Monroe County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 4 of 11)

From the Monroe Apjjeal of April 13, 1883, which published an obituary of Col. Anderson, who died at his residence in Union township, this county, April 7, 1883, we take the following tacts: Addison Alexander Anderson was born in eTefferson countv, Tennessee, November 17, 1809. At the age of eight he was placed in school at Washington City l)y his father and soon afterwards entered the college of the Smithsonian Institute, where he graduated in his sixteenth year. His father then obtained him a position as midshipman in the Navy, in which he served on the man-of-war Constitution, under Commodore Hull. He cruised on the coasts of Europe, Africa, and South America, and took part in the capture of several steamers, including the Diabeta, a noted Spanish pirate, and also participated in the storming of Moro Castle, at Callao. After three years' naval service, he returned to Washington, studied law, soon afterwards formed a partnership with Col. John Crozier, and commenced practicing at Knoxville, Tenn. He was elected to the Legislature two terms, served with distinction, and was the author of a bill estabhshing a thorough system of internal improvements tha.t marked the opening and development of a new and progressive era in that State. He was a warm friend and admirer of Gen. Jackson, and often visited him at the Hermitage, but upon his causing Congress to expunge from the record resolutions of censure relative to him, he viewed the General's conduct as offensive, and introduced and advocated to successful passao;e a set of resolutions denouncing his conduct as arbitrary ; and these resolutions figured prominently in the ensuing Presidential campaign, and were largely instrumental in causing the loss of that State to the following of Gen. Jackson, and throwing it into the hands of the "Whigs. He left Tennessee and moved to Kentucky in 1842, settling on a farm near Danville. He afterwards represented Boyle county in the Legislature of that State, and resided there until 1858, when he came to Missouri, and settled near Middle Grove, in this county. Here his time was spent in a quiet and unobtrusive manner, chiefly devoted to his family, to whom he was fondly attached. During his entire residence here and up to the time of his death, he made but one effort to re-enter public life. Believing that the agricultural classes are not represented in proportion to the taxes they pay, he made a canvass for Congress on that question, but failed of an election. In 1837 Col. Anderson was married to Miss Catherine McDowell, a daughter of Dr. Ephraim McDowell, who was an uncle to Dr. McDowell, of St. Louis, the founder of McDowell's Medical College of that city, or the Missouri Medical College, as it was named by him, a man well known l)oth in this country and in Europe for his eminence in the profession of medicine. Dr. Ephraim McDowell, of Kentucky, svho was the preceptor of Dr. McDowell, of St. Louis, was also a distinguished physician and surgeon, and eminent as a medical writer. His ability and skill in surgery obtained him a national reputation, particularly in Ovariotomy, and in acknowledgment of his great services and high character and ability as a physician and surgeon, the medical fraternity of Kentucky erected a handsome monument to his memory, at a cost of over $10,000. His wife was a daughter of Gov. Isaac Shelby, of Kentucky, for whom all the Shelby counties are named, a distinguished colonel in the Revolutionary War, and who gallantly led his regiment to victory at King's Mountain, when Ferguson's army was captured. Col. Anderson, by his marriage with Miss McDowell, had a family of seven children, six of whom are living and now themselves the heads of families, residents of this 'and Caldwell counties. He was a kind parent and husband, and his devotion to his family was unlimited. He was a finished scholar, an impressive speaker, and a thorough historian and linguist. His memory will be cherished long and tenderly by his familv, and revered by his relatives and friends. A grand old man, ever honorable and upright, who, with almost his last breath, made this noble declaration, that he had never knowingly wronged one of God's creatures. He was the last of a family of ten sons to

Evan S. Anderson, the subject of this sketch, and the third in his father's family of children, was born at Danville, in Boyle county, Ky., September 17, 1839. He was educated at Center College, Danville, and was among the first in the senior class during his last year at college. In 1859 he came to Missouri, and located in Monroe county, six miles east of Middle Grove, where he engaged in farming and the stock business. He was busily occupied with these pursuits when the war broke out, and, being a Southern man in sympathy and convictions, he promptly enlisted in the service of the South. He became a member of Co. A, Sixth Missouri cavalry, and served until the close of the war. After his return home Mr. Anderson resumed farming and stock raising, which he has since continued, and with good success. He has a fine stock farm of 500 acres, all under fence, and in a good state of improvement. In the spring of 1866 he was married to Miss Eleanor Sames, a refined and accomplished daughter of Carl F. Sames, of this county. Mrs. Anderson was educated at Christian College, Columbia. Her mother's maiden name was Miss Margaret Ess, and both her parents were of German lineage, her father being a native of Hesse-Darmstadt. Mr. and Mrs.

Mr.Bassett, a man of finished education, a graduate of the Missouri State University, as well as a teacher of long and approved experience, and one of the neat, business-like farmers of Union township, is by nativity and bringing up a Missourian, born and partly reared in Randolph county. His father and mother were both originally of Kentucky, who came to Randolph county in an eai-ly day. John J. was born in that county, four miles north-west of Middle Grove, on the 27th of March, 1837. When he was about six years of age, however, they moved across into Monroe county, and settled in township 53, range 12, where they made their permanent home. John J. attended the neighborhood schools until he was well advanced in his studies. He then went to the academy at Paris, where he pursued his studies for two years. He was now prepared to enter the State University, and he accordingly matriculated at that institution, in which he continue'cl until his graduation, receiving the degree of A.

B. After his graduation he came home and taught a ten months' school at Middle Grove. He then, in the winter of 1861-62, went to Sacramento, Cal., and was en<xao:ed in farmino; and teaching there for some time. Returning home in 1865, he resumed farming, and also taught school, both of which he continued alternately with each other up to the time of his marriage. On the 21st of July, 1879, he was married to Miss Marv E. Hunter, a daughter of Burrill B. and Eliza- beth (Lightner) Hunter, of this county. He then turned his attention exclusivel}^ to farming, which lie has since foUowed without interruption. He has a phice of 140 acres of land, and besides grain growing raises considerable stock. He and wife have two children: Harry H. and Fannie R. Both parents are members of the Christian Church. He has a handsome residence on his place, one of the best in the township. He was once elected justice of the peace, and filled that office with great credit to the local magisterial administration of justice, as well as to himself and the community.

Tennessee M. Bassett

Tennessee Matthew Bassett was born on his father's farm on section 9, in township 54 and range 12, in Monroe county, on the 1st day of December, 1848. His parents were long old and respected residents of this county. Tennessee M. was reared on the farm and educated at the common schools, supplemented with a course at Younger' s Academy, where he studied the higher English branches and Latin. Afterwards he went to Jefferson Cit}'^ and began the study of medicine, and while there also learned the drug business. Abandoning the idea of becoming a physician, he decided to give his attention wholly to the drug business, and accordingly, after ample experience at Jefferson City, returned to Monroe county and opened a drug store at Middle Grove, which he carried on with success for about four years. He then sold out to advantage, but resumed business in 1877, a year later, and continued it for some 12 months, and until he was burned out, a misfortune that was a serious reverse to him. He now engaged as a clerk in a store at Moberly, and clerked in that city for a short time, or until he took charge of a dry goods store at Holliday, where he was enofaired in sellins; oroods until 1879. Mr. Bassett then engaged in farming on section 9, township 53, range 11, in this county, and in handling fine short-horn stock, both of which he has since continued to follow. He has had good success as an agriculturist and is steadily coming to the front as a prominent farmer of the county. Mr. Bassett has .a place of 245 acres, an excellent grain and stock farm, which he keeps in good condition and conducts in an enterprising and business-like manner. On the 29th of October, 1879, Mr. Bassett was married to Miss Mary B. Giddings, a daughter of W. B. Giddings, mentioned in the sketch of Thomas M. Giddings, and also of W. B. Giddings and Evan S. Anderson, on other pages of this work. Mrs. Bassett was educated at Renslaw Academy in Ralls county, where she took a general English course and also studied French. She is a lady of superior education and highly-refined sensibilities, delicate in thought and word and most estimable both in her family and as a neighbor and friend. They have one child, Rob Roy, aged three years, named for the great French teacher of Belles-lettres, M. De Rob Roy,

Cyrus Collins Evans

Mr. Evans' paternal ancestry of the fifth generation came from Wales to America prior to the Revolution and settled on the boundary between North and South Carolina, in the valley of the great Pee Dee river. Later along in life, among the very first settlers of Kentucky, he pushed on out into that then wilderness and settled in Madison county, where he made his permanent home and where some of his descendants still reside. Mr. Evans' father, the great grandson of the pioneer settler mentioned above, was born in Madison county, Ky., and after he grew up was there married to Miss Mahala Gutherie, of another family of early settlers of Kentucky. In 1830 they removed to Missouri and settled in Howard county, near Fayette. Two years later they crossed over into Randolph county, where the father still resides, at the advanced age of 81. The mother, however, died in 1868. He was for many years a prominent stock man of that count}'' and drove mules both south and north to the principal markets. Cyrus C. Evans, the subject of this sketch, was born the fall before his parents came to Missouri, October 7, 1829, and was therefore principally reared in Randolph county. On the 7th of October, 1851, he was married to Miss Nancy A. Grimes, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Clark) Grimes, of Randolph county, but formerly of Virginia. Mr. Evans followed farmins: in that countv until 1857, when he removed to Macon county, eight miles south of Newburg, where he was engaged in farming for 10 years. He then returned to Randolph county, but the year following came back to Monroe and settled on section 2, township 54, range 12, where he has since resided. He has a good farm and is quite extensively engaged in farming and stock raising, hav'ing n\et with good success in both lines of industry. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have seven children: Virginia E., the wife of Isaac C. Tater, now of Cook county, Texas ; William H. H., who married Miss Isa Driscoll, and a resident of Monroe county; George Allen, who married Miss Addie Garnett and also resides in this county ; Viola E., Manuel H., Anna L. and Fannie A. Two are deceased, Letha L. and Emma L. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Cyrus Collins Evans' grandparents, on his mother's side, were Nathaniel Guthery, born in Ambrose county, Va., and Nancy Guthery, who was born in the same State and county, near Lynchburg, on the James river. They moved to Kentucky in 1812, and settled in Madison county, 18 miles from Richmond, the county seat of Mason county, and lived there all their lives.

Walker Turner Featherston

father came originally from Virginia, but she was a native Kentuckian. She died when Walker T. was eight years of age and had been the mother of 11 children. The father afterwards married Rebecca Gorman, who has borne him six children. In 1841, when Walker T. was a youth some 16 years of age, the family removed to Missouri and settled in Randolph county, two and a half miles from Middle Grbve, in Monroe county. Walker T. grew to manhood in Rtindolph county, and obtained a good, general, common English education. He subsequently taught school more or less regularly for about 20 years, up to 1868. He married Miss Amanda M. F. Stephens, a daughter of William R. and Agnes (Nelson) Stephens, of that county, her father formerly of Fauquier county, Va., but her mother of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Featherston have seven children: Mary S., the wife of John M. Doyle, of Monroe county; Minerva F., the wife of William J. Llewellyn, of Audrain county; Walter A., who married Laura D. Settle, a daughter of Martin E. Settle, and resides in Monroe county ; William S., who married Cora Llewellyn, the daughter of John T. Llewellyn, of Audrain county; Thomas S., who married Sarah R. Settle, daughter of Martin E. Settle, of Monroe county; Oscar M., still at home, and Fannie A. who is still at home. Four of their children are deceased, Charles A., John E., Otho L. and James E. Mr. and Mrs. F. are members of the Christian Church, and he is a deacon in the church - a man remarked among his co-members and by all who know him for his earnest, exemplary Christian piety. He was constable of Union township, Monroe county. Mo., and is now a successful farmer. He has a neat farm in a good state of improvement and an excellent measure of coal on his place. He is a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M., and has been a delegate to the Grand Worthy Serene Conrocation of that order several t.imes at St. Louis.

Thomas M. Giddings

Mr. Giddings was born in Paris, January 8, 1835. His father was William B. Giddings, originally of Barren county, Ky. He came to Missouri early in life and located, first, at Fayette, in Howard county. He was married to Miss Mary H. Buckner, originally of Virginia, of the well known family of that name, representatives of which have attained to eminence in life, both in Kentucky and Missouri, as well as in Virginia and some of the other States. From Fayette he removed to Paris and then to Huntsville, but finally settled on a farm near Middle Grove, in Monroe county. Thoinas M. was reared at Paris and Huntsville and on the farm. He had good opportunities for an education, not only passing through the common and preparatory schools, but having also the benefit of one year's instruction at the State University, where he studied the high English branches Jind Latin. Returning home, he resumed farming to which he had been brought up, and in the spring of 1860 he was inarried to Miss Mary

J. Todd, a daughter of Albert G. Todd, of this county. She was born February 12, 1842. Her fother was from Madison county, Ky. After he was married Mr. Giddings continued farming, which he has since followed without interruption. His homestead tract of land contains 120 acres, and he has his place neatly and comfortably improved. He has a valuable coal measure on his farm which, however, has never been exploited to any considerable extent. Mr. and Mrs.' G. have one child, Lillie M., aged three years. Mrs. G. is a member of the Christian Clnirch.

Mr. William B. Giddings, Jr., was born in Monroe county April 28, 1842, and was educated in the schools of Paris. He was 19 years of age when the war broke out, and, like his brother-in-law, Mr .E. S. Anderson, he promptly enlisted in the Confederate service. For over four years he followed the flag of the South, and only returned after it had gone down in defeat to rise no more after a struggle which made it an emblem of the highest heroism and patriotic devotion the world has ever seen. He first enlisted in the State Guard, becoming a member of Co. A, Second Missouri Cavalry, Brace's regiment, under Gen. Harris. After the expiration of that term of service, he enlisted in Co. G, Second regiment, First Missouri Brigade, Confederate service. Among the other battles in which he took part during the war^ are remembered those of Lexington, Mo. ; Pea Ridge, Ark. ; Corinth and luka, Miss,, and nearly all the engagements'^in which Gens. Johnston and Hood were engaged, whilst he was in their respective commands. He was paroled at' Jackson, Miss., in 1865, and at once returned home and engaged in farming and stock-raisin o-, in which he had been brought up. In August, 1867, he was married to Miss Kate Auderson, a daughter of A. A. and Catherine (McDowell) Anderson. She was born in Bovle county, Ky,, in 1847, and was educated at Lexington, iu that State. They have three children: Joseph, James and Fannie. Mrs. Giddings is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Giddings' home tract of land contains nearly 300 acres, all of which is under fence and otherwise improved. He makes something of a specialty of raising short-horn cattle. Mr. Giddings has a two-foot vein of coal on his place, but has never beo-un to work it lor the markets.

James Ownby, Sr

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Ex-Sheriff, Post-office, Middle Grove). For 57 years, since 1827, this old and respected citizen of Monroe county has been a continuous resident of the county. Indeed, he catne here some years before the county Avas organized and has been a personal witness to its progress and an active worker in its development from its birth to the present time. He has seen the countv made aud has assisted to make it one of the first in popuhition and wealth and in intelligence and prosperity in the sisterhood of counties of the State. Mr. Ownby is a native of Kentucky, born in Shelby county, November 11, 1810. His father, James Ownby, originally of Virginia, was a gallant soldier in the Revolution, as was also five brothers to his father. Mr. Ownby' s mother was a Miss Hawkins before her marriage. His parents were early settlers in Kentucky, and his father died there September 16, 1816, when James was only in his sixth year. Mr. Ownby's mother never remarried, but with the help of her worthy family of children bravely faced the duties and responsibilities of life in widowhood. Left an orphan by the death of his father at this early age, and the family being by no means m easy circumstances, young Ownby's lot was far from an ,easy or promising one. But his mother was devoted to her family and they to her, and together they carved out their destiny in a way that left few regrets and no heart-burnings. James Ownby, of course, had little or no school advantages, but had to work hard to help the family along. If he thus missed much of the knowledge taught in books, he more than made up for it by learning those lessons of fortitude in adversity, self-reliance and resolute industry, so important for success in life. The qualities that make successful men were stamped upon his character by nature, and although his early outlook seemed unpropitious, he triumphed over all obstacles before the meridian of life was reached and became one of the substantial citizens and influential men of his community. With the courage characteristic of the men of those early times, in 1827 he bravely pushed out into the then wilderness of North Missouri and settled in what is now Union township, of Monroe county. Here he w.ent to work with courage and indefatigable industry to establish himself a home. In due time he succeeded in opening a farm and in 1835 was married to Miss Sarah J. Dulany, a daughter of George H. and Mary J. (Brassfield) Dulany, earl}^ settlers of this part of the country from Kentucky. Mrs. Ownby was born in that State June 4, 1817. She was a woman of many estimable qualities of head and heart and devoted herself to making home happv, to the interests of the church of which she was a devout member, and to assist her husband in providing for the family and getting along in the world. This proved a long and happy union and heaven prospered them with a worthy family of children, as the soil and seasons and their own industry prospered them with abundant harvests. Mr. Ownby rose to easy circumstances and at one time owned over 400 acres of fine land, large numbers of stock and considerable other property, whilst at home he was surrounded by everything to make sober farm life comfortable and contented. He also grew steadily in the confidence and esteem of his fellow countrymen and all who knew him. He was constable of his township for 16 years, and then afterwards, in 1866, was elected sheriff'of the county and two years later was re-elected, filling that office to the full limit of the law. His son, William H. Ownl)y, was then elected sheriff" and Mr. Ownby, pere, continued in the office as deputy. It is needless to say that a man of the sterling character of the subject of this sketch is a consistent, life-long and unvarying Democrat. All Democrats are good men and Mr. Ownby is no exception to this immutable law of moral philosophy. After quitting the office of sheriff he retired to his family and has since been spending his years in comparative rest from the severe activities of life. A man of the most generous impulses and singularly devoted to his family, he has distributed his land among his children until he now has only a small homestead left to himself, which he carries on no longer as an industry of profit or money making, but simply to provide comfortably for his own home. Those who journey down the stream of time must inevitably reach the gulf of eternity sooner or later. Such is the destiny of all things earthly, and oftentimes the end is reached when the ties of nature are the dearest and tenderest. When two loving hearts have made the voyage of life for long years together, becoming as time floats away knitted nearer and nearer together, it seems hard that they should ever be severed. But He who rules above surpasseth in wisdom as he surpasseth in gentleness and love, all earthly wisdom and all tenderness of the human heart. He knows what is wisest and best and to His decrees we must bow even more dutifully than the child yields to his father. It was ordained in Heaven that the good wife in this happy union should go first, perhaps to smooth and light the pathway of her husband to their common home above, as she had made happy and bright his pathway on earth. Accordingly, on the 11th of September, 1882, the Angel of Death came and bore her pious and gentle spirit away to Heaven. Her remains now sleep peacefully in the churchyard at Middle Grove, where those of her husband will some day join hers, as his spirit will join hers in their home on high. Of their family of children eight are living, namely: Powell S., of Denisou, Tex. ; Gecn-ge D., James O., Jr., William H., Martha E., the wife of C. J. Chilton, of Randolph county; Mary E., the widow of S. O. Hunter; Sarah E,, the wife of Thomas E. Bassett and John F. Each one of these is well known and highly respected in their communities.

William H. Ownby, the fifth son, was born on the homestead in this county June 19, 1844, and received a good common-school education. Having decided to devote himself to a business life, he also took a course at commercial college at St. Louis. Inheriting his father's inflexibility of character and a man of great energy and enterprise as well as of superior business qualifications, he soon rose to a position of prominence in the community, and for his personal worth, public spirit and strong intelligence he became recognized as the leader among those around him. After holding minor positions, in 1870 he was elected sherifi". In 1873 he was appointed one of the commissioners of Missouri to represent this State at the International Exposition in Vienna, Austria, and visited Europe in the execution of the duties of that commission. Since then he has retired to his farm near Middle Grove. In 1874 Mr. Ownby was married to Miss Mary T. Bodine, a refined and estimable daughter of Martin Bodine, a highly respected citizen of Paris, in this county. They have two children, Talitha C. and Mary B. Mrs. Ownby is a member of the Christian Church and Mr. Ownby is a prominent member of the Masonic order.

James C. Snell

Mr. Snell's father came to Monroe county in a comparatively early day, and became quite a successful and well-to-do farmer, as well as a neighbor and citizen highly esteemed by all who were favored with his acquaintance. James Cumberland Snell, one of his sons, the subject of this sketch, was born on his ftither's homestead, two miles north of Middle Grove, on the 8th of September, 1846. His early youth was spent on a farm and he then went off to college. He took a regular course at Mt. Pleasant College, in Huntsville, and graduated there with distinction in the class of 1863, having taken Latin in his colle2i:e course. After his graduation he returned home and engaged in merchandising at Middle Grove, which he followed for two years. He then turned his attention to fiirming, to which he had been brought up, and has followed fa.rming since that time, except a year or two whilst he engaged in other pursuits. January 27, 1870, he was married to Miss Kate Thomas, a daughter of Dr. Thomas, of Waverly, Lafayette count}'. She was also educated at Huntsville. During the j^ears 1873-74 he was farming and stock-raising in Lafayette county, and in 1879 and 1880 he was merchandising at Middle Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Snell have three children: Floyd, Clark and Nora. One besides, Susan, is deceased. Mr. Snell, as the above facts show, is a man of superior education, and is not less energetic as a farmer than he is proficient in the knowledge of books. He is meeting with good success in his agricultural affairs, and already occupies a position among the better farmers of the township.

Capt. William Edward Williams

Capt. Williams is a lineal descendant of William Williams, one of the four signers of the Declaration of Independence for Connecticut. William Williams was born at Lebanon, in that colony, in 1731, and was educated for the ministry, but becoming interested in the Revolutionary cause, he devoted himself to its interests. Removing to Maryland after the Declaration of Independence, he was elected a delegate from that State to the Continental Congress. He died in 1811. One of his sons became a prominent seafaring man, a commander of a ship, and died in the West Indies whilst out on a voyage. He made his home at New York, and there his son. Dyer E. Williams, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born, on Lonir Island, in 1796. After he grew up he married Miss Clancy Hempestel, formerly of Stonington, Conn., born in 1801. He served with distinction in tlie American army during the War of 1812 as drum major. He died in 1880, at the age of 84, but his wife is still living. Wm. E. Williams was born in Connecticut, at the home of his maternal grandparents, November 18, 1832. He had good opportunities for an education, and took a course in the higher branches at the East Greenwick Academy, of Rhode Island. Besides becoming proficient in the studies of the general course taught there, he became an exceptionally expert and accomplished penman. He did not graduate, however, at East Greenwick. Becoming impatient to enter upon the activities of life, he returned to New York and obtained a situation as letter-carrier when 18 years of age. He remained there for about a year, when he went to Troy and accepted a position under Capt. Nelson, in the U. S. Arsenal, where he was employed for about ten months. From this time, for a period of about five years, he traveled extensively over this country and also made a trip to England. He went from Troy, N. Y,, direct to Liverpool, and then returned to the citv of New York. From there he went to Dover, N. H., but soon returned to New York. In 1853 he went to Chicago, and thence came to St. Louis. Returning to New York, he soon went to San Francisco, Cal., making the trip by the Isthmus route, and afterwards returned by the Isthmus, stopping, however, on the way, for nearly five months at Aspinwall. Soon after his return again to New York he came West a second time, to Chicago, and thence to Grand Haven, Mich. From Grand Haven he went to Red Wing, Minn., near which he engaged in farming and dealing quite extensively in stock. He remained there for 10 years, and whilst there was commissioned by Gov. Ramsey to command a company in an expedition against the Indians. Returning to New York in 186(), he was largely engaged in contracting and building for the next 12 years, and among other important structures he erected was Sibley College, at Cogman's, on the Hudson river. From New York he came to Missouri in 1878, and settled in Monroe county, where he has since resided, making the entire trip in a buggy with his familv, and bringing such household utensils as were of daily use along with him in a covered wao^on, and also brinsino; out some stock at the same time. This was not the first time Capt. Williams had traveled most of the same road, for in 1854 he returned from St. Louis to New York on horseb:ick. At the different points mentioned above he remained for a time, a year more or less, but more than a year at only a few of them, and at each was engaged in one of the several pursuits in which he was equally at home - farming and handling stock, teaching penmanship, or contracting and building. Capt. Williams is a man of great industry and activity of mind as well as of energy and enterprise, and has always been a careful and judicious reader, being one of the best informed men on general subjects that one could meet in a day's journey, even in a community noted for the intelligence of its people. Capt. Williams has a good farm here and some fine stock, and is making something of a specialty of raising fine stock. He also has valuable farming property in Pierce county,

AVis., and Goodhue county, Minn. He has been twice married. On the 1st of January, 1856, he was married in New York to Miss Elizabeth Niver, a dauohter of David Niver, of Bethlehem, N. Y., a suburb of Albany. She was a sister to Hon. D. P. Niver, an eminent lawyer of Cahoes Falls, and of Dr. Fennimore Niver, a leading physician of Cambridge, N. Y. She died in Minnesota in 1866. There are three children living of this union : Oscar, now of Troy, N. Y. ; David E., now a telegraph operator near Red Wing, Minn. ; and Peter, now of Kansas. Cornelius, a fourth child, died in infancy. In 1866 Capt. Williams was married at Madison to Miss Ann Howell, a daughter of Francis F. Howell, formerly of Ohio. They have one child, Daisy, now two years of age. Capt. Williams is a member of the M. C. order, and his wife is a member of the Presbj'terian Church. They are highly (isteemed as neighbors and acquaintances in the community where the}^ reside.

Jerome J. Bick

One of the most interesting and instructive branches of the study of political economy, perhaps the most interesting and instructive one, is that which deals with the comparative thriftiness of intelligent and honest communities and nationalities ; and, indeed, it is a branch which has not received that attention from thinkers and writers which its importance deserves. Here we see German-Americans all around us and those of German-American parents outstripping us, whose families have long been settled in this country, in the material affairs of life, almost without exception. This is absolutely true, considered as classes, respectively, those of old German stock on the one hand, and those of old American families on the other. Wherever we see one of the former class, we fail not, in one instance out of 99, to see a thrifty, prosperous citizen, one steadily and certainly rising to prominence in the material affairs of life. But this is by no means true of Americans ; the American of thrift is rather the exception than the rule. These facts are plainly manifest to any one of ordinary observation. But Avhy this is so is not so easy to determine. We would be slow to admit that we are not as intelligent, active and industrious as our fellow-citizens of German antecedents. What is the cause of it, then? This is an interesting question for political scientists to consider and determine. We, who write only history, or rather biographies, have only the facts to state, without entering into philosophicoscientific process of ratiocination to determine the sequence resulting from such facts. Here we have a striking illustration of the subject under consideration in the career of a prominent citizen of the northeastern part of the county. Mr. Bick started out in life for himself with a verj^ modest modicum of means. His whole business career has been made at Clapper, a small country point, ftir from the best trading center to be found. Yet, notwithstanding, he has l)uilt up the largest business in the county in his lines of trade - is the leading business man, in fact, of the county, in these lines. To this proniinence of success he has risen, too, in a remarkabl}^ short time. Why has he surpassed all others in the county? He is a German- American, or rather of German parents, and exhibits in his close attention to business, his economical and frugal management, his sterling honesty and fair dealing, and his sober judgment and solidity of character, these marked traits of a German character. Doubtless it is not all due to his hereditary nationality that he has succeeded so well ; but certain it is that most of his class do succeed, and in this fact may be found at least some explanation of his success. John Bick, his father, was born and reared in Germany, and came to America when a young man 24 years of age, in 1846. He located in Ohio, and resided in Seneca county for nearly 20 years. He was there married to Miss Catherine Portz, also originally of Germany, and nine children followed their union, namely : Margaret E., Jerome J., Nicholas M., John, Francis, Louis, David C, Mary A. and Anna M. He followed farming and merchandising in Ohio with characteristic German success, luid in 1865 removed to Missouri, settling in Monroe county. Jerome J., his eldest son, and the subject of this sketch, was born in Fostoria, Seneca county, Ohio, November 9, 1852, and was therefore 13 years of age when the family came to Missouri. He was reared to farm life, and also learned the practical details of merchandising, receiving as he grew up a substantial business education. On starting out for himself he inherited $1,000, as well as the rest of his brothers and sisters, and by his good judgment,- intelligence and character, made wise use of the means he received. But of more value than this was the manner in which he had been brought up, and the lessons of old-fashioned honesty and economy which he had been taught. Young Bick has proved himself fully worthy of his ftither's help and his father's hopes and expectations. He has come up in life with steady strides and, as has been said, is now one of the leading and most prosperous business men of the county. He carries an extraordinarily large stock of general merchandise for a store outside of a city, and, indeed, for a retail house anywhere, as well as a full and complete supply of farm machinery, in which can be found everything to supply the wants of a farming community. His trade extends for miles and miles around, and he is doing what may be fairly termed an immense business. No more popular business man is engaged in trade in the county, and his name is a synonym for reliability wherever it is known. Mr. Bick is a man of family. He was married June 21, 1871, his wife having been before her marriage a Miss Mary Shields. She was born July 4, 1854. They have five children : Frederick J., Eichard J,, Joseph E., William

T. and Robert P. Besides his business, Mr. Bick has a fine farm of 350 acres, devoted to grain and stock, the management of which he superintends. His place is conducted on energetic business principles, and is one of the choice farms of the township.

John Dixon

Mr. Dixon's farm contains 300 acres, in sections 3 and 4 of Indian Creek township, and is a place substantially and comfortably improved, one of the valuable farms and desirable homesteads of the township. He is a man who, in any country where agricultural advantages are at all fiivorable, would take an enviable place among the well-to-do ftirmers and respected citizens of his community. Thoroughly industrious and a man of intelligence and unquestioned old-fashioned honesty, he attends faithfully to his duties as a farmer and stock-raiser and leads a life that is without reproach as a neighbor and citizen ; so that, while he necessarily. succeeds by steady, regular strides in the accumulation of property, he at the same time wins and retains the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and acquaintances. It is such men as these, of which he is a representative, that we desire to sketch in this volume, briefly of course, but in a way, at least, that will do them no injustice, and at the same time add to the value of our work. Mr. Dixon was born in Nelson county, Ky., December 12, 1818. Fortunate in the possession of kind and worthy parents who took an interest in his moral trainino- as well as in learnino; him habits of industry and frugality, he grew up on the farm, developing, by the outdoor exercise of farm life, a good physical constitution, and forming a character for integrity and a disposition for industry that were bound to make him a valued citizen and successful farmer. Reared on a farm in Nelson county, he was married June 29, 1841, to Miss Matilda Abell, and the following year they removed to Missouri, settling in Monroe county, where they have since resided. Here he resumed farming and by hard work and honest methods has succeeded in situating himself comfortably in life. Seven children have been sent to him and his good wife, as the best blessing which Heaven can bestow upon the conjugal relation, namely: Helen C, Joseph A., Matilda M., Robert P., Mary Bell, John t). and Anna L. John D. was accidentally drowned while attempting to cross the Neosho river, in Kansas. He left a family, consisting of his wife and a child. Two others died of that dread and fjital disease, consumption: Robert P., who died October 22, 1875, and Anna L., the wife of James E. McLeod, August 9, 1878. Mrs. McLeod left four orphan children. When death enters the household it is hard to bear at best, but when it selects for its victim a devoted young mother Avith a family of small children around her, and robs them of the angel of their life, of her who loves them above all others on earth, and for whom it is her greatest desire to live - when death comes to a home to take away a mother, the light and life and hope of the household, it is sad, indeed.

But that fell malady, consumption, selected this gentle and lovinomother to be borne away to the grave at its behest, and after slowly but surely destroying her health and drying up the source other life death came at last to bear her away. The gentlest hearted of American poets might well have had this good woman in view when he wrote his tender poem of a beloved one taken from those who loved her by consumption : - ' "^

Detach the delicate blossom from the tree. Close thy sweet eyes, calmly, and without pain ; And we will trust in God to see thee yet again. "

James V. Dooley

Any one at all acquainted with the peoi)le of Monroe county and with Its history is aware that the Dooley family was one of the pioneer families of the county, coming here in a day when but few, if any, of t^ie conveniences and comforts of civilized life were to be enjoyed. They had to tace life in a wilderness with all the hardships and dangers that that implies. The treacherous Indian had not yet been driven out and the flocks and herds of the early settlers were in greater danger from the wolves and other predatory " varmints " of the country, than were the loved ones around the hearthstone from the merciless savage. Then hardly a sio:n of roads had appeared and ot course there were no bridges, and as for school-houses and church buildings they were out of the question, while mills, the old fashioned Horse-power machines, were days' journey apart. All these things are changed now, and here to-day we have one of the first counties in the fetate, a county that compares favorably with any, disconnected with a large city, m the whole West. To niake this mighty and ^ratifyinochange the Dooleys did their full part, and no history of the county would be ajustly correct one which failed to give them the credit they deserve. Mr. Dooley's father, Stephen Dooley, came from Kentucky, where he had been reared, and settled here in an early day. He was married in Monroe county of Missouri, to Miss Fannie Johnson. He IS still living, and he and his good wife have been blessed with nine children : James V., Elkana, Martha, William, Christopher, Lucy, 1 9 1 QQ ^""^®^'* James V. was born in Monroe county, January 12, 1837. He was reared, however, in Monroe county and lives on the home his father gave him. He has always engaged in stock- growing as his favorite calling, and to this he has devoted himself with unwavering fidelity and industry. He has a good farm of over 300 acres. In 1876, Mr. Dooley was married to Miss Sallie A. Searcy, formerly of Boone county. Mo. They have no children.

Rev. Father P. Morrissey

Father Morrissey was ordained to the priesthood at Montreal, Canada,. in 1875. Born August 10, 1852, his early years were spent at home with his parents, assisting in such work as he could do and in attending the local parochial schools. At an early age, however, the purpose was formed for him to devote himself to the jDriesthood, as soon as he could be prepared for that sacred office. Accordingly, he was educated with that object in view. His ecclesiastical education was completed in Milwaukee, Wis., and in due time, thereafter, he was ordained at Montreal, as stated above. Father Morrissey came to this place in 18 - , since which he has had continuous charge of the church here. His work has been of much value to the church, and highly gratifying to the Catholic community ; while his bearing toward those with whom he has been thrown in contact, generally, and his presence as a representative of the church are commended by the public at large. By all who have witnessed his labors here he is considered a churchman of marked ability and superior scholarship, and his piety and earnest zeal for the cause of religion are manifest in everything that he does. A representative of the church, that stands out to all the world the intermediary between God and man, it is the most that can be said of any human being to say, that he is in every way worthy of his high and sacred office, a statement which the writer believes, from all he has been able to learn, can with truth be made.

Samuel C. Fields

Capt. John D. Fields, Mr. Fields' father, an old steamboatman, who had run the Ohio river for a number of years, desiring to lead a more quiet life came out to Missouri in 1835, and settled in Monroe county, Avhere he engaged in farming. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born near Pittsburg, and made his home in that State until his removal to Missouri. He was married in this State to Miss Mary C. Edwards of Monroe county, but formerly of Kentucky. After living in this county for over 20 years he crossed into Ralls county and settled there, where they still reside. They had a family of seven children, namely; Catherine, Samuel C, Elizabeth, John D., Martha J., Abigail A. and Ella. Samuel C. Fields, the eldest son and subject of this sketch, was born in Monroe county, January 23, 1848, and was reared in this county. He was engaged in farming for a number of years after he grew up, but always had an inclination for business pursuits. Possessed of a studious miud aud ambitious to obtain a respectable knowledge of books, he not only improved his mind to good advantage in school, but studied his book at home with great assiduity during his leisure hours. Later along, having an opportunity to engage in business, he became identified with mercantile life and has since had no cause to regret his identification with it. At Elizabethtown he has a good drug store with a well selected stock of drugs, medicine, etc., and has a large custom from the people tributary to this place. On the 9th of February, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary E. Hagan. They have five children : Mary A., Herbert E., Margaret M., John Elbert and Harriet E." Mrs. Fields is a member of the Catholic Church.

Christopher G. Hayden

Among the many settlers who came into Monroe county from Kentucky, some 10 or 12 years before the war, was the familv of which the subject of the present sketch is a worthy representative. His parents were James L. and Catherine (Gibbs) Hayden, his father a native of Kentucky, but his mother originally from Maryland. Both were reared in Washington county, of the former State, however, and they were married in that county. They lived there engaged in farming until 1850, when they came to Missouri and settled in the neighborhood in which Christopher G. Hayden now resides. The father died in this county a number of years ago, but the mother is dead. They made a good farm, on which they permanently resided, the father until his death. There were 11 children in the family, of whom but five are living: William H., Amelia, Christopher G., Louisa and John S. Christopher G. Hayden was about grown when the family came to Missouri, being 18 years of age, and three years afterwards, in Monroe county, February Cy, 1853, he was married to Miss Susan M. Peirceall. Nine children have followed this union, six of whom are living: Mary L., Joseph C, Elizabeth C, Thomas B., Malinda J. and Annie L. Mr. Hayden has followed farming from boyhood, to which he was brought up, an'd by industry, a frugal manner of living and good management, has achieved success as a farmer. He has an excellent place of 220 acres, all well improved and one of the valuable farms of Indian Creek township. Personally, and as a citizen, he holds a worthy place among the best class of people in the north-eastern part of the" comity and his family is well respected.

George B. Lawrence

On account of the conformation of the country, in the movement of emigration westward, especially from the South Atlantic States between the Chesapeake Bay and the Peninsula of Florida, to the country west of the Ohio and of the Mississippi below Cairo, Kentucky became a sort of gateway or filter, as it were, through which all, or nearly all, must pass to reach this western region. Hence it is that in Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, and in all this part of the country, we find that most of the people whose families were originally settled in the South Atlantic States, stopped for one or more generations in Kentucky. Here we see people, some from North or South Carolina and some from Virginia or Maryland, or even from Alabama or Tennessee, whose families lived for a greater or less period of years in the Blue Grass State in the course of their migration westward. So it was with the family of which the subject of the present sketch is a representative. His people were originally from the Carolinas, and his father, William Lawrence, was born in North Carolina, but the Lawrences became early settlers of Kentucky. There he was married to Miss Margrey Luckey, formerly from South Carolina, and in 1832 they came to Missouri and settled in Monroe county. Here the father followed farming with success until his death, which occurred in 1848. The mother died in 1851. They had five children : Louisa, Charity, Agnes, Rachel and George B. George B. Lawrence, the subject of this sketch, was born in Iredell county, N. C, April 1, 1824, and at the age of 25 was married in Monroe county. Mo., to Miss Sarah E. Engle, originally of Virginia, but reared in this county. Nine children have followed this union, five of whom are living : Mary O., Eliza J., James O., Sarah, Agnes C, Leroy and Loyd H., three of whom are married, Mr. Lawrence has followed farming and has done weU in his chosen occupation. He has a good farm of 360 acres, on which he raises considerable grain, stock and other products for the markets. He is in easy circumstances, having a good property without being in debt to any one.

Whoever has read the biographical division of this work, as well as all who are acquainted with the people of this county, are not unfamiliar with the honorable record in life made by the father of the subject of this sketch, Hon. Patrick H. McLeod, one of the prominent citizens of the county. An outline of his life and of his family antecedents has been given in the sketch, at the head of which stands his name, on a former page of this volume. It is unnecessary therefore to repeat here what is said there. Suffice it to say that James E. McLeod is a worthy representative of the family whose name he bears. He was born in Montgomery county, Md., before his father left that county for the West, March 1, 1844, and was therefore six years of age when the family settled in Monroe county. Reared in this county, he obtained a sufficient education for business l)urposes, and would doubtless have taken a more advanced course had not the war unsettled everything in this part of the State. Although still a mere boy when the war broke out he joined his fortunes with the South and became a soldier in the State guard under Jackson's call. Faithfully through the long struggle he did his duty as a defender of Southern rights and institutions. Since the war he has been actively engaged with the business duties and responsibilities of life. As a member of the firm with which he is at present connected, he gives his whole attention to the business, and by his excellent business qualifications and personal popularity contributes his full share to the marked success which has characterized the career of the firm. They carry a full line of general merchandise, and doing business on a cash basis, absolutely so, so far as purchases are concerned, they sell at the lowest prices possible, and thus secure a large trade. Dealing fairly with their customers, when once a patron begins to trade with them he almost invariably continues their permanent customer. Mr. McLeod has been twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Susan Dixon. After her death, in 1882, he was married to Miss Estelle Freeman, his present wife. She is a member of the church.

Charles W. Montgomery

One of the industrious farmers and well respected citizens of Indian Creek township must be set down as the subject of the present sketch, Charles W. Montgomery. Mr. Montgomery, a son of William P. and Mary (Yates) Montgomery, was born in Washington county, Ky., September 1, 1823, and was reared in that county. His parents are both now deceased ; his father died of cholera during the terrible cholera epidemic of 1833. His mother survived until 1874 and died of dropsy. They had six children, four of whom are living: William P., Mary R., Martha E. and Charles W. Montgomery, who, 11 years after his father's death, December 20, 1844, was married to Miss Helen M. Hagen, of Kentucky. This union lasted many years and to them were given 12 children. But at last the shadow of death fell upon their pathway and beneath its dark pall the spirit of the devoted and beloved wife took its flight to its home beyond the skies., Mr. Montgomery's present wife was a Miss Mary E. Grant, of the same name as the great General in the Union armies of the great war, and probably distantly related to him. She was born and reared in Marion county, Ky. Mr. Montgomery, who has resided in Monroe county for many years, and is one of the sterling good citizens of Indian Creek township, has a neat farm of about 100 acres, in an excellent state of cultivation and miprovement. By his first wife he has 10 children living: Mary C, Martha A., Sarah F., James S., John H., Elizabeth J., Alice I., Charles W., George E. and Thomas G.

Robert F. Parsons

ford, and their elder children, or those then in esse, went to Louisiana from Kentucky, remained there five years, then came to Missouri in May, 1841, and settled in Monroe county, where 'Squire Parsons made a good farm, and lived a useful and respected life until his death, which occurred in 1865. His wife died in 1875. They had 10 children, eight of whom are living: James C, Mary J., John H., William E., Elizabeth C, Thomas S., Joseph M. and Robert F. The father was for some years justice of the peace in this county, and acquitted himself in the discharge of the duties of that office with great credit. Robert F. Parsons was born in this county November 15, 1841. After he grew up he was married on the 17th day of January, 1865, to Miss Mary M. Winsatt. They have seven children: James W., Thomas E,, Clary V., Mary A., Alfred W., Alfonsus and George H. Mr. Parsons' father having been a life-long farmer, the son not only inherited a taste for agricultural life, but by long experience on the farm became so well attached to it that he has made it his permanent calling. Mr. Parsons has a farm of 180 acres, comfortably improved.

Capt. John D. Pierceall

During Gov. Phelps' administration in this State, Capt. PiercealU who had been chiefly instrumental in organizing a company under the militia laws of the State, was commissioned by the chief executive of Missouri, Thomas C. Fletcher, commander of the company which he organized. Since then he has continued captain of this company, and under his command and discipline it obtained a wide and enviable reputation for its superior drill. Capt. Pierceall, one of the public spirited citizens of Indian Creek township, takes a commendal)le interest in everything calculated to advance the best interests of the community. He is one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of the county, and one of its energetic farmers. He has a good farm of nearly a quarter section of land, which, with his characteristic industry and good judgment, he has improved in an excellent manner. His place is one of the choice homesteads of the township. Capt. Pierceall is a worthy oifshoot of the respected old Maryland family whose name he bears. His father, Joseph Pierceall, was born in Maryland, but when quite young was brought out to Marion county, Ky. In 1836 Joseph Pierceall was married in Kentucky to Miss Elizabeth Able, of Washington county, that State, but also originally from Maryland, and a relative of the well known Dan. Able, of St. Louis, who was likewise from the Chesapeake Bay State. There were 14 children by this union, seven of whom are living, Capt. John D. being the fifth in the family. He was born in Union county, Ky., January 14, 1827. In an early day his parents removed to Missouri and settled in Indian Creek township, Monroe county, where he grew to manhood. Capt. Pierceall received a good ordinary education in the country schools, and perhaps not less from natural inclination than from the feet that in an early day in" this country there were but few other pursuits open to young men, he became a farmer, having been reared on a ftirm, which occupation he has since followed. April 9, 1850, he was married to Miss Delphena Wimsatt, also originally from Kentucky. She died, however, after the birth of two children. " Capt. Pierceall's present wife was a Miss Susan Yeager before her marriage. The two children by his first wife are Benedict J. and Laura A. There have been six children by his last wife, but only three are living : Ernest, James G. and Idella. " The Captain and family are members of the Catholic Church.

William J. Pike

The mind and heart are the sources from which spring all our emotions, and they it is that test the measure of contentment and happiness which fall to our lot in this life, as well as determine the fate that is to overtake us when the body shall have crumbled to dust. And it will hardly be questioned by any one that our affections, our attachments to loved ones, have more to do with our happiness in this world than all other influences combined. What though a man prosper in material affairs and rise to fame in the general esteem, if his heart be torn and lacerated and his life be darkened by the shadows of sorrow from the loss of those nearest and dearest to him on earth? Who, with his accumulated millions and with all the honors that the world can bestow, when bending over the form of a dying wife or child, or some one dearer than lifeltself, would not give all he has - of wealth, iame and everything - to call back the fast waning life to health and happiness again ? " Then, is he not to be congratulated, is he not to be ranked among the most fortunate of men who, entering life at its Eastern threshold, has made much of its journey and passed over to where the sun goes down, without from the first being called upon to witness the death or to bear the loss of some loved one? Such has been the happy fortune of the subject of the present sketch. Already well along in life, he was married in 1853, and himself one in a family of 13, has been blessed with 10 children of his own, all of whom are living, as well as their lovmg and devoted mother, and 13 grandchildren besides. From the morning of his long and happy married life the shadow of death has never hovered over his household, nor over the families of any of his children.

have never thrown the pall of sorrow across his life - the weepinoform of grief, white-robed and head bowed under the dark long veU of sorrow, has never entered his home. With the Penate of domestic affection ever supreme in his household, in leadiug a li'fe of unbroken contentment with his surroundings, his lot is one to be envied by the best and wisest of men. True he has not become the master of o-reat wealth, nor has he made nor desired to make a hio-h sounding name in the world, but pursuing the even tenor of his way, he is livina: out the measure of the sands of life assigned him with as little to regret and as much to be satisfied with here and to hope for hereafter as seldom falls to the fortune of men. It is not to be looked for in this sketch that the great service a family like the one of which we are now speaking performs to society, to government, to humanity, should be pointed out or dwelt upon. From the beginning there has been no higher, wiser, more divine law than the one expressed in the command - " Go forth, multiply and replenish the earth." Living in obedience to this great law, to the country no less than to the interest of humanity and the divine economy of Heaven, the subject of the presentsketch is performing the full measure of his obligation. To the State he is giving citizens to upbuild its prosperity and, if needs be, to defend it in times of danger, and in every aspect of man's relation to life he is worthily subserving the interests of humanity. The sketch of such a citizen, therefore, appropriately finds a place in this volume. William J. Pike was born in Nelson county Ky., December 7, 1827, and was a son of Bernard and Mary L. (Shirclilf) Pike, being the eldest in their family of 13 children. When he was quite young, his father, a fiirmer by occupation, removed to Meade county, that State, where William J. was reared. The father was for many years, and until his death, one of the most highly respected citizens of that county. He never held an office of a political nature. William J. Pike became a farmer, following the example of his father, continuing that pursuit in Meade county until his removal to Missouri in March, 1853. Mea^iwhile, on the 18th of October, 1853, he was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Yager. As has been said, 10 children have blessed this union, namely, as follows : Mary E., Cordelia E., William H., Martha J., John T., Teresa F., James M., Magdaline, Agnes and Josephine. Several of the elder of these are married and have families of their own, there being 13 of the grandchildren. Mr. Pike feels encouraged to hope that if he lives to a ripe old age he will have the pleasure before the sun of his earthly career goes down of presiding over a family union of 20 sons, sons-in-law, daughters and daughters-in-law, and no less than 100 grandchildren, making in all, including himself and good wife, 122. A family union even larger than this was not an uncommon thing in the good old days of the patriarchs and with the blessing of Heaven it is still not impossible. Mr. Pike has a good homestead of his own, made by the sweat of his own honest brow and now he is living in comparative ease, a life of singular contentment and happiness under the shade of his own vine and fig tree. He and wife and his elder children are worthy believers in and followers after him whose word that can not be broken has been given that those who believe in me shall not perish, but shall live eternal in the home not made with hands, wherein there is no sorrow nor sadness nor parting of loved ones.

Benedict J. Yager

Probably the principal reason that the Western people have become distinguished for their enterprise and push, or what is commonly called go-ahead-ativeness, is that they are descendants of the bravehearted men who, taking their lives in their hands, had the courage to push out into the wilderness of this Western country, among savages and all the dangers of pioneer life. None but men of courage and character could do this, for let us take it to ourselves and reflect whether we would be willing now to go into the wilds of Australia or South America, away from all civilization and with rifle and ax drive out the Aborigines at the risk of our own lives and clear away forests to make homes and found States. Mr. Yager's ancestors were of this brave-hearted class of men. His grandfather was one of the pioneers of the wilds of Kentucky, and his father, Francis E. Yager, was a pioneer in Illinois and an early settler in Missouri. His father was born and reared in Kentucky and lived there until after his marriage. Miss Elizabeth Simss becoming his wife. Two years after Benedict J.'s birth, he having been born in Meade county, January 11, 1832, the family struck out across the wilderness for Illinois and settled in Hancock county. There they lived until 1842, when they came to Missouri, locating in Monroe county, where the father subsequently died. He opened a good farm here, on which the subject of this sketch and his mother still reside. There were 14 children in the family, 10 of whom are living. Benedict J. was reared on the farm and also learned the milling business, for his father, besides being a farmer, was an energetic miller. Benedict J. Yager has never married. He has resided on the homestead from boyhood and still conducts the place. Mr. Yager is one of the well respected citizens of Indian Creek township.

Henry Bohrer

Mr. Bohrer's father, David Bohrer, was one of the most energetic and successful man among the early settlers in this county. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cumberland county, a half mile from Chambersburg, and was of German parentage. He was left an orphan when a mere boy, and rose in life by his own personal worth. He came to this county in a very early day and entered the tract of land on which he improved a farm. By industry and good management he added to his landed estate until up to the time of his death, he owned about 1,500 acres of fine lauds in this and Shelby counties. He also had a lai"2;e amount of stock, and for years made a business of loaning money, having out at times as high as $20,000. He was a member of the Christian Church, and was quite a liberal supporter of the church. His homestead farm contained about 800 acres and was one of the best farms of the county. He settled on this place in 1850. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth Vanskike before her marriage, and they reared a family of seven children, namely: John, now of Hannibal ; Henry, the subject of this sketch ; Emily, now Mrs. George Hardesty ; David, of Nel>raska, near Kearney; Sarah, now Mrs. Washington Moore; Susan J. (Jennie), now Mrs. Peter Smith; George W., at Kemper School, Boonville. Henry Bohrer was born at the old ffimily residence, within a quarter of a mile from where his house now stands, September 15, 1848. He was reared on a farm. On the 27th of August, 1872, he was married to Miss Sarah Blasley, of Pike county, a sister to his brother John's wife. Mr. Bohrer has made farming his regular occupation and is one of the stirring young farmers of the township. For eight years he lived on the prairie farm, but in 1881 came to his present place, a part of the old homestead. He has 160 acres of good land, which is an excellent farm. Mr. and Mrs. Bohrer have had six children: Anna, who died in infancy; Robert E., who died at the age of three years, and was the youngest in the family of children ; Ehiora, Lena, Iva H. and Cassius M. Mr. and Mrs. B.are members of the Christian Church.

Samuel H. Cox

Among the better class of our early settlers who came to Missouri early in the " thirties" Avas the family of which the subject of the present sketch is a worthy representative. Mr. Cox's parents, James and Elizabeth (Gills) Cox, were from Bedford county, Va., and came to Monroe county in 1833. Their family then consisted of nine children and they also brought nine slaves with them. Mr. Cox's father bought the B. Moss farm, where the subject of this sketch now lives, on which the family settled, and afterwards the father entered about 400 acres more of land. He was a man of good education, solid intellio'ence and stirring business qualities, and was quite an extensive tobacco-raiser and also raised considerable number of stock. He died here on the 25th of June, 1860, at the age of 73. His wife died in 18 - , having been born January 27, 1793. ^ Most of their children lived to reach maturity and several of them are now themselves the heads of worthy families of children. Samuel Cox was born in Bedford county, Va., and when young his parents came to Missouri. Reared on the farm and educated in this county, he was married here on the 9th of November, 1853, to Miss Mary F. Lasley, of Kanawha county, W. Va. She had spent the summer here visiting relatives, where Mr. Cox met her, and their two hearts coming to beat in unison the old, old words of love were whispered each to the other ending, as such meetings usually end, in matrimony. This has proved a long and happy union and is blessed with five children, namely : James W., engaged in merchandising at Hunnewell ; Willie E., now the wife of William Blackburn of Hunnewell; Charles T., also at Hunnewell; Matthew M. and Alivilda, the last two at home. Mr. Cox received his father's homestead by the will of his father, where he has resided continuously from boyhood. He took charge of the farm at the death of his father and has since conducted it with energy and success. The place contains 400 acres and he has 120 acres besides in another tract. Before the war he owned six neo-roes and followed stock-raising to quite an extent. In 1875, he and his son, James W., formed a partnership in merchandising, and James W. is still conducting the business at Hunnewell. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the M. E. Church. He has been a member since he was 19 years of age, and has been a steward in that Church for the last 25 years.

Jacob S. Crow

That industry, energy and good management employed in agricultural life will place one in due time in comfortable circumstances, is proven by the many examples of substantial farmers we see in every community, and who are almost invariably men that commenced in life for themselves with no means to succeed but their own ability and disposition to work and manage their affairs with intelligence. In the instance of Mr. Crow Ave have another illustration of this fact. He began when i young man with little or nothing, and besides rearing a worthy family in comfort, has provided himself with an ample competence. He has an excellent farm of 400 acres, all well improved and well stocked, besides several hundred acres of land elsewhere, and considerable other property. In a word, he is one of the substantial men of the township. Mr. Crow was born in Mercer county, Ky., November 3, 1816, and was a son of John and Mary (Little") Crow, both also natives of Kentucky, and of pioneer families in that State. From Kentucky the family removed to Pike county. Mo., back in 1824. There they made their permanent home and the father, a successful farmer, died there in 1874, at the advanced age of 82. The mother is still living, at the age of 92. Jacob S. was the second in their family o: 10 children, and followed the example of his father, becoming a farmer by occupation. In 1845 he was married to Miss Agnes Fifer, originally of Augusta county, Va., and in 1848 he removed to Scotland county, where he resided for 13 years, engaged in farming and stock-raising. From there he came to Monroe county in 1865, where he has since made his home. Mr. and Mrs. Crow have had six children, four of whom are living: James J., America A., Mollie E. and William D. Mr. C, though not a church member, leans toward the Presbyterian faith ; his wife, however, is a Baptist.

Alfred R. Gibbons

Mr. Gibbous, one of the substantial farmers and respected citizens of Washington township, though born in Virginia was reared in Georgia. He came to Missouri in 1867, and settled on the land in Monroe county where he now resides ; this was a part of a tract of 480 acres, bought by his father a number of years before. The tract given to Alfred R., containing 320 acres, was raw land, but he improved it and has made a comfortable farm. He has since added to it until now he has 480 acres, and it is one of the choice homesteads of the township. He raises considerable cattle and feeds large numbers every year for the markets. October 22, 1868, he was married in this county to Miss Cassie A. Thomas, a daughter of Edmond Thomas, an early settler of Marion county. She was taken from him by death, however, May 3, 1881, leaviug him six children: Samuel B., Elizabeth F., Presley, Edmond A., John William and Katie. One, besides, is deceased, Christina. March 29, 1883, Mr, Gibbons was married to Miss J. Boone, of Marioii county. She was the daughter of Daniel Boone of that county, related by descent to the great pioneer and Indian fighter of the same name. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons are members of the M. E. Church South, at Greenwood. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Mr. Gibbons' parents were Samuel and Christina (Miller) Gibbons, and he was born in Page county, Va., August 6, 1846. When he was 13 years of age, in 1859, they removed to Georgia. In July, 1866, young Gibbons entered the Military Academy at Lexington, Va., where he continued until the spring of 1864. He then enlisted in the First Georgia Cavalry under Col. Strickland, known as "Old Shanks," and thereafter he was in engagements of more or less importance, either battles, fights or skirmishes until he was captured the 21st of July with about 56 others, by Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota troops. While being taken to Camp Chase as a prisoner he jumped from the train in Indiana, but was re-captured about 10 days afterwards. After his capture, it being known that he was an escaped Confederate prisoner, for whom the people of that section of the country then had no loVe, he was tried at LaPort, on the trumped-up charge of stealing clothing, and of course was convicted, that being the only object of the trial. He was sentenced for two years in the penitentiary at Michigan City. He was a prisoner at Michigan City for 11 months, or until the fall after the war, when he was " pardoned " out by Gov. Morton. He could have been released before, but he persistently refused to take the so-called oath of loyalty. After his release from prison he returned to his home in Georgia and then went to West Virginia, where he remained until the spring of 1867, coming thence to Missouri. Mr. Gibbons' parents are both deceased, his father having died in Georgia in 1870 and his mother four years afterwards in that State.

Clement A. Hamilton

Maryland, settled originally by Catholic English and other colonies of the Catholic faith, for generations afterwards the adherents of the Church of Rome preponderated in that colony. Mr. Hamilton's parents, or rather his grandparents were Marylanders, and descended from early colonies in that State. Like most of them around them they were also Catholics, and Mr. H.'s father, Walter Hamilton, horn in Prince George county in 1782, was reared to the Catholic faith. When he was 16 years of age the family removed to Washington county, K3^, away back in 1798, where he grew up and was married to Miss Anna D. Smith, also of Maryland, and a member of the Catholic Church, born in 1783. Mr H's. grandfather was a man of some consideration in Maryland, and served in the office of sheriff and other positions of local prominence. Mr. Hamilton, the subject of this sketch, was one in a family of three children, and was born in Washington (now Marion) county, Ky., August 28, 1825. Reared in that county, his father being a farmer and stock-raiser, he was married there October 20, 1846, when Miss Mary J. Brown became his wife, a daughter of the well-known Peter Brown of Washington county, now deceased. In 1852, Mr. Hamilton removed to Missouri and settled in Monroe county. He has been successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and has a place of 340 acres. Mr. and Mrs. H. have had 11 children, eight of whom are living, namely: Susan D., Peter W., James A., Margaret I., Mary A., Theodore ^. and Clement A., Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton in religious belief are of the Catholic faith.

William H. Hawkins

For many years one of the highly respected citizens of Monroe county and one of its thorough-going, enterprising farmers, Mr. Hawkins' life was such in his family, as a neighbor and in every relation in which he was placed, as to leave behind him a memory that reflects only credit upon his name and upon the community with which he was identified. He led an active, useful life, and died a death that was in keeping with the manner in which he lived, profoundly and sincerely mourned by those who knew him best, regretted by all and with the assurance, as safely as we can estimate the future life, that his would be one that might be looked forward to with hope and fiiith. He was born in Kentucky, August 17, 1810, and was a sou of Philemon and Alice (Lewis) Hawkins, both of old Virginia families. After his father died, the family came to Missouri, settling neai- Hannibal, William H. then being about 16 years of age. Remaining with his mother's family until after he attained his majority, he was then married to Miss Rachel Bates, a daughter of Isaac and Jane

(Davis) Bates, of Monroe county, and early settlers in this State from Kentucky, though they were originally from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins were marriecl October 13, 1836, he having met her some time before while looking at land in Monroe county. The spring after his marriage Mr. Hawkins settled near his father-in-law, on Clear creek, where Caldwell now lives. There he entered a small tract of land and afterwards increased it until he made a large farm. He sold this place in 1856 intending to go to Texas, but finally gave up the idea and settled where the family now resides. This is a fine farm of 400 acres. He died here February 8, 1872. He was a quiet, industrious home man, and followed farming exclusively from boyhood. Thoroughly devoted to his family, most of his time when not employed on the farm was spent around his own fireside, though he was fond of the society of friends and quite popular with all his neighbors and acquaintances. He left a family of seven children, namely : Margaret J., now Mrs. M. F. Bryon, of Shelbina ; John F., an enterprising farmer of this county; Fannie E., now Mrs. N. W. Maupin ; James H., on the farm and in partnership with his brother, Thomas E., in farming and stock-raising; Mary A., a young lady who is still at home; Thomas E., of Shelbina; and William A., a well-to-do farmer of the county. James H. Hawkins was born February 27, 1849, and was reared on the farm. As stated above, he and his brother, Thomas E., are in partnership in the stock business. They buy and feed mules and handle annually from 100 to 500 head. They are quite successfully engaged in stock breeding on the farm, James H. having charge of the farm. He has the farm in fine condition and is regarded as one of the best farmers and most enterprising stockmen of the northern part of the county. Mr. Hawkins is unmarried, though he is quite fond of society and is quite popular among the young people of both sexes. He is one" of the worthy, highly esteemed citizens of Washington township.

David R. Hume

Among the self-made men of Monroe county stands out conspicuously the gentleman whose memoir now engages our attention. Beginning life without means or influence, Mr. Hume has worked his way steadily upward, and now enjoys the proud consciousness that no one in the county occupies a more honorable position among men, from everv point of view, than he. His father, James Hume, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cumberland county, December 27, 1809. Thence he removed to Ohio, where in Shelby county he married Miss Mary Driclem, l)orn and raised in that county. He had eight children, of whom but two are now living: James H. and David R. The latter, l)orn Octo])er 17, 1839, was reared in Shelby county, O. He followed the occupation of a farmer there up to February 23, 1883, when he removed to Monroe county. Mo. He married in his native county Miss Annie Shaw, who was born August 23, 1843, in the same county. While still in Ohio eight children were born to them, seven of whom are living: Hubert S., Edmund E., Arthur C, Stella M., William, Olivia G.) Earl C. and Mary L. Himself and family are strict members of the Methodist Church. Mr. Humes' farm, consisting of 270 acres, is very nicely improved and well fenced. He is rapidly surrounding himself with all the comforts of a thrifty and prosperous farmer, and it is safe to say that he will continue to -enhance the value of his property by other improvements in the future, making it one of the model farms of the township.

Joseph H. Jett

Mr. Jett was born and reared in this county, two and a half miles south of Clinton, August 11, 1841. He started out for himself without any means to speak of, having only his ability to work and -enterprise and intelligence to rely upon for a successful career in life. In 1860 he rented the place he is now on, and in two years was able to buy it partly on time. Industry and perseverance soon enabled him to complete the payments on his home, and from that time to this his career has been one of continued and substantial success. He has been engaged in farming and stock-raising all the time, and now feeds annually about 200 head of hogs, 30 to 40 head of cattle, and has a large number of sheep, besides a good stock of horses and mules and other farm animals. His place contains 271 acres, which is one of the best stock farms in the vicinity. Mr. Jett has long been regarded as one of the substantial citizens of Washington township, and is a man whose upright life and many kind, neighborly qualities have made him much valued as a friend and acquaintance by all. The Jett family was one of the pioneer families of this part of North Missouri, having come here as early as 1825. Mr. Jett's father, William Jett, was a hatter by trade and first located at Palmyra. He then settled on Salt river, in Monroe county, where Joseph H. was born. He settled there in 1830, at a time when there were but few settlers in this part of the county - the Martins, Pritchetts, and a few other families having come in a short time before. Mr. Jett's father died here, and the mother, whose maiden name was Martha Dicker, is still living. They had a family of nine children, namely: Elizabeth ("Bettie"), who became the wife of Judge Moore, and, after his death, the wife of James Hubbard, and is now a resident of Texas ; William D., now of Kokomo, Col. ; Emily, who was the wife of Pet. Dooley, is now his widow, Mr. D. having been a brother to Judge Dooley, and now lives, as does her eldest sister, Bettie, with the hitter's son in Texas ; Mary ("Polly"), now the wife of James Young, of Lewis county; Stephen, now of Doniphan, Kan. ; Sarah, now Mrs. Benjamin Washburn ; James, who died in the hospital whilst a Union soldier, at Fort Scott, Kan., during the war; and Samuel, now of Kokomo, Col. ; and Joseph H., the subject of this sketch, who is the seventh in the family. After Joseph H. Jett grew up, he was married November

19, 1863, to Miss Amanda Vanskike, of this county. April 10, 1880, she died, however, leaving him five children: Samuel D., now in Illinois ; Loula Lee, William Jett, at home ; Anna May, now at school, and James Eddy. Mr. Jett was married to his present wife March 26, 1882. She was a Miss Ella V. Bradley, a daughter of Nomus Bradley, of near Florida. Mr. and Mrs. J. are members of the church, he of the Christian and she of the Baptist. Mr. Jett's mother is still living at the age of 78, and resides with her granddaughter, Mrs. Mary Forbes, near HoUiday, and is said to be the stoutest woman, in the original and true sense of that word, in Monroe county, considering her age. She is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.

James T. Martin

Mr. Martin is one of the oldest living residents of the northern partof this county. His parents, Robert B. and Susan (Pearson) Martin, came from Kentucky to Missouri in 1824, when James T. was a lad about 12 years of age. They first located near Palmyra, and then for a short time at Sharpsburg, in Marion county, but in 1829 settled in Monroe county, near the confluence of Deer creek and Salt river, in the neighborhood where James T. Martin now lives, 55 years after theil' settlement here. The father Avas married four times, and left a large family of children. James T. Martin, born in Clark county, Ky., February 29, 1812, was 17 years of age when the family settled in Monroe county, and the same year returned to Kentucky to go to school. He remained there for four years, but at school only a part of the time. At Winchester, Ky., he learned the saddler's trade, and when 21 years of age returned to Monroe county. After this he worked at the saddler's trade at New Franklin, Mo., and then again for about two years in Kentucky. In 18 - he set up a shop at Clinton, and did business there for about 10 years. In 1848 Mr. Martin engaged in farming and has been farming ever since. He has led a life of industry and without reproach, respected and esteemed by all who know him. Years ago he was a candidate for county judge, but on account of the relative strength of parties was defeated. He is a man of good education, and particularly fond of reading and study. He has an excellent collection of books, and is Avell informed in history and on most subjects of inquiry at the present time. Mr. Martin has been residing at his present place since 1848, and in his present dwelling for 23 years. He has a good farm comfortably improved, and is pleasantly situated in life. December 18, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary J. Fowler, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Carlysle) Fowler, earl}'^ settlers in Missouri from Delaware. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have had seven children, but two of whom are living: William Robert, born August 18, 1863, and educated at the Normal school of Kirksville ; and Mary E. (Miss MoUie), born January 16, 1867. Mr. Martin has served as justice -of peace, but has never taken

James W. Nesbit

The Nesbit family is one of the oldest in Monroe county. Mr. Nesbit's grandfather, Robert Nesbit, came from Cynthiana, Harrison county, Ky., to Missouri in 1819, and located with his family, first, in Palmyra. But two years later he came to Monroe county and settled in the north-eastern part of the county, there being then only two other families in this part of the county, or rather in the whole surrounding region of country for miles, for a large district of North Missouri was then known as Ralls county, including what is now Monroe county. He lived to an advanced old age and died in Lewis county, Mo., in 1852, leaving a large landed estate. He had two sons and eight daughters, the two sons being Samuel, now of Kirksville, Mo., and John, the father of the subject of this sketch. All the femily lived to become heads of families themselves. John Nesbit settled on land entered by his father on Deer creek, in this township, and when about 33 years of age, in 1834, was married to Miss Catherine Waller, then of Macon county. John Nesbit lived on his farm in this county until his death in 1867. He reared a family of four children, namely: Minerva, now the wife of George Cole, of Montague county Tex. ; William, James W. and John W. The father was a man of a great deal of life and energy and especially fond of hunting. He had the reputation of l)eing the best shot in the county, and generally bore off the prize at all shooting matches. He was a noted hunter and killed more deer and turkeys than any one throughout the whole surrounding country. While he was a man of the noblest and best qualities of head and heart, generous and kind, and brave-hearted and true, and a man of more than ordinary intelligence and information, he had one ineradicable fault, and that was an overweening fondness for the bowl, or a " dhrop o' th' crathur," as the Irish call it; and often when he took a little too much, but never more than he wanted, he would illustrate in both an amusing and perilous way the truth of Burns' hexastich : -

It was not an uncommon thino; for him at such times to swim Salt river when it was swollen out of its banks and its torrents ot water surging and hunting by with almost the speed of lightning - times when it seemed certain death to enter the stream, a stream whose waters have passed over many a lifeless form whilst the unfortunates were attempting to cross it. But barring this fault, he was a man whom all that knew him respected and admired, and his industry and good, strong common-sense made him successful in the affairs of life, though he never became by any means a wealthy man, for he was too generous and cared too little for money to hoard it. James W. Nesbit was born on the homestead in this county, September 7, 1849, and was reared to the life of a farmer. His father was a man much given to reading and James W. inherited this quality, so that besides receiving a good common-school education he has become a man of liberal and wide information. Differing, however, from his father, he has always been a strong temperance man and has long been a prominent worker for the temperance cause. He was for several years a district organizer for the Sons of Temperance in Macon, Shelby, Randolph, Howard and Monroe counties. Since early manhood he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising for himself. About ten years ago he had a half interest in 1(30 acres of land and some $500 or $600 in capital, but such has been his industry and good management that he is now in independent circumstances. He has two good farms aggregating about 500 acres of fine land, both run principally in blue grass as stock farms, and his home place is exceptionally well improved. He has just built a handsome barn at a cost of nearl}^ $1,000, and he is now preparing to erect a dwelling to cost nearly double that amount. Mr. Nesbit makes a specialty of feeding stock for the markets, and ships two or three car loads annually. He now has on hand about 60 head of cattle besides considerable numbers of mules, horses, etc. Inasmuch as he is shortly to build a handsome residence it is believed, beyond a hinge to hang a doubt upon, that he has found one who has consented to become queen of his heart and home, and of whom he can truthfully say : -

Morgan O. Robertson

Mr. Robertson traces his agnate lineage back to the old and respected Robertson family of Pennsylvania. In fact his father, Washington Robertson, was a direct representative of that family, born and reared in Pennsylvania, where he studied medicine and became a physician. He removed to Kentucky in 1810, locating in Henry county, where he practiced his profession and carried on farming on quite an extensive scale. He was married in that county to Miss Eliza J. Wiley, and of this union Morgan O., the subject of this sketch, was born January 31, 1832. He was one of a family of seven children, only four of whom are now living: William