Dunklin County, Missouri - Chapter 11: Politics, Etc, 1896 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 11: Politics, Etc

Dunklin County has always been largely Democratic. Fifteen years ago there was scarcely more than a dozen Republican voters in the entire county. Since then, however, much of the emigration has been from the North and East, a considerable number being Republican in politics. At the regular November election in 1894, the following votes were polled at the various voting precincts : -

This, however, must not be considered as the full number of legal voters in Dunklin County, as at the Democratic primary election of August 11, 1894, the vote for C. O. Hoffman, candidate for probate judge, with no opponent, stood - Kennett, 540; Sumach, 51; Cotton Plant, 194; Hornersville, 160; Lulu, 41; Senath, 209; Liberty, 56; Halcomb, 189; Clarkton, 153; Wrightsville, 85 ; Campbell, 168 ; Valley Ridge 30; Maiden, 355; total, 2,232. As will be seen from these figures the Democratic party alone polled nearly as many votes in August, 1894, as did the three parties in November of the same year. The fact is that while the other parties turned out on the regular election day, a large number of Democrats remained at

The Democratic Central Committee is composed of W. F. Shelton, chairman ; R. S. Chapman, Isaac Wise, Wm. R. Satterfield, W. Blakemore, Harrison Foley, F. A. Maze, L. McCutchen, and O. S. Harrison, secretary.

A few of the exports for 1894 were: Cattle, 837; hogs, 1,042; corn, bushels, 11,700; game, pounds, 96,471, 6,075 ; eggs, dozens, 50,970; feathers, pounds, 2,898 ; cooperage, cars, 169 ; lumber, feet, 10,395,000 ; horses and mules, 480; mixed stock, cars, 18; melons, cars, 525; fish, pounds, 792,400; tallow, pounds, 4,327 ; poultry, pounds, 66,978; hides, pounds, 29,909 ; logs, feet, 490,000 ; beeswax, pounds, 987. This, for a county which has been organized but fifty years, is a good showing; and is put below the average, as the average cotton crop is about 15,000 bales. Then the cotton seed, stave, cars, cross-ties, strawberries, of which one man raised about 500 crates, corn meal, flour barrels, and nursery stock, are not enumerated at all. This county has two good nursery farms. The Whitaker and Stanley & Pollock ; one of these billed for delivery in one week in 1895, 8,952 trees.

The valuation of taxable property in Dunklin County is $3,000,000. The rate of taxation is eightyfive per cent, exclusive of the special tax of twenty cents voted for the purpose of building the Court House. The bonds issued in 1891 for this purpose will all be paid in 1896. It will be seen that Dunklin has about the lowest tax rate of any county in the State of Missouri.

This favorable state of the financial affairs of the county is undoubtedly a great compliment to its officials, whose sagacity and wise use of the public money in the past few years has helped to bring this about.

Pine is not a growth of this county, but there might have been pine here before the earthquakes of 1811- 12. The tree looked much the same many years ago as now, and little is known about it, except that its boughs have often sheltered the noted desperado, John A. Murrell, and his clans.

In 1849, '50 and '51 this tree was headquarters in this county of this clan. Murrell made his raids through this county at stated intervals, and his allies, some of whom were located in this county, met him under the Lone Pine.

Biogkaphical Sketches

Hon. H. A. Applegate, born December 28, 1828, in Burlington, N. J. His father, Dr. H. A. Applegate, was a native of the same State and a graduate of Princeton College, and also took a medical course in Philadelphia. Dr. Applegate emigrated to Paris,

The son, H. A. Applegate, grew to manhood in Tennessee and received a good education in the common and high schools of that State. In 1854 he married Mary E. McMurray, who died in 1863, leaving one

He was Representative from Dunklin County shortly after the war, and the cut of him in this book exactly portrays Dunklin County's Representative as he looked in 1868; the picture was made in Jefferson City in that year. He was again elected in 1870 and represented this county two terms.

He was also one of the pioneer merchants of New Madrid, Mo., and of Hornersville, this county. Since his retirement from office in the seventies he has devoted most of his time to farminsj and stock-raisinor. He has one of the most beautiful homes near Halcomb, surrounded by a splendid grove of forest trees.

In 1867 Mr. Applegate took for a second companion Mary E. Patton, who bore him three children, Florence (Mrs. Alexander), and two who died in childhood. This wife also died in April, 1875, since which time his daughter and son-in-law have resided with him. He is about sixty-eight years of age, but is more vigorous than many men much younger and, except that his hair is somewhat gray, he looks much as he did when this picture was made, nearly thirty years ago.

Rev. Martin V. Baird was born June 7, 1837, at Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee, and is the son of Thomas and Mary Martin Baird. The parents removed to Gibson County, Tenn., when their son, M. v., was about thirteen years of age; here he finished his growth and obtained a good education in the common schools and in Bluff Springs Seminary at a time when that school was in a flourishing condition. He begun teaching at a very early age, and taught part of the year and attended school the remainder, continuing in this way for several years.

In 1860 he emigrated to Dunklin County, and located near Clarkton, where he has since resided, with the exception of one year, when he went back to Tennessee aocj taught a ten months' term of school near

Dire Station. He was offered the position as teacher at Rutherford the next year, but had concluded that he liked Dunklin County best, so he returned here. He was previously married, March 30, 1860, to Ollie B. Hopper, of Gibson County, Tennessee. To this union was born six children, all of whom died in infancy but Walter P. (also deceased) and Thomas J. (see sketch).

Mrs. Baird died April 7, 1890, having been the wife of Rev. Baird for over thirty years; she was a most excellent woman and beloved by all who knew her, and was for many years a consistent member of the Baptist Church.

June 1, 1891, Rev. Baird took for a second companion Mrs. Lilian M. Harvey, widow of Dr. Harvey (deceased), of Kennett, Mo. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Emma Iney Adams, natives of Virginia.

Lilian M. Adams was first married in her native State, Georgia, to Dr. Joseph W. Harvey, on February 19, 1860, and they came to Kennett and located in May, 1861. Dr. Harvey was a pioneer physician of this county and well and favorably known. He was sergeant under Price in the late war, and was surrendered at Pittsburg, Va. He died February 16, 1877. Dr. and Mrs. Harvey had eight children, three of whom are living, Sterling Price, Matilda G., and Dock.

Mrs. Harvey was married also to Dr. T. J. Rhodes, who died in 1881. Mamie L. is the child of this marriage. On her marriage to Rev. Baird, the couple

Considerable of the history of Eev. Baird, as minister of the gospel, is given in the sketch on the Baptist churches elsewhere in this volume. Suffice it to say here that he is the oldest meuiber of the ** Black River Association," and the oldest minister in the county, not in years, but in point of ministerial work. He has at different times been pastor of all the old Baptist churches in the county, and he has presumably administered more baptisms than any other Baptist minister in the county. He is a man of impartial judgment, firm in his convictions and beliefs, yet withal liberal-minded. With most of the Baptist con o-re sat ions he is a favorite, and he is looked upon as the best informed and extensively read minister of the Baptist denomination in the county.

Thomas J. Baird, school commissioner of Dunklin County, was born December 25, 1866, and is the son of Rev. M. V. and OUie B. Hopper-Baird (see sketch elsewhere). Mr. Baird is a native of Dunklin county, and was reared on his father's farm near Clarkton, this county. On August 3, 1892, he was married to Lizzie A. Helm, a daughter of W. H. and Hulda Mott-Helm, of Kennett, Mo.

Mr. Baird was first appointed school commissioner of Dunklin County by Gov. Francis, in August, 1891, and has since then been twice re-elected without announcing or making a canvass for the office. He has the honor of holding the first normal diploma issued by the State Normal School at Cape Girardeau, Mo., to a student from Dunklin County. He led his class and graduated with high honors in 1890, and has for three successive years conducted the County Teachers Institute of this county.

He taught his first school, after graduation, in Licking, Texas County, Mo. In 1894 he filled the position of principal of the public school at Kennett, at which place he owns a nice home, where he now resides.

Mr. Baird is looked upon as a leader by the educational faculty of the county, and is held in high regard by the teachers, as an evidence of which they recently chose him president of the Dunklin County Teachers Association.

James M. Baird, son of Robert and Margaret Baird, was born Feb. 7th, 1853, at Potosi, Washington County, Mo. He came to Dunklin County in Jan., 1878, and married Lucy Douglass, daughter of A. T. and Elizabeth Mott-Douglass, on June 16, 1880. They have two children, Hiilah C, born May 16, 1884, and Hettie N., born Sept. 21st, 1891. Mr. Baird is a bricklayer by trade, but has been merchandising at Senath for several years. He and J. M. Douglass first opened a business at Senath under the firm name of J. M. Baird & Co., but in eTanuary, 1894, took W. R. Satterfield as a partner, and changed the style of the firm to its present name of Baird, Satterfield & Co.

This firm operates a mill and cotton gin ; buys all kinds of farm produce, and keeps a full and complete line of everything usually kept in a general store.

The post-office is kept in the store of the above mentioned firm, and J. M. Baird is postmaster. Mr. Baird is Democratic in politics and he and Mrs. Baird are both members of Missionary Baptist Church.

Judge T. E. Baldwin, of the firm of T. E. Baldwin & Co., real estate, Kennett, Mo., was born October 23, 1849, in Cape Girardeau, Mo. His parents,

Thomas and Elizabeth Lobdell-Baldvvin, were natives respectively of Virginia and Louisiana. They were, however, early settlers of Scott County, Mo., where they were reared, educated and married. After their marriage they removed to Cape Girardeau, Mo., where they both died in the year 1859. Their son, T. E. Baldwin, came to Dunklin County in 1870, to take charge of a mercantile business at Clarkton for a firm in Cape Girardeau. He remained here one year, and was then elected clerk of the Clarkton Common Pleas and Probate Court ; he was re-elected and held the oflSce until the court was abolished in 1875. In 1877, he was appointed to fill an unexpired term of Circuit and County Clerk; he was elected at the regular election in 1878 to the same office. In 1882 Mr. Baldwin was elected to the office of Probate Judge, and filled this position four years. In 1884 he was also elected

Judge Baldwin was married in 1872 at Clarkton, this county, to Miss Mary Pankey, daughter of Col. D. Y. Pankey, now of Kennett. Mrs. Baldwin is a native of Virginia, but reared and educated in Dunklin County.

Judge Baldwin has always shown great interest in school and church advancement in the county, and is exceptionally well posted in commercial and official affairs ; he has held many public and private trusts and has left a record which none can challenge. He is a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. Lodges, and* he and Mrs. Baldwin are both members of the Presbyterian Church.

William G. Bragg, of the firm of T. E. Baldwin & Co., real estate dealers, Kennett, Mo., was born September 21st, 1852, in Knox County, Tennessee. He is the son of Capt. William G. and Frances Tully- Bragg, natives of Kentucky. The parents came to Kno°x° County about 1827, where the father engaged in merchandising until 1865, wdien he came to Dun klin County, locating at Kennett, and there died in 1888. He was a Republican in politics, and filled the office of Circuit Clerk in this county just after the Civil War, and was also deputy for some years. W. G. Bragg, Jr., came with his parents to this county and received a common school education. He began clerking when quite young, and on reaching manhood began business under the firm title of Tatum & Bragg. He has since been ens^aired in the mercantile business under different firm names. In 1878 he was elected to the position of Clerk and in 1882 re-elected, filling the position for six years. A few years ago Mr. Bragg went to Washington and spent about two years there, but returned to Dunklin County and again located in Kennett, where he is at present in the real estate business. In 1877 he was united in marriage to Kittie Chapman, daughter of Turner and Hulda Mott-Chapman. Mr. and Mrs. Bragg are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Bragg of the Masonic fraternity.

C. D. Bray, son of E. M. and N. M. Owen-Bray, was born January 20, 1874. Mrs. N. M. Owen-Bray is a daughter of Dr. Given Owen, and a native of this State, and now resides on the Bray ** Old Farm," near Campbell. Mr. E. M. Bray was a native of Tennessee, and came to Dunklin County in 1858, and married Miss N. M. Owen in 1867.

Their children were five in number: Rhoda T., Cyrus D., Mary E., Adrian O., and Elija Monro. Mr. Bray died in 1884, and, since his death, Cyrus D., the subject of this sketch, has done much toward the support of the family. He is assistant postmaster and druggist in the well-known McCutchen pharmacy, and is polite, efficient and fast climbing up the ladder of honorable prosperity. He is Democratic in politics, and his parents were members of the Baptist Church, and his father was a Mason. Mr. Bray is the young man whom a couple of burglars coolly tied to his bedpost in the winter of 1894, while they robbed his pockets, the McCutchen safe, etc. He says they were in his room when he awoke; they gave him a whiff of chloroform and told him to keep quiet ; he complied and they were quite polite in their treatment of him, being careful not to wrap the cords painfully tight around his limbs. He soon released himself but the burglars had made good their escape.

Nathaniel Baker and Joe Peltz are two of the pioneers of this county yet living, who have enjoyed many buffalo hunts and elk drives together in what is now Dunklin ('ounty, but which was, when they were lads, an exceedingly fine hunting-ground, actually and truly flowing with wild meat, wild fruit and wild honey. They lived here when swan were so plentiful that they would not waste ammunition killing geese, thinking them too small, when wild cattle, bear, wolves and fur-bearing creatures were as plentiful as is now the rabbit, squirrel and opossum. The geese, ducks, swan, etc., had to be watched out of the corn patches like swarms of blackbirds.

'* Uncle Nathaniel," came to Dunklin County with his father, James Baker, in 1833. They first settled on Buffalo Island, and were the second family to locate there. They removed to Grand Prairie in 1842, and settled on the place where Mr. N. Baker now resides. He soon married a daughter of Hugh Shipley, and their pioneer home is yet preserved almost as first built.

Mr. Peltz came to Dunklin County a little later than Mr. Baker, and there were but about ten white families in the south end of the county when he arrived here. *' Uncle Joe " is yet a great hunter, a staunch Democrat, and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. These pioneers have lived to see the *' Buffalo Wallows " and *' Elk Stamping Grounds " turned into cotton and cornfields; the Indian wigwams replaced by modern buildings; the poky old pack-horse and two-wheeled ox cart outstripped by the " wheeledhorse " and steam engine ; the old-fashioned summer barbecues rounded up into an annual Fair lasting several days. In short, what was 62 years ago, when they first saw it, an Indian hunting-ground, has been given the name of Dunklin County, and peopled by 20,000 busy and progressive Americans.

Kev. J. M. Blaylock was born Oct. 28, 1846, in North Carolina. His parents, Mariet and Martha Swarengin-Blaylock, were natives of North Carolina. They emigrated to East Tennessee on French Broad River in 1859, and in 1865 came to West Tennessee. August 12, 1866, J. M. Blaylock, who had been long a wanderer from his father's house, started home, and on arrival found that his father had died on the same day and about the same hour that he had started for home. February 5, 1867, he was married to Miss M. M. Rowe, a native of Tennessee. Six children have been born to this union, the eldest dying in infancy; the others are, W.M., Mettie L., Mittie Bell, John M., and L. C. Rev. Blaylock says he was converted on a Methodist camp-ground at Manley Chapel, under the preaching of Rev. John Peoples, in 1869, united with the Missionary Baptist Church at Bear Creek, Carroll County, Tennessee. Was ordained a deacon shortly after, and was ordained to the ministry by Union Hill Church in 1884.

In the same year he came to Dunklin County and located near Valley Ridge. The first year he was pastor of Old Four Mile Baptist Church, doing missionary work the third year, and before and since that time he has been pastor of a number of churches. In 1889 he removed to Caruth, this county, but now resides near Shady Grove, one of the churches of which he pastorates. He is recognized as a forcible and impressive speaker.

Maj. Henry H. Bedford, attorney at law, Bloomfield, Mo., was born November 27, 1823, in Jackson County, Tenn. He is the son of J. M. and Elizabeth Hale-Bedford, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee respectively. The father was born in 1799. The son, H. H., is a citizen of Stoddard and not of Dunklin County, Mo., but has been identified with both counties for over half a century. He attended the first Circuit Court ever held in Dunklin County, and has attended every other regular term held in this county but three. No other personnge is so constantly seen in the courts of this county as Maj. H. H. Bedford. He was one of its first attorneys and came all the way from Bloomfield, Stoddard County, to Hornersville, Dunklin County, on horseback for his first wife, whom he married in 1847, and who was a daughter of Frank Lee, one of the very earliest pioneers of this county. After her death he was again married in 1852 to Mrs. Minerva Handy. The children of this marriage living are: Orlando, Ida V., Ethel, Arthur C, and May. In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Hale's Company of Cavalry, and when the regiment was organized at Belmont he was elected major, in which capacity he served for about a year, when he was taken ill with pneumonia ; his regiment returning home he never again resumed command. He participated in several hard skirmishes during his service and bore himself like a brave and gallant soldier. In 1857 and 1858 he represented Stoddard County in the Legislature,and for fifty years has been prominently connected with the public affairs of that county and Dunklin.

He is a largre landholder in both counties and knows as much, perhaps more, of the early history of these two counties than any other man living. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is held in high regard by legal and official circles in Dunklin County.

D. T. Boyd, M. D., of Campbell, was born in Collin County, Texas, March 5, 1870. Attended school at McKinney, Texas, two years, and afterward at Farmerville, Texas. Taught in the public schools of that State for a while, but commenced the study of medicine in the spring of 1890. Entered the medical college at Nashville, Tenn., in the fall of 1890, and graduated from the University of Nashville and Vanderbilt University in the spring of 1892. He came to Dunklin County in March of the same year and located at Campbell, and is now the leading young physician of that place. Married Miss Lula Taylor of Bonham, Texas, in August, 1893. Was made a Mason in

T. C. BuFORD, merchant. Maiden, Missouri, was born in Oford, Mississippi. He is the son of H. A. and S. L. Gill-Buford. His father was a native of Murray County, Tennessee, and his mother of Rock Hill, South Carolina. They emigrated to Mississippi, and here their third son, T. C, was reared and educated. He is well educated and follows the profession of bookkeeper. He came to Dunklin County in May, 1895, and is now the proprietor of the Buforcl establishment, in Maiden, on the corner of Main and Madison streets. He has a new and well-selected line of oreneral merchandise and is doing a thriving business. He is a young man of intelligence and noted for his liberality, and is always ready to help along any enterprise to forward the progress of his adopted county.

Van H. Bond, M. D., Ph. G., of Cotton Plant, was born in Shelby County, Tenn. (near Memphis), December 8th, 1869. His parents, R. T. and Bettie P. Bond, were born and educated in West Tennessee, and are now residing near Union City. They removed to Obine County in 1870, in which county Van H. Bond, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools until November 2, 1888, when he came to Clarkton, Dunklin County, and commenced the study of pharmacy with his uncle, Dr. V. H. Harrison, afterward taking two courses of lectures in the National Institute of Pharmacy, from which he received the degree of Ph. G., standing first in his class. He then commenced the study of medicine with the same preceptors, and in the fall of 1890, entered the ** Missouri Medical College," at St. Louis, Mo., taking three regular courses of lectures, and receivins: the deojree of M. D., the 27th of March, 1893. He then returned to his present place of residence, where he has, by close attention to professional duties, not having refused to answer a single call for two years, built up a large and fairly lucrative practice.

Key. J. L. Batten, pastor in charge of the Methodist Church, Kennett, Mo., is the son of John and Emily Rogers-Batten, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. The elder Mr. Batten had delicate health and he and his wife traveled considerable, and their son, J. L., the subject of this sketch, was born in Pike County, Mo., November 30, 1848. He grew to manhood and was educated in the common schools of Tennessee, and was married on October 31, 1867, to Mary J. Nicholas, a native of Hickman County, Kentucky. They have one child, Grace, born June 7, 1883. On reaching years of maturity Rev. Batten united with the M. E. C. S., and traveled one year as a <* supply," when he joined the St. Louis Conference,

October 9, 1876. Clarkton Circuit, Dunklin County, was the first circuit to wiiich he was sent. This circuit then embraced the north half of Dunklin and south part of Stoddard County, Mo., and had fourteen appointments, to which he gave one sermon each month and often more. He was made presiding elder of Poplar Bluff District in 1885. He served this district

He was stationed at Maiden and Kennett in 1894, and at Kennett in 1895. In fact for seven years of his ministerial life he has been connected with the pastorate in this county and has been well known here for twenty years.

Perhaps no minister now belonorinoj to the St. Louis Conference, or Poplar Bluff District, has done so much to advance the cause of Christianity in Dunklin

County as has Rev. J. L. Batten. To say tbat the M. E. C. S. in this county recognizes hira as one of its most powerful and eloquent ministers, that he is well-beloved by its members and highly esteemed by all, is but voicing public sentiment.

J. B. Blakemore, Circuit Clerk of Dunklin County, was born March 1, 1857. He is a native of Tennessee, and his parents, James H. and Mary E. Adams-Blakemore, were also natives of that State.

The subject of this sketch married Miss Belle Valentine of McKinsey, Tennessee, in November, 1882. She died January, 1885, leaving one son, James Willie. Mr. Blakemore came to Dunklin County in 1886, and in November, 1887, married Miss Alice Hughes of Halcomb, this county, also a native of Tennessee. In 1888 he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as Circuit Clerk, and elected to that office in 18^0; and re-elected in 1894 by the largest majority of any candidate in the county having an opponent. He is Democratic in politics.

Rev. S. C. BiFFLE, late pastor of Grand Prairie Circuit, M. E. C. S., in Dunklin County, was born December 24, 1848, in Wayne County, Tennessee. His parents, Johnson L. and Mary Ann Hill-Biffle, were born and reared in Tennessee, but removed to Missouri, locating in Bollinger County, when the subject of this sketch was but eight years of ago. Here he grew to manhood, working on a farm and attending the country schools a few weeks each winter. When a voung man he also attended the Bellview Collegiate Institute a part of two years, and followed teaching for three years. In 1866 he united with the M. E. C. S. and was licensed to preach by the Fourth Quarterly Conference of the Marble Hill Circuit in 1873. In 1874, he was employed by D. J. Marquis, Presiding: Elder of the Charleston District, to take charge of the Gayoso Circuit, Pemiscot County, Missouri.

October 15, 1874, he was admitted on trial in the St. Louis Conference, M. E. C. S., and was appointed to the Houston Circuit. Two years later he was received into full connection and has tilled the following pastoral charges: Greenville Circuit, 1875 to 1878 ; Oak Ridge Circuit, 1878 to 1879 ; Poplar Bluff Circuit, 1879 to 1880; Marquand Circuit, 1880 to 1881; Houston Circuit, 1881 to 1883 ; Farmington Circuit, 1883 to 1887;

His labors as a minister have resulted in good to a great many ; during his pastorate in Dunkhn County more than three hundred persons were added to the Methodist Church. He was a prominent factor in the successful religious movement that has been going on in the south end of Dunklin County for the past three years.

November 3, 1874, Rev. Biffle was united in marriage to Miss Annie Allbright of Madison County, Mo., who has since this time shared the toils, trials and joys of an itinerant's life. To this union have been born three children, Atticus L., Mary C. and Sebastian C.

Joseph I. Caneer, merchant at Senath, Missouri, was born February 13, 1859, in Gibson County, Tennessee. His parents, W. T. and Sarah Karns-Caneer, were both natives of Tennessee. Their son, Joseph I., grew to manhood in his native State, receiving a fair education in the common schools of the same. He came to Dunklin County and located at Senath, July 4, 1886, opening a general mercantile business in September following. He started in business alone and with but little means, and from this has gained an extensive business and trade. He keeps a wellchosen, new and complete line of general merchandise. July 19, 1894, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Willie Buie. They have one son, whom they call Melvin. Mr. Caneer is Republican in politics and is a first-class all-round business man.

Edgar Prewitt Caruthers, editor of the '' Dunklin Democrat," the leading paper of Dunklin County, was born in Cook Settlement, St. Francois County, Missouri, October 27, 1854. His father was Solomon D. Caruthers, for many years County Clerk and Pro- bate Judge of Madison County. His mother was Mary Jane Harris, daughter of S. P. Harris, an early Southeast settler. The subject of this sketch entered a printing office, that of the *' Fredericktown Conservative," and there commenced his trade in 1865. He later published the " Bee " at the same place, and was for a time Enrolling Clerk of the State Senate ; six years Clerk in the State Auditor's Office, then official reporter of the House, and served one year on the reportorial staff of the '' St. Louis Republican." Afterward for eiglit years he was editor and publisher of the ** Index," a Democratic paper at Medicine Lodge, Kansas; and for the next two years was in the book and job printing business at Carthage, Mo.

In May 24, 1893, he came to Kennett and began editing the *' Dunklin Democrat," since which time that paper has steadily grown in favor, and now has the largest circulation of any paper in Southeast Missouri. Mr. Caruthers has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Fleming of Madison County. She became the mother of his four living children, and died at Carthage, Mo., November 15, 1891. He was again married on January 25, 1894, to his present wife. Miss Minnie L. Chandler, of Kennett, Mo., a daughter of Thomas Chandler of this county.

Mr. Caruthers is a member of the Masonic fraternity, president of the Southeast Missouri Press Association, a member of the State Association, and is a man who makes and retains many friends.

William M. Cates, merchant at Cotton Plant, Mo., was born June 26, 1849, in Orange County, North Carolina. His parents were Nancy A, and John William Cates, natives of the above mentioned State. Mr. Cates emigrated to Tennessee and there married Eliza A. Short, February 26, 1870, Rev. David Haliburton, a Baptist wiuister of Gibsoq County, officiate ing. They came to Dunklin County in 1878, going to Texas shortly after ; there they remained two years, when they returned to Dunklin County, where they have since remained. (See Photo., p. 195.)

They have had born to them four children, Amanda Melvine, John William, Lena R., all of whom died in infancy; their only living child, Ella F., is a bright young girl of fifteen summers, well calculated to honor and make her parents happy in their old age. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cates are members of the Baptist Church and of the Rebekah Degree of I. O. O. F.

Mr. Cates has devoted most of his time to farming and stock-raising, but went in the mercantile business at Cotton Plant in 1893. He is a careful and discreet business man and carries a full and complete line of general merchandise. He is a Democrat in politics.

Riley Clarkston came to Dunklin County in 1834, with his father, Wiley Clarkston, and this was the third ftimily to settle on Horse Island. When he came here there was nothing representing a church, house, school, post-office or physician in the bounds of the county. He was a lad nearly grown when he first heard a sermon preached, and the old Liberty church was the first one he ever visited, in the later forties or early fifties. He used to go to Gainesville, Arkansas, for a physician for the family, even in the night if it were necessary, crossing in a canoe himself but swimming his horse through St. Francois River at Bowlen's Ferry. He says he has helped to kill as many as sixteen bui^alo from one herd on Buffalo

Island and that these husje animals were so tall that '* He could ride clear under a limb on which a buffalo would hang his hair," and that in those days he killed from fifty to seventy-five bear each season before Christmas. They baconed the bears, dried their venison hams, and strained their wild honey and always had plenty to divide liberally with a new neighbor. Mrs. Clarkston says she has many times pounded their bread and coffee in a mortar in the way she learned from an Indian squaw before there was any horse mills and when they could not afford a steel hand mill. Mr. and Mrs. Clarkston reside near Senath on Horse Island, are fairly strong and healthy for their age, and are true pioneers of Dunklin County.

Wiley N. Cole, born September 22d, 1854, is a native of Carroll County, Tenn. His parents, John and Mary A. Bivins-Cole were also natives of Tennessee.

W. N. Cole, the subject of this sketch, married Mollie Woody in 1874, who died in the same year. In 1875 he married Elizabeth Ballard. By this marriage he has one son, Kichard E., who is a young man about twenty years of age. Mr. Cole came to this county in 1877, and married his present wife. Miss Margaret Clifford, in 1878. The children of this marriage are Lula B., Hettie M., Sir Wallace, John Palmer and Pearl ; they also have two little boys dead. Farming is his principal occupation, and he owns 160 acres of good land near Hornersville, although he holds the tenth edition of a master's and pilot's cer- tificate for a steamer of one hundred and twenty-five ton capacity to run on St. Francois and its tributaries. He has also run on the Mississippi river as clerk of the G. M. Sivley, a boat of about 130 tons.

Steamboating is no doubt his best loved profession, and he is exceedingly well acquainted with both St. Francois and Little Rivers. Mr. Cole is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Democratic in politics. Mrs. Cole and daughter, Miss Lula, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Dr. Ralph Guild Cook was born August 1, 1837, in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., and was the son of Nathaniel and Mary Clark-Cook. He came to Dunklin County and located at Hornersville in 1865, but soon after removed to Cotton Plant where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and was as good a physician as any in the county. For many years prior to his death, which occurred February 5, 1882, he had an extensive practice. August 8, 1866, he married Miss M. K. Wagster, daughter of Critenden and Kiddy Jones- Wagster, who came to Dunklin County about 1850. The children of Dr. and Mrs. Cook are Arvellah and Amasso S., deceased, Thomas J., Mary Kiddy, Zellah, Mrs. John Night, Ralph Vaumeter and Guild Davis. Dr. Cook was a zealous worker in the Christian Church, of which he was a member, and he was equally zealous in advocating the teachings of Odd Fellowship, and his presence in the lodge room always insured an interestino^ and entertaining meetino^.

He helped to organize the Rebekah Degree, the degree for ladies, of the I. O. O. F., at Cotton Plant, and named the lodge in honor of his daughter, Arvellah. He was as enthusiastic in the ladies', as in the gentleman's degrees, of sanguine temperament, and jolly as a boy up to the time of his death. This county has had few better men or citizens. Mrs. Cook is also a member of the Christian Church, and of Arvellah Lodge No. 36, Daughters of Rebekah, Cotton Plant, Mo. She has since the death of Dr. Cook resided on her home at Cotton Plant, which Dr. Cook left to his family. It is one of the most beautiful homes in the county, surrounded by a fine grove of forest trees. Mrs. Cook owns Old Hickabod, the famous white stork of Dunklin County.

The bird was captured by Alf. Hector, on Big Lake, Arkansas, io 1861. The tip of one wing being sliot off, Mr. Hector gave the bird to Dr. Linamood, and shortly before his death. Dr. Linamood gave him to Dr. Cook. He is a tall white stork, and must be very old. Because of his age and associations, Mrs. Cook and family are very proud of Old Hickabod.

John B. Cook, of the lirm of N. N. Rice & Co., Kennett, Mo., was born March 5, 1858, in Murray County, Tennessee. He is the son of Robert J. and Celia Beakey-Cook, natives of that State. In January, 1860, he came to Dunklin County, and located on Horse Island when that island was very sparsely settled.

of Horse Island - and Christopher Columbus, born July 25, 1879. Mr. Cook has been a farmer up to February, 1895, when he went in business with his brother-in-law in the above mentioned firm. He owns about two hundred acres of good land near Senath, about ninety of which are in a good state of improvement, with good farm buildings, orchard, etc. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he, wife, and son are members of the Missionary Baptist Church; his daughter having joined the M. E. C. S. with her husband.

D. R. Cox, attorney at law. Maiden, Mo., was born in Marshall County, Tennessee, August 7, 1852. His father, Moses Cox, was a native of North Carolina, but emigrated to Tennessee, where he married Miss Sarah McWherter, a native of that State. During the civil war Mr. Cox, Sr., was an officer in the Confederate army under Col. Lon Freeman for the entire period of four years.

D. R. Cox, the subject of this sketch, came to Dunklin County, January 3, 1868. He was just sixteen years of age at that time, and the meager educational facilities of the county was a great disadvantage, but he managed to obtain a fair common school education. In 1870 he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of this county by J. H. Barrett. Before he reached his majority his friends advised him to make the race for Constable of Cotton Hill Township, disregarding his age. He became a candidate and was successful. In 1874 he engaged in the mercantile business, but in 1876 moved to Johnson County, Texas. While there he worked in the oflSce of the Sheriff of that county, remaining until 1880, when he returned to Dunklin County, and again engaged in the mercantile business, this time as a salesman for Levi & Plant and J. S. Levi & Co. of Maiden. While sellinof oroods he commenced the study of law, and in 1887 was admitted to the bar by Hon. John G. Wear, judge of this, the 23d Judicial Circuit of Missouri. Since that time he has enjoyed a splendid law practice and been quite successful. In April, 1891, Mr. Cox was elected Mayor, of the city of Maiden, and re-elected to the same office in 1893. Has been Notary Public since 1884. In 1874 he married Miss Fannie L. Sarver, of Clay County, Arkansas. To this union have been born Robt. A., now a young man just graduated from the Searcy Military College of Arkansas; Mattie M., in the graduating class for 1896, of the Galloway Female

College; George Leslie, Jessie G., Ollie and Inez. Mrs. Cox is one of the leading members of the M. E. C. S. of Maiden, and the family are all of that faith. Mr. Cox is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and was Worshipful Master of the Maiden Lodge in 1884. He is a real Dunklin County Democrat, always supporting the ticket, and is wont to say ** there is not a black sheep in the family '' of a large number of relatives on both his mother's and father's side. This of course means there is not a Republican in his family. He is, however, liberal-minded, and counts many Republicans among his host of friends.

IsHAM F. DoNALSON was bom August 31, 1847, in Gibson County, Tennessee. He is the son of Judge and Judith Davis-Donalson, natives of Wilson County, Tennessee, but pioneers of Dunklin County, coming here in 1855. The father was a well-known and highly respected citizen and died in this county in 1882, the mother died in 1888. I. F. Donalson grew to manhood in Dunklin County and received the principal part of his education at home and since coming to the years of maturity.

Mr. Donalson has a long and praiseworthy record in public and official affairs in the county, and few men are known better or have more friends than I. F. Donalson of Kennett. From the beginning of Maiden until 1882, he was a clerk in a general store in that town. In November, 1882, he was elected to the office of Sheriff and Collector of Dunklin County ; he was re-elected to the same office in 1884, and perhaps no man ever served in such a capacity with more general satisfaction than did he. In April, 1885, he married Miss Penola Eayburn, daughter of Maj. W. C. Rayburn, and a native of this county, where she was reared and educated. From 1887 until a very recent date Mr. Donalson did a general mercantile is the son of Asa B. and Fannie M. (Barksdale) Douglass, natives of South Carolina and Tennessee. The parents removed to Missouri in 1856, and in 1863 the father went to Texas, where he died in 1864. The mother died in Dunklin County, Missouri, in 1861. The son, Asa B. Douglass, grew to manhood in his native State and received an excellent education in the higher English branches, mathematics and surveying, and has taught in the schools of Dunklin County. He was for some years a clerk in a dry goods store in Clarkton. About 1861 he purchased his present home near that town. June 15, 1859, he was married to Mary H. Marshall, daughter of Bennett and Mary Marshall, pioneers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Douglass are the parents of the following children: Fannie (Westfall), Ella (Gwin;, Benjamin H., John A., Walter E., Rosa Lee., Kittie Pearl, Asa B., Earl H., Norwell A. and Harry M., also Mary D., wife of W. Y. Taylor, who is deceased. In 1884, Mr. Douglass was elected to the office of county surveyor, which position he is still holding. He is Democratic in politics, is well posted in the affairs of the county and is by all who know him considered a most estimable gentleman.

He and Mrs. Douglass are members of the M. E. C. S. and their home near Clarkton is an exceptionally nice one, with a good residence, fine orchard, etc.

Elizabeth Mott-Douglass was born June 12th, 1821, in Jessamine County, Kentucky. In early childhood her parents, James and Hetty Mott, removed to Moscow, Ky., and here the subject of this sketch was married to Alex. T. Douglass in 1837. They removed to Montgomery County, Tenn., but in 1839 returned to Kentucky. In 1850 they emigrated to Dunklin County, where Mr. DougUiss died May 8th, 1876. His life in this county was one of usefulness.

he was always interested in public affairs, fearless in advocating what he believed to be right and condemning wrong. He united with the Missionary Baptist Church at Shady Grove in 1869, and was baptized by Elder Jas. H. Floyd. Just after the Civil War, when Democrats could not vote, he was appointed judge of the County Court of this county, but would not take the oath then required, and returned his commission to the Governor. A. T. Douo-lass was born in 1811 in

Mrs. Elizabeth Douglass is about seventy-four years of age and has spent forty-five years of her life in this county. She is hale and hearty and retains all her faculties. She came to this county at a time when log cabins, with puncheon floors and cypress bark ceilings were in common use, but be it said that the hardships of pioneer life never detracted from her refined and progressive nature. In the early fifties she was baptized by one of the pioneer preachers, Elder Sander Walker, uniting with the Missionary Baptist Church, and has since been a faithful member of same. The honest, industrious and progressive lives of herself and deceased husband should be a precious heritage to their descendants. "Grandma Douglass," as she is affectionately called, is the oldest living member of one of the oldest, most intelligent and progressive families of Dunklin County, consisting of herself, seven children, twenty-four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Her children are, respectively. Rev. Robt. H., Hettie F. (Mrs. Satterfield), Judge James M., All W., Jennie (Mrs. Lawson), Huldah and Lucy (Mrs. J. M. Baird).

Miss Hulda has never married and resides with her mother at Sennath, Mo. She is notary public, assistant postmistress and an acknowledged leader in Sunday-school, church and social functions in her neighborhood. She was educated in the schools of this county and the normal school at Cape Girardeau, Mo. Perhaps she has done as much as any other

R. S. Douglass was born in Dunklin County, Mo., November 12, 1871, and is the son of Rev. R. H. and Mary E. Douglass, natives of Tennessee and Indiana respectively. R. S. Douglass' education was begun in the public schools of the county. In 1893 he graduated from the State Normal School at Cape Girardeau, Mo. He led his class, thereby proving that Dunklin County's young people are not to be left behind. Since his graduation Mr. Douglass has been almost constantly employed in some capacity as teacher. Two years he has been assistant in the *' Teachers' Institute" of this county and is now vice-president of the Teachers' Association. He is one of the many young teachers who have been born and reared in Dunklin County, of whom it is especially proud. In 1895 he was united in marriage with Ottilie Josephine Gase, a native of New Haven, Franklin County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Douglass are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a Democrat in politics.

Rev. RoBT. H. Douglass was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., February 7, 1839. He is the son of A. T. and Elizabeth Mott-Douglass, and was but ten years of age when became with his parents to Dunklin County, Mo., since which time he Jias spent most of his life in this county. He received only a common school education and is mainly self-educated. He is a deep thinker and a close student even yet. In

1858 he married Miss Rebecca J. Wagster, a native of Tennessee. To this marriage was born three children, Thomas J., of Caruth, this county, and two others who died in infancy. In 1861 he enlisted in the Second Missouri Cavalry (Confederate States army), under Col. Robt. McCullough, until the close of the war.

After his term expired he, however, re-enlisted in the Second Missouri Cavalry in Col. Kitchen's regiment and participated in a number of engagements, the most important being Corinth and Price's Raid through Missouri and Arkansas.

In August, 1866, he married his present wife, Mrs. Mary E. Richerson, who was the daughter of Rudolphus Lamb, one of the early settlers of New Madrid County.

The children of this marriage were Robert S. and Mary E. The latter, known as Miss Mamie, died September 7, 1894, at the home of her parents at Caruth. She was very lovable, an earnest scholar and one of this county's most promising young teachers.

Rev. Douglass has been principally engaged in agricultural pursuits, until since his ordination as a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, in September, 1881, since which time he has devoted much time to the ministry. He is the most constant and powerful advocate of Baptist doctrines in the county and is looked upon by all, even those who differ with him in opinions, as a forcible and eloquent speaker and a gentleman worthy of high regard.

is well known all over Dunklin County, having resided near his present place of residence nearly all the time since his parents located there in 1850.

Mrs. Douglass is a member of the Baptist Church and has been for two years postmistress at Caruth. She is a lady of much culture and refinement.

Judge James M. Douglass, of the firm of Baird, Satterfield & Co., Senath, Missouri, was born October 27, 1847, in Fulton County, Kentucky. He is the son of A. T. and Elizabeth Douglass and was but three years of age when he came to Dunklin County. In spite of the fact that his early educational advantages were limited to the common schools, he was for a time a successful teacher and has an extensive record in public life. In 1877 he was elected to fill an unexpired term as assessor of this county and re-elected by a large majority to the same office. In 1884 he was elected judge of his district and unanimously reelected,not having any opposing candidate. December 25, 1881, he was united in marriage to Miss Belle, a daughter of lawyer W. G. Phelan of Stoddard County, Missouri. The children of this marriage are Thos G. R. Moses, deceased, Minnie Francis, Allie Manning, and Margaret Elizabeth.

James Mott-Douglass has resided at Senath on Horse Island for fourteen years, put up the first mill and cotton gin at that place, and was the prime mover in getting the mail route to Senath, and has always took great interest in the schools and other public affairs of his neighborhood.

Mr. Douglass owns quite an extensive estate of 600 or 800 acres and has devoted much of his life to farming and stock-raising, but has for several years been in the mercantile business at Senath. He is Democratic in politics and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

George T. Dunmire was born April 12, 1837, in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, removed to Kentucky in 1866, and there married Miss Viana M. Phillips, daughter of John H. Phillips, on September 22, 1868. Their son, John H., was born June 27, 1869, in Clinton County, Kentucky. They also lost one son, David H. , in infancy. Their daughter. Miss Hattie, was born in Dunklin County, Missouri, in 1879. (See photo, p. 195.)

John H. Dunmire, now traveling for Schuh Drug Company, Cairo, Illinois, was married to Miss Fannie Sturges of Kennett, January 11, 1892. They have two children, Clara B., and Marian Irene. Mr. and Mrs. John H. Dunmire are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. and Mrs. George T. Dunmire of the M. E. C. S. Both gentlemen are Republican in politics and highly-respected citizens.

W. B. Finney, M. D., of Kennett, Mo., was born January 1, 1858. His parents, James M. and Mary A. Smith-Finney, were natives of Illinois, and Mr. Finney was for several years Sheriff of Johnson County, Illinois,

Dr. Finney, the subject of this sketch, received his literary education in the common school and Ewing College, of Franklin County, Illinois. March 10, 1890, he graduated from the Physicians and Surgeons College, St. Louis, Mo. August 2, 1885, he married Miss Martha E. Clippard, of Cape County, Mo., but resided and practiced medicine at Laflin, Mo.,

Mrs. Finney is a member of the M. E. C. S. Dr. Finney is a Democrat in politics and a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities. Their children are: Willie Ozro, Ernest Green, Hubert Clippard, Earl G. and Mary Eula.

when there were but ten white families in the south end of Dunklin County. He married Miss Margarett McDaniel, who bore him four children. Mrs. Finley and three of the children died with small-pox about the close of the Civil War. The other child had died prior to this time. In 1866 Mr. Finley married Miss Julian Hite, a native of Tennessee. David Edwin and

Ellen J. are the children of this marriatre. Miss Ellen is a pretty girl about sixteen years of age. Mr. *' Edd " Finley lives on the old home place near Cotton Plant, where his father first settled at a time when he could kill elk, buffalo and other large game within a mile of his house. Mr. Finley was a close friend of Judge Edwin J. Langdon, in honor of whom he called his son, who married Miss Mary E. Nelson on December 20, 1885; their children are Cordelia eT., David M., and Martha J. *' Uncle " Dave Finley was a member of the Masonic fraternity and lived just 50

J. Q. A. Gardner, merchant at Campbell, Mo., was born in 1828, at Selma, Ala. His father, John Gardner, was born in 1802, and was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Alabama at an early day, where he married Lucy Melton in 1827. J. Q. A., the subject of this sketch, removed with his family to Anna, 111., in 1863, and came to Dunklin County, Mo., in 1870. He resided on a farm near Four Mile, until seven years ago, when he went into the mercantile business at Campbell, where he keeps a complete and nicely selected stock. In 1848 he married Mariah E. Bobo, a native of South Carolina, and of French parentage. Their children are : Alice, Hiram A., America and Willie L., deceased, and W. Scott.

Mr. Gardner has owned several nice tracts of land, some of which he has given to his children. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife are members of the M. E. C. S. A staunch Kepublican in politics, he has voted for every Republican President but Garfield, and was then away from home on election day.

His son, Hiram A., is a prominent farmer and stock dealer at Campbell. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., has been deputy grand master of his district, and is held in high regard by that order all over Dunklin County.

Deputy Collector under a Democrat in a county which has a large Democratic majority. He resides in Maiden, Mo., and was for several years a member of the firm of Gregory & Gardner. Is a member of the Kepublican Central Committee, and of the I. O. O. F. Comparatively few men are better known or held in higher esteem by the people of Dunklin County than are the gentlemen of the Gardner family.

Rev. M. Taylor Grigory was born September 18, 1849, near Kennett, Dunklin County, Missouri. His father, Rev. Jas. K. Grigory, was born October 29, 1810, and was a native of Georgia, but emigrated to Bond County, Illinois, where at the age of twentythree he married Sarah A. Ellegood, a native of that State.

Rev. Grigory, Sr., did not enjoy good health in Illinois and decided to move to Southeast Missouri. His neighbors assisted him to pack his wagons and he started with wife and four little girls, in the oldfashioned way on a long overland journey.

He stopped on Castor River, near Bloomfield, Missouri, for two years, but was not altogether satisfied with that county and came on to Dunklin County in 1845.

He had not regained his health and his family were nearly in destitute circumstances ; and on his arrival in this county were taken in by Mr. Shipley, where they remained through the winter following. His new-found friends advised him to trade some of bis horses and wagons for 220 acres of land; this he

James R. Grigory united with the Methodist Church when a young man, and on coming to Dunklin County was soon appointed class leader and afterward licensed to preach. He was about the second local Methodist preacher in this county and was also preacher in charge for several years of the Grand Prairie Circuit, which was then a very extensive field. He often rode forty miles in a day and preached three times, in order to fill all his appointments. He is also said to have delivered the first sermon ever preached on Big Lake Island, Arkansas. He served six months in the Black Hawk War, and on the breaking out of the Civil War his sympathies were with the South. At its close he had some trouble about holding his preacher's license but the division of the churches ended his difficulty and he continued to preach as a minister of the M. E. C. S.

His son, Rev. M. Taylor Grigory, was reared on the old Grigory farm and educated in the common schools of Dunklin County, and at the age of twenty-one began teaching, and at twenty-three was married to Miss Jane Roach, a native of Tennessee. At the age of thirty-five he united with the M. E. C. S. and was licensed to preach one year later. He was preacher in charge of Kennett Circuit in 1888, and has done much other pastorate work. Shortly after his marriage he bought land near Kennett, where be lived for years, when he removed to Joiiesborough, Arkansas, in order to give his two children, Loula and Eva, the benefit of a town school. However, he did not have good health in Arkansas, so he returned to Dunklin, where, in forty days, he had gained in flesh about as many pounds. He again engaged in farming in summer, and teaching during the fall and winter months. He continues to farm and devotes some time to the ministry.

Rev. Grigory is Democratic in politics and the family are all members of the Methodist Church. He is well and favorably known all over the county.

J. H. Harkey, present judge of the Second District, is the son of Daniel D. and Mary A. Bankston- Harkey, and was born October 27, 1843, in Pike County, Georgia. Daniel D. was a native of North Carolina and Mrs. Harkey of Georgia. They came to this county in 1853 and located on Grand Prairie, where they resided until their death. They were both charter members of the old Harkey's chapel class of the M. E. C. S., helped to build the first house by that name, and were always among the church's most consistent and powerful workers. Judge J. H. Harkey holds the only office he has ever asked for at the hands of the county. He is Democratic in politics and quite influential in his neighborhood. He joined the Masonic order at Hornersville in 1872, and is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and has passed through nearly all of the chairs of both lodges. He was joined in marriage to Miss Francis Ham on April 2, 1863. Mrs. Harkey

Her maternal grandfather was of Iiish descent and quite a noted man. He surveyed the Western District and was a Captain on the American side in the Revolutionary War.

Judge and Mrs. Harkey have no children of their own, but have raised a number of orphans; among them are R. M. Reeves, Annie Dyerhouse, Frazier Dickson, Ralph and Rosie Harkey, and they now have little Bertie Secreese. Judge Harkey has been Sunday-school superintendent at Harkey Chapel for four years and both he and Mrs. Harkey are members of the M. E. C. S.

WiLBUKN D. Harkey, of Nesbit, was born March 20, 1837, in Pike County, Georgia. He is the son of Daniel and Mary A. Bankston-Harkey, pioneers who came to Dunklin County in 1851, at which time their son, the subject of this sketch, was just fourteen years of age.

He attained his growth in this county and in 1858 was married to Margaret McEacher. In 1862 Mr. Harkey enlisted in the Confederate Army, Second Missouri Cavalry, under Col. McCuUough. At the expiration of twelve months, for which time he had enlisted he went into Col. Kitchen's regiment, with whom he remained until the close of the war, surrendering at Wittsburg, Ark. He was in the battles of luka and Corinth and in a great many skirmishes.

O., A. Jasper, William L., Edward L., Thomas F. and Bascom S. Two of these are married, Wilburn O. to Callie Grogan, and William L. to Anna Bowers.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Harkey are among the oldest members of the Old Harkey's Chapel M. E. C. S. and have always been consistent and powerful workers.

They settled on their present farm in 1867. It is one of the best improved farms around Nesbit, with nice orchard, good residence, barns, etc. Mr. Harkey is a member of the Masonic order and a Democrat in politics.

Ben. F. Hicks, stock and grain dealer, Halcomb, Mo., was born Ai)ril 23, 1849, and is the son of John and Nancy Langford-Hicks, natives of Middle Tennessee. The parents, however, removed to Henry County, West Tennessee, in 1851, where the father was magistrate for eighteen continuous years, and also held the office of County Trustee.

Benjamin F. Hicks grew to manhood in Henry County, near Paris, Tennessee, and was educated in the Sulphur Well Academy. In 1870 he went to the Pacific Coast, and for four years was a resident of California and Nevada. In 1874 he returned home, and November 2d of the same year, was married to Miss E. Tennie Williams, a native of Tennessee. April, 1876, she died, leaving one child, George A.

October 30, 1877, Mr. Hicks took for a second companion. Miss Ida E. Blakemorc, also a native of Tennessee. She was reared near Paris, educated in the common schools of her native State, and the

Murry Institute, in Miirry, Kentucky, and is a daughter of William S. and Isabella Williams-BIakemore. The father was for several years sheriff of Henry County, Tenn. She has three brothers in this county, all of whom own nice homes near Halcomb, and is also a relative of J. B. Blakemore, circuit clerk of Dunklin County. Mrs. Hicks is a member of the M.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hicks are Hattie B., Taylor P., Clinton C, and Blanch A. Mr. Hicks came to Dunklin County in 1880, and located at Halcomb Island, which was then in a very primitive condition. He bought land, built a modest residence just in front of the " Lone Pine Tree," and it is said that his is the best improved and most conveniently fenced farm in Dunklin County. He is a large dealer in grain and stock and a man of good information, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Christian Church. Both he and Mrs. Hicks are broadminded Christian workers and liberal givers to all the church denominations.

J. HiRSCH, proprietor of the New York Store, Kennett, Mo., is the youngest merchant in Kennett. He is only about twenty-five years of age, was born in Germany and has been in America but seven years. Five years of this time he resided in New York City and he has been two years in Kennett. In May, 1895, he married Miss Fannie Kaufman, sister to the members of the firm of Kaufman Bros., Cairo, 111. The New York Store is situated in the Tatum Block and is conducted on the Eastern city style, being confined strictly to dry goods, clothing, ladies' and gents' furnishing goods, etc., and making a specialty of fine millinery. In order to have the latest styles and ideas in trimming Mr. and Mrs. Hirsch have an Eastern trimmer fresh from the shop each season. The New York Store has been exceptionally successful and is introducing regularly the latest styles and novelties in every line carried. (See photo, p. 195.)

E. G. Henderson, editor '* Dunklin County Regis ter," was born in Catoosa County, Georgia, but when very young moved to Arkansas and was reared at Batesville, Independence County. In 1869-70 he learned the printer's trade in Little Rock, Ark., and in 1872 moved to Eveniof^ Shade, Sbarpe County, where he worked at his trade alternately with other employment for twenty-two years. During eleven years of this time he was owner and editor of the

" Sharp County Eecord," making that paper one of the most prominent and popular journals in North Arkansas. In 1895, Mr. Henderson disposed of the Record plant and in October of the same year estab lished the " Dunklin County Eegister " at Maiden, Mo.

This paper is fast gaining favor with the people of this county, now having a circulation of over 650. Mr. Henderson is a Democrat in politics and, of course, advocates these principles in his paper.

Though he has not been long in this county. Maiden's people believe they have gained an able editor in E. G. Henderson. He is a member of the M. E. C. S. and of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities.

Charles O. Hoffman, Judge of the Probate Court, Dunklin County, was born May 30, 1846; is a native of Virginia; was reared in Richmond, Va., and Atlanta, Ga. He came to Dunklin County, Mo., and located near Clarkton in the early seventies. In January, 1874, he married Emma Ashcraft, daughter of Casswell Ashcraft, formerly of Clarkton and a pioneer of this county.

To this union were born four children, Delia (now a young lady and a general favorite with the young people of Kennett), Homer, Lillian and Tom.

The mother of these children died in 1884, and in about four years Judge Hoffman married Mrs. Bird, by whom he is the father of two children. Bee and Virginia.

Judge Hoffman has held the office of Probate Judge since 1886, being elected in that year, and re-elected in 1890 and in 1894; his term will expire in 1898, when he will have held this position twelve years. In 1894 he had no opposing candidate neither before the Democratic primary nor general election, and there was polled for him the largest number of votes of any candidate in the county. He has filled the position of Probate Judge with the greatest satisfaction and is one of the most popular and highly esteemed gentlemen in this county.

His parents, Andrew Darby Hopper and Mary Elizabeth Emily Clary, were married July 2, 1851, and came to Dunklin County in I860. Mr. Hopper was a farmer, and on coming to Missouri purchased land near Campbell, or what was then Four Mile. He was a very large man, weighing 225 pounds, a Democrat in politics and a member of the Missionary Baptist Church; a native of Tennessee, born May 16, 1829, and died in Dunklin County, Mo., March 24, 1878. Mrs. Hopper is also a native of Tennessee, born December 7, 1825, and resides near Campbell with her children. She and Mr. Hopper were the parents of four children, who all live near Campbell, in fact, they all own homes in the same township. They are, Martha Ann E., born January 16, 1856; Minerva Caroline, born September 25, 1859; Benjamin Forester, born May 2, 1865 ; and William Elbert, who is the subject of this sketch. He was but three years of age when his parents brought him to Dunklin County, where he grew to manhood and received his education in the common schools. October 15, 1884, he was married to Miss Anna Lorena Blakeney, a native of North Carolina. To

Mr. Hopper owns the old Hopper home, four miles north of Campbell, on which some of the Hopper family have resided for nearly thirty years. The house is surrounded by hickory trees, which shelter the ground where Mr. Hopper played in his boyhood days and also where his children have spent much of their youth. While he now resides in Campbell in a much more pretentious home the old country home is doubtless the best loved residence.

In March, 1895, Mr. Hopper was elected General Manager of the Campbell Roller Mills, and his able mana2:ement and accommodatinir and orcnial manner as well as the good quality of its flour have won for the new enterprise many friends.

Mr. Hopper is a member of the School Board at Campbell, is much interested in educational matters and is ever ready to lend a helping hand to any enterprise which will promote the general welfare of his best loved county or State.

M. W. Hubbard, proprietor of the firm of that name in Clarkton, Mo., was born April 7, 1840, in Madison County, Kentucky. He is the son of Greenvil and Mary Jarman-Hubbard, natives of the above mentioned State. He came to Dunklin County in 1861, and is, save J. B. Penny, the oldest resident citizen now in Clarkton.

He married Bettie Hodges, a daughter of Judge Hodges, pioneer of this county, Feburary 1, 1864. Their chikh'en are Robert G., who married Flora Timberman ; Albert, Walter, who married Maggie Youns: of Portao-eville, Mo., and Charhe and Mollie. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He is Democratic in poli- tics and was deputy sheriff in this county under Press Nicols. Mr. Hubbard has been in the merchandising business in Clarkton about fourteen years and keeps a full and com[)lete line of everything usually found in a general store. He is a pioneer whose character has ever been unspotted and who is well and favorably known in the county.

J. E. Jones, son of Isaiah and Media Ann (Miller) Jones, natives of Tennessee and New York respectively, was born April 11, 1848, in this county, his father having come here in 1839, and, with Judge E. J.

Langdon as a partner, started a carriage, cooper and blacksmith shop near Cotton Plant. J. E. Jones married Miss Hettie W. Chapman, daughter of Turner and Hulda Mott-Chapman, on April 6, 1870. They resided near Hornersville for several years, but settled on his present home near Nesbit twenty years ago. Mr. Jones is one of the foremost farmers in his vicin- ity, owns over 200 acres of land, and always has good horses, cattle, etc., around his place. He has been road overseer for four years and is well known and well liked among the people. He is Democratic in politics, has considerable influence and always wields it for his political favorites.

Mrs. Jones is a member of the M. E. C. S. Their children are, respectively, Willie Edd (married to Miss Lula Bowers), Anna Lou (now Mrs. L. Riggs, of Kennett), Lizzie B., Hubert, Curtis Isaiah, and Glenn, and have lost four by death.

James T. Karns, of the firm of R. M. Bone & Co., Senath, Mo., was born June 2, 1859. His parents, John and Cynthia C. Sanford-Karnes, were natives of Gibson County, Tennessee, and came to Pemiscot County, Missouri, in 1861, and on to Dunklin County in 1870. They located on Horse Island near where ** Lulu " is now situated, opened up a farm and continued to reside there until the death of Mr. Karns, June 27, 1886.

J. T. Karns, the subject of this sketch, first went in business at Lulu and was the first postmaster at that place. He removed to his present place of business in 1886. He acquired his education in this county and is a Dunklin County business man out and out. His firm, R. M. Bone &, Co., keep a complete line of general merchandise. J. T. Karns and Mary I. Barr were united in marriage December 25, 1885. Their little daughter Estella was born November 10, 1891. They have three children dead.

A. J. Kerfoot, vice-president of the St. Louis, Kennett & Southern Railroad, was born in Jefferson County, Ya., August 17, 1857. Emigrated to Cooper County, Mo., in March, 1867. Attended public school at Boonville until 1874, when he entered the railroad service as water boy on construction work. Continued in the service of the M., K. & T., Houston & Texas Central and Chicago & Alton, as conductor and brakeman, until January, 1890. Organized the

St. L., K. & S. R. R. Co., in March, 1890, and super intended the construction of same, completing it in December of the same year. Was appointed superintendent of transportation in January, 1891, which position he held until December, 1895, at which time he resigned as superintendent and was elected vicepresident, which position he now holds. Too much cannot be said for Mr. Kerfoot as a business man or for his energy and perseverence in bringing this road up to a fair standard for a new railroad.

In addition to his railroad business he is interested in the firm of E. S. McCarty & Co., being business manager of the firm. This firm owns stores at Kennett, White Oak, and Pascola, Pemiscot County, doing a general merchandise and timber business ; and also owns the celebrated Armstrong Springs, located in White County, Ark., at which place they also have a store, and are erecting a large hotel and

Mr. Kerfoot's father, G. W. Kerfoot, is still living, being seventy-eight years of age; his mother died of pneumonia, March, 1891, at the age of sixty years.

Judge Edwin J. Langdon was born August 7, 1819, at Middleberry, Vermont. His parents, Hiram and Polly Dowd-Langdon, were of Scotch descent and emigrated to Granville, Licking County, Ohio. When their son Edwin J. was just seventeen years of age, here he taught school and improved his education and came on to Dunklin County, Mo., in 1839. In 1847 he married Sarah A. Glasscock, who was born near Pocahontas, Arkansas, and is the daughter of Robt. L. and Elizabeth Sullinofer Glasscock, early l)ioneers of this county. The mother was of Scotch and Cherokee, while the father was of Irish descent; they emigrated from Old Jackson, Missouri, to Dunklin County, about 1845. Judge Langdon started his career in this county without money and when the country was in a very primitive condition. He was a carriage maker by trade and he and Isaiah Jones opened a carriage, coopers' and blacksmith shop near Cotton Plant in the early forties, and they turned out some of the first pails, carriages and wagons made in this county. In 184G he assisted his fjithcr, Hiram Langdon, to build the first courthouse erected in this county. In 1847-1848 he built the Buffalo Creek levee between Kennett and

Vincit. The money which he received for the completion of this contract, he often said was the first from which he ever appeared to receive much benefit. With it he bought goods and opened a small store at Cotton Plant. It is safe to say that this money was the foundation of his future estate, which estate at his death, in November, 1892, was worth some $200,000 or $300,000. Judge Langdon was President of the County Court of Dunklin County from 1878 to 1884 inclusive. He was a very public-spirited man and did much for the improvement of public roads, public schools, churches and other enterprises to advance the general good of the county. He Inunched one of the first flat-boats on Little River at Hornersville, owned and operated one of the first cotton gins and general stores, and did as much as any other man to bring up the morals of the county, and he was, all things being considered, perhaps the greatest man Dunklin County has ever had. A man whose public and private life will bear the closest scrutiny ; and while he condemned wrong, he was infinitely patient and forbearins: ; his heart was never made cold by silver and gold, but was always open to unfortunate humanity. He had not the wealth of many men, but his life was certainly a success. He died in his Arcadia home in Iron County, Mo., but was brought back to his old home for funeral services and his remains rest in the family cemetery at Cotton Plant. Mrs. Langdon is living and enjoys fairly good health. She resides with her daugher, Hettie D, wife of R. H. Jones, of Kennett, Mo.

Mrs. Jones is the youngest child and only daughter Judge and Mrs. Langdon raised, and has been since her early youth, considered one of the handsomest women of Dunklin County. Three sons are the other children of Judge and Mrs. Langdon living; they are: William H. (of Jonesboro, Texas), C. V. and A. J. of Cotton Plant, this county. Those deceased are Truman C, who died after reaching manhood, leaving a family, and Ruth E., Eddie B., Nellie B., and Jimmie J., who died in infancy.

Judge Langdon was a Democrat in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the M. E. C. S., Mrs. Lano;don is a member of the M. E. C. S. and of the Rebekah Degree of I. O. O. F.

sketch elsewhere). The subject of this sketch grew to manhood in this county, received a good education, assisted his father on the farm and in the store at

Cotton Plant until August 7, 1884, when he was married to Lou Abernathy, also a native of Dunklin County and the daughter of Robert Abernathy, an early settler of this county. After his marriage Mr. Langdon built a fine residence on one of the large mounds on his farm just south of Cotton Plant, and has since resided there, occasionally taking his family to their pleasant summer home in Arcadia, Mo. Mr. Langdon was in the mercantile business with T. R. Neel, under the firm mime, at his father's old stand in Cotton Plant. He subsequently sold his interest and retired to his farm. He is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, cattle being his favorite kind. He always keeps fine cows and plenty of other stock about his place. His farm is one of the most extensive and best improved in the county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Langdon are: Edwin Neel (deceased), Sallie May, Lela Blanch, Luella (deceased), and Walton V. Mr. Lano'don is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities and he and wife are members of the M. E. C. S.

A. J. Langdon was born February 25, 1865, is a native of this county and the son of Edwin J. and Sarah A. Giasscock-Langdon, pioneers of Dunklin County. He was educated in his native county and at the high school of Ironton, Mo., and also at the State Normal, Cape Girardeau, Mo. He worked with his father in the store at Cotton Plant for about three years and was afterward a member of the firm of E. J. Langdon & Company. At that place, January 14,

1893, he married Mary Tennie Moore, a native of Dunklin County, who was reared and educated at Mount Calm, Texas; she is the daughter of E. H. Moore, formerly an old citizen of this county. To this marriage have been born Maude E., Nellie A. (deceased), Hettie P., E. Senter and Wesley M.

Since the death of his father, Mr. Langdon has devoted much of his time to the matters of the estate, he being the administrator. He is also a dealer in live stock and, of course, devotes considerable time to looking after his own estate, as he owns a number of well improved and valuable tracts of land in this county, Mrs. Langdon is a member of the M. E. C. S.

Charles Lanpher is the son of G. W. and E. V. Parkins-Lanpher ; born August 12, 1871, and is a native of Fredericktown. His father is a well-known citizen of that place, and Charles Lanpher was reared and educated in Fredericktown, and came to Dunklin County in August, 1893, to take a partnership in the firm of L. Riggs & Co., at Kennett. This firm keeps a full and up-to-date line of stoves, tinware, sash and doors, sporting goods, and, in fact, everything usually kept in a hardware store. They enjoy a thriving business and will further enlarge the same by establishing a branch store at Caruthersville, Mo.

Jake S. Levi came to Dunklin at about the beginning of Maiden and his business career may be traced in this county through the firm of J. S. Levi & Co., and other names to the Levi Mercantile Co., of Maiden and Kennett. Every enterprise of which Mr. Levi has taken hold of in this county has seemed to prosper and has outgrown firm names and business houses in a remarkable manner. The first brick business house erected in Dunklin County was that of J. S. Levi, erected in 1889, in Maiden. This is one of the best business houses in that town, and it is certain that the firm who own it do a very extensive business, in fact

Mr. Levi resides most of the time in Cincinnati, Ohio,buthasbeenknown and identified with the business interests of Dunklin County for about fifteen years and has resided a considerable portion of that time in this county. Mr. Levi is unmarried, but Mr. Lebermuth and Mr. Arends have both married since coming to this county.

George W. Marshall, farmer and stock-raiser, of Chirkton, was born in Olive County, Tennessee, June 23, 1849, and is the pon of Bennett and Mary Marshall, natives of Middle Tennessee. The parents came to Dunklin County in 1857 and located on the farm where the son, George W., now resides. They lived here for several years and then removed to Arkansas, where the father died in 1872. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and a well-known pioneer of this county.

Geoige W. Marshall attained his growth on a farm in this county, working with his father until his majority. January 30, 1869, he was united in marriage to Mary L. Lasley, daughter of the pioneer, Mr. Lasley, who located near Clarkton in 1863.

Mr. and Mrs. Marshall commenced their married life on a very small scale with a small farm, one milk cow and a plow horse. Mr. Marshall, however, soon began to raise corn, cattle and hogs, not having grown any cotton since it fell below ten cents per pound in the markets. He is now the largest stock-raiser and shipper in the county and the owner of about nine hundred acres of land, part of which lies in New Madrid County.

county, a very handsome residence among a magnificent grove of forest trees, and a fine orchard. They reside about two miles south of Clarliton.

Collin Morgan, ex-sheriff of Dunklin County, was born January 15, 1844. He is a native of Tennessee, and the son of Miles and Martha Page-Morgan, early settlers of Bolliosrer County, Mo. They, however.

removed to Stoddard County, and located near Bloomfield, Mo., and there principally reared iheir family. Mr. Morgan died several years ago, but Mrs. Morgan is living in Stoddard County. The son, Collin Morgan, was married December 2S, 1871, to Miss Eflae Harper, of Stoddard County. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have a largo family of children, the eldest daughter being Miss Ida, and the eldest son Mr. Fred, both favorites among the young people of Kennett. Mr. Morgan came to this county in 1888, and two years later was elected Sheriff of Dunklin County, and re-elected to the same office in 1892. He filled this office to the general satisfaction of all, and has won for himself many friends among the people of this county. His residence (which was one of the finest in Kennett) and nearly all its contents was destroyed by fire in 1895, this being the second time such a misfortune has befallen him. He is, however, a man of indomitable energy and push, and burned several kilns of brick from which he expects to build a handsome brick residence on the site of the one destroyed by tire. Kennett has not a man with more go-a-head business energy than Collin Morgan ; he never waits for *'soft jobs or good luck,'* but has pluck enough to keep his head above the waves of any misfortune.

Mr. Morgan was twice elected Sheriff of Stoddard County before coming to Dunklin, and is well-known in both counties. He is a Democrat in politics. Master of the Masonic lodge at Kennett, and a member of the I. O. O. F.

Louis McCutchen, druggist and postmaster at Campbell, Mo., was born June 27, 1848, in Jackson County, Alabama. His parents were William W. and Margaret Harrison-McCutchen, natives of Alabama and Tennessee, respectively. The father was surveyor and justice of the peace for a number of years in both Jackson and Marshall counties and resided in Alabama until his death. He was drowned in Tennessee River, in Marshall County, in 1878.

Louis McCutcheii grew to manhood Id Marshall County, Alabama, and received a fair education in the villa<re school. On reaching his majority he left the parental roof and emigrated to Missouri and located at Four Mile, Dunklin County, in 1870. He accepted a position as clerk, which he retained until 1876. He then engaged in the drug and grocery business on his own account and continued at Four Mile until the fall of 1882. He then removed to Campbell, a new town on what is the St. Louis Southwestern R. R., Cotton Belt Route. He has since continued in business at that place. In 1875 he was appointed postmaster at Four Mile and has been postmaster there and at Campbell since that time.

Mr. McCutchen is a director of the Bank of Kennett, a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic lodges at Campbell, is a Democrat in politics and is well known and highly esteemed in this county.

December 20, 1877, he married Miss Martha E. Owen, a native of Dunklin County and the daughter of Judge Given Owen (see sketch). Mrs. McCutchen was reared and educated in this county and is certainly one of the most accomplished housekeepers of which it can boast; her home is always surrounded by beautiful flowers and she is an adept in the culinary art. The children of Mr. and Mrs. McCutchen are: Fannie, William W., Beulab, Owen, Louis and Mary Ellen. Mr. McCutchen has quite an extensive estate of about 1200 acres near Campbell. His drug store is fitted up nicely and he keeps a full and complete line of drugs in connection vvith the post-office.

Virgil McKay, County Clerk of Dunklin County, was born in New Madrid County, Mo., July 24, 1858. He is the son of John and Mary Adams-McKay, natives of the above-mentioned county and State. Virgil McKay, the subject of this sketch, came to Dunklin County, July 28, 1878. He farmed for a few years, then for several years taught school part of the year and attended school the remainder, being principally educated in the Southeast Normal at Cape Girardeau, Mo. December 25, 1888, he married Miss Annie Marlow of Clarkton, a daughter of James Marlow, who was a pioneer of this county. To this marriage have been born two little boys, Clyde and Landreth. (See photo, p. 236.)

He was elected Assessor of Dunklin Co. in 1886, and re-elected to the same office in 1888. He is holding his second term as County Clerk, being elected to that office in 1890 and 1894.

He is Democratic in politics, a member of the Masonic order and of I. O. O. F. Both he and Mrs. McKay are members of the M. E. C. S. Mr. McKay is exceedingly popular among the masses of the people.

HuLDAH A. MoTT was born April 10, 1831, in Hickman County, Ky., was married to Turner G. Chapman, Sept. 28, 1848. To them were born four children, James, Mary, Hettie andKittie. Mr. Chapman died June 25, 1859, and Mrs. Chapman was again married March 23, 1865, to Wm. H. Helm. To this couple were born three children, Lizzie, Willie and Fannie. Mrs. Helm is a sister of Mrs. A. T. Doug- lass of Seiialh, and one of the pioneer women of this county. Mr. Hehn represented this county in the Stale Lcgishiture in 1879, is a Democrat in politics, and he and Mrs. Helm and daughters are members of the Christian Church. James and Mary Chapman died in infanc3^ Hettie was married to J. E. Jones of Nesbit, Mo., April G, 1870. Kitty was married May 3, 1877, to W. G. Bragg, of Kennett, Mo. Willie Helm died in infancy, and Lizzie was married August 3, 1892, to T. J. Baird of Clarkton, Mo. Fannie was married September 28, 1892, to Charles B. Ruff of Kennett, Mo. (see sketches elsewhere).

David H. Moore, born July 10, 1832, was the second white child born in Dunklin County. His parents were Howard and Mary Welch Moore, natives of Virginia. They emigrated to Dunklin County in 1829 and were the first white settlers to locate within the limits of this county. They also built and lived in the first white man's cabin, stopping at first about four miles south of Maiden, Missouri. Mr. Moore afterward bought the log cabin and improvements of Chilleticaux near Kennett, and it was he who established the first grist mill at that place in pioneer days. He lived to a good old age and at his death left each of his eight children forty acres of good Dunklin County land. David H. Moore was partly reared in Chilleticaux Cabin, has eaten many of the big Indian peaches grown on the trees planted by that chief. He also, when a lad, helped to grind corn on one of the first gi'ist mills in the county, and prior to that time pounded corn and coffee in the mortar made by Chilleticaux in the latter's kitchen, which the chief said was <* all built of cypress but one log, which log was of wood."

*' Uncle Dave," as he is familiarly called, was first married to Claircy Spurlock ; she died leaving two children, Wesley and Mary. Mr. Moore has lost four wives by death, his fifth wife being his present companion. She has had three husbands, her first being a Mr. Bird, her second a Mr. Jordan; her maiden name was Ouva Haggard. She and Mr. Moore have two children, Samantha and

There are but three other persons who have resided in Dunklin County longer than David H. Moore. He lives in Kennett, Missouri, and is the oldest citizen of that place. He is a Democrat in politics.

A. A. Moore, undertaker, Maiden, Mo., was born June 23, 1827, in Union County, Indiana. His father, Morgan Moore, was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio when a small boy and later in life went to Indiana, where he married a Miss Mead. She became the mother of A. A. Moore and soon afterward died. The father was an old soldier in the war of 1812, and

A. A. Moore came to Dunklin County in 1876, and located in Maiden, which was then just being commenced. He farmed for some time then became a contractor and builder and assisted in erecting some of the first houses in Maiden. Later he was a successful grocery merchant and has been for many years a well-known and prominent undertaker. He has also been prominent in local politics, having been a member of the Council for several years and Mayor of Maiden. February 14, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth E. Hite, a native of Virginia, and to them have been born S. S., on Aug. 21st, 1851, C. F., March 10, 1853, M. C. and M. A., October 30, 1855 ; M. C, one these twins, and S. W., born April 29, 1858, are both deceased. H. A., the youngest son, was born October 13, 1863.

C. F. Moore married Mrs. Lou A. Stephens, a daughter of T. B. Reeves. He is a member of the L O. O. F. and a carpenter by trade. On coming to Dunklin County he located in Maiden, where he now resides.

Thomas Neel, Jr., was born in May of the same year and was the first white child born in Dunklin County. Mr. Neel has pounded corn in the oldfashioned mortar *' Indian style'' when it was too bad to go to mill away up on West Prairie or to the Masterson mill near Bernie, in Stoddard County. He has slept on Chilleticaux buffalo robes and is even yet a great hunter. For many years he lived on his farm where the post-office of Lulu now stands, but for several years has resided just across the Missouri line in Arkansas, but he is yet looked upon as a citizen of this county, as he does about all of his buying, selling of produce, etc., in his old home. His present wife was Miss Lizzie Donalson, who is a sister of I. F. Donalson, of Kennett. They have a nice home, which in summer and fall is almost hidden by pretty shrubs and flowers.

Rev. OwENBY, of the Clarkton Circuit of the M. E. C. S., was born March 17, 1854, in Sumner County, Tennessee. He is the son of J. P. and C. A. Ovvenby, natives of the above mentioned State. Rev. Owenby has been in the ministry and under the control of the St. Louis Conference Methodist Episcopal Church South about thirteen years. His preaching is of the Evangelistic order and he recognizes this as his particular sphere and personally likes it best. He says about 10,000 conversions have been the result of his preaching, including about 66S conversions and accessions to the church in the bounds of the Clarkton Circuit in Dunklin County. Rev. Owenby has been sent to this circuit two years successively. It is claimed by the people of Halcomb, where he resides, that it is largely through his influence and that of a few of the Baptist members that the churches of the various denominations at Halcomb have become so united in their Sunday-school and other Christian work. He undoubtedly has the tact to draw the crowds and then gain their attention, to a greater extent than any other preacher in the county. In 1873, he was married to Nannie J. Goad, of Obine County, Tennessee. They have four living children.