Monroe County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 2 of 11)

John L. Nolen

Mr. Nolen settled on his present place, or rather a part of his present tract of land, in 1857, having secured the year before a piece of 80 acres. He was then a young man 27 years of age and had been married less than two years. Brought up a ftirmer, however, and having a good practical education as well as being a young man of sterling intelligence, he went to work with courage and resolution and as time circled by steadily prospered. He has become and has been regarded for years one of the substantial, successful farmers of the township, as well as one of its best citizens. He has a place of 320 acres now, which is nearly all run in blue grass for stock-raising purposes. He also has his father's old family homestead, about a half a mile from his own family homestead. That is an excellent farm of 160 acres. Mr. Nolen devotes his attention principally to stock-raising and dealing in stock. He and J. P. Bush were in partnership for some years in buying and shipping stock and did a large business in that line, but Mr. Nolen is not trading a great deal at present. He has an excellent class of stock on his place and is improving his grade of stock continually. Mr. Nolen's home farm is exceptionally well improved, his building, fences, etc., all being of a superior class. His dwelling, was erected at a cost of $1,700. Mr. Nolen is a native of Kentucky, born in Hardin county, September 9, 1830. His parents were John and Mary (Miller) Nolen, his father originally of Maryland, They came to Missouri in 1852 and settled in the same neighborhood where John L. now lives. The mother died here in 1867 and the father two years afterwards. Of their family of nine children, five only are living; Nancy, the wife of Judge Duley ; Mary, the wife of Richard Hayden, now of Illinois ; William, now' in Texas ; Frances, now of Kansas, and John L. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1852, but lived with them after they came until 1855, when, on the 2d of October, he was married to Miss Emma J. Yowell, a daughter of Ephriam Yowell, one of the early settlers of Monroe county from Virginia.

John J. Norton, M.D.

Every old citizen of the Salt river country knew well and favorably the family of which the subject of the present sketch was a representative, the family of Judge Thomas P. Norton. Judge Norton was from South Carolina and went to Kentucky in the early days of the State. He there married Miss Rachel Robinson, and came to Missouri with his family as early as 1812, stopping first in St. Charles county, and then settling on Salt river in Ralls county, where he became a well known and highly esteemed citizen, and, considering those days, a wealthy man, having a large landed estate and a number of slaves, as well as an abundance of other property. When he came to Missouri, like nearly all the pioneers, he was quite poor, in fact Lazarus wouldn't have jumped at the chance to swap fortunes with him. All he had was a horse and a rifle, with what wearing apparel he and his wife wore and faithful horse could carry in addition to the weight of Mrs. Norton, for in those days a man would not have been thought much of a man who cared to walk from Kentucky to Missouri. Dr. Norton was born in Ralls county. May 20, 1830, in the first brick house ever built in the county, where his father erected the pioneer brick building in the Salt river country. Jas. J. was reared on the farm in Ralls county, and early deciding to devote himself to the medical profession, he was educated with that object in view. When 19 years of age he began the study of medicine under Dr. McElroy, and after Dr. McElroy's death continued the study under G. E. Frazier, taking a regular course at medical college while still under Dr. Frazier. He was graduated from the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis in 1852, when but 22 years of age. He then located in Salem township, Ralls county, and engaged in the practice of his profession, and having a number of slaves, which feelings of humanity prevented him from selling like stock in the market, he also opened a farm in order to keep them employed and make them at least self-sustaining. He continued on his farm practicing medicine in that vicinity until the fall of 1883, when he removed to Monroe City, and engaged in the practice, where he has since resided. During all this time he has lost no time from the active practice, refusing to leave home during the war, although threatened with all sorts of cross-bone punishments. However, he attended medical college at Philadelphia in 1865, where he graduated in medicine, thus receiving a second diploma as an M. D. Dr. Norton has been twice married ; his first wife was formerly Miss Alice W. McElroy, a sister to Dr. McElroy, mentioned above. A few years after her death he was married to Miss Julia Alexander, his present wife.

John C. Peirsol

Mr. Peirsol, a successful and prominent lawyer of Monroe county, is one of those vigorous, active-minded men, of strong convictions and the courage to act upon them, aggressive in his notions of right and with no patience for temporizers ©r half-way measures when the right is to be upheld, who, by their positive character and absolute freedom from all dissimulation inevitably make some enemies, but always more friends, and the latter of the fearless, active kind. Such men not only invariably make a marked impression on the community and events with which they are identified, but they generally become successful leaders of men, and usually prosperous in the material affairs of life. The enmity that they incur frequently subjects them to severe criticism and reprobation by a few, who refuse to give them credit for the purit}'' of their motives. But on the other hand those who are not prejudiced only admire them the more for the openness, frankness and courageousness of their character. A strikingly representative character of his class, Mr. Peirsol, although he has been a resident of the county for but comparatively a few years, has made his presence felt here to a marked degree, and to the great advantage to the community in which he lives, being not only one of the best known citizens of the county, but one of its most active and useful ones. He has contributed ver}^ materially to the upbuilding and prosperity of Monroe City, and has held with ability the office of prosecuting attorney of the county and for six years the position of mayor of the city, as well as taking a prominent part in other affairs, material and polftical, affecting the interests of the public.

Mr. Peirsol comes of an old and highly creditable family of the country, tracing his lineage back through a line of ancestors who have brought no reproach on the name he bears, but have always held worthy positions in the communities in which they lived. The family has been settled in this country for nearly 200 years. His father's great-great-grandfather Peirsol was one of three brothers who came from England to America in 1683 and settled in Pennsylvania, whence the name has radiated into different States. Mr. Peirsol's great-grandfather, Peter Peirsol, was killed at Ft. Duquesne in 1753, when under the command of Washington, attthe time the English or Americans w^ere driven from that fort by the French and Indians. Peter Peirsol, Jr., was born after his father's death, and he became the father of Mr. Peirsol's father, Joel Peirsol. Joel Peirsol was bora in Berks county, Pennsylvania,. and after he grew up came West to Wayne county, Ohio, where he married Miss Catherine Emery. In 1836 they came to Fulton county, Illinois, where both parents lived until their deaths. The father became a leading and wealthy farmer of that county, and John C. was born there May 16, 1846. John C. Peirsol was one of a family of thirteen children, of whom seven, three sisters and four brothers are living. At tlie age of 15 John C. was sent to college at Washington, Iowa, and after attending one year he taught school one term. In 1864 he, with his elder brothers, Peter and Joel, went to California, where he spent three years. Returning in 1867, he sold some land which his father had given him and used a part of the proceeds to attend college at Lewiston, 111. After a term there he came to Monroe City, where his brother Jacob had preceded him in 1866. It was his purpose to go on to Nebraska, but, his horses dying, he gave over the idea and concluded to attend Ann Arbor University. He spent a year at that famous institution and then bought land near Osborne, in Clinton county. Mo., where he was engaged in the stock business for about two years, living much of the time, however, at Plattsburg. He continued at Plattsburg until 1874 and while there he completed his course of law reading, and was admitted to the bar by Judge Lucas. He then came to Monroe City and having been ruined financially by troubles, and the panic of 1873, poor and broken in health, he had to teach a term of school here before he could get books necessary to engage in the practice of his profession, which practice he has since continued. He has been in partnership with different attornej^s at this place, but is now alone in the practice. In 1876 Mr. Peirsol made the race for prosecuting attorney of the county, his opponent for that office being Hon. A. M. Alexander. This was one of the most animated and exciting political contests ever witnessed in the county. The two candidates held no less than 32 joint discussions, and the race was not less close than it was spirited. Out of a total vote of 4,100 Mr. Peirsol was elected by six majority. At the next election, however, he was defeated by Mr. Alexander by a smalT majority. Mr. Peirsol has also held the office of mayor for six years, and is still mayor of Monroe City. He and his brother, Jacob, have been dealing quite extensively in real estate for some years, and in 1882 they laid outPeirsol's addition to Monroe City, in which they have sold about 80 lots. They have about 60 acres in the addition, and over 1,000 acres of land besides in this and Ralls county. Mr. Peirsol has been twice married, first, August 19, 1870, and the second time, January 13, 1879. His present wife was previously Miss Lue H. Loomis, formerly of Emporia, Kan. Mr. Peirsol has one son, Robert C, now eleven years of age. Mrs. P. is a member of the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Commaadery in the Masonic order. ,

Jacob A. Peirsol

The superior excellence of properly made creamery butter is now conceded by all who from experience are capable of judging, and it is therefore rapidly coming into demand for general, not to say universal use. In the East it has long had the ascendency in popularity over all other products of the dairy, and in the North it is in general use. In the last few years it has made steady inroads of popularity into Missouri, and will doubtless soon be demanded for general use fiere. But even ignoring the want of home consumption, the demands for it in the East are such that its manufacture cannot but be a profitable branch of industry here. There, on account of the high prices of land and the heavy cost of stock feed, it cannot be made for much less than a third more than it can be produced here for. With our preseut system of rapid and comparatively cheap transportation, we of Missouri, by virtue of the cheapness of our land and the lightness of the cost of stock feed, can compete in the Eastern markets with the dairymen of that section, if we can not entirely drive them out of the market, as many of the best posted Eastern dairymen fear and believe. We can make butter here for twenty-five cents a pound, an article which costs them thirty per cent more than that to produce in New York or the North Atlantic States. Hence we can command and get a better price for our butter than the one indicated above, thus making it a business of excellent profit. That it is so is shown by the rapidity with which creameries are springing up all over Missouri. The present creamery was established in the spring of 1883, with a capital of $6,500 and capacity of 2,000 pounds daily. This requires the milk yield of 2,000 cows. The building is 30x44 in dimensions, and has a ten-horse power engine with all other necessary machinery and conveniences on the most appproved plan, including an excllent ice-house. Mr. J. M. Procter is the president of the company and Mr. Peirsol its manager. The enterprise has made a gratifying start in business and has every promise of success even in excess of the hopes of those who established it. Mr. Peirsol, the manager, is thoroughly qualified for his position, understanding the business well and being a man of good business qualifications and enterprise. He was born in Fulton county, 111., March 14, 1838, and was educated at the Burlington University of Iowa. He subsequently taught school for year or two and since then has been actively engaged in farming and raising and handling stock, in which he has achieved a marked degree of success. He came to Missouri in 1866 and resided in Ralls county until the winter of 1881-82. He has a fine farm of 300 acres, well stocked with farm animals, etc. He is also a pnmiinent property holder in other lands and town property. He is a brother to J. C. Peirsol, whose sketch precedes this, wherein a brief outline of the father's family has been given. December 5, 1861, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Clark, formerly of Jefferson county, N. Y. She was a daughter of Lucius and Debora (Guernsey; Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Peirsol have two children, Eva E. and Minnie L., two interesting and charming young ladies. Mr. Peirsol, personally, is a most afl"able and pleasant gentleman, and stands high in the esteem of all who know him.

Thomas Proctor, M.D.

the Monroe City Bank since 1881, at which time he became one of its prominent stockholders, and has since acted as its cashier. Dr. Proctor is also prominently identified with other important business enterprises, which will be spoken of hereafter. His father, Columbus Proctor, was one of the early settlers in Marion county. He came to that county when a young man, in about 1832, and was from Jessamine county, Ky. He was subsequently married, in Marion county, to Miss Eleanor G. Wood, a daughter of Hazzard Wood, an old pioneer of the county. He was a farmer by occupation, and became one of the well-to-do and highly respected citizens of the county. He died there, July 4, 1865, but his wife survived until the 14th of April, 1876. There were five children, of whom Thomas was the third, the others being James M., Mattie, now Mrs. James Scott; David and George. Thomas Proctor was educated in the higher branches at St. Paul's College, in Palmyra, and at the State University, the former of which he attended three terms and the latter one term. He studied medicine under Dr. Tipton, of Marion county, and took his medical course in the Iowa University, at Keokuk, from which he graduated in 1864. He then began the practice at Monroe City, but in 1866 returned to Marion county, and located about five miles west of Hannibal, where he practiced medicine for the succeeding 12 years, and also ran a grain and stock farm. Dr. Proctor was quite successful in the practice and secured a large clientele throughout the country around his place of practice. In 1879 he returned to Monroe City, and was occupied for a time in settling up his aifairs near Hannibal and preparing to engage in business at this place, for he had already formed a purpose to interest himself in Texas cattle raising and in other lines of business. In 1881 he became connected with the Monroe City Bank, of which he became cashier. Later along he became a large stockholder in and secretary and treasurer of the Monroe Cattle Company of Texas, which was organized with a capital stock of $500,000, since increased to $750,000, divided into shares of $100 each, three-fourths of which are owned by Dr. Proctor and five other citizens of Monroe county. The company owns 150,000 acres of land, all in one pasture in Shackleford county, Tex., which is stocked with Texas cattle. It is needless to say, for every one of general information knows, that this business is profitable, paying a better dividend than Standard Oil Company stock, whilst there is no smack of monopoly and rascality about it as there is in the famous oil enterprise. Dr. Proctor, being a man of superior education, genial manners and business enterprise, makes an efficient and popular bank cashier, and adds very materially to the patronage and success of the bank with which he is connected by the confidence and high esteem in which he is held as a citizen and business man. The Monroe City Bank is one of the conservative, safe and solid banking institutions of North Missouri, and is rated Al in banking circles, as it is in the estimation of the public at large doing business with it. The following is a statement of its resources and liabilities ©n the 1st of January, 1884: Resources - Cash on hand, $15,110.53; loans and discounts, $51,651.48; due from banks, $42,301.18; real estate, 11,500.00; furniture and fixtures, $1,300.00; total, $111,863.19. Liabilities - Csi^\ti\\ stock, $20,000.00; deposits, $91,048.75; undivided earnings, $814.44; total, $111,863.19. These figures make a gratifying exhibit of the condition of the bank, showing that it is conducted on sound business principles. It also has large deposits on hand, both time and call, which steadily increase from year to year. Dr. Proctor is a man of family, having married April 4', 1865. His wife was formerly Miss Mary T. (" Lutie") Bailey, eldest daughter of Dr. E. Bailey, of Marion county. Dr. and Mrs. Proctor have three children : Bailey, Frank and Thomas. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. During the war he served six months in the State Guard, Southern service, participating during the time in the battle at Lexington.

James M. Proctor

An outline of the fjimily antecedents of Mr. Proctor has been given in the sketch of his brother, Dr. Thomas Proctor, which precedesthis. The father, as there remarked, became one of the well-to-do farmers of Marion county. In early life he was a tanner by trade, and commenced quite poor, but by industry and superior business management became a large property holder. He raised stock quite extensively and also grew tobacco in large quantities. He owned at his death over 1,400 acres of land. James M. was born near Philadelphia, in Marion county, March 3, 1837, and was educated at the Baptist College at Palmyra. He subsequently taught school two terms and then resumed farming on the old family homestead, where he continued until 1866. Meanwhile he had married, and from the old Proctor homestead he came to Monroe. county and settled on his present farm, or rather a part of his present farm. He first had 360 acres, but has since added until he now has 1,160 acres, 480 of which are in his home tract, and the balance only a half a mile distant. Although farming in a general way all the time, for a number of years he has made a specialty of raising and handling stock. His lands are largely run in blue grass for that purpose, having about 1,000 acres in pasturage. He usually keeps from 100 to 150 head of cattle on hand on his home farm, quite or nearly all of high grade and thoroughbred stock. He now has 110 head of fine short-horn cows that he is crossing with Hereford stock for the Western trade. Mr. Proctor is also a leading stockholder in the Monroe City Bank, and in the Monroe Texas Cattle Company, in the former of which he is a director, and is vice-president of the latter. Mr. Proctor has one of the finest stock farms in Monroe county. His place is handsomely improved, including buildings, fences, pastures, water facilities, etc. His residence alone, a fine two-story brick, with a stone basement, containing eleven rooms and three largo halls, besides a commodious basement, all handsomelv constructed and elegantly furnished, cost over $5,000. It is built on a beautiful coUado or eminence gradually rising from the public road about a quarter of a mile distant, and is approached by a handsome carriage-way. The site commands a fine view, not only of his own large pastures and fields, undulating and stretching away in the distance, but also of the surrounding country for miles. On the 7th of June, 1860, Mr. Proctor was married to Miss Ellen K. McPike, a daughter of Hon. James McPike, now deceased, of Marion county. Her father came to Pike county, Mo., from Henry county, Ky., in 1840, and was a brother to Aaron McPike, of Audrain county. Her mother was a Miss Mary Clinton. They removed to Marion county in about 1841. He was a leading farmer and stock man of Marion county and died there in the fall of 1878. He represented that county in the Legislature, and was one of its most intelligent, progressive and public-spirited citizens. He was quite wealthy, and was said to be the finest judge of stock in the State. He was a man of the most generous impulses. He was never able to say no when applied to for help, although he was often imposed upon by those who were unworthy of assistance. His wife died in 1873. His first wife died before his removal to Missouri. Mrs. Proctor has two brothers, Benjamin and Jefferson, the former of Marion and the latter of Knox county. She also has two half-brothers and a half-sister, Edward and William and Mary, the wife of E. D. Gullien, all of Marion county. Mr. and Mrs. Proctor are blessed with a family of eight children : Ellen M., now Mrs. James Randol ; Thomas J., Zack C, assistant cashier of the Monroe City Bank; Anna B., James M., Alma C, Mattie and David M. They had the misfortune to lose a little girl, Jennie Lee, at the age of four months. Both parents are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the A. F. and A. M., Chapter degree. Mr. Proctor is a man of marked natural intelligence and culture, and an agreeable, pleasant gentleman in bearing and conversation.

James S. Randol

Mr. Randol, one of the most enterprising young business men in Monroe county, carrying a stock of about $30,000 and doing a large retail and jobbing trade, the latter with dealers in small towns tributary to Monroe City, is still three years less than thirty years of age, and began in mercantile business as a clerk at Clarence in 1877. Subsequently he attended school, taking a course at Monroe Institute, and in 1879 he came to Monroe City, where he formed a partnership with J. M. Johnson in the grocery and in the boot and shoe lines of trade. In June of the same year, however, they removed t© Cleora, Col., and conducted the same lines of business there for nearly two years. In the fall of 1882 they returned to Monroe City and resumed business at this place, which they carried on until the following August when Mr. Johnson retired from the firm, engaging in farming, where he still resides. Mr. Randol continued the business, discontinuing later along, however, the boot and shoe line. Younoenterprising and energetic, he has pushed his business with all the vigor that he possesses, and having superior business qualifications, as well as a marked natural taste and aptitude for business life, he has made it a most gratifying success. He does business on a cash principle, and although enterprising and always ready to stake his judo-ment on the future of supply and demand, he is still conservative and cautious, never making any risky adventures in trade. Besides his large business he owns the large business house he now occupies, and indeed, he has all his afiairs on a sound basis and in a safe, prosperous condition. On the 2d of May, 1883, Mr. Randol was married to Miss Ellen M. Proctor, a daughter of J. M. Proctor, of this place. They have a son, J A Randol, Jr., born March 26, 1884. She is a member of the Baptist Church, but Mr. E., himself, is a member of the M. E. Church South. He is also a member of the Triple Alliance. Mr. Randol is a son of John B. and Mary A. (Sharp) Randol, now of Colorado, and was born in Shelby county, near Clarence, October 28, 1857. Of the family but three are now in Missouri : James S., Ellen S., now Mrs. O. C. Perry, and John H. The father removed to Colorado for his health, where he and the balance of the family are now makinotheir home. °

John J. Rogers

(Dealer in Dry Goods, Clothing, Furnishing Goods, Eancy Goods, Hats and Caps, Boots and Shoes, etc.; also. Warehouseman and Dealer in Grain, Monroe City).

In 1876 Mr. Rogers was engaged in clerking in a business house at this place, which he had followed for the two years previous. To-day he has one of the leading establishments in the lines mentioned above in Monroe county, and is also one of the principle grain merchants of the county, being not only one of the most prominent and successful business men of this place, but a man of ample means to carry on without embarassment his large business in the different branches in which he is engaged. During this time he has neither inherited nor married a fortune, but on the contrary has made every dollar he has by his own business acumen, enterprise and energy, and all by fair and honorable dealing. Such a record is not only creditable to the man himself, but to the community, and such a man is fairly entitled to be considered one of the best and most valuable citizens of the county in which he resides. It is to self-made men, men of character, intelligence and enterprise, those who have the ability and industry to achieve success whatever may be the circumstances in which they begin, that every community owes, to a very large measure, its prosperity. Mr. Rogers is a native of Virginia," born in Fauquier county. Whilst he was yet in infancy his parents, Stephen and Cornelia F. ( Jett) Rogers, came to Missouri, and settled in Marion county. Here the father engaged in farming and stock-raising and dealt largely in real estate for a number of years, and, indeed", until his retirement from all active business a few years ago. He now resides at Warren, in Marion county. John J. was brought up on the farm. At the age of 18 he went to Louisiana, Mo., where he was employed by an insurance firm for about a year. He then became a traveling agent for a Commercial Agency at Columbus, Ohio, and traveled principally in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky for about two years. In 1875 he returned to Missouri and clerked in a business house at Monroe City until becoming a member of the firm of Sutton & Rogers. Mr. Sutton was succeeded by Mr. Purnell, and the firm became Rogers & Purnell. Mr. Purnell was a traveling man and Mr. Rogers had full charge of the business. Afterwards Mr. Rogers bought out Mr. Purnell's interest, and since that time he has been carrying on the business alone. In the meantime Rogers & Purnell had bought out the firm of Goetze & Byrd, merchant tailors and dealers in clothing and gents' furnishing: g-oods. All have since been combined in one store. Mr. Rogers has also had branch houses at Hunnewell and Warren. He has a large warehouse at this place, the only one in this part of the county, and he deals quite extensively in grain, seeds, wool, etc., shipping the principal part of the grain shipped from this point. He keeps from two to four hands employed. His store has an extensive trade and is one of the most popular houses at Monroe City. On the 12th of September, 1878, he was married to Miss Lily Jones, a daughter of Mr. G. C. Jones, formerly of Wilmington, Del. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Triple Alliance.

Mr. Rutledge, the proprietor of this popular and successful business firm, was reared a farmer, which he followed up to 1879, when he removed to Monroe City. But he also learned the plasterer's trade when a young man and worked at tliat when not occupied with his farm duties until he quit the farm, since which he has continued in the plasterer's trade, but for some years past principally as contractor. Mr. H. K. Anderson is his partner in the contracting business and they control the principal part of the plastering work done at this place and throughout the adjacent territory. Both being experienced plasterers and men of upright business principles, they see that no work is done under their firm that is not thoroughly and well done, and to the entire satisfaction of their patrons. This house of A. K. Rutledge was formed in 1878. Mr. Robinson had charge of the business up to a short time ago, since which A. K. Rutledge has taken charge of the entire business. He carries a full line of drugs and has a profitable and increasing trade. Mr. Rutledge was born in Giles county. West Va., October 28, 1843. His father, Trevis Rutledge, died when A. K. was about 11 years of age. Five years afterwards the mother, a Miss Charlotte Wingo before her marriage, came to Missouri with her family and finally settled near Clarence in Shelby county. There were originally nine children in the family, and seven are still livino^. A. K. Rutledije continued with his mother in Shelby county until his marriage, which was in 1868, Miss Mary S. Smith becoming his wife on the 5th of February, 1868. She was a daughter of Samuel C. and Elizabeth Smith, who settled in Shelby county in 1836. Her father died there in 1848, but her mother died at Mrs. Eutledge's home, in Monroe City, July 18, 1882. Mr. Rutledge lived on what is known as the Smith farm after his marriage up to 1879, when he came to Monroe City. Mr. and Mrs. R. have three children : William T., Etha Edna, and Shelby. Mrs. R. is a member of the Baptist Church. Her father was a blacksmith and started the first shop opened in Shelby county. She lost three brothers during the war who were identified with the South.

John E. Robinson, a former partner of Mr. Rutledge, was born in Dorcester county, Md., December 30, 1827. He learned the carpenter's trade as he grew up and came to Missouri in 1851, locating in Shelby county. He married in Shelby county Febiuarj' 22, 1857, Miss Sarem E. Smith then becoming his wife. She was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Smith of the same county from which he came. He followed carpentering in Knox and Shelby counties for a number of years. He then engaged in the drug business at Newark, in Knox county. He was subsequently in the same business in Utica and California, Mo. , and then in the dry goods trade in Shelbina for about ten years. From Shelbina he came to Monroe City. Since that time he has been in the drug business for Mr. Rutledge. April 11, 1881, Mr. Robinson had the misfortune to lose his wife. She left him two daughters, both now young ladies, Miss Bessie and Miss Etha. The former presides over her father's pleasant home, and the latter is an accomplished and popular teacher of the county. Both are young ladies of superior refinement and culture, and of rare attractiveness of presence. Mr. Robinson is singularly fortunate in having two daughters so well calculated to make his home attractive and pleasant, both by their grace of manners and charm of conversation, as well as the faultlessness of their form and features and their singular gentleness, yet cheerfulness and brightness of dispositions. They not only ornament the society in which they move, but challenge admiration from all, admiration which it is a pleasure to feel.

William Schofield

For 30 years continuously Capt. Schofield has been running the river, and now holds his twenty-ninth certificate as a first-class pilot and master. He was with the St. Louis and Keokuk Packet Company for 16 years, and since that time has run the river between St. Louis and St. Paul. He is still with the company. During last season he was pilot of the steamboat Keokuk. It is a gratifying fact that during all of Capt. Schofield' s long experience on the river he has never met with an accident of any serious consequence. In 1846 he made a trip to the City of Mexico, and was there when peace was established between Mexico and the United States. In 1849 he went to Californit\.. But these are the only journeys he ever made off of the river of any considerable distance. For a number of years prior to 1870 he lived on West Ely prairie, in Marion county, where he owned a farm, and where he spent his time when not on the river. In 1870, however, he came to Monroe City, where he has since resided. Here he has a neat home in the suburbs of town and has an excellent farm of 160 acres adjoining town. Capt. Schofield is an Englishman by nativity, but was reared in this country. He was born in Yorkshire November 25, 1825, and when six years of age was brought to America by his parents, who first located at Pittsburg, Pa. His father, James Schofield, died there, and his mother subsequently married John Cook, a carpenter by trade. In 1836 the family came to Missouri and settled at Marion City, which was then hardly more than laid out. There young Schofield learned the cooper's trade and worked at it until he went on the river, in about 1854. Since then he has continued on the river, as stated above. Capt. Schofield has been three times married. His first wife was a Miss Charlotte Boyd. She lived seven years after her marriage, dying in 1859. In 1861 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Metcalfe. She survived her marriage but a short time. May 29, 1863, Capt. Schofield was married to his present wife. She was a Miss Martha Jones, of Lewis county. Of this union there are three children living: Harry, Fannie and Millie. One, James, is deceased. There were no children by his second marriage, but by his first wife there are four, namely: Rufus, now in Denver, Col.; Harriet E., now Mrs. Horace Kent; George W., of this [)lace ; and Miivy Laura, who was adopted by Mrs. R. F. Bartlett, of Keokuk, la., and by her christened Charlotte L. She is now the wife of Charles Pond, of Keokuk. Mrs. S. is a member of the Christian Church and the Royal Templars of Temperance, and the Captain is also a member of the Royal Templars of Temperance.

Capt. William Styles

Capt. Styles was born in Kenawha county, W. Va., September 21, 1816, and was a son of William F. and Margaret (Gibbs) Styles, his father from Albemarle count}', Va., hut his mother from Scotland. Capt. Styles was reared in Virginia and came to Missouri in 1843, settling in Monroe county. In the meantime his mother had died, and two of his sisters, Mary and Margaret G., made their homes with him in this county, they keeping house for him whilst he improved a farm. His brother, Samuel G.,had come out in 1840 and engaged in milling by water power at Clinton, now Somerset, but failed about the time Capt. William Styles came out to this State, so that Samuel G. joined him in his farming operations. The latter died here, however, in 1845, at about the age of 32. Margaret G. married Hill Shaw, and both afterwards died in Franklin county. Mary died unmarried in 1852.. Capt. Styles' father, having married the second time, also came to Missouri in 1843, coming a sliort time before the Captain, and settled near where the latter located. He and his second wife both died here, the latter preceding him a number of years. The father made his home with Capt. Styles some seven years after his second wife's death. Capt. Styles improved a good farm, and on the 29th of November, 1849, he was married to Miss Nancy E. Kirkland, a daughter of Jacob Kirkland, of Clinton, formerly of Boonville, Mo. The Captain, besides being interested in farming, began milling as early as 1844, bringing his mill out from Cincinnati, which he ran for about eight years, it being a horse grist and saw mill. He also ran a blacksmith shop some eight years, and before and during the war had a two-horse power thresher and did threshing in this county and neighboring vicinities for some eight or ten years. He has a good farm of 160 acres and is comfortably situated on his place. Capt. and Mrs. Styles have three children, namely: Joshua F., now farming in the county; Samuel G., who has charge of the home farm, an'tl Mary S., the wife of Daniel K. Yowell, of Monroe City. Captain and Mrs. Styles are members of the M. E. Church South. Capt. Styles is a practical and experienced surveyor who, in his time, was one of the best surveyors of North Missouri. Capt. Styles, himself, hos done a great deal of surveying in the county and kept it up until his eye failed, being a sufferer from weak eyes for a number of years past, which is believed to have been caused originally from a severe spell of measles, which he had back in 1852. Capt. Styles was commissioned captain of militia by Gov. Price in 1846 or 1847 to drill the militia of this county in military tactics, of which he had made a study, and was considered an expert drill master.

George W. Tompkins

Mr. Tompkins is a professional druggist, as well as a thoroughly capable business man, having begun to learn the drug business when he was 17 years of age, in which he has since been continuously engaged, either as clerk or on his own account. When a youth he received a good education in the schools of Hunnewell, where he was principally reared, and in 1876 came to Monroe City and commenced as a clerk in the drug store of J. H. Grady. Subsequently he clerked for P. E. Crisp for over four years, and in 1882 he and Dr. George L. Turner, who is the other member of the firm, formed the partnership under which they are still doing business. They have a first-class stock of drugs, fresh and well selected, and Mr. Tompkins being a practical and experienced druggist, while his partner is a physician, it goes without saying that they form one of the safest and most capable drug firms in the county. Mr. Tompkins compounds prescriptions with special care, and both members of the firm use their best judgment in the selection of pure drugs and medicines of established re^putation for their trade. By doing a strictly first-class business, their house has secured an enviable reputation at Monroe

City Jincl throughout the surrounding country, so that, as would be expected, it is more than ordinarily popular with the people, and commands a large trade. On the 19th of June, 1859, Mr. Tompkins was born at his father's homestead in Lewis county. While he was quite a youth the family removed to Hunnewell, where they still reside. His father, William Tompkins, was originally from Tennessee, but his mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Clow, was from Kentucky. George W. remained at Hunnewell, as stated above, until he was 17 years of age, and then came to Monroe City. October 1, 1882, he was married to Miss Elizabeth F. Simpson, a daughter of J. H. Simpson, of this place. Mr. Tompkins is connected with the Triple Alliance.

Nathan S. Topping

Mr. Topping is a hotel landlord of long experience, and has been conducting the Gem Hotel since the spring of 1881. He is a successor to R. M, Brown, who erected the hotel building in 1866, since which it has been run as a hotel. It contains 25 rooms and accommodates conveniently from 30 to 40 guests. Mr. Topping is the owner of the house, and also of the livery stable, and is doing a good business in both lines. He came to Monroe City from Shelbina, where he had been running the Topping House for about nine years. Mr. Topping is originally from the old Empire State, called into life in Sullivan county, July 20, 1818. His parents, Abraham and Mary (Cook) Topping, Avere from Long Island, :ind removed to Sullivan county in 1812. Nathan S. was married in Sullivan county, September 23, 1847, to Miss Sarah Kinkendall. He followed farming there until 1868, when he came to Missouri, and improved a farm near Hunnewell. From the farm he went to Shelbina in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Topping have had four children: Emery A., who died at the age of 21, soon after coming to Missouri; Estella D., the wife of L. W. Arnold, of Monroe City, and two others, who died in New York. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Topping is a man of intelligence and general information, and in New York held numerous local official positions. He is well respected here.

Benjamin H. H. Tucker

Mr. Tucker was born June 17, 1818, in the city of New York, and became identified with North-east Missouri away back in the spring of 1836, when he was a youth about 17 years of age, by having a scholarship presented to him in Marion College, of Marion county. Mo., by Gov. Haynes of New Jersey. That college was then one of the most eminent institutions of learning throughout the entire country, and was resorted to by young men of promise from nearly all the States. Mr. Tucker was a son of Benjamin Tucker, a leading young lawyer of

New York City and of a promiueiit family of that State, but who iinfortiuuitely died at the early age of 36. He was intimate with Hamilton and Burr, who greatly encouraged him to hope for a promising future at the bar, and by whom he was regarded as a young man of the highest promise. At college he was a classmate with Martin Van Buren, afterwards President of the United States, and between them there was ever a warm friendship. He was also a friend and associate with most of the leading men of New York State. Mr. Tucker's mother (Benjamin H. H.'s) was a Miss Elizabeth Cutter, of the well known New Jersey family of that name, one of the best families in the State, a history of which has heretofore been published by Dr. Cutter, of Connecticut. He is conceded to be one of the finest surgeons in the State, and is also a representative of this family. Young Tucker came to Marion College, which he attended for about 18 months, and until the college became disorganized on account of financial and other troubles. He then located at Marion City, Marion county, and was engaged in the hotel business, Marion City at that time being a thriving town on the Mississippi 10 miles above Hannibal, and the shipping point for North-east Missouri. In February, 1841, the hotel was burned. In the spring, by the solicitation of friends, he came to Monroe county and engaged in teaching school for some months on the farm of Joshua Gentry, boarding in the family of Aaron B. Combs during that time. Returning to Marion City in 1842, he taught for a time that year and soon engaged in clerking in a general store and commission business until the spring of 1843. The 6th day of April witnessed the crossing on the ice over the Mississippi river of one yoke of oxen hitched to an ox-cart. The postmaster at Marion City at that time failing to comply with all the requirements of the post-office department, Dr. Bower, of Paris, being member of congress from this district, was called upon to recommend one to fill the position of jjostmaster in place of the incumbent. Dr. Bower recommended Mr. Tucker who was duly commissioned under President Tyler, holding the office three years, when on account of poor health he was induced by his friends to try farming. On the 5th of February, 1846, he was married to Miss Martha H. McCormick, of Marion City. In 1849 he began farming nea. West Ely, and subsequently farmed in Marion, Ralls and Lewis counties up to 1865, when he came to Monroe City, and engaged in clerking one year, returning to his farm in Lewis county in the spring of 1866. There he stayed until October 1869, when he again returned to Monroe City. On the 16th of April, 1869, he took charge of the post-office at this place, and has since discharged the duties of this office, having been re-commissioned a few months ago for a term of four years. In 1871 he was appointed U. S. Express agent and in 1881, Pacific Express agent. Up to 1874 he was also engaged in the grocery business. Mr. Tucker makes an efficient and popular postmaster, and his official record, as is the case with his private life, is without a shadow of reproach. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker have five children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Thomas L. Courtne3' ; Benjamin Franklin

Green , Charles Edward , George Washington and Carrie Esther. Mr. and Mrs. Tucker are members of the M. E. Church South. He is also prominently identified with the temperance cause.. In April, 1881, Mr. Tucker had the misfortune to break his left hip bone, which prostrated him for nearly three months. However, he has recovered the full use of his leg, although it is a little shorter than his right leg. During the War of the Rebellion Mr. Tucker, not fit for military duty, remained on his farm in Lewis county, doing whatever was in his power for the cause of the government, ever faithful to the flag of his country.

The parents of Rev. Able Turner, the father of Dr. George L., were earl}^ settlers of North-east Missouri, settling near Hannibal, in Marion county. There Rev. Able Turner was reared, and in young manhood was married to Miss Mary E. Wilson, formerly of Loudoun county, Va., who came to Shelby county. North-east Mo., with her parents before reaching womanhood. Later along Dr. Turner's father removed to Shelby county, where he was married and where the Doctor was born on the 26th of March, 1854. His father was a minister of the regular Baptist Church, and continued pulpit work until his death, which occurred April 24, 1882. Dr. George L. Turner was the fifth of the nine children of his parents now living, the others being Charles C. of Carthage, Enoch T., John M., Frank S., Frances A. now Mrs. F. M. Farr ; Belle, now Mrs. Arthur Carmichael ; Martha G., now Mrs. Edward Carmichael, and Ida M., who is still at home, all except Charles C. and George L, being residents of Shelby county. George L. (the doctor) completed his education at the State University, where he studied two years. He then taught school two years and during the same time studied medicine under Dr. Chenvrout, of Bethel, in Shelby county. He then entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he took a regular course of two terms, graduating in 1880. Dr. Turner at once located at Monroe City, in the practice of his profession, where he has since resided. He formed a partnership with Dr. Asbury which continued up to a short time ago. Dr. Turner is a partner with Mr. George W. Tompkins in the drug business, and is still a member of the firm of George W. Tompkins & Co. Dr. Turner was married in Shelby county, September 7, 1880, to Miss Charlotte Pickette, daughter of Hiram Pickette. They have two children : Myrtie G., and an infant son,Lytle Rush. Mrs. Turner is a member of theM.E. Church and the Farmers' and Mechanics' Mutual Aid Association, and the Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Triple Alliance, and the Farmers' and Mechanics' Mutual Aid Association. He is also a member of the Monroe County Medical Society. Dr. Turner has shown by his success in the practice as well as by his popularity as a physician, that he is a practitioner of thorough qualifications and superior skill. He has a marked natural aptitude as well as special taste for surgery, and has performed some very difficult and bighly successful and creditable operations in that department of the practice. Still, he very much likes ail branches of the practice and is a more than ordinarily capable physician in the treatment of the general curriculum of cases usually met with in this part of the country.

Judge Alfred Warner

In the " History of Monroe County " there is no one mentioned the events of whose life reflect greater credit upon the subject himself and upon all connected with him, as well as upon the county, than does the career of the subject of the present sketch. A man of great force and purity of character, he acquitted himself without reproach of his duties in every relation in which he was placed - in his family, in the church, in business affiiirs and to the public. Possessed of a high order of intelligence, and energetic and enterprising almost to a fault, his activities in business aff'airs were eminently successful, and he died the possessor of a comfortable fortune, an estate he accumulated himself and enjoyed for many years. He was a man of retiring and modest disposition, wonderfully attached to home and family, and with no desire, whatever, for public life or for cutting a conspicuous figure in the world. With his talents and great personal worth, if he had been ambitious of political promotion or other official advancement, there are no offices in the gift of the people to which he might not have reasonably aspired and probably have obtained. But his greatest happiness was found in the private walks of life, making himself useful to those around him and enjoying the society of his loved ones at home and of his friends. There, it is gratifying to remember, most of his days were spent, and while it was more congenial to his own tastes that it was so, if, when the end came, his loss was not as widely deplored because he was not as widely known as some, it is but the expression of a plain and simple truth to say that it was more deeply and sincerely mourned than is the loss of many. As a business man, merchant and manufacturer, he was early and eminently successful ; as an agriculturist later, farmer and stockman, his career was not less creditable ; and as a friend of popular education, an active worker in, and liberal supporter of the church, as a public-spirited citizen and a representative in official life - in every position and sphere of activity, he was an ornament and of great value. When such a man dies not only is a loss sustained by his family and those to whom he is immediately near and dear, but by the community in all its interests, a loss which is fittingly evidenced by the general bereavement shown by the people, as in the case of the imposing performance of the last sad rites attending the deceased. Alfred Warner was a native of Massachusetts, born near Pittsfield, April 2, 1798. When he was about 12 years of age, he was taken by his parents to the Western Reserve of Ohio, where the familv settled in 1810. There, in that then wilder- iiess, he grew up amid the pioneer scenes and incidents of frontier life. Possessed of a natural taste for mental culture, notwithstanding his unfavorable surroundings, he succeeded in acquiring, by application to his books at home, a good practical education. When a young man, 24 years of age, he went to Lexington, Ky., where a brother, Elijah, had preceded him and was in business. He also engaged in merchandising there and soon became, in addition, largely interested in manufacturers, both at Lexington and at Havensville. He owned extensive bagging and rope factories, and also large jeans and woolen mills. Besides these he conducted a heavy pork packing business, and altogether accumulated a handsome fortune for those days. He owned quite a number of slaves. Li 1848, however, he sold out in Kentucky and came to Missouri, stopping for a short time on the way at Alton, 111., then one of the leading points of the West, where he owned valuable city property. Arriving in this State, he settled in Marion county, where he bought a tract of 600 acres of laud, and improved a fine farm. Desiring to increase his facilities for stock-raising, he bought an additional tract of 600 acres in Monroe county about 1855, to which he removed about 1856 or 1857, and soon took rank as one of the principal stockmen of North Missouri. He was one of the first, if not the very first, to introduce the breeding and raising of fine short-horn cattle. He raised fine stock of different kinds, and, indeed, was never content to handle low grade animals of any kind. His cattle and horses were especially remarked for their superior quality and value. In this way he did a great service to the county by encouraging and assisting in the improvement of its stock.. He was a leading and active member of the Masonic order, and his interment with the honors of that order is said to have been the most impressive and considerable funeral of the kind ever witnessed in the county. He was also a prominent and time-honored member of the Episcopal Church, and was for years a Lay Delegate for this Diocese to the General Convention of that Church. He took an active part in organizing the parish in Monroe City and building its house of worship ; and was also highly influential in establishing the Monroe City Institute, giving both the church and the institute the benefit of his active exertions of liberal donations. His public spirit manifested itself in assisting materially in the upbuilding of Monroe City. He bought numerous lots there and erected several valuable business houses and dwellings, and at all times showed a disposition to aid in any movement designed for the general good of the place. During the war Judge Warner, although an extremely liberal-minded and conservative man, was decidedly Union in his sentiments, notwithstanding he was a slave-holder and much attached to the Southern people, both in interest and sympathy. He took no active part in the struggle, however, and remained quietly at home, except while engaged in the discharge of official duties, to the performance of which he was called by the general voice of the people. He was presiding member of the county court of Monroe county, which court had probate jurisdiction, a position he held for two terms of four years each. This office was accepted with great reluctance on his part, and at last only from a sense of public duty. He acquitted himself in it as was to have been expected, with great credit and to the universal satisfaction of the public. He was one of the few Union men of Monroe county who, though always loyal to the government, so conducted himself that he was without an enemy at the close of the war among the Southern people, being respected and esteemed for his honesty and sincerity by those opposed to him, as his loyalty was honored and unquestioned on the Union side. He died at his home in this county on the 24th of September, 1867, and his remains were interred with every manifestation of public sorrow and of individual grief among his personal friends and acquaintances, as well as in his own family, in the cemetery at Monroe City, where they now sleep peacefully awaiting the dawn of the resurrection morn. He was a man of striking personal appearance, full six feet in height, with an excellent form and a manly countenance, always lighted up by a genial and pleasant expression. He was eminently social and affable in his intercourse with those around him, and the farthest from an opinionated man, being unassuming and respectfully considerate of thoughts and the feelings of others. Judge Warner was twice married. To his first wife, whose maiden name was Miss Jane Shekleford, he was married April 24, 1832. She survived her marriage, however, but a short time. On the 29th of September, 1846, he was married to the partner of the subsequent years of his long and useful life, and who still survives him, one of the most highly respected and beloved ladies in the community where she has so long lived. The widow of Judge Warner was, before her marriage to him, a Mrs. Harriett L. McLean, relict of Prof. McLean, an accomplished artist, who, although dying at the early age of 36, had already attained considerable fame as a talented and gifted portrait painter. She had been a widow nearly three years at the time of her marriage to Judge Warner. She was a Miss Patterson originally, of Camden, Maine, but was reared at Cambridge, Mass. She is now in her seventy-first year, but is still a lady of fine personal appearance, remarkably well preserved in body and mind. Judge and Mrs. Warner reared but one child, a sou, Alfred B., born January 4, 1852, and still unmarried. He has charge of all the property of the family, and is a leading agriculturist and business man. He was educated at Monroe Institute, and Racine College, Wis., taking, besides a general course, a thorough course in Latin, Greek and German. He is a young man of bright promise, and occupies an enviable position in the community.

Westhoff Brothers

These gentlemen, who have about $3,000 invested in their present business, and work constantly from eight to twelve hands besides themselves, manufacturing annually a large number of road wagons and spring wagons, and a number of carriages, buggies, etc., beigan in business together at Monroe City in 1876, and have since conducted it as partners with gratifying success. They build from 16 to 18 road wagons a year and more than half as many spring wagons, as well as numerous other vehicles, besides doing a large blacksmithing business and attending to an extensive custom in the repair line. They are energetic, thorough-going mechanics and business men, and are fully worthy of the gratifying success they have achieved.

The senior member of the firm, Francis Westhoff, was born in Hancock county. 111., October 4, 1839, and learned his trade under his fiither in Schuyler county. Mo. Subsequently he worked for about seven years near Bloomfield, Iowa, and then came to Monroe City in 1872, and engaged in his present business. Meanwhile he had married, March 20, 1866, when Miss Martena Riney became his wife. She Avas a daughter of William Riney, of Scotland county, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Westhoff have three children : William F., Elizabeth A. and James Leo. Both parents are members of the Catholic Church. During the war Mr. Westhoff served for a time in the Schuyler county militia.

Adolphus Westhoff Avas born in Schuyler county. Mo., March 1, 1848, and is therefore nine years younger than his brother. He learned his trade under his father and worked in Davis county, Iowa, and for a time ran the shop with his brother. In 1872 he began work with his father and came to Monroe City in 1876, where he has since been a partner with his brother Francis. He has charge of the wood work department of the business. In the winter of 1877-78 he was married to Miss Maggie Ryan. They have four children : Johnnie, Frank, Anna and Angle, the last two twins. He and wife are also members of the Catholic Church.

Francis and Adolphus Westhoff were the sons of John and Elizabeth (Campbell) Westloff, formerly of Illinois, but who came to Schuyler county, Mo., as early as 1844. The father was a farmer and blacksmith and wagon-maker, and followed these callings until his death, which occurred in the summer of 1883. He worked here with his sons the summer preceding his death, or rather in the summer of 1882. He returned home the succeeding fall and soon died, as stated above.

F. M. Wilson

Mr. Wilson, born and reared in Ralls county, continued to reside there after he grew up and was married, engaged principally in farming, but a part of the time in milling, until 1877, when he came to Monroe City and bought an interest with Samuel Megown in the mill at this place, with whom he was connected in the milling business for about 18 months. Selling out then, he bought an interest, with Virgil Evans, in the furniture and undertaking business, and soon afterwards bought Mr. Evans' interest, becoming sole proprietor of the business. Meeting with good success, in 1880 he erected a new business house and appreciably increased his stock. He has recently sold the building he erected in 1883, however, and has just completed a handsome, commodious, two-story brick business house, which he now occupies. On the 15th of October, 1857, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Gubriella Shulse, a daughter of Marcus Shulse, of Ralls county. The fruits of this union are two children, both now grown to maturity, namely: Annie M. and William H., the former the widow of Norton F. Spalding, late deputy county clerk of Ralls county, and the latter in the business house of Durrant & Jackson. Annie M., the daughter, was married to young Spalding in 1881. But with less than two years of happy married life the angel of death came and bore the spirit of her beloved and devoted husband to his home bej^ond the skies. His remains now sleep peacefully in the cemetery on the old Norton place, where the flowers shall bloom above all that is mortal of him, the cherished memory of whom is nearer and dearer to her than all else on earth, until the morn of the resurrection shall dawn : -

"Broken in twain, is the precious chain, Sundered so far and wide ; But, the Father hath love that will make it whole, On the beautiful other side."

One little flower, the fruit of this happy union, destined to be sundered so soon, is left to cheer the mother's heart under the shadow of her sad widowhood: Robert Marion, a bright little boy now one year of age. Mr, Wilson, the subject of this sketch, is a representative of an old Missouri family, his father, Hedgman Wilson, having come to this State away back in 1827. Mr. Wilson's mother was a Miss Levina Fuqua. They came from Kentucky and the father, a miller by occupation and a farmer, lived in Ralls county until his death, which occurred in 1869.

Benjamin O. Wood

Mr. Wood is a representative of the old Pennsylvania Quaker family whose name he bears, the most prominent member of which, in recent years, was the Hon. Fernando Wood, of New York, three times mayor of that city and who commenced his service in Congress as far back as 1841, dying two years ago, while still representing New York City in the National Legislature. Mr. Wood's father. Dr. Adolphus E. Wood, and the late ex-Mayor Wood were brothers, the latter born in Philadelphia, but the former in Baltimore. There were two other brother, Henry and Benjamin, both of wliom reside in New York. Dr. Wood was a man of fine education and culture, and graduated in medicine with eminent distinction. He was married in Havana, Cuba, to Mrs. Caroline Clunette, of Spanish parentage, being then a widow lady, her first husband of French nationality. She had two children by her first husband. Dr. Wood was largely interested in the tobacco trade of Cuba at that time. Deciding, however, to come West, as early as 1831 he removed to Missouri, locating in Shelby county, then on the very frontier of civilization. He lived in that county until his death. He was a leading citizen of the county and the foremost physician of North Missouri. He served as county judge for some years, and was a man of great force of character, sterling virtue and eminently influential. His wife (Benjamin O.'s mother) is still living, a lady of rare dignity of manners and fine accomplishments, having received an advanced education early in life and always been a student of the best literature. She has reared a large family of children, and those living all occupy enviable positions in the communities where they reside. Benjamin O. Wood was born at Oakdale, in Shelby county, December 29, 1836, and was reared at that place. He was principally educated by his parents, who took great care for the mental culture of their children. As early as 1863 he began as a clerk in a drug store in Quincy, III., and from that time to the present, with no appreciable intermission, he has been continuously in the drug business - a period now of over 20 years. He came to Monroe City in 1868 and has since been in business at this place. He carries one of the best stocks of drugs, as it is one of the largest and most complete, in the county, and keeps constantly employed two gentlemanly, eificient salesmen, Messrs. R. E. Lear and John M. Riley, gentlemen whose good looks are only exceeded by their pleasant manners and fine business qualifications. Mr. Wood also gives his undivided attention to his business. His house has an enviable reputation for reliability and efficiency in the preparation of prescriptions, of which it makes a specialty. On the 12th of December, 1872, Mr. Wood was married to Miss Allie B. Smith, a daughter of Mr. A. Smith, of Ralls county. They have one child, Myrtle I. They have lost their child, a boy of 14 months, of great promise. Mr. Wood is a member of the Masonic order, the A. O. U. W., and he has also served in the city council for several terms.

Thomas J. Yates

Mr. Yates was born on his father's homestead in this county, August 18, 1845, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. In 1864, then in his nineteenth year, he enlisted in the Confederate service under Col. McDaniel, and joined Gen. Price's army on the retreat from Missouri. He was with Price for a short time, then became a member of Gen. Joe Shelby's command, under whom he served until the close of the war, surrendering at Slireveport, La., ia June, 1865. Returning home, he then went to work again on the farm and followed farming continuously and raising and handling stock from that time up to about 1875. He then came to Monroe City and engaged in the livery business ; later along he was also in the hardware business at this place, being in partnership with G. W. Durrant, under the firm name of T. J. Yates & Co., for about two years. Excepting this and about 18 months spent on his farm, he has been in the livery business continuously since 1875. Some two years ago his brother, William R., joined him in the livery business, since which they have carried it on under the name of T. J. Yates & Brother. This is one of the leading livery establishments in Monroe county, if not the leading one. They have about $10,000 invested ia their business, and have a large and commodious building, well arranged for caring for stock, vehicles and feed, such as are required in their business. They keep from 20 to 30 head of horses, a large number of bug-o-ies, two hearses and various other kinds of vehicles needed to accommodate their custom. They also run busses to all the trains on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Road at this point. Their stables are justly popular in the livery line and liberally patronized by the traveling and local public, and particularly the commercial men, who have found by experience that they can get better accommodations for the prices charged than at any other livery establishment in the surrounding countr3^ They also do a general stock business in the line of horses and mules, and buy and sell quite extensively. Mr. Yates has a good farm near Monroe City, of 320 acres, which is devoted mainly to stock, and there he raises and feeds cattle for the wholesale markets. He now has on hand about 50 head of good cattle. He has been handling stock, principally cattle and mules, since 1875, and with excellent success. On the 6th of April, 1869, he was married to Miss Maggie Beck, formerly of Ohio. They have had six children : Eddie, Wilfred, Victor, Belmer, Lee, James A. Mr. and Mrs. Yates are members of the Catholic Church. His parents were Thomas and Eliza (Pearceal) Yates, early settlers of this county, coming here as early as 1832. His father is still living, but the mother died in August. 1882.

Washington C. Bates

Mr. Bates is one of those sterling old Virginians, so many of whom we are favored with in this State, who possess the qualities of industry and clear, vigorous intelligence that make them successful men almost without exception wlierever their lots are cast, and who contribute an important measure to the building up and developing of the respective communities in which they reside. Mr. Bates was born near Marion, Va., in 1818. His parents, Thomas and Nancy (McCarty) Bates, had nine children, of whom he was the fifth. His father died in 1835 whilst Washington C. was a youth 17 years of age, and two years later the mother with her family, including Washington C, came to Missouri and settled in Platte county. They were among the early settlers of that county and opened one of the pioneer farms in its wilderness. The mother died, however, in 1838, and Washington C. then went to Buchanan county where he bought a quarter of a section of land and improved a farm. There he lived for nearly 30 years and in the meantime was twice man-ied. He came to Monroe county in 1866 and bought a part of the land on which he now resides. Here he has since been engaged in farmino- and hand lino- stock, which he had previously followed in Buchanan county. His career has been one of continued success and he now has a fine place of nearl}'^ a section of land, all substantially and comfortably improved. He started in the world for himself with but little or nothing to begin on and he is, therefore, what may be fairly termed a self-made man. He has made most of what he has in the stock business, dealing in cattle, mules, etc., and has been a very successful stock shipper, a business he still follows to some extent. He was absent for several years during the war, a part of the time in the Southern service and the balance engaged in freighting on the plains. He was in the fights at Blue Mill and Lexington and several other less eno-ao-ements. While on the plains he ran several teams from Nebraska City to Denver, and made some money in that business. Mr. Bates was married the first time in 1841 to Miss Caroline Blue, of Audrain county, who survived her marriage only two years. There is only one child by this union, Almira, now the wife of Charles McCarty. To his present wife he was married in 1844. She was a Miss Nancy Kerr, a daughter of John and Susan (Hannah) Kerr, formerly of Virginia. The}^ have nine children: Susan S., John W., Thomas M., Emma, Eleanor, Robert A., James B., Jefferson Davis and Katie A. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church South and he has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for 30 years. He has been a school director for a number of years and still holds that position.

Thomas M. Bates

Mr. Bates is the third son of Washington C. Bates, the worthy old citizen of Monroe county whose sketch precedes this. Thomas M. was born in Platte county in 1848 but was reared in Buchanan county, where his father resided up to 1866. He received a good common school education, and remained with his father on the farm after the latter's removal to this county, until 1871. He then ngaged in the saw mill business, which he followed with great success for about 12 years. Selling out his small interests, be now came to Santa Fe and began as a druggist and grocer, lines of trade he has since followed. He has a neat stock of both these lines, and by his well-known integrity and his accommodating spirit has won a o-ood patronage for his house. His trade is gradually increasing, and^'it is his intention to increase his stock as rapidly as his business justifies. In 1872, Mr. Bates was married to Miss OUie Hagar, a daughter of Dr. Hager, of Monroe county. Mr. and Mrs. B. have two children Nannie B. and Fulton D. Mrs. Bates is a member of the Presbyl terian Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. He has a handsome property in Santa Fe, and a good start in life. His future as a business man seems one of promise.

Francis M. Brashears

(Farmer and Blacksmith, Post-offlce, Santa Fe). Mr. Brashears was one of a family of 15 sons of Solomon and Jemima (Pittit) Brashears, of South Carolina, and subsequently pioneer settlers of Ralls county. Mo., removing to that county from the Palmetto State as early as 1831. Francis M., the subject of this sketch, was four years of age when the family came to Missouri, having been born in Spartanburgh district, S. C., May 28, 1827 ' His mother died in Ralls county, and in 1854 his father removed to Adair county, where he died two years later. He was reared in Ralls county and was brought up to be a farmer and blacksmith, both of which occupations his father followed. He remained with his father until he was 27 years of age, and, indeed, went to Adair county with him, where he was married on the 30th of December, 1858, to Miss Sarah J. McCoy, formerly of Indiana. Suljsequently he removed to Monroe county, and in 1879 settled on the place where he now resides. He has a place of 200 acres, all improved except a small piece of timber, and he still follows blacksmithing, to which he was brought up, as well as forming. A man of unflagging industry and of strong intelligence, ills life has been one of success, and now he can contemplate approaching old age with the easy assurance that the later years of his life are well provided for, so far as necessities and comforts are concerned. He and his good wife have had 11 children: Edward T., Fannie D., Francis M., Robert L., Benjamin H., Lewis A., Nina J., Alva H., and Myra E. The other two are deceased, Amos and Mary Elizabeth,' both having died in infancy. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, but one of his sons is a member of the Christian Church.

James Bledsoe

One of the most influential and public spirited citizens of the township IS he whose name heads this sketch. Owning a mao-nificent farm of 400 acres, all under fence and with every improvenVent and convenience, Mr. Bledsoe conducts his business according to the most enterprising and enlightened method. He is one of the most intelligent farmers in the county, and deals also extensively in stock. He is raising mules for the market as well as hogs and cattle. He keeps only the highest grade of short-horn cattle. Mr. Bledsoe takes a lively interest in public affairs, and is one of the strongest advocates of public schools. He is the son of Willis and Jane Bledsoe, both natives of Kentucky, and was born January 17, 1839, in the Blue Grass State. His father came to Missouri April 6, 1846, and settled on the farm where James now lives, and where his own days drew to a peaceful close on the 21st of October, 1881, his wife having died 12 years before. He was a farmer and stock-raiser, and will further be remembered as a man of the highest moral character. He was never heard to use an oath in his life, and was ever a consistent and pure Christian. In his early life he was a member of the Baptist Church, but after coming to Missouri adopted the faith of the Universalists. James was educated in the common schools, and, coming of age, began working for himself. He, however, still remained on the old homestead, and in 1873 bought the place, affording a comfortable home for his parents until their demise. November 28, 1878, James married Miss Ella Powell, a native of Kentucky, by whom he has two beautiful and attractive children, John and Bertie. Mr. Bledsoe is a charter member of the Masonic Lodge at Santa Fe.

Charles F. Browning

Mr. Browning's parents, Charles W. and Catherine A, (Hines) Browning, were early settlers in Monroe county, where they bought the Maddox farm, on which they resided for over 20 years. In 1864, after Charles F. had grown up, the family removed to Audrain county, where they made their home. The father died there in 1870 ; the mother is still living, an old lady of advanced years, but still in comparatively good health and active considering her age. When they came to Monroe county they had to rely on deer and turkeys for meat and corn meal for bread, which was ground at the oldfashioned horse-mill. Preachins; was held at the house of neio-hbors : schools were something of a novelty. Their trading point was Hannibal. They were blessed with a family, however, of 13 children, most of whom have grown up and become parents themselves and some of them grandparents. Mrs. Browning, the good old mother, has had, as already said, 13 children. She also has 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, the odd number seeming, as usual, to be a lucky one. Charles F. Browning, the subject of this sketch, was born in Culpeper county, Va., on the 26th day of July, 1841, and was reared on a farm after the family came to Missouri, in Monroe county. In 1862 he, in company with John Wood and William Wilson, started to join Price's army, but were captured on the way, and confined in prison at St. Louis for about four months. On taking the double, back action, iron-clad oath of loyalty, he was released, and remained at home until 1864, when, being drafted into the Union service, he quietly drafted himself out of it by crossing the draft of the Mississippi into Illinois, where he laid low until the close of the war. After a sojourn in Illinois for some 18 months, he went to Texas, and then visited several other Southern States, finally locating in the Indian Territory in 1876, from which he shipped cattle, mainly, to Tennessee. Some 12 months afterwards he cjime back to Missouri, and in 1882 bought the Baker farm, a half mile ofi" the place where he was reared in Monroe county, where he now resides. He has continued to deal in stock and has had satisfactory success. October 3, 1882, he was married to Miss Hattie Rayl, of Pulaski county, this State, but formerly of Tennessee. Mr. Browning is one of the well respected citizens of his community, and is a thorough-going, enterprisinofarmer and stock-raiser.

John F. Buckles

Mr. Buckles is the son of George and Betty (Wakley) Buckles, of Ohio, and was born December 27, 1852. His father came to Missouri in 1859 and settled in Shelbyville, Shelby county. When the war came on he joined the Federal forces and after a year's service, he'mowounded, was honorably discharged. He was then for some time in the militia, and has ever since been working at his trade of miller, both in this county and Montgomery. He had a family of 13 children, of whom six are living. John grew up on the farm and attended the common schools of the county. He worked for a year on the Hannibal Courier, then losing his heart to Miss Betty A.", daughter of Simon and Emily (Rudder) Finks, formerly of Vermont, he married her in 1873, and settling down became a farmer. He is an honest and industrious citizen and bids fair, though now quite a young man, to become one of the leading men of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Buckles have four children, bright and charming as fresh roses in the morning sun. Their names are respectively: Netta A., Stella S., John R. and Charles T.

George W. Bybee

Mr. Bybee was born May 19, 1838, of John S. and Jennetta (Creed) By bee. His parents came to Missouri among the earliest settlers, and so few facilities were there at that time for housekeeping that they were compelled to do their marketing in Hannibal. Mr. B. improved a farm one and one-half miles north-west of Santa Fe, and raised principally hemp and corn. George attended school, helping his fother meanwhile with the farm until he was 17. He then worked for a year with an uncle in Fulton county. 111., two years with his brother in Audrain county, and the war coming on, he went into the Confederate army with "Capt. Murry. After six months' service he was discharo:ecl at Pea Rido-e and worked on a farm in the Indian Nation. Returning to Illinois, he married January 25, 1864, Miss Mary J. Powell, a native of Missouri, and farmed there until 1865, when he again took up his residence in Monroe. The following year he bought the home farm where he still lives. He is an energetic and capable farmer and stock-raiser. He deals in cattle, hogs and sheep. Mr. Bybee owns 223 acres of land, upon which he has just erected a new residence, barn, etc., causing it to present a very tidy and attractive appearance. He has a family of eight children, Isadore, Anna, Celia, Harris, Emma, Wallace, Leon and Charles. Mrs. Bybee is a member of the Christian Church.

James Camplin

The parents of James Camplin were natives of Kentucky, and there his father, James Camplin, died. His mother, Jane Penn Camplin, then moved with her children to Missouri and located in Monroe county. Her sons carried on the farm for her until 1845, when she accepted as a second husband Benjamin McCarty, a Virginia gentleman, who had emigrated to the count3^ She died in 1869. James Camplin finding himself, on account of his father's death, called on to assume much of the responsibility of the family support, naturally was deprived of many advantages in education which had otherwise been his. He made the most, however, of his limited opportunities, and if his acquirements were not so extensive as those of most young men, he had the satisfaction of knowing that they were sacrificed in a holy cause, and that he had been a good son to a widowed mother. At the ao-e of 24 he married Miss Marinda Cri2:ler, daughter of Lovel and Mary (Oats) Crigler, and one of a family of 14 children. Her father moved from Virginia to Missouri in 1836. By this marriage there were six children: Mary J., wife of J. Fleming; William R., a farmer ; Susan G., Allie E., wife of F. Vaughn ; James, and Cynthia, who died at the most interesting age of four years, just as the aff"ections of her parents had become so closely twined about her that to tear them away was almost to destroy the root of life. Mr. Camplin, a progressive and energetic farmer, owns 105 acres of land all under fence, and well improved. He devotes much attention to the raising of stock for sale, and it may be said without exaggeration, that those wishing to purchase can nowhere receive more value for their money. Mr. C.'s stock are of the best grades, and will compare favorably with any in the county. His courteous and obliging manners make it a pleasure to deal with him. Mr. and Mrs. Camplin are members of the Christian Church in Santa Fe.

Benjamin E. Cowherd

Mr. Cowherd's fiither, William Cowherd, was one of those sterling, enterprising farmers of the early days of the country who had the industry and intelligence to make a success of agriculture, and who, as a neighbor and citizen, was highly thought of for his high character and neighborly disposition. He was a large land owner and owned quite a number of slaves. He died in this county in 1853. He and his family were from Kentucky, and his wife, before her marriage was a Miss Celia Estes. She died here in 1867. They had seven children, namely: Mary, Emily, Elmira, Sarah A., David, Susan and Benjamin E., the subject of this sketch. Benjamin E. was born in Shelby county Ky., in 1817, and was well advanced in youth when the family came to Missouri. He remained with his father on the farm, however, until 1842. He then began farming for himself on a farm of 200 acres which his father gave him, or rather he beo^an the improvement of a farm on the raw land given him by his father. Two years later, like the early birds in the springtime, though not as quickly of course, he had succeeded in making himself a comfortable home, and then - he was married. Miss Elizabeth McNutt became his wife on happy Christmas Eve, Anno Domini 1844. Bringing his young wife to their new home, he went to work with renewed industry and resolution, as a ftirmer of the county. He also soon turned his attention to raising stock and has steadily accumulated the substantial evidences of prosperity as the years have rolled awav, even up to the present time. During the war he sustained some heavy losses, both in slaves and other property, having nine negroes taken from him by a single stroke of Mr. Lincoln's pen, and some valuable horses and other goods and chattels by several strokes of the militia. However, he is still in comfortable circumstances and has in his homestead tract of land 440 acres, his place being one of the choice stock farms of the township. Mr. Cowherd raises and deals in all sorts of farm stock, and is one of the successful, enterprising stock men of the community. Mr. and Mrs. C. have two children: John M. and William. John M. is working on the farm in partnership with his father, but William is married and farming in the vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Cowherd are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Jacob Cox

Mr. Cox deserves more than most residents of the county a place in these pages, for without his public spirit and generosity the county would not now have cause to glow with pride in the possession of the Prairie High School, one of the finest institutions of learning in the land, whose existence is due almost entirely to the noble efforts of the subject of this sketch. He and Mr. John Forsythe were the first to advance the project and Mr. Cox was one of eleven who organized the school and of their private means erected the first building, costing about $300. In order to induce children to attend the school, thej boarded them for the nominal sum of seventy-five cents a week. It may be remarked that the Prairie High School has showered upon the world, from the inexhaustible fountain of its learning, a larger number of professional men than any similar institution in the country. Mr. Cox was born in 1810, in Franklin county, Ky. His father, Thomas Cox, was a farmer and miller by occupation, and was a native of Kentucky. He married Miss Jane Smith of the same State, and died in 1825, his wife having one year before crossed to the dark Plutonian shore. Jacob, one of a family of nine children, received a good education and worked on the farm until he was of age; then, after a trip by river to New Orleans, and a sunmier's work on the turnpike in Ohio, he returned to Kentucky, and learned the stone mason's trade. He worked at this, farming at the same time, until 1836, when he moved to Monroe county and settled near Florida. In a few years he changed his residence to his present farm. He first bought 80 acres of land upon which was only a little log cabin. His grinding was done with horse mills and in order to sell his wheat and produce and purchase supplies he went to Hannibal. The country abounded in game and though in those days living was simple, it is a question whether the world was not better off then than in this progressive and artificial age. Mr. Cox married January 14, 1834, Miss Cassander Talbott. There were born nine children: Francis J., Elizabeth, Martha A., John T., James, Emeline, Cassy, Nellie, and one who, startled by one glimpse of this sin-sick world, fled in affi'ighted haste back to its native heaven. The eldest son, John T. , a young man of whom any parent might justly be proud, is a graduate of the Marion Medical College, at Cincinnati, and is now a practicing physician at Moberly. Mr. Cox's farm now consists of 160 acres where he and his worthy wife, faithful sharer of his early struggles and later success, bask in the sunshine of prosperity, after weathering triumphantly the fitful gales attending the voyage of life. They are among the most highly esteemed residents of the township. All the family belong to the Christian Church in Santa Fe.

Lockhart A. Creigh

Mr. Creigh is^a native of the Old Dominion, West Virginia, born in Greenbrier county, September 15, 1855. He was a son of David S. and Emily (Arbuckle) Creigh, of old and respected families of Greenbrier county. The father in early life was a merchant, but later along engaged in farming near Lewisburg, W. Va. He was successfully following that business when the war broke out, and although his sympathies were naturally with the South, he took no part whatever in the struggle. During the progress of the war, however, his house was visited by a ruffian Union soldier, and Mr. Creigh on going into his own house found the plunderer just about to enter the room of an invalid daughter when he told hira not to go in the room, upon which the robber placed his revolver in Mr. Creigh's face and demanded all of his keys. At this junction Mr. Creigh drew a small derringer pistol, which failed to fire, and then he grasped the robber's pistol and in the struggle killed hira with his own weapon. Afterwards, in retaliation for this, he was taken out by a party of soldiers and hung without judge or jury, or semblence of trial or defense. This was one of the many sad and unhappy events of that most unfortunate and unnatural war. His family remained in Virginia until 1871, when his wife, still a widow, removed to Missouri with her family of children and settled, on a place in this township. Here they improved a farm and lived on the place they improved until 18 - , when they sold their place to advantage and bought their present place, on which they have since resided. Mrs. Creigh, the mother, has been blessed with 11 children, and three of her sons, including the subject of the present sketch, Lockhart A., are engaged in running the farm. Their place contains 480 acres and is one of the choice farms of the township. They are quite extensively engaged in raising stock and also deal in stock to a considerable extent, in all of which they have been very successful. One of Mr. Creigh's brothers, C. A. Creigh, is a prominent citizen of Paris, Mo., and the present circuit clerk of Monroe county. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic order at Santa Fe.