Monroe County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 8 of 11)

J. William Boyd

The family of which Mr. Boyd is a worthy representative is one of the old and respected families of the county. His father, Andrew J. Boyd, came to this county from Fayette county, Ky., away back in the " thirties." He was a young man then and soon afterwards married here, Miss Mary Shoots becoming liis wife. She was also from Fayette county, Ky. They subsequently settled on a farm in Jackson township, where the father lived out a respected and well spent life. He died February 5, 1876. He was a man of sterling worth of character, and died, as is believed, without a known enemy. J. William Boyd was born in Jackson township, June 9, 1839. His father was a man of industry and energy, and the son was brought up to strictly industrious habits He learned under his father that success in life could be achieved honorably only by honest industry and good management. Such a bringing up was worth more to him than if his father had left him a large estate, without any appreciation of the proper way to accumulate property or the right metho'ds of managing it and saving it when it is obtained. J. William of course became a farmer, and has continued to adhere to his chosen occupation without faltering for a moment. On the 5th of February, 1863, he was married to" Miss Martha J. Stockdale, a daughter of Allen Stockdale, formerly of Washington county, Penn. Mr. Boyd rented land for two years after he was married and afterwards bought a place of his own. He continued to farm there until 1874, when he came to his present farm. Here he has over 160 acres of land, nearly all of which is in an excellent state of improvement. Besides the usual way of ftirming, Mr. Boyd makes a specialty of raising stock, and has some excellent o:raded cattle. Mr. and Mrs. B. have seven children : Francis, MaryL., Virgil E., Amy A., Etta, William C. and Maude. They have lost two, Maggie, who died at the age of 13, and Lizzie, at the ao-e of 11. They died within little more than a month of each other, Maggie September 22, 1882, and Lizzie October 27, following. Mr. ancTMrs. B. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Boyd has always been a warm friend of education, and has taken a commendable and active interest in keeping up the schools in his neighborhood. In recognition of his public spirit and especial fitness for the position, away back some 15 years ago he was elected school director, and he has since continued to fill that position by consecutive re-elections.

Judge Theodore Brace

Illustrating the possibilities of this country for young men without means or infl^uence, but of character and ability, and industrious and determined to succeed, a most striking example is afforded in the life and career of the subject of the present sketch. Judge Brace, barely yet a middle-aged man, occupies an enviable position in the judiciary of the State, being recognized as one of the ablest judges on our circuit bench ; whilst, before accepting his present office, he was a lawyer of hiajh standing at the bar, and he had served with distinguished ability in the State Senate, and in other positions of important public trust. He was also an officer of conspicuous gallantry in the Southern army during the war - colonel of the Third Missouri Cavalry, a regi- ment, one of the first organized in the State, noted for its bravery and discipline, and for the value and intrepidity of its services on the field. With this record in the past, and still but entering upon the meridian of life, and with the years of his greatest usefulness before him, the friends of Judge Brace may well predict for him a future of great honor and distinction. Yet Judge Brace commenced for himself without a dollar, with a very limited elementary education, and at the early age of 15. Since that time he has been the architect and builder of bis own fortune, and every stone that has entered into the structure of his character and career has been placed there by his own design and his own hand. Judge Brace is a native of Maryland, born in Alleghany county, June 10, 1835, and was a son of Charles and Delia (White) Brace, both of well-known and highly respected families in the Northern part of Maryland, and his father a well-to-do farmer of Alleghany county. Young Brace's early youth was spent at home on the farm, assisting at such work as he could do, and attending school. He also had some valuable instruction in the local academy at Cumberland, the county seat of that county. But of an independent, self-reliant disposition, and impatient to do something for himself in life, he quit school at the very early age of 15, and started out on his own responsibility, becorning a clerk in a store at Cumberland. After clerking for some time, he accepted the position of deputy in the circuit clerk's office in Alleghany county, and remained there for about six months. He must have established an excellent reputation by this time for fidelity and business qualifications, for he was now otlered the position of bank clerk at Cumberland, which he accepted, and the duties of which he discharged so acceptably that he was retained for three years. During all this time, since leaving school, he improved every opportunity for gaining knowledge and storins: his mind with such material as would enable him after awhile to be of some use to society and honor to his family. Having prepared himself for the study of law as thoroughly as his situation and circumstances would allow, he began study for the bar, and prosecuted his studies with great diligence and energy until 1856, when he was admitted to practice in the courts of Maryland by the circuit court of Alleghany county. With the forecast of mind that is one of his most marked characteristics, he saw even then, young as he was, that the seat of empire in this country was to be in the great West, and that in the upbuilding of this magnificent region, unequaled opportunities would be afi'orded young men of character and intelligence and enterprise, to establish themselves honorably in life, and perhaps to achieve a name and reputation that would make their careers worthy parts of the history of their States. He accordingly at once cast his fortunes with the great West, and after stopping at Bloomfield, Iowa, for a short time, came thence directly to Paris, Mo., where, early in January, 1857, he made a permanent location. Judge Brace came to Paris a young man just admitted to the bar, 22 years of age, and a stranger without means or known friends ; but he was courageous, determined and fully confident that by industry and close attention to his profession he would succeed. A young man of good address as well as bright and quick in his profession, he was not disappointed in his expectations, but soon found himself in the possession of respectable and steadily increasing clientage. His popular manners and manifest personal worth conti"ibuted hardly less than his recognized ability as a young lawyer and his almost invariable success at the bar, to the rapid increase of his practice and the advancement of his reputation as a lawyer. A careful and painstaking practitioner and an advocate of singular force and eloquence, he made rapid progress in his profession and, in 1861, when the war broke out, was in the possession of a lucrative practice and occupied a prominent position at the bar of his circuit. Born and reared in the South, and an ardent believer in the great doctrine of State's rights, a doctrine that will yet hear its Cumi in this country, when the tocsin of war sounded he bravely went to the front to uphold Southern rights and Southern institutions. Laying aside everything else, he actively engaged in enlisting and organizing a regiment for the service of the South, a work he had little trouble to do, for personally he was more than ordinarily popular, and the gallant men of Monroe county not only had confidence in his ability and patriotism, but Avere as ardently and devotedly attached to the Southern cause as he himself was. This regiment became, during the early part of the war, one of the best in the service in this State. Mr. Brace was elected colonel of the regiment, a position he filled with distinguished gallantry. The Third Missouri participated in numerous small engagements in North Missouri, and then took a leading part in the battle of Lexington. Col. Brace led his regiment in the final charge that resulted in the capitulation of all of Mulligan's forces. After the battle of Lexington the Thu'd Missouri figured conspicuously in the campaign of South-west Missouri and in Northern Arkansas, and bore a particularly important and honorable part in the battle of Pea Ridge. Soon after this battle, however. Col. Brace, who had undergone great exposures and hardships, was taken seriously ill, and while in this condition was taken prisoner by the enemy. He was transferred to the Myrtle street prison at St. Louis, where he lay for a considerable time, but was finally paroled as a prisoner of war. After his release from prison Col. Brace returned to Paris and resumed the practice of law, in which he has since been engaged, except while occupied in the public service. It is unnecessary to take space here for comments upon, his continued rise in his profession and as a public man. The facts themselves carry with them their own lessons, and all of credit to the man and of encouragement to young men of ability and ambition who have the spirit to imitate his example. Col. Brace has never asked for a public office, his preference having always been to devote his whole time and attention to his profession ; but he has frequently been called into the public service. In 1874 he was elected to the State Senate and served in that body with distinguished ability for four years, becoming recognized all over the State as one of the ablest men, and, Avithout exception, the ablest speaker and debater in the Senate. Immediately following his term of service there he was elected probate judge of Monroe county, the duties of which he entered upon in January, 1878, but the office of circuit judge becoming vacant in 1880, he was elected to the circuit bench without opposition, whereupon he resigned the probate judgeship to accept the circuit judgeship. On the circuit bench Judge Brace has distinguished himself as an able and conscientious judge, and whilst his opinions are almost invariably sound expositions of the law, he is at the same time quick and expeditious indisposing of the business of the court, and receives great commendation from the bar and public generally for the manner in which he keeps his dockets so nearly or quite up to date. In short, it is a remarkable fact in Judge Brace's career that in whatever position he has been placed he has won more than ordinary credit and approval. When he was at the bar he was considered one of the best attorneys in North Missouri ; in the senate he was a leader in that body ; as an officer in the army his gallantry and ability were conspicuous ; and on the circuit bench he is considered one of the best judges in point of ability and conscientious and expeditious discharge of duties in the State. Such a record is well worthy to be looked upon with satisfaction, not unmingled with at least a pardonable degree of pride. On the 12th day of October, 1858, Judge Brace was married to Miss Kosanna C. Penn, a daughter of William N. Penn. Mrs. Brace is a lady of many estimable qualities of head and heart, and is held in the highest esteem by all who know her. She is a lady of rare culture and refinement, and by her presence and brilliant conversation lends an additional charm to the polite and cultured society of Paris. Judge and Mrs. Brace have seven children, namely: Kate, Ned, Jessie Paul, Pauline Penn, Euth and Theodore; they lost one daughter. Judge Brace has held several local offices, such as city attorney, etc., and was once prominently put forward by his friends for Representative in Congress from this district, but peremptorily, yet kindly, and with proper appreciation of the compliment and honor intended to be conferred, declined to make the race.

Jefferson Bridgford

Mr. Bridgford was one of the earliest, as he was for many years one of the leading breeders of fine short-horn cattle, if not the leading one, in North Missouri. He commenced in life for himself at the age of 22, and for two years worked out at farm labor for the small monthly wages paid away back in the " Forties." But by industry and the sterling intelligence and enterprise that have characterized his whole life, he soon rose above that. Up to about the time of the war he followed farming and stock-raising as well as dealing in stock in a general way in this county, but soon afterwards turned his attention especially to fine short-horn cattle, in which he has since been chiefly interested. In this branch of industry he gnined great prominence and has taken a great many premiums at county, State and Western fairs. Indeed, within three years - 1872, 1873 and 1874 - he has taken premiums amounting to over $10,000. In 1874 he shipped a herd of short-horns to California and, after carrying off the prizes at two of the leading fairs in that State, sold his herd out at a handsome figure. From first to last he has shipped, perhaps, 75,000 head of cattle to the markets. Though not at present engaged so extensively in the stock business as formerly, he still handles large numbers of stock, and exhibits a degree of enterprise and activity in business that would reflect credit on many a younger man in the stock business. He has also improved several of the best farms in the county, and has had considerable success in buying and selling farms. Mr. Bridgford was born in Woodford county, Ky., November 9, 1822, and came to Missouri with his father's family, who settled in Monroe county in 1836. He had previously taken a course, though not a complete one, in Centre College at Georgetown, Ky., but after the removal of the family to Missouri, had no further advantages for an education. He remained with the family until he was 22 years old and then started out at farm-work, as stated above. In 1848 he was married to Miss Margaret E. Waller, a daughter of John Waller, deceased, formerly of Scott county, Ky. Mr. Bridgford began handling stock about the time of his marriage, and has continued it up to the present time, for a period, now, of over 35 years. He has also been constantly engaged in farming, except while absent in California. In 1850 he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast and was gone something less than two years, returning by way of Panama. He then resumed farming and the stock business, settling about six miles south of Paris, where he improved a fine farm, a place aggregating nearly 800 acres. He lived on that place and shipped stock until 1865 and then he moved to a large farm he owned north-east of Paris, meanwhile selling his first place. Selling his second place in 1877, the following year he moved to a farm near Paris, where he resided until 1884, and then came to his present place. Mr. Bridgford is in easy circumstances, and what is better than that, he has the confidence and esteem of the whole county, for his life has been without a reproach, and one of much value to the county. He has done, perhaps, more than any other man in it to give it the reputation it has for fine stock. Largely through his influence the raising of fine short-horn cattle has become almost universal with the farmers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bridgford have reared eight children: Eugene A., now a judge of the Superior Court of California ; Cornelia, now the wife of George C. Brown, of Paris ; Churchel G., a prominent stock commission man of Chicago; Waller T., of the firm of Brown & Bridgford, at Paris; Charlie B., Bower, Hugh W., and Alma, the last four at home. Mr. Bridgford owns nearly 1,700 acres of fine land, principally in Arkansas and Missouri. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and have been since 1849. He is also an old and prominent member of the A. F. and A. M. Mr. Bridgford's parents were Richard and Nancy Bridgford, the father born and reared in Virginia, but the mother a native of, and brought up in Kentucky.

After coming to Monroe county they resided here for some four years and then removed to Clay county, where the mother died in 1844. The father then went to Hannibal and made his home with a son, James, where he died five years afterwards, in 1849. There were five sons and one daughter in their family who grew to maturity, but James, who resides in Nevada, and Mr. Bridgford, the subject of this sketch, are the only two living, the latter being the youngest of the family.

Geoege C. Beown

Among the influential, highly esteemed and substantial citizens of Monroe county, the subject of the present sketch holds an enviable position. A man of marked intelligence and culture, he is at the same time one of the active business men of the county, and one of its public-spirited, useful citizens. Mr. Brown is a native Missourian, born in Marion county, December 9, 1840. His parents, Lewis S. and Anna M. (Tolle) Brown, came from Virginia in about 1831, and made their home for some time on a farm about eight miles north-east of Palmyra. Afterwards, in about 1843, they removed to Lewis county, where they settled permanently. His father, a respected and well-todo farmer of that county, died there November 12, 1856. Mrs. Brown, the mother, is still living on the old family homestead in Lewis county. George C.'s youth was spent on the farm in Lewis county. In 1859-60 he took a course at Miami Male Institute, in Saline county, where he attained considerable proficiency in the sciences and in Latin and Greek and in other higher studies. At the conclusion of his course at Miami, young Brown returned to Lewis county and entered upon the profession of teaching, which he followed with steadily increasing success and reputation for some ten years. Up to 1865 he taught country schools in Lewis, Macon, Monroe, Shelby and Marion counties, in Missouri, and in Adams county, in Illinois. He then became principal of Payson's Seminary, in Illinois, which he conducted with efficiency for some three years. In 1860 Mr. Brown took charge of a select school at Shelbina, and the following year he became principal of the Paris public schools. In 1870 he and Judge Bashaw conducted the Paris Female Seminary, but in November of that year Mr. Brown was elected county school superintendent, and resigned his position in the seminary in order to give his undivided time and attention to the duties of his office. Meanwhile, early in his career as a teacher, he had become a man of family. He was married December 4, 1862, to Miss Mattie A. Gordon, of Marion county. She lived to brighten his home for nearly 20 years, but during much of the latter part of her married life suftered greatly from ill health. In 1872 Mr. Brown resigned his position as county school superintendent, on account of the ill health of his wife, and in order to travel with her in the hope of benefiting her. He went to Texas, hoping that the climate of that State would improve her health, but she obtained no permanent relief. He was absent about 10 months, and after his return he had charge of the Woodhiwn school until his election to the office of circuit clerk and recorder of Monroe county, which was in November, 1874. Mr. Brown served in that office for four years, and such was the efficiency with which he discharged his duties that in 1878 he was re-elected, serving a second term of four years. Early in 1883, at the conclusion of his last term of service, he went to Arkansas and eno-ao-ed in the saw-mill business on Black river. But the following fall he sold his mill and tributary timber lands, amounting to over 1,000 acres, and returned to Paris, where he began his present line of business, the grocery trade. His brother-in-law, W. T. Bridgford, became his partner in business and they have since continued it together. They carry a stock of about $3,500, and have a large and profitable trade. Mr. Brown's first wife, who, as stated above, had long suffered from ill health, was taken from him by death on the 11th of April, 1881. She left him a daughter, Lillie, now an accomplished young lady, educated at Lexington Female College, and with her relatives, on her mother's side, at Payson, 111. To his present wife Mr. Brown was married November 9, 1882. She was a Miss Nelia Bridgford, a daughter of Jefferson Bridgford, of this county. Mrs. Brown is a lady of superior culture and refinement, a graduate in the class of 1873, of Christian College, of Columbia, Mo. Mr. Brown has long been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and, indeed, was ordained a minister of that church as early as the sprin"- of 1865. Since then he has been eno;ao;ed more or less desultorily in ministerial work, principally filling vacancies and the appointments of others which they were unable to meet. Mr. Brown is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Masonic order and the Knight Templars, and is an active worker in these orders as well as a leading member. An earnest Democrat, he has also been quite active in local politics for the last 8 or 10 years. In all kinds of enterprises and movements, material, political, social, or otherwise, he is public-spirited and ever zealous and generous in his efforts for the o:eneral o-ood. Mrs. Brown is an accomplished musician, a pianist of rare culture and skill, in fact.

Jackson H. Bryan

Mr. Bryan's parents, Joseph J. and Martha (Bates) Bryan, were early settlers in Monroe county. They came here from Kentucky in 1836, and bought the land on which Jackson N. now resides, and where they made their permanent home. They had a family of ten children, of whom eight are living, namely: Susan, James, Morgan, now residing in Shelbina ; Sallie, Martha, Joseph, who is engaged in the hardware business in Paris ; Jackson, John and Amanda. Jackson N. was born on the homestead in this county, in 1850, and was reared to a farm life. He attended the neighborhood schools as he grew up and thus secured sufficient knowledge of books for all ordin- ary practical purposes. Reared on a farm, he naturally formed a taste for farm life, which has ever afterwards influenced him to follow this calling as his regular pursuit. He now owns the old family homestead, a good place of 160 acres, all under fence and fairly improved. He devotes his farm both to raising grain and stock, and is having good success. On the 11th of September, 1853, he was married to Miss Isabella Bedford, a daughter of Franklin and Rachel (Bever) Bedford, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan have three interesting children : Joseph and Frank, twins ; and Ada, who is the eldest. Mr. Bryan's father died in 1869, and his mother in 1871. Tliey were highly respected residents of the community, and worthy members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. B. himself is a member of that church, as is also his wife.

Robert M. Burgess

Mr. Burgess, who has long had the reputation, and justly so, of being one of the leading stock-dealers and traders in Monroe county, was "a son of that old and highly respected citizen of the county, Pleasant M. Burgess. The Burgess family came from Virginia to Monroe county ; the father, Pleasant M., was born in 1788. He grew up and was married in that State to Miss Rebecca C. Towler in 1820. She was from Georgia. After their marriage they remained in Virginia until 1842, when they removed to Missouri and settled in Monroe coiinty. He was a farmer by occupation, and made a specialty of raising tobacco. He was one of the leading tobacco raisers of this county, and one of its worthiest and best citizens. He died here in 1857, sincerely and profoundly mourned by all who knew him. There was six in his family of children, namely: William Henry, who died in California in 1879 ; Lizzie, also deceased ; Susan M., now the widow of Marquis Poage, deceased; Mary, the wife of D. M. Dulaney, of Hannibal ; Anna, the wife of Wesley Wilson, of California; John C, also of California, and Robert M. The mother lived to the advanced age of 90 years, dying in May, 1884. She was a most estimable, Christian-hearted old lady, and was venerated and loved by all who knew her. Robert M. early showed a preference for handling stock, and when but 14 years of age commenced making trips to St. Louis, driving stock to that market, and acquiring quite a reputation in the county and along the road as the boy stock-trader. The preference of his early life for the stock business has been continued, and he has achieved marked success in this line of business. No man in the county enjoys in a higher degree the confidence of the entire community for fair and honorable dealing. In the fall of 1857 Mr. Burgess was married to Miss Celestia Hodges, formerly of Norfolk, Va. They have eight children : Samuel P., John M., Jennie N., Lizzie B., Nora Mary, Robert M. and Charles Elwood. Mr. Burgess has an excellent farm in section 8 of Jackson township, and is comfortably situated. He is well known

Joseph Burnett

(Of Mason & Burnett, Editors and Proprietors of the Paris Mercury) . Mr. Burnett is a native of Virginia, born in Harrisonburg, Rockingham county, January 8, 1847. His parents were Charles A. and Jane P. (Dougherty) Burnett, both of old and respected Virginia families. In 1856 the family removed to Kentucky, and located in Boone county, but the year following they pushed out west and made their home at Troy, la., for a short time. From Troy they removed to Farmington, la., and from there to Huntsville, Mo., in 1859. Joseph, 10 years of age when the family located at Huntsville, soon afterwards entered the office of the Randolph American to learn the printer's trade. From Huntsville he came to Paris, in 1860, and became a type-setter in the office of the Mercury. He has been with the Mercury ever since, either as employe or partner in the office. In 1873 he bought an interest in the paper, and has since been a partner with Mr. Mason in its ownership and management. The standing of the Mercury and its value as a piece of newspaper property has already been spoken of in the sketch of Mr. Mason. Suffice it here, therefore, to say that, while it is one of the oldest and best established country papers in North Missouri, and with a past career of uninterrupted success, at no time in its history has it held a position of greater influence or been more prosperous as a business enterprise than at the present time, or since these gentlemen have had control of it. Both being practical printers, and themselves energetic and industrious, they are at the same time experienced, successful business men, and, withal, capable, well informed and effective editorial writers ; so that they possess all the essential qualifications for carrying their paper on in a career of uninterrupted success and increasing reputation and influence. December 9, 1874, Mr. Burnett was married to Miss Fannie Gore, a daughter of Volney Gore, of Bloomfield, Ky. They have three children living, and two deceased. The living are: Volney G., Jefferson G. and Ella Bodine. The deceased are Hurbert and Horace S., aged, respectively, three and two years at the time of their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Burnett are members of the church. He is a member of the A. F. and A. M. and of the I. O. O. F.

James W. Clark

Prior to engaging in his present business, Mr. Clark had followed farming and stock-raising exclusively, occupations to which he was brought up. He was principally reared in Kentucky, a State the very atmosphere of which seems to make successful agriculturists, particularly in the line of raising and handling stock. Kentuckians are noted the world over for their taste for the stock business and their superior judgment and success in handling stock. They produce the finest horses on the continent, stock that are sought after in the capitals of Europe ; whilst the cattle of the Blue Grass Regions are famed from ocean to ocean for their superior excellence. It was a well known saying of Tom Marshal that " Kentuckians take to fine horses and fancv cattle as naturally as a hot dog to a pond of water." However that may be, certain it is that in this State, and wherever we come upon them, we generally find them handling " a few good stock." Mr. Clark, in his inclinations in this direction, is no exception to the general rule of Kentuckians. He is a great admirer and, withal, as good a Judge of fancy stock as we have in the county. A leading consideration that induced him to engage in the livery business was that he might have better facilities for handling good horses, might constantly be in the market at Paris where he could see the stock of the surrounding country daily, and buy and sell as his judgment dictated, to the best advantage. He of course also expected to make a success of the livery busuiess, in which he has not been disappointed. Coming here in 1881, he supplied himself with a good stock of driving and saddle horses, and a number of buggies and other vehicles, of the best and most stylish makes. By dealing fairly with the public and always showing an obliging and accommodating disposition, as well as never failing to keep his rigs and turnouts in the best possible shape for utility, comfort and style, he has built up a large custom and has placed his stables among the first in this part of the country in popularity and patronage. He is doing an excellent business, which he reports as being steadily on the increase. Mr. Clark was born in Clark county, Ky., January 18, 1837. When he was quite small his parents, James and Eliza (Burris) Clark, removed with their family to Montgomery county, Ky., where they resided for about 15 years. They then immigrated to Missouri, and stopped for a while in Ralls county, where the mother died in the same year, 1852. The father, the following year, crossed over into Monroe county with his family, where he made his permanent home. He died here in 1861. Like most Kentuckians, he was a farmer and stock-raiser, to which his sons were brought up. There were three sons and two daughters in his family, namely : Martin J., Michael B., James W., Jane and Eliza. James W. Clark, the youngest in the family, eno-ased in farmino; and stock-raising for himself about the time he reached his majority, and continued in those uidustries until his removal to Paris. In 18G9 he was married to Miss Sallie Cowherd. They have two children: James M. and Ella M. Mr. Clark was a soldier in the Southern army during the war, his sympathies and principles being with the South. Since his residence at Paris he has become one of the prominent and popular citizens of the place.

William Leslie Combs

a gallant officer in the War of 1812, was a distinguished member. The Combs family came originally from Wales, Mr. Combs' greatgrandfather and three of the hitter's brothers having emigrated to this country prior to the Revolution. His great-grandftither settled in Virginia where he reared a family of children. One of his sons, Benjamin Combs, became the father of Leslie and Fielding Combs, of Kentucky, both of whom served in the War of 1812, and the latter was the father of the subject of this sketch. They were born and reared in Kentucky, and Fielding Combs was married there to Miss Mary Foreman. Subsequently, in 1818, soon after the close of the Second War with Great Britain, he came to Missouri with his family and settled in Ralls county. That was in 1818, whilst Missouri was still a territory. He entered land and opened a farm in that county, and resided there for a period of 20 years. From Ralls he removed to Monroe county, in 1838, and lived here successfully engaged in farming until his death, for 46 years, in 1878, having reached the advanced age of 83. His wife had preceded him to the grave by only four years. They left a numerous family of children, several of whom are now, themselves, the heads of families, and residents of this and other counties. The father, besides being a fsirmer, was a carpenter by trade, and occupied his time during the winter months for many years in working at his trade. He built the first house erected in Palmyra, and built many of the better houses throughout the section of country in which he lived. He was quite poor when he came to Missouri, as most of the early settlers were, and, indeed, it is a well-known fact among his descendants that he had but five picayunes in cash when he spread his tent for the first time in Ralls county. His other worldly possessions consisted of his family, a horse, a small wagon, an old flint-lock gun and a powder horn. The picayunes still remain in the family, and are treasured as heirlooms by his descendants. They are now in the possession of one of his children. He became, however, quite well-to-do, for he was a man of great industry and sterlino; worth.

William Leslie Combs, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ralls county, Mo., June 28, 1828, and was 10 years of age when the fjimily settled in this county on what subsequently became their permanent homestead, situated five miles north of Paris. For the next six years his time was occupied in assisting on the farm and attending the local schools. His health failing, however, from the exposures incident to farm life, it became necessary for him to engage in some indoor pursuit. Of a quick mind and retentive memory, he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of books to qualify him for teaching, and although quite young for such a calling, he engaged, and with success, in that occupation. For a number of years, succeeding, he continued teaching, alternated with attending school himself, and thus persevered until he had acquired a somewhat advanced general English education, together with a knowledge of higher mathematics and an elementary knowledge of the classics. He finally became identified as teacher with the high school at Paris, and taught there with enviable success and increasing reputation for about two years. In the meantime, having become thoroughly conversant with the science of surveying, in his educational course, and being recognized as a young man of high character, as well as possessed of popular manners and address, he was selected by general consent as the proper person to fill the office of surveyor, to which he was accordingly elected. This office Mr. Combs has filled almost continuously since 1855, when he quit the high school to accept it, except during the hiatus in his official terms caused by the war. Soon after the war he was re-elected to this office and has continued to hold it. His continued indorsements for a i^osition so responsible, which has to do with the most important property rights of the people, their real estate holdings and land titles, the settlement of disputes as to boundaries, etc. - this unbroken confidence expressed by those who have known him from boyhood, speaks more for his character as a man and his record as a public official than anything that could be said here. Mr. Combs stands without a reproach among his fellow-citizens, and is esteemed by all not only as an officer and man, but for his sterling intelligence, his many estimable, neighborly and social qualities, his wide general information, and his culture and refined sensibility. November 8, 1852, Mr. Combs was married to Miss Nancy B. Smith. They have two children ; Leslie Marion and Efl Estelle. Mr. Combs has always taken a public-spirited interest in the cause of education, and has contributed perhaps as much to the formation of the general sentiment of the county in favor of popular education as any other man in it. He was a member of the first teacher's institute held in the county and a prominent officer in its organization. He was also active in forwarding teachers' organizations for the county for a number of years, and so continued until the cause was so well advanced that its success was assured. He has also taken a commendable interest in the general good and progress of the surveyor's profession, and was prominently instrumental in establishing the Missouri Association of Surveyors and Engineers. In recognition of his activity and public spirit in this behalf, as well as his conceded ability and high standing as a surveyor, he was at the beginning elected president of that association, and has since been continued at its head by consecutive re-elections.

John S. Conyeks

Mr. Conyers' parents, Thomas W. and Eliza (Wall) Conyers, were early settlers of Missouri, and were from Staftbrd county, near Fredericksburg, Va. His fiither was in the War of 1812, and the Black Hawk War. He was a friend and comrade of Boone and Callaway in the North-west, and was a major in that expedition. Maj. Conyers settled in Boone county in 1822, and improved the farm on which Maj. James J. Kollins now resides. After a residence of 14 years in Boone he came to Monroe county and established a store at Paris, placing his soil, JohnS., the subject of this sketch, in charge of it. He continued to reside in this county, engaged either in merchandising or fanning, or in both, until his death, or until his retirement in old age from active life. He died January 13, 1879, in his eighty-fourth year. He was often urged to enter public life, but invariably declined to do so, being thoroughly devoted to his private affairs and his family. He was one of the sterling, good men of the county, and lived a life that reflected only credit upon his name and upon the community with which he was for so many years and so worthily identified. John S. Conyers was born in Stafford county, Va., about seven miles from the City of Fredericksburg, November 27, 1819, and was therefore about 17 years of age when he came to Monroe county. He has since continued to reside at Paris, except for seven years, following 1849, during which he was engaged in merchandising at Middle Grove, Mo. After this, from 1856 to 1861, he was in the mercantile business at Paris, and during the last named year suffered heavy losses, being nearly broken up by the peculations and thievery of a dishonest clerk. In 1865 Mr. Conyers, in partnership with Judge D. H. Moss, formed a savings association in the banking business, which was carried on with success until 1871, when it merged into the First National Bank of Paris, he becoming its cashier. He has since continued identified with the bank, and has contributed very hirgely by his close attention to business, personal popularity and efficiency as a cashier, as well as by his high character and integrity, to the gratifying success which this institution has achieved. It is generally recognized, both in banking circles and by the public, as one of the sound, safe banking institutions of this section of the State. Back in 1840, on the 10th of September, Mr. Conyers was married to Miss Pauline T. Moss, a sister to D. H. Moss, his associate in the bank. They reared but one child, a daughter, Lena C, who is now the widow of John W. Irvine. She has two bright little girls, Pauline and Fannie, to whom their grandparents are hardly less attached than their mother. Their father was a prominent young lawyer, and gave every promise of a brilliant future at the bar and in public life, when he was suddenly cut off in the morning of his usefulness by death. Mr. and Mrs. Conyers are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Royal Arch Mason.

Between the 2d of April, 1818, and the 10th of September, 1883,. the dates, respectively, of the birth and death of the subject of this sketch, was lived a life that was useful and just, and one more than ordinarily successful in the affairs of the world. Commencing for himself when a young man and without a dollar, he succeeded by his own unaided efforts and sterling good sense, even before he was well advanced in middle age, in becoming a man of ample wealth, and by means that brought no rej^roach for a wrong act upon his name. At his death his estate was valued at over $150,000, all the fruit of his own industry and good management. He was not only a successful man, but a good and useful citizen and a kind and generous neighbor. Public spirited and liberal in all affairs that concerned the public good, his nature was also one of great benevolence and generosity toward those who needed the help he could give them. He reared a large and wt)rthy family of children, and around his own fireside he was more than ordinarily well beloved, for he was a kind and devoted husband, and an affectionate and tender parent. In his character there was no such thing as hypocrisy or anything akin to cant goodness. On the contrary, he was a plain, brave and true-hearted man, without pretense, and always better at heart than those whose pretensions were the loudest. He was an early settler in Monroe county and lived here until his death, near half a century, one of the self-made, successful, useful and highly esteemed citizens of the county. His memory is justly revered as that of one of the best citizens who ever honored and benefited Monroe county by their residence within its borders. David L. Cooper was a native of Kentucky, reared in Fayette county, and afterwards married at Georgetown, in Scott county. His first wife was a Miss Catherine Caplinger before her marriage. They came to Missouri in 1834, and located at Lexington, Mo., and lived there two years and then moved to Paris. He followed the tailor's trade here for a time, which he had previously learned, and then bought land and engaged in farming and handling stock. He became one of the leading mule traders of this part of the country, and accumulated a large property in this business. He returned from his farm to Paris in 1859, and resided here until his death. He also dealt largely in real estate, and improved considerable property, both farm and town property. He built the Cooper block of this place, and after the fire rebuilt it, in 1870. This is one of the best business blocks in Paris and contains seven store rooms. He also built other property, business and residence, and his own residence property is one of the finest in the county. He also owned several farms in this county and elsewhere. He was a man of untiring energy and thorough-going enterprise, always alive to business and almost invariably successful in all his ventures. His first wife died in 1867 and he was afterwards married to Miss Bettie Gore, who still survives him, a sister to Dr. A. E. Gore. By his first wife he has eight children, and by his last wife four children. Most of his family of children are still living, and the older ones are themselves the heads of families. They were given good educations and other advantages, and now rank among the best people of their respective counties.

David L., the youngest of his father's first family of children, and who kindly furnished the data for the present sketch of his father's life, 'was educated at the high school of Paris, and afterwards took a business course at the Gem City Commercial College, of Quincy, III. A young man now in his twenty-second year, he is a partner with Mr. U. G. Speed in the saddlery and harness business at Paris. They carry a stock of 12,500, and have a large and steadily increasing trade. Young Mr. Cooper is one of the enterprising and thoroughly qualified

Francis C. Cooper

Mr. Cooper is the son of David L. and Catherine E. (Caplinger) Cooper, both of Scott county, Ky. They moved to Missouri in 1838 and settled in Lafayette county, but in 1840 went to Paris, where Mr. Cooper took up his trade of tailoring and followed it most profitably for nine years. He then bought a farm just north of the town, where he farmed and raised stock until his death, September 10, 1883. He was very successful and accumulated a nice fortune. He was a member of the Christian Church and was twice married, having six children by his first wife, and two by his second. Francis C. was the second child of the first marriage. He grew up on the farm and attended the common schools. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate service under Col. Brace, of the cavalry, and was a faithful soldier until 1864. He was in the battles of Lexington, Mo., Pea Ridge, Ark., where he was taken prisoner, and held three months at St. Louis, then paroled and exchanged. He next fought at Corinth, first siege of Vicksburg and a great many lesser fights. In 1864 Mr. Cooper went across the plains to California, but soon after returning he married October 23, 1866, Miss Laura E., daughter of Philip Ross, formerly of Kentucky, now deceased. Mrs. Cooper was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri at the age of nine years. After his marriage Mr. C. farmed for a year in Saline county, but in the spring of 1868 returned and lived on the home place for five years, then buying his present place. He has 160 acres of land all fenced, 100 acres in meadow and plow land, the balance in timbered pasture. Mr. Cooper's farm is beautifully situated and well improved, his residence, which is quite new, being one of the most tasteful in the county. There are also in his home ornaments of another description, jewels more rare and precious than those that flash in a monarch's crown. Five children, bright and blooming, gather round his table and make of his life a symphony of sweetest music. Their names are respectively: Oliver P., Mabel M., Mary E., Josie and Frank L. One charming girl, Daisy C, died when " standing Avhere the brook and river meet" September 12,1883. Mr. Cooper is a member of Paris Lodge No. 29, I. O. O. F. and both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Edmond Covey

On the 15th of December, 1865, Mr. Covey was honorably discharged from the Union service, after having for more than four long years followed the flag of his country through the hardships and dangers of the Civil War. When he entered the service the life of the

Nation was threatened and was in peril, and the stoutest hearts among those who loved their country, almost stood still of fear lest the Government which Washington and their fathers founded, the noblest heritage ever bought with patriotic blood and bequeathed to posterity, should perish from the earth. When he returned from the war this noble fabric of free institutions was secured to the future past all danger, and consecrated to those who are to come after us by blood not less patriotic than that which was spilled at Lexington or stained the ground of Valley Forge. We of the present generation are wont to look with enthusiastic admiration upon the achievements of the illustrious heroes of 1776. But let us not for a moment doubt that the deeds of the Union patriots of the Civil War will go sounding down the ages with as proud and glad acclaim as ever fell upon the ears of men. Mr. Covey enlisted in Co. B, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on the 12th day of August, 1861, and at the expiration of his first term of service enlisted again as a veteran in the same company January 1, 1864. He participated in many of the severest engagements of the war. He was in 12 of the distinct bayonet charges, and escaped from all danger with but a single wound. He was shot through the right forearm with a Minie-ball, having one of the bones of his arm broken. The ball lodged under the skin on the opposite, side of his arm from where it went in, and he still has it in his possession, keeping it as a souvenir of the war. After his discharge he returned to Illinois and engaged in fsirming in DeWitt county. He was married in that county March 22, 1863, to Miss Kezia Harrold, daughter of Eli Harrold, formerly of North Carolina. He continued to farm in that county until the fall of 1878, when he removed to Monroe county. Mo., and bought the farm where he now resides. He has 160 acres in his homestead and also another tract a short distance from this one. Mr. Covey is an energetic farmer and one of the esteemed citizens of the township. He is a native of Illinois, born in McLean county, July 26, 1840, and a son of Cornelius and Lucy (Johnston) Covey, his father a native of New Jersey, but his mother of Sangamon county, 111. They are still living in McLean county, his father being now in the seventy-first year of his age.

Chakles A. Creigh

When the war broke out in 1861, Charley Creigh,then in his seventeenth year, was at home with his parents in Greenbrier county, Va., and occupied with assisting on the farm and attending school. If there are any people under the sun who will defend their native soil against hostile comers at all times and in all circumstances to the very death, they are the people of Virginia. For this they are famed in history, the world over, and no braver or truer soldier ever kept step to martial music than the genuine Virginian. Young Creigh, when the soil of his native State was invaded by the hostile armies of the North in 1861, showed himself a worthy son of the Old Dominion, and although hardly yet more than a boy, gallantly volunteered as a soldier for the defense of the families and firesides of his people and the rights and institutions of his State. He followed the flag of the South bravely and with unflinching devotion until after he was wounded for the second time. He left an arm on the field as an off'ering of his patriotism, and now goes with an empty sleeve dangling from his left shoulder as a living witness of the brave part he bore in the gallant struggle of Virgini^i, for the same principles for which her first great commander and his heroic compatriots fought nearly a century before. After being wounded a second time, which necessitated the amputation of his arm, he retired from the gallant old Fourteenth Virginia, no longer able to do military duty. The next two years were spent in teaching and attending school in Greenbrier and Albemarle counties. In 1867 he came West, to Kansas, and taught school in that State for two years. After this he returned home to Virginia to take charge of his mother's family and settle up their estate, which was now greatly needing the attention of some one qualified to bring it out of the wreck in which the war had left it. The father had been brutally murdered during the war, or worse than murdered, taken out and deliberately hung by order of one of the most infamous characters the unhappy strife between the sections produced on either side, Gen. David Hunter. So high-handed and outrageous was the conduct of this coarse savage, dressed up in the uniform of a Union officer, that President Lincoln had to repudiate his proceedings in the South by proclamation as President of the United States and general order as Commander-in-Chief of the Union armies. This document is dated May 19, 1862. Hunter, it will be remembered, was the first one to declare martial law in the South, or, rather, in the States of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, the military district over which for the time he had control. He was also equally " previous " in issuing an emancipation proclamation which the President had to repudiate, the Union sentiment not yet being ripe for it. But to resume the thread of young Creigh's career: He settled up the estate as best he could, for his father had been in good circumstances before the war, so as to save a few thousand dollars. With this he came West again, bringing his mother and sisters, and settled them in the eastern part of the county as comfortably as their means would allow, where they still reside. He there bought a tract of land and improved a farm, where he engaged in farming and also in handling stock. He became quite successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and, being a man of o-ood education and popular address, made many friends in, the vicinity of his new home, and wherever he became acquainted. This perhaps was not hard for a one-armed Confederate soldier to do in Monroe county, fighting the battle of life, as he was, " single-handed," sure enough, and taking care of his widowed mother and his sisters in addition, especially one so genial and clever as an acquaintance and so irreproachable as a man as Charley Creigh was. To make a long story short, his friends in his part of the county rallied around him and ran him for sheriff, and wherever he appeared with his armless sleeve and his brave, genial countenance, he swept the field, but he made little or no eftbrt himself for the office, and for that reason was defeated, for he was not generally acquainted, but was beaten barely by the skin of his opponent's teeth. He was really doing first-rate on his farm and had little or no desire for the office and, besides, everybody knows that to be elected sheriff, one must be a professional laugher, grin at every stupid joke and kiss every dirty-mouthed baby from the mouth to the head waters of Bitter creek. Mr. Creigh was thoroughly up to kissing, but not to kissing babies, and hence, he was left by a small majority. But when the next election mill-day came around, his friends of the south-eastern part of the county ran him again, but still he had not learned the osculatory art infantilis and his opponent got in this time barely on the principle that " a miss is as good as a mile." He took little or no personal part in this election but remained at home like a good Agricola, attending his flocks and herds. When the office of circuit clerk became vacant his friends, like Napoleon's Old Guard, rallied around him again to place him in this position. This time he concluded to try his hand on a trump card or two himself, and be went into the canvass to win, or to know just exactly where he was struck if he got knocked out of time. He had one of the most popular men of the county to contend against, a man backed by wealth and family influence, and, withal, a good man himself. But he started on the circuit around the county and no honest-hearted Methodist circuit rider ever did more earnest work than he did, from precinct to precinct, and he made every schoolhouse almost as familiar with his voice, talking to the good men of Monroe county, as with the music of the horse-hair ^olian made in the window by the bad boy at playtime. The result was, that everybody became acquainted with Charley Creigh and this time he came triumphantly through with colors flying. His election was a most gratifying victory to his friends (and now everybody seems to be his friend), and all predict for him a long and honorable future in official life. It will evidently be a cold day when Charley Creigh is beaten for circuit clerk in Monroe county. He is faithful to his duties and fully qualified and capable for them, and personall}^ he is so popular that his butcher bills are simply remarkable in magnitude, so common is it for his friends to dine with him when they come to town, and he is in his happiest element when he is helping them to a mutton chop or a good beefsteak and telling them some old war experience.

Thomas Crutcher

In the " History of Monroe County " there is no one more justly entitled to respect and esteem, or who stands higher as a man and citizen in the estimation of all who know him, than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Crutcher has been a resident of this county for over half a century - from early youth - and from the first his life has been one without a stain or the suspicion of a wrong act, and devoted through- out with intelligence, earnestness and unfaltering fidelity to the best interests of those among whom he has lived. Nor has his personal worth and value passed unrecognized by those around him. Time and time again he has been called into the public service, and in no single instance when he was a candidate before the people have they withheld their confidence and support. Mr. Crutcher is a native of Kentucky, born in Lincoln county, July 16, 1818. His father was Charles Crutcher, a native of Virginia, and lived there until nearly 40 years of age and then removed to Kentucky, where he lived until 1831, when he came to Monroe county. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Jones. She was a native of Virginia. Thomas Crutcher, the eleventh of twelve children, was 13 years of age when the family removed to this State. They settled in Monroe county, where the parents lived until their deaths. The father died June 1, 1864, the mother sometime previous. They were highly esteemed residents of the county and their memory is cherished by their surviving children and by all who knew them as that of those whose lives were useful and just, and kind and true in every relation, whether in the family or in the community. Charles Crutcher opened a farm here and became comfortably situated. He introduced the raising of wheat in the county and sowed the first wheat ever grown within its borders. Thomas Crutcher, the subject of this sketch, remained on the farm only a short time after the family came to Monroe county. His health being quite delicate, it was thought best for him to engage in some in-door pursuit. He, therefore, came to Paris in 1834, and entered a store here to learn merchandising. His opportunities for an education had been quite limited, but he had picked up a sufficient knowledge of books to understand reading and writing and the elementary rules of arithmetic. This sufficed him to begin with, and practical experience in the store, together with study when not otherwise occupied, soon made him a young man of superior business qualifications. Later along he engaged in merchandising on his own account, and continued it with steadily increasing success for a number of years. Mr. Crutcher possesses to a marked degree many of the qualities that make men popular with those around them. Of a kindly, humane disposition, transparently honest, and manifestly concerned for the good and the feelings of others, accommodating to the last degree, generous in impulses, and agreeable and pleasant in manners, he became one of the most popular business men in Paris and throughout the county. In 1840, although but 22 years of age, he was N elected sheriff of Monroe county by an overwhelming majority, and is said to have been one of the youngest sheriffs who ever occupied that office in the State. In 1842 he was re-elected, filling the offices of sheriff and collector for four years without opposition. After the expiration of his last term he resumed merchandising at Paris, and continued it until the outbreak of the war. Though sympathizing strongly with his friends in the South, Mr. Crutcher was devotedly attached to the Union, but did not feel justified in engaging on either side in the suicidal and unhappy conflict between the two sections.

In order, therefore, to avoid becoming mixed up in the troubles of the times in this section of the State, he removed with his family to Quincy, 111., and remained there until the restoration of peace. Returning to Paris after the war, he resumed merchandising and followed it without interruption until 1873, when he was appointed county clerk to fill out the unexpired term of William N. Penn, deceased. At the expiration of this term he was elected to that office and has since been re-elected, continuing to hold it up to the present time. On the 12th day of April, 1838, Mr. Crutcher was married to Miss Esther J. Glenn, a daughter of Hugh Glenn, Esq., deceased, formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Crutcher had nine children, four of whom are living, namely : Sarah E., wife of E. W. Crutcher of the State of Nevada; Anna B., wife of R. H. West of this place; William L., his only son, now residing in Nevada, on account of failing health, and Essie J., wife of James A. Curtright, now deputy county clerk under Mr. Crutcher. Of the 12 children in the family of Mr. Crutcher's parents, six sons and as many daughters, only three of the family, including himself, are living, namely : his youngest brother, Milton, now on the old family homestead in this county, and Ambrose, four miles south of Paris. Mr. Crutcher's father lived to the advanced age of 89 years, and his father's only brother, Samuel, lived to be 88 years of age. Their father also lived to be 88. Mr. Crutcher, himself, is now 66 years of age. Though not a man of the most robust physique, he is yet well preserved, and possessed of great natural recuperative power. He is brighter in mind and conversation than many, a decade or more his juniors, and indeed, he seems to })e in the meridian of life mentally. Having lived in the county for so many years, he is possessed of an apparently inexhaustible fund of reminiscences and incidents which throw a clear light upon the condition of society and the country in the times to which Uiey refer. When Mr. Crutcher came to Monroe county, there was not a school-house or church building in the county, and the nearest settlement to the present site of Paris was 16 miles' away. The first church was built in 1832, a primitive log structure, erected by the Old School Baptists, and afterwards the Methodists came in and built a church, who were soon followed by the Christian denomination. He contributed to the first Christian Church erected in the county, and he and wife have been members of that denomination for over 40 years. But he has lived to see a mighcy change in the country. And in this wonderful transformation he, himself, has borne a most worthy part. As a citizen, no one has taken a more public-spirited and intelligent interest in the general progress of the country. He has been active in its public and business affairs, and in the advancement of the cause of education, of church interests, and of every movement designed for the general good. He has alwaj's been a warm friend to popular education, and has had the satisfaction to see his life-long views approved by the general sentiment of the country. Where formerly there was not a school-house in the county, there are now more than a hundred, where instruction is given to the young. To the churches his liberality has been limited only by his means, for no one ever showed greater generosity according to his ability to give. He also took an active interest in the construction of the railroad running in the county ; and in everything that would contribute to the material, social or general welfare of the people, he has taken a worthy part. He assisted to effect the first town organization of Paris, and was a member of the first town council, Mr. Crutcher's life has been one of unceasing activity, directed by a generous ambition to make himself useful to those around him, and to do as much good and as little harm in the world as possible, according to the talents given him. And looking back over his long and useful life, it must be admitted that his has been a career to which as little blame attaches, and in which there is as much to challenge the esteem and good opinions of his fellow-men, as seldom falls to the lot of one to make. A man of the most generous and unselfish impulses, in whose nature warm and noble humanity prevails over, perhaps, any other characteristic, as upright in thought and deed as the purest and best, his whole life has been an unbroken chain of duty faithfully and well performed, and of kind and generous acts untiringly done. All over the county he is known and esteemed as one of the best of men, and wherever his name is spoken it is uttered with that consideration and respect which evinces the high regard in which he is held. Elected time and again to public office, no one can hope to be a successful candidate for any position which he will consent to fill, so long as he is able to discharge its duties and will accept the place. Through this whole section of country his name stands as a synonym for honesty and integrity, for noble and generous humanity, and for all the purer and better qualities of head and heart. In very looks he is a man to be trusted and reverenced, for his heart seems to be open to all who approach him, and to know Uncle Thomas Crutcher, as he is called far and wide, is to know, as all believe, the noblest work of God, a good and true and noble and downright honest man.

Judge James M. Crutcher

James Madison Crutcher was born in Monroe county, November 9, 1841. His father was William Crutcher and born in Kentucky; his mother, before her marriage, was a Miss America Arnold, of Kentucky. His father was a farmer by occupation, residing near Paris ; he died in December, 1844, and James M.'s youth was spent on the farm, where he assisted in farm work, but during the winter months attended the neighborhood schools. When he was seventeen years of age he was offered a position as assistant in the circuit clerk and recorder's office, a place he accepted and filled until the expiration of the term of his employer, Mr. George Glenn. He then returned to the home with his grandfather, William Arnold, with whom he had formerly lived and assisted in managing the farm. He remained there until three years after his grandfather's death, which occurred in 1861. In 1865 he bought a farm and moved his mother's fiimily, consisting of herself and two daughters, on to it, where he, himself, settled. He followed farming there, but during the winter months taught school. After this he engaged in clerking in a store at Granville, and followed that until he was offered a position as deputy circuit clerk and recorder at Paris, which he accepted. After remaining in the office as deputy for two years, he was then solicited by friends all over the county to become a candidate for circuit clerk and recorder himself, to which he finally consented. Although his opponents were considered among the most popular in the county, he was successful and was elected by a handsome majority. While serving as clerk he read law and was admitted to the bar, passing an exceptionally good examination, being admitted at the April term, 1875. At the close of his term of office, he opened a law office at Paris and engaged in the practice of his profession, but his health failing from close confinement and hard study, he returned to the farm and engaged in farming. As a farmer. Judge Crutcher's career was quite a successfnl one. In December, 1880, the office of probate judge became vacant by resignation of the incumbent, and he was requested to allow his name to be presented to the Governor for appointment. Doing well on his farm and loth to quit farming, he hesitated to accept the office, even if tendered to him, but the solicitations of his friends were earnest and continued, so that at last he told them that if the commission were offered him, he would not refuse it. The Governor requested that a primary election be held to determine who was the choice of the people, and the election resulting favorable to Judge Crutcher, he was appointed. He held the office for two years and then was elected without opposition, now holding the position for the term for which he was elected. Judge Crutcher is a man of excellent business qualifications, sterling worth and, as the above facts show, one of the most popular men in the county. As a probate judge and as a man he has the entire confidence of the public, and he has discharged the duties of his office with marked efficiency and ability. December 12, 1872, he was married to Miss Ella Forsyth, a daughter of Capt. John Forsyth, of this county. They have one child, 0 daughter. Belle, now eight years of age. After his election to the office of probate judge, he removed his family from the farm to Paris. His mother is still living and resides on the farm, which he still superintends and manages.

James A. Curtright

Mr. Curtright is a worthy representative of one of the old and highly respected families of the county. His father. Judge Curtright, came to Missouri away back in 1828 and settled in Monroe county the following year. He entered land on which he improved a farm, where he still resides, at the advanced age of 83. Mr. Curtright' s mother was a Miss Dawson, of another good family of the county. She has been dead many years, and Judge Curtright majrried a second wife. She died about 10 years ago. James A. was one of a family of 15 children, 12 of whom reached mature years, and 11 of them are still living. He was born on a farm four miles south-west of Paris, April 21, 1843. On reaching majority he came to town and began as a clerk in merchandising, which he continued until 1883, becoming widely and favorably known as a popular and efficient clerk. Since then he has been an assistant in the county clerk's office. August 20, 1874, he was married to Miss Essie Crutcher, a daughter of Thomas Crutcher. They have a family of two children: Virgie L. and Nellie W. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is now acting High Priest of the Encampment of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Curtright is a candidate for county treasurer. Thoroughly qualified for the position, and a man of unimpeachable integrity, as well as being a good Democrat, which is of itself a guaranty of honesty and ability, there seems to be no reason why he should not be chosen to the office. Reared in the county, he is well known to the public, and his perfect reliability and fidelity are proven by the faithfulness with which he has tilled the positions of clerk in the different stores where thousands of dollars were handled monthly, and by the great esteem and confidence in which he is held by those for whom he worked. There is no earthly reason why he should not be made county treasurer, unless it is that he is not a man of wealth. But can it be that this is to defeat him, and are not absolute integrity and thorough qualifications for the position sufficient? If not, then the law ought to be changed so that none but men of wealth could hold important public trusts. But Mr. Curtright has a strong support in the county, with every prospect of success. '

Henry L. Curtright

The sketch of Samuel Curtright, the father of Henry L., is given elsewhere in this volume, where something of an outline of the family antecedents is presented. Henry L. was born June 12, 1833, and had good opportunities to attend school as he grew up. Much of his time was spent in school u)itil he was 21 years of age. But after reaching his majority he engaged in farming for himself, which he has ever since followed. He be^an on rented land, but now owns a comfortable homestead, where he has resided for a number of years. On the 20th of September, 18(55, he was married to Miss Mnttie A., a daughter of Harvey and Nancy (Hill) Arnold, formerly of Kentucky. They have five children: Samuel H., James W., Robert F., Mary F. and Clay P. Mr. Curtright is engaged in raising stock, principally cattle of the high grade breed. He and wife are members of the Christian Church and he is a member of the Odd Fellows Order of Paris. For two years during the war he was deputy sheriff" of the county.

Meevin M. Dawson

Mr. Dawson, a son of Nathaniel W. Dawson, of this county, was brought up to the business of farming and handling stock, and although comparatively a young man yet, is steadily coming to the front in these lines. His father is a Kentuckian by nativity, from Henry county, and came to Missouri with his family in 1849. He located in Monroe county, where he bought a farm and began his career here as a farmer and stock man. He was entirely successful in these lines, and although retired from active work for some years past, bears the reputation of having shipped more stock from this county than any other man in the county. He is now 67 years of age, "and is living in quiet and comfort on his homestead, in the bosom of his family and the enjoyment of the esteem of all who know him. His good wife is also still living to accompany him on down the stream of life, as she has done for so many long and happy years. They have reared a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom are married and all reside in the county but two - one, the wife of John Brockman of Audrain county, and Ellis, of the State of Colorado. Mervin M. is the keystone of the family of children, there being four older and four younger than he. He was born in Henry county, Ky., October 13, 1845, and was therefore principally reared in Monroe county. He was married in this county February 3, 1867, when Miss Kebecca F. Threlkeld, a daughter of William Threlkeld, became his wife. After his marriage Mr. Dawson quitted the paternal roof to establish a home for himself and his family. He came to the place where he now resides and went to work with a resolution to make himself one of the successful farmers oT the county. This object he is steadily accomplishing, and already he is well advanced toward the front. He has a place of about 200 acres of fine land, all under fence, and either in cultivation, meadow or pasturage, except 15 acres of timber. His place is neatly and substantially improved, and is a comfortable and desirable homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have seven children: Marv E., William N., Smith T., Arthur P., Fannie L., George A., and Bulah M. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

John A. Delaney

John Alfred Delaney was born in Scott county, Ky., January 23, 1814, His father died in Kentucky in 1828, and two years afterwards the family removed to Missouri and settled on a farm, and in 1831 came to Monroe county and settled permanently on the place where the subject of this sketch now resides. John A. and a brother had to care for the family, and it was a hard struggle through which they passed in this then new country, with every disadvantage to contend against to keep those dependent upon them-comtbrtably provided for,' and get something of a respectable start in life for themselves. Farm products were worth comparatively nothing and everything bought from the stores was exorbitantly high, in tact, circumstances more unfavorable for prosperous farm life could hardly be imagined than they then were. But young Delaney and his brother did quite as well as those around them and as the conditions of times improved each of them advanced in prosperity with more rapid strides. In 1834 Mr. Delaney was married to Miss Sallie Sparks, who lived to brighten his home for nearly 20 years, and bore him 12 children, six of whom are living : William, John A., Mary, Elizabeth, James S. and Sallie. The mother of these died in 1852 and some years afterwards Mr. Delaney was married to Miss Margaret S. Hammonds, a most estimable lady. They have six children : Thomas B., Leonidas N., Edwin H., Maggie S., Sladel. and Perry M. When Mr. Delaney started out forhiniself he had but 50 acres of land, a horse or two and wagon, and no other property but a skillet and lid, bed and bedding, and a few household articles. But he went to work with that industry and resolution that, on the rich soil of Monroe county and by the genial showers which come of the favor of Heaven, could not fail of success. He has steadily come up in the gradient of prosperity and success until he is now one of the leading farmers and substantial citizens of the county. His estate numbers over 400 acres of as fine land as ever germinated the seed of the husbandman, whilst his farm is abundantly stocked with sleek cattle, contented swine and rich-fleeced sheep as well as horses and mules, and other domestic animals. He and wife are church members.

Dr. Dysart, a physician of twenty-five years' standing and a surgeon of established reputation, now one of the leading members of the medical profession in this part of the State and president of the District Medical Society, was born in Randolph county, September 28, 1834. He is a son of Dr. Nicholas Dysart, of Randolph county, an old and highly esteemed citizen of that county residing near Yates Postoffice, a sketch of whose life appears on pages 673 and 674 of the " History of Randolph and Macon Counties," recently issued by the publishers of this volume. Dr. Dysart, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm near Yates and received an advanced education, which was concluded at McGee College, where he was awarded the deofree of B. S., or Bachelor of Science. Prior to concludino; his course at college, however, which was in 1854, he had taught school, having begun to teach at the early age of 17. His first school was at Ft. Henry, and afterwards he taught again in Chariton county, teaching about two years, having charge of the high school where he gave instructions in Latin and other hiofher branches.

In 1856 he quit teaching and began the study of medicine, taking a course of reading under Dr. R. K. Lewis, eight miles west of Ft. Henry, under whom he read for about two years. He then entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1859. Immediately following his graduation, Dr. Dysart located at College Mound, where he began the practice of his profession. In 1861 he entered the Southern service becoming, after the battle of Lexington, in which he took part, surgeon of Col. Bevier's regiment, of which he was surgeon until the close of the State Guard service. At the general reorganization for the Confederate service which then took place, he was^nade surgeon of the Fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry under Col. McCowen, a position he held until 1864. During this time the field of operations of his regiment included Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee aud Missouri, and he took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Farmington, luka and second Corinth. After the second battle of Corinth hewas left in charge of the wounded, and was four months inside the Federal lines. Rejoining his regiment at Grenada, Mississippi, he afterwards participated in the battles of Grand Gulf and Port Gibson, and at the latter place was again left in charge of the wounded, spending nearly five months more in the Federal lines. During this time his regiment was cai)tured at Vicksburg, and at the reorganization at Demopolis he was made surgeon of the Third and Fifth Missouri Infantry, still under Col. McCowen. Following this the consolidated regiments were in the campaign up through Georgia, and joined Gen. Joe Johnston near Kingston, Ga., participating in the series of fights made between Altoona and Atlanta. They then joined Hood and participated in the hitter's campaign in Tennessee and in the battle of Franklin, in that State. There Dr. Dysart was left in charge of about 5,000 wounded, includinof 1,000 Federals wounded. He continued in charge of these for about nine months, from November 17, 1864, until August 1, 1865, several months after the close of the war. Early in the fall of 1865 Dr. Dysart returned to Missouri, after having spent four years in field and hospital. The thorough training he received as physician and surgeon during his long service in the army, and the satisfaction of having faithfully performed his duty to sufiering humanity and to the cause of the South, were the only rewards he received for the labor and hardship's he had undergone. Worse still : what property he had before the war was swept away, leaving him practically penniless. But locating.at Paris, he began life anew in his profession and went to work with courage and resolution. The result has been most gratifying. His skill and ability in medicine and surgery have long since placed him in the front rank of his profession in North Missouri. For years he has had an extensive practice and he has prospered in a material point of view. He owns a fine farm of 400 acres a short distance north of Paris, and another place of 200 acres west of the city. Dr. Dysart, besides attending to a large practice, is engaged in raising stock. He also deals to some extent in real estate. He has a comm()dious and neat residence property in Paris and is comfortably and pleasantly situated. January 9, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Olivia Ragsdale, an estimable widow lady. Mrs. Dysart's maiden name was Vivion, and she was a daughter of Preston Vivion. The Doctor and Mrs. Dysart have one son, Charles, born October 16, 1870. She is a member of the Christian Church, and he of the Cumberland Presbyterian. He is^also a prominent Mason.

John H. Edwards

Mr. Edwards was born June 10, 1810, in Bourbon county, Ky. His father, John Edwards, was a native of Virginia, but immigrated, when a boy, to Kentucky, there marrying Miss Polly Garrod, daughter of Gov. James Garrod, Kentucky's first governor. John Edwards was a magistrate for many years and was also sheriff of the county. He was one of the sturdy veterans of the War of 1812. He lived in Bourbon county, Ky., until his death. John H. grew up on his father's farm, receiving a good common school education and assisting in the farm-work. Until his marriage, November 8, 1832, he carried on a distillery, manufacturing old Bourbon whiskey. When he had taken a wife, however, he began farming for himself, first in Kentucky and afterwards in Missouri. In 1857 he removed to Monroe county and the following year bought a farm, upon which he now lives. The place was already partially improved, but in the hands of Mr. Edwards it " blossomed as the rose." He has 320 acres all fenced, 240 in meadow and plow-land, and 80 acres in timber and pasture. Every comfort surrounds Mr. E. and his home is one to be proud of; attractive residence, good buildings, orchard, etc., and a most refined and intelligent family in whose society to refresh his mind and heart. Mr. Edwards' wife was Miss Margaret, daughter of Capt. Abraham Keller, of Bourbon county, before her marriage. She has with faithful tenderness and in the truest sense of the word been to him a better half. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have six children, all except one of whom are married : John Monroe, Abram K., Amos, Joseph T., William, Tolbert, now at Wichita, Kans., and Margaret, wife of Robert T. Carter. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are members of the Christian Church.

John M. Edwards

Mr. John M. Edwards was born June 20, 1835, in Bourbon county, Ky. His father, who was born June 12, 1800, was also a native of that State. He followed the occupation of farmer until 1847, when he moved to Missouri. He was married in Bourbon county, Ky., in 1825, to Miss Margaret Killer, also a native of that county. Of this marriage were born 10 children. Five still survive : Abraham, Noah,

Joseph, William and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. E. were good and faithful members of the Christian Church. John M. was the fourth child, and was reared in Bourbon county, Ky., and from his early childhood had a predilection for farming, which occupation he has steadfastly followed ever since. In 1856 he removed to Monroe county, Mo., and was married February 10, 1875, to Miss Mary Evans who was a native of Monroe, where she was born August 12, 1837. They have two children: Rufina M. and Margaret K. Mr. Edwards owes everything in life to his own exertions, and has indefatigably persevered in his efforts to succeed in the occupation he has chosen. It can truly be said of him that he is a self-made man. He can now look with pride at the time when but a boy he was penniless and had nothing but his robust health, and an honest purpose, Avhich has led him upward to the rank he now maintains among his fellow men. His farm consisting of 296 acres of rich land, and of which 220 acres are highly improved, has been made to yield him a comfortable living. Though now but in the prime of life, he may well rest upon his oars, and view with complacent eye his broad acres that have been made to bear the fruit of an honest and well spent life. Mr. Edwards is a good member of the Christian Church.

Heney H. Fields

Of all that sturdy and independent class, the farmers of Missouri, none are possessed of more genuine merit and a stronger character than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. Left to hew his own path in life, he has most manfully acquitted himself of the task. He was born November 6, 1822, in Washington county, Ky., of John Field and Elizabeth Wiseheart, his wife. John F. was born October 17, 1796, in Maryland, but spent his early years in Washington county. He was a farmer, and married December 19, 1817, a fair flower of Nelson county. They had a family of 10 children, of whom six are now living : John W., a Methodist minister, located at Palestine, Tex. ; MatUda, Wilson M., Catherine, Alfred M. and Henry H. In 1858 Mr. F. moved to Ellis county, Tex., and two years later to Monroe county, Mo., whither his son, Henry H., had preceded him by five years. The latter grew up in his native country, and was there married May 28, 1849, to Miss Martha M. Phillips, by whom he has four children : Florida, Missouri, Dennis M. and John L. He moved to Missouri in 1855, and two years later, August 19, 1857, his wife was wrapped in the dark and impenetrable mantle of death. Mr. Fields has a fine farm of 320 acres, the fruits of his own industry and untiring energy. His farm is well stocked with everything necessary to its thorough cultivation, and his improvements bear witness to the intelligence and wisdom that rule. He is a valuable citizen, and his example and success may well serve as a beacon light to guide other struggling souls to a safe harbor. Mr. Fields is a worthy member of the Masonic order.

William H. Forman

Mr. Forman, an old citizen and respected farmer of the county, has been a resident of this county for over 53 years. He came from Kentucky, having been born in Montgomery county, of that State, in 1813. He was a son of John and Susan (Caldwell) Foreman, and emigrated from Kentucky with his parents in 1831. His father was a deacon for over 20 years in the Christian Church. Settling six miles west of Paris, he resided on that place for nearly 30 years, or rather in that neighborhood, for he sold his original place during that time and bonght one near by, to which he removed. In 1860 he went to Sturgeon, in Boone county, where he engaged in the hotel business. He died there in 1863. His wife had died the year previous. William H. Forman, who was 16 years of age when he came to Missouri, grew to manhood in Monroe county, and in 1839 was married to Miss Martha A. Curtright, formerly of Kentucky. Already Mr. Forman had begun his career in life as a farmer, which he has continued ever since. He has a good homestead of 160 acres, on which he has resided for many years. Mr. Forman goes down in the " History of Monroe County" as the first teacher of vocal music who ever taught in the county. And he is perhaps the oldest teacher in point of continued service of that which Congreve says : -

"Music has charms to sooth a savage breast, To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak; I've read that things inanimate have moved, And, as with living souls, have been iuform'd, By magic numbers and persuasive sound."

Since he was a young man, for nearly half a century, he taught vocal music in the county up to within about a year ago. Mr. Forman has been a member of the Christian Church for over fifty years. He and his good wife have had seven children: John C, Emily E., William, Daniel, James, Thomas A. and Nancy. Daniel C. died in 1857, Thomas in 1863, and William was killed in 1868 by the fall of a tree. Mrs. Forman is also a member of the Christian Church.

Valentine Fowkes

Mr. Fowkes, who was born in Scott county, Ky., near Georgetown, July 16, 1817, is the son of Gerard and Nancy Fowkes and the brother of Richard, whose sketch follows this. He grew up on the home place with a common school education, and at the age of 16 commenced freighting in Kentucky. After moving to Missouri he continued the same business, freighting from Hannibal to Paris, and also when the river was low to Richmond, Chariton and Brunswick. When navigation was closed he hauled between St. Louis and Paris.

He was engaged in this occupation for 35 years. Mr. Fowkes bought the farm upon which he now lives about 30 years ago. It was partly improved and his industry, good management and tastes have made it one of the garden spots of the county. He is a reliable and leading farmer in the township and contributes materially to it's general prosperity. Of very winning manners, and adapting himself readily to those among whom he is thrown, he is universally popular and his success in life is not to be wondered at. His farm contains 260 acres of laud, 220 fenced, with 75 in cultivation, and the balance in timbered pasture. His buildings are good and substantial and his orchard young and promising. His business for 20 years has been the breeding of horses and mules, in which he is eminently successful. He has made seven trips South with this stock and with pecuniary profit. Mr. Fowkes married in this county January 8, 1866, Miss Lucy, widow of Harvey Smith, and daughter of Christopher and Mildred Acuff, formerly from Kentucky, and both now deceased. This marriage has been without its crowning glory, the birth of children. Mrs. Fowkes, a woman of unusual charms, is rendered still more attractive by the adornment of a truly Christian spirit. She is a devout worshiper in the Baptist Church.