Henry County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 2 of 17)

Mary Woods, and died at Ripley, Ohio, April 19, 1820. Elizabeth, born in Augusta County, Virginia, became the wife of Rev. Moses Hoge, D. D., on the 23rd of August, 1783, and passed away in Virginia in 1802. Rev. Thomas Poague, born in Augusta County, Virginia, married Laura Watkins in 1792 and passed away in the Old Dominion in the same year. Ann, born in Augusta County, became the wife of Andrew Kinkead and died in Kentucky.

Thomas Hoge Poage, as previously stated, was the ninth of thirteen children born unto Maj. George and Ann (Allen) Poague. He was fortynine years of age when he passed away May 31, 1841. His wife, Nancy Allen (Frame) Poague, long survived him and died July 13, 1889. Thomas H. Poague became an extensive landowner, planter and slave-owner, operating plantations near Ashland, Kentucky. He also had large tracts of land in Texas and to his plantations there took many of his negroes because of the agitation in Virginia against slavery. While on a trip of inspection to his plantations in the Lone Star State he became ill of yellow fever and died there. Unto him and his wife were born eight children: Margaret Ann, who was born July 30, 1821, died in infancy. Agnes Virginia, born October 7, 1824, resides on a large plantation near Carlisle, Kentucky. She is the widow of William Shanklin, who was a banker and extensive landowner of that locality. George Samuel was the third in order of birth. Hugh Calvin, born June 16, 1829, died in 1900. Isabel Jane, born August 12, 1831, died at the age of two and one-half years. Thomas C, born August 4, 1834, died December 15, 1877. Rebecca Crawford, bom August 7, 1836, became the wife of R. C. Wilson and is now a widow living in Carlisle, Kentucky. John William, born February 9, 1840, died July 9, 1868.

George Samuel Poague spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Kentucky and in 1858 came to Missouri, residing for a year upon a farm in Lafayette County. He then removed to a farm near Warrensburg, where he continued for about a year, after which he took up his abode in Benton County, Missouri, where he became a landowner and where he resided until his death, which occurred December 13, 1882. In early life he had engaged in merchandising in Ashland, Kentucky, but his store was destroyed by lire and, though he still owned considerable land, he had little ready money. Having heard much of the opportunities. to be enjoyed in Missouri, it was this that decided him to come to this State, and as the years passed he retrieved his lost possessions and became one of the substantial citizens of Benton County. His life was an active and useful one and his many sterling traits of character gained for him the highest regard of all with whom he was brought in contact. He lived in consistent harmony with his profession as a member of the Baptist church and his example is one well worthy of emulation. His political allegiance was given to the Democratic party and he took an active interest in State and county affairs, supporting all the measures which he deemed beneficial to the community. On the 25th of July, 1853, he married Miss Eliza Keller, who was bom September 28, 1833, in BarboursviJle, West Virginia. She was the eldest of ten children, whose parents were Louis and Hannah (Miller) Keller, both of whom were natives of Germany, but were brought to America in childhood by their parents. The father was a mechanic and in early life was engaged in making shoes for horses and mules and also manufacturing horseshoe nails. The business grew to large proportions, until he was operating a number of shops and employing a number of men. He ranked among the prominent representatives of industrial activity in the community in which he made his home. John Thomas, born July 30, 1854, married Evelyn Harvey and is now living retired in Clinton. George Madison, born October 31, 1856, married Miss Laura Oaks and is a landowner and capitalist of Jerico Springs, Cedar County, Missouri. Frederick Cary, born April 20, 1859, married Fannie Wilsin and resides on the old homestead in Benton County. Emma Eugenia, born March 25, 1861, died September 26, 1862. Samuel Allen, born May 10, 1865, married Ethel Baugh, and is a practicing physician, surgeon and druggist of Clinton, Missouri. Henry Fewell is the sixth in order of birth. Hattie Adelaide, born November 11, 1871, was married January 3, 1910, to Lawrence Crotty, who is a railroad man and one of the prosperous and valued citizens of Clinton. William Rhea, born March 29, 1873, married Ethel Shobe and is associated with his brother. Dr. Poague, in the drug and general mercantile business in Clinton. Mr. and Mrs. George S. Poague also reared an adopted son, who was taken into the family when six years of age. He resides with W. R. Poague at the old home in Clinton and from early boyhood has been in the employ of the Clinton Water & Gas Company, his long connection therewith indicating his fidelity as well as his ability.

Henry F. Poague devoted his youth largely to the acquirement of an education until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he began farming. He continued upon the farm until twenty -one years of age and in his business affairs he met with substantial success. He began in the stock business when he owned but one Httle bay mare, but he continued trading and buying. He woiald purchase cows and hogs and when twenty-one years of age he had accumulated twentyone hundred dollars in this business. He then sold out and left the farm, for, realizing the value of education, he desired to enjoy better opportunities along that line. He went to the University of Missouri and was graduated from the law department in June, 1892. He then returned to the farm and again turned to the stock business, but his friends and neighbors began to seek his professional services, and after a year he returned to Clinton and opened a law office, since which time he has been engaged continuously in practice. Something of his ability along professional lines is indicated in the fact that he has four times been called to fill the office of county prosecuting attorney. He is very careful and systematic in the preparation of his cases and is seldom, if ever, at fault in the application of a legal principle. The court records, therefore, show that he has won many notable verdicts and indicate that he is well qualified to solve the intricate and complex problems of the law. When he was elected prosecuting attorney, Henry County owed over six hundred thousand dollars of principal and' interest in bonded indebtedness and was not paying any of the principal of the debt. He began figuring the levies and on the 1st of April in each year would carefully figure the finances of the county and pay all the money on the public debt, except enough to meet the current expenses, until the taxes would be collected in the fall. The assessment of 1913, when collected, will pay every dollar of the public indebtedness owed by the county. Moreover, during this time, there had been two hundred and fifty-three steel bridges built in Henry County at a cost of one hundred and eighty-five thousand dollars, and in addition, the wooden bridges and culverts have been built; the county jail has been repaired to the amount of several thousand dollars ; and the county farm buildings were rebuilt - and all paid for.

He was a very careful man in his administrations and established for himself a reputation throughout the State of Missouri as being a "criminal cost saver." It is believed by the various officers in the State that he could handle more cases with better success and less criminal costs than any man holding the position; he was brief and vigorous in his prosecutions, but believed in tempering justice with mercy. He had many political combats, but the people stood close to him and he would come out successful. And his official record stands as a monument for economical principles and successful financial management to the citizens and taxpayers.

In August, 1896, Mr. Poague was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Haysler, who was born in Clinton, Missouri, and is a daughter of Charles H. and Elizabeth (Humbrock) Haysler, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Cole County, Missouri. The father became an extensive dealer in harness, saddlery and sporting goods in Clinton, where he arrived in early manhood, winning recognition there as one of the leading and enterprising business men. He passed away in Clinton, where Mrs. Haysler still resides. In politics he was a Democrat and his religious faith was that of the Christian Church, to the teachings of which he was ever loyal. Mr. and Mrs. Poague became the parents of two children, Haysler A. and Vashti H., both at home. In addition to a comfortable residence, Mr. Poague owns other valuable property. He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, having taken the degrees of lodge, chapter and council, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen, the Woodmen of the World, the Knights and Ladies of Security, the Fraternal Aid, the Homesteaders, the Yeomen and the Mystic Workers. His time is practically given to his profession, with just enough leisure for public duties and private interests that will constitute an even balance to his professional activity. In a calling where advancement must depend entirely upon individual merit he has made steady progress and that he remains a close and discriminating student of his profession indicates that he will continue at the front.

Chesley G. Woodson. - Nearly four score years have elapsed since Chesley G. Woodson of Walker township was brought to Henry County by his parents. Far back in 1839 this county was largely an unpeopled waste with here and there a lone settler's cabin in the timber tracts along the streams. The nearest trading point was Boonville, on the Missouri River, or Jefferson City. The pioneers of those faraway days would drive to either of these cities with ox teams and the trip required a week's time in the making. For a long time the pioneers would of necessity have their milling done at Boonville or Jefferson City until Cook's mill was erected on Grand River. During the days of his young manhood, Chesley Woodson shot many deer and wild turkeys and he recalls that his father killed a bear on Bear Creek. Various settlers operated grist mills by horse power and some of them ground their corn meal by hand. The main commodity which the settlers had to sell were hides and furs. These they would take to Boonville and exchange for salt and groceries sufficient to last for several months.

Mr. Woodson has a distinction which few men possess. He served in both armies during the Civil War, having first enlisted in the Confederate Army and later through force of circumstances over which he had no control he was compelled to serve in the Union Army. Mr. Woodson was born on February 25, 1837, in Hancock County, Kentucky, and is the son of Shadrich and Agnes (Gates) Woodson, the former of whom was born in Virginia and the latter in Kentucky. Shadrich Woodson came to Missouri in 1838 and after a year's residence in Johnson County he came to Henry County and entered a tract of Government land in Walker township. He cut and hewed the logs for his two room cabin and spent the remainder of his days on the farm which he broke up and placed in cultivation. He was a hunter and killed a great deal of game which was very plentiful in those eai'ly days. He died December 4, 1852, at his home in Walker township. Of the children born to Shadrich Woodson and wife three are living: Jonathan, residing with Adam H. Woodson, his nephew; Mrs. Elizabeth Steele, who makes her home with William Steele in Walker township, and Chesley G., subject of this review.

Chesley G. Woodson was reared to young manhood under primitive conditions and enjoyed the frontier life to the utmost. He grew up a strong and sturdy lad who was skillful with axe or gun and knew how to till the soil. He served for two years in the Southern Army during the war between the States and after his term of service expired he went to St. Louis. While in that city he became a member of the 87th Missouri Regiment of the Federal Army under Capt. A. J. Smith and served for one year with the Union forces. After the expiration of his term of service he returned home. After his marriage he settled down to active farm life and accumulated a total of one hundred sixty-six acres. Of late years Mr. Woodson has retired from active farm life and is now making his home with his son, Adam H. Woodson.

The marriage of Chesley G. Woodson and Mary Ann Harness took place on March 1, 1866. Mrs. Mary Ann (Harness) Woodson was born in Franklin County, Missouri, February 10, 1839, and was a daughter of Adam Harness, a pioneer of Henry County, concerning whom an account is given elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Woodson died on March 31, 1898.

The following children were born to Chesley G. and Mary Ann Woodson: Chesley A., deceased ; Nancy Agnes, deceased ; Adam H., and Mary Elizabeth, wife of J. M. Hull, a biography of whom is given in this volume.

Adam H. Woodson was born February 7, 1869, and has achieved a splendid success as an agriculturist in Walker township. He is owner of three hundred twenty-four acres of well improved farm land upon which he has placed all of the buildings and fencing. Mr. Woodson has resided upon his farm for the past thirty years. He is a Democrat in his political faith as is his father, and has served as school director of his district. The other members of the Woodson household are Chester

D. Hull and wife, nee Olga Robinson, who are keeping house for Adam H. Woodson. Mr. Hull was born August 29, 1894, the son of J. M. Hull of Davis township. He was married September 26, 1917, to Olga Robinson, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Moreland) Robinson.

Dr. Samuel Allen Poague, a leading physician and surgeon of Henry County, is a native son of Missouri. His parents were George Samuel and Eliza Christena Kellar Poague. A sketch of George Samuel Poague appears in this volume, with a detailed history of the Poague family. Doctor Poague was born in Benton County, just east of the Henry County line, May 10, 1865. He was reared on a farm and attended the public schools. Later he attended Missouri University and for four years taught school in Benton and Henry Counties. In 1889 he matriculated in the St. Louis Medical College and was graduated April 25, 1892, with a degree of Doctor of Medicine. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession at Clinton, where he has built up a large practice and won a place in the foremost ranks of his profession in this section of the State. Doctor Poague also owns a drug store in Clinton, which is one of the most complete and best equipped drug stores to be found anywhere. He has a manager in charge of this store, which is located on the south side of the square, and the doctor's office is located over the drug store.

E. Baugh, a daughter of Doctor J. H. Baugh, who was engaged in the practice of medicine at Leesville, this county, for a time. He died at the age of thirty-six years. Mrs. Poague was born at Leesville. To Doctor and Mrs. Poague have been born two children, Martha Christena and Henry Frederick.

State Medical Societies. At present he is the county and city physician and is a member of the local military draft board. He is a member of the Christian Church and is a Democrat. Doctor Poague is a man who makes friends and keeps them. He is a genial gentleman and is interested in the welfare of his fellow men.

Edward Austin Gracey of Clinton, Missouri, is a leading member of the bar of Henry County, and has practiced his profession here for thirty-six years. Judge Gracey was born at Sparta, Tennessee, May 22, 1861. His parents were Wayman L. and Martha (Hudgins) Gracey, both natives of White County, Tennessee. The Graceys are of Irish descent, the great-grandfather of Judge Gracey coming from Bainbridge, Ireland, to America. On the maternal side. Judge Gracey's ancestors came from Scotland.

Wayman L. and Martha (Hudgins) Gracey spent their lives in Tennessee. The mother died in 1885 and the father departed this life in 1887, and their remains rest in the cemetery at Sparta, Tennessee. They were the parents of fifteen children, ten of whom are living, as follows: Edward Austin, the subject of this sketch; Alice, Sparta, Tennessee; Josie, the widow of W. C. Rogers, Sparta, Tennessee ; Mary, wife of James Meyer, Sparta, Tennessee; Charles, Louisville, Kentucky; Crockett, Chillicothe, Texas ; Augusta, unmarried and resides in Clinton, Missouri, and Mack and Wayman, twins, reside at Sparta, Tennessee; and Ethel, unmarried, Sparta, Tennessee.

Judge Gracey was reared in Sparta, and received his early education in private schools, and after preparing for college entered Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, where he was graduated in the class of 1880. He then read law in the office of Judge D. L. Snodgrass for a time at Sparta and in 1881 came to Clinton, Missouri, where he continued the study of law under the preceptorship of Gen. B. G. Boone, and in 1882 he was admitted to the bar of Missouri. He has been successfully engaged in the practice of law at Clinton since that time and is well known throughout this section of the state as an able and conscientious lawyer.

September 6, 1882, Edward Austin Gracey was united in marriage with Miss Olive Blakemore, a native of Henry County, and two children were born to this union: Francis and George Wayman, both residing in Clinton. George Wayman is employed as teller in the Brinkerhoff-Faris Trust & Savings Company. Judge Gracey's first wife died February 10,

Judge Gracey is a Democrat and has taken an active part in politics for a number of years. He has served two tei-ms as prosecuting attorney of Henry County, from 1887 to 1891. For the past nine years he has served as a justice of the peace. He is a member of the Baptist Church and is one of the widely and favorably known citizens of Henry County.

Perce Bolinger, senior member of the B. & S. Plumbing Company of Clinton, Missouri, is a native son of Henry County. He was born in Clinton, in the house where he now lives, at 301 North Washington street, June 3, 1872, and is a son of W. W. and Eulalia (Lowden) Bolinger, natives of Pennsylvania, the former born near Beech Creek, Clinton County, and the latter was born at Jersey Shore, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania.

W. W. Bolinger, the father of Perce Bolinger, was a jeweler by trade, and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in a Pennsylvania regiment, and served in the Union Army until the close of the war. In 1867 he came to Missouri, his destination being Osceola. He came as far as Sedalia by rail, and at that time there was no railroad from that point to the Southwest, but transportation facilities from Sedalia to Osceola, consisted of a stage coach which carried the mail, making the round trip from Sedalia to Osceola twice a week. Mr. Bolinger reached Sedalia just as the stage had left on one of its weekly trips, and rather than wait until the following week, he proceeded to make the journey on foot. However, after reaching Clinton, he was so favorably impressed with the town that he decided to engage in business there and for thirty-five years he was actively engaged in the jewelry business. He spent his latter life in retirement, and died October 25, 1912. His wife preceded him in death a little over two years, having departed this life in January, 1910. They were the parents of three children, T. S., who died at Moberly, Missouri, in 1902, Perce, the subject of this sketch, and Blossom, now the wife of R. C. Woods, Sedalia, Missouri.

Perce Bolinger was reared and educated in Clinton, attending the public schools and Lamkin's Academy. After leaving school, he learned the printer's trade, which he followed about sixteen years, after which he served as chief of the Clinton Fire Department for six years. He then engaged in the bottling business in Clinton in partnership with R. C. Woods, which they conducted for nine years, when Mr. Bolinger disposed of his interest in that enterprise and engaged in the plumbing busi-

Mr. Bolinger was united in marriage July 2, 1893, with Miss Etta Onwiler, and one child has been born to this union. John W., a member of 128th Machine Gun Company, 35th Division, National Army. He volunteered in the service early in the summer of 1917. Mr. Bolinger's first wife died in 1894. On June 20, 1896, he was married to Miss Alice Simmons of Clinton, Missouri, a native of Illinois.

Mr. Bolinger is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of Clinton, and takes a just pride in his native city and county. He has been a life-long Republican and has been active in politics since he was eighteen years old. He has served as city and county committeeman, and has been chairman of the Republican County Central Committee. Although he has taken a deep interest in politics and been identified with the local Republican organization, he has never been a candidate for office but once and was then elected councilman of the Second Ward of Clinton, and is now serving in that capacity with the same progressive spirit which characterizes his private business methods. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of the Maccabees, and the Woodmen of the World. He is one of the widelyknown and substantial citizens of Henry County.

George W. Schweer, secretary and general manager of the Missouri Union Telephone Company, is at the head of one of the most important institutions of Henry County. Mr. Schweer was bom at Shotwell, now Gerald, Franklin County, Missouri, February 16, 1860, and is a son of John H., and Catherine (Harshman) Schweer, pioneers of Franklin County, Missouri. They were both natives of Germany and came to this country with their respective parents when young, the father being twelve years of age when he came and the mother ten.

John H. Schweer was a foreman in a lumber yard for a few years in St. Louis, and was later engaged in the general mercantile business at Shotwell for a number of years. He also served as postmaster and held the ol!ice of justice of the peace. He was prominent in local affairs and in early life was a Democrat. Later he became what was known as a Douglass Democrat, and when the clouds of Civil War appeared on the horizon and the issue between Union and secession became well defined, he became a Republican and supported Lincoln at his second election. He was a strong Union man and served as captain of the Home Guards during the Civil War, and at one time was captured by General Price^s army, but was released a short time after his capture. Both he and his wife are buried at Windsor, Missouri. They were the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living: Mrs. Lizzie Henicke, Gerald, Missouri; Mrs. Emma Stineker, who lives on the old homestead at Gerald, Missouri; Mrs. Carrie Martin, Denton, Johnson County, Missouri; George W., the subject of this sketch; Julius H., assistant cashier of the Bank of Blairstown, Missouri ; John W., deceased, and his widow resides at Greeley, Nebraska; Mrs. Kate Farrar, Windsor, Missouri, and H. A., who is engaged in the mercantile business in Jamesport, in the northern part of Missouri, and G. H., agent for the Iron Mountain Railroad Company at Hot Springs, Arkansas.

George W. Schweer was reared in Franklin County, and attended school in the old log school house at Shotwell, and later attended the University of Missouri at Columbia. When he was sixteen years of age he taught a term of school near Shotwell. He then entered the employ of a wholesale grocery house in St. Louis, and was traveling salesman for that concern a part of the time for two years. He then engaged in the retail grocery and commission business for a period of two years. In 1884 he embarked in the general mercantile business at New Haven, Missouri, and in 1889 moved with his family to Windsor, Henry County, where he was also engaged in the general mercantile business. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster of Windsor by President McKinley, and at the expiration of his term was reappointed in 1902, and reappointed again 1906 by President Roosevelt, thus holding that office for nearly thirteen years. While a resident of New Haven, Missouri, he was elected mayor of that town serving two years.

Mr. Schweer has been interested in the telephone business for a number of years. April 10, 1899, he organized the Missouri Union Telephone Company, which owns and operates the Windsor, Clinton, La Due, Deepwater, Montrose and Urich exchanges, with toll lines connecting the surrounding independent exchanges. He was elected secretary and general manager of this company one year after it was organized, and held that position to the present time. Clinton, having been made the central point of the operation of this company, Mr. Schweer moved his family here September 1, 1916.

Mr. Schweer's iirst wife, whom he married in 1882, bore the maiden name of Miss Meekie Farrar, and to them were born six children, as follows : Eugene, cashier of the Citizens Bank, Monroe, Missouri ; Julius, a traveling salesman; Claud, was commissioned first lieutenant in United

States Signal Coi-ps, but resigned on account of defective hearing; later enlisted as an electrician in the United States Navy; Guy W., wire chief of the Windsor Telephone exchange ; Cora, a teacher ; Lillie, now the wife of Elmo Witcher. Mr. Schweer's first wife died in March, 1898, and he married Miss Lizzie Holloway, April 10, 1899, and three children have been born to this union, Anna, Christena and Theodore Roosevelt, all attending school at Clinton.

Mr. Schweer is essentially a business man, and has been successful. Politically, he is a Republican and has held many liositions in that party organization. Being a great admirer of Colonel Roosevelt, he went with the Progressive wing of the party during the campaign of 1912, and was chairman of the Progressive State Committee in 1914-16, when he again went back to his first love, the old Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member of the Christian Church.

Dr. C. L. Cheatham, a prominent veterinary surgeon of Clinton, is a member of a well-known pioneer family of this section. He was bom in Henry County in 1870 and is a son of Claude E. and Jemima Jane (Hurst) Cheatham. The father was born in Calloway County, Missouri, in 1844 and the mother was a native of Kentucky, born in 1846. Claude E. Cheatham was reared in Calloway County, and about 1866 came to Henry County, and settled in Bethlehem Township, and is still the owner of the farm which he bought in that township at the time, although he resides in Clinton. Claude E. and Jemima Jane (Hurst) Cheatham are the parents of the following children: Etta, married Joseph Black, and they reside in Henry County; Pearl, married Benjamin Campbell, Chicago, Illinois; Dr. C. L., the subject of this sketch.

Dr. C. L. Cheatham was educated in the public schools of Clinton and entered the Kansas City Veterinary College, where he was graduated in 1900. He immediately engaged in the practice of his profession and for the past eighteen years, with the exception of about one year, he has been successfully engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery in Henry County, although his practice has frequently extended to other sections of the State. He has been deputy State veterinarian for a number of years and is now serving his fourth term in that office. He is frequently called to different parts of the State in the capacity of deputy State veterinarian.

Miss Lilla Broaddus, a daughter of Rev. M. E., and Lilla (Caldwell) Broaddus, the fonner a native of Virginia and the latter of South Carolina. Rev. M. E. Broaddus is a well-known Baptist minister and came to Clinton in charge of the local Baptist Church in 1911, and is now located in Kansas City, Missouri. To Doctor and Mrs. Cheatham have been born one son, Claude Edwin, born October 15, 1916, and a daughter, Lilla Jane, born August 9, 1918.

Doctor and Mrs. Cheatham have an extensive acquaintance in Clinton and are universally esteemed. Doctor Cheatham was a schoolmate of Uel W. Lamkin, the editor of this work, when they both attended Lamkin's Academy, at Clinton.

Josiah G. McDonald, a Civil War veteran and an early pioneer of Henry County, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Sangamon County September 26, 1836, a son of John and Elizabeth (Knight) McDonald, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Culpeper County, Virginia. John McDonald came to Missouri from Illinois with his family in 1841, driving the entire distance with an ox team and wagon. Upon coming to this State he first settled in Audrain County and came to Henry County prior to the Civil War. He settled at the town of Lucas, which was then quite a commercial center, for pioneer days, and here he engaged in the mercantile business. He also owned land in that vicinity. He died about 18831 His wife died in Audrain County before the family came to Henry County. They were the parents of the following children: Joseph and John, who are deceased; Josiah G., the subject of this sketch; Chapman, deceased; Frank, deceased; Mrs. Mattie Hargraves; Mrs. Ellen Ridgeway and Mrs. Mollie Carter, the last three named being also deceased.

Josiah G. McDonald spent his boyhood days amid the pioneer surroundings of Audrain County and attended school in a primitive log school house of the early days. He was engaged in farming in Clinton when the Civil War broke out. He then joined the Confederate Army and served about three years. During his military career he served, principally, in Missouri and Arkansas. He participated in the battles of Springfield, Wilson's Creek, Prairie Grove and numerous other engagements and skirmishes. At the close of the war he and his brother. Chapman, engaged in the general mercantile business at Lucas, which they conducted for a number of years in partnership, when the brother died and Josiah G. continued until 1897.

M. Snedigar, a daughter of Robert and Malinda Jane (Clinkscale) Orear Snedigar, early Missouri pioneers. The father was a Confederate soldier and died at Springfield, Missouri, in 1862, and the mother died at Lucas, Missouri, January 18, 1910, at the advanced age of ninety-one years and two months. Mrs. McDonald was born April 2, 1840, in Rawls County, Missouri, and was one of the following children born to her parents: Mrs. Martha J. Mason, deceased; Mary'M., wife of Josiah G. McDonald; Mrs. Sarah Katherine Lee, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Josiah G. McDonald were born seven children as follow: Dora, who resides at home with her parents ; Robert E., Urich, Missouri ; Catherine, married D. Gates, Craig, Colorado; Josiah, Urich, Missouri; George W., Urich, Missouri; Mary Florence, married James Marksbarry, Blairstown, Missouri; Viola, married Estelle Pelley, Craig, Colorado.

Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are truly entitled to be classed among the foremost pioneers of Henry County. They have lived on their present place for forty-five years. When the McDonald family settled in Henry County deer, wild turkey and other game of the unsettled frontier were in abundance. Clinton was a mere village and the few settlers that lived in the section of the country where the McDonalds located have long since passed to their reward. The McDonald family have in their possession a number of interesting relics of pioneer days, among which are a Seth Thomas clock which is over seventy years old and still measures time as accurately as it did during the Civil War. They also have a cherry dresser which has been in the family for four generations. The McDonald family are among the respected pioneer families of Henry County.

Mason Anderson, a {prominent clothing and furnishing dealer ,at Clinton, Missouri, is a native of Henry County, and a member of one of its pioneer families. He was born at Leesville, February 17, 1875, a son of Christopher and Martha (Bell) Anderson. Christopher (better known as "Kit") Anderson, was a native of Virginia, and came to Missouri when a young man and settled on the little Tebo, near Warsaw. He was a man who had a varied pioneer experience. In 1849 he started across the plains to California, but was taken severely ill. The parties who accompanied him drove away with his team and left him sick and alone. After his return to Missouri, he engaged in the mercantile business and for a time was located at Pleasant Hill, and later at Sedalia. He sei-ved in the United States Army for a time. He came to Henry County after the close of the Civil War and engaged in the mercantile business at Leesville. He remained there until 1884, when he came to Clinton and purchased the William Allison store on the east side of the square, just two doors north of where Mason Anderson's clothing store is now located. Here he was successfully engaged in business for a number of years. He died in 1888. "Kit" Anderson iwas twice married. His first wife was Miss Bradshaw, and one child was bom to this union, who is now the widow of Dr. J. H. Baugh, and resides at Clinton. After the death of his first wife Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Mattie Bell, a native of Tennessee, who came here with her parents at an early day. She was a daughter of Rev. William Bell, who was a minister and also engaged in the mercantile business at Otterville, Missouri, during the Civil War. To Mr. Anderson's second marriage were born the following children: Christopher, traveling salesman for the Peters Shoe Company of St. Louis, lives in Kansas City, Missouri ; Pauline, who was a teacher in the Clinton schools for a number of years, and is now engaged in teaching at Waitsburg, Washington; Mason, the subject of this sketch; and Berry, manager of the Osage Mercantile Company, Osceola, Missouri.

Mason Anderson was nine years of age when he came to Clinton with his parents. He received his education in the public schools and in Lamkin's Academy. After the death of his father, the mother connitued the store for a number of years, and Mason assisted his mother in the business. In 1895 he went to Lowery City, Missouri, where he engaged in the drygoods, clothing and shoe business. In 1897 he moved his stock of goods to Clinton, and opened a store in the Reynolds building on the northwest corner of the square. In 1899 he sold out, and clerked for Mr. Weidemeyer in Clinton until March, 1918, when he bought out the Williams Clothing Company, on the east side of the square, where he has since conducted a first-class clothing store, with all the accessories in the way of furnishing goods that goes with it. He is located in the Weidemeyer building, which is one of the old commercial land-marks of Clinton.

Mr. Anderson was united in marriage June 30, 1898, to Miss Kate Calloway, a daughter of James Calloway, a former sheriff of Henry County, now deceased. Mrs. Anderson was bom in Henry County and her parents were pioneers of this section. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been born three children, as follows: Mason, Jr., a graduate of the Clinton

High School, and now attending school at Fulton, Missouri; Berry and Frank, both attending the Clinton schools. Mr. Anderson is a Democrat and has served two terms as collector of Clinton. He is a member of the Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America and is a progressive and enterprising business man.

Ben Rentchler, a prominent merchant of Clinton, who for a number of years has been successfully engaged in the grocery business, is a native of Nebraska. He was born at West Point, in 1871, and is a son of Christian and Barbara (Braun) Rentchler, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1860 and settled at West Point, Nebraska, where the father homesteaded Government land. Later he was engaged in the grocery and bakery business at West Point for a few years and in 1875 came to Kansas City, Missouri, where he followed truck gardening until 1890. He then came to Henry County, Missouri, and bought a farm six miles northeast of Clinton. Later he moved to Clinton, where, after living retired for a few years, he died in September, 1913, and his i-emains are buried in Englewood Cemetery. His widow now resides in Clinton. They were the parents of four children, as follows: John, Kansas City, Missouri; Benjamin, the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Lizzie Schleiche, Rosedale, Kansas, and William, farmer, Clinton, Missouri.

Ben Rentchler was educated in the public schools of Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, and in early life was engaged in truck gardening with his father. After coming to Henry County he followed farming until 1905, when he came to Clinton and for about a year was employed by the White Swan Mills. In 1906 he purchased the grocery business from W. S. Hodd, and since that time has been engaged in that business. He is one of the live, progressive and up-to-date grocers in Clinton. The Rentchler grocery store is one of the busy places of Clinton. Besides his two sons, Mr. Rentchler is assisted by two other clerks, and this business is an example of the result of square dealing and good service.

Mr. Rentchler was united in marriage in October, 1905, to Miss Carrie Mann of Clinton, Missouri, a daughter of Valentine and Caroline Mann, early settlers in this vicinity, coming to Clinton in the sixties. Valentine Mann is now deceased and his widow resides in Clinton. To Mr. and Mrs. Rentchler have been born three children as follows : Philip, Ernest and Freda, all of whom reside at home with their parents. The two boys assist their father in the store. Mr. Rentchler is one of the

V. J. Day, the capable cashier of the Clinton National Bank, although comparatively a young man, has had an extensive and successful career in the field of banking and finance in western Missouri. Mr. Day is a native son of Missouri. He was bom in Johnson County, near Warrensburg, July 4, 1877, and is a son of Daniel L., and Fanny (Covington) Day. The Day family are truly a pioneer family of western Missouri. Daniel L. Day, father of V. J., was born in Johnson County in 1851. He has been a successful farmer and stock raiser in the county of his birth and is now living retired at Chilhowee, Missouri. He is the son of Richard W. Day, a native of North Carolina, who settled in Johnson County, south of Warrensburg, in the early forties, and spent the remainder of his life in that vicinity. Fanny (Covington) Day, mother of V. J. Day, is a native of Kentucky and came to Johnson County, Missouri, with her parents when she was about twelve years of age.

To Daniel L. and Fanny (Covington) Day, have been bom three children, as follows: V. J., the subject of this sketch; Robert, a farmer and stock man near Chilhowee, Missouri, and Dennis, a well-known live stock dealer and farmer at Chilhowee.

V. J. Day was reared on his father's farm in Johnson County, receiving his early education in the district schools. Later he attended the Warrensburg State Normal School, after which he was a student at the Central Business College, Sedalia, Missouri, and was graduated from that institution in 1900. He then accepted a clerkship in the Commercial Bank of Warrensburg, and was continuously employed in that bank for ten years. He began as bookkeeper and when he resigned, in September, 1909, he was assistant cashier. He then returned to his farm, near Warrensburg, which he sold a short time afterwards and for about six months was assistant cashier of the Farmers Bank of Chilhowee. He then bought an interest in the Schell City Bank at Schell City, Missouri, and was elected cashier of that institution. He conducted the affairs of that bank very successfully until he resigned to accept the cashiership of the Clinton National Bank in the fall of 1917, which position he now holds.

The Clinton National Bank is one of the important financial institutions, not only of Henry County, but of western Missouri. It was organized April 29, 1905, under the Federal Banking Laws with a capital stock of $50,000. The first officers were, William Docking, president; Dr. W. H. Gibbons, vice-president, and C. W. Snyder, cashier. The original stockholders were William Docking, George S. Hovey, Lee Clark, J. D. Robertson, William C. Henrice, C. W. Snyder, Dr. W. H. Gibbons, C. H. Avery, E. C. Kent, W. L. Garner, Thomas B. Lee. Thomas G. Hutt succeeded William Docking as president of the bank, and later went to Kansas City, Missouri, with the Drovers National Bank. He was succeeded by Dr. W. H. Gibbons, who served as president of the Clinton National Bank until January, 1915, when E. C. Kent became its president, and is still serving in that capacity. C. W. Snyder served as cashier from the organization of the bank until 1910, when he was succeeded by William L. Poynter, who served until September, 1917, when V. J. Day became cashier.

v. J. Day was united in marriage April 7, 1901, with Miss Mary Lewis of Warrensburg, Missouri. She is a daughter of Elijah Lewis, who settled in the vicinity of Pertle Springs. To Mr. and Mrs. Day have been born two children, Frances Louise and Mary Katharine.

Mr. Day is a man who possesses the unusual mental qualifications that go to make up a successful banker. He is a progressive business man, and at the same time possesses that degree of conservatism so essential to safety in the great field of finance and banking. Mr. Day takes a commendable interest in local affairs and while a resident of Schell City, he served three terms as a member of the local school board, and takes a deep interest in the public schools. He is a member of the Masonic Lodgfe, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he and Mrs. Day are members of the Presbyterian Church.

James E. Bennett, a former Henry County sheriff who has been prominently identified with the affairs of this county for a number of years, is a native of Kentucky. He was bom June 19, 1850, and is a son of John and Martha (Ham) Bennett, both natives of Kentucky and descendants of Kentucky pioneer stock.

James E. Bennett's parents moved to Bates County from Benton County, Missouri, in 1856, when James was six years of age. They first settled in Benton County and after remaining a short time there went to the western part of Bates County and settled on a farm not far from the Kansas State line. This section was in the heart of the Border War district. When the Civil War broke out the father joined the cause of Confederacy, serving under General Price. A few months after the outbreak of the war he returned to his Bates County home and removed his family to Henry County on what is known as the Lafe Cruse place, near where Cook's old mill stood on the Grand River. About a year later the family went to Pettis County. After the war the father bought a place in Pettis County on Flat Creek. Here he followed farming, meeting with a fair degree of success until his death. The mother survived him eight years. Both died on the old home place on Flat creek in Pettis County.

James E. Bennett was one of a family of eleven children, ten of whom are now living: W. T., Orange California; G. L., Green Ridge, Missouri; James E., the subject of this sketch; H. L. Spokane, Washington; Susan, married Milton Durrell, Ionia, Missouri; Martha J., married May Field, who is now deceased and she resides at Hot Springs, Arkansas; Walter L., Rockville, Missouri; Lillie, married Philip Snovall, a member of the board of county judges at Benton County, and resides at Ionia, Missouri; John M., Brownington, Missouri; and Ed A., who resides on the old home place in Pettis County. Of the ten members of this family, the youngest is fifty-one years of age and the oldest about seventy-two.

The boyhood days of James E. Bennett were spent amidst the scenes and hardships of the Border and Civil Wars, and he has a distinct recollection of many of the tragedies of that time. He witnessed a number of minor engagements between the contending factions and many of the events of those times left an indelible impression on his-'mind. He was reared on a farm and received his education in the schools which the early times afforded and began life as a farmer in the vicinity of Windsor, Missouri. About 1880 he was elected marshal of Windsor, serving in that capacity for six years, and during that time he also held the office as constable. He was then appointed deputy sheriff of Henry County under Sheriff W. J. Ellison, and had charge of the county jail during the latter part of Sheriff Ellison's administration. Sheriff Ellison was succeeded by Sheriff James H. Calloway, and Mr. Bennett was appointed deputy sheriff under Sheriff Calloway, continuing to have charge of the jail for four years more. He was then elected sheriff of Henry County, and at the expiration of his first term, was re-elected and served for four years. In going out of the office of sheriff, Mr. Bennett left a record as one of the capable and conscientious officers of Henry County.

At the close of his official career, Mr. Bennett bought a farm, near Windsor, where he was engaged in farming and stock raising about eight years. In 1904 he came to Clinton and since that time has been engaged in buying and selling horses and mules, and he is one of the extensive dealers in that line in this section of the State.

On June 17, 1873, James E. Bennett was united in marriage with Miss Catherine I. Hines, a daughter of Brantley and Elizabeth (Douglas) Hines. The father was a soldier in the Confederate Army and when the war ended he was in Texas in the service of the "lost cause." After the close of the war and while on his way home, on a transport on the Red River, the' boat sank on account of overloading and he was drowned. To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have been born four children, as follows : Mary Myrtle (oldest), married Charles Gray, and is now deceased; Walter, supervisor of the State Hospital at Nevada, Missouri; Wallace, who is engaged in the transfer business at Long Beach, California ; Edwin, associated with his father in business in Clinton.

Mr. Bennett has been identified with the Democratic party since boyhood, and it may be truly said of him that he is a staunch Democrat. He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workman and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a public spirited and progressive citizen and there are few, if any, men in Henry County who have more friends than "Jim" Bennett.

Dr. L. L. Cress, a well-known and successful veterinary surgeon of Clinton, Missouri, is a native of North Carolina. He was born at Salisbury March 9, 1878, and is a son of Adolphus and America (Cody) Cress, both natives of North Carolina, and now residents of Salisbury. The Cress family is of Holland descent, members of whom settled near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, probably about 1700. Many descendants of these early Pennsylvania pioneers are scattered throughout the East, including Ohio and Illinois. The great-grandfather of Doctor Cress went to North Carolina and the Southern members of the Cress family are descendants from him. Many members of the Cress family served in the Revolutionary War in Washington's army. Americas Cody, mother of Doctor Cress, comes from a long line of Southern ancestors who suffered severe losses during the Civil War. The late William F. Cody, "Buffalo Bill," was a cousin of Doctor Cress' mother.

Carolina in an old log school house near Salisbury. Doctor Cress is a young man but he has experienced the atmosphere of the log school house. His early life was spent on his father's farm and in 1898 he came to Missouri and located at Clinton. Here he was employed by a veterinary surgeon, and young Cress soon discovered that he had a liking for the profession of his employer and under the preceptorship of his employer began the study of veterinary surgery, and at the same time getting considerable actual practice! He was thus employed for eighteen months when he entered the Kansas City School of Veterinary Surgery and after studying there two years, entered the Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, where he was graduated in the Class of 1904. He then returned to Clinton, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. Doctor Cress has met with well-merited success in his chosen profession and is one of the capable veterinaiy surgeons of the State, and is recognized as such.

In 1910, Doctor Cress was united in marriage with Miss Pearl Hawkins of Clinton. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Doctor Cress is a man who has read a great deal and traveled much He has been in the East, the West and the South, but as he expresses it himself, after he returned to Missouri from a trip, he feels like "jumping up and cracking his heels together, and saying that he is glad he's back home."

Archalus Binum Redford, a Henry County pioneer now residing at Urich, is a native of Tennessee. He was born in Knox County July 18, 1829, a son of Noah and Phoebe (Dodson) Redford. Noah Redford was a native of North Carolina. He came to Missouri in 1834 and first settled in Moniteau County, and moved from there to Johnson County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a resident of Johnson County for over fifty years, and died in that county and his remains are buried at Warrensburg. His wife also died in Johnson County and is also buried at Warrensburg. A. Binum Redford is the only member of a family of eight brothers and sisters now living.

Binum Redford came to Big Creek township, Henry County, in 1857, and first purchased two hundred acres of land at $7.50 per acre. He then entered one hundred sixty acres of Government land, which cost him seventy-five cents per acre, and he is now one of the large land owners of Henry County. He owns nine hundred ninety-nine acres. When Mr.

Redford came here there were very few settlers in western Henry County, James Smith was the only settler in the vicinity where Mr. Redford located and the country was one broad expanse of unfenced prairie, and Mr. Reford recalls the days of free range with a sort of regret, common to the cattle men of the early days. There were no public schools when he came here and Clinton was a small hamlet. Mr. Redford has seen many changes in the sixty-one years of his residence in Henry County. When he came here there were a number of Osage Indians in this vicinity. They were friendly and inofi'ensive. During the Civil War Mr. Redford remained on his place and was one of the few men who had no trouble with either side, although some of his horses were taken. Mr. Redford's first wife was Hannah Anderson, to whom he was married in Johnson County, and the following children were born to this union: Mrs. Serepta Overbey, Urich, Missouri; Noah, deceased; John, deceased, and Robert, a farmer and stockman in Big Creek township. The mother of these children died in March, 1906, and Mr. Redford was married to Miss Dora Barnett, now deceased. Mr. Redford was united in marriage August 28, 1913, with Hannah N. Colson, widow of Archibald B. Colson, a Henry County pioneer, who settled in Walker township. He died in 1906. Mrs. Redford is a native of Missouri, born in Osage County, September 24, 1848. She is a daughter of Moses and Susan Glenn (Hibler) Sevier. They were early settlers in Henry County and came from Osage County in 1855. The father was a native of Birksville, Kentucky, and a grandson of Governor John Sevier, the first Governor of Tennessee. Moses Sevier was a captain of a Confederate company in the Civil War. He died September 11, 1876, aged sixty-eight years, at Dallas, Texas. His wife died in 1884. Mrs. Redford is the oldest of a family of ten children born to her parents, only two of whom are living. Mrs. Redford and Mrs. Pliny Hanes, Dallas, Texas. By her marriage to Archibald B. Colson, Mrs. Redford has seven children: Doctor John, Sch ell City; Mrs. Mattie Angle, Clinton, Missouri; Mrs. Laura Crissman, Bonham, Texas; Mrs. Mollie Clizer, Montrose, Missouri; Mrs. Gertrude Harness, Walker township, Henry County; B. S. Colson, Appleton City, Missouri, and Richard P., Montrose, Missouri.

Mr. and Mrs. Redford are among the honored pioneers of Henry County and are highly respected in the county, which has been their home for over half a century.

William M. Poynter of Clinton has had an unusual and successful business career, and has been identified with the banking industry for a number of years. He was born in Kentucky, July 7, 1855, a son of William H. and Frances Lucinda (Asbury) Poynter, both natives of Kentucky. The Poynter family belong to old Kentucky stock, the greatgreat-grandfather of William M. Poynter being the founder of the family in Kentucky. He was a native of Ireland, and went to Kentucky about the time that the celebrated Daniel Boone did. He fought Indians where Boonesborough, Kentucky, now stands. He had the characteristic, endured the hardships and is entitled to the honor of the Kentucky pioneers of the early days. His vdfe was a Scotch woman.

William H. Poynter, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1858 and settled in Holt County, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, sei-ving as a member of the 9th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry. He was a man of considerable means when the war broke out, but like many others met with heavy financial losses on account of the disturbed conditions created by that conflict. In early life he was a Whig and later became a Democrat. He died August 13, 1909, aged eighty-five years. His wife and the mother of William M. Poynter, preceded him in death a number of years, she having departed this life about the time the Civil War broke out. They were the parents of nine children, three of whom are now living: William M., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Henry Myer, who lives in Holt County, Missouri, and James H., who also lived in Holt County, Missouri.

William M. Poynter was reared and educated in Holt County, Missouri, and began life as a farmer, which he successfully followed until 1901, when he sold his farm in Holt County and went to Vernon County. In 1902 he went to Creighton, Missouri, where he organized the Bank of Creighton, and was its first president. He was identified with that bank until February, 1905, when he disposed of his interest and went to Avalon, Missouri, and organized the Citizens Bank of Avalon. He was elected cashier of that institution, and retained his connection with that bank until 1914. He organized the Bank of Bigelow in February, 1902, and his son George W., has been cashier of that bank since its organization. Mr. Poynter was one of the organizers of the Citizens Bank of Oregon, Missouri, which organization was affected in 1890. He was engaged in farming at that time and served as a director of that bank for a number of years. He is a stockholder in the Clinton National

Bank, Clinton, Missouri, and a member of the board of directors. He is also a stockholder in the Denton Title and Trust Company of Butler, Missouri. In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Poynter owns considerable land, much of which is located in Arkansas.

Mr. Poynter was united in marriage April 25, 1905, with Miss Minnie Single, a native of Indianola, Texas, and a daughter of Charles and Mary A. (Studley) Single, the former a native of Stuttgart, Germany, and the latter of Dorsett, England. The father was a soldier in the United States Regular Army prior to and during the Civil War. He was killed by lightning while in his tent at Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 6, 1863. He was first lieutenant in the 32nd Regiment, Missouri Infantry, and at the time of his death was acting quartermaster general. Mrs. Poynter was one of a family of three children born to her parents, the other two being Charles, who lives near Blairstown, Henry County, and John, who lives just across the line in Cass County. The mother married again, March 6, 1867, her second husband being J. B. Weymeyer of St. Louis, now of Henry County, and four children were born to this union, W. H., farmer, Bogard township, Henry County; George S., also a farmer in Bogard township; Annie C, married George Wisely, and is now deceased, and Robert W., who also resides in Bogard township. The mother died December 12, 1903, and her husband now resides with his son, George.

Mrs. Poynter's stepfather and her mother came to Henry County with their family March 10, 1867, settling in Bogard township, and the old home place is still owned by a member of the family. Mrs. Poynter is one of the pioneer teachers of Henry County. In early life she had excellent educational advantages, receiving much of her education in Florida, and later attended Webster's School in St. Louis, Missouri. She began teaching in Henry County when sixteen years old, and during the course of her career as a teacher taught in every school district in Bogard township, except the Blairstown district. She taught the first term that was ever taught in the brick school at Urich, and from the time she was sixteen years of age she taught school every year until she was married. She owns a valuable farm of 200 acres, eighty acres of which is in Henry County and 120 in Cass County, which she bought and paid for out of her earnings while teaching school.

Mr. and Mrs. Poynter have no children but by a former marriage Mr. Poynter has eight children, as follows: W. L., engaged in the oil business, Clinton, Missouri; George W., cashier of the Bank of Bigelow, Bigelow, Missouri; James A., Kansas City; Mrs. Ethel Clayton, Carney,

Missouri ; Emery C, cashier of the Minden State Bank, Minden, Missouri ; R. F., cashier of the Bank of Fortesque, Missouri; Samuel C, farmer in Holt County, and Harold L., bookkeeper in the Cameron Trust Company at Cameron, Missouri.

John Nicholson Pierce, a prominent retired minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, residing at Clinton, is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born twenty miles south of Pittsburg, December 12, 1834, a son of Andrew and Sarah (Nicholson) Pierce. The Pierce homestead in Pennsylvania is located on what is said to have been a grant of land by the Government of 4,000 acres to Andrew Pierce> for services rendered in the Revolutionary War, and the homestead is still owned by his descendants.

John Nicholson Pierce grew to manhood on the Pierce homestead farm and here in the fresh air of farm life developed a sound body and mind. After receiving a good preparatory education, he entered Allegheny College at Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in the class of 1857 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Later this same institution conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. After leaving college, Mr. Pierce spent one year at the head of public schools at McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He then began preaching in the Methodist Church on a circuit which consisted of eight preaching places in eastern Ohio, receiving $185 for his first year's work. This was in 1858 and the membership of the church on this circuit was largely increased during his labors. One church was built and dedicated in New Waterford, where there had never been a Methodist organization before, and that church is still standing and in a flourishing condition. During this period he held a successful revival at Columbiana, Ohio, which was followed by the building of a new church which is now in a prosperous condition. After a trial year spent on this circuit. Reverend Pierce was admitted on trial into the Pittsburg Conference and given a good place, and success continued to crown his efforts. At that time a Methodist minister was permitted to remain only two years in charge of the same church. Reverend Pierce was given charge at Dayton, Pennsylvania, and before his time was out there he was taken to New York and ordained both a deacon and elder and appointed to take charge of a mission in Arizona. But before he could reach the location of his new field the Civil War broke out and he went to Washington as chaplain of the 85th Regiment, Pennsylvania infantry, and served in the capacity as chaplain throughout the war. At the close of that conflict he was sent by Bishop Ames into Missouri to do ministerial work for the church and his work in this State has all been south of the Missouri River. He was the first pastor of the Grand Avenue Church in Kansas City, Missouri, and preached the first sermon and the last one ever preached in that church, a period of fortytwo years intervening between them. Trinity Church in St. Louis was built and dedicated under his pastorate. He was pastor and presiding elder in Sedalia and Clinton and pastor in Carthage, Springfield and Warrensburg.

Few ministers of the Gospel have had a more active career, a career crowned by results equaled only by the efforts put forth, than Rev. John Nicholson Pierce. He did his part in building churches and parsonages, for thirty of the best years of his life, and at the close of this long and successful career he retired with more achievement to his credit than can be said of but few men in any line of endeavor.

After retiring from the regular work of the ministry, Mr. Pierce engaged in the lumber business and was later interested in the Industrial Iron Works of Clinton. He has also been interested in other industrial and financial affairs. He was largely interested in Oklahoma City during its early days and built more than forty houses there, which was no small contribution to the up-building of that city of marvelous growth. Mr. Pierce has been successful in his business undertakings and is now living practically retired, with the exception of the personal attention which he gives his investments.

In 1857, soon after his graduation from college, John Nicholson Pierce was united in marriage with Miss Emma Curtis of Meadville, Pennsylvania. To this union were born two sons and two daughters, as follows: Ida May, now the widow of Rev. Charles Newell, and her son, Charles Newell, is editor of the Dallas, Texas, "Dispatch," and Rev. John T. Newell, prominent Methodist preacher of Des Moines Conference is also her son; Emma C, wife of Dr. A. A. Thompson, district superintendent of the Des Moines Conference, and their only son, A. R. Thompson, is one of the prominent bankers of Nebraska, being vice-president and general manager of the Nebraska National Bank, Hastings, Nebraska ; Frank R. Pierce, resides in St. Louis and is president of one of the largest lumber companies of that city; and Andrew B. Pierce, a retired merchant, the youngest son of Reverend Pierce of this marriage, Ironton, Missouri. Mr. Pierce's first wife and the mother of these four children died at Independence, Missouri, in February, 1867. In April, 1868, Mr. Pierce was united in marriage with Miss Lucy Bennett, and to this union have been born the following children: Herbert, a planter in Arkansas; Helen, wife of Espey C. Jones, Boone County, near Columbia, Missouri, and Harold, a lawyer in New Mexico; Mrs. Hallie (Hall), Clinton, Missouri. Mrs. Lucy (Bennett) Pierce was bom in January, 1841, at Zanesville, Ohio, daughter of Uriah P. Bennett, who served as editor of the "Zanesville Courier" for a period of twenty-five years. For the past twentyfive years Mrs. Pierce has been secretary of the Clinton Shakespearian Club, and is active in literary and religious work. Mr. Pierce has eleven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Reverend Pierce is now in his eighty-fourth year and is as active in body and keen in intellect as the average man of fifty. He enjoys an extensive acquaintance not only in the immediate vicinity of his home but throughout the country. He numbers among his intimate acquaintances many of the prominent men and women of the United States. He has just cause, at the end of his active career, to feel that sense of satisfaction that his life's work has been a success, both from a spiritual and a business standpoint. It may be truly said of him that he has not lived in vain.

Dr. W. B. Calvert, a prominent dentist of Clinton, is a native son of Henry County, and a descendant of one of the honored pioneer families of this section. He was bom near where Delmar now stands in Davis township, August 20, 1871, a son of Samuel and Mary S. (Beckett) Calvert. The father was a native of Kentucky, born in Harrison County, March 1, 1831. He was a son of Isaac Calvert and Mildred (Chambers) Calvert. Isaac Calvert was bom in Culpeper County, Virginia, October 18, 1783, and married Mildred Chambers in Harrison County, Kentucky, June 25, 1823. He died near Franklin, Harrison County, Kentucky, July 13, 1853. He was a son of Isaac and Katherine Calvert, the former a native of Prince Williams County, Virginia, born in 1743 and married in 1771. He died February 1, 1809. The Calvert family traced the founding of that family in this country to the first permanent English settlement in America at Jamestovm, Virginia, in 1607, Doctor Calvert of this review being a direct descendant from a Calvert who was a member of the Jamestown Colony.

Mary S. Beckett, Doctor Calvert's mother, was born at Chambersburg, Clark County, Missouri, July 19, 1841, a daughter of Woodford and Duranda (Taylor) Beckett. Woodford Beckett was a native of Pendleton County, Kentucky, and an early pioneer of Missouri. He came to this State in 1837 and located near Hannibal, where he remained until 1839, when he went to Clark County and there spent the remainder of his life. He was a surveyor and prominent in Clark County. He was of English descent and traced his ancestors to the same family as that of Sir Thomas Beckett, well known in English history. Duranda Taylor Beckett, wife of Woodford Beckett, was a native of Kentucky, and was related to Zachariah Taylor. Doctor Calvert's parents were married April 18, 1869, and two children were born to this union, of whom the doctor is the eldest, and Ellen, boni March 15, 1874, now the wife of William Kious, Kahoka, Missouri.

Samuel Calvert came to Henry County in 1857 and settled in Davis township, where he engaged in farming, which was his life occupation. When the Civil War broke out his sympathies were with the South and he joined the Confederate army, serving under Gen. Sterling Price in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas, participating in all the principal battles fought by General Price's army. He received a gunshot wound at the Battle of Lone Jack. He died November 6, 1896. His ^vife preceded him in death a number of years, having departed this life in January, 1874, when Doctor Calvert was a little over three years old.

When his mother died Doctor Calvert went to live with his grandparents, Woodford Beckett and wife, who resided in Clark County, Missouri. His grandfather was a surveyor, and when Doctor Calvert was a boy he assisted his grandfather a great deal in that line of work and became quite proficient as a surveyor himself. He received his education in the public schools of Clark County and Kahoka College at Kahoka, Missouri. After receiving a good preparatory education he entered the Western Dental College at Kansas City, Missouri, and after studying there one year entered the Keokuk Dental College at Keokuk, Iowa, where he was graduated with a degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1900. He then engaged in the practice of his profession at Milan, Sullivan County, Missouri, where he remained about six months, and in the spring of 1901 he came to Clinton, where he has since been engaged in the practice. Doctor Calvert is a skillful dentist and recognized as one of the capable professional men of western Missouri, who are schooled and skilled in the great science of dentistry.

Doctor Calvert was united in marriage June 26, 1902, with Mrs. Lillian (Sawyer) Pugh, who was born near Indianapolis, Indiana, of North Carolina parentage. Mrs. Calvert has one son by a former marriage to John Pugh, Joel S. Pugh, who was engaged in the wholesale lumber business at Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Doctor Calvert is a member of the Masonic Lodge and is a Democrat. He takes an active interest in local municipal affairs and for ten consecutive years has served in one capacity or another in connection with the city government of Clinton. He has been councilman for four years and was a member of the public works commission when the electric light plant was built by the city. He is a progressive citizen and a professional man of high standing. Doctor Calvert can always be safely relied upon to co-operate with any movement that has for its purpose the betterment or upbuilding of his city and county.

Joseph H. Wilson. - Among the noted personages of Henry County who have figured prominently in the development of this county since the , pioneer days none has had a more varied nor more honorable and useful career than Joseph H. Wilson, the "Sage" of Deepwater township, who has lived in Henry County since his parents brought him to this county an infant in arms. Well educated, intelligent, progressive and endowed with a keen and discerning intellect, his long life has been filled with deeds well done, not only in enhancement of his own personal interests, but he has accomplished much in behalf of Henry County and his fellow citizens. Reared in the southland, and of decided southern sympathies, he was among the first to take up arms in behalf of what he deemed to be a just and righteous cause. Deeply religious, he has devoted many years of his life to the furtherance of the cause of Christianity and especially delighted in the training of the young in the paths of right living and in giving them a knowledge of the Scriptures. So remarkable is Mr. Wilson's memory and so constant is his reading and study that for many years he was the final authority in settling disputes and questions of boundary lines between farms in his section of the county.

Joseph H. Wilson, pioneer, Deepwater township, was born in Cabelle County, West Virginia, October 31, 1840, and is the son of James Ramsey (born January, 1803, died June, 1897) and Susan (Everett) Wilson (born 1811, died 1875).

Joseph H. Wilson

Maysville, Kentucky, married a Miss Bailey, who was a daughter of Col. Samuel Bailey, a Revolutionary soldier who was killed by the Indians during an attack made upon the settlement by the savages in the early history of Kentucky. James Wilson and his family were among the first pioneer settlers in Kanawha County, West Virginia, and it is a matter of history that James Wilson made the first salt at the Kanawha Salt Works, located above the city of Charleston, in partnership with John Savaryn, a Frenchman. As previously stated the Wilsons came to Henry County from Kanawha County in March, 1841, and established a permanent home in this county. The first settlement of the Wilson family was made near the Teays settlement on Marshall Creek in March, 1841. In 1845 they settled permanently in Deepwater township. James R. and Susan Wilson reared a splendid family of sons and daughters: John M., went west when seventeen and had mines in the West, Mexico and South America, died in 1914, aged seventy-seven years, at El Paso, Texas ; Mrs. Mary E. Houx, widow of the late Rev. J. H. Houx, Warrensburg, Missouri; Joseph H., subject of this review; Capt. Edwin, born 1842, died June 10, 1910, at Austin, Texas ; Susan Elizabeth, living on the old home place; William W., makes his home with Richard B. Wilson, and Richard B., postmaster of Montrose.

The first company of Confederate soldiers enlisted in Henry County in May, 1861, found Joseph H. Wilson enrolled as a member. In the spring of 1862 he was invalided at Lexington, Missouri, ill with typhoid fever and received his discharge from the service in the fall of 1862. He enlisted in the service the second time at Springfield December 25, 1862. Three of his company came home to get horses but storms prevented their accomplishing the task and the effort to capture Springfield failed and General Price's army fell back to Arkansas. Mr. Wilson disguised himself and went to St. Louis, thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from there made his way through Cabelle County, West Virginia, to Red Sulphur Springs, Monroe County, Virginia. He was imbued with the idea of getting into the thick of the fight and believed that he could only do so by joining a Virginia regiment. He offered his services to General Williams, brigade commander, and Col. Patton, of the 22nd Virginia Infantry, and was sworn into the Confederate service for a third time. His command marched from Monroe County to the Kanawha River Valley and took possession of the valley, fighting the battles of Fayette Court House and Cotton Hill. He was forced to march without a gun for some time but managed to secure a weapon and took part in this light. Mr. Wilson served until the close of the war but was made prisoner near Boone Court House on the Guyandotte Eiver April 9, 1864. He was paroled and sent back from Camp Chase to Baltimore. From there he went down the bay and up the James River, arriving at Richmond, Virginia, March 9, 1865, just before the surrender of General Lee's army at Appamattox Court House. Mr. Wilson participated in the battles of Carthage, Missouri, Wilson's Creek, Drywood and Lexington.

After his return from the battlefields of the South, Joseph H. Wilson, in November, 1868, settled on a farm on Round Prairie, Bates County, Missouri, where he resided until the spring of 1876, when he came again to Henry County and settled upon the old home place of the family in Deepwater township. In 1888 he removed to Appleton City, Missouri, and in the spring of 1889 moved to his present place near Montrose. This farm consisting of one hundred twenty acres is one of the most picturesque and attractive places in Henry County. A handsome brick residence surrounded by beautiful shade trees and shrubbery occupies a commanding site at the top of a gently rising knoll or hill which affords a view of the surrounding country for many miles - a view which is unsurpassed for magnificence and beauty of the landscape in this section of Missouri. A beautiful pastoral scene unfolds to the view as one gazes in any direction. This section which is now dotted with handsome farm homes and waving fields of grain and is unsurpassed in its richness of soil anywhere in the state of Missouri was once a virgin wilderness and Joseph H. Wilson himself has hunted deer and other wild animals and fished in the streams nearby at a period when settlers were few and far between. Geese and ducks were plentiful and it was no trouble for him to bag a dozen or so with ease in a short time. He often visited the Indian camps on the Deepwater during his boyhood days and the height of his aspirations when a boy was to have a gun and a dog. His next ambition as he grew older was to have a nice home with every comfort and even luxuries and to own a big orchard with trees hanging loaded with big red apples. He has owned several guns and dogs, and has the beautiful home and has hunted and fished to his heart's content, and is truly thankful for all the blessings which Providence has showered upon him.

In 1876 he organized the firm of J. H. Wilson and Brothers and during all these years he has managed the Wilson estate, which has been kept intact and farmed for the benefit and to the great profit of every member of the Wilson family, although each has his individual holdings aside from the estate. Mr. Wilson is owner of four hundred acres of land in his own right. This business of Wilson Brothers has been so managed for over forty years that he has never had a lawsuit and has never sued nor has he been sued.

On November 8, 1866, the marriage of Joseph H. Wilson and Miss Susan Cassandra Bruce, a daughter of Simeon C. and Zerilda Catherine (Browning) Bruce of St. Clair County was consummated. Simeon C. Bruce was a native of Tennessee, a son of Robert Bruce of Sumner County, Tennessee. Mrs. Zerilda (Browning) Bruce was the daughter of Dr. Jacob Browning, a native of Tennessee and a Henry County pioneer, after whom Brownington was named. Mrs. Wilson was born November 4, 1844 and has born him twelve children, seven of whom are living: Bruce Mc- Farlan Wilson, farmer and stockman, Montrose, Missouri, married Maud Colson; Kate, wife of D. W. Stewart, Kansas City, Missouri; James Ennels, operates the home farm; Susan R., wife of William T. Lampkin, Payette, Idaho; Walter B., at home with his parents; Henry Everett, St. Louis, Missoui-i, a stockman and salesman; Anna, wife of Benjamin P. Lampkin, Deepwater township. Bates County, Missouri.

Since attaining his majority Mr. Wilson has been a stanch Democrat. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Lodge No. 408, Montrose, Missouri, and has been a Mason since 1878. He is a member of Chapter No. 90, George Frank Guley, Appleton City, Missouri.

Mr. Wilson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Montrose and was steward of his church from 1870 to 1910. He was superintendent of the Sunday school for twenty-six years and is conceded to be the best authority upon family genealogy as concerns those families living in his section of the county. He was first made a steward of the church at Round Prairie in Bates County and when he removed to Henry County the same office was given him by the Montrose church. When he retired from the Sunday school superintendency by reason of advancing age the members of the Sunday school gave him a beautiful embossed Bible as a testimonial of their love and high esteem, in token of his twentysix years of faithful and unremitting service in behalf of the young folks of the church. Mr. Wilson has lived an honest, honorable and just life according to the precepts of the greatest Teacher of all, and although during his long business career he has seen men take advantage of their fellows he has never succumbed to similar temptations and has treated his fellow men in a just and upright way. He likes to do right because it is right and because he has loved to deal justly and honorably with others. His seventy-seven years have been well and profitably spent and now in the eventide of his life he is able to look back over the years that have passed and calmly await the last great summons with a heart and mind at peace with all mankind. Mr. Wilson attributes much of his success in life to the faithful and loving counsel and assistance of his wife, whom he has invariably consulted regarding his business transactions.

Although he has passed the age when men are active in civic affairs, this aged gentleman still takes a keen interest in movements of the day and is a constant reader who keeps abreast of the times and is well informed on many subjects. He was a member of the "One Hundred Booster Club," which put across the Third Liberty Loan in Henry County, and made the big drive to obtain the quota of this county in bond subscriptions an overwhelming success.

Henry Baum, a well known hardware merchant of Clinton, Missouri, has been identified with the business development of Henry County for many years. He was born in Wittenberg, Germany, April 10, 1853, and is a son of Patrick and Mary Ann (Walter) Baum, and was the fifth child in the order of birth in a family of six boys. The father died in his native land when Henry was about three years old and in 1859 the mother and her six boys, Henry then being about six years of age, came to America and on Christmas Day, 1859, the family landed at New Orleans, Louisiana. They then came up the Mississippi River as far as Cairo, Illinois, by boat, and on January 1, 1860, reached St. Louis by rail. They then went to Lebanon, Illinois, where the boys grew to manhood and the mother spent the remainder of her life there. Of this family Henry, the subject of this sketch, is the only one living.

Mr. Baum was educated in the public schools at Lebanon, Illinois, and in 1870, when he was seventeen years of age, he went to St. Louis to make his own way in the world. Here he learned the tinner's trade and worked at his trade in St. Louis about seven and one-half years. He then worked as a journeyman tinner in different places, including Kansas City. October 1, 1884, he came to Clinton and entered the employ of the Hasler Hardware Company, having charge of their tinshop for eighteen years and seven months. On June 19, 1902, he engaged in business for himself in Clinton. At first he engaged in the tinning business and gradually added a stock of hardware which he increased from time to time until today he has one of the most complete stocks of hardware to be found in Henry County, and is one of the leading hardware merchants of this section. Mr. Baum has but one rule in business and that is to give a square deal to everybody, which accounts for the rapid growth and development of his humble beginning sixteen years ago to a business of the present magnitude of Henry Baum's Hardware Store at Clinton. Mr. Baum employs five men in the store and tin shop.

January 19, 1879, Henry Baum was united in marriage with Miss Melora Eleanora Bergmann, a native of St. Louis. She was reared in that city and received her education under the training of the nuns in St. Peter and Paul's Parish. To Mr. and Mrs. Baum were born three children, as follow: Catherine Eleanora, a graduate of the Clinton High School, the Missouri State University, and is now a teacher in the Clinton High School; Emil Henry, a sheet iron worker, Chicago, Illinois; and Edgar Walter, with his father at Clinton. Mrs. Baum departed this life March 30, 1918. She was a woman of noble character and led an exemplary Christian life, and no small part of her husband's success is due to the wisdom of her counsel and her sympathetic co-operation. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church and Mr. Baum and his children are communicants of the same denomination. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Clinton and has been identified with that lodge for a number of years.

Thomas B. Parks, county sui-veyor of Henry County, is a native son of this county and a member of a well known pioneer family of western Missouri. He was bom at Leesville, Missouri, April 10, 1860, and is a son of Bird D. and Lourinda J. (Lee) Parks. Bird D. Parks, the father, was born in Kentucky and when twelve years of age came to Missouri with his parents, who located in Cooper County. He was a son of Peyton Parks. Bird D. Parks came to Henry County in 1844 and settled on a farm on Grand River south of Leesville. He bought his land from the Government at $1.25 per acre. At that time the Government land office was located at Lexington and Mr. Parks went there to pay for his land, and like other settlers of that time paid for it in silver dollars. Here he followed farming until the Civil War broke out, when he entered the Confederate Army and sei-ved as captain of a company in General Price's army. During the early part of the war he participated in a number of important engagements, including the battles of Lexington and Wilson Creek. Afterwards he returned to his Henry County home and removed with his family to Cooper County, and after the war returned to Henry County and settled in Springfield township, where the town of Thrush now stands. Here he spent the remainder of his life engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was a man of unusual ability and his life was filled with experiences out of the ordinary. In 1849 he made the trip to California. He went by the Overland route with ox teams and after remaining about a year at the mecca of the gold seekers, he returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama. On this trip he was shipwrecked in the Carrabean Sea. He was a Democrat and prominent in the political affairs of Henry County and for eight years held the position of county surveyor. He was widely known as a prominent Mason. He died in 1903 at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, who was also a Kentuckian, died in 1893, aged seventy-five years.

To Bird D. and Lourinda J. (Lee) Parks were born eight children who grew to maturity, three of whom are living as follows: Louisa, married Thomas Baughman, who is now deceased and she resides in Oklahoma; H. A., of Kansas City, Missouri, and Thomas B., the subject of this sketch.

Thomas B. Parks received his early education in the public schools of Henry County and later entered the State Normal School at Warrensburg, where he was graduated in the class of 1878. He then engaged in teaching in Henry County and taught about seven years in all, during which time he was principal of the Calhoun schools one year. He was appointed county surveyor of Henry County in 1887 and elected to that office a number of times, serving thirteen years in succession. He then went to Montana, and for a number of years was in the employ of the Government as a surveyor, during which time he surveyed and sectionized a portion of the Flat Head Indian Reservation. In 1907 he returned to Henry County and from that time until 1916 was engaged in farming. He was then elected county surveyor again, which oflSce he still holds. He owns a valuable farm and is interested in farming and stock raising.

Mr. Parks was mai-ried January 9, 1888, to Miss Minnie L. Strieby, a native of Michigan, who came to Henry County with her parents in 1871. She is a daughter of Joel and Melvina (Norris) Strieby, who now reside in Clinton. To Mr. and Mrs. Parks have been born the following children: Pearl, married Mode Davis, Clinton; Clayta, married Albert Dunning, Jr., Fairview township; Zoe, at home with his parents; Manford, resided on his father's farm until he became a soldier in the Na- tional Army ; Gordon, a midshipman in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; Mildred, a teacher in Saskatchewan, Canada, and Vivian, a graduate of the Clinton High School, class of 1918, who resides at home.

Mr. Parks is a Democrat and has been identified with that party all his life. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Modern Woodmen of America.

William Avery Foote, a pioneer business man of Clinton, now living retired, is a native of New York. He was born in Oneida County, December 12, 1839. His parents were John and Mary (Lull) Foote, both natives of the State of New York. The Foote family is of English lineage and the ancestors of William A. Foote were early settlers in New England. Nathaniel Foote, of England, immigrated to New England in 1636 and was one of the first settlers of Weathersfield, Connecticut. Mary Lull, the mother of William Avery Foote, is a descendant of one of the early families to settle in New York. John and Mary (Lull) Foote went to Wisconsin and spent the last years of their lives in Dane County, that State, where they both died. They were the parents of nine children and three of their sons served in the Union Army during the Civil War.

William Avery Foote was ten years of age when his parents removed from Oneida to Wyoming County, New York, where the father conducted a tannery. In 1858 William went to Springfield, Illinois. Here he attended school for a time and for four years was employed in a hardware store. He then went to Indianapolis, Indiana, to work in a hardware store for the same employer, where he remained about four years. In 1869 he came to Henry County, Missouri, where he and his brother, Ebenezer Lull Foote engaged in the hardware business under the firm name of Foote Brothers. They also conducted a grain and elevator business in partnership, E. L. having charge of that department while William A. conducted the hardware business. When the Foote Brothers started in business in Clinton there was no railroad in Henry County and their goods were hauled mostly from Warrensburg. They continued business in Clinton for forty years, disposing of their mercantile business in 1909, and since that time Mr. Foote has been practically retired, with the exception of looking after his various business interests.

Mr. Foote was united in marriage September 14, 1869, with Miss Emma D. Wood, a native of Springfield, Massachusetts. To Mr. and Mrs. Foote were born two children, Mary L., who married Henry W. Kerr of

Denver, Colorado, who is now deceased, and she resides with her father in Clinton; and S. EHzabeth, married Robert E. Harmon of CUnton, Missouri. Mrs. Foote departed this life January 12, 1917. She was a highly educated and cultured woman who lived a consistent Christian life.^ She was a life long member of the Baptist Church and was active in the work of her denomination. Mr. Foote is also a member of the Baptist Church and has been a Republican. To Henry W. and Mary L. Kerr was born one son, Derry William Kerr. Robert E. and S. Elizabeth Harmon have one child, Elizabeth Agnes Harmon.

John D. Brown. - Fifty-one years ago John D. Brown, well-to-do retired farmer of the Montrose neighborhood in Deepwater township, came to Henry County from his old home in Illinois and purchased a large tract of unimproved prairie land at a cost of $13 an acre. He and his brother, M. V. Brown, bought together seven hundred acres of land. Mr. Brown erected his handsome and substantial farm residence in the fall of 1868 and has had the extreme satisfaction of developing his fine farm of four hundred acres from unbroken prairie. He has placed every shrub and tree upon the place and year after year has witnessed the growing of crops in succession upon the acreage which he reclaimed. As he has grown old he has likewise prospered and now in his old age is well content with what has come to him through his own endeavors and the assistance of his noble wife, who has gone to her reward.

John D. Brown was born near Springfield, Illinois, on March 1, 1842. He is the son of Reason B. and Rachel (Ernest) Brown, both of whom were born and reared in Kentucky and were early settlers in Illinois. After their two sons had settled in Henry County the parents came to Missouri and settled upon a farm one mile south of John D. Brown's place. In old age they retired to a home in Appleton City, where both died and lie buried. In 1861 John D. Brown went to Idaho and worked in the gold and silver mines of that State and also served as a packer and freighter of merchandise between Walloolo and Bannock City and Placerville, all mining camps in the West. He returned to his home in Illinois in 1866 with his savings from five years of hard work. In 1867 he came to Missouri and purchased his farm.

November 7, 1867, John D. Brown and Miss Louise Cecil were united in marriage and Mr. Brown says of this marriage : "It was the best thing I ever did." One child is the offspring of this happy marriage : Gertrude, wife of John Henry Holland, a farmer living near Hartwell, Henry County.