Aunt Susan," as she is familiarly called, is one of the pioneers of this county, having located near Kennett in 1850. She is one of the women who picked the seeds from some of the first cotton ever raised in Dunklin County, and has woven much cloth in the old-fashioned way. Mr. and Mrs. Ray came to the " prairie " in 1853 and later bought land near Nesbit, where Mr. Ray now resides. They were the parents of two girls and ten boys, nine of whom they reared in this county to be twenty-one years of age. In their descendants they have forty grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, with one son yet single.

Mr. Ray, who died several years ago, was a member of I. O. O. F. and both he and Mrs. Ray were among the first members of the Old Harkey's Chapel class of the M. E. C. S.

county, »and the wife of Charles Ruff of Kennett. She WHS educated at Kennett and Cape Girardeau, Mo. Was quite a successful teacher before her marriage and is one of Kennett's leading young matrons.

Miss Alma Stokes is a native of Clarkton, Dunklin County, and the daughter of T. C. Stokes, of Maiden, Mo. She was reared in this county and educated in the E. A. Seminary, Lexington, Mo. She has been one of Dunklin's successfid teachers for four years and now holds a position in the Kennett High School. Miss Stokes is a handsome young lady and when at home is one of Maiden's belles and is also a leader among Kennett's young people.

Miss Anna Seeman was born, reared and educated near Cleveland, Ohio. Nearly nine years ago she came West with her brothers and took up a homestead of 160 acres of land, just across the Missouri line in Mississippi County, Arkansas, since which time she has been known in Dunklin County, but has actually been a resident of this county but two years. During this time she has won for herself many friends and become one of the leading belles of Kennett.

Miss Mattie Smyth is a native of Dunklin County, and the daughter of James A. Smyth, a pioneer of this county. She received her early education in this county, and in June, 1890, graduated from the ** Adair Institute," Adair, Iowa. She also holds a *« C." certificate from the State Normal, Cape Girar- cleau. Mo., and a first-grade State certificate. She has taught considerably in the public schools of this county, but at present assists her brother James F. Smyth in the treasurer's office, in Kennett.

To The Home-Seeker

The people of Dunklin County are always ready to welcome honest, honorable, industrious and enterprising citizens, whether wealthy or the reverse. If you are such and desire to leave an overcrowded city or county and go to a place where you can, for a reasonable amount, purchase a home of your own, and in a way grow up with the country - for this county is yet in its youth - this is the place for you.

But if you are not honest and honorable or expect to make your living without industry and enterprise, you are not wanted here, as your room is more desirable than your company. We need and want irood American citizens, who will make permanent homes with us. There are very few people who come here who do not like our county and people - of course, we have little peculiarities.

Our population is nearly all white. There are not more than a dozen colored people in the entire county outside of the towns of Kennett, Clarkton and Maiden. The number in these three towns will perhaps not exceed 125. These are all polite and make good citizens, and are treated well and fairly by our white population.

Our [)eople - least of all the writer of this volume - have no desire to exaggerate the merits of our county and deceive people into coming here to be dissatisfied, leave and accuse us of having misrepresented our county. The aim has been a true pen and photogra[)hic picture of our county and people. Believing that you will be favorably impressed by both, we ask you to at least pay us a visit.