Henry County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 14 of 17)

J. 0. Cunningham was reared in Illinois and educated in the public schools and Eureka College at Eureka, Illinois. He engaged in farming in early life in his native State and followed that occupation there until 1901, when he came to Henry County, Missouri, and bought one hundred sixty acres of land in Bogard township. He improved this place and added eighty acres to his original purchase. He also owns a farm of two hun- dred acres near Blairstown. He built a fine residence on the home place in 1912. It is a two story, modern residence with sixteen rooms and is equipped with hot and cold water and modern heating and lighting systems. The bams and other buildings on the place are in thorough keeping with the residence. Mr. Cunningham is one of the successful stockmen of the county. He is well known as an extensive breeder of registered Poland China hogs. He raises as many as one hundred head of these hogs annually, all of which are eligible to registration. He also raises high grade cattle. The "Valley Farm" is well adapted to general farming purposes as well as being one of the ideal stock farms of the county. To supply the place with water Mr. Cunningham has drilled a well three hundred feet deep, which furnishes an inexhaustible supply of water for the place.

February 17, 1896, J. 0. Cunningham was united in marriage with Miss May Center, daughter of H. C. and Hattie (Hall) Center of Watseka, Illinois. Mrs. Cunningham's mother died Februaiy 14, 1914, and the father died March 9, 1918. To Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have been born two children : Dewey C, a graduate of the Blairstown High School, and Eleanor Eachel, who married Paul H. Allen, of Urich, Missouri, May 8, 1918.

Mr. Cunningham takes a deep interest in local public institutions and has been especially active in the betterment of the public schools. He was one of the strong supporters for the Blairstown High School district, which is one of the best schools of the county. He is now serving his second term as secretary of the consolidated school district, number two. For six years he was president of the township board, and during that time much excellent road work was done, many concrete culverts being constructed and other road improvements made. He is one of Henry County's progressive citizens who stands ever ready to support any worthy public enterprise.

Eugene W. Costley, a well known representative citizen of Urich, is a native Missourian. He was born in 1857 in St. Charles County, a son of John C. and Elizabeth (Stone) Costley. The mother was a second cousin of the late Senator William J. Stone. She and her husband are both now deceased and their remains are interred in Darden Creek Cemetry, St. Charles County, Missouri. They were the parents of the following children: Edward C, deceased; William M., lives in St. Louis, Missouri; Eugene W., the subject of this sketch; John D., deceased; Katurah, Howell, Missouri.

When E. W. Costley was a child his parents removed to St. Louis, where he attended the public schools until he was sixteen years of age. He then attended the University of Missouri for three years. After leaving college he returned to St. Louis, where he was engaged in the boot and shoe business for a time. On account of failing health he went to Natchez, Mississippi. Later he went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and from there to Texas, then to Holden, Missouri, and shortly afterward, during the seventies, he went to Clinton, where he was engaged in the boot and shoe business for a number of years. He also served as deputy sheriff of Henry County under Sheriff A. B. Hopkins. In 1882 he settled in White Oak township, where he bought a farm and engaged in general farming and stock raising, to which he has devoted his attention ever since. He owns seventy-five acres of land in Bogard township, eighty acres in White Oak and fifty-seven acres adjoining the town of Urich, where he makes his home.

Mr. Costley was married in 1882 to Miss Millie A. Moler, a daughter of Charles H. and Phoebe (Hendricks) Moler, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Henry County.

Charles H. Moler was an early settler in Bogard township and entered Government land here. His wife was a daughter of Asa Hendricks, who was one of the very early pioneers of this section. Mrs. Costley died in 1898, aged forty years, leaving the following children: Wade, who was born November 14, 1882, and is now at Dallas, Texas, in the employ of the United States Government as a constructor, he married Lula May Newcomb and they have four children, Harry H., Eugene, Laura May and Wade H., Jr. The second and youngest child born to Mr. and Mrs. Costley is Hoyland L., born February 20, 1887. She was educated in Stevens College, Columbia, Missouri, and now resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Wade was educated in the public schools of Henry County and the Central College at Fayette, Missouri.

Lewis B. McKean, proprietor of the "Fairview Stock Farm" in Bogard township, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Seville, Medina County, August 12, 1866, a son of William James and Fedora (Hay) McKean. the former a native of Center County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Seville, Ohio. The McKeans are descendants of prominent colonial ancestors, Thomas McKean, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence, being a direct ancestor of the subject of this sketch. William James McKean was a Union veteran in the Civil War, having served for two years in Company K, 88th Regiment Ohio Infantry. In 1868 he came to Missouri and settled in Bogard township, Henry County, on the farm owned by L. B. McKean, the subject of this sketch. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising practically up to the time of his death, December 11, 1902. To William James and Fedora (Hay) McKean were born the following children: Lewis B., the subject of this sketch; George H., died July 20, 1908, in Covington, Oklahoma; W. E., a prominent real estate and oil man of Guthrie, Oklahoma, who is prominent in politics of that State, having served as register of deeds of his county for seven years and was a delegate at large to the National Republican Convention in Chicago in 1912; Myrtle F., married A. D. Davis, Wheatland, Oklahoma. The mother of these children died September 16, 1877, and on February 15, 1880, William James McKean was married to Kate W. Crissman, a daughter of Oliver and Caroline (Sisler) Crissman.

The Crissman family were Pennsylvanians and came from Blair County, that State, to Henry County, Missouri, in 1869. The father died October 1, 1916, the mother having departed this life May 21, 1912. They were the parents of the following children: F. M., Clinton, Missouri; Mrs. Kate W. McKean ; T. J., lives in Bogard township ; Frank P., Colony, Oklahoma; Mrs. Mary McVay, Hutchinson, Kansas; Mrs. Maggie Shoemaker, La Due, Missouri ; Mrs. Ida Cowden, Fields Creek township, and Mrs. Gertrude Ogan, Stevensville, Texas. To William James and Kate W. (Crissman) McKean were born two Qhildren: Ida, who resides at home in Bogard township, and Nerval, who is engaged in farming in Bogard township.

L. B. McKean is one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Bogard township, and his farm, which is known as "Fairview Stock Farm," is located four and one-half miles southwest of Blairstown, and is one of Henry County's valuable farms. Here Mr. McKean is engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. McKean is one of the high class farmers and stockmen of the county. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri, having been a member of the class of 1892, where he ranked high in scholarship. Politically he is a Republican and has served four years as township collector and is now serving his second term. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America of Blairstown.

Levi A. Spangler, owner and proprietor of "The Willowbrook Farm," Fields Creek township, is one of Henry County's successful farmers and stockmen. Mr. Spangler was born in McDonough County, Illinois, March 20, 1850, a son of Lewis and Harriet (Sarles) Spangler, both natives of Kentucky, the former born on March 11, 1815, near Louisville, Ky., and the latter on July 29, 1816, at Albany, New York. The family came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1858, and in 1864 left this section of the country and drove across the plains with an ox-team and settled in Idaho. A few years later they returned to Missouri, and settled in Cass County, near Freeman, where the father died in 1882, and the mother departed this life eleven years later, and their remains are buried in the cemetery at Freeman, Missouri.

Lewis and Harriet (Sarles) Spangler were the parents of the following children: Norvall, who was a captain in the Confederate Army and was killed while in the service; Mrs. Susan White, deceased; Davis, who served in the Confederate Army, and after the war settled in Cass County and is now deceased; Mrs. Lucinda Calloway, died at Brunswick, Missouri; Mrs. Ruth Naylor died at Brunswick, Missouri; Isabelle died in Idaho in 1884; James M. resides at Clinton, Missouri; Levi A., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Mary R. Luster, Springfield, Missouri; and George L., Appleton City, Missouri.

Levi A. Spangler was educated in the public schools of Illinois, Idaho and Cass County, Missouri. He then attended school at the Brunswick, Missouri, Academy. In 1876, he came to Henry County. He was a poor boy without capital and worked as a farm laborer for twenty-five dollars per month. He was frugal and industrious and after a few years had saved fifteen hundred dollars out of his earnings, which he invested in a farm, making the first payment on two hundred forty acres in 1883. He added to this place from time to time until he now owns six hundred seventy-nine acres of well improved land and located about five and onehalf miles northeast of Clinton. It is one of the well improved and valuable farms of Henry County and is probably worth considerably more than seventy-five thousand dollars, if placed on the market today. The Spangler residence is one of the fine homes of Henry County and is equipped with all modern conveniences, including heat, light and water, and the other farm buildings about the place are thoroughly in keeping with the residence.

ton, who was born in Deer Creek township, October 16, 1863, the daughter of Bayard and Kate (Adamson) Houston of Deer Creek township. The father is now deceased and his remains are interred in Englewood Cemetery and the mother now resides in Clinton. They were the parents of the following children: William, who is engaged in mining in Idaho; Mrs. Alice Spangler, Clinton, Missouri ; Thomas J. lives in Nebraska ; Berry died at Cheyenne, Wyoming; Frances, wife of Levi A. Spangler, subject of this sketch; Eliza, died in Clinton at the age of nineteen years; Samuel B., whose present address is unknown, and Mrs. Hattie Cameron, Deer Creek, township.

To Mr. and Mrs. Spangler have been born five children as follow: Mabel, Dr. Harvey B., James S., Frank A., and Louise, who died at the age of two years. Mabel Spangler was born on October 16, 1904, married Fred W. Olson, a banker of Windsor, Missouri, and is mother of two children, Frederick A., and Frances. Dr. Harry V. Spangler, who is now a member of the Hospital Corps No. 40, National Army, and is in the service at the western front in France, was born October 18, 1886. He was educated in the Clinton High School and graduated from this school, also completed a business course in the Gem City Business College, at Quincy, Illinois, graduated from the medical department of Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. He practiced medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah, for four years prior to his enlistment as first lieutenant in the Medical Corps on June 25, 1917. Doctor Spangler is a Scottish Rite Mason. James S., a farmer in Fields Creek township, was born February 13, 1890, and was educated in the Clinton High School, the Sedalia Business College, and studied the Science of Agriculture at the State University, Columbia, Missouri. He married, Ruby, daughter of R. T. Lindsay, and has two children, Sarah Frances, and R. T. Lindsay Spangler. Frank A. Spangler was born November 18, 1893, graduated from the Clinton High School, and the banking department of the Gem City Business College, Quincy, Illinois, enlisted in the United States Navy in December, 1917, and received his training for the sea service at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station and is now serving his country aboard a United States Naval Vessel in European waters.'

Mr. and Mrs. Spangler are justly proud of their fine family and are especially proud of the two sons whom they have contributed to the nation's service as soldiers in defense of their country. It is probable that they take more pride in their family than in their ovm accomplish- ments which have placed them in the front rank of Henry County citizenship. The Spangler home is a beautiful and spacious one and is noted for the warm hospitality and kindliness of its occupants. Nothing is too good for the Spangler children, and at Christmas time in 1917, Mrs. Spangler made her sons and son-in-law each a present of a valuable Masonic ring. Mr. Spangler is a Knights Templar Mason, and both he and Mrs. Spangler are members of the Eastern Star. Since the organization of the Clinton National Bank in 1907, Mr. Spangler has served on the directorate of this thriving financial institution.

J. W. Page, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman of Bogard township, was born in Cedar County, Missouri, April 15, 1883, and when an infant was adopted by Franklin M. and Mary J. (Beech) Page, both of whom are now deceased. The former died May 7, 1918, in his eightieth year and the mother departed this life in 1896.

Franklin M. Page was born in Moniteau County, Missouri, December 26, 1837, and when a boy came to Henry County with his parents. He grew to manhood in this county and was married here in 1859. Later he removed to Cass County, which was his home for many years. In 1904 he returned to Henry County and bought a farm of one hundred sixty-five and one-half acres five miles northwest of Urich, which is now the home of J. W. Page, the subject of this sketch. This place was formerly owned by Asa Hendricks, who entered this land from the Government. Franklin Page was one of the pioneers of this section and a man of high integrity and sterling worth. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Creighton, having been made a Mason at Old Wadesburg, an extinct Cass County town. This was before the town of Creighton or the railroad through that section was thought of. During the Civil War Franklin M. Page served as a member of the Home Guards. Both he and his wife were worthy pioneers of Henry and Cass Counties, and are well worthy of commendable mention in a work of this character.

John Wesley Page was educated in the public schools at Cr^rghton, Missouri, and remained with his adopted parents as long as they lived, caring for them and giving them all the attention of loved and respected parents until they passed to the great beyond.

Mr. Page is one of the successful farmers and stockmen of Henry County, and has always been engaged in that line of work. He is well knovsm as a breeder of Polled Durham cattle and spotted Poland China hogs. He is a good farmer and understands the stock business. He is

Nelson H. Tillman, a Union veteran of the Civil War and a Henry County pioneer, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Dai'ke County, April 14, 1842, a son of Jacob and Eliza (Nighswonger) Tillman. They were the parents of the following children : A. M., resides in Clinton, Missouri ; Nelson H., the subject of this sketch, and William H., of Clinton, Missouri. The mother died in Darke County, Ohio, about 1852 and the father was married again. To this second marriage were born two children: George and John, both of whom are now deceased.

Nelson H. Tillman was reared in Darke County, Ohio, and attended the public schools. The Civil War broke out when he was about nineteen years of age and in August, 1861, he enlisted at Arcanum, Ohio, in Company K, 34th Ohio Infantry, and sei-ved throughout the war. He participated in the battles of Cedar Creek, Harper's Ferry, Ball Towns and numerous other hard fought battles and important engagements. At one time he was struck by a minnie ball which knocked him down, although he was but slightly injured. Mr. Tillman was captured during his term of service in the army. He with eight hundred other Union soldiers were captured by General Rosser's forces while engaged in guarding the Baltimore and Ohio railroad in Virginia. Mr. Tillman was confined in the Confederate military prison during the winter of 1864 at Richmond in Libby prison until April of 1865. During the period of his confinement he never lost courage and with his good humor and optimistic view of the situation he gave much comfort and encouragement to many of his more despondent comrades.

At the close of the war Mr. Tillman received his honorable discharge by general order of the war department and returned to his Ohio home. Here he remained until 1868, when he came to Missouri, settling in Pettis County, near Dresden. A short time later he went to Cherryville, Kansas, where he remained two years. He then came to Henry County and operated a saw mill south of Calhoun for about three years. In 1873 he bought a farm in Shawnee township in partnership with his brother William, and since that time he has been successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He owns one hundred ninety-eight acres of good farm land under a high state of cultivation. His farm is well improved. All the improvements have been placed there by Mr. Tillman.

Miss Harriet A. Leaton, a daughter of Edward and Pinkston Leaton, pioneer settlers of Tebo township, Henry County. Edward Leaton was born in Kentucky and came to Henry County, Missouri, an orphan boy. Harriet Pinkston was a widow when he married her, her first husband having been a Mr. Stephenson. Both parents of Mrs. Tillman are now deceased. Mrs. Tillman was one of the following children born to her parents : Flavius, Harriet A., wife of Nelson H. Tillman ; Franklin, Verilous, Oscar and Mrs. Laura Crabtree, who lives in Oklahoma, all of whom are deceased except Mrs. Tillman and Mrs. Crabtree.

To Nelson H. and Harriet A. (Leaton) Tillman have been born three children, as follow: Clara, resides at home with her parents; Ruby, married M. E. Merritt, Calhoun, Missouri, and Carl, who is living on the old home place in Shawnee township, Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Tillman have five grandchildren: Tillman, Evangeline Merritt and Harless C, Ruth O. and Carl C. Tillman. Mr. and Mrs. Tillman are one of the honored pioneer couples of Henry County and well deserving of mention in a work of this character, the chief aim of which is to preserve the story of the pioneers of other days.

Fred Keck, a well known farmer and stockman of Fields Creek township, was born on the old Keck homestead in the township where he now lives December 24, 1872. He is a son of Constantine Keck, who is a pioneer settler of Fields Creek township. He built one of the first brick residences of the county. It is a two story, eight room structure and is still standing, is occupied and in a good state of preservation. It was built in 1877 and the brick were manufactured on the Keck homestead.

Fred Keck was reared on the home farm in Fields Creek township and attended the district schools of his neighborhood. He has followed farming and stock raising in Fields Creek township all his life and has met with well merited success. Mr. Keck is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He specializes in Durham and Jersey cattle and Poland China hogs. The Keck homestead consists of two hundred eighty acres of land and is owned by the Keck estate, there being six children in all.

January 18, 1897, Fred Keck was united in marriage with Miss Emma Dehn, a native of Henry County, born in Honey Creek township April 3, 1875. She is a daughter of Peter and Susan (Nace) Dehn, and is one of the following children born to her parents : Katie, resides in Clinton ; John, Clinton township; Lizzie, married John Duerr, Clinton, Missouri; Daniel, lives in Fields Creek township; Anna, deceased; Mary, married Henry

Myers, Ashgrove, Missouri; Susan, married W. D. Lloyd; George, lives near Clinton, Missouri; Rosa, married Godfrey Batschlett, La Due, Missouri; and Emma, married Fred Keck, the subject of this sketch. Peter Dehn was born in Gemiany April 26, 1824, and immigrated to America in 1851, settling at Galena, Illinois. He came to Henry County in 1867 and settled in Honey Creek township, where he died April 27, 1910. His wife was born in Germany in 1839 and died December 24, 1910.

John McCoy, a prominent farmer and stockman of Bogard township, is a native son of Henry County and a descendant of pioneer parents of this section. Mr. McCoy was born about two miles southeast of Creighton December 29, 1855, a son of Mason Louis and Mary (Baker) McCoy. Mason Louis McCoy was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, February 8, 1829, and died at Urich, Missouri, April 15, 1917. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1838, and they settled in Lafayette County and in 1854 Mason Louis McCoy came to Henry County. He was a man who had a vast experience in the new and undeveloped west of the early days. For a number of years he was train boss for Russell and Major, who were extensive freighters in the early days. Mr. McCoy crossed the plains in the employ of this company many times. During the Civil War his family lived in Henry County on the old homestead and much of his time was spent in Sedalia, where he was serving as a member of the Home Guards. Mason Louis McCoy was an unusual man in many ways. He was fairly well to do and charitably inclined. Many of the early pioneers owe their success in later life to being assisted at a critical time by Mr. McCoy, whose generosity was one of his leading characteristics. He was enterprising and progressive, and took an active part in all public matters and measures which tended to build up his county and community.

To Mason Louis and Mary (Baker) McCoy were born the following children: John, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Elizabeth McClung, Urich, Missouri; William, died at Premlin, Oklahoma; Mrs. Evaline Peake, Vernon County, Missouri; Mrs. Letitia Johnson, Richards, Missouri; Robert, Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Dollie Hillebrant; George, Urich, Missouri, and one who died in infancy.

settled in the vicinity of Urich in the early days, on a place about half a mile north of town. Shortly afterwards a small frame school house was built on the McCoy place there. This was destroyed by fire and the next school building was located about one-fourth mile south of there, which was subsequently replaced by the Oak Grove school house, which is still standing. Mr. McCoy remained at home with his parents until he was about eighteen years old. His first independent venture was working as a farm laborer in Cass County, for which he received fifteen dollars a month. Shortly after this he engaged in farming on his own account and in 1884 bought ninety acres of land. He has added to this as opportunities presented themselves and is now the owner of a good farm of three hundred thirty-five acres. He is a successful general farmer and is extensively engaged in raising cattle and hogs, as well as buying and selling stock. He is a self made man and what property he has accumulated is the result of his unaided efforts. When he purchased his first land he was practically without capital and mortgaged the place for almost the entire purchase price for which he paid eleven per cent, interest. At that time all farm produce was at the low water mark of prices. For instance, eggs sold for three cents per dozen. Mr. McCoy believes that a man can buy a farm today without capital, and pay for it easier and quicker than at any other time in the history of the country.

John McCoy was united in marriage March 2, 1881, with Miss Mary E. Godwin, a native of Indiana, bom June 29, 1860. She is a daughter of William and Mary Frances (James) Godwin. The Godwin family resided in Bogard township. The father was born February 3, 1828, and died November 13, 1882. The mother was born January 20, 1838, and died November 14, 1908. They came to Missouri in 1866 and settled in Cass County, where they resided for some time, and later the father bought a farm in Bogard township. William and Mary Frances (James) Godwin were the parents of nine children, as follow: George W., born March 18, 1854 ; Sarah, born February 4, 1856, married T. S. Clay, Bogard township; Annie E., born March 29, 1858, married Alves Williams, Lodi, California; Mary E., the wife of John McCoy, the subject of this sketch; James F., born February 1, 1863, now deceased; Emeline, born February 16, 1865, deceased; William S., born July 18, 1867, deceased; Amanda J., born November 29, 1870, deceased; and Samuel A., bom June 8, 1872, deceased. To John McCoy and Mary E. (Godwin) McCoy have been born the following children: Alford, married Josie E.

Crissman of Bogard township, now resides on the home place; Joseph R., married Pearl Williams of Cass County, and also resides on the home place; Mayme Frances, married F. G. Hale. Both she and her husband were teachers in the Centralia public schools, Centralia, Missouri. Mr. Hale is now a private in the National Army, in training at Camp Pike, Arkansas.

Albert M. Allen, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Fields Creek township, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Cumberland County December 27, 1853, a son of Lewis and Elizabeth F. (Pace) Allen, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Missouri in 1858 and settled in Lynn County. In 1867 the Allen family removed to Henry County and settled in Fields Creek township on a farm which is now owned by Albert M. Allen, the subject of this sketch. The father later went to Oklahoma and in 1912, after a residence there of about twenty years, died at Norman. His wife also died at Norman, Oklahoma, in 1904. They were the parents of two children, Albert M., the subject of this sketch, and James M., a banker at Humansville.

Albert M. Allen got his start in life from his father, who gave him forty acres of land. Mr. Allen has been engaged in farming and stock business for himself since reaching his majority and is one of the successful and prosperous men of Henry County. He has added acreage to his holdings from time to time until he now owns over five hundred twenty-five acres of some of the best land to be found in Henry County. It is all well improved and Mr. Allen is recognized as one of the successful stock raisers of the county. He usually has on hand about one hundred head of cattle and from one hundred fifty to two hundred head of hogs.

February 8, 1877, Albert M. Allen was united in marriage with Miss Nannie E. White, a native of Pike County, Illinois, and a daughter of Joseph and Lavina (Mitchell) White, the foiTner born in Indiana in 1834 and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1835. Mrs. Lavina (Mitchell) White died March 30, 1917, and her remains are interred in the Fields Creek Cemetery. Joseph White now resides in Honey Creek township with his son, Joseph Lee.

Creek township and the place upon which they then settled is now owned by members of the family. Joseph and Lavina (Mitchell) White were the parents of the following children: Nannie, who married Albert M. Allen, the subject of this sketch; John R., lives at Rock Island, Texas; Oliver P., Joliet, Illinois, and Joseph L., a successful farmer and stockman of Honey Creek township, married Anna Ford, a native of Honey Creek township, and they have a son, Joseph G., who is now a soldier in the United States Army in France, a member of the 129th Machine Gun Battalion, and their other children are : Emily M., Ernest F., Frances N., Ruby L., Robert B., Ethel Clare, Anna Evelyn, Lindsay and Nannie May, who died in infancy.

To Albert M. Allen and wife have been born two children: Elmer P., who died when six months old, and Ernest M., a farmer and stockman of Henry County. Mr. Allen is one of the substantial citizens of Henry County and takes a keen interest in local public affairs. He has served as treasurer of Fields Creek township for six years, and is one of its leading citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

John Drach, Jr. - There are always in the settlement of every locality, a few men from whom historic points seem to radiate, and who are entitled to the honor and glory of the development of that particular part of a new country. This may be truly said of John Drach, Jr., public administrator and one of the worthy pioneers of Henry County. Mr. Drach was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1842, and is a son of George and Margaret (Kling) Drach, natives of Pennsylvania. The Drach family lived pioneer lives and were early settlers in St. Clair County, Illinois.

They saw it in its manifold aspects. They saw the development of the wild and unbroken plains of western Missouri at a time when few folks knew or appreciated what this meant. At the close of the Civil War and for a few years thereafter, George Drach and family made their home in the vicinity of Belleville, in St. Clair County, Illinois, but when John came West and located in Missouri, in the fall of 1867, he left all of his kin and kindred behind, for the time being and was joined by his parents in 1868. He began life in a new locality, under new conditions, where manhood and integrity meant all, and family pedigree nothing. George Drach and the family came to Henry County in March, 1868. The Drachs first located one and a half miles west of Lucas PostofRce and moved to the Drach home place in the spring of 1871.

John Drach

George Drach labored to make a home for his family and before this end was accomplished he died in 1883. His wife, undismayed by misfortune, continued to make her home in this county and rear her family, all of whom practically reached the age of maturity. She died in 1892.

To George and Margaret Drach were born the following children: John, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Annie M. Kruse, St. Louis, Missouri ; George Drach, who died at Girard Illinois, May 6, 1917 ; Julius, born August 6, 1859, and died at Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Harry, died at Cripple Creek, Colorado; Catharine C, housekeeper for John Drach; Edward E., born December 6, 1850, and now resides at Denver, Colorado, and Alfred Edward, who died in childhood.

Mr. Drach is one of the enterprising and progressive farmers and stockmen of the county and is the owner of one of Henry County's best farms, owning altogether 135 acres, located four miles north of Clinton on the Warrensburg road. Since coming to Henry County he has made many improvements and today ranks as one of Henry County's most progressive citizens and fearless voters. Mr. Drach is regarded as one of the most progressive citizens of Henry County, and has done his part ably and well in the furtherance of progress. In politics he is a Democrat.

William R. Duck, proprietor of the "Woodland View Stock Farm," one of the leading farmers and stockmen of Bogard township, belongs to a pioneer family of this section. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, March 13, 1861, a son of Benjamin and Martha J. (Latimer) Duck, the former a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. The Duck family moved from Starke to Ashland County, Ohio, when William R. was a- child and in 1868 they came to Missouri and settled in Henry County. Here the father bought one hundred twenty acres of land, to which he later added eighty acres, owning two hundred acres at the time of his death. He improved the place and built a home, hauling lumber from Holden, Missouri. Rev. Benjamin Duck was a United Brethren minister and preached in Henry and Bates Counties on numerous occasions. He was a Christian gentleman and a good citizen. He died in February, 1891, and his wife departed this life in 1904. Their remains rest side by side in the Grant Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary E. Eyster, Ashland, Ohio; Joseph H., deceased; Mrs. Rebecca A. Creveling, a widow, lives in Ashland County, Ohio; Daniel 0., Hartwell, Arkansas; Benjamin A., Johnson County, Missouri, and William R., the subject of this sketch.

William R. Duck was reared on his father's farm and educated in the public schools, attending school at Bee Branch in District No. 26. The schoolhouse here was built by his father, Rev. Benjamin Duck, who hauled the lumber from Holden, Missouri, and the first teacher here was Hattie Carpenter. Mr. Duck has always made farming and stock raising his occupation, and is recognized as one of the successful stock breeders of western Henry County. He raises Shorthorn cattle and has on hand about fifty head, most of which are registered. He also breeds Poland China hogs, eligible to registration, and also raises quite a number of mules and Percheron horses. Mr. Duck's place is one of the ideal farms in the county and is located two and one-half miles south of Quick City and six miles from Blairstown and consists of four hundred acres in the home farm, besides one hundred thirty acres in Johnson County, northeast of Quick City.

Mr. Duck was united in marriage in 1897 to Miss Ida F. Farnsworth, a daughter of Lot and Caroline (George) Farnsworth, natives of Tennessee, who settled in Cass County in 1856 on a farm four miles southeast of Garden City. Later the Farnsworth family removed to Johnson County, when order No. 11 was issued. The parents are now both deceased. The father died in 1909 and the mother August 21, 1917. The following children were born to Lot and Caroline (George) Farnswoi'th: JRobert, Quick City, Missouri; Mrs. Lou Fowler, Enid, Oklahoma; Mrs. Helen Hall, Longston, Kansas ; Mrs. Laura Parkhurst, Kinsley, Kansas ; Mrs. Lucy Parkhurst, Los Angeles, California; A. A., Marble Hill, Missouri; Ida F., wife of William R. Duck, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Edna Farnsworth, who resides in Johnson County, Missouri, and Cyrus L., Quick City, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Duck have been born the following children: Carrie Lee, Cyrus W. and Lottie Helen, all of whom reside at home with their parents.

Mr. Duck is one of the representative citizens of Henry County, who has made good and the Duck family are well known and prominent in the community. Mr. Duck is a Republican and a member of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Duck is a member of the Christian Church.

Robert W. Wehmeyer, a well-known and progressive farmer and stockman of Bogard township, is a native of Henry County. He was born on his father's place in Bogard township in 1874, a son of J. B. and Mary Wehmeyer, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.

the district school at Bee Branch and Brushy district in Bogard township. He remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, when he engaged in the livery business at Blairstown. He conducted this business for three years, when he engaged in farming on his present place in Bogard township. He made all the improvements on his place. The first year that he moved here he built a residence and later erected a barn and in 1905 built a second barn. His place is well improved with all necessary buildings including a garage. Mr. Wehmeyer is one of the successful stock breeders of the county, making a specialty of Duroc Jersey hogs and Shorthorn cattle. He also raises quite a number of horses and mules. His place is not only well adapted for general farming, but is an ideal stock farm.

Mr. Wehmeyer was married June 28, 1903, to Miss Jessie B. Schnorf, a daughter of J. H. and Isabelle (Schellers) Schnorf of Bogard township. Mrs. Wehmeyer's parents are both now deceased. The mother died in 1902 and the father in 1916 and their remains are interred in the Grant Cemetery. He was a Civil War veteran, having served in Company H, 93rd Ohio Infantry for three years during the Civil War. He was born in Warren County, Ohio, November 20, 1831. Mrs. Wehmeyer is one of the following children born to her parents: Ilda, who died at the age of sixteen; Maggie, deceased; James, lives in Kansas City, Missouri; John, lives in Cass County, Missouri; Alonzo, resides on the home place in Bogard township; Mrs. Etta Wehmeyer, and Jessie, the wife or Robert W. Wehmeyer, the subject of this sketch. To Robert W. Wehmeyer and wife have been born three children: Lottie Belle, died in infancy; Clarence S. and Chester Everet.

Robert W. Wehmeyer and his family are well known and prominent in the community and he is one of Bogard township's most progressive citizens.

Allen L. Depew, pioneer settler of Bogard township and a well informed and interesting citizen of Henry County, is a native of Indiana. He was born in Allen County May 16, 1851, and is the son of Hezekiah and Margaret Elizabeth (Essig) Depew, both natives of Ohio. They were married on January 25, 1844. Hezekiah Depew was the son of Isaac Depew, who was born in 1792, and his mother, Margaret Depew, was born in 1793.

ship. He prospered in the county of his adoption and at the time of his death in 1859 he owned four hundred forty acres of land. The children born to Hezekiah and Margaret Depew were as follow: Mrs. Lovina Brooks, living in Canada; Allen L., of this review; Mrs. Elvira Jones, deceased; Mrs. Angeline Beach, deceased; Joseph, Bogard township; Andrew, deceased.

A. L. Depew attended the subscription schools of the home neighborhood during his boyhood days and when times were hard during the Civil War he worked at any honest labor in order to assist the family. The nearest trading point was Sedalia. The Depew home was built of lumber hauled from Lexington. He lived at home with his mother until he was thirty years old and then began for himself, although he became a land owner when twenty-two years of age. Mr. Depew now owns four hundred twenty-three acres of excellent farm land in Bogard township. His home is located four and a half miles northeast of Urich and the improvements on the land consist of two sets of farm buildings. Mr. Depew is engaged in general farming and stock raising.

February 14, 1882, A. L. Depew and Nancy Ely were united in marriage. Nancy (Ely) Depew is the daughter of William and Bettie (Morgan) Ely, both natives of Kentucky who came to Henry County and settled on Honey Creek in the fifties. Mr. Ely owned about eight hundred acres of land in this county. William and Bettie Ely were parents of the following children: Mrs. Addie M. Young, Honey Creek township; Aaron B., address unknown; Mrs. Nancy Depew; Mrs. Mary L., Shideler, California; Mrs. Sarah C. Trent, Moberly, Missouri; William E., living in California; Reuben, Dalton, Missouri.

To Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Depew have been born children as follow: Lillian Viola, deceased; Mary Belle, wife of Henry Woirhaye, Urich, Missouri; Jennie M., wife of Roy Kaiser, Grand Junction, Colorado; George Allen, on the home place ; John Henry, Havre, Montana, now a private in the National Army; Emma Maud, deceased; Zonie Elizabeth, wife of Clarence Lear; Annie Louisa, wife of R. A. Hull, Grand Junction, Colorado; Aline Gustava, at home.

Mr. Depew is an excellent citizen who is highly respected in his locality and he and the members of his family are considered to be among the best citizens of Henry County.

C. N. Bleil, a prominent citizen of Shawnee township and one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of this county, is a native of Henry County and a descendant of one of the honored pioneer families of this section. Mr. Bleil was born February 1, 1872, a son of Frederick W. and Charity A. (Drake) Bleil, natives of Ohio, who settled in Henry County in 1866. When Frederick Bleil settled in Shawnee township, he bought two hundred sixty acres of land and C. N., the subject of this sketch, still owns a part of the old place. Frederick Bleil was a successful farmer and stockman and a good citizen. He died March 19, 1896, and his wife departed this life May 1 ,1910, and their remains rest side by side in the Shawnee Mound Cemetery. To Frederick W. and Charity A. (Drake) Bleil were born the following children: Edgar, resides in Kansas City, Missouri ; Dr. A. W., Kansas City, Missouri ; Nettie C, Clinton, Missouri ; John L., died at the age of one year; C. N., the subject of this sketch, and G. D., who lives on the old home place in Shawnee township.

C. N. Bleil was reared in Shawnee township and educated in the district schools. He engaged in farming in early life and has successfully devoted himself to agricultural pursuits to the present time. He owns one of the valuable farms of Shawnee township, which consists of two hundred forty acres, eighty acres of which is a part of the old Bleil homestead. Mr. Bleil raises Duroc Jersey hogs and keeps quite a herd of Jersey cows. He is also interested in raising sheep and has a valuable flock of pure bred Shropshires. Mr. Bleil's place is well equipped for the stock business with large silo and other conveniences.

December 9, 1894, C. N. Bleil was united in marriage with Miss Lillie Tillman, a daughter of A. M. Tillmafl of Clinton, Missouri. Mrs. Bleil's mother died a number of years ago and her father now resides in Clinton. Mrs. Bleil was one of a family of four children born to her parents as follow: James L., who resides in Colorado; Mrs. Bleil; Lloyd, Clinton, Missouri, and Mrs. Bessie Wade, who resides at Leeton, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Bleil have been born the following children : Mrs. Edith Bozarth, now deceased ; Howard, George, Louis, Arthur, Clarence, Paul, Mabel and Mildred, all of whom reside at home with their parents, except Edith and Arthur, who are deceased.

Mr. Bleil is one of the directors of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Henry County, which is one of the prosperous and well conducted insurance companies of the State. Mr. Bleil is a member of the time honored Masonic Lodge and is one of Henry County's most highly

Joseph R. Hampton, M. D. - The little village of Shawnee Mound have in their midst a physician and surgeon who is a native of Henry County and a descendant of the earliest settlers of Shawnee township. Dr. Joseph R. Hampton was born in Shawnee township in 1867, the son of David T. and Sophia (Beatty) Hampton. Ddvid T. Hampton was born September 9, 1835, in Clark County, Kentucky, and came with his parents George W. and Nancy Hampton in 1839 to a homestead in Shawnee township. As a little lad David T. Hampton roamed the natural forest and often went with his father to hunt the wild deer, turkey and various other wild game for the table. They lived in the log cabin with its dirt floor and its chinkings in the wall. They drew their water from a natural spring near by and the big logs were brought home by the slow, cumbersome ox to be placed on the big fireplace in the winter.

David Hampton, who was southern born and educated, felt that the cause of the Confederate States was right and when his comi^ades were bearing arms in defense of their rights he too shouldered the musket and joined in the war. He was wounded in the battle of Lone Jack and taken prisoner by the Union forces, remaining in the St. Louis Federal prison until the cessation of hostilities. After the war he returned and was married to Sophia Beatty, a daughter of Joseph and Polly Beatty, early settlers in Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Hampton settled on a farm three miles north of Huntingdale and here they labored together to make a home for the sons and daughters. The following children were born to them: Dr. Joseph R., of this sketch; Lucy Paul, deceased; George W., resides in Kansas City, Missouri ; Mrs. Olga Ross, deceased, and James Harvey, a farmer of Shawnee township. Mrs. Hampton, the mother of this family, was laid to rest in 1881 and David Hampton remained on the farm until his death in 1913. He had a brother, L. H. Hampton, of Bogard township and a sister, Mrs. Mary Dunham, of Benton County, Missouri, who are still living, at an advanced age.

Joseph R. Hampton, the eldest of the children born to this venerable couple, received his education in the public schools of Henry County and attended the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, where he completed his course with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1893. He came fresh from college to his present location and has since seen successfully engaged in the practice of his profession.

September 6, 1899, Doctor Hampton was married to Rosa Lampkin, a daughter of Ethelbert and Emma Lampkin, the former now deceased and the latter resides near Montrose, Missouri. Two children, Mary Ruth and Louise M., have come to the home of Doctor and Mrs. Hampton. They are attending the schools of Shawnee Mound, fitting themselves for their future life work.

Doctor Hampton lives on a small farm near Shawnee Mound, which contains four acres, and has one hundred sixty acres one and one-half miles north of the city limits. He is a member of the Ancient P'ree and Accepted Masons No. 343, Agricola, Missouri, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Huntingdale, Missouri.

J. S. Kinyon, a well known and successful farmer and stockman of Shawnee township, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Washington County September 26, 1863, a son of Daniel C. and Anna (Strawback) Kinyon. The Kinyon family came to Henry County and settled in Shawnee township in 1881, when J. S. was about eighteen years of age. The father died in 1901 and the mother departed this life in 1883. They were the parents of the following children : Henry, resides in Clinton, Missouri ; J. S., the subject of this sketch; Lafayette, Clinton, Missouri; Lee, Clinton, Missouri; Joann, married Charles How and resides at Clinton, Missouri, and Pluma, deceased.

J. S. Kinyon attended school in Illinois and came to Henry County with his parents when he was about eighteen years of age. He soon afterwards bought a farm, which was known as the Bence place. In 1905 he purchased his present place from James Longford. This is one of the valuable farms of Shawnee township and consists of two hundred forty acres. Mr. Kinyon carries on general farming and stock raising and is one of the progressive farmers of the community.

Mr. Kinyon was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Bence in 1889. She is a daughter of Adam Bence, an early settler of Shawnee township, who is now deceased. Mrs. Kenyon's mother is also dead. Mrs. Kenyon has one brother, David, now living in Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Kinyon have one adopted son, H. H., who is a graduate of the University of Missouri at' Columbia. The Kinyon family are members of the Baptist Church and rank among the leading people of Henry County^

Judge Mark Fisher Finks. - For the past eighty years Judge Mark F. Finks has lived in Henry County and has contributed his share to the advancement of the county. He is now retired, after many years of active farming in Tebo township. Mr. Finks was born September 10, 1834, in Madison County, Virginia, the son of Mark and Eliza (Eddings) Finks, Mr. Mark Finks, was born in 1803, in Virginia and with his family came to Henry County in 1838, locating in Tebo township. He died in Henry County. His wife also died here.

Mark F. Finks was four years of age when his parents located in Henry County, and he has spent all of his life in the environs of the county, taking an active interest in her affairs.

October 20, 1864, Mr. Mark Finks and Nancy Elizabeth Avery were united in marriage. Mrs. Nancy (Avery) Finks was born May 10, 1845, in Henry County, the daughter of Judge William L. and Sophronia C. (Williams) Avery. William Avery was born November 14, 1822 in White County, Tennessee and came to Henry County in 1830 with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Greene) Avery, who were amongst the earliest settlers of the county. William L. Avery was elected county judge of the court in 1852 and held this position until 1867. In 1870, he was elected judge of common pleas court and in 1874 judge of probate court. He died March 2, 1875. His wife Sophronia Williams Avery was born December 8, 1826, in Simpson County, Kentucky and came to Henry County with her parents in 1835 or 1836. She was one of the daughters of the Revolution, inasmuch as her grandfather, John Williams, had participated in the Revolutionary War.

Mr. and Mrs. Finks are the parents of the following children: Arthur W., born August 14, 1865, and died February 17, 1890. He was a Baptist minister educated in the William Jewell College, Liberty, Missouri. Walter Lee was born January 2, 1868, married Zella L. Taylor, and is a banker at Calhoun. William Avery was born September 28, 1870, is a banker at Mena, Arkansas. Howard Preston was born June 4, 1873, died July 5, 1911. He was a teacher at Fort Smith, Arkansas, also a chemist and metallurgist of ability. Edna Emma was born October 4, 1875, and is the wife of James E. Slack, living in Springfield township. Norman Mark was born December 3, 1877, and died August J4, 1909. Harry Freeling was born November 3, 1882, and is cashier of Faris-Brinkerhoff Trust and Savings Bank, Clinton, Missouri.

and in the days when he was farming he exhibited many of his products at the county fairs. At one time he exhibited a pumpkin as large as a wash tub. His stock exhibits have taken many prizes. Judge Finks retired from active farming six years ago and he, with his good wife, are now enjoying' the fruits of their many years of labor. They are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Finks is a Democrat and he has served as county judge two terms. He is a stockholder of the Farmers Elevator at Calhoun and the two banks of Calhoun. Judge and Mrs. Finks have fourteen grandchildren. They have one grandson in the National Army, Raymond Taylor Fink.

Elmer O. McCann. - A man's life work is the measure of his success, and he is truly successful who has made the most of his opportunities and accomplishes the object of his endeavor. E. 0. McCann is among the leaders of agricultural success in Henry County. He lives on the Clinton-Warrensburg road eleven miles north of Clinton, which is one of the finest highways in the county, made so because of the individual efforts of the men in Shawnee township. Mr. McCann's home is one to be noted in the neighborhood for its beauty. Its owner is one of the leading cattle feeders of Henry County. He owns three hundred twenty acres of land in Shawnee township, one hundred forty acres northwest of his home place, and five hundred sixty acres in Prairie township. Bates County.

Elmer O. McCann was born January 28, 1864, near Decatur, Illinois, the son of John Harvey and Eliza (McKee) McCann. John H. McCann is living on his farm in Shawnee township which he purchased in 1867. He was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, November 4, 1835, the son of Samuel and Caroline (Irvin) McCann, the former a native of Ireland and his father, John McCann, was a native of Scotland and settled in North Ireland. The latter, Caroline McCann, was born in New Jersey of Scotch ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Samuel McCann established their home in Ohio when it was still overrun with the Indians. They had thirteen children. John Harvey was the second born to them. They died in Ohio.

John Harvey McCann received his education and early training in the rude log cabin school house, where the rod was more in evidence than the books. He received an education beyond the ordinary opportunities of his day and went to Illinois in 1857, where he taught school until 1867, when he came with his family to Henry County and purchased his land from Mr. Kimsey, who had entered the land in 1844. Mr. McCann paid $9.66 an acre for his land and is still making his home upon the soil which sheltered him upon his arrival in Henry County, so many years ago. He was married on September 27, 1857, to Eliza McKee, of Cadiz, Ohio. She died December 2, 1879, leaving four children, as follow: W. Edgar Allen, born in Macon County, Illinois, now lives in Routt County, Colorado; Elmer O., of this sketch; C. R., born in Pettis County, Missouri, a druggist at Eldorado Springs, and Mrs. A. C. Bradford, Mountain View, Missouri.

Mr. McCann's second marriage was with Sarah Galloway, who is now deceased, and also an infant daughter born to them. John McCann was judge of the County Court for two terms in Henry County.

Elmer 0. McCann, since his infancy, has lived on Henry County soil and has made a life business of raising and feeding cattle and hogs. December 30, 1897, E. 0. McCann and Mattie Culley were united in marriage, and they have two sons: Stanford C, born May 30, 1899, a graduate of Clinton High School and the Warrensburg Normal School, and is at home with his parents, and Elmer 0., Jr., born October 8, 1903.

Mrs. Mattie (Culley) McCann was born in Johnson County, the daughter of W. R. and Louisa Caroline (Perry) Culley. Mrs. Culley is a cousin of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, of the battle of Lake Erie fame. W. R. Culley was born in Howard County, Missouri, in 1824 and died in 1899. His wife was born in Tennessee and died in 1891. They had five children, as follow: Mrs. Lizzie Hinston, born 1858, living in Shawnee township, Henry County; Silas Perry, deceased; Mrs. Jennie C. Ridley, whose husband is a rural mail carrier at Chilhowee, Missouri ; Mattie McCann, and Oliver, in the service of the United States at Chicago.

Mr. McCann is a Democrat. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America of Shawnee Mound, Missouri. He is indeed one of the men who have made the name of Henry County, Missouri, stand for agricultural prosperity because of his individual, painstaking efforts in his line of work.

L. D. Powers. - Among the rich agricultural districts of Missouri, Henry County must ever take a prominent place with regard to the importance and values of its farm products. This is due not only to its natural resources, but to the painstaking efforts of its citizens. Among those who have helped in developing this great agricultural county L. D. Powers holds a prominent place. He was born May 8, 1869, on the farm where he now resides, the son of John R. and Clarissa I. (Benson) Powers. John R. Powers was born in Troy, New York, in 1827 and his wife was born in the same State in 1837. They met and were married in 1867 in

Minnesota. In 1868 they settled in Shawnee township, on the farm where they reared their family and spent the greater part of their own life. Mr. Powers was a large land owner, owning over six hundred acres at the time of his death, in 1895. His wife passed away in 1898. They had two children : Linden D., of this sketch, and Mrs. Etta Wolf, of Waukomis, Oklahoma. By a former marriage to a Miss Williams, Mr. Powers had four children, as follow: Charles E., of Lawrence, Kansas ; Mrs. Carrie L. Barker, deceased; Erectus, deceased, and Dr. John, of Kansas City, Missouri.

Mr. Powers was reared and educated in the schools of Shawnee township, also attending the University at Columbia, Missouri. After leaving school he came to his father's farm and has confined his efforts to a successful farming business. Mr. Powers is fanning two hundred forty acres of land, which is well improved with new buildings which he built.

In 1895 L. D. Powers and Mary Alice Eagleson were united in marriage and they have three children: Ralph, Mary Alice and Minnie May, at home with their parents. Mrs. Powers was born in Henry County, the daughter of James and Adaline (Eager) Eagleson. James Eagleson was born in Sherman, Ohio, and settled in Henry County in 1866. He farmed for many years but is now laid to rest. He passed away in 1916. The mother of Mrs. Powers makes her home with her daughter. She had three children, as follow: Mrs. C. H. Kensinger, Rockville, Missouri; Luther, of Shawnee township, Henry County, and Mary Alice, now Mrs. L. D. Powers.

Mr. Powers is township trustee and has served his friends and neighbors for the past three years in that capacity. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks No. 1043, Clinton, Missouri.

David Williamson is a successful breeder of Duroc Jersey hogs and Shorthorn cattle, living in Shawnee township. Mr. Williamson, who for the past twenty years has weeded out the unproductive and worthless cattle in his herd, has by so doing evolved a strain of cattle eligible for registration and made for the advancement of profit and pleasure in their care. Mr. Williamson, who is a native of Washington County, Ohio, was born near Marietta in 1850. His parents wei-e Robert and Catherine (Mosteller) Williamson. They had a family of five children as follow: David, of this sketch ; Sarah, living in Oklahoma ; Clara, of Morgan County, Missouri; Alice, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Ida, of Kansas City, Kansas.

Robert Williamson was born in Scotland and came to the United States in early manhood and settled in Ohio, where he met and married Catherine Hosteller, a native of that State. With their young family in 1859 they left their home and friends in Ohio and started out to build for themselves a home in the West. Morgan County, Missouri was their objective, and they came as far as Jefferson City, Missouri, by steamboat. From there they were drawn across country in a rude ox wagon and located near Versailles, Missouri. They reared their family on the farm. Mr. Williamson, when the call came from Lincoln, answered and for two years fought the battles of freedom for a great principle. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have answered the call of the great reaper and are laid to rest in Mount Carmel Church Cemetery, Morgan County.

David Williamson, a lad of nine upon his arrival in Morgan County, Missouri, remembers the days of struggle necessary to win a livelihood from the soil. After receiving his education and starting in life for himself and chose farming as his vocation. In 1888 he purchased his present farm in Shawnee township, after spending six years as a farm laborer in this locality. He built a house of ten rooms and the necessary farm buildings.

Mr. Willikmson was married in 1888 to Miss Elizabeth Sharp, who was born in 1854. Her parents, Joseph and Helen Sharp, who were natives of Scotland, settled in Illinois in 1850. Nine years later, in 1865, the wife and mother died and Mr. Sharp with his family came to Henry County, settling on the farm which his daughter, Mrs. Williamson, now owns. He remained on this farm for a number of years until he went to California and died there. There were three children of the Sharp family: Mrs. Elizabeth Williamson; Frank, of Howell County, Missouri, and Jennie, died in California.

Mr. Williamson, for the past twenty years, has been a breeder of the Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, which are registered and of the highest class stock.

A granary, built of stone over fifty years ago, is still on the Williamson farm. It was originally built by Mr. Sharp, the father of Mrs. Williamson. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson have made their homes in Shawnee toAvnship so many years that they have been instrumental in much of the progress of their immediate surroundings, being influential citizens of the community.

S. R. Benson. - The family tree of the Benson family has its roots in the earliest history of our Nation, members of which have given their lives to evolve this great democratic Government. S. R. Benson vi'as born in 1844 in Jackson County, Iowa, the son of John and Almeda (Green) Benson. John Benson and his wife were among the pioneers of Iowa, settling upon her broad prairies when men laughed at the mere possibility of it ever being an agricultural country. John Benson was born in 1796 in Cattaraugus County, New York, and his wife was born in Green County, New York, in 1810. Mrs. Almeda Green was the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier who was captured by the British and taken into Canada, a prisoner of war. He effected his escape and crossed the Niagara River back into his own country. For many days he was dependent upon nature for food, eaitng the berries and bark of the trees. Such privations were endured by the men who fought for liberty.

John and Almeda (Green) Benson are both deceased and are buried in Grundy County, Iowa. They were the parents of twelve children: Ursula, married Edwin Parker in Hardin County, Iowa; Sylvia, wife of J. Linley, Bloomington, Illinois; Matilda, Bloomington, Illinois; Effie Swayne of Harding County, Iowa; Solon F., a banker of Pierson, Iowa; Horace J., lives in Kentucky, and S. R., the subject of this sketch.

S. R. Benson was reared and educated in Delaware County, Iowa, where his parents lived for some time. In 1864, when only a lad of twenty and the fire of adventure burning high within his breast, he left the parental roof to explore the western lands. He crossed the Missouri at Omaha, Nebraska, and followed the Platte river until he reached his destination in Montana. The slow and steady ox team was his conveyance and the stars by night his shelter. S. R. Benson and his brother, Edwin, started on this trip across the plains together. The brother died on the plains and S. R. was left alone. He continued on alone, taking his brother's body with him until he came upon a party of campers who helped him make a rough coffin out of a wagon box and assisted in the burial. Leaving the lone grave of his brother by the side of the trail on the desert, Mr. Benson continued his journey westward until he reached Virginia City, Montana. Four years and eight months later he returned to Hardin County, Iowa, where he was married to Lucinda Griffith and again they left their home to visit the state of Colorado. His wife died in Colorado, leaving two sons: Lester S. and Charles W., who reside at Stewart, Wyoming. Mr. Benson remained in Colorado until 1884, when he went to

September 29, 1886, S. R. Benson married Mary Catherine Woods, a native of Jewell County, Kansas, and a daughter of Richard and Mary J. Woods, both deceased. Her father died in 1860 in Iowa and her mothei', who married Obed Hastings after her first husband died in Jewell County, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Benson have two sons? R. H. and Vernon B., both serving in the United States Army in the World War.

Mr. Benson is the owner of four hundred forty acres of well improved land on which he has made wonderful improvements since his possession of same. A portion of his land is farmed by a tenant, who has a new home and buildings built for him. Mr. Benson is a Democrat and one of Henry County's foremost citizens.

E. J. Kensinger. - Among the many agriculturists of Henry County who are worthy of mention in this volume the name of E. J. Kensinger stands well in the lead of agricultural success and good citizenship, having fulfilled faithfully his obligations as a farmer and leader of progress in his community. Mr. Kensinger has two hundred seventy-four acres of well improved land in Shawnee township on which the improvements come up to the requirements and needs of the successful farmer. Mr. Kensinger lives in Fields Creek township one mile north of Clinton on fifteen acres, where he is able to give his children the advantage of a high school education at Clinton.

E. J. Kensinger was born in Miami County, Ohio, in 1858, the son of Lewis H. and Alice (Hitchins) Kensinger. Lewis Kensinger was a native of Ohio and for some years farmed in Ohio, where he met his wife, who was a native of that State. In 1877 they purchased land in Shawnee township, Henry County, but did not come to make it their home until 1881. In 1878 their son, E. J., the subject of this sketch, came to Henry County and fenced the farm, making various other improvements. Lewis Kensinger died July 7, 1893, and his wife departed this life December 10, 1916, and they are buried at the cemetery in Covington, Miami County, Ohio. The following are the children living that were born to them: Mrs. Ella Worley, born 1855, resides at Covington, Ohio ; E. J., with whom this sketch deals ; Mrs. Clara Folckemer, bom 1861, lives in Kansas City, Missouri; Clifton H., bom 1870, resides in Rockville, Missouri.

parents after their arrival until 1884, when he went to Kansas, engaging in farming and stock raising in Coffey, Lyons and Greenwood Counties. In 1888 he went to Indian Territory and the year of 1889 he spent in Oklahoma and Wyoming. In 1890 he returned to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was employed for eight years. In 1898 he purchased one hundred twenty-four acres in Shawnee township and has added to his land holdings until he is now the owner of two hundred seventy-four acres of land in the forenamed township.

E. J. Kensinger and Clara Wade were united in marriage March 2, 1892, and are the parents of the following children: Mrs. Edna Warner of Covington, Ohio; Mrs. Alice Shiffner on the home farm in Shawnee township; Helen, Oliver and Lewis at home. The two latter children are attending the high school at Clinton, Missouri. Mrs. Clara Wade Kensinger was the daughter of Peter and Sarah J. Wade, the fomier's death occurring in February, 1917. Mrs. Wade resides on their home farm in Shawnee township. Her ten children are all living and blessing the communities in which they live. There are forty-seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The following are the children: Benjamin, Kansas City, Kansas; Henry, Washington; Mrs. Minnie Ragland of Tebo township; Mrs. Belle Devinny, St. Clair County, Missouri; Meredith W., of Shawnee township; Mrs. Lulu Paxton of Tebo township; Mrs. Ava Streeter, Kansas City, Kansas; Warren, Shawnee township, and William, Kansas City, Kansas.

James W. Adair, a leading farmer and stockman of Shavioiee township, belongs to a family of Henry County pioneers. He was born on the farm where he now resides in Shawnee township, April 17, 1875. He is a son of Isaac and Nancy (Slayton) Adair. Isaac Adair was bom in Henry County and spent his life here. He died in 1878 at the age of thirty-three years, and his wife departed this life in 1882, and their remains rest in the Carrsville Cemetery. They were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Dora E. Mashburn, who resides at Grant's Pass, Oregon; Mrs. Maude Ross, who is now deceased, and James W., the subject of this sketch.

James W. Adair was reared in Henry County and educated in the public schools. He began life as a farmer, which has been his occupation to the present time. He is a successful stockman and raises cattle, hogs and mules extensively. He owns two hundred eight acres of land in Shawnee township, not far from the Johnson County line. This is a valuable farm and was formerly known as rhe James Slayton farm. James Slayton settled here about 1839, further mention of whom is made in the sketch of W. T. Slayton. Mr. Adair's residence is a commodious eight room structure and is built on a natural elevation, which gives the place an imposing appearance and offers a splendid view to the surrounding country from the residence. It is one of the attractive places of the county.

January 3, 1905, James W. Adair was united in marriage with Miss Winnie Waugh, daughter of John and Julia Ann (Hamilton) Waugh of Big Creek township, both of whom are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Adair have been born four children, as follow: James, Jr., Julia Evei-ett, Joseph Arthur and Martha Elizabeth, all residing at home. Mr. Adair is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Clinton, Missouri. He is one of the public spirited and enterprising men of the community and one of Henry County's leading citizens.

John P. Legg. - The history of Henry County recounts what has been done during nearly a century of striving toward the development of a great county. It must tell of the individual accomplishments of the men who have lived and taken an active part in its progress. One of such men was the late John P. Legg, who was one of the early settlers of the county and honored and revered for his uprightness and honesty of life. He was boi'n in Tebo township September 18, 1837, a son of Archibald and Ann (Cecil) Legg, who were homesteaders of Tebo township, filing on their land in 1830. Archibald Legg was born September 12, 1804, in Tennessee and came to the Henry County in 1830. He married Ann Cecil, who was a daughter of sturdy and brave pioneers, possessed with the conquering spirit of those early days. She was bom in Virginia in 1813, and with her parents located in Henry County at an early day. She died August 9, 1903, and her husband passed away July 15, 1879. They were indeed of true American blood and left their posterity to fulfill the ideals, of which they had laid the foundation. Three children were boi-n to them, William T., John P., and Elizabeth, who are deceased.

John P. Legg, possessed with the ideals of his ancestors and with a steady purpose to fulfill them, lived a consistent life, giving the best of his time and talent to the work before him. He was a great stockman and specialized in the Shorthorn cattle, which were exhibited at the county fairs, carrying away many of the prizes. He owned 600 acres of wellimproved land, acquired through years of hard labor.

December 13, 1860, John P. Legg and Mary J. Finks were united in marriage and to them were born ten children, as follow: Etta F., deceased; James A., Dickens, Texas; Minnie F., deceased; Anna E., wife of L. H. Lewis, lives at Floydada, Texas ; Mary, unmarried, at home with her mother; Willie C, wife of L. C. Richardson, Tebo township; Clara B., and Charles M., deceased; John H., Calhoun, Missouri; Kate, wife of W. A. Brownfield, Calhoun, Missouri. The mother of this interesting^ family was born June 20, 1833, in Madison County, Virginia, the daughter of Mark and Eliza (Eddings) Finks, Sr., sturdy pioneers of Henry County, who have left the imprints of their good lives in the hearts of their sons and daughters who are scattered through the county. They are now deceased. Mrs. Mary Legg is a member of the Baptist Church and since disposing of her land she is enjoying the fruitage of the years spent in hard work, rearing her family under the primitive conditions. She and her daughter, Mary, are active in the social life of their community and receive their friends in their well-appointed home. Mrs. Legg has twenty-one grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She has two grandsons in the National Army, Waldo Richardson and John Lewis, both private soldiers, now in France.

John P. Legg was one of the foremost agriculturists of Henry County during his life time and he took pride in championing all the good things for the advancement of the civic, religious and industrial life of the community. He was a Democrat. For many years he was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and an honored citizen of Calhoun, where he passed away October 21, 1908.

Andrew J. Dunaway is a leading farmer and stockman of Shawnee township and a descendant of one of the early pioneer families of western Missouri. He was born in Bogard township, Henry County, April 9, 1856, and is a son of John and Zuba (Davis) Dunaway. John Dunaway was born in Johnson County, Missouri, in 1828 and died in Henry County in 1908. He was a son of Isaac Dunaway, a native of Kentucky, born in 1800, and who was among the very early settlers of Johnson County, Missouri, To John and Zuba (Davis) Dunaway were born the following children: Louisa Jane, married W. M. Howerton and resides in Big Creek township ; Mary, married James Harness and lives in Oklahoma ; Marshall, Chilhowee, Missouri; A. J., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Malissa Dixon; Hannah, now deceased; Cynthia R., married Ed Anderson, Kansas City, Missouri ; Miranda, married B. H. Gragg and is now deceased ; Laura, de-

A. J. Dunaway was educated in the public schools of Henry County and remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age. He first purchased eighty acres of land and later added two hundred acres, and now owns two hundred eighty acres, which is one of the well improved and productive farms of Henry County. The place adjoins the Johnson County line and is about three and one-half miles southeast of Chilhowee. Mr. Dunaway erected a large modern house in 1910 and the barn and other farm buildings are up to the high standard of the residence, which is one of the best in the community. Mr. Dunaway is extensively interested in breeding pure bred Percheron horses, Kentucky jacks, high grade Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is one of the successful stockmen of the community.

On February 18, 1878, A. J. Dunaway was united in marriage with Miss Ocie Ann Prewette, a daughter of Jesse E. and Frances Elizabeth (Gillette) Prewette. The father was called to his door and murdered by bushwhackers during the Civil War and the mother died on the home place in Shawnee township. After the death of her first husband the mother was married to Lewis Beaty, who served as county judge of Henry County for several years. The following children were born to this second marriage: Dr. Joseph G., Huntingdale, Missouri; James C, Dick T. and Walter L., all of whom reside in Shawnee township.

Mr. Dunaway is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Agricola and he and his wife are consistent members of the Baptist Church, and are of Shawnee toviTiship's most honored citizens.

The Dunaway family deserves to be rated among the very early pioneers of Henry County. John Dunaway, father of Andrew J., hauled corn to Jackson's old mill, which was located on the Grand River south of Clinton, and after he had his corn ground into meal he hauled the meal to Lexington with an ox team to get money to buy his first pair of boots. He worked for twenty-five cents per day, mowing with a scythe, during the harvest season. Many changes have taken place in farm economic conditions since those early days.

L. N. Dunaway, owner of the "Elmwood Valley Farm," is one of the progressive farmers and stockmen of Shawnee township. Mr. Dunaway is a native of Henry County, having been born on the place where he now resides December 22, 1866. Here he was reared and educated in the public schools and has made farming and stock raising his life's occupa- tion. The "Elmwood Valley Farm" consists of three hundred twenty acres of valuable land and is one of the well known stock farms of Henry County. The place is well improved with a good residence and other substantial farm buildings. Mr. Dunaway raises horses, cattle, hogs and mules. He does not run to fancy stock, although he has some Shorthorn cattle eligible to registration.

September 8, 1892, L. N. Dunaway was united in marriage with Miss Mary Beaty, a daughter of Benjamin and Lovina (Kimsey) Beaty, both now deceased. Mrs. Dunaway was born in Shawnee township and reared and educated in this county. Her mother died in 1898 in Shawnee township and her father departed this life at Wilberton, Oklahoma, August 12, 1908. Mrs. Dunaway was one of five children born to her parents as follow: Samuel, lives in Florida; Joseph Y., Colorado; Mary, wife of L. N. Dunaway, the subject of this sketch ; Jackson J., lives in Shawnee township, and Phineas, Wilberton, Oklahoma. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunaway have been born two children, Royston A., married Mabel Anderson, daughter of Charles and Alice (Simpson) Anderson, of Huntingdale, Missouri, and they reside on the Dunaway farm, and Letha R., a graduate of the Hardin College, Mexico, Missouri, residing at home with her parents.

Mr. Dunaway belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, holding membership in the Agricola Lodge No. 343. He takes a keen interest in political affairs, although he has never aspired to hold office. He is a Democrat and one of Henry County's most substantial and progressive citizens.

William T. Slayton, a descendant of a Henry County pioneer family, was born in Shawnee township May 22, 1850. He is a son of James and Susan Howerton Slayton, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of North Carolina, who came to Henry County and settled in Shawnee township about 1840. James Slayton was a son of Thomas Slayton, who came to this county in 1839 and settled in Big Creek township, and later settled in Shawnee township. He was one of the first settlers in that section.

W. T. Slayton is one of a family of three children born to his parents, the others being Fannie, who died at the age of thirteen years, and Nannie, married Isaac Adair and is now deceased.

William T. Slayton was united in marriage in 1874 to Miss Harriet Rogers, a daughter of Sterling and Kittie Ann Rogers, who came to Henry County shortly after the Civil War and are both now deceased. To Mr.

and Mrs. Slayton have been born two children: Leonard, farmer in Big Creek township, married Emily Walker, and Mrs. Minnie Smith, on the home place with her mother.

W. T. Hastain, a progressive citizen and prosperous farmer and stockman of Shawnee township, belongs to a pioneer family of Henry County and western Missouri. W. T. Hastain was born in Bethlehem township, Henry County, July 16, 1867, a son of Woodson A. and Sarah (Walker) Hastain. W. A. Hastain was bom near Calhoun, Henry County, in 1835. He spent his life in Henry County and died in 1914. His remains are interred in Englewood Cemetery and his widow now resides at 310 East Jefferson street, Clinton, Missouri. W. A. Hastain was a son of Daniel Hastain, one of the first settlers of Henry County, who settled in the northeastern part of the county near where Calhoun is now located. He died in Warsaw, Missouri, and his remains are buried in the cemetery there.

W. T. Hastain is one of the following children born to his parents: W. T., the subject of this sketch; Addie, married Ben Hoist, Los Angeles, California; Emma, married Thomas B. Wilson, Osceola, Missouri; Bertha, married Joe McCuan, Colorado Springs, Colorado ; Sarepta, Boston, Massachusetts ; George W., Searcy, Arkansas ; Sadie, married W. A. Ellett, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Marie, married L. C. Farnum, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Maude, married E. H. Carnick, Clinton, Missouri.

W. T. Hastain was reared on a farm in Bethlehem township and attended the district schools in Bethlehem township, and later he attended high school in Clinton and Clinton Academy. He engaged in farming and stock raising in early life and has made that branch of endeavor his life's study and his life's occupation, and as a I'eward for his efforts he has succeeded to a very satisfactory degree and is today one of the substantial and prosperous men of the community. He owns a splendid farm of three hundred acres about four miles north of Huntingdale, which he purchased in 1894. The place is well improved with a good six room, two story farm residence, and the barns and other buildings on the place are up to the standard of the residence in modern appointments. Mr. Hastain carries on general farming, although raising cattle, hogs and mules is the leading feature of the Hastain farm.

Mr. Hastain was united in marriage in 1890 to Miss Fannie Goff, daughter of Ephraim and Jane Ann (Templeton) Goff. The mother now lives in Bethlehem township, Henry County, and the father died in Feb- ruary, 1914. Mrs. Hastain is one of the following children born to her parents: Ed, Clinton, Missouri; Mrs. Minnie Day, Lewis Station; Fannie, the wife of W. T. Hastain, and Charles F., Rupert, Idaho. To W. T. Hastain and wife have been born the following children: Willie Lee, now a soldier in the United States Army and trained at Camp Grant. He enlisted February 26, 1918, and is now in France with the American Expeditionary Force. The other children are: Alma, Pleasant N., Ina, residing at home, and Helen, who is the wife of Eustace Lake and resides in Shawnee township. The Hastain family are representative of the best citizenship of Henry County, and Mr. Hastain is progressive and public spirited.

Squire William Paul. - This venerable pioneer of Henry County is the oldest man living today in Henry County. He is reasonably vigorous in mind and body, notwithstanding the fact that he lacks but a little over a year of reaching the century mark. William Paul is a native of Kentilcky. He was born in Rough Creek, west of Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Kentucky, January 5, 1820. His parents were George S. and Elizabeth (Purcell) Paul, both natives of Hardin County, Kentucky. The mother was born in 1796 and died in Hardin County in 1869. George S. Paul was born on the Monongahela River in Pennsylvania in 1766. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was at the battle of New Orleans. He died in Hardin County, Kentucky, in 1837.

William Paul was reared to manhood in Hardin County, Kentucky, and in 1842 came to Missouri. He rode from Kentucky on horseback, in company with a man who was en route to Iowa. They crossed the river at St. Louis, which at that time was a small town. Mr. Paul came to what is now Shawnee township, Henry County, and settled near Huntingdale. He says there is but one person now living, besides himself, who was here when he came. That is Mrs. Eliza Royston, who resides at Huntingdale, in her eighty-ninth year. In 1845 Mr. Paul bought a claim which consisted of three hundred acres. This place is still his home. He has been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising and for many years was an extensive feeder of cattle. During the last few years his sons have operated the home place, which consists of three hundred acres, while, owing to his advanced age, Mr. Paul has been practically retired from business activities.

26, 1856, Mr. Paul was united in marriage with Miss Angeleta Barker. She departed this life May 1, 1873. To this union were bom the following children: John, Samuel and James, all residing near Huntingdale, Missouri, and Richard, George, William, Benona and Elizabeth, all of whom are deceased. After the death of his second wife Mr. Paul married Mrs. Malissa McFarland, who died in 1917.

Mr. Paul has seen much of the early life and development of Henry County. He saw this county in almost its primitive state and has not only lived to see the marvelous improvements and advancement of considerably more than half a century, but has done his part towards the building up of Henry County. The result of the efforts of those noble pioneers is that the forest and prairie have been subdued and the present and future generations have been provided with a better place to live than these hardy pioneers of the thirties and forties ever dreamed of. Mr. Paul recalls many early day conditions, incidents and pioneers. He says Aaron and Samuel Cann started the first store in Huntingdale. These men began as peddlers in this section, walking from house to house, at a time when houses were few and far between. Later they started a store at Huntingdale and were merchants there for a number of years. Mr. Paul remained here during the Civil War and always gave his influence to the maintenance of law and order and did much for the restoration of civil authority after the great conflict ended. He was justice of the peace here for fifty-two years. Mr. Paul is one of the few pioneers of the early days left to tell the story of Henry County. He has done his part nobly and well and the present and future generations of Henry County cannot do better than to indelibly white the names of these noble pioneers in the imperishible record of Henry County. Squire Paul is the oldest living Mason in Missouri, having been made a Mason in 1842 - seventy-seven years ago.

James Paul, son of William Paul, was born in Shawnee township on the place where he now resides November 3, 1868. He was reared and educated in Shawnee township and has made farming and stock raising his life's occupation and is one of Henry County's most successful men in this line of endeavor.

On May 3, 1917, James Paul was united in marriage with Miss Anna R. Godwin, daughter of Rogers Godwin. He is now deceased. Mrs. Paul was bom in White Oak township, Henry County.

since November, 1855. Mr. Drake was born in Deer Creek township, Henry County October 22, 1848, the son of Jesse W. and Eliza (Pinnell) Drake. Jesse W. was born in Kentucky in 1823 and came to Henry County in 1840, settling in Deer Creek township. In 1849, when gold was discovered in California, Mr. Drake joined a party and made the trip across the country in a rude ox wagon, enduring all of the hardships of those gold seekers. He died in 1850 at Sacremento, California. IMrs. Eliza Drake was bom November 15, 1827, in Virginia and when a very small child her parents, F. A. Pinnell and family, came to Henry County, arriving in 1830. F. A. Pinnell was the first county clerk of Henry County, then known as Rives County. The offices of county clerk, circuit clerk and recorded were all one office and for eighteen years Mr. Pinnell faithfully filled this office. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Drake were the parents of two children: Mrs. Hattie Freeman, born September 3, 1846, now deceased, and C. W. Drake, the subject of this sketch.

Mrs. Eliza Drake was married a second time to Dr. E. C. Royston, who died July 10, 1898. Doctor Royston lived in Huntingdale since 1855 and was an old familiar figure in this locality. Mrs. Royston survives him several years, living to be at the age of ninety-one years, loved and revered by all that know her.

C. W. Drake was educated in the schools of Huntingdale and for a number of years followed farming. In 1880 he purchased the general merchandise store in Huntingdale from Ben Quarles, disposing of the same in 1884. In 1906 he pui'chased the present building and opened up a new stock of general merchandise.

The maiTiage of C. W. Drake and Lucy Covington was solemnized February 4, 1869. She was the daughter of John 0. and Eliza Ann Covington, the former born in Delaware and the latter in Kentucky. They are both deceased. Mrs. Lucy Drake passed away July 2, 1893. She was the mother of three children: Hattie E., deceased; William C. and Harvey W., deceased.

October 28, 1897, Mr. Drake was united in marriage to Maude Bailey, a daughter of J. W. and Julia Bailey. The former resides in Blaine County, Oklahoma, and the latter is deceased. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Drake have two children: Jessie and Royston, both at home with their parents.

Mr. Drake is a Democrat and for forty years has filled the office of constable and served as justice of the peace for the past three years. He is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Charles A. Detweiler. - "Prairie Lawn Farm," located five miles east of Clinton, Missouri, is one of the best appointed farm homes in the county. Mr. Detweiler has a home of ten rooms with acetyline lights, and also wired for electricity, with hot and cold water piped throughout the house. Mr. Detweiler is a native of Franklin County, Missouri, where he was born March 28, 1871. He is the son of John J. and Bertha E. (Jones), Detweiler. John J. Detweiler is a native of Berne, Switzerland, a,nd left his native land with his parents when only ten years of age. They located on a farm in Franklin County, Missouri, and were representative farmers of their community. John J. Detweiler married Bertha E. Jones, who was born in Illinois in 1845. They established their home on a farm near Washington, Missouri. John J. Detweiler died March 17, 1914, and his wife died June 21, 1891.

Charles A. Detweiler was educated in the public and high schools of Washington, Missouri, and afterwards worked for his father in the management of his farm.

March 9, 1898, Charles Detweiler married Sophia Gephardt and shortly afterwards they came to Deer Creek township, Henry County. Three children have been born to them as follow: Ruby E., born January 1, 1902 ; Opal, born September 2, 1904, and John A., born December 3, 1906. They are all attending school. Mrs. Sophia (Gephardt) Detweiler, the mother, was born March 1, 1876, near Washington, Missouri, a daughter of John and Barbara (Bergar) Gephardt, natives of Germany. They are now farming in Franklin County, Missouri.

In 1916, Mr. Detweiler built his all-modern home upon the farm consisting of 320 acres in Deer Creek and Bethlehem townships, which came to him through inheritance of his share of his father's estate. He is an up-to-date farmer, doing his farming in the highest business-like manner and getting the best results that scientific farming will accomplish. Mr. Deitweiler is an independent Republican.

Dr. J, G. Beaty, a prominent physician and surgeon of Huntingdale, Shawnee township, is a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of Henry County. He was born in Shawnee township July 21, 1867, a son of L. P. and Frances (Gillett) Beaty, both natives of Shawnee township, the former born October 16, 1837 and the latter in 1846. L. P.

Beaty was a Confederate veteran of the Civil War, having served in Company F, 16th Missouri Infantry. After the close of the Civil War he returned to Henry County and was engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years. He was prominently identified with Henry County in a political way during his lifetime and was perhaps one of the best known men in the county. He was appointed county judge in 1878 by Governor Boggs and re-elected to that office several times, serving seventeen years in all. He represented Henry County in the State Legislature in 1905-1906. He died in 1910. L. P. Beaty was a son of Joseph R. and Mary (Prigmore) Beaty. Joseph R. Beaty was a native of Kentucky and came to Missouri and settled in what is now Shawnee township, Henry County, in 1834. Here he entered four hundred acres of land from the Government, which is still owned by three of his grandsons. His wife, Mary (Prigmore) Beaty, was also a Kentuckian, born May 20, 1817. She came to Missouri with her parents in 1821. They settled at Sweet Springs, Pettis County. In 1836 she was united in marriage with Joseph R. Beaty and she died in 1896. To L. P. and Frances (Gillett) Beaty were born the following children: Dr. J. G. Beaty, the subject of this sketch; J. C, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; D. T., a sketch of whom also appears in this volume; W. L., who resides on the old home place; Albert and May, died in infancy.

Dr. J. G. Beaty received a good common school education and entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, Missouri, where he was graduated in 1893 with a degree of Doctor of Medicine. After completing his medical course. Doctor Beaty engaged in the practice of his profession at Shawnee Mound, and here remained for five years. He then located in Huntingdale, where for the past twenty years he has been continuously engaged in the practice of medicine. Doctor Beaty is one of the well qualified and successful physicians of Henry County. He is a close student of the ever advancing science of medicine and has a large practice.