Holt County, Missouri - Chapter 26, 1917 (part 1 of 5)

Chapter 26

UNION TOWNSHIP - EARLY FACTS AND FIGURES - DEFUNCT TOWNS - CHURCHES IN THE TOWNSHIPHISTORY OF CRAIG - BUSINESS MEN OF PAST AND PRESENT DAYS - NEWSPAPERS, BANKS AND SECRET ORDERS - FLOODS - SOME MISCELLANEOUS FACTS.

Union Township is bounded on the north by Lincoln Township and is well watered. The Big Tarkio from Lincoln Township, enters Union in the northeast quarter of section S3, township 63, range 40, and flows in a generally southeasterly course, passing wholly or in part through fourteen sections, and making its exit from section 32, in its southeast corner. John E. Hearl built, many years since, a water-power gristmill on the northeast quarter of section 30, township 62, range 38, just south of the section line. This is at a point called from the circumstance of the Little Tarkio flowing within three hundred yards of the channel of the Big Tarkio, whence it flows out of Union Township in section 32, measured, when first surveyed, 136 links in width. Carl Shults built on its site what is now known as Little Tarkio grist mill, a water-power later owned and operated by Mr. Stumbo. The Guilliams' water power grist mill, three miles above Craig on Big Tarkio, in the northwest quarter of section 34, township 63, range 40, was in operation as early as 1855-1856. It operated two run of burrs. The Little Tarkio enters Holt County by two branches, one in section 19, and the other in section 20, township 63, range 40. In 1841 J. Wallace and A. Martin settled on its banks. They were the first to locate in that neighborhood.

The bluff range entering Union Township in section 34, township 63, range 40, extends in a southeasterly direction, leaving its limits in the northeast corner of section 17. Nearly threefourths of the area of this township is bottom land, and, with the exception of a heavy belt two or three miles wide of timber along the river bank, is generally prairie. This is all settled, and much of it is in a high state of cultivation, and enormously productive. Some excellent improvements also exist in the upland districts to the eastward of the bluff range.

Early Settlers

The first locality settled, in what is now Union Township, is also the oldest settlement in the northwest part of the county. It is known as Sharpe's Grove, and is a mile or two north of the present town of Craig.

The original settlers of the grove were W. A. and Abraham Sharpe, who came from Bracken County, Kentucky, in the fall of 1841, and settled in their present homes in that locality. John Wise also came in the same year. Jacob Rugh came from Pennsylvania, in 1842, and settled in Sharpe's Grove. In the same year came Joseph Scott, Daniel Hoghan, and J. Kelzi. Daniel David, of Indiana, later a prominent citizen of the town of Oregon, and Charles David, his son, once a merchant of Craig, settled in what is now Union Township, in 1843. In the same year came Joseph Scott, Samuel Thompson and A. McDonald, who died many years ago. They also were among the earliest of those who settled in the grove.

Colonel Hughes and his son-in-law, Samuel Russell, were among the earliest settlers in the bottom region of the township. The first farm across Little Tarkio, near the bluff, was improved by Abner Norris, who was among the earliest settlers of the county. Mr. Norris, afterward moved to Iowa. J. B. Weight first settled in the bottom, but subsequently made his home in Sharpe's Grove. L. Dawson was also a very early settler. In 1844 also came George Heir, A. Hoppy, William Beauchamp and A. J. Williams; C. M. Guilliams, Alfred C. Taylor and C. C. Cunningham settled in the township in 1845.

Defunct Towns

The earliest attempt to start a town in the territory included within the present limits of Union Township, was inaugurated by the Lewises. Lewisville was laid out on section 19, township 62, range 40, by Jasper G. and Elizabeth Lewis, March 6, 1850.

On the adjoining section, 20, Marietta was laid out, four years after, by Barlow Lewis. S. C. Collins and David Templeton surveyed the sites,. These towns never amounted to much more than mere wood landings for boats.

The small stores started at these points proved failures, and were early abandoned. The sites of these still born enterprises have long since crumbled into the insatiable maw of the turbid Missouri, and, but for the faithful chronicles of this history, would soon be forever lost to the memory of man.

A once noted point in what is now Union Township was in the southeast quarter of section 34, township 63, range 40, on the main road leading from Ellington's Ferry to Council Bluffs. This was a station on the stage line, and as early as 1841 a man by the name of Daniel Durbin, a noted character of those days, kept a hotel here. The structure of his hotel was a double log house. He also kept a ferry here, across the Tarkio, before the bridge was built. Durbin moved to California in 1844, and was killed there. This ferry was also known as Army Ford.

The first church erected within the present limits of Union Township was built by the Christians, in 1877. It is a frame building 40x60 feet in extent. It stands near the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section 35, about four miles south of the town of Craig, and within one-half mile of the southern boundary of the township. It is named, in honor of Joshua Kelso, "The Kelso Church." The two acres of land attached to this church was deeded to the same by Calvin Guilliams. The congregation was organized by Elder Kelsey. In 1879 the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was permitted to occupy the building when not required for the services of the owners of the same.

Three miles west of Craig, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, a frame building, 22x36 feet in extent, was erected in 1877, at a cost of $400. The congregation was organized with ten members. The first minister of this church was Rev. C. F. Scholz. He effected the organization and remained in charge till November, 1881, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. H. Leutsch.

It is doubtful if there is a more prosperous country church anywhere than the St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church, three miles west and one-half mile south of Craig. The official title is the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states.

The church was first Organized in 1876 and for a number of years the congregation worshipped at Corning, the pastor at that time being Rev. C. F, W. Scholz.

In August, 1881, the membership living west of Craig decided to withdraw and form a church of their own. A meeting was held in a school house near where the church now stands. An organization was soon perfected and arrangements made for the building of the church edifice which now serves the congregation. Several of the original members have since moved to other states, but withal the congregation has grown steadily. At the expiration of the time of Rev. Scholz in 1880, Rev. C. Lentzsch was engaged. He came from Nebraska and remained until his death in June, 1900. In November, 1910, Rev. P. T. Schmidt of Arkansas Was engaged as pastor.

Craig

Craig, a town of commercial importance in the county, is also the business center of Union Township. It occupies the southeast corner of section 11, and the northeast corner of sec- tion 14, in township 62, range 40, on the main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which was completed to this point in the summer of 1868. The town limits extend to the waters of the Big Tarkio, which, at this point, is spanned by an iron King bridge, 105 feet long, erected in 1881, at a cost of four thousand dollars, just after the great flood of April of that year, in which the original structure was swept away. The railroad bridge, a few hundred yards above, is also a substantial iron structure on massive stone piers, and was erected in the same year.

The site of the town is a dead level in the Missouri River bottom which, at this point is eight hundred and eighty feet above the level of the sea. It is about half a mile southwest of the bluff range, in full view of the forest of Sharpe's Grove.

The town of Craig was laid out early in the fall of 1868, by the original proprietors, Robert W. Frame, Christ Shults and Samuel Ensworth. Its present population is between 600 and 700. The town was named for Gen. James Craig of St. Joseph, who was active in the building of the railroad which called the town into existence.

The first to sell goods in the place was A. W. Hawley. He began in the fall of 1868. Immediately after, Shults & Frame, who were selling goods and keeping a post office, called Tarkio, in a house one and three-quarter miles northeast of the site of the town, moved their stock to the new town and commenced business. This Tarkio was nearly a mile below the noted watering place, one-half a mile east of Craig, and is still known as the Big Spring. It is at the foot of the bluff, and was a regular halting place on the great route from St. Joseph over the hills via Savannah, Fillmore and Hollister's Mill, to North Point, afterwards Mound City, whence the road followed the foot of the bluffs to the crossing of the Little Tarkio, where the state road branched off to Rock Port. The trading post of Tarkio remained at this point, on the Little Tarkio, till the growing importance of the new town of Craig absorbed its business.

The first blacksmith to open a shop in Craig, was J. A. Orange, who, in September, 1868, erected the first building in the town and opened it as the Grant and Sherman House. This he continued to keep till 1873, wrhen he sold out. The building, which has since changed hands several times, has been considerably enlarged and improved since that day.

Shults & Frame opened, in the same year, the first stock of goods in the town. They afterwards moved their building from Tarkio to the townsite.

C. Hoblitzell started in February, 1875, the first lumber yard in Holt County, built, in 1874, the first elevator in the town. Its capacity was ten thousand bushels.

The first school in the town of Craig was taught by C. A. Doughty, in the original frame school building on Frame street, later owned by the Christians, and occupied by them as a church.

The elegant structure of the graded school stands on the east end of the same street. It is a spacious two-story brick building with four class rooms, halls, etc., affording accommodation for 240 scholars. The house was completed in January, 1882, at a cost of over six thousand dollars.

The first railroad agent of Craig was Frank Briggs. He began his duties here in 1869. A. M. Hunter became the agent in 1872 and remained until 1905 when he resigned, having been in the service here continuously for thirty-three years. He was the oldest station agent on the Burlington system in point of years of service. Mr. Hunter died October 4, 1910.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1870. Among the original members were : Abel Doughty and wife, C. A. Doughty and wife, and E. McQuilen and wife.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in 1878, by Rev. Dr. Bain, with the following members: J. T. Sedwick and wife, William Price, S. Stanfield, and Charles David and wife.

The first church building erected in Craig was by the two Methodist societies. Each organization being entitled to the use of the building half of the time. This house was built by a committee representing both congregations and was composed of J. T. Sedwick, Charles David and C. A. Doughty. In 1894 the M. E. Church sold its interest in the building and lot to the M. E. Church, South, and immediately began the erection of a church building at Fourth and Ensworth streets. This was completed and dedicated in January, 1895. In 1908 the two Methodist congregations were merged, by the action of the Missouri Con-

The Presbyterian Church, of Craig, was organized in June, 1878, by the Rev. Duncan Brown, of Mound City, with the following members: Dr. S. Bacon, W. B. Wilson and wife, A. M. Hunter and Mrs. E. E. Welch. The church edifice, a brick building, 30x55 feet, was completed in December, 1878 at a cost of $3,200. It stands on West Front street. The original trustees of this church were W. B. Wilson, S. S. Bacon, and A. M. Hunter. The first pastor of the congregation was the Rev. Duncan Brown. He was succeeded in June, 1880, by Rev. B. D. Luther.

The Christian Church of Craig was organized February 4, 1880, by Elder G. B. Mullis, with ten members. Of these, Samuel Peters and H. Laughlin were chosen elders, and E. Davis and Moses Wright were chosen deacons. The other members were Delitha Laughlin, Dal Laughlin, Sarah J. Wright, Victory Peters, Rachel Collins and Sallie A. Davis. Since the period of the organization of this church there have been added, fifty members. In the fall of 1881, the congregation purchased the old frame public school building and fitted it up as a house of worship. This they continue to use for that purpose. The organization is in a prosperous condition, and includes a membership of sixty.

This congregation a few years ago built one of the handsomest church buildings in the county. It cost about $3,000 and has a seating capacity of 600. It is not lacking in any of the appointments and conveniences which are essential to a modern church building.

Fraternal Orders

Craig Lodge No. 371, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons was organized July 14, 1870, by Hiram Patterson, district deputy grand master. The following were the officers at the time of organization: C. A. Doughty, W. M.; W. R. Nelson, S. W. ; Chris Schultz, J. W. ; Dr. Berry Meek, Treasurer; J. L. Blair, Secretary. This lodge grew and prospered for a number of years when internal dissensions disturbed the good fellowship of the brethren, and in January, 1883, Grand Master Wood revoked the charter. A reorganization was brought about May 28, 1909, when the younger men of the community petitioned for and received dispensation to perfect the organization. A charter was granted the new lodge under the name of Craig Lodge No. 606, September 29, 1909. The officers at the time of the reorganization were: P. A. Thompson, W. M. ; T. A. Ward, S. W. ; C. W. Anibal, J. W. ; J. M. Stokes, Secretary; W. J. Randall, Treasurer.

Craig Lodge No. 211, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted June 11, 1869, by Worthy Grand Master R. J. Wise, assisted by Samuel Hess and William White of Eclipse Lodge No. 143 and Thomas C. Crowther of King Hill Lodge, No. 114 of St. Joseph, Mo. The charter members of the original lodge were Charles E. Barnes, Lawrence Welch, Wilson Mc- Kinney, T. F. Farnsworth and John Elmore.

For some reason the lodge in the early '70's quit working and remained dormant for a period of about eight years, when it was resuscitated through the efforts of Hiram Hershberger, of Oregon, Mo., as district deputy. Those who participated in the reorganiaztion in May, 1886, were W. M. Boyer, Joseph Wise, J. W. Stokes, J. L. Johnston and Henry Bungenstock.

In the fall of 1915 the lodge decided to establish a cemetery for the burial of the deceased members of the order and their families. A tract of land was bought near town from E. L. Gaffney and immediately converted into the purposes for which it was purchased. The cemetery committee of the lodge, in conjunction with the trustees, had Icharge of the matter, were C. W. David, L. L. Teare, J. H. Hunt, H. B. Lawrence, W. S. Thompson, Fred Lawrence and W. B. Fitzgerald.

Craig Camp, No. 5140, Modern Woodmen of America, was chartered November 15, 1897, with a membership of thirty-one. The first officers were C. W. Anibal, consul; S. C. Wampler, adviser; L. J. Butler, banker; J. H. Riffe, clerk; W. E. Graves, escort. The camp now has a membership of more than 100 and about $200,000 of insurance in force. It is comfortably housed in its own building, free from debt and seems likely to continue prosperous for many years.

For-Get-Me-Not Camp, No. 4248, Royal Neighbors of America, was instituted June 16, 1905, with twenty-two charter members. It is still in a thriving and prosperous condition.

Craig Rebekah Lodge, No. 645, was chartered February 6, 1915, and has an enthusiastic membership of 100. A Rebekah lodge had been started in Craig January 31, 1894, with a membership of twenty-nine. Through neglect and lack of interest its charter was allowed to lapse.

The first newspaper venture in the town was the Craig Democrat, by Harry A. Buell, in February, 1872. It ceased publication in April the same year.

The Enterprise was established by C. H. Clark, early in 1877. Clark remained on the job until October, 1878, when he sold to H. S. Hogue, who continued the publication until July,

In 1882 the Craig Meteor was established by VanPelt & Blake who were then conducting the Atchison County Mail and moved part of the equipment of that office to Craig wliere Van- Pelt was actively in charge of the Meteor. In 1883 VanPelt became the sole owner of the plant, which he disposed of in April, 1884, to Elder Maupin and his son, Will M., who was afterwards associate editor of the Commoner at Lincoln, Nebr., and identified with various other publications. Maupin & Son, eight months later sold the paper to George L. Burkhalter, who continued its publication until the fall of 1886 when he moved the plant to Rulo, Nebr.

In the fall of 1886 C. N. VanPelt established the Craig Leader. He continued as its publisher until January, 1887, when he sold to Charles N. Dobyns, who remained until March, 1904, when Byron Johnstun took charge. He sold to Ivan Whitted in May, 1907, who, on July 12, the same year, suspended publication. W. H. Hambaugh revived the paper November 15, 1907, and has owned the paper ever since. It was leased in January, 1910, to G. A. Sterling, who published the paper until June, that year, when he delivered it back to Hambaugh. I. W. Watson leased the plant in June, 1910, but surrendered his lease a few months later. Since January, 1911, Mr. Hambaugh has been in active charge of the paper, which bears every indication of being a prosperous, influential country newspaper.

In October, 1896, Ed. S. Hayes, who had disposed of the Democrat at Oregon, located at Craig and established the Courier. It ceased publication in September, 1897. October 3, 1897, the paper was revived under the name of the Democrat-Courier, with John M. Hasness, as publisher. The plant was owned by a stock company. Hasness died in January, 1900, and the stockholders put Shafe Kautzman, a printer from Nebraska, in charge. The hyphenated title was abolished in a few months and the name returned to The Courier. In December, 1900, the paper ceased publication and the machinery and type were bought by Ed Kennish and moved to Maitland, and added to the plant of The Herald in that town.

The post office was originally called Tarkio, the name being changed in 1869, to Craig in honor of General James Craig, who was conspicuous in the building of what is now the Burlington railroad. Tarkio was about a mile northeast of the present townsite of Craig. It was quite a trading point and it was here that Christ Schultz and Robert W. Frame sold goods until Craig began to grow into a town of real proportions. The old Tarkio post office building is still standing on lands owned by George W. Gaskill.

Craig was added to the list of money order offices in 1878 and became a presidential office in 1901. The first rural delivery route was established November 1, 1901, and A1 VanWormer was the first carrier.

Those who have served the patrons of the Craig post office in the capacity of postmasters and the years of their appointment are: Christ Schultz, 1868; E. D. Richmond, 1872; H. S. Hogue, 1875; Robert Lyon, 1879; John Ward, 1883; John H. Williams, 1886; George Hogrefe, 1889; L. L. Teare, 1893; Charles M. Ward, 1897; Phil Thompson, 1905; Frank K. Allen, 1911; W. H. Hambaugh, 1915.

Electric Lights

On the evening of February 6, 1902, there was celebrated in Craig the event of the installation of an electric lighting system of which the town was justly proud. The enterprise was a private one and the improvement in the towns public utilities was due to the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Kellogg, then owners of the Eclipse Roller Mills. The power plant at the mill was used in connection with the lighting machinery and this arrangement continued to give satisfactory service for a number of years. The plant was bought by Brownfield & Teare in January, 1912. The current is now supplied by the Mound City plant.

The first bank established in Craig was by Bilby & Heaton, July 7, 1877. W. H. Heaton became the sole owner in April, 1882. And the name was changed to the Heaton Bank. Cave J. Hunt was cashier until May, 1882, when Ed. Heaton assumed the duties of the office. In February, 1887, William H. Heaton removed to Bushnell, 111., and Ed. Heaton assumed active man- agement of the bank in Craig, although William H. Heaton has continued as president to the present time. R. C. Ball has been assistant cashier for the past twenty-seven years. The bank had a capital of $10,000 at its inception, but this has since been increased to $25,000.

The second bank established in Craig was known as the Farmers' and Merchants Bank. It began business July 17, 1893. It was founded by Dr. Benson Bond, who died in 1902, after which the business was managed by E. J. Kellogg as president and Mrs. C. D. Kellogg, cashier.

Mills And Elevators

A. P. Davenport built the first flour mill in Craig in 1874. It was a two run mill and did a flourishing business from the start. He sold the property to Reece & Gibson in 1879. Maxwell & Gibson began operating the mill in 1887. W. A. Robinson, of Watson, built a new mill in Craig in August, 1899. Later it was owned by E. J. Kellogg.

The first elevator in Craig was built in 1874 by Johnstun & Meyer, who continued the business for several years. In 1895 F. S. Brownfield, at a cost of $18,000, built a large elevator and flouring mill in Craig. It was destroyed by fire December 5, 1897. The Farmers' Elevator Company was organized in May, 1912. J. S. Nauman is president.

Craig School

The Craig school building compares favorably with that of any other town in the county. The present building was erected in 1881 and rebuilt in 1896. Furnace heat was added to the equipment in 1903. The records of the school district back of 1899 are unavailable, as they were destroyed by fire in that year.

Craig, in common with neighboring towns along the line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, in the Missouri River bottom, was a sufferer, to a great extent, by the ever memoriable flood of 1881. On the 24th day of April, the water of the Missouri River, at its nearest point, five miles distant from the town site, and which, some ten or twelve days before, had burst from the ice gorge below Yankton, swept over the town. By Wednesday following it had reached its maximum height, two feet higher than the water of the great flood of 1844, and stood from two and a half to three and a half feet deep in the streets and houses. The flood then began to recede, and by the following Sunday, had disappeared, leaving behind a fearful wreck of matter and crash of things. The entire population of the town, with a few exceptions, during the period of the high water, had left for the bluff country. So tremendous was the force with which the inundation approached, that railroad ties with rails attached, were in many places floated off the grade.

Among the incidents of the flood at this point, it is remembered that a corn crib sixty feet long, twelve feet wide and as many high, floated from its foundations, and was seen pursuing its rapid course southward from the town. A close inspection revealed the further circumstance that the roof was tenanted, not, however, with dispairing sons and daughters of men, but with a flock of domestic chickens, in the center of which stood a solitary skunk, apparently brooding, amid the appalling desolation of his surroundings, over the certainty of his impending fate, and utterly oblivious or unmindful of the feathered banquet within his reach.

Craig also suffered severely from the floods of 1914 and 1915, but the damage to property was not nearly so great as in 1881. The drainage system which has been adopted in the nearby country greatly reduces the liability of damage from overflows.

Miscellaneous

A telephone system was put in operation in May, 1901, by the Craig Telephone Co. It is capitalized for $12,000 and gives service to 400 patrons.

William M. Hamsher

William M. Hamsher, president of the Bank of Mound City, and one of the highly respected citizens of the town, has been a resident of Mound City forty-two years. He came here in 1874 and engaged in mercantile business with Emil Weber - the firm name being Hamsher, Weber & Co., in the building now occupied by William McKee. The firm continued in business here for sixteen years. The partnership of Hamsher & Weber continued three years more, when Mr. Hamsher bought the interest of his partner and continued the business for thirteen years, until 1893.

Then he engaged actively in the banking business and has since been president of the Bank of Mound City, of which institution he was a charter stockholder, the bank beginning business in 1889. He is also a stockholder and director in the Holt County Independent Telephone Company.

Mr. Hamsher was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1849. He was brought up on a farm and received a common school education. He remained on the farm until he was sixteen years old, when he went to Orrstown, Pa., and clerked in a store four years. Then he went to Monmouth, 111., and worked four months in a store. Not being satisfied there he moved on farther west and in 1871 accepted a position in the store of Ford & Orr, in Forest City. In 1874 he moved to Mound City and has since been active in the business life of that town.

He is the son of John and Mary Hamsher, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Hamsher was married October 12, 1875, to Miss Mary Luckhardt of Oregon, Mo., who was born in Johnston, Pa. To this union has been born one son, Clarence F. Hamsher who is in the banking business in Los Gatos, Calif. Mr. Hamsher is a member of the Masonic lodge and Presbyterian church. He has been an elder in that church for thirty-five years.

Thomas A. Ward

Thomas A. Ward is the vice-president of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Craig. He is a son of one of the pioneer families of Union Township, where he was born, and is a highly esteemed and prominent business man of the town in which he makes his home. Although a young man he entered actively into the civic and commercial life of Craig, and by his conserva-

Thomas A. Ward is the son of Thomas B. Ward, who came to the county in the early eighties and by thrift and economy acquired a section of fine farming lands in the county and valuable property in Craig, where he now makes his home. He was a Confederate soldier in the Civil war. He married Alice Sharp, member of one of the well known early families of the county. Three children were born to this union, only one of whom survives, Thomas A., of this sketch. Tilda and Frank both died when about twelve years of age.

Thomas A. Ward was married October 15, 1905, to Miss Allie Angel, who was 'born at Fairfax, Missouri, and who is the daughter of Albert and Annie Angel. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have one son, Thomas A., Jr.

Mr. Ward is a member of the Masonic lodge of Craig, and is a present member of the Craig Board of Education. He is a large owner of Holt County real estate.

Richard E. Decker

Richard E. Decker is cashier of the Bank of Mound City and for a number of years was engaged in the insurance business in Mound City. He was born in Richardson County, Nebraska, October 17, 1860. In the spring of 1861 the family moved to Holt County and lived near Mound City for a year or two. After the war they moved to Corondolet, a suburb of St. Louis. Later they moved to Carroll County, Missouri, and in the fall of 1870 returned to Holt County, where Mr. Decker has since resided. He received a common school education and a course in the Chapman Business College in St. Joseph.

He remained on the old homestead in section 35, township 62, range 38, of Clay Township until his marriage September 23, 1895, when he moved to his own farm in section 34, township 62, range 38, Benton Township, where he lived until 1897, when he moved to Mound City and formed a partnership with Amer Crannell, under the firm name of Crannell & Decker. This firm engaged in the insurance business and continued until the death of Mr. Crannell in September, 1906. Mr. Decker continued the business alone for about a year. He entered the Bank of Mound City in 1907, as cashier.

He is the son of Albert Decker, a native of Lima, N. Y., who migrated to Holt County in the early '50's. He died in Mound City January 9, 1907.

daughter of James W. and Miranda Gibson, who were among the early settlers of Nemaha County, Nebraska. Mr. Decker is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. He owns 160 acres of fine farm land in sections 27 and 34, township 62, range 38, Benton Township.

B. H. Watson, cashier of the Holt County Bank of Mound City, has been connected with this banking institution for the past thirteen years. He began as bookkeeper, then was assistant cashier and in 1912 was made cashier. He is one of the live business men of the town and never fails to assist in anything that will make Mound City more prosperous, more progressive or a better place in which to live.

Mr. Watson was born in Monroe City, Mo., December 11, 1882, and is the son of William M. and Frances (Thompson) Watson, born in Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. He was educated in the Mound City high school and the Kirksville high school. He came with his parents to Mound City in April, 1901.

He was married July 12, 1912, to Miss Helen Groves, a native of Mound City and the daughter of Joseph and Cora Groves, early settlers in Holt County. They have one son, B. H. Watson, Jr. Mr. Watson is a member of the Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World lodges.

Mr. Watson is one of a family of four children, the others being: Bessie, wife of Dr. J. J. Spencer, of Savannah, Mo.; William, who died in infancy and Nellie of Mound City.

Charles W. Craig

Charles W. Craig, merchant and postmaster, at Fortescue, has been a resident of Holt County since 1891. He was born in Clearmont, Nodaway County, Missouri, December 14, 1876. At the age of thirteen years he moved with his parents to Holt County and located on a farm south of Mound City. They lived there three years when his father bought the J. L. Minton stock of goods at Napier, where he has since resided.

Charles W. remained with his father at Napier until September, 1900, where he clerked in the store. He then moved to Fortescue and bought the John R. Minton stock of general merchandise, and has since been in business there. He "Was appointed postmaster in April, 1911.

young and grew to manhood there. He then went to Maysville, DeKalb County, Missouri, where he was in the mercantile business. He was at Clearmont twenty-five years, two years in northern Iowa and has since lived at Napier.

Charles Craig has been married twice, the first time December 25, 1901, to Anna Banks, who was born in Holt County and died February 4, 1903. Mr. Craig married again October 25, 1905, to Joie Ann Lowe of St. Joseph, Mo. They have one son, Charles William George Craig.

Mr. Craig was made a Mason in 1901, joined the Woodmen of the World lodge in Bigelow in 1902 and the Odd Fellows lodge in Mound City in 1903. He is a member of the Fraternal Aid lodge in St. Joseph having joined that order in 1914. He has taken fourteen degrees in Masonry, being a Scottish Rite Mason of the St. Joseph Lodge of Perfection No. 6.

William R. Hill

William R. Hill, owner of the flour mills in Mound City, known as the Mound City Mill Company, is one of the live businessmen of the town. This enterprise, which has been known by its present name since it was chartered in 1887, manufactures high grade flour, its leader being the Big A. Another of its specialties is the manufacture of cracker flour for the big biscuit companies. The capacity of the mill is 250 barrels a day. Mr. Hill is a thorough mill man and has been in the business for a number of years.

He was born in Page County, Iowa, March 21, 1873, and grew up on his father's farm, which is still in the family and which his father settled in the late '60's. He attended the country schools in Iowa and college at College Springs, Iowa, several terms. He farmed on his own account several years and then went into the milling business at Shambaugh, Iowa, in partnership with his brother Edward, where he was located until May, 1915, when he bought the Mound City Mill Company. He still retains interests in farm lands in Iowa and owns several properties in Shambaugh.

Mr. Hill is the son of James H. Hill, a native of Ohio. He was married at Shambaugh, Iowa, October 28, 1896, to Miss Gladys M. Long, who died November 10, 1910. Of this union there are four children living, Gertrude Marie, Harry Hapburn, Gerald Maurice and Catherine Louise, all living with their father in Mound City. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen and K. P. lodges and of the M. E. Church, having been an active worker in that church since a boy. Mrs. Hill was the daughter

Joseph R. Collison

Joseph R. Collison, one of the pioneer merchants of Holt County, is at present, the senior partner in the firm of J. R. Collison & Son, proprietors of the Broad Gauge general merchandise store in Maitland. He came to Holt County in June, 1859, landing at Forest City with his parents in a river steamer, his father having located there three years previous. The family came from London, England, direct to Forest City, where they lived until 1864, when the senior Collison bought a farm in Clay Township, which is now owned by Elijah Rowlett. There Joseph R. grew to the age of 21, when he began teaching, having been educated in the public schools and the Oregon high school.

Mr. Collison taught school two years and then located in Dotham, Atchison County, where he opened the first store there. After a year in Dotham, he moved to New Point, where he formed a partnership with Clark F. Barnes. Barnes & Collison continued in the general merchandising business for three years when Mr. Collison sold to his partner. He moved to Maitland in 1844, and has been in business there ever since. He began in a small way in the building now occupied by Hodgin Brothers. He remained there twelve years, when the building became too small for his rapidly growing business. In 1895 he formed a partnership with his brothers A. W. Collison, and Charles T. Graves and incorporated the Broad Gauge Mercantile Company, which built a new brick block on the opposite corner. In 1906 the company was dissolved and Mr. Collison and his son, Ralph W., bought the interests of the other partners.

He is the son of Richard and Mary Ann (Rollins) Collison, both natives of London, England. They are now residents of Maitland. Joseph R. Collison was born in London. He was married May 13, 1880, near New Point, to Miss Belle Oren, daughter of Levi Oren, a prominent business man in Holt County in his day, and at one time county treasurer. They have three children: Ralph W., with his father in the mercantile business; Mrs. Leslie Linville, of Maitland; and Charles B., a traveling salesman for a St. Joseph jobbing house.

Jahugh G. Hinkle

farmers in Minton Township. The subject of these paragraphs resides on his farm of 160 acres where he has lived since the spring of 1886. The farm was first bought by his father and was part of the James Inks land. When Mr. Hinkle first moved to this farm it was mostly unbroken land and without improvements. It is now one of the best appointed farms in Bigelow Township, with good buildings, all of which Mr. Hinkle has placed upon the property.

J. G. Hinkle was born on his father|s farm in Minton Township, November 13, 1860. He remained with his father until 1886, when he moved to the farm on which he is now living. He attended the district schools in Walnut Grove, Idlewilde, Elm Grove and the old Hinkle school which was swallowed up by the Missouri River in the early '80's at the same time it took away several hundred acres of Hinkle land. He also attended the Missouri State University one term.

Mr. and Mrs. Hinkle have three children: Leroy, who married Nellie Alkire and resides in Bigelow Township; Susan, who married E. C. Poynter and lives at Mendon, Mo.; Bryan C., who is yet at home. Mr. Hinkle is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge.

John S. Smith

John S. Smith has been president of the Holt County Bank in Mound City since 1900 and it can truthfully be said that it has been largely through his efforts and ability in this line of work that this bank has grown to be one of the solid financial institutions of Holt County, and is thoroughly in the confidence of the people. He is a native born son of Holt County, where he has lived all his life. He was born on a farm in Nodaway Township April 11, 1855. He is the son of Sheldon M. and Sarah Smith, who came to this country from Ohio. Besides his banking interests, he owns considerable valuable land in Holt County and has extensive business interests in Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado and other states.

Mr. Smith is a thirty-second degree Mason and an Odd Fellow. He has served on the Mound City school board, holding the office of president for the past thirty years. He has been an important factor in the progress and growth of his native town.

are living: Bertha B., wife of Henry Harmon of Custer, Okla.; Charles C. ; Helen H., wife of C. T. Hall, assistant cashier of the Holt County Bank; and Colene, a graduate of Hardin College.

In June, 1916, Mr. Smith was honored by being appointed by the secretary of the State Historical Society, one of a committee of five leading citizens of Holt County to represent the vocations, industries and institutions of the county at the celebration of the Centennial of the State of Missouri, and was made chairman of that committee.

Mr. Smith was first engaged in the hardware and lumber business with Hoblitzell, Smith & Jesse. Afterward he bought the interests of his partners and ran the hardware store for several years. Then he went into the banking business with Zook & Thomas. In 1887 he became connected with the Holt County Bank as cashier, and became president in 1900.

In addition to his other activities Mr. Smith is chairman of Squaw Creek Drainage District No. 1, which was organized in 1900, when bonds amounting to $80,000 were issued.

Dr. Frank E. Hogan

Dr. Frank E. Hogan has been practicing medicine in Bigelow since 1903. He was born in Farley, la., November 24, 1876, where he was educated. He studied medicine four years in the Central Medical College, St. Joseph, graduating in 1903. He located in Bigelow at once and has been very successful in his efforts in behalf of those who suffer from human ills. He is considered one of the leading physicians of the county. He is a member of the county, state, national and American Medical associations. He is Burlington surgeon at Bigelow. He built his present fine office and residence in 1907.

Dr. Hogan is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Hogan, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively. He was married in 1906 to Mina Jones.

He is a member of Masons, Eastern Star, Woodmen of the World and Yeomen lodges, being local physician for the last two named. He has also served on the school board and town council.

Dan Noll

Dan Noll, a merchant, came to Mound City in 1874, and while yet a young man, has witnessed the changes that have made the town one of the best in all Northwest Missouri. The Villisca branch of the Burlington railway had not been built through when he came to Mound City at the age of three years, and there were but a few stores in the place, among them being those of William Hamsher, grocer; R. C. Glenn, furniture and drugs; J. V. Hinsman, drugs; Smith & Andes, general merchandise; "Grandpa" Dean, restaurant; Ed. Muxlow, hotel; William King, postmaster; John Hart, 10 cent peanut stand; John Gibson, blacksmith; Steve Graves, blacksmith; Dr. Meek and Dr. Tracy.

Dan Noll was born in Freeport, 111., January 13, 1870. When one year old the family moved to Pennsylvania, where they lived until 1874, when they took up their residence in Mound City, where Dan has since resided. He attended the Mound City schools for twelve years, his teachers being Mrs. Bacon and Prof. Drake, the latter one of Holt County's early educators who died in the winter of 1915. His early scholars were chosen pall bearers at the funeral, among them being Mr. Noll of this sketch. After his school days Dan clerked for E. D. Shellenberger seven years and the same number of years for other merchants of the city, since when he has been in business for himself, first running a restaurant in the store room formerly occupied by J. G. Melvin. Later he engaged in the general merchandise business and still later again conducted a restaurant where Claud Clark is now located. He formerly owned the eighty-acre farm west of Mound City which he sold to Dr. C. N. Smith.

Dan is the son of Jacob Noll, who was born in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, June 19, 1843, and Sarah Ann (Wenzel) Noll, who was also born in that state on June 19, 1849. They were married in their native state and were tavern keepers in the early days there. They came to Mound City in 1874, where they now make their home. They have four children: Dan of this sketch, Jacob S., Elmer and Blanch Spargur.

Dan Noll was married at Beatrice, Neb., July 3, 1891, to Miss Cora A. Bennett, who was born in Benton Township, Holt County, and is the daughter of M. J. Bennett, deceased, and Anna Andes Bennett. Mr. and Mrs. Noll are the parents of four children: Ruby, wife of W. H. Herwig, of Chillicothe, Mo.; Iva M., wife of G. S. Randall, of Kansas City; Wenzel, a high school student, and Mamie, at home, also a high school student.

Mr. Noll has been a member of the Woodmen of the World since 1894, being a charter member of Mound City Camp No. 21. He is also a member of Holt Lodge, No. 341, I. O. O. F., and has held all the chairs in both these lodges. He also holds membership in the Ridgeley Protective Association of Worcester, Mass. Mr. Noll served on the board of aldermen from the North ward for four years, and for four years was a member of the Missouri National Guard, Company B, Fourth Regiment.

Charles J. Bunker

Charles J. Bunker is the junior member of the Fitts-Bunker Mercantile Company, the only exclusive dry goods and furnishings store in Oregon. It is located on the north side of the square in the Kneale building and is one of the successful, progressive business concerns of the town.

Mr. Bunker has lived in Oregon all his life, with the exception of the years 1889 to 1893, when he lived in St. Joseph and had charge of the cigar department of the old Steele & Walker wholesale house. Returning to Oregon in 1893 he entered the employ of J. C. Fitts in the dry goods store of which that gentleman was proprietor. In 1904 he formed a partnership with Mr. Fitts and the business was incorporated. Mr. Fitts then went to Kansas City, where he is president of the Maxwell-McClure- Fitts Dry Goods Company, one of the important wholesale houses of that metropolis.

Mr. Bunker is the son of William P. Bunker, who came to Holt County from Uniontown, Pa., by boat on the Ohio and Missouri rivers, landing at Forest City in the early '60's. His wife was Elizabeth Collins, a native of Muncie, Ind. He was a wagon maker by trade and was in that business in Oregon for a number of years. He was also a clerk for W. H. Sterrett, one of the early merchants of the town, over whose store the first session of the courts were held in Oregon. Mr. Bunker died in 1872. He was the father of four children: Mrs. Lena Christy, who died in 1902; Charles J., Carey E. and Stella, who died in infancy.

William H. Alkire, collector of Holt County, was born in Minton Township, December 28, 1878. He is the son of Will J. Alkire, a native of St. Charles County, Missouri, who came to Holt County in 1854. His wife was Martha J. Boyd, a native of Salem, Nebr. Mr. and Mrs. Alkire still live on the farm on which they first located. William is one of a family of five children, all of whom were born in the county and still live within its confines.

William H. Alkire attended the common schools of the county and finished his education in the Stanberry Normal School. He was graduated from that institution in 1897. He then taught school for eight or nine years after which he engaged in the mercantile business in Forest City, where he remained until his election to the office of county collector in 1914, a four-year office and is serving the people acceptably as a public servant.

He was married to Miss Cora M. Van Camp, March 17, 1901. Two children have been born to them: Garry Van and Inez I. Fraternally Mr. Alkire is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, W. O. W. and Eastern Star lodges.

Roy C. Kunkel

Roy C. Kunkel, one of the active business men of Oregon, was born November 6, 1876, on the farm one mile east of Oregon which his grandfather, Daniel Kunkel, Sr., settled in 1847. When about twelve years old he moved with his parents to Oregon, and was educated in the public schools. He graduated from the high school in 1896. He moved to St. Joseph in the fall of 1896 and for several years held an important position in the car service department o;f the Burlington railroad. In 1902 he moved back to Oregon and formed a partnership with Robert G. Ruley, the firm name being Ruley & Kunkel. They are in the lumber, coal and paint business and have one of the largest and best appointed lumber yards in the county.

He is the son of Daniel Kunkel, who came to Holt County with his father Daniel Kunkel, Sr., in 1847, as before stated. The family figured prominently in the early history of the county and did much to develop the latent resources of the county.

The subject of these paragraphs wTas married Aug. 8, 1897, to Miss Flora Zachman. She is a native of Holt County, having been born four miles northeast of Oregon, and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Zachman. To this union has been born one son, Kenneth Leroy, who was born October 14, 1901, and died December 25, 1916.

Mr. Kunkel is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge and the Evangelical church. He has been superintendent of the Sunday school of that denomination for the past twelve years. He is also a member of the city council and has assisted in many ways in the development and advancement of the town in which he lives.

Andrew O. Dankers

Andrew O. Dankers, recorder of deeds of Holt County, was born in Lincoln Township, February 28, 1865. He has lived in Holt County uninterruptedly since his birth. He was educated in the schools of the county and the Gem City Business College in 1885 and 1886. During the latter year he started into the mercantile business in Corning, and continued to sell merchandise there for twenty-nine years. In the fall of 1914 Mr. Dankers was elected county recorder for a term of four years.

Dankers, one of the leading residents of Lincoln Township and one of its earliest settlers. The senior Mr. Dankers was born in Germany May 20, 1835. He came with his parents to the United States when but six years old. They came first to New Orleans, from whence the family traveled by steamboat up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Weston, in Platte County, where they bought an old wagon, a yoke of oxen, four cows and started for Holt County, which they reached in August, 1841, and where John H. Roselius, also from Germany, had preceded them the previous spring and settled in Lincoln Township, near the Missouri River, which was then a tract of waste, unbroken bottom land. Indians were the only inhabitants and they shared the solitude with the gild game which was found everywhere in abundance. The old home was in section 36. Mr. Dankers became one of Holt County's best and most extensive farmers and acquired several thousand acres of land. On January 20, 1863, he married Elizabeth Gunkel, who was born in Germany and came to the United States when a child. They had six children : Melinda, Andrew Irvin, Rebecca Anna, Frederick, Charlie and Ella.

Was married to Miss Anna Berry July 19, 1893. Miss Berry was born in Holt County and has lived here from childhood. They have five children: S. Owen, Henry A., Genus, Valera and Margery. Mr. Dankers is a member of the Woodmen of the World lodge.

Morton R. Martin

Morton R. Martin is a native born Oregon boy. He was born in that city November 21, 1878, and has since lived there, with the exception of the time he spent in school elsewhere. His early education was in the schools of Oregon. He graduated from the high school in the class of 1897. He then attended the Missouri University, 1897-1898.

At that time the City of Oregon was building its waterworks and electric light system. Mr. Martin was employed as superintendent and electrician. He finished the construction of the plant and was, until 1917, in active management of the property.

He is a stockholder in and secretary and manager of the Oregon & Forest City Telephone Company, known as the "Home phone." He is also secretary and manager of the St. Joseph Transmission Company, a company recently organized for the purpose of building high tension transmission lines for the distribution of electric current for light and power purposes in northwest Missouri. This company is capitalized for $60,000.

tin, both born in Indiana and for many years residents of Oregon. He was married January 21, 1902, to Miss Elsa Bennett, who was born in Oregon and the daughter of Mrs. D. E. Bennett, who was a native of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have two children : Bennett, age twelve years and Daniel R., age six years. Mr. Martin is an Odd Fellow, a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner.

John W. Rogers

John W. Rogers is the man who, with his big steam dredge, dug the seven-mile drainage ditch through the valley lands south and west of Mound City in 1904 and 1905, for which the district, comprising about 30,000 acres was bonded in the sum of $80,000. This was known as Squaw Creek Drainage District No. 1. He also dug the Mill Creek Drainage Ditch at Forest City, the Big Tarkio ditch at Corning and enlarged and straightened ten miles of the lower end of Wolf River in Doniphan County, Kansas.

He is known as one of the best and most thorough drainage contractors in the state, and has followed that occupation for the past twenty-three years. He has resided in Mound City since 1903, where he has permanently located and where he has many warm friends. Mr. Rogers was born in Manito, 111., May 19, 1861. He lived on a farm until twenty-one years old. After clerking in a store for several years he took up the\work of dredging and levy building and the building of drainage ditches. He has followed this occupation continuously since. Among the big contracts to his credit are several in Louisiana, where he was engaged for nine years.

Ida M. Johns, the daughter of Samuel and Emily E. Johns. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have one son, Dr. Charles E. Rogers, an osteopathic physician at Idaho Falls, Idaho. Mrs. John W. Rogers is a graduate of the American School of Dsteopathy at Kirksville, Mo., and has practiced her profession in Mound City successfully since June, 1910.

Mr. Rogers is a member of the blue lodge of Masons at Manito, 111.; the chapter of Masonry at Pekin, 111.; the commandery at Havana, 111., and the Shrine at St. Joseph. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen ol America at Mound City.

Charles E. Munn

Charles E. Munn is proprietor of the Delpheus theater at Mound City. He has also served in the capacity of city clerk and superintendent of the city water system. He, with W. F.

Mr. Munn was born in Grundy County, Missouri, September 13, 1870. He lived on his father's farm there until sixteen years old when the family moved to Trenton, Mo., where young Munn grew to manhood and was educated. After graduating from the Trenton High School he took a course in the business college at Cameron. At the age of nineteen he went to northwestern Kansas and was a cowboy on the Round Top A ranch of the Northwestern Cattle Company. In 1893 he was in the grand rush incident to the opening of the Cherokee Strip. He then went to Waukomis, Okla., and engaged in the grocery business. He was on the plains in Kansas and Oklahoma for three years and had experiences in frontier life that were thrilling and educational.

From Oklahoma he went to Leon, Iowa, and engaged in the lumber business, from 1895 to 1901. Then he moved to Mound City and took charge of the Hubacher Lumber Yard, where he remained until 1908, when he went to Oregon and formed a partnership with W. F. Bragg to engage in the hardware business. This he sold and returned to Mound City in the fall of 1913. He is the son of John H. Munn, a native of Scioto County, Ohio, who traces his lineage back to the Revolutionary heroes of 1776.

Charles E. Munn was married in Oregon, November 28, 1907, to Lucy B. Bragg, a daughter of Thomas and Emma Bragg. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias lodges.

Mr. Munn was a charter member of the militia company organized in Mound City in 1904 and served as first sergeant until the company, which was known as G Company, was disbanded in 1907. When L Company was organized in Mound City in 1916 he was made first lieutenant and served with the company during the time it was stationed on the Mexican border in the fall of that year.

J. Powell Hines

J. Powell Hines, who lives on his farm of eighty acres in Liberty Township, was born in Monroe County, West Virginia, where he lived until 1885. He came to Holt County that year settling first at Craig. He worked on farms in the vicinity in which he lives for several years. He and his brother, George Hines, rented a farm from Arch Sharp, and farmed if two years. He then rented a farm now owned by Simon Norman for one year. Then he was married and moved to the farm now owned by Ed Browning. Afterward he moved to the Robert Russell farm where he lived eight years. Then he moved with his father-in-law, Peter Dearmont and they farmed together twelve years. His next move was to the farm he now occupies, which he bought from John Walker, and which he has greatly improved. His wife also owns the southwest forty of the old Dearmont place.

Mr. Hines was born April 22, 1861. He grew up on his father's farm where he remained until he was twenty-one years old. He is the son of Joseph P. and Lucy Alderson Hines, who came from old Virginia families. The subject of this sketch was married at the Dearmont home in Liberty Township in February, 1891, to Miss Lucy Dearmont, who was born in Clark County, Virginia, and came with her parents when five years old to Holt County. She is the daughter of Peter and Mary Bell Dearmont. Mr. and Mrs. Hines are the parents of two children: The eldest, Lucy, died at the age of fifteen months. Bertha Bell is now nineteen years old. Mr. Hines is a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge at Mound City. He is a Baptist and his wife and daughter are Presbyterians.

Captain Chauncey H. Graves

Captain Chauncey H. Graves is city collector of Mound City and one of the old time blacksmiths of that place. He was born in Jacksonville, 111., June 9, 1845. Soon after his birth the family moved to Georgetown, Ky., where they lived four or five years, then returning to Illinois, where he grew up and learned the blacksmith trade.

He enlisted in May, 1862, in Company A, 68th Illinois Infantry, with which company he served until mustered out at Camp Butler. He re-enlisted in Company K, 154th Illinois Infantry and was promoted to second and then to first lieutenant and later received all but three votes in the company for captain, but this honor he refused because of the lack of arms in the company. He served until September 18, 1865, and was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn.

The war over he returned to Illinois and in January, 1869, moved to St. Joseph. In March the same year he moved to Mound City. Later he lived a few years in Bigelow. He returned to Mound City in 1881 and began blacksmithing on his own account. He retired from business in 1909 and is now serving his fourth term as city collector. He organized in Mound

City at different times two companies of the State Militia, and was captain of both companies. He was elected major and later lieutenant-colonel of the Fourth Missouri N. G. M.

Captain Graves was married January 11, 1872, to Martha A. Bridgeman of Holt County. They have two children: Fred A. Graves of Portland, Oregon, and Mrs. Agnes Faust of Lincoln, Nebr. He was a member of the city council when the waterworks and other improvements were installed in Mound City. Politically he is a Democrat.

Fred A. Edwards

Fred A. Edwards is junior member and manager of the firm of Edwards & Crawford, owners of the Maitland lumber yard. This yard was established by Hoblitzell & Pinkston, when the town of Maitland was but a few years old. Later it was bought by the T. W. Ballew Lumber Company who sold to Edwards & Crawford March 3, 1913. At the same time they bought the L. E. DeBord Lumber Company's yard and consolidated the business of the two institutions. This company now carries one of the largest stocks in the county, all under shed. They handle cement, paints and all kinds of building material.

Mr. Edwards was born at Moulton, Iowa, April 24, 1874. When a baby the family moved to Albia, Iowa, where the subject of this sketch lived until twelve years old. Then the family moved to a farm east of Centerville, Iowa, where he lived until he became of age, when he started into the lumber business. He worked for the W. B. Ballew Lumber Company one week when he was promoted to the managership of the company's yard at Lovelia, Iowa. He remained at that place two and one-half years, the last eighteen months being with the Hawkeye Lumber Company which had bought the yard at that place. He was then transferred by the Hawkeye people to Albia. He remained with that firm ten years, the later years being spent at Mt. Ayr, Iowa, as manager. He came to Maitland in March, 1913, and has since been in business here with Mr. Crawford.

Mr. Edwards was married December 24, 1903, to Miss Catherine Cobb, of Lovlia, Iowa. They have three children, Frederick, Francis and Robert. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge in Maitland and the Yeomen lodge in Mt. Ayr, and M. E. Church in Maitland. He was elected mayor of Maitland in the spring of 1917.

Richard E. Schultz

Richard E. Schultz, contractor and builder, has been a resident of Corning for the past twenty years. He was born in West Prussian Province, City of Danzig, Germany, November 19, 1862, where he learned the cabinet maker's trade and worked there until he came to the United States in 1891.

He settled first at Rock Port where he worked at carpentering five years. Then he came to Corning where he has since lived. He built his own seven-room house, and has made it modern by producing his own electricity for lighting purposes, the plant being located in his shop; in the same block. He has built nearly all of the new and modern homes in Corning, as well as some of the business buildings. His activities in his chosen vocation extended into Atchison County and he has given invariable satisfaction to his patrons.

The subject of these paragraphs is the son of Rudolph Schultz who came to the United States in 1866 and engaged in the shoe business in Rock Port. He died in 1874.

Richard Schultz was married in Germany October 18, 1885, to Annie Borchard. They have eight children: Mary, wife of Dr. George McBride, of Magna, Utah; Willie M. and Arthur E., traveling salesmen; Johanna, wife of Lew Peugh, of Magna, Utah; Paul R., who works with his father; Walter, Juanita and Francis, living at home. Mr. Schultz is a member of the Woodmen of the World, Bankers Life of Des Moines, Iowa, lodges.

Benjamin Franklin Haddan

Benjamin Franklin Haddan of Mound City is head miller for the Mound City Milling Company, owned by W. R. Hill. He was born in Madison County, Iowa, November 30, 1873. When he was eleven years old the family moved to Gage County, Nebraska, where Benjamin F. grew to the age of sixteen years and attended the schools of Wymore, Nebr. He then moved to Kansas City and Southern Missouri. In April, 1887, he moved to Mound City and resided there seventeen years, during which time he was engaged in painting and paper hanging for several years. He then took up the business of milling and in 1893 entered the flour mills of the Mounfl City Milling Company, where he was employed until 1901. He then went to Falls City, Nebr., and took charge of the mill at that place. From there he went to Hamburg, Iowa, and took charge of the Hilsizer flour mills there. His next move was to Forest City where for four years he was in charge of the flour mills in that city.

turns on the stage. He then returned to his trade and ran the White Cloud Mills. He filled similar engagements in Lincoln, Nebr., Hamburg, Iowa ,and Sweet Springs, Mo., before returning to Mound City in 1911, where he has since made his home. However, in 1913 he was in Tecumseh, Nebr., and Shambaugh, Iowa, as head miller for W. R. Hill, his present employer, who Mr. Haddan succeeded in interesting in and purchasing the Mound City mill, of which he is now a stockholder.

He was married in Mound City, September 26, 1894, to Miss Cora A. Maple, a daughter of George Maple. They have two children living, Bjomie Juanita and Harry Vincent Haddan. Mr. Haddan is a member of the Masonic lodge.

Alphonso M. Tibbels

Alphonso M. Tibbels, attorney-at-law and prosecuting attorney of Holt County, has been a resident of Mound City since November, 1911. His ability as a lawyer was soon recognized, as he was made prosecuting attorney before he had been a resident of the county more than a year. He has built up a successful practice and is a man of congenial nature, a good mixer and has many friends throughout northwest Missouri.

He was born in Grant City, Mo., April 17, 1871. There he grew to manhood and gradauted from the high school. After teaching school for three years in Worth County he entered the law office of Kelso & Schooler at Grant City. After reading law for three years he was admitted to the Worth County bar. That was in the fall of 1895. Several months later he was appointed assignee for the Bank of Sheridan by the circuit court. He moved to Sheridan where his parents then resided and for two years combined the practice of his profession with the duties of assignee of the defunct bank. He practiced in Sheridan and Parnell until he moved to Mound City in November, 1911.

Mr. Tibbels is a Republican and in the fall of 1912 was elected prosecuting attorney, his opponent being Don Hunt, a native son of Holt County. He was re-elected in 1914, without opposition. Again in 1916 the voters honored him with a reelection, establishing a precedent for the third term in this office in the county.

He is the son of Thomas C. Tibbels, a native of Adams County, Ohio, a man of exceptional educational ability. A. M. Tibbels was married at Sheridan, Mo., May 22, 1895, to Miss Ethel Van Sandt. They have three children living, Averil and Sybil (twins) and Zella. One son, Ronald, was born March 22, 1899, and died May 30, 1916. Mr. Tibbels is a member of the Masonic and Eastern Star lodges.

James F. Rhodes

James F. Rhodes, who owns and lives on his farm of 155 acres on Big Lake, in Minton Township, has been living in Holt County since before the Civil war. His father, John T. Rhodes came here before the days of that terrible conflict, and located on the James Wilson farm near Fortescue. He enlisted in the army and served during the war. He is now living with his son James at the age of 85 years.

James F. Rhodes was born in Mercedes County, California, November 10, 1857. He came to the county before the war and has been a resident here ever since. He was a poor boy and had to help support his father's family. He began work on a farm at forty cents a day. He was frugal and thrifty and by careful saving he accumulated enough to buy fifteen acres of land, which is part of his present farm, borrowing part of the money with which to make the purchase.

He prospered from that time and at one time owned several hundred acres. He is now the possessor of 259 acres which he has improved and made productive. Some of it was in timber when he acquired it, but he has transformed it into one of the best farms in this part of the county - and there is none better. He began with nothing and now enjoys a competence, all through his own work and management.

James was married November 5, 1882, to Melvina Clark, who was born in Benton Township, the daughter of Charlie and Lucinda Clark. They have four children living: Myrtle, wife of George Dixon, living on her father's farm ; Charles, married, living on his father's farm ; Lorie, wife of Essa Ramsey, living in Minton Township, and Lena, wife of Lawrence Missey, living on Big Lake. Mr. Rhodes is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Mound City and the Woodmen of the World at Bigelow.

George W. Poynter

George W. Poynter, cashier of the Bank of Bigelow, has been a resident of that town for fifteen years, locating there at the time the bank was organized. He has practically been the head of the institution from the first, and it is largely through his business ability, foresight and conservatism that this bank has grown to become one of the most substantial business institutions in Holt County. He is the son of William M. Poynter, a native of Hart County, Kentucky, where the family were early residents and became prominent in the affairs of that part of the state.

The senior Poynter came to Holt County in the early days and farmed southeast of Oregon for a number of years. He moved to Cass County and established the Bank of Creighton, Mo., and later founded the Citizens' Bank of Avalon, Mo. This he sold to his sons, Emery and William L. Poynter. In 1912, in company with A. W. and John L. Chuning he established the Bank of Bigelow, of which his son George, the subject of this sketch, has since been cashier.

George W. Poynter was born in Andrew County, Missouri, November 12, 1880. His parents moved to Holt County when he was about one year old. He was given a high school education in Oregon and for two years clerked in the Citizens Bank in that town. He then moved to Bigelow to engage in banking as stated. He was married to Miss Mabel Graham, in Kansas City, Mo., a daughter of Joseph H. Graham, who for many years lived in Holt County. Mrs. Poynter died April 21, 1912. A son and a daughter were born to this union : Joseph W. and Georgia F. Poynter. Mr. Poynter was married the second time to Miss Jennie McKee, of Bigelow and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. N. McKee. They have two children: Harold R., and a daughter, Lucy Lee, born April 16, 1916.

Mr. Poynter belongs to the Masonic Blue lodge at Oregon, the Royal Arch Chapter at Rock Port and the Lodge of Perfection at St. Joseph. He is secretary of the Big Tarkio Drainage District and one of the commissioners.

Judge George W. Cotton

Judge George W. Cotton is a retired farmer and one of the early settlers of Holt County, coming here before the Civil war. He is a large land owner and one of the prominent citizens in the southern part of the county. He owns 197 acres in Holt County and 630 acres in western Kansas.

Judge Cotton was born in Washington County, Kentucky, February 29, 1844. When about five years of age the family moved to Holt County, settling in Forbes Township, and, with the exception of a few years spent in Kansas, has lived in that part of the county ever since. He began farming in 1865, and, after one year, went to Kansas and farmed there. After a while he returned to Forbes Township, bought land and has since made numerous additions to his landed interests, until today he owns 767 acres. During the past twelve or fifteen years he has lived a retired life. He moved to the town of Forbes, where he owns considerable property.

Judge Cotton has been twice married. The first time in 1865 to Miss Lucinda Guinn. There were seven children, six of whom are living: Arthur J., of Forest City; Albert W., of Oregon; Mrs. Anna Quick, Mrs. Alice Jamison, Mrs. Effie Murray, of Texas; Mrs. Myrtle Curtis, of Colorado. He was married again in May, 1903, to Miss Cora Evans, who was born in Holt County.

Judge Cotton has served two terms as judge of the County Court from the southern district. He served three years in B Company, Fourth Missouri Cavalry during the Civil war.

Fountain Donan

The grandfather of Fountain Donan, deceased, was from Wales and emigrated to America, settling in Virginia. Later he moved to Kentucky. Fountain Donan was born in Hart County, Kentucky, September 1, 1830, and was the son of David C. and Elizabeth Donan. In 1850 he went to California and mined gold in the Deer Creek and Yuba River regions. He returned to Kentucky in 1852 and engaged in farming and distilling until the spring of 1856 when he came to Missouri, locating in Holt County the next fall. He was a surveyor, dealer in land, etc., until the fall of 1858 when he went to Colorado, where gold had been discovered the previous year. He was among the first to reach the gold fields and was on the site of the present city of Denver when there was nothing there - not even a single cabin.

Returning to Holt County in July, 1858, he began improving his farm in section 18, Liberty Township. Previous to the Civil war he was deputy surveyor and surveyed much of the land in Holt County. In 1861 he enlisted in the Confederate service and served under Price in the battles of Lexington and Blue Mills. In 1863 he made another trip west, going to Colorado and Montana. He returned to Holt County in 1867.

He was married September 10, 1871, to Miss Mary Ashby. He lived on his farm until the fall of 1892 when he moved to Mound City. He died there February 22, 1916, in his 86th year. Mr. Donan was an ardent Democrat in politics. Religiously he was affiliated with the M. E. Church, South.

John Donan, dealer in grain, feed and coal in Mound City, was born on his father's farm July 9, 1873. He lived on the place until his marriage when he moved to his own farm in Liberty Township. In 1910 he moved to his present home ad- joining Mound City, which is part of the old Grossbeck place. He was married February 11, 1896, to Miss Anna E. Zeigler, of Garden City, Kans. They have one son, Dwight F., born November 22, 1896.

Asa L. Schooler

Asa L. Schooler, merchant and postmaster at Corning, has been in business there for five years. He is the senior member of the firm of Schooler Bros., dealers in general merchandise. He also is senior member of the firm of Schooler Bros., of Fairfax. He came to Corning in October, 1912, and opened a new stock of goods in the old Smirl building. They did business there fourteen months when they built the brick store they now occupy. They carry a very large stock, size of town considered, their invoice totaling about $15,000.

Mr. Schooler was born near Fairfax, Atchison County, Mo., September 21, 1872. He remained on the farm with his father until his twenty-seventh birthday. Then he taught school three years after which he organized the firm of Erwin & Schooler to engage in the general merchandise business in Fairfax. In less than a year he bought Erwin's interest and five years later his brother Charles H. Schooler became interested in the store. Two years afterward Harvey H. Schooler entered the firm and the three have since done business as Schooler Brothers.

Mr. Schooler was married December 4, 1903, to Miss Zennah Harris of Mound City. They have two children, La Vetah G., and Carroll D. Schooler. He is the son of E. Heath Schooler who came to Atchison County from Virginia. Mr. Schooler is a member of the Odd Fellows and K. P. lodges. He was educated at Fairfax and Central College, Fayette, Mo.

Simon G. Kiefer

Simon G. Kiefer, one of the prosperous business men of Forbes, is proprietor of the largest general merchandise store there. He handles a large and well selected stock of dry goods, notions, groceries, shoes, etc., and has demonstrated that he has the ability to go ahead in the world. He came to Forbes twenty years ago and worked two years for Judge Pullen. He saved $12 and borrowed $35 more and went into the restaurant business. He continued in that business for six years, adding merchandise stocks from time to time. His present large business is the outgrowth of that modest beginning. He owns half a sec- tion of land in Oklahoma, which pays him well. He also owns the building in which his store is located, his residence and two warehouses in Forbes, a lot in St. Joseph and property in Delhart, Texas.

Mr. Kiefer was born in Belleville, 111., July 27, 1860. When one year old the family moved to Doniphan County, Kansas, where he lived until twenty-two years old. Then he went to Portland, Ore., where he remained a year, going from there to California and then to Washington. He worked in lumber camps and with threshing crews in these states. He first located in Forbes about twenty-four years ago. After a short while he went to St. Joseph, where he lived two years, then to Herman, Mo., where he secured work on a steamboat and also had charge of a grading outfit. He lived in Herman about two years, after which he lived six months in Doniphan County, Kansas, after which he located in Forbes permanently.

He is the son of Simon and Christine (Rothman) Kiefer, both born in Baden, Germany. He was married August 28, 1892 to Miss Adelia McAfee, a daughter of Charles McAfee, an early settler of Holt County. They have two children living: Charles F. and Mary Kiefer, both living at home. Mr. Kiefer has been a member of the Forbes school board for twelve years.

Woody Postal

Woody Postal is business manager and editor of the Mound City Journal, which paper he started, in company with W. M. Carr, September 16, 1915. Mr. Postal was born in Mound City, February 24, 1883, and was educated in the schools of the town of his nativity. He graduated from the high school in the class of 1902. In June, 1903, he began work in the Mound City Jeffersonian office, for P. S. Mooers, then its editor, where he obtained his first newspaper experience. Later he worked in the mechanical department of the Mound City News. In 1907 he went to Winona, Kan., where he ran the Logan County News. He then returned to Mound City and worked on the papers there until 1911 when he took charge of the Corder Journal at Corder, Mo. He published this paper two and one-half years, and then located at Knob Noster, Mo., where he ran The Gem for about nine months. Mr. Postal's next move was to return to Mound City where he started a job printing office which he operated until September 16, 1915, when, with Mr. Carr, he started The Journal.

The subject of this sketch is the son of George and Nancy (Lewin) Postal, natives of Ohio and Iowa, respectively. They have two children, Dolly, wife of R. W. Harrow of Chicago, and

Jonas B. Dearmont

Jonas B. Dearmont, of Mound City, is one of the leading attorneys of the town. He is also a real estate dealer, notary public and agent for the Pennsylvania and Aetna Insurance companies. He was born in Clark County, Virginia, February 25, 1861. In 1871 he moved with his parents to Holt County and settled on 240 acres in sections 11 and 14 in Liberty Township, which is still in the possession of the Dearmont family. He was educated in the country schools and the high school in Mound City.

Mr. Dearmont farmed several years on his own account and for fifteen years taught school in New Liberty, Pleasant Hill, Lonesome and Dell Center districts. During this time he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1897. Since 1902 he has been located in Mound City in the practice of his profession. He is the son of Peter and Mary E. (Bell) Dearmont, both natives of Virginia. Peter Dearmont was in the Confederate army and served under Jackson and Stewart throughout the civil strife, being engaged in many of the principal battles of the war.

J. B. Dearmont was married to Miss Mollie C. Judy, who was born in Holt County and the daughter of John H. and Hannah (Wampler) Judy. Two children have been born to them: Earl, a clerk in the Mound City postoffice and Nellie Dearmont. Mr. Dearmont has served as city clerk for about twelve years and during the past seven years has been city attorney in Mound City. Fraternally he is a member of the Yeomen and religiously he is a Presbyterian. He is an ardent and enthusiastic supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.

John Thomas Ballard

John Thomas Ballard has been a resident of Mound City, Holt County, Missouri, since March, 1882. He was in the mercantile business for some years, and later was a bridge contractor and builder, and then engaged in farming. He was born in Andrew County, Missouri, near Savannah, December 30, 1850. He attended the public schools of the community in which he was reared and engaged in farimng until 1881. He then engaged in the grain business and the following year moved to Mound City where he has since resided. He was an active business man for many years but not very successful. He owns a small farm near Mound City, from which he manages to make a living by being very economical. He was engaged in the grain

He still lives in the same house that he moved into thirtythree years ago. He is an ardent Democrat, so ardent in fact that when mail comes to Mound City addressed to the hottest Democrat in town it is invariably placed in Mr. Ballard's mail box.

He is the son of Elijah W. Ballard, who was born in Virginia in 1810. His father died near Savannah, Mo., in April, 1863. His mother, Sarah Earls, was born in Boone County, Kentucky, and died near Savannah, Mo., on January 4, 1851. J. T. Ballard was married near Savannah, September 18, 1870, to Miss Margaret A. Duncan, who was born in Andrew County, Missouri, October 27, 1851, and a daughter of Samuel and Jane Duncan, natives of Illinois and Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Ballard have four children: Jennie F., born October 7, 1871, wife of D. C. Blevins of Saint Anthony, Idaho; Elijah H., born May 2, 1874, died April 22, 1911; John Thomas, Jr., born April 14, 1880, died October 24, 1904, and Charles R., born June 18, 1883, died March 11, 1899. Mr. Ballard is a member of the Woodmen of the World and has served a term or two as a member of the town board.

Lafe Dawson

Lafe Dawson, postmaster at Maitland, has been a resident of Clay Township, Holt County, for forty years. He is the son of Jacob Dawson, a native of Hocking County, Ohio, who moved to Stark County, Illinois, when a boy and came to Holt County in 1876. He bought a farm, the northeast quarter of section 19, Clay Township, where he resided for thirty-three years. He died July 13, 1909, at the age of 77 years.

Lafe Dawson was born near Princeville, Peoria County, Illinois, June 1, 1859. He came to Holt County with his parents an dlived on a farm until 1886, when he moved to Maitland. He worked as a clerk for Nute & French, hardware merchants, for about five years. Then he associated himself with the Broad Gauge store. He remained there nearly five years, after which he worked for Charles Graves several years. In 1905 he entered the Farmers' Bank, where he held the position of assistant bookkeeper until December 1, 1913. He was appointed postmaster at Maitland by President Wilson and took charge of the office April 14, 1914.

Mr. Dawson was married March 4, 1886, to Miss Mollie E. Kelly, a native of Baltiomre, Md. They have no children. He is a member of the Masonic Blue lodge, the United Workmen and Fraternal Aid lodges. While he has always been a Democrat he has never been really active in politics. His activities in this direction previous to his appointment as postmaster being confined to membership in the town council.

Dr. J. G. Walker

Dr. J. G. Walker has been practicing medicine in Forbes for twenty years. He was born in Bolton, Langshire, England, September 12, 1857. When four years old his parents moved to Pawtuckett, R. I., where he grew to manhood. After his preliminary education he attended Dartmouth college, New Hampshire, taking a four-year collegiate course. Then he went to London and took a polyclinic course of three years. During the following two years he practiced in Pawtuckett. In 1885 he came to Forbes and has since practiced medicine there, with the exception of four years he spent at Russell, where he was minister of the Congregational church. He then gave up the ministry for the reason, as he expressed it that "It is more satisfactory to cure the body than to endeavor to cure the soul."

The doctor is the son of William and Sarah Ellen (Greenhalgh) Walker, both natives of England. He was married October 7, 1882, to Miss Mary E. Hedrick, who was born in Doniphan County, Kansas, a daughter of William Hedrick. They have one son and an adopted son: Ernest of Portland, Ore., and the adopted son, Charles Walker, who is farming near Forbes.

He is a member of the Masonic order and is justice of the peace for Forbes Township. He has the title of Ph. G., received from Corpus Christus College, of Oxford, England. His father was a graduate of chemistry from the Harwick school of England and for forty years had charge of the Sayles bleachery at Pawtucket, R. I. Dr. Walker is a strong Republican.

James A. Williams

James A. Williams, cashier of the Bank of Forbes, has been a resident of Holt County since 1880. He was born in Burton, Ohio, June 22, 1873. In 1880, when he was seven years old, the family came to Holt County and settled on a farm in Clay Township, near Maitland. Young Williams grew up on his father's farm and was educated in the schools in the community in which he lived. In 1898 he enlisted in B Company, Fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry; and served about a year, being stationed most of the time at Camp Alger, Va. At the close of

In 1902 Mr. Williams was elected sheriff of Holt County and served four years. Just before the end of his term he, with W. H. Richards, organized the Bank of Forbes and moved to that place. He superintended the construction of the bank building and has since been the cashier. He is the son of Dresden A. Williams, a native of Burton, Ohio.

James A. Williams was married October 15, 1901, to Miss Myrtle Kennedy, a daughter of David Kennedy, one of the men who made the town of Maitland. They have one son, Kenneth Williams, born in Oregon, Mo., June 1, 1905.

Mr. Williams is a member of the Masonic blue lodge at Oregon and Moila Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at St. Joseph. He is president of the Board of Education in Forbes and a notary public. He is a Republican in politics and has been honored by his party on several occasions. He built a splendid residence in Forbes in 1914.

George Holtom

George Holtom of Mound City, one of the early settlers of Holt County, is among the well known citizens, and loved by a host of friends for his honorable life. He has been a resident of Holt County since 1871. He was born in Akely, Buckenhamshire, England, March 14, 1834. He worked as a farm hand until he came to the United States at the age of 22 years. He landed in New York May 1, 1856. He worked on a farm in New York state a short time and then went to Greenlake County, Wisconsin, where he was employed on a farm fifteen months, after which he went to Linn County, Kansas, where he filed on a claim. He sold it during the great drouth of 1860 before proving up on it. There he married in 1859 Miss Susana Weaver, who died three months later. He then left Kansas and after wintering in Northwest Missouri, went to Hancock County, Illinois, where he worked a rented farm for a year and a half. Later he bought a tract of land in that county and remained there until September, 1871, when he moved to Holt County, and settled on a farm in Liberty Township. It was a quarter section and he soon developed it into one of the best farms in the countryside. He raised hogs and cattle on a large scale and prospered. He bought two other quarter sections. He also bought large tracts of land in Pawnee, Gove, Ness and Trego counties, Kansas. Most of his real estate has been given to his children.

While yet on the farm, in 1890, he ran on the Democratic ticket for presiding judge of the county court. His popularity is evidenced by the fact that he was elected by a large majority

In 1902 Judge Holtom moved to Mound City, where he has since resided. He is president of the Holt County Independent Telephone Company. He is also a stockholder in the Bank of Mound City and for a number of years was one of the directors. He was one of ten charter stockholders in the Mound City Light Company and was a director and officer in that company for a number of years.

Judge Holtom was married the second time in Hancock County, Illinois, in July, 1863, to Miss Anna Twidle, a native of England, who came to the United States in 1853. Eight children have been born to them, four dying in infancy: Mary Ann, died in Holt County at the age of nine years; Mary F., wife of John B. McJunkin, living on the old Holtom farm in Liberty Township; George A., of Republic County, Kansas, and William, who died in Ness County, Kansas, January 31, 1905.

Judge Holtom is a member of the Episcopal Church and helped to build several churches in Liberty Township, his home before moving to Mound City.

James T. Dearmont

James T. Dearmont, postmaster of Mound City, has been a resident of Holt County since 1871, and of Mound City for the past thirty years. He has been identified with the business and public affairs of the town he loves for many years and is one of its prominent citizens.

He was born in Cook County, Virginia, November 19, 1844. He was a farmer in Virginia and in 1871 came to Holt County and located on a farm in Liberty Township, where he resided until he moved to Mound City in 1886. He first engaged in the grain and fuel business, which he followed until 1913. He was then elected mayor of Mound City and gave that office his attention until his appointment as postmaster, January 22, 1915, by President Wilson.

Mr. Dearmont is the son of Michael and Lucy Dearmont, natives of Virginia, where they died a few years ago. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of the family and the only member now living. He was married in October, 1907, to Miss Mollie Reeves Ingersoll, a native of Illinois.

Mr. Dearmont has been a member of the city council of Mound City fourteen years and has given much of his time and effort to assist in the progress and advancement of the town. He is one of those public spirited citizens of which no communitly has a surplus. Fraternally he holds membership in the Odd Fellows and Woodmen of the World lodges.

Henry C. Bade

Henry C. Bade, proprietor of the Corning Creamery, came to Holt County in 1877, and has since been a resident of the county. He was born in Hanover, Germany, December 30, 1860, and came, to the United States in 1866. He located in Atchison County, Missouri, where his parents first settled. He worked on farms around Corning until 1890, when he began farming for himself on hjs farm west of Corning, which he sold seven years ago and located in Corning. He engaged at once in the creamery business and has been very successful in this undertaking. He owns his home in Corning which he bought about twelve years ago.

The subject of these paragraphs is the son of John and Catherine (Lauhrs) Bade, who came to the United States in 1866. They landed in New York and at once took the train for St. Joseph. From there they traveled by boat to Hemme's Landing in Holt County. They then journeyed to Atchison County where they bought land and lived until their deaths a few years ago.

Henry C. Bade takes a commendable interest in the public affairs of the town in which he makes his home. He has served two terms on the town council and has held other positions of public trust. He also owns and manages a cream station at Craig, which he gives his personal attention.

Mr. Bade was married November 5, 1893, to Miss Emily Smith, who was born in Nebraska and is the daughter of John W. and Patience Smith. They have one daughter, Vinta Leona, wife of Irwin Bruce, a farmer two miles east of Corning. Mr. Bade is a member of the German Lutheran Church.