Henry County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 16 of 17)

Walter C. Thompson was educated in the public schools of St. Louis and at the age of sixteen years he became interested in the broom manufacturing business with his father. Under his father's tutelage he learned every phase of the business of manufacturing brooms and accompanied his father to Windsor in 1904, when the Windsor Manufacturing Company was placed in operation. In partnership with his brother, Benjamin, they are making a pronounced success of the business, which is of decided benefit to the growth and development of Windsor.

On October 22, 1902, W. C. Thompson and Grace Isabelle Aird of St. Louis, Missouri, were united in marriage. This marriage has been blessed with two children: Gladys and Esther Thompson. Mr. Thompson is an independent Democratic voter, and he and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Benjamin F. Thompson, junior member of the Windsor Manufacturing Company, Windsor, Missouri, was born in St, Louis, Missouri, May 7, 1885, and is the son of Hezekiah Thompson, a successful broom manufacturer, a sketch of whose career appears in this volume in connection with that of Walter C. Thompson.

After receiving a good common school education in the public schools of St. Louis, Benjamin F. Thompson entered his father's factory and thoroughly learned the making of brooms and the various phases of manufacturing and selling of brooms. He accompanied his father to Jefferson City, Missouri, and came to Windsor in 1904 and has since been associated with his brother in the management and operation of the Windsor Manufacturing Company.

On June 25, 1906, Benjamin F. Thompson and Miss Grace E. Tuckley were united in marriage. Mi's. Grace E. Thompson was born in Jefferson City, Missouri, and is the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Kielman)

Mr. Thompson is an independent Democrat who prefers to do his own thinking along political lines and votes for the office seeker who seems best fitted to perform the duties of the office sought. He and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is fraternally affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

Frank Elbert, farmer and stockman, owner of a well improved farm of ninety-five acres in section 14 of Windsor township, Henry County, was born in Windsor township October 20, 1865, and is the son of Benjamin N. and Hannah (Robinson) Elbert.

Benjamin N. Elbert was born in Benton County, Missouri, in 1837 and has followed farming pursuits during his entii'e life prior to retiring to a home in Windsor. Mrs. Hannah Elbert was born in 1840. The children born to this worthy couple are: William F., a farmer in Benton County, Missouri; Frank, of this review; Walter G., Warrensburg, Missouri; Mrs. Nettie Wesner, Windsor, Missouri; Minnie, wife of Ed Huston, Leeton, Missouri. The Elberts are among the oldest of the Missouri families and their advent into Missouri dates back to the very beginning of things in this State.

Frank Elbert was reared on his father's farm and left home when twenty years of age to take employment as a' shopman in the railroad car shops of Kansas City and later in Chicago, Illinois. Learning the barber's trade he opened a shop at Green Ridge in Pettis County in 1894 and followed this vocation until 1907, when he again engaged in farming in Pettis County. In 1910 Mr. Elbert purchased his present home place in Windsor township.

On July 20, 1889, Frank Elbert and Miss Rosa Sena Marti were united in the bonds of matrimony. Mrs. Rosa Elbert was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Corman) Marti, natives of Switzerland, who came from Ohio to Benton County, Missouri, in 1866 when the present Mrs. Elbert was but one year old.

Mr. Elbert is a Democrat in politics and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and Mrs. Elbert are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Harry A. Barber, extensive landowner of Windsor township, is a progressive farmer and stockman who believes in the most advanced methods of agriculture and finds that it pays to follow the latest and most scientific methods of farming. His herd of pure bred Shorthorn cattle are famous over the State of Missouri and have been exhibited at the State Fairs and the American Roj'ai Live Stock Shows and are sold in various parts of the country to discriminating buyers who desire to improve their herds with pure bred live stock. The Barber farm consists of 1,400 acres of land in one body, the imposing farm residence occupying an ideal spot in the center of the tract. Originally, the Barber place was an old time plantation, operated by slaves and owned by Doctor Thornton, a well known Henry County pioneer of ante-bellum days. Doctor Thornton was one of the largest slave owners of southwest Missouri and the great farm was modeled after a southern plantation. He owned over two hundred slaves. In 1900 Mr. Barber erected a thoroughly modern home of twelve rooms.

The Barber estate was founded by the late Daniel Barber, father of Harry A. Barber. Daniel A. Barber was born in Pennsylvania in 1825 and died in Henry County, Missouri, in 1881. He was the son of Thomas Barber, a farmer of Pennsylvania. Daniel A. Barber left home in 1861 and went to Cook County, Illinois, where he engaged in the lumber business. For many years he was associated with his brother. Dr. James K. Barber. The brothers drove a large herd of cattle to Denver, Colorado, in 1864 and again drove cattle to the mountain country in 1865. They returned from the west in 1866, came to Henry County, Missouri, and purchased the Thornton plantation. The brothers farmed together as partners until death separated them. Dr. James K. Barber was a well educated physician but did not practice his profession after coming to Henry County. After his graduation from medical college in the East he had but ten cents in his pocket. He traded a silk vest for a bottle of quinine and began practice in the forest wilds of Wisconsin, where ague, fever and chills were the prevalent diseases. All that an early doctor needed in those days was quinine, whiskey, salts and ipecac and Doctor Barber began with the most important drug. Sarah E. (Martin) Barber, mother of the subject of this review, was born in Michigan in 1829 and died in 1912.

Harry A. Barber was born October 21, 1872, on the Barber home place in Windsor township. He was educated in the public schools of Windsor, Missouri, and the Missouri State University at Columbia, Missouri. He pursued the medical course at the university but because of his large land holdings he found it necessary to abandon his plan for a professional career and to devote all of his attention to farming and stock raising. He has made an unqualified success as an agriculturist and stockman and breeder. In addition to the home place which Mr. Barber inherited he has been adding materially to the acreage of the farm and constantly improving the place.

In February, 1897, Harry A. Barber and Miss Lula A. Ball were united in marriage. Mrs. Lula Barber was born in St. Charles County, Missouri, and is the daughter of John E. and Fannie (Bird) Ball, natives of Kentucky. To Harry A. and Lula Barber has been born one son, John Daniel Barber, born December 12, 1898, a graduate of the Windsor High School and now a student in the State University at Columbia. Mr. Barber is a Democrat in politics.

Hubert T. Dannett. - The rich and fertile state ef Iowa has furnished several enterprising and successful farmers to Henry County during the past decade. Hubert T. Dannett, owner of two hundred fortysix acres of land in Windsor and Springfield townships, upon which he is carrying on regular farming and stock raising and is also breeding horses and jacks, is a welcome addition to the great body of farmer citizens who make up the population of one of the best counties in the state of Missouri. Mr. Dannett was born in Low Moor, Iowa, April 27, 1870, the son of Robert J. and Elizabeth (Bower) Dannett, natives of England and now residents of Iowa.

Robert J. Dannett, the father, was born in Loncolnshire, England, May 6, 1848. He is the son of Thomas and Harriet (Berkenshaw) Dannett, the former of whom was a butcher in his native England. In 1850 the Dannetts left their ancestral county in England and came to America, becoming pioneer settlers of Clinton County, Iowa. Here they engaged in farming, and as Robert J. Dannett attained manhood, he, too, became a farmer and has lived a prosperous and contented life. Robert J. and Elizabeth Dannett were parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest. Mrs. Elizabeth Dannett was born in Lincolnshire, England, October 16, 1850. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dannett are living in Iowa.

Reared near Low Moor, Iowa, Hubert T. Dannett became a farmer and eventually owned one hundred sixty acres of splendid Iowa land, which he sold in 1902, preparatory to locating in Nebraska. He purchased a farm near Whitman, Nebraska, but conditions there not being exactly to his liking, he sold out in 1904 and came to Henry County, where he has a splendid producing farm in Windsor and Springfield townships, con- sisting of two hundred forty-six acres. Mr. Dannett is constantly improving his place and making the surroundings more attractive and the farm more productive.

On September 9, 1891, Hubert T. Dannett and Miss Eva Hazen were united in marriage. Mrs. Eva Dannett was born at Happy Hollow, Illinois, October 19, 1869, the daughter of Robert and Harriet (Farrar) Hazen, natives of Iowa. Seven children have been born of this union: Mabel, wife of L. Farmer, Calhoun, Missouri ; Clifford, Nowata, Oklahoma ; Ruby, wife of H. Farmer, Calhoun, Tebo township; Lyle, Nowata, Oklahoma; Edith, Elmer and Hattie, at home with their parents.

Mr. Dannett is a Republican. He is a member of the Christian Church and is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Anti-Horse Thief Association.

Dr. Horace Bradley, veterinarian and farmer and stockman, Springfield township, Henry County, is a native son of Henry County and was born on his father's farm in Springfield township April 20, 1872, the son of James R. and Martha (Ten Brook) Bradley, a sketch of whom appears in this volume in connection with the biography of Dr. Manuel E. Bradley of Windsor, Missouri.

Horace Bradley was reared on his father's farm and when eighteen years of age he became a student in the Warrensburg Normal School, pursuing a general course of study. After completing his work at Warrensburg he entered the Ohio Veterinary College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1893. After two years of thorough study in this institution he graduated as a veterinary surgeon. In 1895, upon his return to Windsor, he immediately began the practice of his chosen profession and has built up a reputation as a learned and proficient veterinarian who is second to none in this section of Missouri. Doctor Bradley practices over a wide range of territory embracing a section twenty miles in every direction. In 1902 he was appointed to the important post of deputy State veterinarian and still holds this position. In 1905 Doctor Bradley was appointed to a membership upon the Missouri State Board of Veterinary Examiners and filled the post of president of this board for two terms of two years each.

On December 5, 1895, Doctor Bradley was married to Miss Gertrude Bell of Pettis County, Missouri, the daughter of John H. and Hannah (McDaniels) Bell, the former of whom was a native of Illinois and the latter of Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Bell reside on a farm in Pettis County,

Missouri. Two children have been born to Doctor and Mrs. Bradley, namely : Alvens T., a student in the medical department of Missouri State University; and Carl H., a student in the electrical engineering department of the State University. Doctor Bradley removed to his farm in Springfield township and is carrying on extensive farming operations in addition to his large practice.

Doctor Bradley is a Democrat. He served as alderman in Windsor from 1906 to 1908. He and Mrs. Bradley are members of the Christian Church of Windsor. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Anti-Hoi'se Thief Association. Doctor Bradley is a member of the Missouri Veterinary Association and is very active in the affairs of this organization, serving as secretary and trustee of the State association and has also filled the post of president, besides filling similar positions in the Missouri Valley Veterinary Association. He is a frequent contributor to the journals published in the interest of his profession and holds high rank among the veterinarians of the State of Missouri and the middle western States.

James W. Duvall. - Sixty years of the life of James W. Duvall, retired carpenter and farmer of Windsor, Missouri, have been well and profitably spent in Henry County. Only recently, on January 30, 1918, Mr. and Mrs. Duvall celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. James W. Duvall was born April 22, 1846, in Lincoln County, Missouri, the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Roberst) Duvall, who were parents of three daughters and two sons, only two of whom are living.

Jonathan Duvall was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, July 16, 1803, and died in Henry County, Missouri, November 23, 1891. During his younger days he learned the trade of stone mason and followed this trade during the active years of his long life. He came to Missouri in 1834 and settled in Lincoln County, where he resided until 1858, when he settled in Henry County. Mr. Duvall purchased a large tract of land four miles south of Windsor, where he made his home while following his trade. He was married on January 19, 1834, to Elizabeth Roberst, who was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, in 1811, and departed this life in 1903.

James W. Duvall was reared upon his father's farm and learned the carpenter's trade in his youth. During his entire life he has followed his trade in season and has also been engaged in agricultural pursuits.

He owned a good farm located four miles south of Windsor, of which he disposed in 1895, taking his town property in Windsor in exchange and has since made his home in Windsor.

On January 30, 1868, James W. Duvall and Mary T. Minter were united in marriage. Ten children have been born of this union : Buf ord, living at Weatherford, Oklahoma; Elsie, living at Crowley, Louisiana; IMrs. Elizabeth Funk, of Pettis County, Missouri; James S., living in Louisiana; Jennie, a trained nurse, Windsor, Missouri; Mrs. Ola Neff, St. Joseph, Missouri; Lillian, wife of W. W. Dunn, Greeley, Colorado. Mrs. Mary T. Duvall was born December 2, 1845, in Highland County, Ohio, the daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Macoupin) Minter, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. The Minters came to Missouri in 1857 and settled near Windsor, in Benton County.

It is worthy of note that Mr. Duvall served for six months with the Union forces during the Civil War under General Thomas. He is a Republican but is inclined to vote independently. He and Mrs. Duvall are members of the Baptist Church and are worthy and valued citizens of Windsor, where they have many warm and steadfast friends made during their long years of residence in this vicinity.

Woodford M. Hines, rural mail carrier for route number sixteen, Windsor, Missouri, is a native of Kentucky and was born in Warren County, that. State, June 23, 1849. He is the son of Vincent K. and Maria (Stone) Hines, who were parents of ten children. Both parents were born and reared in Kentucky and Vincent Hines came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1866. He engaged in farming in the vicinity of Windsor and also loaned money to the surrounding farmers. He made his home in Windsor from 1875 until his death in February, 1901, at the age of eightysix years. Mrs. Maria Hines died on June 17, 1901, at the age of seventysix years.

The early schooling of Woodford M. Hines was obtained in a log school house in his native State of Kentucky. Coming to Henry County with his parents when fourteen years of age, he took up the life of a farmer and after he attained his majority he inherited a tract of one hundred twenty acres which he cultivated for fifteen years. He then sold out and bought land in St. Clair County, which he farmed for about seven years. For a time he was then engaged in the grocery business at Appleton City, Missouri, and also clerked in a dry goods and notions store. In 1900 he removed to Clinton and conducted a grocery store in that city until 1901. He came to Windsor in that year for the purpose of loolving after his deceased father's estate. For some years he operated a grocery and meat market in Windsor, and in January, 1918, he began his duties as mail carrier on rural route sixteen, succeeding his son, Vincent K., who enlisted in the quartermaster's department of the National Army.

Mr. Hines was married on February 23, 1873, to Melissa M. Stiles, a native of Johnson County, Missouri, and daughter of David and Mary (Geary) Stiles, who were natives of Kentucky and who settled in Johnson County, Missouri, as early as 1854. To Woodford M. and Melissa M. Hines have been born five children : Edward, deceased ; one child died in infancy ; Lottie, wife of Doctor Wall, Windsor, Missouri ; Vincent K., now in the National Army service ; Woodford C, an enlisted man in the United States Navy.

Mr. Hines is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Hines are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Hines is owner of two hundred acres of good farm land, one hundred sixty acres of which is in Henry County and forty acres in Johnson County.

William Hill Cannon, a progressive farmer of Springfield township, farming two hundred sixty-seven and one-half acres, is a native of Springfield township, Henry County. He was born July 8, 1874, the son of Lemuel D. and Laura (Reavis) Cannon, who were the parents of four children: Gussie, wife of C. C. Hartle, Roseland; William H. ; Alice, wife of James Jordan, manager of elevator, Windsor, Missouri, and Jessie, wife of Lloyd Thomas of Springfield township.

Lemuel D. Cannon was born November 25, 1844, in Benton County, Missouri, the son of John R. and Feribs (Farmer) Cannon. John R. Cannon was born in Alabama in 1814 and came to Kentucky in early manhood. He married Feribs Farmer, who was born in Virginia, and came to Kentucky with her parents. Three children were born to this couple before they came to Missouri. It was in 1838 that they settled in Benton County, Missouri. Six more children came to bless this couple, making nine childi'en. They are as follow: James, in the Confederate Soldiers Home in Houston, Texas ; Henry, met his death by accident on the home farm; William, deceased; Anna, deceased, was the wife of Silas A. Jenkins, Leavenworth, Kansas; Lemuel D., father of the subject of this sketch ; Napoleon, farming the home place in Springfield township, Henry County; Lafayette, deceased; Arthur C. and Almira, twins, the former with his brother, Napoleon, and the latter is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. John R. Cannon lived within the radius of three counties, Benton, Henry and -Johnson, at different times. On January 1, 1854, John R. Cannon died. During the Civil War the older brothers being in the army the care of the mother devolved upon the son, Lemuel Cannon, and many were the hardships the young son and mother endured during those trying times. Mrs. Cannon, who had married at the age of thirteen and reared her family, lived to be over eighty years of age. She died in 1910.

Lemuel Cannon was married August 1, 1869, to Laura Reavis, born in Henry County August 19, 1865, the daughter of Drewey Reavis. He was born in Tennessee and first settled in Cooper County, Missouri, later making their home in Henry County, and is now retired. Mr. and Mrs. Lemuel Cannon farmed in Springfield township for many years, owning one hundred forty acres of well improved land.

William Hill Cannon, the son of these early pioneers, received his education in Henry County and has always farmed. He purchased his first land in 1889 - one hundred acres in Springfield township. He is now the owner of two hundred sixty-seven and one-half acres of land. He is a stockholder in the Windsor elevator and also of the People's Bank of Calhoun.

September 5, 1901, William Cannon and Ida Flecker were united in marriage. She is the daughter of James and Millie (Wetford) Flecker. One child, Orville, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cannon and is now attending the district school.

Mr. Cannon is a Democrat and has been school director of Oakland school district. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and belongs to the Baptist Church.

William W. Moore, farmer and stockman, Springfield township, proprietor of one hundred sixty acres in sections 20 and 21, is a native of Cooper County, Missouri. He was born May 13, 1879, the son of William H. and Alcinda (Harris) Moore, who were parents of five children, the first born of whom died in infancy, the others being : Charles W., a farmer of Fettis County; Mrs. Elizabeth S. Kendrick, living near Knob Noster, Missouri; William W., of this review; Essie F., wife of George Kendrick, living near Green Ridge, Missouri.

William H. Moore was born August 13, 1844, in Cooper County, the son of William Moore, a native of North Carolina and an early pioneer of Missouri. William H. Moore's mother bore the maiden name of Jen- kins. In 1880 William H. Moore located in Pettis County and followed agricultural pursuits until his retirement to a home in Leeton, Missouri, in 1908. His death occurred there on May 20, 1913. Mrs. Alcinda Moore was born May 24, 1846, in West Virginia and now resides in Leeton.

Reared in Pettis County, William W. Moore attended the district schools of his neighborhood, afterward attending the Windsor High School, from which he graduated in the class of 1901. For three years thereafter he taught school and then began farming in Pettis County. He rented land from his father until 1911 and then bought his present farm, the old Bob Bradley place. This old farm was in a run down condition, the buildings being in a state of disrepair and the soil worn out to a considerable degree, owing to indifferent cultivation in past years. Mr. Moore has rebuilt all the fencing, erected new buildings and restored the fertility of his acreage and now has one of the best farms in this section of Henry County. In addition to his farming interests he is a share holder in the Calhoun Elevator Company.

On May 3, 1911, he was united in marriage with Miss Cassie Letitia Long, who was born in Henry County, the daughter of Henry P. and Cordelia (Koontz) Long, residents of the western part of Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have one child. Earl Russell.

William P. Davis, rural carrier of rural mail route number fourteen, Windsor, Missouri, is a native of Ohio. He was born in Morgan County, Ohio, November 30, 1847, and is the son of Simeon and Nancy (Craig) Davis.

Simeon Davis was born near Williamsport, Maryland, January 19, 1810, and died January 17, 1884. He was a farmer and stockman during his entire life. Mr. Davis migrated to Ohio in 1830 and was married there in 1837. In 1865 he came west to Cooper County, Missouri, and purchased a farm near Pilot Grove, where he died. He was the son of James C. and Ann (Parrott) Davis, both of whom were natives of Maryland. Ann Parrott was a descendant of Gen. James C. iParrott, who was a soldier of the Mexican War. He afterwards settled at Keokuk, Iowa, where he was a well known merchant and served as postmaster of the city. Mrs. Nancy (Craig) Davis was born August 22, 1820, and departed this life in January, 1900.

and saw much active and dangerous war service in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina during the Civil War. He accompanied General Sherman's victorious army on its famous march from Atlanta to the sea. His greatest battle was at Jonesboro. He received his honorable hischarge from the service at Lexington, North Carolina, July 20, 1865, and then came to Cooper County, Missouri, in 1866. Five years later he made a trip to Morgan County, Ohio, but returned to Cooper County and engaged in farming. In 1890 Mr. Davis located in Pettis County and in 1898 he located on a farm about five miles east of Windsor. January 1, 1902, having received the appointment of Government mail carrier on rural route fourteen he moved to Windsor and for the past sixteen years has faithfully carried the mail on this route through sunshine and storm, through the heat of summer and the bitter cold of winter. He has become one of the familiar figures of this section of the county and is widely and favorably known.

April 21, 1868, Mr. Davis was married to Rachel Phillips, who was born January 22, 1846, in Morgan County, Ohio, and who departed this life October 15, 1902. Nine children were born of this marriage: James, Jasper, Missouri; Howard, deceased; Mary, at home with her father; Frank, address unknown ; Simeon J., Cherryvale, Kansas ; Florence N., at home; Mrs. Lesta Julian, Clinton, Missouri; Mrs. Stella Phillips, Otterville, Missouri; Mrs. Rachel Clark, Chetopa, Kansas.

The second marriage of Mr. Davis occurred August 7, 1914, with Mrs. Ollie (Cummings) Beasley, who was born in Madison County, Illinois, March 4, 1861, and was reared in Morgan County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Perry M. and Julia Ann (Fox) Cummings, the former a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and the latter of St. Joseph, Missouri. By her first marriage with James B. Beasley, Mrs. Davis is mother of six children.

John M. Trainer, a native of West Virginia and erstwhile farmer of Iowa, is one of the many men who have made Henry County their home after farming in other localities. He was born February 18, 1850, in Randolph County, West Virginia, and is the son of Thomas H. and Jane (Hart) Trainer. Thomas Trainer was a circuit rider of the Methodist Church and carried the Gospel to many souls. His trips, on horseback and by foot, were beset with many dangers, but he continued his long and tedious journeys for many years. He was born in 1827 in West Virginia and is now deceased and his remains are buried at Moundsville, West Virginia. His wife, the faithful companion and mother of his thirteen children, died in 1874.

John M. Trainer spent his youth in West Virginia, receiving his education in Wheehng, West Virginia. For two years in early manhood he drove a team for a roller mill, and then was employed as a bridge builder for a railroad construction company until he was twenty-six years of age.

In 1876 Mr. Trainer went to Clinton County, Iowa, and worked as a farm hand and in 1880 purchased land in Ida County, Iowa, which he disposed of in 1892 and purchased land in Clinton County. In 1903 he came to Henry County, Missouri, and purchased one hundred sixty acres, his present farm.

John Trainer and Jessie Dripps were married February 2, 1881, in Iowa, her birthplace. They are the parents of six children, as follow: Harry D., in South Dakota; Mrs. Grace Barthlemeu, now a widow living in California; Charles D., in South Dakota; Mary, wife of Alfred Jensen, living in South Dakota; Ralph, in the United States Marine Corps, and Philip, at home.

Mr. Trainer has made many improvements upon his farm, setting out an orchard, building new fence and building the necessary farm buildings. He is the breeder of the Norman horse which he has introduced in his community and the farmers are finding this breed to be a superior farm animal.

Mr. Trainer is a Democrat and has served as school trustee. His church membership is in the Methodist faith, for which his father gave the best years of his life.

Dr. David A. Pollard, a prominent physician and surgeon of Calhoun, Missouri, is one of the well known and successful physicians of Henry County. Doctor Pollard was born May 27, 1869, in Clayton, Adams County, Illinois, the son of William J. and Martha (Ribehn) Pollard. William J. Pollard was born in 1836 in Tennessee and in 1850 settled in Caldwell County, Missouri, with his parents. He was a son of Stephenson Pollard, who operated a grist and carding mill at Mirabile, Missouri, a small village of Caldwell County. Stephenson Pollard and his good wife were people of strong religious tendencies who, through their consistent living, gave to their son's life his eagerness to become a minister of the G-ospel. Their son, William J. Pollard, receiving his call to preach the

Gospel in the Baptist faith, labored faithfully in that field for many years. He was married to Martha Ribelin, who was born in 1830 in Kentucky and came to Missouri with her parents in the early days. In 1862 William J. Pollard organized a company of soldiers and served in the Confederate Army under General Price during the Civil War. In 1864 he moved his family to Illinois, and after the war he engaged in the work of a plasterer. In 1868 he moved his family to Polo, Missouri, on a farm, where he was a successful farmer until his retirement, when he removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1881. He died in 1912. His wife, who had shared all of his struggles and had reared eight children born to them, died in 1908. Their family of sons and daughters are all living.

Dr. David Pollard, after receiving a good preparatory education, entered the Northwestern Medical College of Chicago, Illinois, and was graduated from that institution in 1890. For five years he practiced medicine in Ray, Missouri. In 1901 the possibilities of a lucrative practice at Lewis Station appealed to him and he located at this place, remaining until 1914, when he established himself in his profession at Barnard, Missouri. In 1916 he came to Calhoun, Missouri, where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice. He purchased a stock of drugs and accessories and in addition to his professional duties he supervised his drug store.

June 13, 1897, David Pollard and Irma Wiley were united in marriage. Irma Wiley Pollard was born near Lewis Station, Missouri. She is a daughter of Monro.e and Emma (Lewis) Wiley. Monroe Wiley's parents were among the earliest settlers of Henry County. His parents were William and Marguerite (Whitson) Wiley. Mrs. Emma Lewis Wiley's ancestors were related to George Washington. Howell Lewis, one of her ancestors, was a cousin of the first president of the United States. Two children, Leland, age fourteen, and Mary, age twelve years, have been born to Doctor and Mrs. Pollard.

Doctor Pollard is a Democrat and takes a commendable interest in local afi'airs. He is now serving as the mayor of Calhoun. In 1916 he was elected to fill an unexpired term and in April, 1918, was elected to succeed himself. He is a member of the Methodist Church and holds membership in the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a 32nd degree Mason; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the Anti-Horse Thief Protective Association. Doctor Pollard also is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator at Calhoun.

Richard T. Faith, a well known farmer of Deer Creek township, owns the farm which his father purchased nearly sixty years ago. Richard Faith was born in Tebo township, Henry County, January 21, 1854, the son of Ransom and Nancy (Wilson) Faith, who were the parents of eight children, as follow: Elizabeth, widow of M. W. Thompson of Johnson County, Missouri; Mary, of Calhoun; James T., Griding, Idaho; John W., deceased; Alvin of Clinton, Missouri; Richard T., of this sketch; Willis P. of Springfield township, and Mrs. Alice Garrison of Calhoun, Missouri.

Ransom Faith was born in Montgomei-y County, Indiana, June 22, 1816. He was a cabinet maker and came to Calhoun expecting to follow his trade, but did not follow it very long, as he soon was on a homestead in Tebo township, where his time was profitably employed in the clearing of the land and raising of corn and wheat. He sold his homestead in 1850 and purchased the one hundred twenty acres in Deer Creek township where he made his home the remaining years of his life. He was a very good man and capable of holding the esteem of his friends and neighbors. He was a member of the Methodist Church, South, and was Sunday school superintendent several years.

Ransom Faith married Nancy Wilson, who was born in 1816 in Green County, Tennessee. Her parents settled in Fayette County, Missouri, in 1830, remaining there two years, when they came, in 1832, to Tebo township, Henry County, and remained here the rest of their lives, their sons and daughters receiving the opportunities of education which their district afforded and are now valued citizens of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are both deceased. Mrs. Nancy (Wilson) Faith died May 27, 1903. Her husband died June 21, 1884.

After the death of his parents Richard Faith purchased the interest of the other heirs. He was married November 4, 1897, to Elizabeth Sellars, who was born February 5, 1866, in Benton County, Missouri. Her parents, Calvin and Malissa (Parker) Sellars, were bom in Tennessee and came to Henry County in 1858, remaining only a short time, when they went to Benton County. After the Civil War they returned to Henry County, locating in Deer Creek township and passing their remaining days there. Four children: Willie R., a daughter living at home, Clyde of Colorado, Edith and Marjory at home, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Faith. Mr. Faith and family are members of the Methodist Church and he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Democrat and he has sewed his township as the township treasurer.

Edward L. Hutcherson. - Among the many successful cattle feeders of Henry County Edward Hutcherson holds a prominent place. He is the owner of six hundred eighty acres of land in Deer Creek township, where he is enabled to carry on farming and stock raising and to feed cattle on a large scale. He also raises a great many hogs each year. Edward Hutcherson has lived fifty years on Henry County soil, coming to Bethlehem township with his parents in 1869. His birthplace was on a farm in Menard County, Illinois, where he was born February 11, 1862, the son of David J. and Rachel E. (Marand) Hutcherson.

David Hutcherson was born in Green County, Kentucky, March 20, 1815. In 1830 his parents left their home and started by ox team for Missouri, but the winter weather which came so severely at the outset stopped them in Illinois. They came no farther, spending the remaining years of their life in agricultural pursuits there. Their son, David Hutcherson, was reared in Illinois and was married there. He farmed in that State until 1869, when he came to Missouri, settling in Bethlehem township, Henry County. He farmed on this land the remainder of his life. He died in 1898. His wife, Mrs. Rachel Marand, was born in 1818 in Baltimore, Maryland, and made her home in Illinois. She was a daughter of William Marand. After coming to Heniy County with her husband and family she was a faithful wife and mother, enduring the privations of those early days. She died in 1878.

Edward Hutcherson was only seven years old when his parents arrived on Henry County soil and has made his home here ever since. March 17, 1886, he was married to Laura L. Whitlow, a native of Henry County and a daughter of A. K. and Mary Jane (Hall) Whitlow, natives of Kentucky who came to Leesville township, Henry County, purchasing land at an early day. They are both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hutcherson have nine children, as follow: Ernest Glen, a farmer near Clinton, Missouri; Clyde N., who served in the United States Army during the great World War; Rachel, married R. E. Jones, whose sketch appears in this volume; Howard, a farmer near Clinton, Missouri ; Mary, Frank, Robert and Luther at home with their parents.

When Edward Hutcherson was twenty-four years of age he rented land and seven years later he purchased a farm. This he disposed of and purchased the nucleus of the present farm. It was one hundred acres and year by year he has added to it until he now owns six hundred and eighty acres. Mr. Hutcherson has made a success of his farming ventures and stands in the upper rank of the producers in the township. PoUtically he is a Democrat, but is too busy a man to seek offices of public favor.

John W. Willard, one of the representative farmers of Tebo township, who by a strict attendance to his farming interests has become one of the prosperous citizens of Henry County, was born August 5, 1873, in Ross County, Ohio, the son of Ellis and Jerusha Emiline (Kline) Willard. Ellis Willard was born in 1838 in Muskingum County, Ohio. During the Civil War he served in Company A, 94th Regiment Illinois Infantry and saw service in a number of the important battles. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, December 7, 1862, and was at the seige and capture of Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 4, 1863. He fought in the battles of Fort Morgan, Alabama, and Spanish Fort, Alabama. After the war he returned to his farming in Ohio and for many years led a useful and happy life in the rearing of his family and took an active part in the reconstruction period after the war. His death was in 1873. Mrs. Jerusha (Kline) Willard was born October 9, 1853, in Vinton County, Ohio. To Ellis and Jerusha (Kline) Willard were born two children: Frank, deceased, and John W., the subject of this sketch. After the death of her first husband Mrs. Willard married Simpson Ross and had two children. She now resides in Caldwell County, Missouri, where she has lived many years.

John Willard came to Caldwell County, Missouri, in 1881 with his mother and step-father, Simpson Ross. After receiving his education he rented land in that county until his removal to Johnson County, Missouri. He purchased land in Post Oak township which he later sold and bought land in Tebo township, Henry County, in 1903. He has built a house, barn and made various other buildings.

Mr. Willard's maiTiage to Effie Hosman was solemnized October 25, 1896. She was bom November 8, 1874, in Caldwell County, Missouri, the daughter of James and Cathena (Wheeler) Hosman. James Hosman was born March 2, 1848, in Davis County, Missouri, and his wife was born July 18, 1853, in Indiana. They are the parents of two children: Effie, Mrs. John Willard and George, a farmer of Caldwell County, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Hosman make their home on their farm in Tebo township which they purchased in 1907. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Willard, as follow: Edna, at home; Goldia, wife of Charles Hanger,

Edwin S. Covington, a successful and well known farmer and stockman of Deepwater, Missouri, is a native born Missourian and his education and opportunities have been such as Hemy County affords. He was born December 16, 1878, in Honey Creek, Henry County, the son of Robert W. Covington, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.

Mr. Covington's early life was spent upon the farm and his education was received in the district schools of his township and the Clinton High School at Clinton, Missouri. When he was twenty-one years of age Mr. Covington was renting land from his father and tilling the soil on his own account. He rented land until 1909, when he purchased two hundred acres of land in Bethlehem township. In 1914 he purchased thirty-five acres close to the western outskirts of Deepwater, Missouri, and has built a modern home.

The marriage of Edwin Covington and Virginia Carter was solemnized April 25, 1907. Virginia (Carter) Covington was born in Henry County and is a daughter of Capt. William F. Carter, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. Covington supports the policies and principles of the Democratic party. He takes a commendable interest in public matters and ranks high among the citizens of Henry County, of whom he is one of the most substantial.

Albert L. Levy. - The opportunities of the farmers of Henry County are the outgrowth of the privations and struggles of the pioneer men and women who came in the early days of the county's history. The farmer is reaping today where the pioneer labored and sowed. Albert L. Levy was born February 15, 1870, in Fairview township, Henry County, the son of Thomas J. and Frances (Dunning) Levy, who were natives of Illinois and Kentucky, respectively. Thomas J. Levy was born in 1834 in Illinois and with his parents, Franklin and Nancy A. Levy, who were natives of Illinois, came to Clinton township, Henry County, in the very early days of the incoming settlers to Henry County. Thomas Levy received his education amongst the pioneer surroundings and conditions, helping in the building of the home and reclaiming the wild land to cultivated fertility. He married Nancy Dunning, who was born in Caldwell

County, Kentucky, and came with her parents, Henry and Nancy (Mc- Farland) Dunning, to Henry County in 1848. She was the mother of two children, Harry, deceased, and Albert L., of this sketch. She passed away in 1876.

Thomas J. Levy, after leaving his son Albert L. with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dunning, went to New Mexico and later to Arizona, where he was interested in mining and also farming. He died in 1902.

Albert Levy was educated in the district schools and cared for by his grandparents, who are now deceased. He has farmed for many years, purchasing a farm in Clinton township in 1914 and disposing of the same in 1918.

The marriage of Albert Levy and Susan Ann Moyer took place March 9, 1891. Mrs. Susan Levy was born on the farm in Clinton township where she and her husband now reside. Her parents are John and Catherine (Rhodes) Moyer. A more complete history of the Moyer family will be found in the sketch of Jacob Moyer. Mr. and Mrs. Levy have one child. Pearl Frances, born in 1904, and is attending the Deepwater High School,

Walter Stewart, a progressive young farmer of Davis township, who is operating one hundred sixty acres of land owned by his father, Orrin Stewart, is a native son of Henry County. He was born September 1, 1886, in Davis township, Henry County, the son of Orrin and Althena (Miller) Stewart, who for the past fifty years have made^ their home in Henry County. Orrin Stewart was born in Juniata, Blair County, Pennsylvania, in 1835. During the Civil War he served in the Union Army and participated in some of the most important battles of the war. When the war ended he received an honorable discharge and returned to Logansport, Indiana, where he remained until 1867. He came to Henry County, Missouri, that year and for a time taught school and later engaged in farming. He owns two hundred ninety-one acres of land in Davis and Honey Creek townships, which for many years he farmed. Hissons have relieved him of all responsibility and are now renting the place. Orrin Stewart now lives with his son, Walter, and is hale and hearty in spite of his three score and ten years. Orrin Stewart and Althena (Miller) Stewart are the parents of four children, as follow: Jennie, wife of

A. T. Lloyd of Davis township; Harvey H., Davis township; William M., Davis township, and Walter, the subject of this sketch. The mother died August 25, 1900.

Walter Stewart received his education in the district schools and has always helped his father on the farm. As the cares and burdens became too heavy, he finally relieved his father of responsibility and is now renting one hundred sixty acres of his father's estate.

February 22, 1908, Walter Stewart married Johannah Natter and four children have been born to them, as follow: Glen, Emery C, Cliiford W. and Clarence. Mrs. Stewart was born in Davis township, Henry County, a daughter of Joe and Mary (Grobe) Natter, who are well known and successful farmers of Davis township.

Mr. Stewart is one of the young farmers who are stepping into the places of their elders and he is successfully conducting his farming operations, laying the foundations for a better and bigger opportunity for the children growing around his fireside. He is one of the progressive young men of Pettis County.

John C. Rice, late of Davis township, was one of the best known of the pioneer citizens of Henry County and was born in Kentucky in 1838 and died in 1894. He was a son of John C. and Abigail (Coleman) Rice, of North Carolina ancestry. The Rice family were pioneers in Kentucky and John C. Rice resided in his native State with his parents until 1854, when his parents went to Kansas and were there during the border warfare days. The elder Rice entered land in Kansas as did John C. Rice, but he was too young to obtain title to the land. The family became dissatisfied and started to make the return trip to Kentucky. While on the homeward journey the father of John C. Rice died at Sibley, Missouri, at the home of General Mosby. After his father's death, John C. Rice refused to return to Kentucky and came to Henry County, where he entered forty acres of land in Davis township, finally purchasing one hundred sixty acres and residing thereon with his mother and sister. Civil War breaking out and times being bad it became unsafe to remain in the neighborhood, and his mother and sister went to Warrensburg, Mr. Rice himself joining the 1st Iowa Cavalry Regiment. He served four years in the Union Army and was stationed at Little Rock and Arkansas points during his term of service. He was accidentally injured and suffered from fever, being placed in the hospital at Little Rock. After his recovery he became a nurse in the hospital and remained there until he was mus- tered out of the service in 1865. He returned home and rented a farm from Captain Denny, near Calhoun, for one year. He then came back to his farm and erected a cabin, which is still standing.

John C. Rice was married in 1868 to Lucetta Jane Walker, who was born in 1841 in North Carolina and is a daughter of Dr. William and Elizabeth (Van Hoy) Walker, natives of North Carolina who migrated to Missouri in 1852. Doctor Walker settled in Walker township, Henry County, and was the first pioneer to build a home out on the unbroken prairie away from the streams and timber tracts. For forty years he practiced medicine. When Mi'S. Rice came to Henry County with her parents the only homes in the near vicinity were those of ""Col. John Van Hoy, Selathiel Stone, Doctor Gates and Uncle Billy Gates. These homes were located on the edge of timber. School was held in a log cabin for a three months' term during the summer season. The only church in the neighborhood was the Adobe Church, in which services were held by Doctor Jones, an old line Presbyterian minister. The settlers went to Cook's Mill on Grand River in order to have their grist ground.

The following children were born to John C. and Lucetta Jane Rice: Hugh, died at the age of three years; Clyde A.; Eva May, wife of John Warner, residing on the home farm, mother of two children, Mrytle and Sylvia.

John C. Rice was a Republican and an elder of the Presbyterian Church. He was a supporter of the Grange and was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Rice was one of the best posted and best read men of his day. Being a constant student and reader, who was also a deep thinker, he wrote upon many subjects and the members of his family prize very highly the many literary productions which were accumulated during his life time.

Clyde A. Rice, who is residing in the old home of his parents, is one of the best known of the young generation of farmers in Henry County. He was born on March 2, 1870, and received his education in the district school and the old Clinton Academy. Mr. Rice is a Democrat and has held various township offices including those of tax collector and constable. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Woodmen of the World and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 772. Mr. Rice is secretary of the La Due Grain and Supply Company of La Due, Missouri.

To this marriage have been born four children : Edna, wife of Brady Morgan, mother of two children, Helen Louise and Hazel Lorene, Montrose, Missouri; Howard C, Bernard, and Ruby, at home. Mrs. Estella (Coates) Rice was born in Bear Creek township, March 9, 1871, and is a daughter of William S. and Nancy (Pinkston) Coates, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Nancy (Pinkston) Coates was born in Kentucky, November 12, 1835, and is the daughter of Basil and Elizabeth (Noland) Pinkston, who came from their native State of Kentucky to Missouri in 1839 and settled in Rives County, now Henry, near Calhoun. Other pioneers who came to this section about the same time were John A. Pigg, Archie Legg, Colonel Squires, and Uncle Isom Pinkston. Mrs. Coates recalls that the only schools were subscription schools. By a first marriage with William S. Gutridge, who died in 1860, Mrs. Coates had two children, James Henry and John William, deceased. By her second marriage there were two children, Mrs. Olive May Davis, living in Canada, and Mrs. Clyde A. Rice. When the Pinkston family came to this section they drove across country with ox teams.

Robert D. Ming of Davis township is one of the best known and most successful of the younger generation of farmers and stockmen of Henry County. Mr. Ming was born on March 5, 1880, on the Ming home place in Davis township and is the son of William F. Ming, who came to Henry County, Missouri, from Franklin County in 1879. (See sketch.) Robert D. Ming was educated in the district school of his vicinity and studied for two years at the Missouri Valley College, Marshall, Missouri, after which he completed a course in the Sedalia Business College. He chose agriculture and stock raising as his life vocation and was given 200 acres outright by his father as his share of the family estate. He has increased his acreage to a total of 390 acres, which is one of the best improved farms in this section. The buildings on the Ming place are in first-class condition and the farm is equipped with a concrete silo having a capacity of 150 tons of silage. Mr. Ming is essentially a stock man and devotes his attention principally to the breeding and feeding of cattle and hogs for the markets.

September 25, 1908, Mr. Ming was united in marriage with Miss Stella Keeler, who was born in Illinois, a daughter of Orville L. (deceased) and Elizabeth A. Keeler, who formerly resided in Henry County. Mr. Keeler died at Lowrie City and Mrs. Keeler now makes her home in Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Ming have children as follow: Morris Milton, born August, 1909 ; and William Orville, who died at the age of two years.

Mr. Ming is a Democrat and is one of the recognized leaders of his party in Henry County. He has served as school trustee and at the present time is township committeeman for Davis township. He is a director and vice-president of the bank of La Due, Missouri. He and Mrs. Ming are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Mt. Carmel.

William F. Ming. - The Ming family is one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Missouri, a worthy representative of which family is William F. Ming, now living retired in Clinton, Missouri. Mr. Ming was born at Gray's Summit, Franklin County, Missouri, February 1, 1850. He is the son of James M. and Jemima (Osborn) Ming, natives of Virginia.

James M. Ming was born in 1826 and died in 1911. He was a son of Woolrich Ming, a native of Virginia, who migrated to Franklin County, Missouri, during the early thirties and settled in that county. James M. Ming was here reared to young manhood and became a merchant and farmer. During his early life he went to Montana and took out a wagon or trainload of merchandise which he disposed of in Virginia City, during the early sixties. After remaining there for two years he returned to Franklin County and became prominently identified with Franklin County affairs. He was successful as a merchant and became a large land owner. He was elected county judge in Franklin County and served as a member of the county court at a time when the county was sued for the amount of railroad bonds issued some years before. Mainly through his efforts a compromise was effected with the bond holders and a settlement obtained which satisfied all parties concerned and saved the county a vast amount of litigation and expense. He traded merchandise for land in Henry County which he gave outright to his sons. Besides his business at Gray's Summit he established a wholesale business at St. Louis and conducted a succesful business in the city while continuing to make his home in Franklin County. He was father of ten children, the following of whom were reared to maturity: William F., subject of this review; E. D., a resident of Franklin County ; Clara, wife of Dr. A. H. May, Washington, Missouri ; Fannie, deceased wife of Doctor Wallace ; Emmet, deceased, formerly lived in Henry County, later going to Oklahoma.

After attending the common schools of his native county, William F. Ming studied for two years in St. Louis University. He then took up farming and stock raising as a life vocation. Coming to Henry County in 1879, he took charge of a tract of land in Davis township in partner- ship with his brother. Later his brother, E. D. Ming, moved back to Franklin County, and William F. bought his brother's interest in the farm. He increased his holdings to 800 acres and resided on the farm until 1906, at which time he made his home in Clinton. Mr. Ming improved his land from raw prairie and was very successful as a stock raiser and feeder, producing large herds of cattle for the markets each year.

On January 3, 1878, William F. Ming and Miss Celeste Jeffries were united in marriage. The following children were born of this marriage: Eobert D., now living on the home place in Davis township; Carrie, at home with her parents ; Dr. Charles Morris Ming, a physician now undergoing special training at Cornell University for service in the National Army as surgeon. The mother of the foregoing children was born October 2, 1854, in Franklin County, Missouri, the daughter of Charles and Alvira (Adams) Jeffries, natives of Virginia, who were early settlers of Franklin County. Charles Jeffries died at his home in that county in 1872.

Mr. Ming is a Democrat. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South and is fraternally affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World.

George W. Cruce. - The late George W. Cruce was one of the oldest pioneer settlers of Henry County. Mr. Cruce was born September 11, 1829, in Crittendon County, Kentucky, and died March 26, 1912, at his home in Clinton, Missouri. He was the son of James and Nancy (Harrison) Cruce, who spent all of their lives in Kentucky. George W. Ci'uce made his first trip to Missouri in 1854, and after viewing the country with the intention of settling in the western part of the State he returned home. After a stay of two years in Kentucky he came to Henry Couny and purchased his farm in Davis township. Two years after coming to this county he was married to Miss Frances G. Hester. Three children were born of this marriage : Ella, died at the age of five years ; George Cruce, born 1860, resides with his mother in Clinton; Marshall R., born 1863, resides in Nevada, Missouri.

Mr. and Mrs. Cruce improved a splendid tract of 400 acres of land in the northwest corner of Davis township and resided there until 1898, when they retired to a home in Clinton. In 1880 they removed to Whitesboro, Texas, so as to be with their son who was engaged in business in that city. They resided in Texas for eleven years and then returned to Cilnton.

the daughter of Thomas and Mary E. (Baynum) Hester, natives of Virginia, who were pioneer settlers of Kentucky and who came to Missouri as early as 1840 and made a settlement in St. Clair County. Thomas Hester died in St. Clair County in 1841 and his widow then came to Henry County and lived here with her children. During the Civil War period the family removed to Kentucky, where they remained for a short time, and then came back to Missouri and made their home in Warrensburg for four years. After the war they came to Henry County. Mr. and Mrs. Cruce accompanied them to Kentucky, where Mrs. Cruce's youngest son was born. Her daughter, Mary E. Cruce, died in Crittendon County, Kentucky. There were fourteen children in the Hester family, eight of whom were reared: Anthony N., Robert, Thomas, Martha B., Mary A., Juliet, Eliza, and Frances G. (Cruce) the only surviving member of the family.

George Cruce, who makes his home with his mother in Clinton, has been a successful farmer and has been married and is father of six children: George G., living in Canada; Robert J., lives in Montana; Mrs. Ella Clairy, lives near Urich, Missouri ; James G., who is cultivating the Cruce home place; Mrs. Mary F. Hedland lives in Warrensburg; Paul lives in Clinton. Mrs. Frances G. Cruce has eleven great-grandchildren. For the past sixty-four years she has been a member of the Christian Church and active in religious works. She is the only living charter member of the Clinton Christian Church.

Mrs. Cruce recalls the early pioneer days spent in St. Clair County and that the settlers went to mill at what was known as Captain Lena's Mill on Sac River. They went to market by ox-team to Osceola, at that time a landing port for the boats which came up the Osage River. Mrs. Hester owned a number of slaves, seventeen in all, who did all the work of the farm and were very devoted to their mistress. All of the children were well educated and received every advantage possible to give them during those early days. They were prosperous and happy until the war broke out, eventually causing Mrs. Hester to lose all of her slaves and the family fortunes were considerably weakened.

George W. Cruce was a Democrat and was one of the leaders of his party in Henry County for a number of years. He was a self-educated man and was highly intelligent. For over twenty years he served as justice of the peace for Davis township. He was a member of the Christian Church and while a resident of Whitesboro, Texas, he served as deacon

R. A. Guynn, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Montrose, Missouri, was born in Pennsylvania, December 10, 1860, and is the son of Vincent and Hannah (Shelby) Guynn, both natives of Pennsylvania. Hannah (Shelby) Guynn was a niece of Gen. J. 0. Shelby of Civil War fame. The Guynns migrated to Illinois in 1861 and came to Henry County, Missouri, in 1867, locating upon a partly improved farm in Bear Creek township, which Mr. Guynn purchased. In later years Vincent Guynn lost his health and retired to a home in Montrose, where he died in 1883 at the age of 55 years. His wife, Hannah, was born in 1832 and died in 1885. They were parents of seven children: R. A., subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Jennie Sagesser, deceased ; Mrs. Annie Walker, a widow living at Appleton City, Missouri; Mrs. Linnie Williams, residing in Ohio; John, deceased ; May, and Richard, deceased.

The early education of R. A. Guynn was obtained in the public schools of Calhoun, where his father was located prior to settling upon his farm near Montrose. He pursued a course in pharmacy and in 1872 he established a drug store in Montrose. For a period of thirty-five years he was successfully engaged in the drug business and is one of the oldest business men of Montrose in point of years of service in business. He engaged in the banking business in 1907 and is making a success of finance. Mr. Guynn is interested in agricultural pursuits and owns a splendid farm of 428 acres near Montrose, the cultivation of which he personally oversees.

R. A. Guynn and Miss Zella Kistler were united in marriage in 1893. Mrs. Zella Guynn is a native of Ohio and a daughter of J. C. Kistler, who resides upon a farm one mile west of Clinton. Six children have blessed this union: Emmet, born in 1894. resides upon a farm north of Clinton; Reuben, born 1895, a chemist by profession, now in the national service, as first sergeant at the Base Hospital, Fort Doniphan, enlisted at Kansas City, Missouri, in April, 1917, disposed of his drug business at Kansas City, first stationed at Jefferson Barracks, then at Fort Snelling and now at Fort Doniphan, was married when home on furlough to Miss Mattie Wallace, a teacher in the Chilhowee, Missouri, schools ; Lucille, born 1897, a graduate of the Clinton High School and a teacher in the Franklin school at Clinton; Genevieve, born 1899, a student in the Chicago Conservatory of Music; Shelby, born 1901, graduate of the Clinton High School, class of 1918 ; Zella, born 1903, student in the Montrose High School, class of 1918.

Mr. Guynn is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is one of the substantial and leading citizens of Montrose whose influence has ever been on the side of advancement for his home city and the surrounding territory.

Farmers and Merchants Bank, Montrose, Missouri. - The statements of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Montrose, Missouri, show^ that the region tributary to Montrose is prospering as never before in its history. From November 20, 1917, to March 4, 1918, this bank had an increase of deposits exceeding $50,000, which is no small item for a bank in a small city. This bank was established in 1907 with a cash capital of $10,000 by Mr. R. A. Guynn and others. Mr. Guynn was the first president of the bank, and the first cashier was Mr. Linton. The present officers are: R. A. Guynn, president; C. M. Clark, cashier; Charles H. Engeman, vice-president; R. A. Guynn, C. M. Clark, Charles H. Engeman, J. N. Kauman, C. J. Kauman, Mrs. W. J. Brownsberger, and Mrs. R. A. Guynn, directors. Every dollar invested in the stock of this bank is owned and controlled by home people and is distributed among twenty stockholders.

The official statement of this bank as made to the State Bank Commissioner on March 4, 1918, shows a capital stock of $10,000 ; surplus of $8,000 ; undivided profits of $2,500 ; and total deposits of $187,742. This bank is an United States Depository for postal savings.

Nicholas Bayard Conrad, attorney at law, Montrose, Missouri, member of the Clinton bar and actively engaged in practice since 1894, was born in Henry County, two miles east of Montrose, May 4, 1868, a son of John and Elizabeth Margaret (Wolfrum) Conrad, the former a native of Canton Graubuenden, Switzerland, and the latter of Bavaria, Germany. In early life the father was a stone cutter, learning the trade in the old country. His family had lived in Switzerland for many generations and was of old crusader stock. When twenty-eight years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, intending to work his way across the continent to California, where he had relatives. He was a cousin of John Sutter, in whose mill-race gold was discovered in California in 1848. But while he was at Leavenworth, Kansas, the Civil War broke out and he enlisted in the Second Regiment of Kansas Infantry as a private, becoming a member of Company A. He re-enlisted, serving in all four years. He saw General Lyon shot at Wilson's Creek, and was afterwards at the battles of Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga and Chattanooga. He was

Elizabeth M. Wolfrum came from Germany in 1839 with her father, mother, and three brothers. They were on the ocean all winter, having suffered shipwreck and went up the river to their destination, Kansas City, where she lived with her father ten years. Her father had been a soldier in the German army and had served under Blucher at Waterloo, and the father wished to get his sons away from the danger of European wars, but two of them died from disease contracted while serving the Union during the Civil War. Her 'father's brother, Jacob Wolfrom, came to Henry County in 1839 and entered land. In 1849 she was married to Andrew Gunther of Jefferson City and they moved to Henry County, two miles east of where Montrose now stands, bought out her uncle and built a new log house, a mill and a distillery. Four children were born of this marriage: Mrs. Rosalie Berneker, of El Centro, California; Andrew J. Gunther of Montrose, Missouri; Mrs. Fritz Datweiler of Clinton, Missouri; and Mrs. Theresa Brownsberger of Montrose, Missouri. Andrew Gunther enlisted in the Federal Army in 1861 and was shot the same year. In 1866 the widow married John Conrad and two children were born to this marriage: Nicholas B. and Albert M. Conrad. John Conrad died August 4, 1887, and Elizabeth M. Conrad died July 5, 1903.

N. B. Conrad supplemented his early education by study in the Clinton Academy under Prof. E. P. Lamkin. Mr. Conrad received the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts, and was valedictorian of his class. He then taught school five years, obtaining his certificate from County Commissioner W. W. Palmer and had at that time the highest grade of any first gi-ade certificate in the county. Mr. Conrad afterward pursued a law course at the University of Missouri, graduating in the law class of 1894 in the first rank with distinction and wrote one of the prize theses of the year, and in June, 1896, was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State. In 1906 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Henry County, the only Republican ever elected in the county for over forty years. During his incumbency of the office he made an efficient officer and never had an indictment quashed. For some years, Mr. Conrad was the editor of the "Henry County Republican" of Clinton, Missouri.

J. (Snowden) Arnold, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Canada. The father learned the millers trade in the East and upon his removal from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin engaged in the milling business in that State for a number of years. In 1883 he removed with his family to Montrose, where he operated a mill for a number of years, and afterwards for fifteen years was owner and editor of the "Montrose Record." Mr. Arnold was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Forty-first Pennsylvania Volunteer Reserve Corps three years, participating in many hard fought battles, among them being the battles of the Wilderness and Gettysburg. Mrs. Conrad was educated in the public schools of Wisconsin and Missouri and graduated from the Montrose High School as valedictorian of her class. She taught for three years in the Montrose public schools, and later graduated from the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indiana. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Conrad: Elizabeth Margaret, Arnold Bayard, and Wolfrom Snowden. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad are active members of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Conrad is an elder. He is a Mason and has filled all the chairs in his Masonic lodge and has taken the Royal Arch Degree.

Edwin B. Hunt. - Under arching and spreading trees at the crossroads in the center of Walker township, where the little cluster of buildings known as the town of Piper stands, is the Hunt blacksmith shop. Always busy, jolly, friendly to all, ever ready to do work which requires skill and strength, Edwin B. Hunt has conducted his blacksmith and wagon shop for the past fifteen years and has waxed prosperous as the years have passed. He is one of the "old timers" of Henry County in the sense that he is native-born to Henry County, his father before him having been one of the pioneers of Walker township.

Edwin B. Hunt was born October 20, 1868, on a farm located just a half mile south of his place of business. He is the son of William (born April 11, 1809; died April, 1874) and Priscilla (Covey) Hunt (born December 6, 1825) , and at present the oldest living pioneer woman of Henry County.

William Hunt was a native of North Carolina, and his wife, Priscilla, was a native of Tennessee. His first wife was Agubeth Hunt, who was born in 1816 and died in 1846. The following children were born of this marriage: Elizabeth, Mary Margaret, John, William H., and James W., all of whom are deceased. By the second marriage the following children were born: William, John Samuel, Enoch Johnson, Joseph Levi, William

William Hunt came to Henry County from Pettis County, Missouri, in the early iifties and entered a large tract of free Government land in Walker township. He died upon his home place near Piper and his aged widow now makes her home with Edwin B. Hunt. Of the twelve children born to William and Priscilla Hunt, six are living: Edwin B. ; John S., Washington; W. R., Idaho; Mrs. Elizabeth Raybourn, Idaho; and two half-brothers ; also William H. Hunt, Deepwater township, and Mrs. Mary Reavis, Bear Creek township.

Mr. Hunt learned the trade of blacksmith under Thomas J. Pitts, but since his boyhood days has been skilled in iron work and showed a special aptitude for the smithing trade. His first shop was located one mile west of Piper, and in 1910 he located at Piper, his present location. He has not only made a success of blacksmith but has been and is a successful farmer. He is owner of 400 acres of land in the immediate neighborhood, his holdings including the Hunt home place.

Mr. Hunt was married in April, 1888, to Martha C. Long, daughter of J. C. Long, one of the early settlers of Henry County. Mrs. Martha C. Hunt was born October 28, 1867, in Henry County, and is the daughter of John C. and Ruth (Burgess) Long, natives of Miller County, Miissouri, who located in Henry County in 1866 and spent the remainder of their lives in this county. There were ten children in the Long family, nine of whom are living: Mrs. Pink Osborn, Oklahoma; Mrs. Eva Chadwell, Oklahoma; Doc Long, Lowry County, Missouri; Mrs. Nellie Jackson, living in Lowry County, Missouri; Kid Long, and Dutch Long, St. Clair County, Missouri; Mrs. Mary Edwards, St. Clair County, Missouri; Mrs. Edwin B. Hunt; Arch Long, Kansas.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwin B. Hunt are as follow: Pearl, a farmer in Walker township ; Mrs. Ruth F. Hill, Walker township ; James J., Charles A., and Ervin J., who is farming the Hunt acreage. Mr. Hunt has always been a Republican. He has served as a member of the township board and is the present justice of the peace of Walker township. He and Mrs. Hunt are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Andrew Wally was bom in Switzerland, May 14, 1853, and is the son of Joseph and Bertha (Minch) Wally, both of whom were natives of the Canton of Graubunden, Switzerland, and immigrated to America in 1870. They first located in Michigan, where they joined their son Andrew, who had preceded them to this country. From Michigan they went to

Illinois and in 1871 they came to Montrose, Missouri, where Joseph Wally followed his trade of stonemason and also engaged in farming. Recently he removed to his son's ranch in western Arkansas and is making his home there. He was born in 1827. Mrs. Joseph Walley was bom in 1836 and died in 1911. They were parents of four children: Mrs. Margaret Negg, deceased; Mrs. Eve Herman died in Bates County, Missouri, April 18, 1918; Mrs. Mary Kloeppinger, Rockville, Missouri; and Andrew Wally, subject of this sketch.

When he had attained the age of fifteen years, Andrew Wally left his native land in order to find fortune in America. He first located in Michigan, from there went to Illinois and in 1871 he arrived in Montrose. For a period of two years he was employed as section hand on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad. For seven years he was engaged in the mercantile business in the employ of 0. S. Johnson. In 1880 he embarked in business on his own account with a small stock of hardware goods and a small capital which represented his savings for the past seven years. The business grew constantly and in 1885, Mr. Wally found it necessary to erect a new building, now known as the Wally building, in order to adequately house his large stock of hardware and implements. Mr. Wally succeeded in building up one of the largest hardware concerns in Henry County and he continued to operate the business until his retirement from active business affairs in 1910. He is owner of a large and well-equipped ranch in Benton County, Arkansas, located six miles west of Gravette. Mr. and Mrs. Wally divide their time between the ranch and Montrose. They have a beautiful, modern home in Montrose, built of stucco and very attractive both inside and out.

Mr. Wally was married in 1883 to Wilhelmina Beckman, who was bom in 1858 at Stadfelt, Saxony, Germany, and is the daughter of Heinrich and Amelia (Reinhart) Beckman, the latter of whom died in her native country in 1864. Heinrich Beckman immigrated to America in 1872 and settled on a farm located fifteen miles from Washington, Missouri. He died on his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Wally have one son and a daughter: Joseph Henry, engaged in business in Kansas City, married Edna Regnier, and has two children, Joseph, Jr., aged five years, and Bettie, one year old; Minnie, wife of Wallace Carl Duewel, who is operating the Wally ranch in Arkansas.

his long business career in this city and was always found in the forefront of civic movements which were intended for the betterment of the community in general. He and Mrs. Wally are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is fraternally affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is also a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, and the Commandery.

Bruce M. Wilson, farmer and stockman, Montrose, Missouri, is a native son of Henry County and is a member of one of the oldest and most prominent of the pioneer families of the county. He was born in Deepwater township, October 8, 1867, on the old Wilson homestead and is the son of Joseph H. Wilson, concerning whom an extended biography is given in this volume. He was educated in the public schools of Deepwater township and the Methodist Episcopal College at Morrisville, Missouri. Mr. Wilson has always been engaged in farming and stock raising and resided on the farm until his removal to a home in Montrose, Missouri, December 22, 1916. He is owner of 236 acres of land in Henry County and is cultivating the old home place of the Wilson family in partnership with Edward Houx.

Mr. Wilson was married to Mrs. Maud (Post) Colson on December 22, 1916. Mrs. Wilson is the daughter of Allen and Caroline Post, former residents of Deepwater township, who were old settlers of Henry County and who are both deceased.

Mr. Wilson is a Democrat and attends the Methodist Episcopal Church of which Mrs. Wilson is a member. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Montrose and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Clinton, Missouri.

William Bettels. - The Bettels family is one of the most substantial and respected in Henry County, every member of which has succeeded in accumulating a competence and are farm owners in the neighborhood of Germantowm, in Deepwater township. Forty-eight years ago Frank and Gei'trude Bettels left their old home in Hanover, Germany, and crossed the ocean with their family of six sons and four daughters, landing at New York City. They at once came to Missouri and settled in St. Charles County, residing there until 1876, at which time they came to Henry County, Missouri. The sons of the family had preceded the parents in the removal to Henry County. Frank Bettels died in 1905 at the age of 75 years. His wife, Gertrude, is deceased.

The children of Frank and Gertrude Bettels are as follow: Joseph died in Henry County, in 1915; William, subject of this review; Frank, a resident of St. Louis; Ferdinand died in 1903; August, a prosperous farmer of Walker township; Bernard, a farmer in Deepwater township; Henry, a resident of Deepwater township; Sophia, deceased.

William Bettels was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1851, and was nineteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. He came to Henry County from St. Charles County in 1874 and during the first two years of his residence in this county he worked at farm labor. During these two years he saved his earnings and then invested in his present farm, which he purchased in 1876.

The Bettels farm consists of 140 acres and is located three miles southwest of Germantown in Deepwater township. The place is nicely improved with a good home and farm buildings, all of which have been erected by the proprietor, who has otherwise beautified the surroundings with shrubbery and evergreen, making the farm a very attractive one.

Mr. Bettels was married in 1876 to Margaret Hoele (born 1851, died 1911), the daughter of Matthias Hoele, a pioneer settler of Henry County, of Gei-man extraction. Seven children were born to William and Margaret Bettels, as follow: Mrs. Kate Weisman, Walker township; Frank Bettels, born 1883, married in 1914 to Anna Tilling, and father of one child, Ida, born January 11, 1915, is tilling the home farm; Sophia is a teacher in the parochial schools of Belleville; Lena and Ida are teachers in the parochial schools of St. Louis.

The Democratic party has always had the unqualified support of William Bettels, who is considered one of the best citizens of this county. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church.

Henry Kalwei, late of Deep^vater township, was born at Otmos Doghold, Westphalia, Germany, November 16, 1833, and departed this life June 17, 1915, at his farm in Deepwater township. Mr. Kalwei came to America in 1869 and settled upon a tract of land given him by an uncle. This farm was all covered with timber but was partially improved with a log cabin which was entirely surrounded by virgin timber. Clearing this land was the hardest kind of labor, but Mr. Kalwie succeeded in clearing all of the land but twenty acres of the tract of 160 acres, of which forty acres was later sold by the Kalweis. For a period of nine years, Henry Kalwei plied his trade of shoemaker in Germantown and made boots and shoes with the skill of the craftsman who loves his trade.

Soon after his marriage in 1868 in Westphalia, Germany, with Catharine Krimphoff, the newly wedded couple started for America to find a home and rear their family. Mrs. Catharine Kalwei was born in September of 1843, is the daughter of Henry (died 1880) and Mary Elizabeth (Renekamp) Krimphoff (died 1877). Mrs. Kalwei is a sister of Mrs. Garland Dahlman of Deepwater township. To Henry and Catharine Kalwei were born children as follow: Mary, wife of Anton Hake, living near Germantown ; Annie, deceased ; John Bernard, died in infancy ; John Gerard, a farmer in Deepwater township; Anton Lawrence, born August 10, 1875, is operating the home farm; Kate, wife of C. J. Kaumans, Deepwater township ; Henry, and Anton, farmers in Deepwater township ; Theresa, wife of George Giliph, Walker township; Clara (Kaumans), living in California, and Elizabeth, twins, at home.

Henry Kalwei will long be remembered as an industrious and enterprising citizen who bequeathed to his family a heritage of right living which will long be remembered. Anton Kalwei, his son, is a typical son of an excellent father who is likewise industrious and highly respected. He is a Democrat and with the other members of the family belongs to the Germantown Catholic Church.

Frank Puthoff. - There is one thing which Frank Puthoff of Deepwater township can boast of that most of his neighbors lack, and that is a splendid view of the surrounding country from his dooryard. Mr. Puthoff selected the highest place on his land, the topmost part of a high hill, for his home, affording a view of the surrounding country for many miles in every direction. He is owner of eighty acres of land upon which he was born March 5, 1866, in a log house. Mr. Puthoff is the son of Joseph (born October 26, 1826; died March 7, 1916), who was a native of Germany and the son of Henry Puthoff, who came to America in 1858 or 1860, and was an early settler of the Germantown neighborhood.

Joseph Puthoff was twice married, his first marriage taking place in Germany with Clara Harmon, who died leaving three children: Henry, Kansas City, Missouri; Theodore, living on a farm near Germantown, whose daughter, Margaret, is housekeeper for Frank, subject of this sketch; Joseph, lives near Germantown, Missouri. His second marriage was with Mary Hake, born in Germany in 1850 and died December 11,

1888. This marriage took place at Boonville, Missouri, and was blessed with ten children: Frank; Anton, Kansas City; Mary, wife of Anton Rotert, Walker township; Kate, wife of William Rotert, Deepwater township; Minnie, wife of John Grabel, Walker township; Mrs. Josephine Kalwei, Deepwater township; John, Kansas City; Mrs. Elizabeth Sickman, Deepwater township; Theresa and Annie, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Puthoff were devout members of the Catholic Church and so lived their lives that they left an indelible imprint upon the community which will endure forever.

Joseph Puthoff became owner of 160 acres of land and thirty acres of timber which his son Frank has managed for the heirs for some years. Frank Puthoff has purchased eighty acres of this land from their heirs, in addition to becoming owner of the timber tract. He erected his handsome home of eight rooms in 1914. Mr. Puthoff is a Republican and is a member of the Germantown Catholic Church.

George H. Dehn, owner of a splendid farm of 240 acres in Clinton township upon which he has resided since December 25, 1911, is an industrious and successful Henry County farmer and stockman. Mr. Dehn was born in St. Clair County, Iowa, April 21, 1868. He is the son of Peter and Susannah (Meuse) Dehn, the former of whom was a native of Darmstadt, and the latter of whom was born in Luxemburg, Germany. Each accompanied their parents to America when young, and after their marriage in Illinois they moved to Iowa. In July of 1868 they located in Henry County, Missouri, and settled upon a farm six miles west of Clinton in Honey Creek township. Peter Dehn built up a splendid farm and was engaged in farming pursuits until his death in April, 1910, at the age of 86 years. His wife, Susannah, died in December, 1910, at the age of 76 years. They were parents of the folowing children: Katie lives at Ash Grove, Missouri; John, an extensive farmer living about one mile west of Clinton ; Daniel lives in Fields Creek township ; Mrs. Lizzie Duer, lives in Clinton; Annie died at the age of 19 years; Mrs. Mary Myers resides at Ash Grove, Missouri; Mrs. Susan Loyd lives on a farm in Clinton township; George H., subject of this sketch; Mrs. Rosa Batschelet, La Due, Missouri; Mrs. Emma Keck, Fields Creek township.

George H. Dehn remained with his parents until he attained the age of twenty-five years. He then married and cultivated his father's farm from 1893 to 1907. He then purchased his present farm of 200

Mr. Dehn is independent in his political views. He usually votes for the candidates who seem to him to be best fitted to give the best service to the people. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Edgar A. Ross. - One of the neatest and best-kept farmsteads in Fairview township is that of Edgar A. Ross, which consists of 120 acres, just enough to keep one energetic farmer busily employed the year round. This farm is well improved with a good residence, and a silo to suppliment the feeding of live stock in winter.

Edgar A. Ross was born November 11, 1862, in Wisconsin, the son of George H. and Carolina (Wilson) Ross, the former of whom was a native of Vermont and the latter a native of Michigan. George H. Ross was the son of Arad and Hannah (Batchelor) Ross, both of whom were natives of Vermont and descended from old New England families. Mrs. Caroline (Wilson) Ross was the daughter of Solomon and Harriet (Robinson) Robinson, who lived to great ages. It is an actuality that Edgar A. Ross recalls seeing both of his grandfathers and grandmothers and his great-grandfather and his great-grandmother in one room of his father's home in Wisconsin. Few men are given to see so many generations of one family, and that family his own people. Edgar A. Ross is the oldest of nine children born to his parents as follow: Edgar A.; Albert, and Frank, deceased; David lives in Iowa; Jesse lives in Iowa; Mrs. Annie Lanning resides in Canada; Clare lives in Washington; Ernest lives in North Dakota; Mrs. Grace Brooks lives in Iowa.

George H. Ross left Wisconsin in 1867 and settled in Hardin County, Iowa, where he became well to do. During the Civil War he served as volunteer in the 48th Wisconsin Infantry, for one year. He is now living comfortably in Hardin County, Iowa, after a successful career. Mrs. Caroline Ross was bom in 1838 and departed this life in 1895. Longevity is one of the characteristics of the members of the Ross family, the grandfather of Edgar A. Ross having lived to attain the great age of 97 years.

County, Iowa. His parents were in poor circumstances and his life has been made up largely of hard work and grinding toil until of late years. When the family located in Iowa, George H. Ross had but three horses and $50 in money. He earned money enough to provide sustenance for his family by quarrying rock at 75 cents per cord and for a long time the family subsisted on corn which cost them $1.25 per bushel. In time, Mr. Ross prospered as Hardin County was developed and he became owner of 320 acres of rich Hardin County corn land valued at $250 an acre. Being the oldest of the family, Edgar A. Ross bore a great part of the burden of supporting the family during the lean years when times were hard. All of the other children of the family received a good education.

When Edgar A. Ross had attained the age of twenty-one years (1883) he went to Wisconsin, there married and resided in that State until 1890. He was engaged in railroad work and held the position of section foreman and had charge of a gravel train. In 1890 he returned to Iowa and purchased a farm. On account of poor health engendered by the severe winter weather of his home county in Iowa, he sold out his Iowa farm in 1903 and came to Missouri and purchased his farm in Fairview township. Mr. Ross has never regretted the change and states that Henry County is a far healthier section in which to live and a much easier place in which to make a living and accumulate a sufficiency of this world's goods than in Iowa, where land is much higher in price and consequently harder to obtain. He is well content with his location and would not swap farms with one of his relatives in Iowa if compelled to reside there.

Mr. Ross was married in 1888 to Miss Phoebe Ann Smith, who was born in Vermont, the daughter of Aaron and Amarillas (Reck) Smith. No children have been born of this marriage, but Mr. and Mrs. Ross have reared five adopted children, all of whom were orphans whom they took when young and raised to upright manhood and womanhood, namely: Grace, wife of John Robbins, Fairview township; Benjamin, operating a creamery at Lincoln, Nebraska; Miss Myrtle Speck, now in Oklahoma; and Mytle, at home.

Mr. Ross is a Republican. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and is one of the leading and substantial citizens of the Deepwater neighborhood, who is intelligent, well read and popular with all who know him.

James Bryant, a progressive and enterprising farmer and stockman of Bethlehem township, proprietor of a splendidly improved farm of 240 acres, is a native of New Jersey. He was born February 22, 1864, and is the son of Henry and Martha (Long) Bryant, both of whom were born and reared in England, immigrated to the United States, settled in New Jersey, resided in that State until 1865, and then moved westward to Illinois. Two years' residence in Illinois were sufficient, however, and they came to western Missouri, settling in Henry County in 1867. Mr. Bryant purchased a farm near the city of Clinton and resided there during the remainder of his days. He died in 1910. Mrs. Martha Bryant departed this life in March, 1917. Henry and Martha Bryant were parents of eight children, six of whom are living: George, a resident of California; Mrs. Eliza Briggs, Kansas; James, subject of this sketch; Mrs. Florence Matter, Garden City, Missouri; Mrs. Martha Dando, Kansas City, Missouri; Henry lives at Hutchinson, Kansas.

James Bryant was reared to manhood on the home place, which he now owns, and has the distinction of having lived for a period of forty years in the same house. He began his own career when twenty-one years of age, renting land for three years, after which he invested his savings in forty acres, and began farming on his own account on his own land after marriage. By hard work, and good financial management, he has attained to a position of competence.

October 19, 1890, James Bryant and Miss Delia P. Wright were united in marriage. They have two adopted children : Ellis, aged nineteen years, and Wilma, aged fourteen years. Ellis Bryant was born August 14, 1899, and enlisted in the National Army at Sedalia, Missouri, in August, 1917, pursued the regular course of training at Camp Doniphan and is now on the western battle front in France. He is a member of Company D, 140th United States Infantry.

Mrs. Delia P. (Wright) Bryant was born October 21, 1869, in northern Missouri, and is the daughter of Richard and Susie (Green) Wright, natives of old Missouri, and who located permanently in Henry County in 1872. The Wright home was located three miles east of Clinton where Mr. Wright died in 1874. Mrs. Wright died at the Bryant home in 1911. The following children were born to Richard and Susie Wright: Mrs. Rebecca Reid, Bethlehem township; Mrs. Ella Harrison, Colorado; Jonah Wright, Bethlehem township; Mrs. Delia Bryant, of this review; Mrs. Betty Brown, living in Montana.

Mr. Bryant is a Republican and he and Mrs. Wright are members of the Christian Church. They are worthy people who are well liked and highly respected in their neighborhood.

James Baker. - Residing on his eighty-aci'e farm east of Leesville, almost in the heart of the timbered country which lies adjacent to the village, is James Baker, for years the "Blacksmith of Leesville." Mr. Baker is a native of Missouri and was born in Monroe County, August 31, 1844, the son of William and Ruth (Standiford) Baker, natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively.

William Baker was a cabinet maker by trade, whose parents were pioneers of Monroe County. He settled at White Sulphur Springs, St. Clair County, Missouri, in 1845, and in 1861 came to Leesville, where he plied his trade of skilled cabinet maker until after the Civil War, when he located on a farm and followed agricultural pursuits until his death. He was father of four children : W. P., Mary, and Francis, deceased ; James, subject of this sketch, is the only survivor of the family. The mother of these children departed this life in 1849. After her death, some time later, William Baker married Elizabeth Goff, and to this marriage were born children as follow: Louisa, deceased; John M., Garden City, Missouri; Thomas, Henry, and George, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Carlton, Colorado; Mrs. Nora Acock, Benton County, Missouri.