Grundy County, Missouri - Biographical sketches (1 of 8 so headed), 1881

Biographical sketches

The above closes the history of Trenton township proper, and following, in conclusion, will be found biographical sketches of the most prominent -citizens of said township, many of whom have been identified with its varying interests and steady growth since and before the organization of Grundy ^ionnt}'.

The subject of this sketch was born in Tazewell county, Yirginia, June 4, 1833, and his parents were both natives of the same State. In the year 1839 his parents removed to Grundy county, and with the exception of a two years' residence in Colorado, he has lived here ever since. Mr, Belshe passed through many of the trials and hardships of pioneer life incident to the settlement of this county. On the 4th of August, 1856, he married Miss Mary Ann Kilburn. She was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, January 1, 1841. The ceremony was performed in the house in which Mr. and Mrs. Belshe still live. By this union they have seven children, as follows:- John W., born September 4, 1858; Nancy B., born December 8, 1861, now Mrs. Thomas May; Margaret, born November 7, 1864; Dale, born September 29, 1874; Leora, born. January 31, 1876; Cora, born De- -cember 29, 1879; and the youngest, born March 6, 1881. Mr. Belshe may be numbered among the successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county. He owns a tine farm of eleven hundred acres, well supplied with the necessary implements for cultivating the soil. His principal attention, however, has been given to cattle raising, in which he has attained enviable success.

William Collier

The above named gentleman first saw the light of day on the second of June, 1828, in Howard county, Missouri, and was the seventh child of William and Susan Collier, His father was a native of Kentucky, and mi-

The subject of our sketch was about fifteen years of age when he came, with his father, to Grundy county, with wliotn he continued working, at the occupation of building, until he had reached the years of manhood.

In 1854: he married Miss Sarah A. Templeman, daughter of Thornton H. Templeman, at that time residents of Grundy county. In less than one year after his marriage Mr. Collier lost his wife. After her death he became engaged in farming, merchandising and other pursuits.

September 14, 1871, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Samantba Telley, nee Leedy, Four children have been the result of this union. Their names are as follows: Lilly A., Carrie G., Mabel A., and James C. In 1878 Mr. Collier moved to his farm about one mile south of Trenton, where he still lives. He is a member of the Christian Church, and of the I. O. O. F. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Collier lives a quiet life, enjoying the fruits of his early labors.

John Campsy

Son of Joseph and Mary (Campbell) Campsy, was born on the 6th of February, 1823, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and'died in July, 1881, in Grundy county, Missouri. He attended the common schools of his native county until he reached the age of- fifteen, when his parents removed to Morgan county, ,Ohio, where he resided until 1856. It was during his residence in Morgan county, that he met and married Miss Priscilla Nelson, on the 24th of February, 1842. She was a native of Morgan county, and born March 9, 1819. From his Ohio home, he sought a'location in the i^orthwest, and settled in Van Buren county, Iowa, in the latter part of 1856, where he followed his occupation of farming, until 1871, when he became a citizen of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Campsy became the parents of ten children, eight of whom are still living, and their names are here given: Mary J., born July 27» 1843; Margaret, born March 28, 1850; John C, June 22, 1851; David, December 6, 1852; Joseph D., October 11,1855; Martha, September 21, 1858; Hattie E., February 11, 1861; Katie, September 20, 1863. They have all received the benefits of a good education and are highly respected by their

Andrew Doerr

The subject of this sketch is a native of Germany, and was born July 23, 1819. At the age of twenty-two he departed from the " Faderland," and crossing the deep blue ocean, landed in this country. After his arrival he went to New Orleans, but remained only a short time, and next came to- St. Louis, where he worked three years, saving enough from his earnings during that period to buy a small farm in Monroe county, Illinois, in 1845. He remained in Illinois until 1870, when he came to Grundy county and

[)urchased the hind which now constitutes his present liandsoinely improved farm of sixty acres. By frugality and industry he has placed himself in comfortable circumstances, December 17, 1848, Mr. Doorr was joined in holy wedlock to Miss Mary Nagle. The issue of this marriage was three children: Frederick W. C, born November 22, 1849, now a resident of Monroe county, Illinois; Mary, born July 7, 1851, now Mrs. Augustus Ad ler, of the same county; Elizaljeth, born 'July 26, 1855, now Mrs. Chas. Biskim, of the same county. Mrs. Doerr departed this life October 12, 1857. Mr. Doerr was married a second time December 17, 1859, to Miss Louisa Banikeng, of Monroe count}', Illinois, who was born November 16, 1839. They have four children: Louisa, born January 3, 1861; Annie, born June 27, 1863; Henry, born October 22, 1866; and Laurena C, born August 10, 1875.

Gioorge E. Delano

George E., son of Philip and Ann Delano, was born in Stowe, Vermont, February 8, 1825. His parents were also natives of the Green Mountain State, the year of his father's birth being 1779, and that of his mother 1804. He grew up and received an education in his native place. In 1854, he migrated to California, where he was engaged in mining and the dairy business during his four years' stay. Returning to Yerraont in 1858, he remained there nine years, spent three years traveling in the Southern and Western States, and in 1870, located in Grundy county, where he has since followed the pursuits of the farm.

Mr. Geo. E. Delano and Miss Louisa Macomber were married September 1st, 1859. She was born in Green Island, Vermont, April 13, 1830. By this marriage they have had four children. Caroline L. was born September 27, 1860; Philip P., born December 15, 1862, died May 29, 1869; Benjamin M., born Angust 28, 1864, died March 28, 1869; and Annie E., born April 18, 1869.

Freeman Dunlap

Was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1836. His parents, Adam and Louisa Dunlap, both natives of Pennsylvania, removed to Belmont county, Ohio, when our subject was but a child, and afterwards changed their residence to Morgan county, in the same State, where he lived until 1863, and then removed to Grundy county and settled upon the farm he now owns. Starting out with nothing but his determination to make his way, he has now a splendid farm of three hundred and forty acres, well stocked, as a result of his persevering industry. Mr. Dunlap married Miss E,. M. Buchanan, November 17, 1857. She was a native of Ohio, born in Harrison county, February 19, 1840. Eight children have been the fruits of this union; namely, Samuel T., born March 24, 1859; John, born January 21, 1862: Edgar, born September 24, 1864; Charles, born Decern-

Hezekiali Daughertj^ was born in Morgan count}', Ohio, June 9, 1839. Was the son of John and Mtvrgaret Daugherty, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. He attended the common schools of his native place and worked upon his father's farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when, on the 31st of November, 1861, he enlisted in the service of the Union as a private in companj^ I of the Sixty-second regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry, and served three years in the army of the Potomac, participating in the many severe engagements of that wing of the service. Receiving his honorable discharge in 1864, he returned to his home in Morgan county and pursued his avocation of farming. December 29, 1868, he married Miss Sarah J. Much, a native of Ohio, born November 8, 1849. Four years after his marriage he removed to Grundy county, where he has since resided an esteemed citizen and farmer of Trenton township. Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty are the parents of three children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: George T., born October 14, 1870; John A., April 15, 1877; and Lenora B., born April 29, 1881.

Is one of the prosperous farmers of Grundy county, and owns a beautiful farm of three hundred and thirty acres in Trenton township. Mr. Delano was born March 19, 1830, in the State of Vermont, where he lived until he reached the age of seventeen, when he accompanied his parents in their change of residence from their native State, to Massachusetts. After a five years' residence in the Bay State, at the age of twenty-two, he went South, and was engaged in various pursuits in Mississippi and Louisiana, among which was boating, on the Yazoo River. Returning home, he remained in Massachusetts one year, when he caught the "golden fever," and in 1854 we find him in California, where he was engaged in mining and ranching for eight years. In 1862 he traveled eastward, and settled in Portage county, Ohio, where, on the 30tli of x\ugust of the same year, he married Miss Alma Collins, daughter of Rev. George S. Collins. She was a native of Ohio, and born on the 15th of March, 1843. By this marriage they have three children: Caliste A., born July 10, 1863; Louis H., January 11, 1866; and Cora E., February 15, 1868. Mr. Delano moved to Grundy county in 1865, and purchased the pleasant farm which he now lives on.

Dr. Samuel W. Elmore

On the 13th of January, 1826, in Spartansburg District, South Carolina, Samuel W. Elmore was born. He Avas the fourth child of Samuel K. and

Jane Elmore, both natives of Soutli Carolina. Samuel K, Elmore was reared in Soutli Carolina, and during the latter years of his sojourn there followed the occupation of school-teacher. From South Carolina he removed to Kentucky and thence to Indiana, in which State he died in 1848, his wife havinir preceded him to the grave about three years.

The subject of this sketch was reared principally in Daviess county, Indiana, and received liis education in that county, where, up to the time he left, he was en_i>^aged in the drug business and the practice of medicine. March 13tli, 1851, Dr. Samuel W. Elmore was married to Miss Sarah E. Dillon, dav.ghter of Isaac Dillon, of Daviess county, Indiana. One child, now living, Avas the fruit of this union. His name is Thomas T. Elmore.

In 1854 Dr. Elmore lost his wife, and October 9, 1856, was united in wedlock to Miss Lydia Ream, daughter of Henry Ream, then of Grundy county. After his second marriage Dr. Elmore spent one winter in Indiana, and in April of 1865 he returned to Grundy county, settled permanently in the neighborhood where he now lives, and engaged in the practice of medicine and in farmiuff.

By his second wife Dr. Elmore is the father of eight children living, whose names are: Elizabeth C, Stephen D., Victoria, Henry H., John L., Ada W., Keturah and Ethel A. Dr. Elmore is a member of the Masonic order.

B. M. Ford, son of Laban and Elizabeth Ford, was born in Howard county, Missouri, October 21, 1826. His parents were natives of Kentucky. In Howard county he lived until 1854, receiviug his education there, and marrying there on the 10th of April, 1849, Miss Eleanor Thorpe, a native of that county, born January 13, 1831. He has made farming his business through life, and now owns a finely improved farm of two hundred and forty acres, and a comfortable home. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have had seven children, five of whom are living. Their names are as given: James T., born February 20, 1850 : Sarah J., born January 19, 1852, now Mrs. J. L.Steele; John H., born October, 20, 1854, died January 16,1855; Elizabeth F., born January 9, 1856; Mary A., born November 21, 1858, died June 14, 1874; Benjamin F., born March 1, 1861, and Nancy E., born May 11, 1863.

Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on November 13, 1808, the son of James Gill and Elizabeth Gill, nee Moss, both natives of Kentucky. His father was a very efficient soldier in the War of 1812. The subject of this sketch lived in Mason county until he was forty-seven years of age, and in the year 1855 came to Missouri and located in Livingston county, where he resided till he moved to Grundy county, in 18T5, where he has since lived and engaged in farming. He was married in Kentucky, to Miss Lydia W. Moss, on June 19, 1828. She was a native of Fleming county, Kentucky, and born March 14, 1810. By this union seven children were born; viz., William W., born March 25, 1829; James A., August 23, 1830; Vincent Ct., born December 8, 1832, and died July 21, 1862; Elizabeth, born April 6, 1835; Hendren, born May 23, 1837; Judith, August 18, 1839, and Baldwin B., born August 1, 1842. Mrs. Gill died March 19. 1843. Mr. Gill was again married in 1844, to Sarah Moss, a sister of his first wife. She died in 1863, and he again married, on November 10, 1864, Mrs. Susan E. Ball, the widow of Edward Ball. She M^as a native of Bedford county, Virginia, and born October 16, 1832. They have had three children: Annie, born November 15, 1865, and died August 16, 1866; Elvira V., born May 25, 1867, and Nannie B., born February 25, 1872.

When the civil war broke out, Mr. Gill was the owner of one of the finest farms in Livingston county, containing three hundred and sixteen acres. He was a member of the National G uards, and upon his return from service with them, was called upon to take part in a meeting for the purjxjse of organizing a company of bushwhackers, which measure he so ably and strenuously opposed that he broke up the attempted oi-ganization, and this was the means of saving Livingston county from the terrible effects that would inevitabl}' have followed. Sliortly after this a company of Federal soldiers took him as a prisoner of war, and kept him at Quincy, Illinois, for three months. At the same time they appro])riated several very valuable horses and other property. As soon as the authorities at Quincy learned the facts in the case, he was released, and sold his farm (which is now worth $80 per acre) for $14 per acre, and bought a small farm upon which he lived till lie moved to Grundy county. He has seen many of the ups and downs of life, yet, in his seventy-third year, is a man of remarkable vigor both of body and mind. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are consistent members of the Christian Church.

Oeorge Griffith

Mr. Griffith is one of the most worthy and prosperous farmers in Trenton township, and has, for a number of years, been extensively and successfully-engaged in the business of sheep raising. His principal attention lias bieeii given to the cultivation of the long-wool breeds, in which he has obtained gratifying results.

George Grifhth was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 22d of March, 1838, and ten years later accompanied his parents in their removal to Licking county, in the same State, where he grew to manhood on his father's farm. March 14, 1861, he was united in marriage t<» Miss Jane A. Thomas, of Licking county, by which union they have four children. The first, Amelia, is a young lady of nineteen, the date of her birth ]>eing April 5,

1862; oil the 25th of August, 1804, tlie second eliild, Ellsworth, was born; Fannie, the third, was born Ma}' 15, 1866; Lulu, the youngest, and pet of the family, was born on the 23d of September, 1877.

George Ii. Ulijbell

This gentleman, now one of the most prominent citizens of Grundy county, was born at Ogdensburg, St. J^awrence county, Xevv York, on the 11th day of February, 1818, and was a resident of the Empire State until he reached his sixteenth year, when in the early winter of 1835 he left the city for the vast west, with his destination fixed in the growing State of Missouri. He became a student at Marion College, an institution of learning under the auspices of the Presbyterian Church, located in Marion county. Here he remained during a period of three years, paying his board and tuition by his labor. Leaving the college he went to Howard county, where he taught school and occupied his leisure hours in the study of law, and was licensed to practice by Judge Leland, of the same county, in 1841. Remaining in Howard until February, 1842, he removed to Buchanan ccnmty and settled at Sparta, then the county seat, where he made his home until May of the same year, when again starting upon his travels he is next found a resident of the county of Grundv, where he has remained an honored citizen. Mr. Hubbell engaged in the active pi-actice of his profession until 1847, in which year he was elected clerk of the Circuit and County Courts for a term of six years. The prompt and efficient manner in which he performed the duties of the office led to his reelection in 1853, and in 1859, aftAtwelve years' service, the people again called upon him; once more he took the oath as clerk, and most satisfactorily were the affiiirs of the clerk's office administered. The rural pleasures of farm life have always been attractive to Mr. Hubbell, and at the expiration of his last term as clerk he retired to his pleasant country home, two miles from Trenton, and gave hiswhole attention to the farm pursuits which he had been, in a measure, forced to neglect while holding office. However, he was not allowed to remain in seclusion long; his services were needed, and in 1870 he wasunanimously nominated by the Democratic party to represent the county of Grundy in the legislature. He accepted the call and his high standing and great popularity were never better illustrated than by the triumphant majority which elected him to the General Assembl}^ notwithstanding the fact that the political party which tendered him the nomination was largely in the minority. During the sessions of which he was a member Mr. Hubbell served his constituents faithfully and well, and retired tVom the House of Representatives with an honorable record. Mr. ELubbell has since lived on his farm, where his whole time is occupied in the supervision of his broad and well-cultivated fields of growing grain, and his herds of fine cattle which lazily browse upon the rich pastures. In conclusion it may be mentioned that Mr. Hnbbell was chosen to write the history of Grundy county for delivery at the centennial celebration, and how well he performed the task may be judp^ed when the author acknowledges that he is indebted to that "Centennial Sketch" for many of tlie important facts and incidents Grundy's history.

Warren Harris

Warren Harris, son of Daniel and Libbie Harris, was born in Champaign -county, Ohio, May 12, 1833. His father was of Virginia birth, and his mother a native of Vermont. Reared upon a farm, he attended the common schools of his native count}', where he continued to reside until 1862, when he made his home in Grundy county. He married Miss Henrietta L. Cranston, November 1, 1855. She was born in Champaign county, Ohio, September 28, 1837. By this union they have had six children, four of whom are now living. Their names are as follows: Randolph C, born July 12, 1857, died Janufiry 19, 1865; C. D., born December 21, 1858; Eugene G., born October 31, 1863, died July 12, 1865; Glenn C, born March 4, 1867; Annie L., born December 21, 1868; W. Guy, born December 19, 1871; and Louis H., born March 26, 1875. Mr. Harris lives upon a fertile farm of two hundred and eighty acres, and is engaged largely in stock raising, oM'ning one of the finest herds of thorough-bred Short-Horn <}attle in the State, liis stock having been purcliased from the best breeders in Ohio and Kentucky. The raising of thorough-bred Cotswold sheep and Berkshire hogs has received attention, and his success in this business has been most complete.

T. M. Hard

The subject of this sketch was born on a farm in Addison county, Vermont, May 5, 1829. His parents. Lancing and Rillie Hard, were also natives of the Green Mountain State. He attended the common schools in winter and worked on his father's farm in the summer, until he had acquired a fair education. After attaining his majority, in 1850, he went to Illinois and located in McHenry county, where for twenty years he was engaged in farming and in handling fine horses. November 18, 1857, he wedded Miss Carlinda Field, of Addison county, Vermont. By this union they had one child, May, born March 26, 1861. Mrs. Hard died August 15, 1861, and Mr. Hard was a second time married, November 25, 1866, to Miss S. A. St. Clair. From McHenry county, Illinois, he removed to Lewis county, Missouri, in 1870, where he remained four years, and then moved to Grund}' county. He lives upon a farm of eighty acres, and gives his attention to its cultivation and dealing in stock.

Son of Jolin L. and Rebecca Herbert, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio,, on the 31st of January, 1843. His father hailed from Virginia, and his mother was a native of Ohio. When Henry was three years old the family removed to Missouri and made their home in Grundy county. The rude alarms of war sounded in 1861, and Henry C. Herbert was among those who responded to their country's call. He enlisted as a x^rivate in company G, Thirty-third regiment Missouri volunteer infantry, and served four years, passing unscathed through many fields of carnage, where the groans and wails of the wounded mingled with the hissing of the flying shot and shell. He participated in the battles of Helena (Ark,). Gains' Hill, and Yicksburg, in the spring and summer of 1863. The Thirty-third Missouri formed a part of the third brigade, first division of the sixteenth army corps,, under General N. P. Banks, and, with his company, he accompanied, on the 11th of March, 1864, the memorable a/id disastrous expedition up lied River to capture Shreveport, the seat of the Confederate government in Loiisiana, and took part in the assault and capture of Fort de Russy, the skirmish and retreat at Mansfield, the bloody engagement at Pleasant Hill and consequent retreat to Alexandria, and by gunboats down Red River on their return, reaching Vi'i'ksburg on the 22d of May, 1864. He participated in the skirmishes at La Grange, Holly Springs, Oxford, Waterford, and the three days* fight at Tupelo on the 13th, 14th and loth of July, the same year, arriving at Memphis, Tenn., August 30tli. Here he was on the sick list, and on the 2d of Xovember, 1864, went liome on a furlough, remaining until his recovery, March 19th, 1865, when he rejoined his company and went down to Xew Orleans. After a short sickness he took part in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort, near Mobile; accompanied the march to Montgomery, Ala., thence down the river to Selma, where he was stationed until July 21st, 1865, when the regiment went by rail to Yicks-^ burg, up the Mississippi to St. Louis, receiving his honorable discharge from the service on the 10th of August, 1865, and reaching home on the 14th of the same month.

On the 16th of September, 1866, Mr. Herbert married Mrs. Mary Leeper, widow uf Andrew C. Leeper, by whom she was the mother of two children, James M , born January 20, 1863; and Andrew C, born ]Sovember IS, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert have been the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, as follows: John W., born July 27, 1S67; Ivan B., May 5, 1868; Hugh L., April 13, 1S70; Martha M., March 10, 1872; Hiram B., December 12, 1873; and Benjamin F., December 7, 1876. Mr. Herbert is a farmer and his farm is among the best cultivated in Trenton township.

A. J. Lee

"Was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, October 12, 1837. His parents Joseph and Abigail Lee, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. He received a common school education in his native place, where he remained until 1857, when he removed to Kansas, remained three years, and then settled in Grundj' county, where he has since lived and ensrao-ed in fartninar. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have had nine children: William J., born June 9, 1860, died December 23, 1878; Cora E., born May 5, 1861; James L., born December 5, 1862, died September 15, 1864; John R., 'born January 28, 1865; Benjamin F., born November 14, 1866; Laura B., born May 4, 1869, died October 30, 1869; Thomas E., born October 12, 1870; Elizabeth G., born December 17, 1872, died January 14, 1874; and Charles B., born January 10, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Lee's wedding day was August 29, 1859.

Benjamin Franklin Lehew was born in Muskingum count}', Ohio, September 5, 1834, where he was reared and received a common school education. Leaving home when twenty-four years of age, he went to Allen county, Indiana, and settled down. February 8, 1859, Mr. Lehew was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Comstock, a young lad}- of Ohio birth, horn in Janesville, June 13, 1836. The family resided in Indiana until 1872, when they removed to Grundy county. Mr. Lehew is one of the substantial farmers of the county, and is also a successful fruit-cultuiist and sheep-raiser. He has a comfortable home and. pleasant surroundings. Mr. and Mrs. Lehew have a family of eight children, whose names are here given: Lewis W., born October 26, 1859; Mary M., born November 3, 1861; Alpha, born December 10, 1863; Myra J., born September 14, 1865; Annie R., born August 4, 1868; James C, born May 16, 1870; Franklin G., born March 20, 1872; and Leora G., March 21, 1878.

Tuomas Luke

Thomas Luke, a native of Lawrence county, Illinois, was burn December 6, 1839. When nine years of age his parents removed to Wayne county, in the same State, where they remained six years, when they again jmcked their liousehold goods and started for the West, arriving in Grundy county in June of 1854. From the age of fifteen he grew to manhood in Grundy county. April 1, 1860, Mr. Luke and Miss Sarah P. Marshall were joined in the marriage covenant. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Luke have a family of nine children; viz., Nancy J., born June 8, 1861; Martha F., born November 9, 1862; Mary M., born March 30, 1864; Abraham L., born December 15, 1866; Samuel D., born January 23, 1868; Minnie L,, born October 13, 1869; William T., October 15, 1871; Parmelia B., born December 10, 1873; and Rutli N., born July 21, 1879. Mr. Luke, though carrying on all the various pursuits which constitute farming, has given his attention largely to the cultivation of fruit. He has a line orchard of forty acres, in which he cultivates nearly every fruit which will grow in Grundy county soil, and has, perhaps, the largest number of apple trees of any orchard in the State. He raises many choice varieties of both large and small fruits, and has met with remarkable success in cultivating so as to produce an abundant yield.

W. S. McLain was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, June 2, 1836, of Kentucky parentage. When six yeai-s of age his parents removed to Kentucky, where he grew up and received his education. In 1857 he removed to Grundy county and settled upon a farm near where he now lives. September 20, 1863, he married Miss Eliza A. Adkins, of Grundy county, born November 17,1846. They have had seven children: Lucy, born August 12, 1864; Mary E., born November 20, 1866; William, born March 19, 1869; Alice, born November 26, 1871; Minnie, born June 3, 1874; Lenora, born May 21, 1877, died August 27, 1878; and Arthur, born January 19, ISSO. Mr. McLain is engaged in agricultural pursuits, giving special attention to the raising of fine hogs of the Berkshire and Poland-China J)reeds. He has a fine farm of one hundred and ninety acres.

Is one of the old pioneers of Grundy county. He was born in Bi-acken county, Kentucky, on February 10, 1820. His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother of Virginia. His father, George W, McCread}-, was an officer in the War of 1812; he died in March, 1836, and his wife died about three weeks afterwards. When the subject of this sketch was about three years of age his parents moved to Worcester con nt}^ Maryland^ and there he remained till 1839, when, on June 16th, he located in Grundy county, Missouri, where he has since remained, engaged in farming. Thus he has known this countv from that early day when it was an unbroken wilderness up to the present time, with its beautiful and well cultivated farms, and its population of thrifty and intelligent farmers.

Mr. McCready was married on June 6, 1840, to Mrs. Laura Knight, a native of Schuyler county, Oliio, and born in 1820. This lady and her first husband were on their way from Ohio to seek a home in the far west, when as he was taking his gun from the wagon one da}^, to shoot a squirrel, he accidentally- shot and killed himself. By her first marriage, Mrs. Knight had one child, named Anna. By her marriage with Mr. McCready, six children were born, whose names are Melissa, Jane, George W. and Alonzo, who are still living, and W. R., who died when four years old, and Mary, at the age of eleven months. Mrs. McCready died February 11, 1853. Mr. McCready again married on June 6, 1853, to Mrs. Martha A. Grubb, widow of F. B. Grubb, who died in Grundy county in 1850. Mrs. Grubb was a iiative of Tennessee, and was born December 16, 1823. She had three children by Mr. Grubb: Amanda E., James M. and Erastus. By her marriage with Mr. McCready the following named children were born: Albert J.,. Walter M., Sophronia E., Alice Ann, Stephen B., Hattie Lee and Augusta B. Mr. McCready owns a fine home of sixty acres, pleasantly located in Trenton township.

Abram Pernell

Abrani Pernell was born in Morgan county, Ohio, April 20, 1841. He j'eceived a common school education, and learned the wagon-maker's trade, at which he was employed the first years after his school days. In 1859, at the age of eighteen, he removed to Grundy county, and engaged in farming. On the first of September, 1865, he was united in matrimony to Miss Elsie Weeden. She was born June 13, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Pernell have a famil}^ of four interesting children, named respectively, Carrie, born December 8, 1866; Frank, born February 13, 1868; George E., born September 1, 1870; and Charles A., born September 14, 1873.

Was bom in Greene couiitj, Ohio, May 27, 1844, and there resided until 1861, when lie enlisted in company 11, of the Thirty-ninth regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry, serving through the entire four years of the late momentous struggle. Receiving his honorable discharge from the United States service, he returned to his home in Ohio, and September 20, 1865, Avas united in marriage to Miss Jane Millon, of Xenia, Ohio. lie engaged in the grocery busijiess until the fall of 1867, when he removed from Xenia to Muncie, Indiana, and there went into the black walnut lumber trade, but remained only a short time, when he returned to Ohio, locating in Fayette county, still continuing in the lumber trade. October 21, 1870, he removed to Grundy county, bought a farm, and has since been engaged in its cultivation and also dealing extensively in black walnut lumber throughout northwest Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Rudrow have a family of four children to bless their fireside; namely, W. T. Sherman, born July 18, 1866; Maggie, born May 5, 1870; Minnie, born September 5, 1877, and Samuel N., born February 21, 1880.

Giles 80Nger

Giles Songer settled in Trenton township, Grundy county, in the year of 1846, and gave his attention to farming. He was a native of Indiana, and was born in Washington county, in that State, on the 25th of October, 1818, the son of Abram and Catherine Songer, both natives of Pennsylvania. When quite small his parents removed to Clay county, Illinois, where he grew up and received his educatioji.

On January 21st, 1837, Mr. Songer was united in matrimony to Miss Nancy Childers. Miss Childers was a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky, and was born July 20, 1820. This union was blessed with thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, eight of whom are still living. William, the eldest, was born January 13, 1838, and died April 10, 1869, leaving a wife and three children; Julia, born February 27, 1839, became the wife of Joseph Keeder, and died December 10, 1870, leaving her husband and six children to mourn her loss; Joseph W., born March 1, 1842, is a resident of Grundy county; Mary A, was born November 7, 1843, and is Mrs. William Luke; Thomas B., born October 25, 1845, died in the U. S. hospital at St. Louis, November 18, 1864, having served during the W'ar in company A, Forty-fourth regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry; John B., born November 9, 1847, is still living in Grundy county; Albert G., born December 17, 1850, died February 10, 1871; Richard H., born September 19, 1851, died March 25, 1852; Franklin J., born February 27, 1853; Missouri A., born February 4,1855; Elizabeth, born February 11, 1857; Flora Belle, born July 6, 1859, and Lyman T., born October 25, 1862. Mrs. Songer is still living.

Mr. Soiiger became one of the prominent citizens ot Grundy county, and served in several official capacities, having been elected county judge two or three terms. After a long life of usefulness, he-died on the 13th of December. 18S0. in the seventv-third year of his a^e,

Oliver Smith

One of the substantial farmers of Grundy county, was ushered into e.xistence on the 16th of January, 1821, in the District of Columbia, where he passed the first two years of his life, when death deprived him of both father and mother. Oliver was then placed in care of an aunt, who took him to Loudoun county, Virginia, where he grew up. When eighteen years, of age he bid farewell to '' Ole Yirginny" and sought a home farther west, locating in Guernsey county, Ohio, but remained there only a few years when he made his home in Morgan county, in the same State. On the -Ith of June, 18-1:6, he wedded Miss Ruth Walters, an estimable young lady of Morgan county. January 10, 1828, was the date of her birth. This marriage was blessed with four children; namely, Mary A., born June 8, 1847, died May 9, 1847; Benjamin F.* born March 2, 1850; Jonah W.. born January 14, 1853; and Mary E., born August 24, 1855. In 1864 Mr. Smith removed, with his family, to Grundy county, where he now has a farm of six hundred and thii-ty acres of fertile land, well stocked, a comfortable homestead, orchard, etc., all of which he has acquired by patient industry and the willing help of his wife. They have toiled long together and can now enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Joseph W. Songer

In Clay county, Illinois, on the 1st day of March, 1842, Joseph W., son of Giles and Nancy Songer, was born. His father was by birth an Indianian and his mother a Kentuckian. Joseph had reached the age of four years when his parents migrated to Grundy county. He received his education in the early log school houses of the county, and being very fond of music, acquired quite a reputation as a pleasing vocalist and officiated as teacher in many of the singing-schools in vogue when he reached manhood. He was also engaged in sabbath-school work, and assisted in the organization of a number of schools throughout the county. Mr. Joseph W. Songer :and Miss Sarah T. Taylor were joined in wedlock, April 6, 1862. She was a native of Grundy county, and August 6th, 1841, is the date of her birth. Seven children have gathered around their lireside, all of whom are yet living: Eichard E., born December 31, 1862; Kancy H., August 30, 1864; Elizabeth M., July 8, 1866; James A., February 15, 1868; Myrtle A., February 19, 1870; Monta M., March 10, 1872; Robert G., October 1, 1874. Mr. Songer is a thrifty farmer, and has given much of his time for the last few years to growing line wool sheep, and has attained most gratifying results.

The Spaiilsli Merino breed is his preference among the several strains of long-wool sheep. From one animal he took nineteen pounds of wool last spring, at one shearing.

J. 1.. Steele, son of L. .J. and Caroline Steele, was born in Pike county, Illinois, February 13, 1847; his father being a native of Kentucky, and his mother of Ohio. AVhen the subject of this sketch was three years old, his parents removed to Adams county, in the same State. He received an education in the common schools, and completed a course in the Perry High School, of Pike county, and afterward attended and graduated at Eastman's National Business College, of Chicago. February 21, 1864, when but seventeen years of age, he enlisted in company G, of the Seventh regiment of Illinois reserve militia, and served until the close of the war. In 1868 he came to Grundy county, and engaged in farming and teaching school, in both of which avocations, he has attained considerable success, December 24th, 1871, Mr. Steele was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Ford of (irundy county, born January 19, 1852. By this union they have had three children: Minnie, the eldest, was born October 1, 1872, and died October 31, 1873; the second, Bertha, was born August 1, 1874; and the youngest Mary L., was born October 27, 1877.

William H. Smith

Was born April 25th, 1826, near Richmond, Virginia, and is the third child of William N. and Ann C. Smith, both natives of the " Old Dominion." In 1837 our subject, with his father, migrated from Virginia to Missouri, and settled in Glasgow, Howard county, and lived in that place with his parents, working at the carpenter's trade, until May, 1846, at which time he moved to St. Louis.

The issue of this marriage was three children, whose names are Mrs. P. Hunt, nee Anna M. Smith, Sarah A. Smith, and James H. Smith. December 8th, 1860, Mr. Smith lost his first wife, 'and on the 15th of the same month, in 1862, with his three children left St. Louis to settle in Trenton.

On the 15tli of October, 1863, he married Miss Susan E Lowen. By his second wife Mr. Smith is the father of five children now living. Their names are Emma F., Lura M., Arthur P., Jennie L., and Luther C,

Mr. Smith moved to Trenton in time to build a great many of the oldest houses now standing in that place, and is still actively engaged in the pursuit of his trade.

John R. Songer

Son of Giles and Nancy Songer, was born in Grnndj county, Missouri, November 9, 1847. Farming has been his business since he has been old enough, and his life has been spent upon the same section of land he was born upon. Mr. Songer was united in marriage to Miss Nannie V. Slianklin, December 31, 1870. She was also a native of this county, born May 27,1847. They have had four children: Carrie, born Februarys, 1872; Frederick W., born March 14, 1874; Homer, born March 28, 1870, died April 10, 1876; and Carl A., born February 3, 1878. Mr. Songer has a good farm and is one of the prosperous farmers of the township, and he and his wife are highly esteemed by their neighbors.

Robert Taylor

And his aged wife rank among the pioneers of Grundy county. He was born in "Worcester county, Maryland, October 20, 1808. Kobert was reared on a farm and lived in Maryland till he was twenty-six years of age. In 1829 he married Miss Nancy Blades, a native of Maryland, and born November 13, 1809. By this marriage eleven children were born, seven of whom are still living; viz., Caroline, born April 15, 1830; Mary J., born April 7, 1832; Sarah T., born August 6, 1841; Robert T., born November 30, 1842; William D., born November 30, 1846; Levin H., born January 18, 1849; Luther, born July 6, 1851. John P., Harriet, Nathaniel and Melinda E. are dead. About the year 1833 Mr. Taylor and his young wife came to Missouri, located in Lafayette county, and lived there about three years. In 1836 the family located in Grundy county, on the same farm they now occupy. He converted three hundred acres of the wilderness into a fertile farm and a beautiful iiome. The old cabin erected in 1836 still stands, and is yet used by this venerable couple as a summer kitchen.

Mr. Taylor takes great pride in his orchard, which is a very fine one and of the choicest varieties of fruit. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Baptist Church, and are quietly and peacefully passing their declining year& under the shadow of the trees their own hands have planted.

Alfred Urton

Was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, on the 24th of June, 1825, the son of James and Jane Urton, the former a native of A^irginia, and the latter of Kentucky. After his school days were over he became an overseer on a plantation, which situation he lield until early in 1854, when, at the age of twenty-nine, he went to Illinois and located on a farm in Adams county, where he lived five years and then moved to Pike county. While living here he was united in matrimony to Miss Ann Eliza Bowles. She was born January 5, 1834, and was a native of Adams county. In 1866 Mr. Urton removed from Illinois, and settled in Grundy county, where he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Urton iiave liad eight children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Selina J., born Kovember 11, 1854, died April 12, 1878; William C, born June 1, 1858; Olive, born March 15, 18G2; Edwin, born May 31, 1864; Alva, born October 9, 1866, died September 19, 1867; Elma, born June 20, 1870; Alfred B., born March 29, 1872; Effie, born July 22, 1874, Mr. Urton has a line farm of one hundred and seventy-four acres, and a comfortable home.

Was born in Grundy county, Missouri, January 21, 1848, son of Benjamin and Mary Ann (McCoy) Wiggins. His father was a native of Seneca county, New York, but when quite young came with his parents to Ohio and settled in Cincinnati, afterwards went to Kentucky, and in 1820 settled in Howard county, Missouri, and in 1846 removed to Grundy county, and thence to California, where he died in 1850. His mother was a native of Kentucky, and born in 1818, but when one year of age her father came to Missouri and located in Howard county. After the decease of Mr. Wigfirins she married J. R. Merrill, and now lives in Trenton.

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. When sixteen years of age he went to Colorado, remained two j'ears, and then returned to Grundy county, where he engaged in the stock business for three years. November 14, 1875, he married Blondina Mueller, a native of St. Clair county, Illinois, and who was born September 28, 1854. Two children, Bertha E., born February 12, 1879, and Richard M., born March 1, 1881, are the result of this union. Mr. Wiggins purchased a half interest in twenty-two acres of land adjoining the town site of Trenton, which is now (in 1881) all occupied by buildings, and known as Wiggins & Murphy's Addition to Trenton. After quitting the stock business he dealt in real estate till the fall of 1875, when he returned to his farm, and has since resided there. He is a man of fine business ability, while socially he and his family are highly respected.

John Nelson Wymek

This name was given to a son born to John and Patience Wymer, on the 18th of February, 1829, in Bristol township, Morgan county, Ohio. The family removed to Lawrence county, in the same State, in 1845, where the subject of this biography grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. On the 20th of October, 1850, John N. Wymer and Miss Celia E. Dillon were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, at the home of the bride's parents in Lawrence county. Miss Dillon was a native of Franklin county, Virginia, where the first two years of her life were spent. She was born September 20th, 1828, and, with her father's family, became a resident of Ohio, in 1830. Six years after his marriage Mr. Warner removed to Indiana, and located in Boone county, where he continued to make his home until the close of the civil war, in which he served as a private in company A, of the Indiana State militia. After the close of hostilities, in 1865, he came to Grundy county and settled on a farm some ten miles northeast of Trenton. He continued to cultivate his farm until March, 1881, when he disposed of it, and took up his residence in Trenton and resumed work at his trade, in which he is still engaged.

Mr, Wymer's father died in February, 1880, having reached the advanced age of ninety-five years. His mother, in her seventy-fifth year, still pursues the journey of life.

Mrs. Wymer was a member of the Baptist Church before her marriage, and Mr. W. was baptized and received into the same church in 1852, two years after that event, and both remain consistent members.

Peter H. Yakey

His father, Joseph Yakey, was born in Maryland, August 12th, 1802, and at the age of twenty migrated to Ohio, where he married Miss Sarah Shafer, in Guernsey county, in 1826. Mr. Yakey was a farmer. He died July 16th, 1875. Mrs. Yakey is still living in Indiana.

Peter H. Yakey lived with his parents until he became of age. On the 17th of March, 1853, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Mis& Isabella McBurney, daughter of John McBurney, resident of Guernsey county. After his marriage, Mr. Yakey commenced farming for himself,, which occupation he continued until October, 1858, when his wife died.

January 19th, 1860, he married Miss Martha E. Braden, daughter of John Braden, all of Guernsey county. On the 2d of April, 1860, he migrated to Grundy county, where he has since resided, engaged in farming. In August, 1861, he enlisted in company A of the Missouri volunteer militia.

Peter H. Yakey is the father of seven children living, two by his first wife and five by his second. The names of his first wife's children are Albert L., and Mary C., now Mrs. W. R. Saddler; and those of his second wife are Joseph S., John B., Annie M., "Willie G., Frank L. Mr. Yakey i& a member of the Masonic order and A. O. U. "W",