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

Biographical sketches

Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, March 8, 1835; a son of Ephraim and Rhoda Bi^gs; his father was born in Ohio, and died in 1865; his mother was a native of New York, and died in 1881. He lived in Shelby county, till 1855, and then moved to Warren county, Iowa. In 1874 he moved to Mercer county, Missouri, and remained nine months, then permanently located in Harrison township, Grundy county. He married, February 8, 1868, Miss Mary Jane Crow, a native of Warren county, Iowa, born January 13, 1849, and a daughter of Samuel and Cyrena Crow, who located in Warren county in 1845 and are still living there. Six children have been the fruits of this union; viz., Minnie Ellen, born August 21, 1869; Henry Ward, born May 14, 1871; Bertha C, born October 5, 1872; Mary Alice, born, April 13, 1875; Samuel C, born May 18, 1878; and Winfield S., born August 1, 1880. He enlisted in company D, First Iowa cavalry, and served about two years. He has accumulated considerable property, all by his hard work and strict business integrity, and owns one hundred and seventy-five acres of a choice stock farm, well improved, good buildings, and orchard, etc. He also is owner of, and runs a saw-mill in the same township.

A native of Livingston county, Missouri, born September 29, 1842, is a son of Jesse and Doundy Boyce, nee Peery. His father was a native of Kentucky; came to Missouri in 1819 and settled in Boone county, and died July 9, 1878. His mother was born in Virginia, and died August 18, 1878. Our subject lived in Livingston county till about two years of age, then came with his parents to Daviess county, and lived there about eleven years, and in 1855 located in Harrison township, this county, where he has since lived. He was educated in the district schools and at Grand River College. He enlisted in the First Missouri cavalry, served during the war, and at the close of it returned to Grundy county. December 4, 1880, Mr. Boyce, married Miss Emma Roberts, a native of Mercer county, born April 26, 1855, and a daughter of Oswald and Elizabeth Roberts. He owns eighty acres of fine land, well improved, good buildings and plenty of stock. Mr. and Mrs. Boyce are members of the Methodist Church and are highlv respected and esteemed citizens. -

J. H. Brown

Was born in Kentncky, October 14, 1840. His parents, x\ndrew and Jane Brown, nee McDowell, were both natives of Virginia. Thej' left Kentucky to move to Missouri in 1840, and the subject of this sketch was born while they were on the way, near Louisville, Kentucky. They first located in Chariton county, and lived there till 1852, then moved to Grund}^ county and settled in Madison township, and lived there till their deaths - that of his mother November 20, 1854, and of his father, February 26, 1866. Mr. B. was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools and at Grand River College. He married, April 9, 1863, Miss Louisa E. Witten, a native of Grundy county, born September 24, 1844. Her parents, S. K. and Nancy Witten, nee Peery, were both born in Virginia, but were very early settlers in Grundy county. Her mother died in 1855, and her father is still living in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had five children, three of whom are still living. The names and dates of births are as follows: Eugene E., born April 21, 1864; Nancy J., born September 10, 1866; Andrew K., born October 19, 1868; Ella Ann, born May 6, 1871, died March 31, 1879; and Zuleka, born April 19, 1876, died September 23, 1879.

Mr. Brown is the owner of a farm of eighty acres, and is one of Harrison township's representative men, wide awake in everything for the public good.

Mr. and Mrs. Brown are consistent members of the Methodist Church. He is a man enjoying the confidence of all the people, and his family are highly respected citizens.

Rev. D. C. Brown

D. C. Brown was born in Harrison county, Missouri, August 21, 1841. His father, Jacob A. Brown, and his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah P. Clanton, were both born in North Carolina, but came to Missouri in 1839, and settled in Harrison county. His father was of English and his mother of Irish descent, and were pillars in the Baptist Church, and his father was deacon of the same for thirty years. Jacob A. Brown was elected one of the first justices of the peace in Harrison county, and was a member of the organization of the West Fork Association of Baptists, and assisted in drafting the constitution and by-laws for that association. His father died in 1875, and his mother in 1879. They liad lived for many years as consistent members of the church, and passed peacefully to their reward, their loss from earth being mourned by many true friends.

The subject of our sketch lived at home till eighteen years of age, then, on October 4, 1859, was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Cole, who was born October 4, 1839, in Monroe county, Missouri. She was a daughter of William and Mary Ann Cole, nee Kellums. Her parents settled in

Mr. a!id Mrs. Brown have been the parents of ten cliildren, ciglit of whom are living; viz., Louisa A., born July 6, 1860, now the wife of John Dowell; Jacob J., born Septenil)er 15, 18r)f): Sarali E., born August 23, 1868; Mary, born March 16, 1872; Nancy E., born February 27, 1874; Thomas, born March 18, 1876; Henry A., born August 7, 1878; D. C, born February 18, 1881 ; and John, wlio died when thirteen months old, and one in infancy.

During the war Mr. B. was a member of company F, Second Missouri cavalry; served three and a half years, and was with the regiment in all its various engagements. While in the line of duty he was taken prisoner in Arkansas, and compelled to travel live hundred miles barefooted, and is yet badly crippled from the effects of that march. After the close of the war he farmed in Daviess county until 1876, and then located in Grundy county, where he owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, besides two hundred and eighty acres in Taylor township.

He began laboring as a minister in 1870, and in 1871 was ordained. He is still an active worker in Harrison county. After the war he employed every leisure hour in study, and thus qualified himself for the responsible position he now holds.

John And Makk Bushong

Are natives of Augusta county, Yirginia. John was born February 22, 1819, and Mark, March 27, 1823. They are the sons of Abraham and Mary C. Bushong, nee Toland, both natives of Yirginia, the former of French descent, and the latter of German extraction. Their father died in 1835, and their mother in 1860. John and Mark were reared upon a farm. In 1838 John learned the carpenter's trade and worked at the business for eight years, then they came to Parke county, Indiana, and there John married, February 18, 1847, Miss Elizabeth Noel, a native of Indiana, born October 10, 1831, and a daughter of Matthew and Mira Noel, 7iee PuetL Her father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of North Carolina; the former died in 1851, and the latter in 1861. After his marriage Mr. Bushong continued to work at his trade, in Indiana, till 1857, when he and his brotiier moved to Livingston county, Missouri, and farmed till 1869, when they removed to Grundy county and purchased a beautiful farm of two hundred acres of choice and fertile land. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bushong; namely, Nathan N., dead; Minerva, now wife of J. T. Selby; Mary A., wife of R. R. Mans; Mark, dead; Martha, now wife of James Benfro; Alice v., John A., Eliza J., Henrietta, Lucy L., and Peter S. J., now dead. The brothers have succeeded well since living in Missouri and rank among our best farmers. They have lived together and done business together for over thirtj-three years, and so far there has never been a word of difference between them. Thev are active and enero^etic men and alive to evervthinorfor the public good. They are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

A. Ji. Buchanan

"Was born in Tazewell connty, Virginia, September 5, 1844, and is the son of James R. and Xancy Buchanan, nee Hull; both natives of Virginia. His pai'ents moved to TaA'lor county, Kentucky, in 1S51, when the subject of this sketch was seven years of age, and lived there till 1858, then came to Missouri and located in Montgomerv countv, and thence, in 1859, to Callaway county, wiiere his father has since lived, engaged in farming. His mother died in March, 1878. Mr. Buchanan was reared upon a farm and received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one veai'S he commenced business for himself In 1872 he moved from Callaway to Grundy county and located where he now lives. He married Miss Kancv P. Hale on the loth of December, 1866. She was born December 22, 1848, in Mercer county, Virginia; her parents, C. P. and M. M. Hale, nee Witten, were both natives of the same State, but came to Missouri in 1853 and settled in Livingston county. They are now living in Callaway county. Mr, and Mrs. B. have become the parents of seven children; namely, Lulu L., born July 12, 1868; John W., born ]!iovember 21, 1870; James H., born September 22, 1875; Lizzie, born December 29, 1877; Nancy, born June 13, 1880; Margaret, born June 10, 1873, died September 28, 1874; and one died in infancy. Mr. B. is serving as justice of the peace. He was a member of Colonel Williams' regiment during the civil war, and served one year. He owns one hundred and thirty acres of line farm laud, and is a man that enjoys the esteem and conlidence of all his neighbors.

Benjamin P. Crawford

Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, Januarv 18, 1819, and when but a few days old was taken by his parents to Lewis countj- and lived there till thirtv-three vears of ao-e. His father, Crozard Crawford, and his mother, Lavina Crawford, nee Reynolds, were both natives of Kentuckj^, and are both long since dead. He married Miss A. Swearingen, a native of Lewis county, Kentucky, and a daughter of Charles and Catherine Swearingen, nee Richards. By this marriage they have had nine children, seven of whom are still living; viz., William, born September 10, 1847; Daniel R., born August 22, 1849; Benjamin F., born July 25, 1851; John T., born February 14, 1856; Martha E., born January 6, 1858; Charles W., born February 28, 1861; James H., born December 10, 1863; Mahala J., born February 1, 1845, died May 5, 1870; and Lavina C, born February 17, 1854, died March 18, 1873. Mrs. Crawford died December 1, 1868. March 3, 1869, he was united in marriage to Mi's. Caroline P. Wilkerson, nee McKray, a native of Tennessee, born October 31, 1833, and the widow of Joseph Wilkerson. The issue of this marriage was two children; namely, Cora A., born May 15, 1871, and Iva 11,, born Febraary 22, 1873. In 1852 he migrate^lto Illinois and lived in Teoria c/junty five years, then came to Grundy county, Missouri, where lie has since lived. He owns a very choice farm of three hundred and sixty acres, well imjiroved and stocked, and all earned by his own industry and good management. He is known a.s one of our leading farmers and everyone speaks of " Uncle Perry Crawford" as a good neighlxjr and genial gentleman.

Was bom in Frederick county, Virginia, Febraary 26, 1844. His parents, John and Julia A. Cullers, were natives of Virginia. They moved to Somerset county, Pennsylvania, when he was about four years old, lived there two years, removed to Crawford county, Illinois, where they resided six years, then to Grundy county, Missouri, in 1S55, and located in Harrison toNvnship. Here his father purchased a large tract of land, and here died June 19, 1869. His mother is still living and makes her home with him. He was married, in Gentrv countv, to Miss Cornelia A. Adkinson, a native of Kentucky, born April 15, 1852. The marriage ceremony was perfomied on JN^ovember 18, 1875. Her parents were from Kentucky and' came to Missouri in 1852, and are still living in Gentry county. Two children have been the fruits of this union; viz., "Woodson, born February 4, 1877, died March 6. 1878; and Xora S., bora May 31, 1879. Mr. Cullers has served as township clerk and is now trustee. He is a very active business man and is known as one of the heaviest stock dealers in the county, and has been very successful in his business. He owns eight hundred and ninety acres of land under wjod improvement.

Willia3I D, Gose

"Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, April 11, 1^4-."'. His father was a native of Virginia and died when the subject of tli^- -.:.:ch was only a few weeks old. His mother, whose maiden name was Kebecca "Witten, married James A. Goodwin, and in 1853 they came to Missouri and located near Edinburg, Grand v countv. He was educated at Grand River CoUesre and at Canton, Illinois. He qualified himself for the profession of teachinoand has been one of the leading as well as most earnest and successful teachers in the county. He married, September 24, 1868, Miss Martha J. "Witten, who was born in Grundy county, M:--ouri, October 15, 1848. Her pjarents, Samuel K. and Xancy Witten, Jiee Peery, were both from Virginia, and among the first settlers in Grundy county. Mr. and Mrs. Gose had eight children, only three of whom are living; viz., Samuel D., born August 2, 1870; Fannie P., bom April 30, 1873; and Louisa H., bora

February 26, 1874. The others died in infancy. In 1869 he located in Harrison townshij) and engaged in farming and school teaching. When he came here lie says he only had twenty -five cents in money, but now has a farm of eighty acres, and all accumulated by himself and worthy companion. She is a lady of fine education as well as taste and refinement. She received her education at Hannibal, Glasgow, and Canton, Illinois. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William V. Hoisington

Was born in Athens county, Ohio, January 12, 1842. His parents, James W. and Lydia Hoisington, nee Eddy, were also natives of Athens county. His mother was related to General JN'athaniel Greene. The family moved from Athens, Ohio, to Iowa, and lived there the season of 1865, then located in Grundy county, Missouri. The family consisted of four children; viz., James E., William Y., Mary and Charles A. Mr. James W. Hoisington died December 26, 1866; he had been a useful and honored member of society wherever he had lived. Mrs. H. died September 4, 1872; she too had lived a life of usefulness and left many warm friends to mourn her departure from life. When the subject of our sketch was four years of age he left Ohio with his parents and came to Iowa and lived with them until 1862, when he enlisted in company F, Thirty-third Iowa volunteer infantry, served till the close of the war, and was with them in all their various engagements and marches. After the close of the war he came to Grundy county and located near where he now lives. He married, June 19, 1873, Miss Margaret E. Witten, a native of Gentry county, Missouri, born December 10, 1853. They have had four children; named, respectively, Lydia M., born May 24, 1874; Mary E., born February 26, 1876; Earl, born January 18, 1881; and James W., born August 1, 1878, died May 5, 1880. Mr. Hoisington owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, well improved and stocked.

Mrs. Margaret Lee

Margaret Scott was born in Pike county, Missouri, January 1, 1837. She was a daughter of Andrew and Jane Scott, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia. They cante to Missouri in 1822, settled in Pike county and lived there till they migrated to Grundy county in 1856, and located in Harrison township where Mrs. Lee now lives. Her father died August 24, 1867, and her mother, February 27, 1870. Miss Scott was nineteen years of age when she came to Grundy county. She was united in marriage, April 30, 1861, to William Lee, who was a native of Clinton county, Missouri, born November 13, 1836. His parents were originally from Yirginia, and his father died August 6, 1856, and his mother, in February, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Lee became the parents of five children, three of whom are living; viz., Benjamin L., born February 17, 18C2; Joseph A., born January 24, 1864; and Ada, born September 4, 1871. Victoria died when four years of age, and Ilettie wlien six. Mr. Lee died August 30, 1872. He was a man universally beloved by all wlio knew him, and esteemed for his social qualities. Mrs. Lee lives u])on the homestead, and her sons, Benjamin and Josepli, are carrying on the farm. They deserve great credit for their industry and tlie affection shown tlieir mother, and sister Ada. Mrs. Lee is a member of tlie Methodist Church, and the family are highly respected.

Was born in Lewis county, Virginia, December 18, 1841. His parents, Herman and Drusilla Maxson, were both natives of Virginia. They came to Missouri in 1865 and located at Alexandria, in Clarke county, and remained there till 1869, then came to Grundy county, where they still reside. Our subject was reared upon a farm and received his education in Virginia. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1865 and returned to Virginia in 1866 and, on the 19th day of April, of said year, was united in marriage to Miss Doretha Clemans, who was born in Harrison county, but reared in Lewis county. She was born March 24, 1845; her father was a native of Germany, and her mother of Virginia. Her father died in 1857, and her mother, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs, Maxson became the parents of six children: Mattie, born October 1, 1869; Carrie, born November 16, 1871; Henry F., born April 14, 1874; Gracie, born September 11, 1877; Walter R., born October 1, 1879; and Minnie, born September 8, 1868, died November 29, 1868.

Mr. Maxson, enlisted in comj^any C, of the Tenth West Virginia volunteer infantry and served for nearly four years. He was wounded in the Shenandoah Valley, (shot through tlie leg), and still suffers greatly from the effects of this wound, which was inflicted July 17, 1864, and although a very severe one, November 15 of same year he reported for duty, and served faithfully and well till the close of the war. He enlisted as a private, but was promoted from one office to another, till he attained that of first lieutenant. He was taken prisoner, November 6, 1862, at Sutton, Virginia, taken to Libby Prison, and kept three months, and endured all manner of hardships. When he came to Missouri with his young wife, he had but five dollars, but they unitedly fought the battle bravely and conquered, and now have a beautiful farm of one hundred and twenty acres, well improved and stocked, and located in a fine neighborhood.

Lbvi Moore

Was born in Howard county, Missouri, May 22, 1844, and is a son of Josiah and Nancy Moore, 7iee Montgomery. They were natives of Kentucky, but came to Missouri at an early day. His mother died when he was about three months old, and his father four years later. Being left an orphan at this early age he was taken care of by his uncle, Levi Moore, who lived in Grundy county, and by him was reared till he was eighteen years of age, when he enlisted in company H, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, and served with them over three years. He relates the following incident as a part of his life in the army: About the tirst of November, 1864, near Atlanta, Georgia, while detailed on a foraging expedition he was in the upper story of a tobacco warehouse, about four and one-half miles from camp. Looking out at the gable-end of the building he saw thirteen mounted Confederates coming toward him and where his horse was hitched. He knew it was time to leave, and climbing and falling through the tobacco racks for thirty feet to the floor he quickly picked himself up and made for his horse with all speed, but by the time he was mounted the Confederates were within one hundred and seventy -five yards and opened fire upon him ; then began a race for life. Luckily for him his horse was a good one, and he kept his distance but still under fire, and the chase was thus kept up for about four miles, when he came to a ditch about fourteen feet deep and twelve feet across, which his horse successfully cleared, but it stayed his pursuers, and turning in his saddle he called to them to come on. They only answered

A few days after the occurrence above related he, with several of his comrades, was taken prisoner and held at Andersonville and other places, during which time he suffered much from fevers and the hardships of a prisoner's life. After the war he returned to Grundy county, and on the 22d of February, 1867, was married to Miss Martha Ann Boyce, who was born October 14, 1845, in Daviess county, Missouri. They have had three children; namely, James E., born December 17, 1868; "William Harley, born February 18, 1870; and Ida, born March 19, 1871. Mr. Moore had but little opportunity of obtaining an education, but now, by diligence in study at home, has become a well informed man, and has secured to himself and family a fine home of forty acres, where he lives a happy and contented life.

Kees B. T, Peeky

Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, November 13, 1828. His parents, George and Jane Peery, were natives of Virginia. They migrated to Missouri in the year 1835, remained in Daviess county during the winter, and in the spring of 1836 located in Grundy county, one mile east of Edinburg, and lived there till the subject of this sketch was about twenty-five years o±" age. The family consisted of about thirteen grown sons and daughters,, who were by this time all established in business for themselves, and the subject of our sketch settled upon section fourteen, in Harrison township. His father died in 1874, and his mother in 1872. He was educated iu the

August 10th, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Witten, who was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, Sc])tember 10, 1833. Her parents, Thomas and Rebecca Witten, were also natives of Tazewell county, Ijut came to Missouri in 1852, and soon after settled in Harrison township, Grundy county. Her mother died in 1874, and father in 1879.

Mr. Peery owns live liundred and fifty acres of land, three and one-half miles northwest of Trenton, and the finest for a stock farm in this part of the country. He is liberal in his views in regard to education, and never thinks but what his school tax is a good investment. His son George, has been one of the leading teachers in the county. He ranks among the pioneers and has lived a quiet and peaceable life with all men, and only desires to live such a life during the remainder of his days.

Marcellus Ratliff

Was born in Lewis county, West Virginia, July 19, 1827. He lived in that State till twenty-three years of age; moved to Butler county, Ohio, and lived there two years; then to Hancock county, Illinois, where he resided one and one-half years ; thence to Wayne county, Iowa, remailied till the spring of 1863, and then located in Harrison township, Grundy county, Missouri, where he has since lived, engaged in farming and stock-raising. His father died in 1875, and his mother is still living in Wayne county, Iowa. He was married in Virginia, December 30, 1849, to Miss Sarah Brown, a native of Lewis county, born May 20, 1831. Her parents were also natives of Virmnia. Her father died in 1845, and her mother, in 1880. Both his grandfathers were noted soldiers in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. Ten children have been born to them, seven of whoni are still living; namely, Stephen F., born September 30, 1850; John R., born May 12, 1852; J. N., born February 8, 1854; Jennie, born October 11, 1857; Rosa, born January 8, 1860; William E., born November 20, 1862; and Thomas, born May 27, 1871. Three died in infancy.

Mr. Ratliif has tilled many of the township offices, and is now township clerk and assessor. He never had any help tinancially when he started in life, but has succeeded well, and by industry and good management has accumulated considerable property, and three hundred acr3S of what is said to be one ot the best stock farms in tlie county, well stocked and with fine buildings and a good orchard. Only the two youngest children reside at home, the others are settled in life for themselves and are all living in the same township.

Silas Ratliff

A native of Lewis county, West Virginia, was born September 6, 1831 ; son c^ Jesse and Sarah Ratliff, both natives of West Virginia. When he was sixteen years of age his parents moved to Butler county, Ohio, and lived there five years, then moved to Wajaie county, Iowa, in the fall of 1854. His father died suddenly, while on a trip to Kansas, in 1875. His mother is living, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. His grandfather, William Ratliff", was cook for General Washington, during the Revolutionarj' War, and his grandfather on his mother's side was a valiant officer in the War of 1812. Four of the brothers of the subject of this sketch were brave soldiers during the late war; one died of sickness, from exposure, and one while suffering imprisonment at Andersonville. In April, 1863, he came to Grundy county, Missouri. He married, August 28, 1853, Miss Matilda Butcher, also a native of Lewis county. West Virginia, born April 18, 1834. Her mother died in 1872, and her father is still living in Lewis county, West Virginia, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Ratliff" have had ten children; viz., Sarah C, born May 28, 1854; Eliza C, born September 15, 1856; John L., born January 23, 1861; Jesse A., born October 27, 1863; David E., born January 10, 1866; Mary F., born January 9, 1870; Martha, born March 11, 1876; Nora M., born February 6, 1877; Louisa E., born January 11, 1880; and William, born October 30, 1858, died February 22, 1879. They had no financial assistance in starting in life, but this worthy couple have striven on hand in hand together, have reared a large family and provided for them a home of one hundred and nineteen acres of fine land.

C. W. Scott

This gentleman has the honor of being one of the first white persons that lived in Grundy county. He was born in Daviess county, August 2, 1833. His parents, John and Charlotte Scott, 7iee Meek, were natives of Washington county, Virginia; tlie former was born May 6, 1787, and the latter, April 16, 1805. They came to Missouri in 1831, lived a short time in the counties of Ray and Daviess, and late in the fall of 1833 located in Grundy county, near Edinburg. His father died June 18, 1850, near Julesburg, while crossing the plains to California, and his mother died in 1849. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents in Grundy county till seventeen years of age, then, in company with his father and others, started to California and while crossing the plains they were stricken with cholera and only a few lived to reach the golden shore. He spent about three years there and then returned to Grundy county. He was married, December 3, 1854, to Miss Sallie Thorn- brougli, a native of Lawrence county, Alabama, born January 22, 1S37. She was a dauoliter of William and Catherine Thorn l)rou<^-h, wIkj came to Missoui-i in 1837 and settled near Edinburg. llcr father died in 1847, and her mother is still living in Grundy county, now eighty-three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been the parents of nine children; named, respectively, Laura, born October 9,1855; Flora, born November 19, 1857; Hannah, born November 25, 1859; Charlotte, born April 12, 1802; Charles, born February 10, 1805; Thomas, born May 31, 1807; Hugh, born May 31, 1870; Barton, born October 20, 1874; and Porter, born April 27, 1877. Mr. Scott never had an opportunity of receiving a scholastic education, but has acquired a good general knowledge of things and is a man of fine business ability. He owns a comfortable home of one hundred and twenty-seven acres of fine land, well improved. In 1803 he, together with his family, made a second trip across the plains to California; there they remained for three years, and then returned to Grundy county.

Joseph Scott

Was born in Hancock county, Indiana, August 5, 1836. His father, William Scott, was a native of Delaware, and his mother, Rebecca Scott, of Ohio. They came to Indiana at an early day and were pioneers of that country. His mother died in 1838; and his father in 1880, at the age of eighty-three years. At the age of nineteen years our subject left home to work for himself. He had but a poor opportunity of obtaining an. education, yet he is now a well informed man. At the age of twenty-two years he came to Missouri and located in Gentry county, then crossed the plains in 1859 to Pike's Peak, and in 1800 returned to Grundy county. He married, January 24, 1805, Miss Mary E. A. Selby, who was born in Shelby county, Illinois, January 12, 1847, a daughter of Rev. John C. and Louisa D. Selby, both natives of Kentucky. Her father died in 1800, and her mother is still living in Grundy county. They have had four children; viz., John W., born December 19, 1805; Belle T., born May 4,1870; AVilliam D., born September 22, 1870, died August 17, 1877; and Kemp S., born September 0, 1878. Mr. Scott has forty acres of fine land and considerable stock. He had six brothers in the Union army during the late war, three of them lost their lives, and three returned home safe. Mr. Scott has served his township as school director and road supervisor.

Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, February 21, 1816, son of James and Henrietta Tabor, 7iee Blackwell. He lived in Tazewell county till 1855, then immigrated to Missouri and located in Liberty township, Grundy county, lived there till 1805, then settled in Harrison township, where he still lives. His grandfather, Robert Blackwell, served seven vears as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. Mr. Tabor married, October 30, 1834, Miss Charity Runyan, of Tazewell county, born September 1, 1816, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Runyan, Tiee Jacobs. By this union they have had ten children; viz., Theodosia I., born August 21, 1835; ^eletha Ann, born September 29, 1837; James C, born March 7, 1840; Elizabeth J., born February 16, 1842; Nancy Elvira, born October 9, 1844; Joseph Harvey, born May 1, 1847; William Hardin, born December 31, 1849; Stephen Bartley, born January 22, 1853; Mary Y., born March 8y 1857; George S., born September 9, 1860. William Hardin died July 1, 1851; James C, died February 10, 1865; and George S., died April 5, 1881. Stephen B. was ordained a minister in 1877 and has ever since been a faithful laborer as a pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church (South). Joseph Harvey is also a licensed exhorter in the same church. James C. was a soldier in the Confederate army and died at Camp Douglass from sickness contracted while in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Tabor have been church members for fifty years, and all the family belong to the same church.

Isaac Veach

Was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, December 27, 1820; son of Solomon and Mary Veach, nee Lichliter. His father died at the age of fiftyfive years, and his mother at the age of eighty-nine. He lived in Shenandoah county till thirty-five years of age; was reared upon a farm till eighteen years of age, then learned the trade of wagon-maker and worked at the same till thirty-five years of age. He was married, February 24, 1852, to Miss Julia A. Clem, a native of Shenandoah county, born October 19, 1826; daughter of David and Catharine Clem, nee Walters, both natives of Virginia, and both died there. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Veach; viz., Joshua, born March 18, 1856; Benjamin, May 24, 1858; Ella, December 5, 1860; J^uford December 20, 1863; Mason died when about three years old. Mr. Veach left Virginia, March 21, 1855, came to Missouri, and remained one year in Caldwell county, then located in Mercer county; remained eight years and then went to Harrison township, Grundy county, where he still lives and owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty-four acres well improved and stocked. In 1876 he was appointed bridge commissioner by the County Court, and served three years. He is truly a selfmade man, mentally and financially. By diligence in study he has become a well informed business man, and by industry and good management, has secured a beautiful and pleasant home. In 1869 he erected a bridge across Sugar Creek which Luther Collier, then bridge commissioner, reported as the best bridge in northwestern Missouri. He was chiefly instrumental in securing the building of the graded road from Trenton to the forks of the river.

A native of Audrain county, Missouri, was born June 10, 1842; son of Littlebury and Elizabetli Watts, nee Throckmortou. They were both ])orn in Virginia, but came to Missouri at a very early day. Ilis mother died when lie was live years of age and his father died in 1879. At the age of sixteen he began business for himself, and early in 1863 enlisted in com])any B, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, and served till the close of the war and with the regiment, was in many engagements. While in the service in Tennessee he contracted a disease from which he still suffers. After the close of the war be returned to Grundy count}^ and February 15, 1866, was united in marriage to Miss Nancy E. Tabor, who was born in Virginia, October 9, 184-1. She is a daughter of W. B. Tabor, of this county. Six children have been born, the issue of this union; viz., Mary E., born December 18, 1866; Ida E., born February 11, 1870; Kufly E., born October 13, 1872; Cora B., born May 30, 1875; Thomas H., born November 20, 1877; and Amanda, born December 3, 1868, died January 18, 1869. He has made his own way in the Avorld and now has a nice home of sixty acres of good land well improved and stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Watts are members of the Methodist Church.

Was born in Grundy county, Missouri, January 2, 1849. His father, J. T. Witten, and his mother, Caroline Thomson Witten, were both born in Tazewell county, Virginia. They came to Missouri in the year 1854, and stopped near Edinbnrg, and there his father is still living, but his mother died, August 22, 1865. He married, April 9, 1868, Miss Laura J. Woodress, who was born in Kentucky, June 4, 1849. Her parents, William O., and Eleanor Woodress, were natives of Kentucky, but came to Missouri at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Witten were educated at Grand River College and Canton, Illinois. They have four children; viz., Nellie, born February 26, 1869; Minnie, born July 31, 1872; Mollie, born August 22, 1875; and Eva, born January 22, 1878. He has served his township as constable and school director. He is the owner of seventy-six acres of fine land, well improved. He is a live, public spirited man, and the family are noted for their generous and kind disposition and hospitality, and his abode is ever open to the accommodation of strane:ers.

J. A. Wright

Was bom in Frederick county, Maryland, December 10, 1839. His parents, Albert and Elizabeth Wright, were both natives of Virginia, and are now residents of Grundy county. On the 31st of December, 1863, he was married to Miss Eva Brow*i, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, born July 31, 1844. Her father, Moses Brown, was a native of Virginia, and her mother,

Eutli McPherson Brown, a native of Ohio; her father died November 9, 1868; and her mother is still living, in Grnndy county. When Mr. Wright was quite young his parents moved to Virginia, and when he was sixteen they came to Ohio. Shortly after his marriage he enlisted in company E, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth regiment of National Guards, served five months; then became a menlber of company E, Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry and served till the close of the war; he was taken prisoner near Cynthiana, Kentucky, and kept for some time and then paroled by Gen. John Morgan. After the close of the war he returned to Ohio and farmed till 1869, then came to Missouri, and after spending one year in Caldwell county, located permanently in Grundy county. Mr. and Mrs. Wright became the parents of ten children; namely, Arthur J., born October 15, 1865; Annie E.,. born January 5, 1867; Charles and William (twins), born November 2, 1869; and Jessie, born, June 14, 1876; Albert M., born June 26, 1868, died February 2, 1869; Emma and Edward (twins), born January 15, 1873, Edward died July 11, 1873, and Emma October 10, 1874; Anna and Alfred (twins), born February 9, 1875, Alfred died August 14, 1875, and Anna, August 21, 1875.

Mr. Wright was the eldest son of five children, four of whom are living: William H., a brother, who died August 12, 1870, was a man of far more than ordinary ability and stood among our leading educators; his chosen profession was that of teaching, and he was continually striving to reach a higher standard of excellence in his labors; he was a Union soldier in the Forty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, and in the Tenth Ohio cavalry, and served his country four years; was twice w^ounded and twice captured, but by his bravery managed to escape and was soon again with his command, able and ready for duty; yet, in the prime of life, while in the good work of educating, the great destroyer. Death, conquered him and he was called to his reward, deeply mourned by relatives and friends.

Mr. Wright, the subject of our sketch, has been a very useful man in the county, having been postmaster at Buttsville for a number of years, justice of the peace for seven years, and filled other township ofiices.