Johnson County, Missouri - - Biographical, 1918 (part 8 of 19)

To Elijah W. and Belle (Carter) Young were born seven children: George Vest, corporal of Company G, Tenth Infantry Regiment, National Army, U. S. A., who was in military training, in 1917. at Camp Benjamin Harrison. Indianapolis, Indiana; Elijah R., who married Jessie Graham, the daughter of J. R. Graham, and to them has been born a daughter. Evelyn, and they reside on the home place where Elijah R. has charge of the farm work; James C. of Company I, Forty-fifth Infantry Regiment, who was in military training at Camp Benjamin Harrisonfi Indianapolis, Indiana: Ruth, the wife of Elba Newton, residing on the J. E. Newton farm in Hazel Hill township: Kate L.. a student in the Fayetteville High School, at home with her mother: Maggie M.. a student in the Fayetteville High School, at home with her mother; and Nell E., at home. Mrs. Young is an ideal mother, an intelligent, cultured, refined lady, who may well be justly proud of her fine family of boys and girls.

Mr. Young was married three times. While a resident of Illinois he married Pauline Robinson in 1858. She died June 25, 1878, leaving three children: Herbert C, ranchman near Perkins, Oklahoma; Hattie, wife of William Farner, Rialto, California; Mrs. Pauline Holland, Smoky Butte, Montana. In December, 1880, he married Margaret Pollock, who died December, 1885, leaving one son: Cleo O., Rialto, California, an inventor and plumber.

Noah Beard, a successful agriculturist and well-known merchant of Johnson county, is one of Simpson township's most enterprising and valued citizens. Mr. Beard is a representative of a highly respected pioneer family of Fayette county, Kentucky. He was born July 20, 1860 on his father's plantation twenty-seven miles north of Lexington, son of Andrew and Mary (Hughes) Beard, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The Beard and Hughes families were originally from Virginia and of English and German descent. Andrew Beard, father of Noah, is still living and is now in his eighty-fifth year.

In 1892, Noah Beard left Kentucky and came to Missouri, locating at Warsaw in Benton county, whence he moved to his present country home in Simpson township two years later, in the spring of 1894. At that time, he purchased seventy acres of land for about twenty-five dollars an acre and since then he has increased his holdings by purchasing one hundred sixty acres of land adjoining his original purchase and for this tract paid fifty-three hundred dollars. He has disposed of a part of his farm and now owns one hundred fifty acres of choice land, well located and improved, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. In connection with his farm duties and in addition to his work in stock raising, Mr. Beard finds time to conduct a general mercantile establishment in Simpson township.

September 23, 1883, Noah Beard and Sarah F. Hale, a native of Kentucky, were united in marriage and to this union have Iieen born ten children: Ira, who died July 31. 1915; Alonzo, who is now married and resides in the northern part of Johnson county, Missouri ; Fred, wlio is now married, and resides on a farm in Simjison townsliip: Ethel, who was accidentally killed in childhood when she was six years of age; Virgie. who is married and now resides at Denver. Colorado: Ezra, who is married and resides in the northern part of Johnson

Mr. Beard has always taken a commendable interest in all wortiiy enterprises and in the upbuilding and improvement of the community. He is a firm supporter of the principles upheld by the Democratic party and a "booster" for good roads. In business, Mr. Beard is careful and methodical, a man of discriminating judgment, and all his dealings are characterized by his own high sense of honesty and justice. He and Mrs. Beard are among tlie best and most favorably known citizens of Johnson county.

J. T. Hume, a prosperous and inlluentiai farmer and stockman of Jefferson township, is a native of Virginia. He was born in 1850. son of John W. and Margaret (Fisher) Hume. The father of John W. Hume was a native of Scotland.

In 1877, J. T. Hume moved from Virginia, where he was reared and educated, to Shelbina, Missouri. After remaining there several years, he returned to his old home in Virginia, where he resided nearly three years, when he moved to Kansas in 1885. For four years, he lived in that state and then moved to Logan county. Oklahoma, where he homesteaded one hundred sixty acres of land. Mr. Hume later traded this farm in Oklahoma for one hundred twenty acres of land in Johnson county, Missouri, to which place lie moved in 1897. Since that time he has remained in this county and constantly increased his holdings until he is now the owner of three hundred forty acres of land, located in the best farming district of the state. Two hundred acres of the Hume place are in grass land and pasture. Mr. Hume is of the belief, held by the best informed agriculturists, that to turn the land back to grazing land and by the rotation of crops the soil will be restored to its original fertility and thus be conserved.

In 1884, J. T. Hume and Maggie Combs were united in marriage. Maggie (Combs') Hume is the daughter of Robert and Mary Combs, who came from Kentucky to Missouri in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Hume are the parents of four children: Mrs. Mary L. Phoenix, Grand Junction. Colorado; Roy Lewis, Knob Notser, Missouri; Harry T. Knob Noster. Missouri; and Otis L., Knob Noster, Missouri.

Mr. Hume is quietly residing on his farm in Jefferson township (his sons having the active supervision of the farm work. He is a man of pleasant, genial, kindly manners, one who has a wide circle of friends in

Johnson county. Both he and Mrs. Hume are widely known and respected and they are numbered among the county's best and most substantial families.

Henry May, one of Johnson county's most successful farmers and stockmen, is the representative of a prominent pioneer family of Pettis county, Missouri. He was born in 1865 in Pettis county, son of George and Susan May, who in a very early day came from Kentucky to Missouri and settled on the farm, where George May is now residing.

The education of Henry May was obtained in the public schools of Pettis county. The schoolhouse was built of logs and the children followed a trail across the prairie to reach it. The trail was made by dragging a log across the tall grass, using a yoke of oxen to do so. The benches inside were made of a puncheon, as was also the floor, and on one side of the room was a puncheon shelf upon which the older boys and girls could write. Educational opportunities were necessarily limited in so new a country fifty years ago and in the pioneer homes there was always much work to be done, so that it was impossible for the larger boys to attend school when the school was in session, which was only for a few months each year. Early in life, Henry May began working for himself on the farm.

In 1894, Henry May and Annie E. Balke were united in marriage. Annie E (Balke) May is the daughter of John Balke, a well-known farmer residing in Henry county, Missouri. To Henry and Annie E. May have been born two children: Mary and Elvis. Mary, born April 22, 1896, is the wife of Charles Neal Cooper, a son of Charles Cooper, of Jefiferson township. Elvis May was born October 25, 1901.

In 1899, Mr. and Mrs. May came to Johnson county, where Mr. May purchased two hundred forty acres of land in Jefferson township. Mr. May devotes most of his attention to stock raising and most of his farm is now in grass land, having nearly two hundred acres in meadow. He handles Shorthorn cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs, having at the time of this writing about thirty head of hogs. The May place is well watered and improved. An overflow spring, of twenty feet depth, is located on this farm, furnishing plenty of fine, clear water for the stock. One very pleasing feature of the May stock farm is the splendid orchard, consisting of one hundred bearing apple trees, the quality of the fruit being exceptionally good.

this section of the state and he recalls the open condition of the country in the days of his boyhood. Pasture land was unlimited and wild game was to be found in abundance. \\ hen a lad. he frequently participated in deer chases, hunted wild turkeys, and killed prairie chickens. Wages were not to be compared with those paid at the present time, but a young man then was glad to be paid in cash, and Mr. May many times split rails for twenty-five cents a hundred. He was an ambitious youth, industrious and willing to do any work obtainable. He has succeeded remarkably well in life and no man in Johnson cduntv is more deserving of success than Henry Ma}-.

John Lemley, an honored and brave pioneer of Johnson countv. ^Missouri, is one of the prosperous and progressive farmers and stockmen in Washington township, wdio now resides in Knob Noster. He was born in 1836 in Greene county. Pennsylvania, son of Jacob and Catherine (Morris) Lemley. The Lemley family was a very prominent and influential family in Pensylvania, being one of the leading colonial families. Several members of the family were professional men, while others were engaged in the pursuits of agriculture in that state.

John Lemley was united in marriage with .Anna R. Elder, the daughter of Michael Elder, a native of Maryland, in the state of \'irginia. To John and Anna R. ( Elder) Lendey have been born eleven children, six of whom are now living: B. J.. John \\'.. James M.. Finis, Ralph, and Mrs. Stella Berry. Erom \'irginia. Mr. and Mrs. T^emley moved to Tennessee, where Mr. Lemley was employed as overseer in railroad construction work, assisting in the construction of the mammoth tunnel in that state on the Southern Central railway, .\fter the Civil War, in 1865, they moved from Tennessee to \'irginia and thence to Missouri ^nd settled in Johnson county, on a farm of one hundred twenty acres in Washington township, which Mr. Lemley purchased for twenty dollars an acre, land now valued, at the hnvest figure, at one hundred dollars an acre.

The Civil \\'ar had left the county in a dreary state of desolation. Cabins had been burned and nearly all the fences destroyed, so that settlers in the country had to begin life anew. Much of the land was virgin sod and Mr. Lemley and John Shepherd each purchased two yoke of oxen, which they exchanged, to be used in breaking sod. Mr. Lemley soon found the oxen too slow for him and began using mules and horses. He tells an amusing story of how h elearned to cultivate sod ground. He did it in his own way. much to the amusement of the neighbors, and arousing great ridicule, but he never failed to secure results. The first home of the Lemleys in Johnson county was a very primitive log cabin, having but one room and a "lean-to" and not one windov^^ Mrs. Lemley became very homesick and cried to go back home to Virginia. The neighbors comforted and encouraged them and when a few windows were added to the rude, unfinished cabin, Mrs. Lemley became more content to reamin in the new Western home. There was one advantage which the first settlers had and that was that there was always plenty of meat to be had. Wild game of all kinds could be found in abundance. Many times, John Lemley has killed as many as five prairie chickens at one shot. Li the course of time, Mr. Lemley began to prosper and become well-to-do. He became widely known as a capable, successful stockman and was the owner at one time of four hundred acres of fine farm land. He dealt largely in hogs and sheep.

In 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Lemley moved from the farm to Knob Xoster, Missouri, where Mr. Lemley purchased forty rods square of land in the city and a nice residence, which is their present home. Li addition to his home in Knob Noster, John Lemley is the owner of rental property in the city of I'Cnob Noster and one hundred acres of land south of the city. He is still actively engaged in farming and is an advocate of crop rotation, a course which he pursues on his own place. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lemley are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Lemley was a deacon for many years and has been an elder of the congregation for over forty years.

Countless times, John Lemley has attended the old-fashioned revival meetings and. at one, Reverend G. W. Matthews secured forty conversions. Other pioneer preachers, whom he recalls were: "Uncle Davy" Hogan, Reverends Jack Whitsett. Henry Houx. Two early-day teachers were: Fannie Thornton and Bettie DuiTield, who afterward went as a missionary to Japan.

Joseph W. Caldwell, who is now deceased, was for several years county assessor of Johnson county, Missouri. He was born in Kentucky in 1842, son of William and Jane Caldwell and when a child five years of age, he came to Missouri with his parents, who settled in Johnson county on a farm in Post Oak township in 1847. He was reared and educated in Johnson county and during the Civil War, Mr. Caldwell enlisted with the Confederate army. He was a faithful soldier, always alert and ready at his post, and his many pleasing personal qualities made him a favorite with his comrades and esteemed by all the officers. After the war had ended, Air. Caldwell returned to his home in Johnson county and engaged in the pursuits of agriculture, becoming a wellknown and prosperous farmer and stockman, the owner of four hundred eighty acres of the best farm land in Johnson county.

In 1872, Joseph W. Caldwell was united in marriage with Martha Ann Townsley. daughter of James and Sarah Townslcy, who were noble and brave pioneers of Missouri, coming to this count}' man\- years prior to the Civil War. To Joseph W. and Martha Ann Caldwell were born five children: Mrs. Mary F. Wall, Ouanah, Texas; G. T., Leeton, Missouri; Mrs. Sarah J. Powers. Chilhowee, Missouri; Joseph \\'., Jr., Leeton, Missouri: and James Samuel, Leeton, Missouri. Mr. Caldwell was a valued and worthy member of the Harmony Baptist church, as is also Mrs. Caldwell. Airs. Caldwell was born January 18, 1850, in Post Oak township. She has ten grandchildren. James Samuel, lives on the home place, married Anna E. Walker, of Leeton. and the\' liaxe two children : Leora Lee, and Lenora May.

Mrs. Caldwell has li\'ed in Johnson county sixty-seven years and has witnessed many changes during the past half century. In her girlhood, practically all the country was open prairie, the land covered with tall, coarse grass, o\er which trails were made b}' the settlers, driving a yoke of oxen dragging a large, heav\- log. There were no roads and where there were no trails, the ]:)eople were obliged to trace their way by their sense of direction. All stock had unlimited range and no one thought of keeping the cattle within certain bounds. The few little towns usually consisted of one store and a blacksmith's shop. There was plenty of meat to be obtained by hunting, for wild game of all kinds could be found in abundance. Supplies, which could not be secured by their own labor, the pioneers were obliged to haul from towns many miles distant. There were no free schools in Missouri before the Civil War and Mrs. Caldwell attended the old-fashioned "subscription school." which was taught by Jeff Wright antl later. b\- Mr. Lowery. The school was held in a log house, having a puncheon floor and puncheon benches. Blackl)oards and chalk were unheard of and when the older boys and girls wished to write, they wrote upon a shelf, which was placed on one side of the room, made of a split board and just high enough for them, as little children were not taught to write until after thev had learned all the words in the speller.

Spelling was the principal subject and "spelling bees" were frequently held, arousing much intense interest and excitement. People came on horseback from long distances to attend. To go to church was considered a great privilege and pleasure and the settlers would take their dinner with them and spend the day. The young people would ride on horseback or walk to church and many families came in wagons, each drawn by a yoke of oxen. The pioneer preacher was an honored member of the community and one of the earliest and most beloved was "Uncle Billy" Caldwell, father of Joseph W. Caldwell.

There was probably no happier or more contented family in Missouri than the Caldwell family, when the terrible tragedy occurred, like a bolt from a clear sky, which struck down in the strength of his matured manhood the loved father and husband. February 13, 1903, Joseph W. Caldwell accidentally shot himself and without a moment's warning the voice, ever so full of hope and cheer, was hushed in death. The message of the untimely death brought sadness and heartache to countless homes in Johnson county, for to know Joseph W. Caldwell was to love him. He was a man of winning personality, noble minded, and pure hearted, whose life was not lived in vain, for it has ever been a source of inspiration to all with whom he came in contact. Why he should have been cut down in his prime, we can not know^ "On earth the hollow arcs are found, in heaven the perfect round."

George Youngs, a prominent and successful farmer and stockman of Hazel Hill township, was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, September 28, 1852. He is the son of Edgar and Mary (Mock) Youngs and of English and German (Pennsylvania Dutch), respectively, descent. Edgar Youngs was born December 29, 1828, in New York, the son of Joseph L. Youngs, who was born March 4, 1804, a carriagemaker by trade. In 1839, the elder Mr. Youngs came to Missouri from New York with his family and followed his trade in St. Louis for several years. Joseph L. Youngs and his son, Edgar, crossed the plains with an ox-team in 1849 enroute to the goldfield of California. For some time, father and son remained in that state and conducted a small general store, while thev were engaged in mining for gold. Edgar Youngs also was employed in freighting from Auburn to Sacramento. In 1851, they started on their way homeward, coming back by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Thev traveled part of the way in a canoe. While on the vessel sailing from Panama to New Orleans, both the captain and the mate of the ship died. The meu on board were caUed upon to assist in sailing the vessel and both Edgar Youngs and his father responded to the call. Ignorant of ship management, the unqualified crew almost succeeded in wrecking themselves. They arrived home safely, however, and Edgar purchased his first tract of land in Lafayette county immediately afterward, a farm comprising two hundred sixty acres for which he paid Mr. Lemmon nine hundred dollars. Joseph L. Youngs died at Topeka, Is^ansas, on November 18, 1877. Edgar Youngs was married to Mary Mock, the daughter of David Mock, of Freedom township, Lafayette county. She was born June 19, 1829. To Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Youngs were born ten children; George, the subject of this review; \\ illiam E., born April 2, 1854, and died January 26, 1875, while a student at the State University at Columbia; Marcus, the wellknown banker of Warrensburg, of whom a biography appears elsewhere in this volume; Emma, the wife of J. W. Foster, who died March 18, 1898; Theodore, born June 29, 1860, Nye county, Nevada; Mollie, the wife of John P. Greer, of Freedom township, Lafayette county; Lydia, who was born February 9, 1864, and died September 30, 1867; Annie E., born in 1867, was united in marriage with William H. Parker on October 24, 1888, and now resides in Simpson township, Johnson county; Mattie C. l)orn March 8, 1870. and married Edgar Houston, both of wliom are now deceased; and Frances B., born January 29, 1872, no\\' tlie wife of Charles M. Purnell, of Lafayette county, Missouri. The mother's death occurred in 1907 and the fatlier died December 20, 1910.

George Youngs attended school in log houses in Lafayette and Johnson counties. He also was a student at the Franklin School in St. Louis and at McGee College in Macon county for three months. At the age of twenty-one years, Mr. Youngs started in life for himself, engaged in farming. For nearly twelve years, he resided on his father's place. He then was employed as clerk in one of tlie mercantile establishments in Higginsville for two years. In 1890. lie came to liis present farm home, where he has since resided, with the exception of the three years he spent on the home place caring for his father, after the mother's death. The residence was on the farm at the time Mr. Youngs purchased it . Twice this farm has been visited by cyclones. Once several of the farm buildings were destroyed and tlie orchard ruined. The beautiful elms and maples now growing on the place were planted by Mr. Youngs in 1892. The Youngs farm was formerly owned by Alexander Greer, a pioneer of Simpson township, and comprises one hundred eighty acres of land, six of which are the site of the new Consolidated District School Number 3, a building now in the process of erection. The greater part of the farm is devoted to pasture and grass. Mr. Youngs keeps twentyfive head of cattle and raises mules.

September 28, 1877, George Youngs and Lillie L. Greer, the daughter of Alexander and Louisa Greer, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Greer were the parents of fourteen children, all of whom were reared to maturity and with the exception of one, Mrs. Grover Youngs, all are now living. The father and mother are now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Youngs have been born three children : Walter, who married Carrie Barkhurst, of Hazel Hill township, and resides in Lafayette county; Minnie, the wife of Oscar Cobb, of Fayetteville, Missouri; and Eugenia, the wife of Samuel C. Brown, who is a skilled mechanician and well-to-do blacksmith of Robbins, where they own a pretty home. Mr. and Mrs. Youngs are again alone, as they were forty years ago. They are numbered among Johnson county's best families and are highly valued in their community. Mr. Youngs is an intelligent, keen thinker and one of the most progressive citizens of Hazel Hill township, a "booster" for good schools and roads. He has from the beginning of the project been deeply interested in the new Consolidated school building, which is being erected near his home.

D. E. Lowry, the well-to-do farmer and stockman of JefYerson township, is one of Johnson county's most highly respected and progressive citizens. He is a representative of a prominent and honored pioneer family of Cooper county, Missouri, where he was born and reared. Mr. Lowry was born April 21, 1873. the son of Jehial and Melissa Lowry, who came from Ohio in an early day and located in Cooper county. In 1882, the Lowry family moved to Pettis county and here the son. D. E., attended the district school, and was reared to inanhood.

In 1905, D. E. Lowry came to Johnson county and rented the Henry Fewel place, consisting of three hunrlred sixty acres of land, where he engaged in raising splendid corn and fine, b.igh-grade stock. After deducting his rent Mr. Lowry had a clear jirofit annually of fifteen hundred dollars. In 1906. he purchased two Imndrcd tliirtyfive acres of land in Jefiferson county, paying two thousand dollars in cash, and in five years time, iiad lic|ui(late(l the entire indebtedness of ten thousand dollars. Mr. Lowry increased his holdings in 1913 hv purchasing one hundred seventeen acres of valual)le farm land east of his home place and at the present time is entirely free from debt. liarly in life. D. E. Lowry acquired the habit of meeting his obligations, when due, and now his word is as good as gold. Life has been an upward pull for him and he has "made good." When a lad, he worked for anything from a dime to fifty cents a day, but he saved his money ami determined to make a success of his life. His first investment was in a horse, which he bought on ten months' time. When the debt came due. ]\Ir. Lowry had the money ready to pay it. He has alwavs been interested in stock and especially in fine horses and mules. In 1S9S, he bought two mares for twenty-five dollars each and from them sold one thousand dollars worth of colts, finally selling one of the mares for two and a half dollars more than she cost. He had as remarkable success with mules, purchasing a team of mares at a cost of one hundred fifty dollars each. The first four nudes bred from these mares sold for nine hundred seventy dollars. L^niform success has attended all his efiforts and he has an established reputation for raising the best cattle and hogs. Mr. Lowry attributes much of his good fortune along agricultural lines to the fact that he does not push crops, but waits until the weather is warm enough for the seetl to germinate, especially in the case of corn. He never fails to have an excellent yield. .\t the time of this writing, he has ninety acres of his farm in corn and thirty-five acres in oats. D. E. Lowry devotes most of his attention, however, to stock raising, and two hundred thirty acres of the Lowry place are in grass land for pasturing purposes. He is an ardent and enthusiastic advocate of crop rotation and stock raising for increasing the fertility of the soil. The Lowry stock farm is one of the bestwatered farms in Johnson county, being supplied with plenty of good spring water. Since coming to his farm. Mr. Lowry has added to the improvements a well-constructed and splendidly equipped barn, built of native lumber. The Lowry residence is a quaint, old fashioned home, weatherboarded with walnut lumber.

In 1894, D. E. Lowry and Drusilla Egbert were united in marriage. Mrs. Lowrv is the daughter of Dudley and Anna (Moseley) Egbert, noble pioneers of Johnson county, coming here among the very first settlers in LS42. Drusilla (Egbert) Lowry was born, reared.

educated, and married in Johnson county, Missouri. To Mr. and Mrs. Lowry have been born the following children: Clarence, Nellie, Allen, Daisy, Ida, and Emma. With the exception of the oldest son, who resides in Warrensburg, Missouri, the children are living at home with their parents.

One of the countless instances of Mr. Lowry's thriftiness occurred in the fall of 1916, when he purchased two carloads of cattle, making a handsome profit on his investment. Industrious, capable, intelligent, he richly deserves all the success that comes to him and more good fortune will come, for he was apparently born under a lucky star. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lowry are highly esteemed and respected in their community and the Lowry family is one that Johnson county is proud to claim.

Dr. E. Y. Pare, a prominent and efficient physician and druggist of Leeton, Missouri, is one of Johnson county's most highly \'alued and respected young citizens. He was born in 1872 near Urbana, Missouri, son of Reverend W. T. and Sarah E. (Meadors) Pare. Reverend Pare was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, a son of Judge John A. Pare, a prominent and influential farmer and one of the organizers of Hickory county, Missouri. Reverend W. T. Pare was pastor of Pierce City Methodist Episcopal church and Pacific Methodist 'Episcopal church. His life was spent in the ministry and he was widely known, and loved by all with whom he came in contact. His death occurred March 10, 1915. Dr. E. Y. Pare is the only child living of the two sons born to his parents. His brother, Robert, died in childhood.

E. Y. Pare received his literary education in Marionville College, Marionville, Missouri. He was a student at the Medical School of St. Louis University in 1895 and 1896 and graduated from the Barnes' Medical College in the class of 1898. Dr. Pare began the practice of medicine at Conway, Missouri, where he remained several years, engaged in an extensive practice. Later, he was the company physician for the American Car & Foundry Company at Sligo, Missouri, for two and a half years. In 1906, Dr. E. Y. Pare came to Leeton, Missouri, where he erected a fine brick structure, in which he now has located a splendid drug store, carrying a complete line of high grade drugs and sundries. The store building was erected in 1911. Doctor Pare, in addition to conducting the drug store, is still actively engaged in the practice of medicine, having a large and lucrative patronage. He is held in the highest respect by the different members of his profession in the county and he is a valued member of the County, the State, and the National Medical Associations. Doctor Pare is the local surgeon for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas and Rock Island Railway Companies.

In 1904, Dr. E. Y. Pare was united in marriage with Cora M. Fultz, daughter of John A. and Sarah M. Fultz. To Dr. and Mrs. Pare has been born one ciiikl. a daughter, Imogene. In addition to the drug store building. Dr. Pare is the owner of their beautiful home in Leeton, Missouri.

John J. Lee, one of Johnson county's most distinguished pioneers, is one of the founders of Leeton. Missouri. He was born December 27, 1842. in Ohio, son of John N. and Eliza ( Rittenhousc ) Lee. The Lee family moved to Ohio from \''irginia, tlience to Missouri in 1867. General Robert E. Lee, the great Southern leader in the Civil War. traced his lineage back to the same ancestors as J. J. Lee. tiie subject of this review.

When nineteen years of age. J. J. Lee enlisted in the Civil War, serving with the Union army with Company F, Ninety-seventh Oliio Infantry. At the time of the organization of the regiment, there was a total of nine hundred sixty-seven men belonging and at the close of the war there were only three hundred twenty-eight men remaining to be mustered out. Mr. Lee participated in twenty battles: Perryville, Kentucky; Stone's River, Tennessee: Missionary Ridge, Tennessee; Adairsville, Georgia; Dallas. Georgia: Newhope Church, Georgia; Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia; Peachtree Creek, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; Rockyface Ridge, Georgia; Dalton. Georgia: Resaca, Georgia: Jonesboro. Georgia; Lovejoys Station, Georgia; Springhill, Tennessee; Franklin, Tennessee; and Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Lee was in active and continuous service three years and was mustered out and honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865.

In 1867, J. J. Lee came to Johnson county. Missouri, and purchased eighty acres of land in Post Oak township and engaged in farming and stock raising. At the time of the purchase, this farm was entirely virgin sod and driving a yoke of oxen, Mr. Lee was employed for months breaking the sod. He planted forty acres of the place in wheat and raised twenty bushels of grain to the acre, which he sold for two dollars a bushel. With the proceeds from his wheat crop. Mr. Lee pur-

J. J. Lee and Bella J. Wylie, born March 9, 1842, in Lawrence county. Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph Wylie, of Pennsylvania, were united in marriage June 14, 1869. To Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been born four children : Mrs. Vinnie Meyer, Lexington, Missouri ; Charles A., Greeley, Colorado; W. H., Sedalia, Missouri: and Mrs. Stella L. Race, Denver, Colorado. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have twelve grandchildren. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lee are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Lee has been a trustee for many years. The Lee home is a handsome, modern residence, an imposing structure of eight rooms, which was built in 1905 in Leeton, according to plans and specifications drawn by Mr. Lee. The rooms are all large and airy and well lighted and there is both a front and a back stairway in the house. Everything about the home is nicely and conveniently arranged. The Lee residence is one of the beautiful homes in Johnson county. Mr. Lee has just completed a cyclone cellar, which is well constructed of concrete.

In 1895, J. J. Lee. J. Ransom Grinstead, and H. E. Fewel laid out the town of Leeton. The original plat of the present flourishing little city included eighty acres of land, but within a short time, sixty acres more were added. Mr. Lee conducted a general store for many years at Burnett Station and later, a store located one-half mile west of the above mentioned establishment. He and his sons were associated in business at this store until 1906, when they sold the place of business and Mr. Lee has made his home in Leeton ever since. In addition to his residence in Leeton, Mr. Lee is the owner of one himdred tw^enty acres of land adjacent to the city, and a cotton plantation in Oklahoma, which comprises one hundred sixty acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are highly esteemed in Johnson county and they are numbered atnong the county's best and most valuable citizens.

A. B. Harris, the efficient and highly esteemed postmaster of Leeton, Missouri, is a representative of a prominent and historic pioneer family of Henry county, Missouri. He was born in 1877 in Henry county, the son of J. M. and Laura Harris. J. M. Harris is the son of Aurelius B. Harris, who was born and reared in Kentucky. Aurelius B. Harris left Kentucky in early manhood and came to Missouri, where he settled in Henry county and engaged in farming, becoming one of the most influential and prosperous citizens of Missouri, in his day. In Henry county his son, J. M., the father of tlic subject of this review, was l;orn. reared, educated, and married. J. M. Harris was united in marriage witii Laura Parks, the daughter of Judge James Parks, a leading citizen of Clinton, Missouri. J. M. Harris died in 1912 and Laura (Parks) Harri> is now living in Idaho.

The early education of A. B. Harris was received in the puldic schools of Clinton, Missouri. He later completed his school work at the Clinton Academy. He was born and reared on the farm and all his life has been interested in agriculturai pur>uits. He was engaged in farming and stock raising in Henry county ])rior to his coming to |t)inison county. Mr. Harris is the owner, at the time of tliis writing, of forty acres of land in Henry countv.

In November, 1904, A. B. Harris was united in marriage with Bertha M. \^enable, the daughter of A. B. and Martha (Des Combes) Venable. To A. B. and Bertha M. (Venable) Harris has been born one child, a son. A. B. Harris, Jr.

In October, 1914, A. B. Harris was appointed postmaster at Leeton. Missouri. Since his assumption of the duties of postmaster, considerable new equipment has been added in the Leeton postofifice and it has been raised to a third-class office. Mr. Harris is filling his position with much credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the city. He is a quiet, unassuming man. who unostentatiously attends to his afYairs. carefully and conscientiously paying heed to the multitudinous details of his business. In his own modest way. he is making a splendid success in life, but it is no more than one expects of the person bearing the name of Harris - a name that has meant much in the historic annals of this country.

Few people of this generation appreciate the advantages and conveniences of the L'''nited States postal system. If the mails are unavoidably delayed for a few hours, there is always all over tlie country much grumbling and complaint. But there was a time, within the recollection of many men and women now living in Johnson county, when it was considered a great thing to get mail once a week. Letters were brought to the county by men on horseback. They carried little horns, which they blew loudlv as thev came into town and all the settlers would flock out of their cabins to meet them. The mail carriers often had to swim all the streams in their way and often were many days behind time, on account of the high water. The postmaster, in those days.

frequently had to spread the mail out in the sun to dry. It would be placed in a large box and each person would look through all the letters and take those which were his. The children of the early pioneers have become so accustomed to the present splendid postal arrangements that scarcely a thought is given them, except when some unforseen calamity temporarily upsets the ordinarily efficient system.

Thomas S. Robbins, proprietor of "Maplewood Stock Farm" in Hazel Hill township, is a member of a well-known and influential pioneer family of Missouri . He was born in 1847 in Russell county, Virginia, the son of William and Susan (McGraw) Robbins, both of whom were natives of Virginia, the former, of English and the latter, of Irish lineage. In 1857, the Robbins family moved from Russell county, Virginia, to Missouri and located in Macon county, where the father's death occurred within a short time after coming West. The mother brought her six children to live on a farm in Hazel Hill township, a place owned by Judge Harrison and in 1859 her death occurred. She left six young children orphans, four boys and two girls, one child having died in Virginia, and of the family, Thomas S. Robbins is now the sole survivor. The children of William and Susan Robbins were as follow: Mrs. Sallie Vinson, deceased; Mrs. Eliza Short, deceased; Isaiah, who died in Virginia; John, deceased, his death occurring in Cedar county, Missouri; Henry Claybourne, deceased; Joseph, who died in Oklahoma; and Thomas S., the subject of this review.

T. S. Robbins attended the common schools of Virginia and of Missouri. Before he was fifteen years of age, he enlisted in the Second Missouri Cavalry, serving first under "Fighting Joe" Shelby and later, under Colonel Frank Gordon. Young Robbins was captured in Henry county, Missouri, in 1863. He, with two comrades, was sentenced to be executed, but on account of his youth was not, and was sent to prison. (Thaddeus Dunn, a brother of Mrs. Robbins, was shot at this time.) He was tried at Sedalia and at Jefferson City, but no crime could be proven ; also tried at St. Louis and was sentenced to prison at Alton, Illinois. He escaped with others at Alton, charged the guards, had his thumb shot off, and was recaptured and sent to prison at Sedalia, afterward transferred to Jefferson City and then later to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was a captive for fifteen months. He escaped once, but was recaptured and held prisoner then until nearly the close of the war. In the spring of 1866, T. S. Robbins returned to Johnson county.

August 17, 1867, T. S. Robbins and Anne Dunn were united in marriage. Mrs. Robbins is the daughter of Edmund and Zilpha A. (Oats) Dunn. Edmund Dunn was born in 1802 in Virginia and when a child of two years of age, his parents moved to Kentucky, where he was reared and married. He was born in 1802 and Zilplia A. (Oats) Dunn was born in Kentucky in 1811. They were united in marriage February 18, 1834, and to them were born seven children: Josephine Vitula, born March 28, 1837; Thaddeus Theodore, born August 24, 1839, was captured and shot by Union soldiers in August, 1863; Isaphene Rowena, born November 30, 1842; Tobias L.. born September 10, 1844; Columbus K., born January 5. 1847; Anne \'., the wife of T. S. Robbins, of this review, l)orn February 7. 1851 ; and Don Carlos, born August 4, 1853. Columbus K. Dunn, of W'arrensburg, and Mrs. Robbins are the only survivors of the Dunn family. 'J'iie other five children are now deceased and the father died in 1880, tlie mother in 1887. In the early forties, the Dunns came to Missouri and located first in Newton county, then in Lafayette county, and thence to Johnson county, where they settled on the farm in Hazel Hill township in 1853, on the place now owned l)y Mr. Robbins. Mrs. Rolibins recalls how her father used to "go to mill," on Blackwater at Valley City, taking her with him oftentimes, and the trip was considered a great treat. The old Kirkpatrick Mill at \'alley City was the rendezvous for all the early settlers of this \icinity. It was the only Iniilding there when Mrs. Robbins was a girl and it stood on the banks of Blackwater near the present bridge. Mrs. Robbins has in her possession the old family Bible, which originally 1)elonged to Lewis Dunn's father, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Robbins.

Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Robbins are the parents of five children, two of whom are now living: Edmund D., who was born in 1869. and now resides on a ranch near Drummond, Montana, and he married Laura Hibbs. of Leeton, Missouri, and has four children (Xoravel. aged eighteen years: Glen Delos : Florence and Ross Edmund) John E.. who was born November 15. 1871. was married to Flora E. Neighbors, of Fayetteville, Missouri, and now resides at Belloit, Iowa, and has seven children (Clell I., farming grandfather's place: Auburn Drummond, Montana; Howard D.; Kenneth L. ; Luther: Flemon; Don) Mrs. Lola M. Coates, who was born in 1874 and is now deceased, left one child, Willard; Mrs. Amma P. Artz, who was born in 1876 and is now deceased: and Mrs. Eula D. Brown, who was born in 1881 and is now deceased, leaving four children (Paul M. ; Evan F. ; Nina Irene and Thomas VV., reared by JVlr. and Mrs. Robbins).

In 1888, Mr. Robbins purchased his present home, a farm which formerly belonged to Alex Marr, a son-in-law of Joel Walker, from whom It was obtained by Edmund Dunn, father of Mrs. Robbins, who sold it to Mr. Robbins. This place embraces one hundred eighty-two and a half acres of the original Dunn farm and is widely known as "Maplewood Stock Farm." Eighty-two and a half acres lie in Simpson township and the remaining one hundred in Hazel Hill township. This is an excellent stock farm, conveniently located eight miles north of Warrensburg and well watered. Until recently, Mr. Robbins raised much stock and he still feeds many head of cattle and mules. The improvements are all in splendid repair and the residence a house of two stories built in 1895, is a neatly-kept and comfortable home.

Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are numbered among the best families and most valued citizens of Johnson county. They have countless friends in this section of Missouri as was well shown when they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, August 17, 1917, at their beautiful country place.

Pulaski N. Douglass, of Leeton, Missouri, is a son of a brave, honored pioneer family, who settled in Missouri long before it became a state. He was born in Johnson county in 1848, son of William J. and Mary (Thompson) Douglass, who were one of the first families of Johnson county, coming to the county in a very early day, when William J. Douglass entered one hundred sixty acres of land five miles west of Leeton. William J. Douglass was a son of James Douglass, who came to Missouri territory in the early part of the nineteenth century and settled in that section of the territory which is now Fa}'ette county. Mary (Thompson) Douglass was the daughter of Wallace Thompson, an early settler of Missouri. The father died in 1859 and the mother remained on the farm with their children. Her death occurred in 1900.

When P. N. Douglass was a lad, educational advantages in Missouri were very few. There were no public schools as now. The "subscription school" was the only educational institution in the county and it was not possible for the older boys and girls to attend school regularly in those days, for there was much work to be done in the pioneer homes. P. X. Douglass was but a child of eleven vears, when his father died and as he was the oldest of the family, his mother depended much upon his assistance with the work of the farm. Pioneer life at its best is by no means a round of pleasures but add to the privations and hardships, one would naturally expect in life in a new country, the hard times incidental to war and a fairly clear conception of the conditions under which P. N. Douglass was reared to maturity can l)e obtained. He remembers the time when he could go southwest froiu his home and for fifteen miles not see a settlement. There were no roads or bridges then and travel was very difficult and dangerous. Where there were no trails, the settlers traveled by direction. Wild game was plentiful and no one wanted for meat, although there were countless times when bread w^as scarce. As a boy. Mr. Douglass was obliged to watch their wheat fields in order to frighten away the wild geese, that would in a short time make quick despatch of the grain, once they found admittance to the field. He has seen thousands of prairie chickens and hundreds of deer and has many times eaten dried venison with his corn bread. Mr. Douglass attended church in the olden days at Shiloh, where he has heard Reverend D. F. Thomas, "Uncle Johnny" Marr, and "Uncle Jack" Whitsett and seen the old-fashioned revival meetings, which were great events in the lives of the pioneers, the young and old coming from long distances to attend. Everyone went to church in those dav's. The mail day, which came twice a week, was another exciting event, when the carriers, blowing horns, on horseback, came into the little settlements. The Douglass family went to Cornelia to obtain their letters. At the age of twenty-one years, P. N. Douglass was employed as a "hired hand" by F. M. Mayes, receiving twenty dollars a month. He was in the employ of Mr. Mayes four years and during that time saved enough from his wages to purchase a fine team of mules and sufficient farming implements, with wdiich to begin farming on his own account. He rented a small farm of forty acres of land in Johnson county and raised a splendid crop the very first year. After four years, he had saved enough to be able to purchase a little farin of his own and he bought forty acres, paying for the place five hundred dollars. Two years after purchasing this farm, he sold it for twelve hundred dollars, which Mr. Douglass used to purchase sixty-five acres of good farm land in JefTerson township, on which place he resided until 1911, when he sold the farm and moved to Leeton, where he purchased six building lots and built a pretty.

In 1887, P. N. Douglass and Laura L. Stuart were united in marriage. Mrs. Douglass is the daughter of Eli B. Stuart, a Kentuckian, who came to Missouri prior to the Civil War. Mr. Douglass is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Douglass has been in the service of the West Lawn Telephone Company for many years. He is quietly spending his days in Leeton, working in his excellent garden and with his large flock of fine chickens. He and Mrs. Douglass are numbered among Johnson county's most respected citizens.

J. W. Marr, a prosperous and highly respected farmer and stockman of Post Oak township, is a member of one of the first families of Johnson county, Missouri. He was born in Johnson county in 1852, son of David and Catherine Marr. David Marr was a son of John Marr, who in an early day came to Missouri from Tennessee. The Marr family lived in a rude, unfinished log cabin, when they settled in Johnson county, and in this primitive home J. W. Marr was born.

Mr. ]\Iarr received his education in the old-fashioned "subscription school," which was taught by Mr. \\'infrey and later, by ''Jim" Townsley. He recalls the open condition of the prairie, when he was a youtli, and how he would go miles across the prairie to drive the cattle home, for they had unlimited grazing territory. The preacher, who moved amid the scenes of pioneer life, and whom Mr. Marr often heard expound the truths of Christianity, was "Uncle Johnny" Morrow.

In 1873, J. W. Marr was united in marriage with Elvira Stephens, the daughter of Dan Stephens, and a sister of Judge Stephens. To J. W. and Elvira (Stephens) Marr were born four children, who are now living: Oliver, who resides in Kansas; Clarence, who resides in Oklahoma: Estel, whose home is in Post Oak township: and Mrs. Stella Sitton, Weiser, Idaho. Mrs. Marr died in 1888. In 1890, Mr. Marr was married to Altevena Ault, the daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Keeney. To J. W. and Altevena fAult') Marr have been born three children: Luther, Kansas Cit}', Missouri : Mrs. Georgia Howard, at home with her father; and John, Post Oak township. Mrs. Altevena Marr died May 25, 1898. Mrs. Georgia Howard resides with Mr. Marr, as does Mrs. Keeney, his mother-in-law, who is his housekeeper. Mrs. Marr was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. l\Ir. Marr has succeeded well in his chosen vocation of farming and stock raising and, like his father before him, is the owner of several iuindred acres of land in Johnson county. The iMarr farm comprises three liundrcd fifty-five acres of splendid farm land, two Jumdred acres of whicii are in grass and pasture. Mr. Marr will iiavc tlftv tons of iiay tliis vear and at the time of this writing, in 1917, he has fifty acres of ins place in corn, promising a fine crop. The farm is well watered, and fmni an everflowing spring, conveniently located, the stock are supplied with an abundance of excellent water. Air. .Marr is a worthv and highlv valued member of the Presbyterian church.

T. S. Baldwin, a noble and respected pioneer of Johnson county, Missouri, is one of the prosperous, widely-known, and progressive farmers and stockmen of Grover township. He was born in 1850, son of Sylvester and Eliza (Marshall) Baldwin, in Pettis countv. Missouri. Mrs. Baldwin was a daughter of Thomas Marshall, an honored pioneer of Missouri. The Baldwin family locateil in Pettis countv al)out 1848 and in 1853 settled in Johnson county.

When a child three years of age, T. S. Baldwin came to Johnson county with his parents. He was reared to maturity in this county and well recalls the open condition of the prairie and how he assisted, when a youth, in breaking sod. while driving a yoke of oxen. T. S. Baldwin attended school where the Peace and Harmony school house is now located. The second teacher to teach the school was Jesse Hargrave. There was no more school then until 1868. The little log school house was burned to the ground during the Civil War. .\fter the war, George Couch taught the school for several years. The children followed the trail to the school, as there were no roads in the county in those days. If the settlers were obliged to go any great distance, they traveled by direction. There were no bridges and travel in the early days was exceedingly dangerous. .-Xll who were able attended church, however, and many of the settlers came many miles on horseback or in wagons, drawn by oxen. v. bile a large number walked the entire distance of several miles across the open prairie. Rev. (". .\. Headrick and Rev. Stanford Tng were two of the earliest preachers. In spite of the difficulty in traveling, people in those days enjoyed going to church. Mr. Baldwin has countless times gone to church with his parents in the ox-wagon.

relates in his interesting manner how hay used to be cut and shocked. There was but one steel pitchfork in all the country, a two-tined one, all the others being forked sticks of wood. All the men in the settlement would assist in putting up hay in the field of any one of their number and they would work from field to field until all the work was done.

In early manhood, Mr. Baldwin learned the blacksmith's trade and he has fashioned countless plows of the old-fashioned type. He tells how very mysterious the first wheat drill was to him. The advent of this invention marked an epoch in the history of wdieat growing. Mr. Baldwin is a naturally gifted mechanician and it is time exceedingly well spent to hear him relate the development of farm machinery, described in an entertaining way the old farm implements and explaining the changes which have been made in the course of the past half century.

For many years T. S. Baldwin lived in a log cabin. He remembers the halcyon days of the hunter and has himself killed hundreds of prairie chickens. Wild geese in flocks of thousands haunted Blackwater. Meat was always plentiful and no one needed to be without dried venison. Other supplies were not so easily obtained. Once a year they were hauled from Lexington. Missouri. Prairie fires were constantly feared and dreaded, as they were very destructive. Barns were then made of stakes and dried grass and were easily burned.

In 1875, T. S. Baldwin was united in marriage with Sarah Campbell, daughter of Jasper Campbell, who came to Missouri from Tennessee, among the first settlers of Johnson county. To T. S. and Sarah (Campbell) Baldwin have been born three children, all of whom are now living: Mrs. Nannie Cox, Knob Noster, Missouri, R. F. D. 10; Otto, Knob Noster, Missouri ; and Mrs. Mary Heilman, Lincoln, Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin began life togeither with but little worldly goods, hut with plenty of courage, determination, and perseverance. They were obliged to use a dry goods box for a dining table for several years, for their little farm of forty acres, which Mr. Baldwin purchased in 1866, did not yield them great wealth. They suffered all the privations, hardships, and afflictions of pioneer life, but Mr. Baldwin hopefully kept up the fight in spite of countless discouragements and in the course of time began to prosper . It would be a valuable lesson, sadly needed by the youth of today, to hear Mr. Baldwin relate how he saved his money to build his present beautiful home, a dream of years. It was built in 1883. He is now the owner of two lunulred sixty acres of land, one hundred thirty aeros of which are in grass and pasture. Mr. Baldwin devotes much atteiuion to stock raising, handling spotted Poland China hogs and red roan cattle, lie has recentl\- been giving special time and attention to the raising of nudes and has been very successful. In addition to his stock interests. Mr. Baldwin plants from forty to sixty acres of his place in wheat, annually reaping a good crop. In 1908, he received his first staggering ])low. when Mrs. Baldwin died. She had been liis faithful partner and ever willing heli)er for thirty-three years.

Charles S. Eppright, a prosperous and progressive farmer and stockman of Centerview township, was born in 1876 in Johnson county. He is the older of two sons born to his parents. George and Marv lane (Stone) Eppright, his brother being G. W. Kppright. who is farming and stock raising on the old home ])lace in Chilhowee township. The father is now deceased and the mother makes her home with her son, Charles S. A more complete history of the Eppright family will be found in the sketches of Mrs. Mary Jane (Stone) Eppright and of G. \V. Eppright, which appear elsewhere in this volume.

Thomas Taylor was teaching the school held at Pleasant Green school house, when Charles S. Eppright started to school at that place. "Billy" Bridges, Miss Carrie Powell. "Bill" Saunders, and Frank McClelland were at different times in authority there, wlien }-oung Charles S. was a student. He recalls among the early-day preachers, whom he personally knew, the following: Revereufls \\'hitsett, J. H. Houx. Einis King, and Erank Russell. The young people rode on horseback or walked to church and all the pioneers attended, many coming long distances. Much fun and frolic were had at all the social gatherings.

In 1899. Charles S. Eppright and Pearl McElwee, the daughter of John McElwee, of Chilhowee, were married. To Mr. and Mrs. Eppright ha^'e been born three sons: George y].. Edgar C. and Stanley P.. all at home with their parents. Until the time of his marriage, Mr. Eppright remained at home with his parents. In tlie fall of 1893, the elder Eppright gave his two sons, Charles S. and George \\'., one hundred ninetv-three acres of land and on this place Charles S. began life for himself, engaged in the pursuit*^ of agriculture. This tract of land lies in the southern part of Centerview township. .\t a later time, in 1899. he purchased his brother'- interest and gradually has increased his holdings until he is now the owner of nearly five hundred acres of land. In 1909. Mr. Eppright built the handsome country residence, which is his present home, a structure of eight rooms, of commanding and attractive appearance. He has added all the improvements on the place, the two well-constructed barns and numerous farm buildings, until he has one of the best stock farms in this section of the state. The farm is well watered and nearly two hundred acres are bottom land. Two hundred forty acres of the Eppright farm are in grass and pasture and timber land. This year, 1917, he had sixty acres of wheat, forty-five acres of oats, ten acres of which averaged seventy-five bushels to the acre, and se\enty-five acres of corn. For the past few years, Mr, Eppright has been devoting more attention to stock raising. He raises Durham cattle and white hogs. He is a strong advocate of the manure-spreader. He is himself using the spreader extensively and, by its use, bringing his land to a high state of cultivation.

Politically, Charles S. Eppright is a Democrat. He is altiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which fraternity he is a highly valued member.

Mrs. M. C. Draper, the widow of M. C. Draper, a former representative from Johnson county in the Missouri state Legislature, is one of the noble and highly esteemed pioneer women of Jefiferson township. She is the daughter of Jesse Endlow. who came with his family to Johnson county. Missouri, in 1844 and settled on a farm in Jefiferson township.

Johnson county was unfenced prairie land, when the Endlow family settled here. Stock were given unlimited range and the idea of keeping cattle within certain limits was unknown. The prairie grass grew tall and thick and trails were made by dragging a heavy log across the country, using a yoke of oxen to do so. Along such a trail, the children went to the "subscription school," which was held in a log house, having puncheon benches and floor. Mr. Heridon was Mrs. Draper's first teacher. He was called the "master" and he sat in the center of the room and called the pupils to him to "say their lessons." Spelling was the principal subject taught in the primitive schools and frequently "spelling bees" were held, which the old and young attended and which always aroused much interest and comment. Although the settlements were far distant and very few. the people often met at social gatherings and prayer meetings. Mr. Endlow gave his daughter a pony and she rode on horseback all over the county, attending church and all the parties, which were given by the young people. Life in those days was not always dull and dreary. The young people had many simple amusements and pleasures, such as dancing, corn-husking parties, spinning and quilting "bees," house-raisings, apple-parings, "spelling bees" and "singiug schools." On all these occasions there was always much fun. 'Jdien in the winter e\eryoue would go sleighing over the wide, snow-covered prairie. i'he men and boys always enjoyed fishing and hunting, although both were considered occupations as well as pleasures. There were many pools, abounding in iish, to be found in all parts of the county in the earh- davs and wild turkey, deer, and prairie chickens were here in great numbers. The pioneer settlers considered it a great privilege and pleasure to attend church and all, who were able to do so, went to hear the early preachers, two of whom Mrs. Draper recalls: Reverend Ricketts and Reverend David Horn. Both church and school were held in the same log hou.se, although at first all religious meetings were held in the cabin homes of the settlers.

In 1858, M. C. Draper and Miss Endlow were united in marriage. M. C. Draper was born in Kentucky in 1833 and in early manhood came to Missouri and located in Johnson county. Mr. Endlow was a prosperous farmer and at the time of his daughter's marriage gave Mr. and Mrs. Draper eighty acres of land and there they built their first home, obtaining the lumber at Warsaw, from which place Mr. Draper hauled it. He had attended Chapel Hill College, prior to his marriage, and was there a colleague of Senator Francis M. Cockrell, the father of the author of this volume. To Representative M. C. Draper and Mrs. Draper were born si.x children: Mrs. Luella Wingfield. Kansas City. Missouri: Airs. Lilly Lyle. Kansas City, Missouri: Charles .A... \\'indsor, Missouri; Mrs. Elizabeth Grinstead. Wichita. Kansas: W. W., Leeton, Alissouri: and Airs. Florence Williams. Windsor. Missouri. W. W. Draper was married .August 28. 1917. to Carrie Thomas, of California, a daughter of C. J. Thomas, a pioneer settler of Johnson county. M. C. Draper was one of the most prominent farmers and stockmen of Johnson county. At one time, he represented Johnson county in the state Legislature and he alwavs took an active and interested part in civic affairs. He was a man whom everyone admired and respected, a man possessing many qualities worthy of the greatest consideration and honor. His death in 1904 was the source of deepest regret in the entire county. His youngest son, William W. Draper, is now the owner of the old home place, where he is engaged in stock raising, devoting much attention to the raising of Hereford cattle and Duroc Jersey hogs. At the present time, about one hundred acres of the Draper farm are in meadow land.

William P. Hunt, president of the Chilhowee Bank of Chilhowee, Missouri, was born January 8, 1847, in Cooper county, Missouri. He is a son of Jonathan and Martha F. Hunt. Jonathan Hunt was a son of William Hunt, Sr., a native of North Carolina, an early settler of Cooper county, a prosperous pioneer farmer and stockman. The son, Jonathan, was reared and educated in Cooper county and in early manhood entered the mercantile business in addition to his work of farming. He hauled all the goods for his store from Lexington. The mother, Martha F. (Lee) Hunt, was the daughter of Noah and Nancy Lee. nati\-es of Virginia and honored pioneers of Cooper county. To Jonathan and Martha F. Hunt were born eight children, only two of whom are now living: William P., of this review: and Mrs. Frank Jones, Greenville, Texas.

When Mr. Hunt came to Johnson county in 1853, with his parents, all the settlements were along the streams and the prairie was practically unfenced. The father purchased and entered in all seven hundred acres of land near Kingsville. With the assistance of oxen, the sod land was broken and Mr. Hunt began to farm his place and to raise stock. The father hewed logs from the trees on the farm, with which to build their home and part of the lumber was hauled from Lexington. While the new home was in the process of erection, which required one year, the Hunt family resided in an old-fashioned log cabin. William P. Hunt attended school held in a log house, having a large fireplace on one side of the room and an entire log left out of the building on the other side of the room, for the window, and puncheon benches. This was known as the Duncan school and was located on Lost Creek, south of Kingsville. William P. Hunt's first teacher in this school was Abraham Stout. Mr. Twitchell was the next in order and from this man, Mr. Hunt received his first lesson in physiology. Among the pioneer preachers, whom he knew, were Reverends George W. Longan, Pitts, and Minton. The Hunts obtained their mail at Rose Hill once a week. The neighbors went "by turns" for it. one man going one week and another

The year of the outbreak of the Civil War found Jonathan Hunt successful and prosperous. He enlisted in the Confederate army and served for some time in the war. At the battle of Independence, he was severely wounded. While he was away, the nuithcr died, leaving- the children in the care of William P. Hunt, who took the faniil\- back to their old home in Cooper county. The close of the war found the father almost financially ruined. In 1867, he began life anew, opening a store at Kingsville. His son, William P.. assisted in his father's store, working as clerk. Jonathan Hunt died in about 1878.

In 1868, William P. Hunt was united in marriage with Marv Medora McFarland, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and to them were Ixini five children, three of whom are now- living: Mrs. Ciussie Scarborough. Warrensburg. Missouri; Albert P.. Kansas Citv. Missouri: and iler-bert S., Chilhowee, Missouri. ]Mrs. Hunt died in 1899 at Kansas City. Missouri. In 1903. Mr. Hunt and i\Irs, S. Klla Carringtou. daughter of Mr. Yankee, of Pettis county, were married.

William P. Hunt was appointed deputy county treasurer of Johnson county in 1873 and served in this capacit}- until 1877. when he became the first tax collector of Johnson county. Mr. Hunt served the county in this ofifice four years and then was elected judge of the couut\- court, serving as presiding judge four years. During his incuml)ency. the present jail of Johnson county was erected and several splendid iron bridges built in different parts of the county. William P. Hunt was one of the charter members of the Bank of W'arrensburg of which he later became cashier and then president. From Warrensburg he moNcd to Kansas City. Missouri, wdiich was his home for about two years. In 1901, Mr. Hunt came to Chilhowee, Missouri, and assumed the duties of cashier of the Chilhowee Bank. He is now president of tliis institution, which is one of which Johnson count)- is justly ])roud. Besides his stock in the Chilhowee Bank. William P. Hunt owns a cpiarter section of land southwest of Chilhowee and his residence in this city.

The Chilhowee Bank was organized in 1901 with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars and with E. N. Johnson, president, and William P. Hunt, cashier. The bank w-as opened for business in the old bank building. Warrensburg men owned most of the stock at that time, but local men have since bought all of it. The original directors were : J. C. Chambers. R. B. Corson, P. Hunt, C. .\. Hadsell, E. N.

Johnson. S. S. Shoemaker, and Dr. L. J. Schofield. The present directors of the bank are: Lewis Corson, E. S. James, William P. Hunt, S. Ella Hunt, H. R. Butcher, William Sweeney, and C. H. McElwee. In 1915. a handsome bank building was erected, which with the new equipment, is valued at seventy-eight hundred fifty dollars. The bank's official statement of the financial condition of this institution shows the bank to be in good, sound condition. November 8. 1917. the capital stock was ten thousand dollars the surjilus fund, eleven thousand five hundred dollars; undivided profits two hundred thirty-three dollars and thirtv-six cents: and individual deposits ninety-three thousand dollars.

William P. Hunt is a valued and worthy supporter of the Bapti-st church. He is affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of the three orders of this fraternity. He is one of Tohrison county's best and most esteemed citizens.

William Sweeney was born in 1842 in Henry county near Clinton, Missouri. He is a son of Jefferson and America (Houx) Sweeney. JelYerson Sweeney was a son of Charles Sweeney, who was of Scotch- Irish descent and a resident of Virginia. America (Houx) Sweeney was a daughter of William Houx, who settled in Cooper county, where Boonville is now located, as early as 1800. Jefferson Sweeney entered one hundred sixty acres of land in that section of Missouri now Henry county in the early thirties. Mr. Sweeney was a well-educated and highly intellectual man and a natural, practical surveyor. He made a map of this part of the state, in 1851, which is now in the possession of his son, William.

There were no public schools in Missouri, wdien William Sweeney was a youth. He attended a "subscription school". His father was an early-day teacher of "subscription schools". He taught school for several years, "boarding round" with the pupils, and for his services along educational lines received the munificent sum of thirteen dollars, monthly. In 1851, William Sweeney came with his parents to Johnson county. The father built a rude log cabin home and in this the family lived two and a half years. With the aid of yokes of oxen the virgin sod was broken and farming was begun. Plowing was often done at night and the early settlers did most of their traveling at night on account of the flies. Mr. Sweeney recalls that life in those days was not always a dreary round of monotonous labor, but that the pioneers had great times at camp-meetings, which all the settlers attended and enjoyed immensely. .Mr. Sweeney's father died in 1854 and uitliin a few years afterward came tiie oulhreak of tiie Civil War, in whicli j\lr. Sweeney enlisted, serving with the Confederate armv. He had known Francis M. Cockreii, fatlier of the author of this work, ever since he was a captain. At first, Wiliiani Sweeney enlisted with the home guard in Lafayette county with Company D, Ben Elliot's regiment, General Wren's division, and then later witii Company D, Sixteenth Missouri Infantry, General Parson's division. He took part in the battles of Dry Wood, Lexington, Lonejack, and Prairie Grove. At the engagement at Lonejack during the retreat, Mr. Sweeney was taken prisoner.

After the war had ended, William Sweeney returned home. Tiie first work to be done was to repair and rebuild fences as all had been destroyed during the war. For days and days, he split rails witli which to fence a small patch of ground and after this work was completed, he began farming on a small scale. Mr. Sweeney also worked as a hired laborer for others until he had accumulated a sum of money. He inherited the old homestead and is now the owner of three hundred sixty-five acres of valuable land in Chilhowee township. At one time. \\'illiam Sweeney was the most prominent breeder of Sliropshire sheep in all this country. For years he was engaged in I^uying and selling stock and especially sheep for feeding and lireeding purposes. Tiie sheep from the Sweeney farm migiit lie found in all parts of this and other states.

In 1868, William Sweeney and Nancy 'M. Stone, rlaughter of S. Stone, a well-remembered pioneer of Johnson county, were united in marriage and to them were born five children: Dr. Charles T., Medford, Oregon; F. W., Stockton, Kansas: Mrs. Sarah G. Wilkinson, Denver. Colorado: S. R. Chilhowee, Missouri: and R. F., Webb City, Missouri. In 1909, Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney moved to their elegant, modern home in Chilhowee, where they are spending the remaining years of their life in comfort and ease. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney are held in the highest esteeiTi and respect in Johnson county and they are highly valued among the best families.

Among the many interesting reminiscences of William Sweeney, with which his memory is stored, is a story of a pioneer preacher, Rev. B. F. Thomas. This young minister was to be ordained and on the Sabbath set apart for the ceremony he appeared dressed in new "tow" pantaloons. The day was cold and the fire was low. He attempted to Stir the smouldering embers of the open fire with his foot and, immediately, the blaze spread all over the new pantaloons. There was one thing missing at the ceremony - the nice, soft fuzz of the "tow" trousers. Mr. Sweeney enjoys relating the amusing experience of "Uncle Sol" Stone. He had gone to Henry county on a sled, drawn by a yoke of oxen, to purchase five sheep and a stand of bees. There was a heavy snow on the ground but the day was a typical March day and it became quite warm before he had reached home. The oxen were very hot and, seeing a stream, began running toward it in spite of "Uncle Sol's" efforts to control them. They dashed into the ice-cold water and though "Uncle Sol" leaped from the sled and escaped going with them, he eventually was obliged to wade in and with a thousand shivers coax the oxen out of the stream. Just what liecame of the l)ees and sheep is a question - but "Uncle Sol" saved them, the bee stands and sheep being tied on the sled.

In a day-book kept by ^^'illiam Sweeney's father is the following entry, made at the time he was conducting a store at Clinton: "One pair of venison hams. 50 cents." Mr. Sweeney well recalls when he has remained up whole nights to keep the deer out of his fields. The forests and fields were filled with wild turkeys and prairie chickens were "thicker" than sparrows are now. Mr. Sweeney remembers when Indians were want to pass through the cotintry to sell baskets and trinkets to the settlers. He has often seen them as he went with his wagon and oxen for supplies at trading points. Mrs. Sweeney remembers how her fatlier would l^e gone a week at a time wiien he took their corn to mill, being obliged to wait that long for his grist and then when the grist was taken to Lexington to be sold it took another week. He would bring home "web," with which to weave cloth for their clothing. ' leather to make shoes, salt, coffee, and also a quart of whiskey, for family use.

Stever Y. Kem was born in 1842 in Monroe county. Indiana. He is a son of Conrad and Mary (Berry) Kern. Conrad Kern was a son of Adam Kern, a resident of Indiana, of German birth. The genealogy of S. Y. Kern traces back to the same ancestors as those of John Worth Kern tlie lately deceased Ignited States Senator from Indiana. Mary (Berry) Kern was the daughter of Joseph Berry, of Tennessee. The Kern family resided in Indiana long before it became a state. Conrad Kern was a pioneer preacher and farmer and he became very well to do and prominent in the affairs of his community.

Mr. Kern, the subject of this review, is the only living member of his father's family. He was reared a.m\ educated in Illinois and in early life began farming in that state prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, in which he enlisted. Mr. Kern served with Company C, One Jiundred Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, for seven months during the latter part of the war.

In 1865, Stever Y. Kern and Helen Hinkson. the daugiiter of Cyrus Hinkson, were united in marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Kern are the parents of two children: Elmer, Minneapolis, Minnesota and Marv, who is at home with her parents. Both S. Y. Kern and Mrs. Kern are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Kern has been trustee and steward for many years. The Kern resilience is a beautiful home, a modern structure of seven rooms in Chilhowee. 'Jdie Kerns have resided in Chilhowee since 1909. Besides his residence in Chilhowee, S. Y. Kern is the owner of a \aluable farm of one hundred ninet\- acres in Johnson county, which place he purchased in 1883. Mr. Kern was engaged in general farming for many years on this place and he gave special attention to the raising of good Poland China hogs. He pursued the latest scientific methods of farming, rotating his crops and sowing much of his land in grass and devoting a large portion of the farm to pasture land. He has been constantly endeavoring to build up the fertility of the soil and his efforts ha\'e been rewarded with no small degree of success. Mr. antl ]Mrs. Kern are numbered among Johnson county's best and most substantial citizens.

Richard T. McDougal, a well-known farmer and stockman of Chilhowee township, is a native of Ohio. He was born in 1846, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Johnson) McDougal, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Joseph McDougal was a son of Richard McDougal, who spent his entire life in Ohio, and Elizabeth (Johnson) McDougal was a member of an old Virginia family. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McDougal were the parents of five children: R. T.. the subject of this review: J. C. Magnolia, Missouri: R. B.. Holden, ^lissouri: ^^^ C, Holden. Missouri, who died October 24. 1917: an<l Mrs. Hattie E. Parrott. Chilhowee, Missouri. The father was killed during tlic Civil War. when Morgan raided Ohio. The brave, noble mother brought her family to Missouri in 1872 and settled in Johnson countv on a farm in Chilhowee township and on this place worked hard to keep the children together and to rear them properly. After ten vears, the boys had accumulated enough money by constant industry and cautious economy to purchase eighty acres of land, on which they built a handsome residence in 1882, a home that is even to-day considered one of the beautiful country places in Johnson county. In 1900, the mother died. She had enjoyed the newhome but a few brief years, when the last summons came and she joined her husband in the Great Beyond.

In 1891, R. T. McDougal was united in marriage with Frances Little, daughter of John Howe Little, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Both Mr. and Mrs. McDougal are valued members of the Presbyterian church. Politically, Mr. McDougal is a Republican.

The McDougal farm in Chilhowee township comprises one hundred sixty acres of land, eighty of which are in grass and pasture land. Mr. McDougal is devoting much time to raising fine Poland China hogs and good milch cows. At the present time, he has ten cows, which he milks, and the cream from the McDougal dairy is marketed in Holden. A large barn was built on the farm in 1881 and the place is well watered and equipped. Mr. and Mrs. McDougal have many friends in this county and they are numbered among the best and most public-spirited citizens of the township.

H. C. Morton, a prosperous and prominent farmer and Civil War veteran, residing in Warrensburg. Missouri, is a citizen of Johnson county richly deserving of mention in a work of this character. He was born January 21, 1842. in Randolph county, Missouri, the son of Josiah and Margaret L. (Callison) Morton, both natives of Kentucky. Josiah Morton and his wife and family came to Missouri from Kentucky in 1842 and located in Randolph county on a farm, where they resided two years, when they moved to Schuyler county. In this county, Mr. Morton died and was buried. His widow and children moved from Schuyler county to Johnson county, settling on a farm, in Grover township, which was owned by John G. Callison, the brother of Mrs. Morton. The family later moved to Lafayette county, where Mrs. Morton died. Her death occurred in 1854 and burial was made in the cemetery in Lafayette county, near Mayview. Josiah and Margaret L. (Callison) Morton were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary J. Poole, deceased; Mrs. Aramenta Poole, deceased; Wade, who was killed while in the Confederate service, in a battle near Higginsville, Missouri, about 1863; H. C, the subject of this review, and Mrs. Rebecca (Mor- ton) McElroy, of Oklahoma City, Oklalioma, who are twins; and John, deceased, and Richard Benjamin, ot Marshall, Oklahoma, who were also twins.

Educational opportunities were very limited in the state of Missouri when H. C. Morton was a youth. He was but a little child four years of age, at the time his father died. The widowed mother needed all the assistance her boys could render in helping care for the seven little ones. There were no public schools in Missouri before the Civil War and the "subscription schools" were open only a few months in the year. Since he was sixteen years of age, Mr. Morton has made his own way in the world, shouldering a man's responsibilities while still a boy. He began life for himself as a farm hand, in the employ of James Hutchinson in Lafayette county, working for ten dollars a month for three years. In 1862. he enlisted in the Civil War, at Sedalia, Missouri, serving under Colonel John F. Phillips in Company A. Seventh Missouri Cavalry. He was in active and continuous service in Missouri and Arkansas, serving at different times under Generals Brown, Curtis, Pleasanton, Garfield, and Blount. Mr. Morton participated in the battles of Big Blue and Mine creek. He was also in countless skirmishes. From March 8. 1862, he served faithfully three years and si.\ days and in 1865 received his discharge at St. Louis, Missouri.

After the war had ended, H. C. Morton returned to Johnson county, Missouri, and engaged once more in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, pursuits in which he has been engaged for the past fifty years in different parts of the county. He has been the owner of several dififerent farms, which he would purchase to sell again. For the past twenty-five years, he has resided in Warrensburg township, where he now owns ninety acres of land, besides five acres within the city limits of Warrensburg. In 1915, he purchased the site of his present home at 116 Ming street, where he built his beautiful, modern residence of eight rooms.

February 26, 1865, H. C. Morton was united in marriage with Lucy Margaret Ezell, of Warrensburg, the daughter of William Edward and Louisa Virginia Ezell, the former, a native of Virginia and the latter, of Kentucky. Both parents are now deceased and their remains rest in the Greer cemetery, south of Warrensburg. Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Morton are the parents of six children: Charlie. Warrensburg. Mis- souri; Mrs. Lucy Phillips, who resides in Post Oak township; Albert, Warrensburg, Missouri; Emery Ezell, who is a graduate of the Warrensburg State Normal School and is now employed as superintendent in the Clayton County Seat School, St. Louis county, Missouri; Lola, who is a graduate and post-graduate of the Warrensburg State Normal School and of the University of New York City, from which institution she will soon obtain her master's degree and she is now the supervisor of Domestic Science and Art in Charleston, Illinois, one of the highest salaried teachers in the county; and Mrs. Winnie Etherton, who is the wife of Henry C. Etherton. a prominent attorney of St. Louis, Missouri, residing in a suburb of St. Louis.

H. C. Morton deserves much praise and commendation for the success that has deservedly come through his own efforts. Handicapped as he was, by the lack of a good education, Mr. Morton struggled persistently upward. He learned to read after he was married. No one in Johnson county, perhaps, appreciates the value of educational advantages surrounding the youth of the present day, as does H. C. Morton, who had so few, when he was a lad and desired so much to learn. He has "fought a good fight" and Johnson county is proud to claim him as one of its citizens.

J. L. Carpenter, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Chilhowee township, is a member of one of Johnson county's most worthy pioneer families. He was born in Johnson county, Missouri, in 1864, a son of Thomas N. and Sarah (Howerton) Carpenter. Thomas N. Carpenter was a son of Wilson D. Carpenter, who settled on a tract of land in Johnson county at the place where Carpenter cemetery is now located. This burial ground was established in 1845 and the first grave made there was made for the remains of Marshall Carpenter. Wilson D. Carpenter was one of the early-day teachers and a successful farmer and stockman as well. Thomas N. Carpenter entered eighty acres of land in Johnson county at the time of his marriage with Sarah Howerton. daughter of Mr. William H. Howerton. of Honey creek, Henry county. From time to time. Mr. Carpenter increased his holdings and at one time was owner of eight hundred ninety-six acres of choice land in Johnson county. He was engaged in farming and stock raising on a large scale and became very influential in public affairs. Thomas N. Carpenter was well educated and a keen thinker and In's opinion on all matters connected with the business interests was fa\nrc(l with tlie greatest respect by all members of tlie community. ?Ie was the learl- ing spirit of all religious and social gatherings, his kindly, pleasant manners making him a favorite with both young and old. Mr. Carpenter was a devout and earnest member of the .Methodist Episcopal church, South, and it was he who hauled practically all the lumber used in the construction of the church building at Prairie \'iew, hauling it in oxwagons from Lexington. The pioneer preachers were always made welcome at the Carpenter home and among those who partook of Thomas N. Carpenter's hospitality were: Reverends F. E. Pitts, Wallace, Peter Cobb, Thomas Cobb, Wooldridge. and Murphy. All the wants of the ministers of the Gospel were bountifully and cheerfully supplied by ]\Ir. Carpenter, who considered it not only his duty but his gracious privilege to do so. Thomas N. Carpenter was born at Franklin, Kentucky, August 27. 1826, and died December 27, 1900.

Mr. Carpenter's father and mother built the primitive log cabin, which was the Carpenter home for years. The mother handed up the boards and the father nailed them in place. The house was a double log one, rude but comfortable. The Carpenter children often watched their mother make their clothing, from the time she carded the wool and spun it until she wove the cloth on the loom, which is still preserved at the old homestead, and fashioned it. J. F. and T. W. Carpenter attended school in a building, which was erected for school purposes by his father, where a "subscription school" was held. Of this school, Gordon Turner, Will Boyer. and Beldon Lewis were earlyday teachers. There was much open prairie when J- L. Carpenter was a youth. Wild game was plentiful and his father often killed deer while he stood in his own doorway. Large numl)ers of prairie chickens were caught and the traps emptied and set again and again. The Carpenters sent the prairie chickens back east.

The young people of Afr. Carpenter's day were not without amusements and they had many happy times attending the country dances, parties, "singing schools." and "writing schools." He recalls a man, who was want to pass through the country buying horses ami for whom all the little children daily watched. Colonel Tutt. renowned for his bag of "yaller boys." He would toss the gold coin into a yard, where the little ones played, and laugh heartily as he watched them scramble for it. He often left the bag of gold in the yard over night, when he remained with one of the settlers, for in those days a thief was unknown. Most of the pioneers were poor, but all were as honest as the light.

J. F. Carpenter, the brother of J. L. Carpenter, once found a sack containing six thousand dollars. He learned within a short time that the money belonged to Jack Burford and to him the entire amount was gladly returned and no reward was asked.

J. F. Carpenter is visiting his brother, J. L., at the time of this writing. In 1887, he was united in marriage with Charlotte Gillum, the daughter of Isaac Gillum, a pioneer of Henry county. To them have been born the following children: Richard M., Kansas City, Missouri; Henry B., Rich Hill, Missouri; Mrs. Grace Brockhahn, Hereford, Texas; and Mrs. Una B. Pritchard, of South Dakota. J. L. Carpenter has never married. He is the owner of two hundred eighty acres of land, nearly half of which is in pasture. Mrs. Rice is his housekeeper. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas N. Carpenter were the parents of the following: Thomas W., Blairstown, Missouri ; J. F., of whom mention has been made; R. K., deceased; Mrs. Mary J. Sprague, Chilhowee; J. L., subject of this review; Mrs. Martha Rice, wife of Harry L. Rice, on the home place; and Lizzie, deceased. Mrs. Carpenter was born in Madison, North Carolina, May 13. 1830. and died May 11, 1911.

Mrs. Mary Jane (Stone) Eppright, one of Johnson county's noblest pioneer women, widow of George Eppright, a late prosperous and influential farmer and stockman of Johnson county, was born in Post Oak township, daughter of Salathiel Stone, who settled on a farm in that section of Johnson county in 1839.

In 1874, George Eppright and Mary Jane Stone were united in marriage. George Eppright was a son of Jacob and Catherine Eppright, the former of German descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Eppright were born two sons: Charles S., who was born in 1876 and with whom Mrs. Mary Jane Eppright now makes her home on the farm in Centerview township, where he is engaged in farming and stock raising: and George W., a well-to-do farmer and stockman of Chilhowee township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Eppright was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Starkey. He died in 1900. He was an honest, industrious, capable citizen, one who has been sadly missed in this community.

Mrs. Mary Jane Eppright has made her home in this county all her life and the relation of her youthful experiences furnishes an excellent picture of pioneer life in Missouri. She possesses a remarkable memory and well recalls the early churches, homes, schools, and pleasures. Shi- loh Presbyterian church was the first to be organized and the churcli structure to be erected in the vicinity of their liome. Preachers of all denominations proclaimed the Gospel there among the first of whom were: Reverends Ridley, "Uncle Billy" Caldwell, Benton Farr, Ben Thomas, Carter, Birchfield, and "Uncle Hugh" Smith. Her father taught the "subscription school," which she attended. The school was held in a log house, having a clapboard roi)f. greased paper window, and puncheon floor. She sat on one of the puncheon benches which were placed around the three sides of the room. On one side of the room was a sort of shelf made of a puncheon, built against the wall, high enough for the older boys and girls to write upon. This was what was called a "loud school," for when the teacher would say, "Study your spelling lessons," every child in the school would take his book and shout his lesson at the top of his voice. This made great confusion. Nathan Perry, who succeeded Mr. Stone as teacher, introduced the first "silent study" in this part of Missouri. The early settlers enjoyed one another more in the days of long ago. visiting more frequently, and giving accommodations more cheerfully. When a girl, Mrs. Epj)- right immensely enjoyed the old-fashioned camp-meetings. The pioneers would turn the calves with the cows and all go to the meeting, where scores of families would "camp out" and have great times. The mail was received but once weekly. Letters were not stamped in those days, but one paid twent3^-five cents at the time he received a letter. As money was often rery scarce in the homes of the pioneers a handful of letters was far from desirable. There was very much hard work to be done in the pioneer homes. All the clothing was provided by labor in the home and usually by the mother. Mrs. Eppright has carded, spun, wove, and colored the wool and then fashioned it into clothing for the different members of her family.

Mrs. Mary Jane Eppright is worthy of tlie greatest respect and consideration. The advantages and pleasures we now enjoy could not exist were it not that men and women, such as she. toiled long and hard in days gone by and did without much which we tliink so necessary. Such brave, true lives have made this beautiful country possible.

W. S. Early, a successful and prosperous farmer and stockman of Chilhowee township, is a native of Ohio. He was hnru in 1S66. the son of Jacob and Sarah A. (Weaver) Early, whose parents were Virginians, who had settled in Ohio in tlie earlv davs. Jacob Early was the son of

Samuel Early. Sarah A. (Weaver) Early was the daughter of David Weaver, of Rockingham county, Virginia. Jacob Early was a veteran of the Union army, in which he had served three years during the Civil War. His death occurred in Ohio several years ago.