Monroe County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 9 of 11)

Kichard Fowkes

Gerard Fowkes, a native of Scott county, Ky., and the father ol Richard, married Nancy Rogers, also a Kentuckian, and after a few years moved to Missouri, settling in Monroe county on the farm still occupied by the subject of this sketch. The })lace Avas already slightly improved, and Mr. Fowkes made of it a beautiful home, where he spent the remainder of his years, dying February 27, 1881, in his ninetv-first year. He was a pensioner of the War of 1812. Of a family of nine children three are now living. Richard, who Avas the youngest of the family, was born in Scott county, Ky., on the 30th day of October, 1829. He was quite young when his parents moved to Missouri, and has spent the greater part of his life on the same farm. He was educated at the common schools, and as soon as he reached his majority, like many other young men growing up at that day, was seized with the California fever. He spent two very profitable years in the mines there, and then returned to the home of his childhood, where he settled down and became a farmer. February 12, 1856, he married Miss Catherine, daughter of Thomas H. Noonan, formerly from Kentucky, now deceased. Mrs. F. was born, reared and educated in Monroe county. There is in this family but one child, Lillie, a bright and beautiful girl just blooming into Avomanhood. Mr. Fowkes is a farmer of experience and abilit}^ and is much respected by all. He owns 80 acres of land, all fenced, 25 in plow land and the balance timbered pasture. His place is Avell improved and an ornament to the township. He is a member of Paris Lodge No. 19, A. F. and A. M., in

He whose name heads this sketch was a man well and fiivorably known to all old citizens of Monroe county. He came to the county before it was formed, and was afterwards one of the pioneer merchants of Paris. The following in reference to his death we take from the CJiristian, of September 5, 1878 : -

Something more than the mere announcement of his death deserves to be written concerning the life and character of that eminent servant of God, J. C. Fox, who passed away from earth on Thursday, August 15th, about one o'clock in the afternoon. His death was so sudden and unexpected, its announcement was a shock to the citizens of Paris and of the whole county. He had almost completed his seventy-sixth year, yet he was so hale and vigorous, the idea of his death from the weight of years and the natural close of life had not entered the thoughts of our people. He had not been feeling very well for several days, but was seen on our streets, to all appearances in his usual health, the morning of the day of his death. After eating his dinner he began to complain of pains in his breast and a dullness and dizziness in his head. The doctor was sent for immediately, who reached the house within 10 minutes, and in 30 minutes Brother Fox expired. Apoplexy was the cause of his death. He died calmly and without a struggle, as if going to sleep, as he really was, in the arms of the blessed Savior. James Cephas Fox was born in Fayette county, Ky., October 30, 1802. When he was about four years of age his father and family moved to Loudoun county, Va., where they remained a few years and returned to Kentucky. In 1819 the family, including the subject of this sketch, removed to the then Territory of Missouri and settled near Middle Grove, in what is now Monroe county, but was then a part of Ralls county. This was the first settlement within the present limits of Monroe county, and was long known as Fox's settlement. Shortly after Monroe county was formed, the site now occupied by the town of Paris was selected for the county seat and Brother Fox was appointed commissioner to lay off the town and sell the lots, he having deeded to the county a part of the land upon which the town is built. The honor of giving the name to the town was awarded to his wife. In connection with Robert Caldwell he opened the first store in Paris. For many years he was actively engaged in merchandisino- in the place, and by his close attention to business and the exercise of his fine business qualifications he amassed a large fortune for a country merchant. June 23, 1822, he was married to Miss Ann Smith. After her death, in 1861, he was married to Mrs. Mildred Caldwell, who survives him. Joseph H. Fox, of Shelbina, and Mrs. T. L. Fox, of Quincy, were born of the first marriage, and Miss Annie May Fox of the last, and these are all left to mourn his loss. After a long and successful business career he retired from such labor, and in 1866 was honored by the citizens of Monroe county as their representative in the State Legislature, which place he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. His history is so intimately connected with the history of our county and of Paris, that the history of one would involve the history of the other. He assisted in surveying the first public road in the county, and, as we have seen, laid the foundation for our county seat. By his counsel and his wisdom and his means he was always unobtrusively prominent in every enterprise that promised to add to the material growth and prosperity of the town and county in which he lived. He belonged to us all in a very peculiar and endearing sense, which was most fully and sincerely attested by the very large crowd that attended his funeral and wept over him. Young and old, black and white, rich and poor, met around his coffin and looked upon his face with one common o-rief, and sorrowed most of all that they should see that face no more. Few places are blessed with such a scene as was witnessed on the day of his burial, because few places are blessed with such a life as his, over which the whole community could rejoice and upon which it had so confidently leaned, and in whose death there could be tears of genuine grief from all, for unto all he had been a father and a friend, rejoicing at their joy and weeping with them in their sorrows. But it is of Brother Fox as a Christian that I desire to speak, for it was this that sanctified and made beautiful all the other relations of his life. I am not able to say just when he became a follower of Christ, but it was in the early years of his manhood. I have been told that he was the first person baptized in this county upon the simple confession of his faith in Christ. Before he ever heard a minister from among the Disciples he was attending a Baptist meeting, and at the invitation arose in the audience and addressed the preacher about as follows: "I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. If you will receive me upon this confession, I will come." He was received. Not long after, old Brother McBride came to Paris from Boone county, and on the 10th day of March, 1833, organized the Christian Church in this place. Six members composed the organization. Brother Fox was one of the six. They are all gone but one, and he still lingers at Paris at the advanced age of 84. During all these years of the existence of the church here, now numbering nearly a half century, Brother Fox has been intimately associated with its life and growth, indeed, has been a very large factor in the production of all gracious results arising from a congregation of Disciples so large, so united, and so ready for every good work and word. Active, energetic and industrious throughout all the years of his long and splendid career, yet he never for one moment became so much absorbed in his business interests and cares as to forget his allegiance to his God and the duties and privileges arising outTof his relation to the church. His life is a very striking illustration of the fact that a man can use this world without abusing it ; that he can toil, and buy, and sell, and keep, and use, and trade, and yet keep close to the Cross, and yet nearer and nearer to God. He always considered himself simply a steward of the manifold mercies of God, and with a liberal and a o^enerous hand and heart, was ever fonnd truly "given to hospitality," distributing to the " necessities of the saints," and as he had opportunity, of doing good unto all men. He was liberal and generous toward all the enterprises of the church, educational, missionary and others. After having done his part liberally and willingly we never failed to hear him and see him with his pocket-book in his hand and open, saying, " How much is lacking?" and quietly supplying the deficiency. Brother Fox grew old so gracefully. No sourness nor bitterness spoiled the loveliness of his last days. He had looked upon the rapid movements of the world since he was a boy in all that bore upon its material prosperity and growth, and had observed the wonderful changes in religious, scientific and philosophic investigation and knowledge, but he was never the man to utter a groan of regret and say, " things are not what they once were." Brother Fox was a very wise man, and he had gathered his wisdom, most of all while he sat as a little child, at the feet of Him who spoke as man never spake. His wisdom increased with his years. It was not blunted by any dimness of vision, nor disturbed by any crotchets of a soured old age. He was willing to work anywhere and everywhere for the Master. He was never absent from the Sunday-school, prayer meeting and the meetings on Lord's day and night. One of the touching scenes at his funeral was the presence and grief of the little boys from five to seven years of age whom he has taught for sometime in the Sunday-school. They bore a beautiful cross and wreath of flowers and laid them upon his coffin. As they looked upon his face for the last time, beside them stood the aged pilgrim, now 84, the only one now living in Monroe county of those who were here when he and Brother Fox came to this country, and the only remaining one of those who formed this church 45 years ago. Brother James R. Abernathy. The aged and young mingled their tears together. But it would take a volume to give a true history of this noble man of God, whose loss we all feel so deeply. A most excellent funeral discourse was preached by Brother Proctor, who had come to rejoice and weep with us. I can not express my loneliness without my brother. Although so much older than I, yet his companionship was very precious and pleasing to me. I never knew abetter man. I do not think I ever will. Even tempered, mild, gentle, meek, faithful and true, he was. His life was well rounded, and his character worthy of all admiration. He left us so calmly. The close of his life so befitting. He was not broken by years, nor emaciated by disease. " His eye -was not dim, nor his natural force abated." He laid down his armor and is at rest forever from all his labors. We will meet him on the other shore, and while on our way will cherish his memory as the precious legacy he has left us.

Robert Freeman

Mr. Freeman, an industrious and intelligent farmer of North Jackson township, was born June 2, 1828, in Madison county, Ky. His parents, Burket and Elizabeth (Linsey) Freeman, were natives of the same State, where the former died in 1834. Mrs. Freeman and family moved to Missouri in 1840, and settled in Monroe county, about four and a half miles from Paris. Robert grew up on this farm and principally educated himself. In 1850 he weut to California but returned after spending one year in* the mines. July 7, 1851, he married Miss Martha A., daughter of Samuel West, formerly from Virginia, now deceased. He then settled on the old homestead of his father-in-law and began farming and stock-raising, continuing this occupation with much success and profit until the war came on, when he was conscripted in Porter's raid. His service in the Confederate army was short but spirited. D.uring the 10 days in which he bore arms he took part in three engagements, Newark, Kirksville and Cherry Creek, besides several skirmishes. On his return Mr. Freeman joined the Home Guards. Since the war he has been carrying on the farm until 1873, when he went into the employ of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, watching and repairing its bridges. In this capacity he has given the fullest satisfaction to his employers, and entirely deserves the confidence and esteem with which he is regarded. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have five children: Samuel B., James M., Mary E., wife of James Scobee, J. Franklin and Richard S. Mr. F. and his wife are members of the M. E. Church South.

Thomas B. Gannaway

Mr. Gannaway, a leading merchant of Paris, who has been treasurer of the county for the last eight years continuously, and is one of the highly respected and influential citizens of this place, like most of the old settlers of North Missouri, is a native of the Blue Grass State, and was born in Washington county, March 15, 1844. His father, who came to this county in 1852, with his family, was William Gannaway, a man of high character and marked intelligence. The mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Martha Berry, a lady of refinement and great gentleness of disposition and kindness of heart. She seemed to be attached to her family with more than ordinary devotion and especially concerned herself with the moral training of her children. From their earliest recollections she strove unceasingly to instill into their minds the great principles of moral and religious truth, and taught them that character and fidelity to all their duties were the most priceless jewels to be had in this world. Her children now look back to her pure and noble teachings as the inspiration of every generous and worthy act they feel prompted to do. She is one of the true and good women of the earth, and is so remembered by all who know her. William Gannawajs the father of Thomas B. Gannaway, after having moved to Paris followed the trade of his early life, that of a carpenter. He was an excellent workman and industriously pursued his avocation, with a strong desire and determination to give his children the best school advantages possible. But his health having been already impaired for many years soon gave way and he was compelled to quit the trade. He engaged for a short time in the furniture business, also in saddlery and harness, but his health soon became so feeble that he was unable to attend to any business. He died in 1867. He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church. Ever zealous and true in his religious devotions,- much devoted to his family, he ever placed before his children and other associates the worthy example of an honorable, a true, a highly moral and religious life. Thomas B., the subject of this sketch, was eight years of age when the family settled in Monroe county. They had previously lived a short time in both Illinois and Iowa. In those States the son had had some school advantaofes, but after the family came to Monroe county, school facilities were quite limited, and he had little opportunities for instruction. His parents were in moderate circumstances and he had to assist in the support of the family by work. He worked on the farm until the family came to Paris in 1857, where he attended school when opportunity offered and subsequently worked in various employments at this place and studied his books at night. He thus succeeded in getting a good elementary education, and, having intended to become a lawyer, he began reading law under Judge Brace, but the family needing his help, he had to do something that would yield an immediate income. He was offered a clerkship in a store at a small salary which he accepted, and since that time he has been identified with merchandising, and in fact with the same store. By economy he saved up enough after awhile to buy a half interest in the store, and later along he bought the other half, since which he has continued to conduct it. He has been entirely successful as a merchant and has accumulated ample means. As has been said, he is one of the leading merchants of Paris and does a large and flourishing business. Having made it a rule in business life, as in every other respect, to deal with perfect uprightness in all transactions, he has steadily secured the confidence of the public, Avhich he has never failed to retain. How well he stands in the county is shown by his repeated elections to the responsible oflSce of county treasurer. He was first elected in 1876, and still holds the position by re-election. February 27, 1878, Mr. Gannaway was married to Miss Mollie Rawlings, a daughter of Col. Sam A. Rawlings, at one time a member of the Legislature from this county, but afterwards'connected with the Democrat, at Shelbina. Mr. Gannaway and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is closely identified with the Sunday-school work of that denomination, having occupied the superintendent's chair for several years. He is also a prominent member of the Odd Fellows Order, and is quite active in both church and secret society affairs. He is one of the leading lay- men in the Baptist Church of this place, having formerly been a member of the executive board of the Bethel Association. In the Odd Fellows Order he has tilled all the chairs of the subordinate lodge and Encampment. He has also tilled the office of Grand High Priest of the Grand Encampment of Missouri. In 1882, he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri and delivered an address to the largest assemblage of the order ever witnessed in the State. In 1883, he was elected a representative from the State of Missouri to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., for the term of two years, and attended the Sovereign Grand Lodge of that order at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1883, and at Minneapolis, Minn., in 1884. He has made a specialty of the study of the laws of the I. O. O. F., and is considered high authority in that order, his decisions being almost invariably accepted as final on questions that come up in the order. During his term of office he was invited to St. Louis to deliver an address on the anniversary of the order, and was complimented with the largest audience ever assembled on such an occasion in the State.

Hon. French Glascock

Mr. Glascock, who represented his native county, Ralls, in the Legislature during the sessions of 1858-59 and 1859-60, and also during the called session of 1860, but has long Ixsen a prominent citizen of South Jackson township, in this county, and one of its thorough-going, enterprising farmers, was born at New London, in Ralls county, December 17, 1821. He was a son of Asa Glascock, one of the pioneer settlers of that county, and in those days its wealthiest citizen. He was a native of Virginia, and was there married to his cousin. Miss Anna Glascock. They came to Missouri in 1820, and settled in Ralls county. He entered land there and improved a farm, and engaged extensively in stock-raising. He was abundantly successful, and at his death, in 1844, besides being the largest stock-owner in the county, was the largest landholder, having over 4,000 acres of choice and carefully selected land in that county. He was married three times and had, in all, 13 children, 12 of whom grew to maturity. French Glascock was the youngest child by his father's first marriage, there being four sons and two daughters older than he. His education was quite limited on account of the absence of school advantages in that early day. But at the occasional subscription schools which he attended, and by study at home, he succeeded in obtaining a practical knowledge of books. In 1849, like many young men, he was attracted to the Pacific coast by the California gold excitement, and made the trip out by the overland route. Absent over two years, he returned by the Isthmus and New Orleans in 1852, and engaged in merchandising at Madisonville. The next year after he returned, April 21, 1853, he was married to Miss Lucy Muldrow, a daughter of Andrew Muldrow, of Ralls county, but formerly of Kentucky. In 1855 Mr.

Glascock sold his store and engaged in fanning near Perry, where he farmed for over 10 years. Selling that place to advantage, however, in 1866, he bought his present place in Monroe county, to which he at once removed. Here he has since resided and been continuously engaged in farming and stock-raising. His homestead tract of land contains about 200 acres, all under fence and nearly all in cultivation, meadow or pasturage. Meanwhile, in 1858, whilst engaged in farming in Ralls county, Mr. Glascock was nominated for and elected to the Legislature. He served in that body for the terms mentioned above and with marked ability. A man of high character and sterling intelligence, he exercised a potent and salutary influence on the legislation of that time and the proceedings of the House. Those were feyered and exciting times, and it required men of cool heads and conservative ideas to stem the passions of the hour and prevent hasty and unwise enactments. Mr, Glascock was noted for the broadminded, liberal views he entertained, and although a State's rights Democrat of the old school, he was no advocate of extreme measures, believing that whilst struggling for the name and form of a principle, its substance might be imperiled or lost, as subsequently proved to be the case. If the course he pursued and advised in the Legislature in 1858 and 1860 had been pursued by others later along in the legislatures and conventions of the different States generally, the long and bloody war that followed would have been avoided, the doctrine of State's rights would not now be practically extinct, and the farmers of Missouri and the people of the South, generally, would not be as they are at present, compelled to pay about $30 per family annually in tariff' taxes to the government and to manufacturingmonopolists for the payment of the pensions on the one hand of those who fought aoainst them in the war, and of subsidies on the other to fat ex-Federal army contractors, who are now growing even fatter on " protected " manufactures. But the course of the South was one of the great mistakes which happen in the best of countries as well as in the best of families, and its sequences and even consequences must be borne. Yet the men who foresaw these results and warned their countrymen of them can not but regret that their admonitions had not been heeded. Mr. and Mrs. Glascock have a family of five children ; Mary M., now the wife of John Q. Morehead ; Anna E., William Jefferson, Hugh G. and Maggie Lee. They have lost one, a son, George B., at the age of 16 months, May 1, 1862. The mother of these is also now deceased. She died February 11, 1870. She was long a member of the Presl)yterian Church, thoroughl}'^ sincere and exemplary in her faith and daily life, and a devoted wife and mother. Mr. Glascock is a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M.

a day eternal in the heavens, he whose name heads this sketch gave to Monroe county the best energies of his life, as one of its most worthy and highly respected citizens ; and to the community and all among whom he lived the beneficent influence of a character without stain, the example of a life well and usefully spent, which was always devoted to the best interest of those around him, his own loved ones, his friends and his neighbors, and all who came to know him well and to appreciate him at his true value for his blameless, upright and useful life. George Glenn was a plain, frank, honest and unpretending man, a man who was esteemed for his personal worth and for the many excellencies that were blended in his character. He was a man who, while he was appreciated for his sturdy integrity and his kindness and generosity of heart, commanded not less respect for his strength of mind and his high standing among the more intelligent and better informed people of the community in which he lived. He was a man of more than ordinary strength and force of character, of strong convictions, great moral courage, and as immovable from the path of rectitude as the eternal adamants beneath the Pyrenees. He lived a life that, when he was gone, left only sad regrets that so good a man had passed away, that so worthy a citizen of the county could no longer be spared to mingle with those who had learned to know him so well and esteem him at his true worth. He died at his home in this county on the 7th of March, 1875, in his seventy-third year. He had been a member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and was an earnest Christian in every better sense of the word. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school of his church at the time of his death, as he had been for a long time before. Let us then give at least a brief sketch of the life of this good man, whose death was so widely and sincerely mourned. George Glenn came of a worthy Virginia family, and was a son of Hugh Glenn by the latter's first wife. Both his father and mother were Virginians, and George, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest of their family of children. His father left a numerous progeny, having been married three times, each wife leaving him a large family of children at her death. In the first f\imily of children, of which George was a member, there were two sons and six daughters. The other brother, John, died in this county some years ago, leaving a family of children. A half sister, Mrs. Thomas Crutcher, is a resident of Paris. George Glenn was born in Augusta county, Va., in 1802. Reared in that county, he was brought up to habits of industry, and from his parents inherited a sterling character, which made him respected and esteemed from the morning of his earthly career until his sun was forever set. In 1823, then just arrived at majority, he was married to Miss Grace Anderson, of Augusta county, and he continued to make his home in his native county after his marriage for some eight or nine years. He then, as early as 1831, removed to Missouri and located for a time in Pike county, but in the spring of the following year he came to Monroe county. Here he made his home until his death, until the sands of his life had run out. His regular occupation was that of farming and raising stock, but being a man of great personal popularity, good education and fine business qualifications, he was frequently called to serve the people of the county in an official capacity. He was couuty surveyor for a number of years, and then served two terms as clerl?: of the circuit court. He was a man who made the pursuit of wealth no controlling object in life, but such were his industry and his intelligent, good management, that he accumulated a comfortable property. His first wife died in 1845, some 22 years after their marriage. Of their family of children was the well-known Hugh Glenn, the great wheat grower of Calfornia, a physician by profession, and at one time the Democratic candidate for Governor of that State, one of the wealthiest men on the Pacific slope, and who was killed a few years ago, as is well known, by a murderous employe of his. In 1847 Mr. Glenn, the subject of this sketch, was married to Mrs. E. C. Riley, widow of the late John Riley, of Jefierson county, Va. By his last marriage there are two sons - Benjamin F., of California, and George M., of Monroe county. The memory of no citizen of Monroe county i"^ more kindly and reverently cherished than that of the worthy good man whose memoir is here briefly given.

Dr. David C. Gore is a son of Dr. Abner E. Gore, as well as his partner in practice, and was born at Paris, May 18, 1852. Young Gore was early intended for the medical profession and was educated with that object in view. After attending the common schools he took a course in the high school of Paris, and out of that matriculated into the University of Kentucky, at Lexington, where he studied for three years. Following this, young Gore returned to Paris and engaged in teaching school near this place, entering upon the regular study of medicine under the instruction of his fiither at the same time. He taught school for about a year, the last term he taught being as first assistant in the graded school of this place. In the fall of 1874, having continued the study of medicine under his father up to that time, since quitting the Kentucky University in 187^1, he entered the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, in which he continued as a student until his graduation on the 4th of March, 1876. Immediately after his graduation young Dr. Gore located at Pierce City, Mo., for the practice of medicine. He practiced at that point for three years, being in partnership during this time with Dr. S. A. Sanders. But his father earnestly desiring his return to Paris, in 1879 he came back to his old home and entered upon the practice here in partnership with his father, under the firm name of Drs. A. E. & D. C. Gore, since which they have continued the practice together. The confidence of the public, so long and worthily shown Dr. Gore, Sr., has not been withheld from his son, and the latter has proved himself eminently worthy of it. A thoroughly qualified young physician, active, energetic and ambitious to make an honorable name in his profession, he has worked with singular great zeal in his practice and with untiring industry to acquit himself with credit and success in the cases under his charge. Nor is it a matter of less congratulation to the public so vitally interested in having those among them in whom they have confidence as physicians and men, than it is to both father and son that the mantle of the father should so fortunately and worthily descend to the latter. Dr. Gore, Jr., is a talented and skillful young physician and personally he has those qualities of mind and heart that make him esteemed quite as much as a man as he is as a physician. On the 24th of November, 1880, he was married to Miss lone Cooper, a daughter of Hon. D. L. Cooper, of Paris, and a young lady of rare refinement and culture. She was educated at the Christian College, at Columbia, from which she graduated in the class of 1878. They have an interesting and promising little son, Abner Ellis, born January 20, 1882. The Doctor and Mrs. G. are members of the Christian Church and he is a prominent Odd Fellow.

Mr. Grow, a respected farmer, died at his homestead in Jackson township, September 29, 1882. He was born in Jessamine county, Ky., November 10, 1834, and was, therefore, in tlie forty-eighth year of his age. Thus cut otf in the middle of life, his loss under any circumstances must have been deplored, for he was an upright man and valued citizen. But when it is considered that he was a husband and father, with near and dear ones dependent upon him, those who looked upon him as their support and protection, and who loved him as only a kind husband and good father can be loved, his death was a blow of exceptional .severity, yet we are taught by the faith he held, by the great lessons of Christianity, that there is an All-wise purpose in every dispensation of Providence, however hard it may seem at the time to bear, and this we can not and do not doubt. In the great day, when all shall rise again and know each other, and when loved ones shall meet never again to be separated, the purpose of the good God in calling his creatures away from this life - some in its morning, others in its meridian, and yet others at its eventide - will then be made known, and its wisdom and justness and goodness will become manifest. Let all, therefore, submit to those decrees of heaven without a murmur, and with the assurance that everything is for the best. Mr. Grow was a son of Peter Grow and wife, who was a Miss Sarah Lewelen before her marriage. Both of his parents being of early fomilies in Kentucky, he was reared in that State, and brought up to a sturdy, hard-working, honest farm life. There he formed those habits of industry and that strict integrity of character which marked the entire after years of his life. He early became a member of the Christian Church, and kept faith in that communion until his death, in 1854. He was married to Miss Amanda Carman, of Jessamine county, Ky., and he continued to reside in his native State, engaged in farming, until 1870, when he removed to Missouri. Here he bought the Noonan farm, on which he settled and where he lived until his death. He and his good wife, who survives him, and is the loved mother of his children, were blessed with six sons and two daughters, namely : William J., dead ; Stephen D., Newton, James A., Sarah A., Archie, Melvin, dead; and Irene. Mrs. Grow is an estimable lady, a kind and valued neighbor, and a worthy member of the Christian Church.

Zadok Harbit

A son of Joshua and Winnie (Brown) Harbit, formerly of Indiana, Mr. Harbit was born March 24, 1857. When he was about 11 years of age the family removed to Missouri, and his father bought the DeLong farm in Jackson township, of this county, on which they settled. The father died there in 1880, and the mother, with her younger children, still resides ©n their homestead. There are nine in the family of children, namely: Gwinn, Francis, Nannie, Andrew, Jane, Anna, Zadok, Willard and John J. Zadok completed the years of his youth on the farm in this county, and received an ordinary common school education as he grew up. In October, 1878, he was married to Miss Elizabeth McAfee, of this county. They have two children : Ernest and Amanda. The homestead of the family contains 280 acres, and is an excellent farm. Mr. Harbit is an energetic young farmer, and is steadily making his way up by industry and good management.

Isaac Hayden

Among the substantial and highly respected citizens of Jackson township is Mr. Hayden, the subject of the present sketch. He is a man who has come up in life solely by his own exertions and merit, and in the face of obstacles and disadvantages that it required no ordinary courage, resolution and strength of character to overcome. At the a^e of seven years he was left an orphan by the death of his father, or perhaps worse than an orphan so far as his own advantages were concerned, for he and two elder brothers had the care of his mother's family, in addition to providing for themselves. He worked his way up, however, through all difficulties and came to be, as he has long been regarded, one of the well-to-do and representative citizens of his communitv. In 1882 he was made a candidate by his friends in different parts of the county for the office of county judge, and although running against one of the best-known and most popular men in the county, he came within seven votes of being elected. Mr. Hayden was born in Monroe county. Mo., August 13, 1831, and was a son of John G. and Mary (Baker) Hayden. His father died in 1843, leaving his wife a widow, and seven children to care for. Isaac early apprenticed himself to the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked two years, but not liking the inactivity of the calling, he decided to learn the blacksmith's trade. This he worked at for a time, but an oportunity being offered for him to learn the wool carder's trade, which was then quite profitable, he accepted the offer and agreed to work three years in order to learn it, his only compensation being his board and clothes and a six months' term at school. After serving out this term he felt that he had enouo^h of wool-cardinof, for employment m that trade proved to be scarce and not very profitable after all. IJe then went to making rails by the hundred and then engaged in digging wells by contract, in which he made some little money. Later along he concluded to learn the cabinet maker's trade, at which he worked for nearly two years, and then he learned house carpentering. This latter he followed for about nine years, but finally settled down to farming, having married in the meantime. After farming for some years, he had accumulated some means, whereupon he enlisted in the drug business and kept a drug store at Paris for some time. He finally sold out, however, and resumed farming, which he has ever since followed. It is thus seen that Mr. Hayden has learned five different trades and followed four additional occupations, or in other words, about all the different employments that then offered. April 12, 1859, he was married to Miss Dollie Curtright, who is still spared to accompany him on the journey of life. In an early day, Mr. H. was quite a hunter and became noted in all the country round about as a remarkably fine shot. To this day he has the reputation of being one of the best rifle shots in the community. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Hayden besides farming is engaged in breeding and raising fine stock, particularly high-grade cattle, of which he has some fine representatives.

James P. Holdsworth

Mr. Holdsworth's father, John H. Holdsworth, came out to Missouri from New York City with his family in 1858, and settled on land 11 miles north-east of Paris, part of which he had bought 20 years before. Afterwards he became quite a prominent citizen of the county and represented this senatorial district in the State Constitutional Convention of 1865. He was a conscientious, consistent Eepublican in politics, and after the Confederate soldiers changed their policy from shooting to voting, his promotion in public life, of course, ceased, as the Southern element was and is largely preponderant in this part of Missouri. However, in 1876 he was appointed postmaster at Paris, and held that oflfice nntil his death, which occurred elanuary 31, 1879. James P. succeeded him in office at this place, and has since continued to hold it. He had previously been deputy under his father, and indeed had done the principal part of the office work. He makes an efficient and popular postmaster, and has the hearty indorsement of the Government authorities and the people. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 18, 1847, and was therefore 11 years of age when his parents came to Missouri. He was reared in this county and educated in the common schools. April 3, 1870, Mr. Holdsvvorth was married to Miss Susie Tutt, of New London, in Ralls county. They have two children: Katie and Lucy. Mrs. Holdsworth is a member of the Christian Church.

John H. Howell

Mr. Howell started out for himself in this county when a young man, without any means or other help, and by hard work and a frugal life, has accumulated a comfortable property. He has an excellent stock tarm of about 260 acres, all under fence and in a good state of improvement. Mr. Howell makes something of a specialty of raising mules for the market, which he has found a profitable industry. He was born September 25, 1836. When he was a youth about 17 years of age he came to Monroe county. Mo., with his parents, John M. and Catherine (Cooperider) Howell, who settled about four miles west of Paris. They had a family of nine children. The father died there in the fall of 1867, and the mother in the spring of 1866. John H. was reared on the farm, and what education he received he ol)tained in a district school, to which he had to walk a distance of five miles ; but he secured a practical knowledge of books, enough to get along with satisfactorily in ordinary afl:airs. On the 1st of October, 1857, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jones, a daughter of George and Mary (Rippey) Jones, originally of Kentucky. Four children are the fruits of their married life: George, James S., Mary C. and John H. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Honor at Paris.

Henry C. Howell

Mr. Howell comes of one of the oldest and best families of North Missouri. His grandparents settled in Marion county from Kentucky in 1813, and from them branches of the family have extended into nearly all the neighboring counties, being among the most useful and hiojhly respected citizens of their respective communities. Mr. HowelPs father, Maj. William J. Howell, was still in boyhood when his parents removed to Missouri. Reared in that county, he exerted himself for the acquisition of an education, and became a young man of fine mental culture. Ho read law under the distinguished member of the bar. Judge Urial Wright, one of the most eloquent advocates as well as one of the ablest lawyers who ever addressed judge or jury in this or any State of the Union. Young Howell became only less famous at the bar than his distinguished preceptor. He early l)ecame known as one of the ablest lawyers of the State, and making his home in Monroe county, was repeatedly honored bv the people of this county with the commission of representative in the

State Legislature. He also represented this district in the State Constitutional Convention. In each of these bodies he took a commanding position by virtue of his ability and high character. Thus by his own personal worth and exertions he rose from the average station of a farmer's son to that of one of the distinguished and representative citizens of the State. Even before he was 21 vears of ag-e he was elected circuit clerk of Monroe count}^ and had barely attained his majority when he was sworn into office. His death was as widely and as deeply mourned as any citizen who was ever laid to rest within the borders of the county. Judge Howell left a large family of children. He was three times married. His first wife was formerly Miss Louisa Smith, of Palmyra. Of that union a son and daughter are living, Harry C. Howell, of Paris, and Mrs. H. J. Boatner, of the same place. The mother of these dying, he was subsequently married to Miss Margaret Gore, daughter of the late Judge Jonathan Gore, of Hannibal. There are no children by this wife. His last wife was, before her marriage. Miss Ellen Stone, formerly of Nelson county, Ky., to whom he was married some years after his second wife's death. There are two of the family of this marriage living : Mrs. Bennie Dresher, the wife of Edward Dresher, of Hannibal, and Judge Thomas S. Howell of the same city. Henry C, Howell was born on the old family homestead, in this county, February 21, 1848, and was reared on the farm. Given a good education, he was graduated at the Paris high school and after completing his studies, resumed farming and the stock business, to which he had been brought up. His father left an estate of 4,000 acres of land and had been a prominent slave holder before the war. But while his slave property was swept away by the war, his land, consisting of a number of farms, was left, and young Howell succeeded to an ownership of his share of the estate. He has over 300 acres on the farm where he now resides, where he has continuously been engaged in stock-raising and feeding and shipping stock, as well as trading to some extent in them, since his location on his present place. He fiittens about 300 head of cattle annually. His farm is an excellent stock farm, well arranged for the business, including fine water facilities, etc. On the 14th of April, 1880, Mr. Howell was married to Miss Effie Hutchinson, a daughter of the late John Hutchinson, of Shelby county, but formerly of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Howell have had the misfortune to lose their only child, who died at the tender age of thirteen months, February 18, 1882. Mr. and Mrs, Howell are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Howell ranks among the best and most highly respected citizens of Monroe county.

James A. Jackson

Few men in coming up to positions of prominence and influence have had greater difficulties to contend against than those which the subject of the present sketch has encountered and overcome. Of an old pioneer and highly respected family, with the cataclysm of ruin and desolation that fell upon the country from the war, sorrow and misfortune also fell upon the family of which Mr. Jackson, then a small boy, was a member.

In 1861 Capt. Thomas Jackson, the fiither of James A., enlisted a company tor the Southern service, and marched bravely off to the war, to make a tender of his life upon the altar of his convictions, to fight like the brave and honest man that he was, for what he believed to be the right and, if necessary, to die in the cause which he had sworn to defend. He was then comparatively a young man, but 32 years of age, and had just begun to get comfortably situated in life. He was married and had a family of children growing up around him. But a man of generous impulses and patriotic sentiments, a man of character and principle, he had the courage to stand up for his honest convictions, and when the bugle note of the South called her brave sons to the field to defend her dignity and honor and virtue, Thomas Jackson, like the historic heroes of the country whose name he bears, was one of the first to tear himself away from the bosom of his family, and his comfortable home, and respond to the call of his native and beloved Southland. But the grim destroyer, Death, did not long spare him for the execution of his high and noble resolve. Stricken with a malignant fever, he died a faithful soldier, with the prayer on his lips " God help my family, God save the South. "

Capt. Jackson was a son of James Jackson, a native of North Carolina, and one of the sturdy old pioneer settlers of Monroe county. He came here in 1830, before the afiiatus of life had been breathed into the county, before the county was formed or named. He became a leading man among the pioneers of the county and amply successful as a farmer and a citizen, surrounded with an abundance of this world's goods, and comfortably and happily situated. It was for him that Jackson township was named, a name that reflects only honor upon the township and upon all the citizens whose homes, like flowers in a meadow, brighten its fair landscape. He died at a ripe old age, mourned as the just and good are mourned, and his memory is venerated for the useful and blameless life that he led.

James A. Jackson, the subject of this sketch, was born ten years before his father's death, November 30, 1851. About this time he was taken of the typhoid fever and just as he was narrowly recovering from this he was also taken of the measles, the result being so unfortunate as to render him a cripple for life, by the effects of the latter disease settling permanently in his system. The death of his father, and other misfortunes to the family, broke up their home, and young Jackson came to live with his grandfather, Albert Call is, in Paris, where he remained for three years. The oldest in his mother's family of children, and sufficiently recovered by this time to make himself of service to the famil}^, he gathered them together and set up to housekeeping, having also an invalid relative to care for. Since then, by his industry and good management he has succeeded in keeping the family together: not only this, but with the greatest responsibilities on his shoulders and the severest difficulties to contend against - his loved ones to provide for, which has always been to him a happy duty, ill-health to encounter, poverty to face and other hardships to meet - with all these he has fought successfully the battle of life, has made a man of himself (which in a few words means a great deal), has become a successful and popular citizen, a prominent and influential man, illustrating by a living and forcible example that in any and all circumstances blood will tell. Coming of the family he does, it would be strange if he had not succeeded.

His first public promotion was in 1876, when he was taken up by the people of the township and elected to the office of constable. Serving a term of two years in this office with marked efficiency and great satisfaction to the public, he was placed before the people for sheriff, but not having been able to take the time to talk horse and crops to every man in the county and tell each one a joke, in other words, not having been able to become acquainted and make himself popular with everybody, he was defeated by a few votes, barely on the missis-as-good-as-a-mile principle. But at the next election his friends put him up again (and like Barkis, he was not very hard to put up), and this time he was triumphantly elected by over 500 majority. As a sheriff it is not too much to say that he has made one of the most efficient officers who ever occupied the place in this county. Personally, he is a man of generous big-heartedness, genial and kind to everybody, a man who always goes out of his way to do another a favor, and one who seems to care more for the welfare and success of those around him than for his own.

William H. Johnson

Mr. Johnson, a son of Abel Johnson, an old and well respected citizen of Jackson township, was one in a family of 11 children, and his father was one of just twice that many, 22 children. Thus it is seen that this branch of the Johnson family is a prolific and quite numerous one. Mr. Johnson's mother was a Miss Mary Hibler before her marriage, and both his parents were Kentuckians by nativity. They removed to Missouri, however, in 1839, and located near Middle Grove, but in 1840 his father bought the land on Elk Fork, now known as the Abraham Grimes farm, which he improved. Subsequently he sold that and improved the farm where William H. now resides ; here he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1872, at the age of 75. He was a quiet, industrious citizen, greatly attached to his home and sought no sort of notoriety. He died without a known enemy. He was a worthy member of the Christian Church. William H. Johnson was born in Bourbon county, Ky., January 4, 1826. He was, therefore, 13 years of age when the family came to Missouri. Before coming to this State, however, he had made two trips with stock from Kentucky to Georgia. After remaining in Missouri until 1845 he returned to Bourbon county, Ky., and subsequently made six trips to Connecticut with mules, taking on an average 120 head at a time. They were sold in New Haven and from there shipped to the West Indies Islands. This was then a profitable source of industry. After he grew up he was married in Bourbon county, in 1852, to Miss Anna Bishop, formerly of that county. He then came to where he has ever since lived. Mrs. Johnson was spared to brighten his home for 20 years and became the mother of seven children, namely: William, Marion A., Mrs. Belle Willis, a widow with two children, now living with her father; Isaac, Mollie, John and Kate. She died in 1872. Mr. Johnson was married to his present wife some 12 years ago. She was a Miss Salina Johnson before her marriage. He has followed farming continuously from boyhood and now owns the old family homestead, an excellent small farm of 72 acres. He is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife of the Methodist South denomination. Mr. Johnson has made a good living by industry and proper economy and attending closely to the ftirm. He lost largely during the Civil War, but has regained it since, and though always with a large family is still in easy circumstances, surrounded with plenty, living happily and perfectly contented. He did all of his own plowing the past year and has a splendid crop. He attends church regularly, having been a member for 42 years, is strictly temperate and lives in peace with all mankind. He never held any office of profit in his life nor ever asked for one, not desiring it. He is noted as a friend to the widows and orphans, a strong friend to education and encourages common schools. He has generally enjoyed good health, and is very fond of feeding and raising young stock, attending to them himself. He seldom sells any grain from the farm, but feeds it and buys feed from others.

William J. Jones

Away back in the territorial days of Missouri, the family of which the subject of this sketch is a representative, settled in Boone county from Kentucky. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Turner) Jones, and after a residence of about 13 years in Boone county they crossed over into Monroe and settled some three and a half miles west of Paris. They made their permanent home in this county and the remains of both now sleep the sleep that knows no waking in this world, within the borders of the county. William J., the third of eight children, was born in Boone county in 1820, but grew to manhood from his thirteenth year in Monroe county. In 1858 he was married to Miss Susan Hovell, of the old and respected family of that name, an outline of which is given in the sketch of John H. Howell. Mr. Jones early engaged in farming for himself, and he has been reasonably successful in his chosen calling. He has a comfortable home of about 200 acres, a good farm substantially and conveniently improved. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have reared but one child, a daughter, Jennie, who is now the wife of Charles Bryant. In an early day Mr. Jones was quite a hunter and was a fine marksman. He has perhaps killed as many deer and turkeys as any old settler in this part of the county, and he has had some interesting experiences, including a thrilling adventure with a panther, which he killed, but space can not be given here to relate them. In 1863 Mr. J. enlisted in the Seventeenth Missouri Infantry, and did service for nine months, or until the close of his term of enlistment. He says that it is not as hard for a young farmer without means to get a start now as it was when he began forliimself, and in proof of this he cites the fact known to all his contemporaries that they used to raise wheat for twenty-five cents a bushel, oats for ten cents and corn for twelve and a half cents, with other farm products quite as cheap in comparison, while at the same time they had to pay twenty-five cents a yard for calico, and other " store" articles were proportionately high. Truly work was not as easily done then as it is now, but still the people seem to get along quite as well if not better than they do now, and they certainly were happier and more contented and by far more neighborly and kind to each other.

William F. Kennett

Mr. Kennett's ancestry in this country on both his father's side and on his mother's side came originally from Maryland, but his parents, Martin and Mary (Brazier) Kennett, were reared in Kentucky. They resided there for some 25 years after their marriage, but in 1854 removed to Missouri and settled in Monroe county, seven miles north-east of Paris. His father was a substantial farmer and a man of some prominence as a lay member of the Baptist Church. He took an active interest in the church and for many years held the office of deacon. He died on his farm near Paris hi 1878, and his widow, Mr. Kennett's mother, still resides on his old homestead. They had a family of nine children, most of whom lived to reach mature years, and are now settled in life with families of their own. William F., the subject of this sketch, was born in Grant county, Ky., July 23, 1839, and accompanied his parents to Missouri in 1854. He remained on the farm with his father until 1862, when he enlisted in the Southern army under Gen. Price, and served for about two years. ^ He then became separated from his command and, unable to rejoin it, went to Illinois, where he remained until the close of the war. Meanwhile, however, he had been taken prisoner once, and was released on parol to secure bondsmen to stand for him not to rejoin the Southern army, but while out looking for bondsmen he tore the bond up and promptly entered the ranks of his old comrades. He was in nearly all the engagements in which Price's command was engaged during his term of service, and came back north with Col. Porter in 1864. He was in the fight at Kirksville, and was one of a company who killed the 42 Federals shot while crossing the river. It was after this that he went to Illinois, not being able to make his way back to the Federal lines to join Price. Sincelhe war Mr. Kennett has been actively engaged in farming in this countj^and he has a good place finely improved. November 29, 1866, he was married to Miss Louisa Grain, of this county. They have five children : Martha, Malvern Lee, May E., Stephen N. and Mabel. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kennett has been engaged in trading in horses and mules and also shipping hogs to the markets, in which he has been satisfactorily successful.

Iwiillam Lewis

Mr. Lewis was born in England, May 1, 1819. His parents, William and Ann (Lloyd) Lewis, were from Wales. They are both now deceased. They reared a family of six children, of whom William was the eldest. He worked on a farm in his native country until he was 16 years of age, receiving meanwhile a good English education. At that age he was apprenticed to learn the bhicksmith's trade, and after two years took it up for himself and followed it until 1851. He then immigrated to the United States. After living several years in Beloit, Wis., he bought a farm about four miles from town, put up a shop, and carried on both the farm and his trade. He next resided for 10 years in Winnebago county. III., and finally in the fall of 1865, moved to Missouri and bought his present farm. It comprises 160 acres of land, 100 acres of which are fenced and nearly all in meadow and plow land. His place has on it a fine residence, good buildings, and other improvements, and he has accumulated a comfortable competency as the result of his labors. He has a blacksmith shop on his farm and still does now and then a little neighborhood work. Mr. Lewis married in Shropshire, Eng., October 26, 1843, Miss Ellen Robison, also an English woman. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have seven children : Mary Ann, wife of Joshua Peckham, of Vermont ; William, married and living in Monroe county ; John, employed at the waterworks in Buchanan county ; Jane, wife of D. Donaldson ; Ella, wife of Frank Peckham, brother to Joshua ; Clara, wife of William Hempstead; and Charles H., freight conductor on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. Mr. Lewis and wife are members of the M. E. Church South.

William H. Lives Ay

Mr. Livesay Avas the third in the family of eight children of John M. and Mary (Howell) Livesay, old and respected citizens of Monroe county, who came here from Virginia in an early day. They settled about 10 miles west of Paris, where the father followed farming. He was also a house carpenter and built numerous houses in the county. William H. was born in this county, May 21, 1844, and was reared on the farm. During the war he enlisted in the Southern army, under Price, and served until its close, finally surrendering at Shreveport, La., in May, 1865. He was in all the principal battles his command took part in during his term of service, and was also in the iis^ht at Kirksville. Returnino- alter the war, he re-ens^ao-ed in farming, to which lie had been reared, and in 1870 was married to Miss Rhoda E. Howell, a daughter of John and Catherine (Coopenrider) Howell. They have one child, Bessie M. Mr. Livesay commenced for himself after the war without a dollar, and by industry and close attention to his farming has been able to purchase a comfortable homestead of 100 acres. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Henry P. Long

Mr, Long, a substantial business man of Paris, and a citizen of enviable standing and influence in this community, was a son of Dr. John W. Long, who was for years well and favorably known in Monroe and Shelby counties. Dr. Long upon coming to Missouri at once located at Shelbyville, where he practiced medicine with marked success for some years. He represented Shelby county in the Legislature, and later ran for re-election against his brother-in-law, Russell Moss, the Whig candidate. Dr. Long being an ardent Democrat. The county was closely divided between the Whigs and the Democrats, and the contest was an exceedingly sharp one, but good natured throughout. Dr. Long, however, was so certain of success that he frequently told his opponent, in order to twit and plague him, that if he did not beat him (Moss) he would leave the county. The result showed that he did not beat him, being himself defeated by 13 majority. Good as his word. Dr. Long, sure enough, put out the fire, called his dogs and left the county. He came over to Monroe county and settled at Paris, where he devoted himself exclusively to the practice of his profession, giving up in genuine disgust all jiolitical ambition. Thus Shelby county lost an able representative and Monroe gained a useful citizen and successful physician. Henry P. Long was born of his father's third marriage, his mother's maiden name having been Miss Sarah E. Priest. She is living. Dr. Long died at Paris in 1871, aged 67. Henry P. was born on the 1st day of June, 1845, and was educated at the Paris Academy. He afterwards took a thorough course at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, at St. Louis. He followed clerking in the mercantile line up to 1868, when he and Dr. E. W. Smith engaged in the drug business at this place. Dr. Smith subsequently retired, and Dr. Long has since continued the business alone. He has been quite successful, and is in easy circumstances. He has one of the handsomest residence properties at Paris, in Monroe county. He also has mining interests in Colorado. Mr. Long was married in the spring of 1869, to Miss Kate Major, a daughter of David Major. Mrs. Long died September 5, 1883. She left four children: Aleta, John W., Harry M. and Eddie P. Harry M. and Eddie P. are deceased. Mr. Long is a prominent Mason.

Prof. McBride, a former sheriff and collector of Monroe county, and a man of finished education, founder of the first male academy established at Paris, is a native Missourian. His father, E. W. McBride, was from Rutherford county, Tenn., and came to Boone county, this State, in the spring of 1828. Two years later, September 13, 1830, he was married to Miss Julia A. Snell, a daughter of John C. Snell, of Boone county. Of this union, John C, the subject of this sketch, was the third child in the family. The father, a man of enterprise and of intelligence and education, became well-to-do in life, and gave his children liberal opportunities for mental culture. John C. attended the common schools from early boyhood up to the age of 12, and then had a private teacher for two years. Following this he entered the State University, at Columbia, where he took a regular course, and then matriculated at Centre College, of Danville, Ky., one of the leading institutions of the West at that time. He entered the senior class at Danville and graduated with distinction, and, returning from college, he established a male academy at Paris, which he conducted with success for about 15 months. About this time, in 1855, he was married to Miss Susan M. Kerr, a young lady of superior education and refinement. From his academy Prof. McBride retired to the country and engaged in farming. In 1860 he was elected sheritFand collector of the county, a position he filled until after the outbreak of the war, when he resigned and returned to his farm. Since then his whole time has been occupied with farming and teaching, and while he is recognized as a good farmer, as a teacher he has long held a position in the front rank of the teachers of the county. Prof, and Mrs. McBride have four children: Julia S., Ella, Maggie and Walker. Prof. McBride is of Scotch-Irish descent, his grandfather, Thomas A. McBride, having been a native of the south-west peninsula of Scotland, Cantire, the population of which is almost exclusively Scotch-Irish.

Mr, McCann has a fine stock farm of 425 acres in South Jackson township, al)out half of which is in pasture and the other half in meadow or active cultivation. His place is well improved and is one of the choice stock farms of the eastern part of the county. He has been residing on this place for nearly 40 years or since 1846, and has been continuously engaged in farming and handling stock. Besides raising and shipping stock to the general markets quite extensively, he is making a specialty of breeding and dealing in thoroughbred short-horn cattle, of which he has some very fine representatives of both sexes. He has a neat herd of short-horns and is having good success in this line of business. Mr. McCann was a son of Pleasant McCann, now deceased, but for many years one of the leading stocli men and land owners of Monroe county. Long before the era of railroads he drove stock in large numbers to St. Louis and at his death in 1868, at a ripe old age, he owned over 2,000 acres of fine land in this county. He was twice married and reared two families of children. Robert D. McCann was by his first wife, whose maiden name was Susan Dawson, formerly of Kentucky, as he himself was, he of Clark couuty and she of Bourbon. At her death she left two sons and a daughter, Robert D., being the eldest of her children. He was born in Fayette county Ky., August 2, 1822, and was 17 years of age when the family came to Monroe county in 1839. He was brought up to farming and the stock business and in the spring of 1846 was married to Miss Martha Crow, a daughter of Dr. Samuel Crow, formerly of Kentucky. He then located on the land where he now resides and went to work to improving his farm. His first wife died in the spring of 1849, leaving him one child. In June, 1852, he was married to Miss Mary L. Garnett, a daughter of William Garnett, of Lexington, Ky. She survived her marriage six years, dying in May, 1858. She bore him two children, William C. and Susie A., the last of Avhom is deceased, having died in the spring of 1873, at the age of 20 years. Mr. McCann was married to his present wife Augu'st 27, 1866. She was a Miss Amanda T. Warren, a daughter of Mideon Warren, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. McCann have four children: Robert E., Ella K., Carrie D. and Walter P.

Both of these gentlemen are of old and respected Howard county families. A sketch of the family of Mr. McCrary's father, John Mc- Crary, appears on page 456 of the " History of Howard and Cooper Counties." Thomas W. was born on his father's farm in that county, November 5, 1851, and was reared to the age of 20 in the occupation of a farmer. His education was completed at Central College, in Fayette, from which he graduated in the class of 1872. Following this he taught school for over five years, all in Howard county except one term in this county. While teaching in this county he met, and wooed and won his present wife, previously Miss Belle Wills, a daughter of W. W. Wills, a substantial and respected farmer of the county. She was a pupil at young McCrary's school, but as it is altogether wrong to tell tales out of school, we shall not say that any whisperings of love passed between them within the classic walls of the school-room, dedicated and devoted alone to the acquisition of knowledge. Possibly the two learned some lessons of the heart while there, however, not taught in books of the school-room and far more gladly pursued than any learning which the books had to offer. Anyhow, they were married about this time, September 12, 1876, and their union has proved one of great happiness. They have an inter- esting little daughter, Berta, now past two years of age. Mr. Mc- Crary engaged in mercantile life after his marriage, and followed clerking at Paris up to the winter of 1883. He and young Mr. Wills then engaged in their present business.

Edward C. Wills, brother-in-law to his partner, was born at Lisbon, in Howard county, December 5, 1861. His father is a merchant, and young Wills was reared to that business. A short time before attaining his majority, however, he engaged in farming and followed it for several years. Meanwhile he took a commercial course at the Gem Cit}^ Business College, of Quincy, 111., becoming a graduate of that institution. He engaged in his present business with Mr. Mc- Crary in December, 1883. They carry an excellent stock of goods and have built up a good trade. They are young men of business ability and enterprise, and are steadily coming to the front. Mr. Wills and Mr. and Mrs. McCraryare church members. Mr. McCrary is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. He is also dictator of the Knights of Honor.

Mr. McGee has a fine farm of nearly 400 acres in Jackson township, handsomely improved, including a commodious and tastily constructed dwelling and other comfortable buildings, and has been a resident of what is now Monroe county for the past sixty years. He is one of the sterling citizens of the county, esteemed and respected wherever his upright character and good name are known. He is a native of Kentucky, born in Mercer county, November 20, 1819. His grandfather McGee was a pioneer settler of Kentucky from Virginia, a friend and associate of the Boones and Clarks and others who first blazed the way for civilization into the then wilderness of the Blue Grass State. John McGee, Mr. McGee's father, was born and reared in Kentucky and was there married to Miss Jane C. Curry. In 1822 they removed to Missouri with their family of children and first located in Howard county, near Fayette, but two years afterwards they came to what is now Monroe county, or rather a part of them did, for the father and one of the children never lived to make their home in this county. There were practically no roads then and the prairie grass, not uncommonly as high as a man's head on horseback, covered all the prairies, only broken now and then by the trail of the Indian and an occasional pioneer's wagon track or the tread of wolves or deer, or other wild animals. It was in the fall when the family started from Howard to Monroe county, and the grass, heavy and dry, was almost as quick to burn as powder. Mr. McGee, the subject of this sketch, was then a child four years of age. His father and an older sister were quite a distance behind the wagon driving their cattle, and the latter fell considerably behind, indeed, entirely out of sight. All of a sudden a fire came flying across the prairie with the speed of the wind, and the roar and crackle of cannon and musketry, traveling faster than any horse could run and taking a course by which it caught the father and daughter - it was impossible for them to escape. The daughter's clothes took fire and the father in striving to put out the flames that enveloped her, suffered himself to be so severely burned before he gave his own burning clothes any attention that both were burned to death, or so badly burned that they died within ten or twelve days afterwards. Medical attention was impossible, for there was not a doctor within 40 miles, and those that could be had, even beyond that distance, were scarcely ever found at home, for their practice covered so wide a region that they were almost constantly absent. The suffering of the father and daughter was intense, too terrible indeed, to be imagined, much less described. Such was the sad experience of the subject of this sketch on first coming to what is now Monroe county. Heaven grant that when the shadowy curtains of death shall be drawn about him, and his spirit shall take its leave from the county in which he has so long lived, its flight may be happier than his coming was. His mother was left with a large'family of children, of whom he was the eldest, and he, with her help and prayers, went to work to provide the family a home and support them as best he could. Their lot was a hard one, but they proved equal to it, and in keeping with the noble h'eart that he had young McGee courageously went to work and succeeded in bringing up the children in comparative comfort. He lived to see them all married and settled in life and then himself was married to Miss Catherine E. Helm. She lived to brigiiten his home for many years, but at last was taken from him by the Grim Harvester of all. She left him five children: Alonzo T., Melissa, wife of George Neugent ; William J., Mattie J. and Hettie E. In 1873 Mr. McGee was married to Miss Polly A. Vaughan, who now presides over his comfortal)le home.

Mr. McGee, though still a young man, has already succeeded in establishing himself in a good law practice. A man of marked strength of mind and character, he had, at the same time, the advantajres of an advanced education, and before he began the practice of his profession he had qualified himself thoroughly for it by long and diligent study. Industry and close attention to business are leading characteristics of his, and these, with his ability and high character, have advanced him as a lawyer with more than ordinary rapidity. He has already taken an enviable position at the bar. Mr. McGee is a son of Hugh J. McGee, Esq., a sketch of whose life is given elsewhere, and was born on his father's homestead south of Parfs, January 23, 1859. He was educated at the State Normal School, of Kirksviile, where he took a complete course, graduating in the class of 1880. After this he was for one term principal of the Monroe City graded school. Mr. McGee then entered the office of James Ellison, "Esq., of Kirksviile, where he began the study of law, and under whom he studied until his admission to the bar, June 22, 1883. After his admission he began the practice in the office of Hon. A. M. Alexander, who, bavins; been elected to Congress, turned his practice over to Mr. McGee, a hirge part of which he has retained, besides drawing to himself a considerable clientage of his own. Mr. McGee is thoroughly devoted to his profession, and considers his only aspiration, that of becoming a successful lawyer, one of the highest that can be formed. He is now serving as city attorney of Paris, to which he was chosen last spring. He is also secretary of the Fair Association. Mr. McGee is highly esteemed and popular and has a most promising future, both atthe bar and as a citizen of standing and influence.

Prior to the Revolution, Mr. McKamey's grandparents came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived until after the close of the War for Independence. They then removed to Kentucky and were pioneers of that State. There Mr. McKamey's father was born and reared. He married first Miss McAfee, and the second time Miss Adams, in Kentucky, and lived in the Blue Grass State until 1828, when he removed to Missouri with his family. David A., the subject of this sketch, was 11 years of age at the time of the removal of his father's family to Missouri, having been born in Mercer county, Ky., May 6, 1817. The family settled in this State in what was then a part of Ralls county, but since Monroe county, where David A. was reared and has since resided and where his parents lived until their death. In 1840 David A. McKamey was married to Miss Zerilda Campbell, a daughter of John W. Campbell, a pioneer settler of this county from Kentucky, who settled on the farm where Mr. McKamey now lives, in 1834, which, in 1852, he bought from his brother-in-law. Mr. McKamey, coming up in those early days of the country, is of course familiar with the primitive and pioneer condition of the times. Like others he had many adventures, and remembers many incidents that would be worth relating if the space could be given in this connection to print them, but these belong to another part of this work. In common with most of the young men of his time, and, indeed, of the present, he became a fiirmer, and, commencing in a small way, with a log house for his early home, by industry and good management he has steadily prospered so that he has long held a place among our most well-to-do farmers. In 1849 he went to California, partly for his health and partly with an eye to the gold there, and was successful in both respects. He was engaged in mining and handling cattle out there and came back almost a new man in the point of health, and with not a little of the gold-dust for which the Pacific slope has long been famed in song and story. Mr. McKamey has been quite a successful stock-raiser, and one year shipped 80 head of cattle that averaged in weight over a ton, or 2041 pounds each. He has always advocated the handling of a good grade of stock on the ground that it pays better and has thus contributed not a little to the improvement of stock in this county. Mr. and Mrs. McKamey have three children living: John C, William T. and David Elah. Mr. McK. has always been a friend of the schools and a stanch supporter of the church, and has done a great deal for both, both by his personal exertions and generous contributions.

Prof. McMurry, a nian of advanced English and classical education when he began in the profession of teaching, has since had an active experience in the school-room of nearly 20 years, and for the last 14 years has been continuously engaged in teaching. For a number of years past he has been occupied with the management of graded schools, and he has established a wide and enviable reputation as an educator in this class of schools. A man of thoroughly practical ideas and methods, and a scholar of superior attainments and culture, combining with these his long and successful experience in the schoolroom, it is not surprising that he has taken a position among educators in the field in which he has been employed second to that of but few, if any, in the State. His services are widely sought after, and in his work he has the advantage of choosing the school which he prefers to conduct and continuing in chnrge of it as long as he desires. Prof. McMurry is a native Missourian, born in Marion county. May 12, 1839. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Wilson) McMurry, came to that county from Kentucky as early as 1835. They removed from Marion to Shelby county and settled on a farm five miles west of Shelbyville, where the tather had entered land. He died there in 1852. James Milton (the subject of this sketch) was reared on the farm near Shelbyville to the age of 18, when he began a course in Prof. Arrendt's Shelby High School. He took a regular course in the English branches and in Latin and Greek under Prof. Arrendt, continuing in the High School for four years. After this he engaged in teaching, and taught continuously for several years. He then engaged in the drug business at Monticello and afterwards continued it at Monroe City. In 1868 he and M. C. Brown established the Appeal at Monroe City, but a year later he went to Salisbury and in partnership with A, Frazer, the first foreman in the ofiice of the New York Herald, sttirted the Salisbury Bulletin. But in 1870 he retired from the newspaper business and resumed teaching, which he has since continuously followed. He taught a year at Salisbury, three years in Shelby county and eight at Palmyra. From there he came to Paris in 1881 and took charge of the graded school of this place. Here he has given great satisfaction to those interested in the school, and has given it a standing for efiiciency and thoroughness, as well as good management, that it never had before. Prof. McMurry has been married twice. His first wife died August 27, 1873, leaving him two children, who are living, Effie May and William E. Their mother was a Miss Elizabeth Vance before her marriage, a most excellent lady, a devoted wife and a gentle, loving mother. To his present wife Prof. McMurry was married October 13, 1875. She w^as a Miss Mary E. Taylor, a daughter of Capt. Thomas Taylor, of Palmyra, but formerly of Baltimore, Md. They have four children, Wilber F., Mary E., James D. and an infant. The Professor and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and he is a member of the A. F. and A. M., the Knights of Honor and the Triple Alliance.

Abraham G. Mason

For nearly forty years Mr. Mason has been connected with the Mercury, and for the past 33 years has had an interest in the paper as an owner and proprietor. He commenced his newspaper career in the Mercury office back in 1845, when he began work at the case as a type-setter, or rather to learn type-setting. In due time he acquired his trade and six years afterwards became one of the owners of the paper, in partnership with James M. Bean. They bought the office from James R. Abernathy. Meanwhile, Mr, Mason had been out of the office one year, during 1848. The career of the Mercury is well known to every citizen of Monroe county, and, indeed, to every well informed person in this section of the State. For years it has been recognized as one of the leading country journals north of the river. Successful in its business department, so, also, its editorial columns have ever been conducted with marked ability. Though a Democratic paper, it is one of those sober, conservative journals which look first to the interests of the public and are Democratic only because they believe that the principles and policies of that party are most conducive to the common welfare. Ever true to the interests of the county, the Mercury is justly a paper of more than ordinary popularity with the people generally among whom it circulates. For its success and high standing, Mr. Mason, who has been connected with it longer than any one else, is entitled to great credit. His experience as a newspaper man, his safe, conservative principles of business management, and his close attention to all the interests of the paper have contributed very materially to its success. Mr. Mason enjoys an enviable reputation among newspaper men as a strictly upright and, at the same time, successful journalist. On the 5th of May, 1854, he was married to Miss Levena Rubey, of Randolph county. She, however, was taken from him by death six years afterwards, in the spring of 1860. She left him two children, Laura, now the wife of George W. Miller, and Charles, who died in tender years. To his present wife Mr. Mason was married in 1861. She was a Miss Anna E. Sinclair before her marriage, and was from Cass county, Illinois. They have a family of nine children : Josie, Lethe, Harry, George, Anna B., Watson, Notley and Earle. Two are deceased, Herbert and Victor. Mr. Mason himself is a Kentuckian by nativity, born in Casey county, November 18, 1824, When he was eight years of age he was brought out to Missouri by his parents, who removed to Monroe county in 1832. His father, Abraham Mason, was originally from Virginia, and was a farmer by occupation. He died in this county some time before the war. The mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gartin, was born and reared in Kentucky, where she was married. She died in this county in 1870.

Mr. Maxey, a painter, in the artistic and higher sense of that word, of recognized merit and established reputation, who has long studied the fine art of painting, a profession he has practiced, especially in the department of portraiture, for many years, is a native of Kentuck}^ born in Garrard county, March 9, 1819. He was a son of Boaz and Judith Maxey, both originally of Buckingham county, Va. From Kentucky the family came to Missouri, in 1831, and settled in Monroe county, al)out half a mile from the present site of Paris. The country was then in the condition of a wilderness, and the solitude where Paris now stands was broken only by a single cabin of a white man. Young Maxey was reared in this then new country, and of course had no opportunities of an advanced character to secure an education. But possessed of a desire for learning, he employed all his leisure at study to good advantage, and became especially expert as a penman and at figures. When about 20 years of age he was employed in one of the offices in the court-house at Paris on the public records, and continued writing in the ditferent offices about the courthouse several years. He also followed light farming during the same time, particularly fruit-raising, in which he was quite successful. Later along he began studying portrait painting and took a regular novitiate in tliat profession. Possessed of a decided artistic taste as well as a natural aptitude for harmonizing and contrasting colors to good eflect, and understanding thoroughly the philosophy of lights and shades, he made rapid progress as a painter, and soon came to be regarded as a master of portrait\ire. He painted portraits at different towns throughout North Missouri, and when not busy with his brush taught school with success. Locating permanently at Paris, he resumed his profession of painting, which he has since followed. Prof. Maxey has become comfortably established in life and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Paris. Prof. Maxey' s father died February 11, 1864, and his mother October 20, 1870. The former was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, August 17, 1785, and the latter in the same county, February "l4, 1791. They were married October 4, 1809, and the same year they removed to Garrard county, Ky. The father was a farmer by occupation and was quite successful. They had a family of six children : Joel H., Elisha A., Mary M., John J., W. F. and Jane E. The Maxey family have been settled in the United States for about 200 years, and was one of the old and respected families of Viro-inia.