Monroe County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1884 (part 1 of 11)

Biographical sketches

Dr. Asbury was one of the first residents of Monroe City, having come here as early as the spring of 1866. But three families of those residing here at that time are still residents of the place. He built a neat two-story frame business house, the first one of any considerable size or importance erected here, A regular graduate of medicine and a physician of established reputation, he soon built up an excellent practice in the adjacent vicinities of Monroe, Ralls, Marion and Shelby counties, a practice which has steadily increased from the first. Dr. Asbury was also engaged in the drug business at this place with success for a number of years. A man of liberal, progressive ideas and wide general information, he has always taken an intelligent interest in the progress and prosperity of the community, and has contributed an important share toward building up Monroe City and surrounding country, and for the general interests of the people. Recognizing his concern for the welfare of the place, he has been called repeatedly to serve as city councilman and gave conclusive proof of his usefulness in that position by advocating with a due regard for economy and practicability all needed public improvements, such as the improvement of streets and making of sidewalks, etc. Dr. Asbury is a native Missourian, born in Lewis county, near the city of Monticello, May 17, 1838. His parents were William F. and Elizabeth (Blair) Asbury, his father originally of Virginia, but his mother of Kentucky. They were married in Kentucky and came to Missouri in 1834, settling five miles west of Monticello. The}'^ subsequently removed to Scot and county, near Memphis, where the father died in 1853. The mother died some 13 years before, in 1840. Richard, the subject of this sketch, was only two years of age when his mother died, and his father afterwards married. Miss Mary A. Measner then becoming his wife. There were nine children by the father's first marriage and one by the second. The father was a farmer and also practiced medicine, being a man of wonderful natural aptitude for the medical profession. Richard Asbury received his education at the common schools, and when 20 years of age, during the Pike's Peak excitement, went to the South Park country in Colorado, where he spent nearly a year, en- gaged in mining. On his return he entered school at Canton, under the instruction of Prof. Grant, who taught a private class at the college in that place. After this he entered upon the regular study of medicine, under Dr. R. S. Briscoe, and continued under him for about a year, teaching school, however, a part of the time. He subsequently studied under Dr. Hubbard at Canton and taught for another year. For a while, also, he was engaged in mercantile business with J. B. Reddish. Entering the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, he took a regular course in that institution and graduated in 1865. After his graduation he located in Saline county, uear Petre, where he practiced for about a year. He then came to Monroe City, in 1866, as stated above. In the meantime, however, in 1861, he joined the Southern army and was in the service for about a year, being a part of the time under Col. Green, and a part under Col. Porter. On May 12, 1864, Dr. Asbury was married to Miss Martha E. Plant of Monticello. There are three children living of this union : Sarah E. (" Bessie"), who is now attending Prof. Musgrove's seminary at Monticello; Massanello P. ("Ned"), now also attending the same institution, and Carrie V., at home, aged eight years. Two are deceased, Richard V. and Lillie C, who died at tender ages. In about 1874 Dr. Asbury's wife's health began to fail and it so continued up to the time of her death, which occurred on March 17, 1883. Two years before, he went south, hoping that a change of climate would prove beneficial, but all to no avail. She had long been an earnest member of the Christian Church, and at last passed away peacefully in the full hope and faith of the blessed Redeemer. Dr. Asbury has had several partnershij)s in the practice of medicine, but has always commanded a good practice personally, for he has many old patients who would not be satisfied with any other physician while he could be had. He has always taken a warm interest in the cause of temperance and is an earnest believer in the effectiveness of prohibition laws. He has been a member of the school board for a number of years, and, indeed, has ever shown a willingness to assist in any movement designed for the general good.

William A. Bird

In 1873 Mr. Bird commenced learning the art of photography and has since devoted his time and attention almost exclusively to his calling. The wants of society are varied, and in a well regulated community, as in the ideal Republic of Plato, the pursuits of its members must be greatly diversified. The egotism of the less liberal and less broad-minded class of individuals is so great, however, that it is not an uncommon thing to see one in a given calling estimating with little appreciation the pursuit of another - looking upon it, in fact, as of little value, and unworthy the time and attention of a man of sterling intelligence, positive character, or personal force. In this light some are wont to look upon photography. Ignoring the great service the art performs to humanity, they are not disposed to regard its adepts with that respect and consideration to which men faithfully devoted to a worthy calling are justly entitled. The art of photography preserves a singularly correct representation of the features and appearance of those nearest and dearest to us, after they have passed away. It presents to us the likeness of a loving and beloved mother when she is to be seen no more, or of a father, or of a husband or wife or children. The features of absent friends long separated from us are by it brought to view, telling us of the changes which the flight of years has made in those we esteem. In the realm of the gentler, blush-producing emotions of the heart, the value of its services is as inestimable as the stars that people space are innumerable. Who of our day, in the opening bloom-time of life, has not had his soul thrilled, as if the music of the spheres were vibrating in his breast, at looking upon the fair features of some lovely maid,"the ideal of his heart, as presented by the heaven-invented art of photography? No one who has ever been young and loved can ever become so soured as to esteem to photographers' work less than a gift of heaven, a divine mission, appointed like the ministers of old to publish glad tidings to all the world. Then should not one who devotes himsehf to this hardly less than sacred office put forth every energy of head and heart and of personal exertion to prove himself worthy of it? In this light the true artist regards it, and it is in this light that the subject of the present sketch has ever viewed it. With an intuitive sense of the importance of, and due regard for, the conditions of invention, composition, design, chiaroscuro and coloring, including the principles of light and shade, warm and cold expres'sions, perspective, etc., he has studied his art with that intelligence and assiduity and practiced himself in its work with that comprehensive appreciaton of what is necessary to be done, which could not fail of placing him in the front rank of artists in North Missouri. The gratifying result is shown in the superior excellence and enviable reputation which distinguish his work. It is not too much to say that no photographer in this part of the State has been more fortunate in mastering his art than the subject of the present sketch. His work can compare favorably with that of the most eminent adept, were they hung side by side in any reputable solan d'art photographique of a large city . Mr. Bird , whose name itself is not an unpleasant suggestion, is a native of the classic State of Illinois, born in Ogle county7May 19, 1850. His early life was spent on the farm and without any thrilling event indicative of a remarkable future. He early became identTfied, however, with a base ball club at Eockford, III., showing that he is possessed of that activity of mind and body and of that disposition to keep quite up with the times in Avhich he lives so necessary to success in life. He was for some time a professional base ball player, and his name as such became a familiar object to the public in the local prints, and in a way quite creditable to himself and the club with which he was identified. In short, he was a successful base ball player, as he is a successful pho- tographer. In 1872 he came to Missouri, locating at Shelbina, where he followed clerking for a year and at the same time studied and worked at photography. He came to Monroe City in 1880, and now has one of the handsomest suits of art parlors, in his line, including a studio and laboratory, to be found in this section of the State. His career, indeed, as indicated above, has been one of gratifying and unusual success. August 24, 1880, he was married to Miss Frankie L., a refined and accomplished daughter of J, C. York, of Shelbina. Mr. Bird is also agent for the Kimball organ. Mrs. Bird is a member of the M. E. Church.

James H. Blincoe

Mr. Blincoe is the leading contractor and builder of this place, if indeed not also of the county, and does a business exceeded in extent and importance only by the excellence and popularity of his work. He has been engaged in business here for the past seven years and during this time has erected a number of the handsomest buildings, both residence and otherwise, to be seen in the place, a town noted for the fine taste and display in its architecture. He is by natural taste an architect, a designer of superior ability, while he is a thoroughly experienced carpenter and he always gives his personal attention to the erection of the buildings which are contracted to him, doing a large part of the work himself. He works, however, a half a dozen or more first-class carpenters during the building season, and receives great commendation for the expedition as well as thoroughness with which he does his work. Mr. Blincoe is one of the highly respected citizens of the place and is a member of the school board of which Dr. Jackson is president. He carries a large and excellent stock of lumber and all sorts of building materials, so that while he is enabled to sell to the general public at the lowest retail prices, he is at the same time able to give his patrons as a builder the benefit of wholesale prices in the erection of their houses. Mr. Blincoe is a Missourian by nativity and was born in Marion county, February 24, 1844. His father was George T. Blincoe, in his younger days a contractor in Marion county, and his mother was a Miss Elizabeth Turner, both Virginians. James H. was brought up to his present business and has since worked at it at different points in Missouri up to the time of coming to Monroe City, in 1877. Here he soon came to the front in his present lines, a position he is likely to hold as long as good health is spared to him. On the 14th of June, 1865, he was married to Miss Anna Mitchell, of Marion county, a daughter of Burrill and Caroline (McCullough) Mitchell. Mr. and Mrs. Blincoe have four children: William E., Alice, James H. and an infant. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church South, and he is a member of the Masonic order.

Boulware & Sullivan

Mr. Boulware, the senior member of the above-named firm, was brought up to merchandising, his father, William Boulware, having been an old merchant of this place. He entered his father's store after taking a course at Monroe Academy, and continued clerking for his father from the age of 15 up to 1872, when he formed a partnership with his brother, Edward S., and the two engaged in his present line of business in this place. They continued in the business together with good success for two years, when Edward S. sold his interest in the firm to James M. Johnson, and about eighteen months afterwards the latter sold to Mr. Sullivan. Since then, in 1876, the firm has been doing business under the name of Boulware & Sullivan. The business was started on comparatively a small capital, but the firm now have one of the leading houses in their line in Monroe county, and, indeed, in all this section of country for miles around. Messrs. Boulware & Sullivan keep three clerks constantly employed, besides giving the business their own daily attention. They have a new brick business house, erected by themselves in 1883 at a large cost, a building 28x100 feet, which they have literally packed witli every variety of goods to be found in a first-class store in their line. Their business is on a cash basis, both as buyers and sellers, and while it is thus on a sound basis, they are at the same time able to sell at prices which no credit house can compete with, for they get the benefit of important discounts by making cash purchases. Mr. Boulware is a native of Monroe county, born near this city March 22, 1852. His mother was Miss Anna McPike, related to the well-known McPike family of North Missouri. Aaron was the youngest of four children, the others being : Eachel Z., now Mrs. R. V. Sullivan ; Edward S., of Marion county, and James M., of Lewis county. September 21, 1876, Aaron Boulware, the subject of this sketch, was married to Miss jNIinnie Mendenhall, a daughter of Dr. Thomas J. Mendenhall, of Monroe, formerly of Wilmnigton, Del. ; he is now practicing in Philadelphia, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Boulware have two children : Thomas Mendenhall and Anna McPike. He and wife are both members of the Episco- 13al Church, and he is a member of the Masonic order.

Randolph V. Sullivan, the junior member of the firm, was born in Mason county, Ky., November 4, 1834, and was a son of Austin and Catherine (Hiles) Sullivan, who came to Missouri in 1867, and settled in Marion county. In 1871, however, they went to Rising Sun, Ind., where their eldest son lives, and where the father died in 1882. The mother is still living there. Four of their family are living: Robert A., of Marion county: James H., of Monroe county; Jerome, of Vernon county; Randolph, the subject of this sketch, and William H., the eldest, a physician at Rising Sun, Ind. Randolph V. was reared in Kentucky and educated at the Dover Seminary in that State.

He spent two years there in a drug store, and came to Missouri in 1856. Here he engaged in farming, near Monroe City, which he followed until 1876, being also engaged during the same time in grazing and feeding stock of all kinds. On the 29th of June, 1859, Mr. Sullivan was married to Miss Rachel Z. Boulware, only daughter of William Boulware, and a sister to Aaron Boulware, of the present firm. The Ijusiness of this firm has already been spoken of in the preceding sketch. Mr. Sullivan has been for some time acting President of the Monroe City Bank, since the ill health of the President, John B. Randol, and at the last election of officers he was elected President of the bank in which he is a prominent stockholder. He is one of the substantial property holders of the county, and a sober-minded, safe business man. Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan have three children : William A. and Charles M., both clerking in the store, and Anna K., who is at home. William was educated at Central College, and Charles and Anna were educated at the Monroe Academy. Mr. Sullivan is superintendent of the Sunday-school and he and all his family, except Charles, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Robert B. Bristow

Maj. Bristow, one of the leading lawyers of this judicial circuit and a prominent, influential citizen of Monroe county, came to Missouri from Virginia in 1870, where he had been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession continuously since the close of the war. He is a native of Virginia and resided there until his removal to Missouri. Maj. Bristow was born in Middlesex county, January 21, 1840, and was a son of James S. and Leonora (Seward) Bristow, both of old Virginia families. His father was a farmer by occupation and Robert B. was brought up to hard work on the farm. However, he had good educational advantages and took a regular course at Alleghany College, Virginia, where he graduated in 1859. Intended for the law, he immediatel}' afterwards entered upon the study for that profession under the eminent jurist. Judge Brockenborough, of Lexington, Va. He also took a regular course at the Virginia Law School, but received no degree as that institution did not then confer degrees. After quitting the law school he engaged in teaching, but was not long permitted to preside over a school-room, for the cyclone of Civil War soon came sweeping over the country and drew every one capable of bearing arms into its terrible embrace. He went directly out of the school-room into the first battle of Manassas, and for more than four years he bravely bore himself in march and camp and on the bloody field as a worthy soldier of the cavalier South. He entered the army as a private and by his merits rose to the rank of major, which he held at the close of the war, and finally surrendered at Appomattox where the Southern standard v/ent down to rise no more. He was four times wounded during the progress of the war and was in many of the hardest battles fought during that long and terrible struggle.

But none of his injuries proved pernianent, and he came out of his four years' service fully capable of co[)ing with the duties and responsibilities of life, his severest wound being that of the heart by the defeat of the cause which he loved so well and fought for so long aud bravely. After the surrender he located for the practice of his profession at Saluda, the county seat of his native county, where he practiced with success until his removal to Missouri in 1870. From Virginia he came directly to Monroe City, and here formed a partnership in the practice of law with Rev. P. R. Ridgley, a prominent attorney as well as an able divine, now of Rocheport, Mo. This partnership continued until 1872, and they also condncted the Monroe City Appeal. Rev. Mr. Ridgley, however, went to Rocheport, and a few weeks later Maj. Bristow had the misfortune to lose the Appeal office by lire, which left him about $1,000 in debt. He then sold the good will of the Appeal for what he could get and devoted himself exclusively to the practice. He has been quite successful as a lawyer, both in the trial of cases and in the accumulation of the rewards of a good practice, being not only one of the leading lawyers of the circuit in reputation and business but also in easy circumstances. Maj. Bristow is a man of marked character and sterling natural ability, as well as thorough master of the science of the law and an able practitioner and speaker. As an advocate he is conceded to have few equals if any in the circuit, and the influence he has before juries is one of the principal secrets of his success. Always thoroughly posted in the law of the case and never failing to make himself perfectly fiimiliar with the facts, with this preparation when he comes to present his case to the jury in that terse aud forcible language of which he is master, as well as that eloquence which he commands at will, he is almost irresistible. In 18 - he formed a partnership in the practice with his present partner, John T. Lighter, Jr., Esq. Mr. Lighter is an able and accomplished young lawyer, a graduate of the law department of the State University and a successful practitioner. On the 22d of February, 1866, Maj. Bristow was married to Miss Lucinda E. Cauthron, of Essex county, Va., and related to the prominent Audrain county family by that name of this State. Maj. and Mrs. Bristow are members of the Baptist Church, and he is one of the leading members of the I. O. O. F. in this part of the State.

Benedict Buell

One of the most increscent forces operating to the material development and general advancement in prosperity of Monroe county is the large number of men of means and enterprise, and of sterling business and industrial ability, who are constantly casting their fortunes and identifying their lives and activity for this county. Prominent among these in the last year or two is the subject of the present sketch. Mr. Buell, a relative to the litterateur Buell, well known as the author of " Russian Nihilism," and numerous other works, resided in St. Louis county, where he was partly reared, until his removal to Monroe county in the fall of 1883. Already, by his industry and enterprise, he had achieved substantial success in the accumulation of property, and came here with ample means to buy a valuable tract of land and improve it in an excellent manner. He has built an unusually good and tastefully constructed residence, commodious and conveniently arranged, and in other respects is making his farm one of the desirable homesteads of the township. Mr. Buell is a native of St. Louis county, born October 19, 1834. His parents were Jacob O. and Rosanna (Carrico) Buell, his mother a sister to Benedict Carrico, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, and for whom the present subject was named. Mr. Buell was quite young when his father died, leaving one other son, Walter, who is now on the farm with the subject of the present sketch, having only recently returned from California, where he made his home from the year 1850. In 1836 Mrs. Buell, the widow, with her two sons, Beneclict and Walter, removed to Monroe county, but returned to St. Louis county four years afterward and was married there' to Mr. Van Meter. She resided in St. Louis county for 16 years, but came back to Monroe in 1856. However, she returned to St. Louis county in 1877. Her second husband died while they resided in Monroe count3^ Benedict Buell was brought up to farming but also learned the stonemason's trade, at which he worked in St. Louis until 1854. He then spent three years mining and freighting in California. Returning to St. Louis county in 1857, two years later he was married there to Miss Mary Kieif, who was born and reared in St. Louis. In 1860 he began running a threshing machine in St. Louis county, and continued that, in addition to his other agricultural industries, up to the time of his removal to Monroe county. Until the application of steatn power to threshers became practicable he used horse power, but as soon as steam could be used he applied it as a motive power to his thresher, and is conceded to be the first man who ever threshed wheat in St. Louis county with a steam thresher. In 1879 Mr. Buell bought his present tract of land in Monroe county. This is a fine piece of land of 160 acres, the improvement of which he began in 1883. His identification with this county is a valuable acquisition to its agricultural interests and to its citizenship. Mr. and Mrs. Buell have four children : William B., Anna L., Lee and Wesley. His eldest son is married and resides in this township. His eldest daughter is the wife of Mr. Hamilton Green, who resides on the farm with his father-in-law. The second son, a graduate of the Mound City Commercial College, is a successful teacher in the county. The youngest son, Wesley, is at home, Mr. and Mrs. Buell are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Honor.

J. Porter Bush

county, November 2, 1837. His parents were Jeremiah and Nancy H. (Gentry) Bush, who lived in Clark county, Ky., being highly respected citizens, until their death, the father being a substantial and prominent farmer and stock-raiser of that county. J. Porter was reared on the farm, and completed his education at Central College of Danville, Ky. The two years following, 1854 and 1855, he spent in a store at Winchester, Ky. Following this he was in no particular line of business until 1860, when he became station agent of the Hanuibal and St. Joe Koad at Osborn, having previously learned telegraphy. The following fall, November 15, 1860, he was married to Miss Anna E. Gentry, daughter of Hon. Joshua Gentry, then president of the Hannibal and St. Joe Railroad Company. He continued in the service of that company until 1866, having been agent at Palmyra from May 1, 1862, to April, 1866. Then he settled on his present larm three miles south of Monroe City, where he has a fine place of 320 acres, which has a tract of 80 acres of timber tributary to it. Besides farming in a general way he makes a specialty of raising fine short-horn and Hereford cattle for the Western trade, and now has 40 head of fine cattle on hand. He also has superior grades of sheep and hogs. For a number of years he has been engaged in feeding and shipping stock, and handling them quite extensively, in which he has been entirely successful. During the war Mr. Bush was a Union man, and was a member of the enrolled militia while in the service of the railroad, being connected with the rail protective service, and was frequently called out from his regular office duties to protect the road. He was at Monroe City, July 10, 1861, when the depot was burned by Capt. John Owens' men of the Southern service, and was at Hunnewell at the time Porter and Green entered that place on their raid in North Missouri, being robbed there, and only escaping with his life by the citizens telling them that he had gone off on the previous train. He was ordered out for service at the time the Southrons burnt the Salt river bridge, and on several other occasions of great personal danger. Gen. Porter, of the Confederate army, made a raid on Palmyra in 1863 while he (Mr. Bush) was located there, and released all the Confederate prisoners in that place and carried oft' old man Allsman, for whom Gen. John McNeil had 10 Confederate prisoners shot at that place. Mr. Bush was present at the shooting of the prisoners. Mr. and Mrs. Bush have a family of seven children, and have lost one, besides their eldest, in infancy. The others are James J., Charley C, Jesse J., Sarah G., Ambrose G., Catherine N., and Annetta. He and wife are members of the Monroe Christian Church, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W.

Benedict Carrico

On his father's side, Mr. Carrico is of English descent, though the family was settled in Virginia for several generations, but on his mother's side he is of Irish ancestry, his grandfather, Ignatious

O'Brien, having been a native of the Emerald Isle. His father was Walter Carrico and his mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Helena O'Brien. Three of the Carrico brothers came to Missouri - Vincent, the eldest, coming away back when St. Louis was a mere frontier trading post; Dennis came in 1810 and Walter in 1818; a sister also came, Theresa, back in 1810 ; she became the wife of Josias Miles, and Richard Miles, mentioned in this volume, was her son. They all first located in St. Louis county. Walter Carrico, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to Monroe county in 1836 and settled on Indian creek, near Swinkey, where he entered nearly 600 acres of land and lived until his death in 1840. His wife died in 1865. They had three sons and four daughters, namely: Ignatious, who died in Texas ; Benedict, the subject of this sketch; Joseph M., of St. Louis county ; Elizabeth, who died whilst the wife of Francis Miles ; Theresa, who died whilst the wife of James Murphy ; Rosanna, who died after her marriage to John Van Metre, and Nancy who died whilst the wife of D. D. St.Vrain. Benedict Carrico and Joseph M. Carrico are the only two of the family now living. The former was but twentytwo years of age when he came to Monroe county and on the 7th day of February, 1837, he was married to Miss Catherine L., a daughter of Edward Hardesty. She was born in Kentucky in 1818, and died in this county March 13, 1879, leaving her husband eio;ht children : Walter V., of Hannibal; Susan E., now the wife of V. B. Calhoun of Hannibal ; Edward D., who is at home ; Benedict F., who resides near his father; Theresa A., now the wife of A. W. Vaughn, of the same vicinity ; Francis I., now the wife of Nicholas Calhoun, of Marion county; Thomas M., who is still on the farm with his father, and Elizabeth, who died a young lady, about four years ago. Mr. Carrico has followed farming and stock-raising ever since he came to the county. He lived in the north-eastern part of the county until 1849. He then settled on a part of his present place. At first he had but 80 acres, but now he has 13 acres less than 300, and has given some land to his children. Whilst his life has been one of industry and good management, it is thus seen that his labors have not been without their reward. His main business has been raising cattle and mules at which, in his time, he has made a good deal of money. He also raised considerable tobacco years ago. Mr. Carrico and all of his children are members of the Catholic Church. Personally he is looked upon as one of the old and highly respected citizens of the township, and is much esteemed by all who know him.

Harrison Cary

Mr. Cary, one of the old citizens of Monroe county, was one of the first merchants to engage in business at this place. He began here in 1862, when there were but two other business houses, those of J. M. Preston and H. A. Buchanan, both dealers in general merchandise. Mr. Cary has been in business from that time to this almost continu- oiisly. On first coming to Monroe City he formed a partnership with John Gates, with whom he continued for two years. He was then alone for awhile, and his next partner was Heber Hough. They were in the business together up to 1870. Mr. Cary started his present business in the line of groceries, queen's-ware, glass-ware, etc., in 1875. His business has grown with the growth of the place and the surrounding country. He now carries an unusually large stock of goods and has erected a handsome two-story brick business house with a laroje cellar for his trade. This buildino; has three rooms, all of which are occupied by his stock, and for conveniently handling goods he has an elevator. He carries a stock of several thousand dollars and does an extensive and lucrative business. He also handles seeds and other farm products, except grain, stock and the like. Mr. Gary was born in Marion county. May 29, 1822. His parents were Edward and Elizabeth (Whaley) Cary, his mother a daughter of Capt. Whaley, formerly of Kentucky. They were married in Kentucky and came to Missouri in 1820. In 1846 young Cary enlisted for the Mexican War, becoming a soldier under Price, afterwards Gen. Price of the Civil War, and being in Col. Dave Willick's battalion. The principal scene of his service was in the Santa Fe country, and he was out for about 14 months. Mr. Cary underwent great hardships during his service, for soldiers were not as well cared for then as now, and besides, campaigning in a wild, almost provisionless country - there were no railroad means of transportation, but the dreary march most of the time without roads - and in all the changes of the weather was the lot of the soldier. Returning to Marion county after his service, he engaged in farming there, which he had previously followed, and on the 14th of June, 1849, was married to Miss E. C. Gash, of that county. He continued to farm in his native county until 1856, when he went to Texas, but returned the following year. He then came to Monroe county and improved what is now known as the J. M. Proctor farm, where he resided until he came to Monroe City in 1862. Mr. Cary took no part in the war, but was preyed upon by both sides and greatly annoyed and harassed by evil-disposed persons, without a fear of the Lord before their eyes or a decent regard for either the rights of person or property. Before the war Mr. Cary was a Whig, but has since been identified with the Democratic party, though only as a citizen, for he has never been an aspirant for office. However, he was a member of the first town council of Monroe City, and was also for a time mayor of the place. Mr. and Mrs. Cary have two children, Adolphus E., now connected with his father in business, and Mary L., the wife of Rev. Henry F. Davis, of the Christian Church. Adolphus E. is a graduate of the Christian University of Canton, Mo., having received his honors in the class of 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Cary are members of the Christian Church.

David G. Davenport

Mr. Davenport, who has been engaged in the practice of law for over 30 years continuously, except during most of the war and for a short time afterwards, has been located at Monroe City since 1873. As a lawyer, his career has been one of substantial success, and he is now one of the well-to-do citizens of this place as well as one of the prominent attorneys of the county. Mr. Davenport, although partly reared in Marion county, was born in Baltimore, Md., his natal day being the 20th of January, 1822. His father was David G. Davenport, and was originally from Lewistown, Del. He was reared, however, in West Virginia, but educated at Washington City, D. C. He early went to Baltimore, where Miss Susan Green became his wife, a young lady of Maryland birth and education. When David G., Jr., was some 15 years of age his parents removed to Missouri, settling near West Ely, in Marion county. Young Davenport received a good education and began the study of law in 1848, under Judge Van Swearengen, who is well known to Missouri lawyers by his long and eminent service at the bar and hardly less by his being the subject of ex-Senator Waldo P. Johnson's famous poem, entitled "The Nestor of the Missouri Bar," which was read for the first time before the Bar Association of Vernon county some 10 or 12 years ago. Mr. Davenport also read law under A. W. Lamm, a leading lawyer of Hannibal, and for whom Judge Van Swearengen' s son, A. W. Van Swearengen, a prominent lawyer of Montevallo, Mo., was named. Admitted to the bar in 1850, Mr. Davenport went at once thereafter to California, where he resided for about two years. He then returned to Missouri and engaged in the practice at Palmyra, where he continued with success until the second year of the war. By this time affairs had become so critical that it was no longer safe for a man of pronounced Southern convictions to remain at home, and he accordingly joined the Southern army, becoming first lieutenant of a company under Col. Porter, and taking charge of Porter's bodyguard. Later along in the war he was wounded and taken prisoner. After his capture he was taken to Jefferson City and then to St. Louis, where he was court-martialed and thereupon committed to prison at Alton. He was finally transferred to Camp Chase, being kept in confinement until the close of the war. After his return home he found that loyalty had not only been victorious but thrifty. Both Southern rights and Southern property had suffered, the latter perhaps even more than the former. Mr. Davenport found that his worldl}^ possessions to the amount of about $20,000 had been swept away in common with those of other " rebels." It is a poor thing that can't be made to pay, and in the late war " patriotism " was by no means an unprofitable enterprise, considering the l)ounties, the pickings from wicked "rebels," and the back pay and fat pensions that have fol- lowed. After the war Mr. Davenport resumed the practice of law, not, however, for a few years, on account of the proscriptive clause of the Drake Constitution, which prohibited every one identified or sympathizing with the South in the remotest degree from practicing law, preaching, teaching school, or following almost any other occupation except manual labor, or business pursuits. After the removal of his political disabilities, however, he commenced the practice at Palmyra, but in 1873 came to Monroe City. On the 2d of October, 1852, he was married to Miss Fannie C. Lair, daughter of William Lair of Marion county. They have had three children : David R., an attorney by profession, but at present, a general traveling agent of the Phoenix Insurance Comj)any of London, England, with headquarters at Chicago; Fannie O., now Mrs. William E. Moss; and Palmyra M., now the wife of James ShaAV, of Hannibal. Mrs. Davenport is a member of the M, E. Church, South.

Durrant & Jackson

In youth Mr. Durrant learned the tinner's trade, at which he worked as a journeyman for a number of years, and in 1876 came to Monroe City as an employe of March & McCIure. They carried on business here, he W(n-king for them, until 1879, when they failed and made an assignment. He and Thomas J, Yates bought their stock and reorganized the business, which has since become the leading establishment in these lines in Monroe county, and one of the principal houses of the kind in North Missouri, outside of a large city. For this highly gratifying result more credit is due to the energy, enterprise, industry, and business abilit}^ of Mr. Durrant than to the exertions of any other man, for he has been longer and more intimately identified with the business than any one ar any time connected with it. In 1881 Mr. Yates retired from the firm, Mr. Ely taking his place, and the hardware branch of the business was sold to Mr. William R. P. Jackson. On the 1st of January, 1882, the two houses were again consolidated under the firm name of B. M. Ely & Co., and a year later Mr. Ely retired, when the firm became Durrant & Jackson, as it has since continued. They carry large stocks of goods in all the lines mentioned above, and have the largest warehouse on the railroad from Hannibal to St. Joe. They are doing quite an extensive jobbing trade in the grass seed line, handling from five to eight car loads annually. Their yearly business in all the diflferent lines amounts to nearly $50,000. Such is the reward of close attention to business, enterprise and fair dealing.

Geo. W. Durrant was born in Bradford county, Penn., and was one of nine children of George B. and Elizabeth (Smith) Durrant, formerly of England. Both parents died when George W. was quite a youth, and but three others of the family are living: William, in Pennsylvania, and Samuel and Fred., in Michigan. At the age of 14,

Geortre W. entered the general mercantile store of J. D. Humphrey, of Orwell, Penn., who was a first cousin to John Brown, of Harper's Ferry memory, in which young Durrant continued until he was 18 years of age. He then learned the tinner's trade at Towanda, Penn., where he worked three vears. After attaiuino; his majority he worked for 12 years as a journeyman, working in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, and in 1876 he came to Monroe City, as stated above. October 4, 1869, Mr. Durrant was marl-ied at Pontiac, Mich., to Miss Katie J. Goodrich. Thev have two children, George R, and Willie M.

Mr. Jackson, of the above named firm, although a comparatively young man, has long been prominent in business afl:airs in Monroe City. Coming of a well known and highly respected family of North Missouri, he received a good education and came to Monroe City in 1872, and engaged in the clothing and boot and shoe trade, which he followed with success, having several partners from time to time, for about five years. Meanwhile, he organized the Monroe City bank, of which he became cashier, and in order to give his bank business his entire time and attention, he retired from merchandising in 1876. He continued cashier of the bank for about five years, and until it was well founded on a sound basis and doing a prosperous business. In 1881 he bought the hardware branch of the business of B. M. Ely & Co., and later along he became a half and equal owner with Mr. Durrant in the entire business, under the firm name of Durrant & Jackson, as already mentioned. At the time of engaging in the hardware business he retired from the bank, since which he has devoted himself exclusively to the large and varied business interests of Durrant & Jackson. Mr. Jackson is one of the most thorough-going, clearheaded and progressive business men of the county, and according to all appearances has a most promising business future. Mr. Jackson is a man of family, having married February 1, 1876. His wife was previously Miss Sallie B. Holmes, a daughter of Henry J. Holmes, of this county. The}' have four children : Nellie B., Harry W., Edith F. and Homer L. Mr. Jackson was a son of James W. Jackson, an early settler of Marion county, from Delaware. His mother was a Miss Sarah E. Sharp before her marriage, a daughter of Rev. Richard Sharp, the well known Southern Methodist minister of this section of the State. He died February 28, 1881. William R. P. was born on the farm in Marion county, December 2, 1850, and was one of a large family of children. He was educated at the Palmyra Seminary.

Judge James D. Evans

A good name is the result of a lifetime of upright conduct and useful citizenship, and when it is said that one has a name without reproach among those with whom he has lived for years, and who know him well, no ordinary compliment is paid. In sketching the life of Judge Evans, this statement, in common justice and truth and with no tinge of flattery, requires to be made, for having lived in the county from childhood, his record from the beginning has been without a stain, and stands \out to-day without a blot. His life has been and is one not only of negative uprightness, but of positive and active benefit to the county. For many years he was one of its best farmers and most enterprising stockmen, contributing a great deal by his example and progressive ideas to the improvement of the methods of farming and the grades of stock raised in the county. His large farm of 340 acres was mainly devoted to the stock business and he kept on hand a fine herd of short-horn cattle for breeding purposes, from which went out into different localities some of the best stock in the county.

The Evans family is one of the old and respected families of Monroe county. Matthew W. Evans and wife, nee Mary A. Sherwood, came from Kentucky as early as 1828, and indeed, Matthew Evans hadbeen to this State several times prior to that, coming the first time in 1818. On removing here with his family he stopped for four years in Boone county, and then came to Monroe county in 1832, entering a tract of 360 acres, near Paris, where he improved a large farm, and lived until his death. He died at the age of 72, in 1872. His first wife had preceded him to the grave by 16 years. His second wife, before her marriage to him, was a widow lady, a Mrs. Sidney A. Adkinson. He was a prominent farmer and quite a large stockman, and was well and favorably known throughout the county. By his first wife there was a family of six sons and three daughters, but three of whom are living: Judge Evans, Mrs. Mary E. (John) Edwards and Mrs. Hester E. (Janies H.) Crooks, the latter of Pueblo, Col. Judge Evans, born August 24, 1830, was reared in Monroe county, and at the age of 20 crossed the plains to California, 1850, as a member of a Boone county company of gold seekers. He was in California for three years. Returning in 1853, he resumed farming in this county, to which he had been brought up, and for that purpose improved a place of 200 acres, 12 miles north-west of Paris. December 14, 1854, he was married to Miss Sarah C. Haydon, daughter of Jeremiah V. Haydon, a pioneer settler of the county, widely known here and highly respected, and from Jessamine county, Ky. The year that he was married Judge Evans' younger brother John, then 19 years of age, also went to California, but has never returned, nor has any word come back from him since 1857. He has long since been given up as dead.

After improving his farm, Judge Evans continued agricultural life, raising grain and handling stock, until March 1, 1883; he removing to Monroe City in May of the same year, being an incumbent of the office of county judge, which he had held for several years, and desiring to retire from tarm life.

He was identified with mercantile business as far back as 1870, when he became interested in merchandising at Granville. For five years following he was interested in selling goods, the last two years as president of the Grange co-operative store at Granville. h\ Feb- ruary, 1884, he and his son, James W., formed a partnership at Monroe City, and opened their present grocery store. They carry a complete stock of staple and fancy groceries, and their store is one of the flourishing grocery houses of the place.

Although mainly self-educated, Judge Evans is a man of good business qualifications and much general information. But above and beyond either of these he is a man of sterling native good sense and marked natural strength of character. In any community where the advantages of the people are at all similar or not out of all comparison, he would inevitably be chosen as a representative citizen in matters of public concern, and otherwise. Clear-headed, intelligent and honest, he has the sagacity to see what is best to be done for the public and the weight of character to command consideration for his opinions. Hence, it is hardly less than as a matter of course that he should be called to fill some position where sound judgment, integrity of character and good business qualifications are required. In 1880 he and two others were candidates for the office ot county judge, and he was nominated and elected to this office, receiving the majority of the votes cast. He was a successor to Judge Duley, one of the ablest of the former judges of the county court. In 1882 Judge Evans was again a candidate, was renominated and re-elected, the opinions of the people being confirmed by his record as a judge, as shown by his re-election without opposition. He is now vice-president of the court and adds not a little by his ability and efficiency as an officer to the high reputation the court has among the people. In the spring of 1883, Judge Evans had the misfortune to lose his wife. She died at the age of forty-four, a bereavement hard to bear for him and their family of children. She was a true and affectionate wife, a gentle and devoted mother, and a neighbor and Christian lady whom all that knew her had learned to prize as a valued friend and generous, pioushearted woman. She had borne him a worthy family often children, namely: Matthew H., Kosa E., Mary B. (the last two twins), James W., Nannie. L., Lula, John J. W., Fannie M., Lena, and Tebbs. The eldest, Matthew H., a young practicing physicain, died .Tuly 26, 1882. He had graduated at the St. Louis Medical College in 1880, and was in the practice two years before his death at Oxford, Kan. He was married in 1881 to Miss MoUie Eubanks, of Paris, whom he left a widow. He was a young man of superior mental endowments and bright promise, and his death was a heavy affliction to his parents and other loved ones, and particularly so to his mother, who Avas destined so soon to follow him to the mystic shore across the silent river. His young wife, whose hope in life seemed to go out with the spirit of her beloved husband, a young lady of the purest and gentlest qualities of mind and heart, now under the pall of her great bereavement, makes her home with her father, James Eubanks, of this county.

Judge Evans has given all of his children who are old enough to go ofi* to school, or is giving them, good educations, principally at the State Normal School, at Kirksville. The Judge is a prominent member of the Masonic order, and holds membership in good standing in

Granville Lodge No. 240, A. F. & A. M., Monroe Chapter No. 16, E. A. M., and Parsifal Comraandery, No. 44, Knights Templar, at Paris, Mo. He is a worthy communicant in the Christian Church.

Thomas D. Freeman

Mr. Freeman has led a life of industry and intelligence, and one without reproach as well as satisfactorily rewarded in the sober comforts that come of honest exertion regulated by good management. But whilst he has a neat competence as the fruit of his well spent life, his heart has not been set maiuly on the accumulation of property, but his greatest desire has been to bring up his family of children in a worthy manner and give them such training of head and heart as would tend to make them respected and useful members of society. Favored in no ordinary degree are the young who have such a parent to lead them in their early years so wisely in the pathway of light. A year ago Mr. Freeman quit his farm and came to town to reside with no other purpose than to give his children the benefit of the excellent schools kept at this place. He has four children : Janie D., Frances W., Maggie E. and Thomas D. In view of the fiither's forethought and zeal in behalf of the training of his children, it is earnestly to be hoped that their future will fully justify the interest he shows for their welfare. Mr. Freeman came to Missouri from Kentucky with his parents, Lewis D. and Jane (Davis) Freeman, in 1851, when he was 21 years of age. The family settled in Marion county, near Monroe City, where the father made a farm and lived until his death, at the age of 82, in 1880. The mother died in 1868. There were but two children, Thomas D. and James, now of Ft. Scott, Kas. For a number of years prior to their father's death the sons ran the farm principally, a large stock farm of nearly 400 acres, and dealt in and handled stock. Thomas D. entered the Confederate service in 1861, assisting Capt. Stacy to organize a company, of which he was first lieutenant, but was captured while attempting to cross the river and kept in confinement as a prisoner seven months in St. Louis and Alton, 111., then sent to Vicksburg, Miss., and exchanged, when he again entered the army and remained until the close of the war. Returning after the restoration of peace he resumed farming, and in 1870 he was married to Miss Sarah H. Fagan, a daughter of Hon. Henry G. Fagan, a leading citizen of Marion county, who represented the county in the Legislature and was otherwise prominent in its affairs. He died in 1876. He came to Marion county in 1817 and lived on the homestead he settled, a fine place of nearly 500 acres, for over 50 years continuously. He was one of the well-known and highly esteemed men of the county.

Milton B. Garner

On the far-off coast of the Pacific sea, where the sun sinks to rest at eventide, in the huicl of fruits and vines, and of golden sands, the subject of the present sketch, a Missourian by nativity, born and reared in Monroe county, learned the trade which he is now pursuing with industry and success in the county of his birth. In 1875 he crossed the phiins and passed beyond the cloud-capped heights of the Cordilleras, making his destination at Winders, in Yaho county, Cal., where he spent two years. There he learned his trade and returned to Missouri, stopping at Palmyra, where he worked for five years. In the fall of 1882 he came to Monroe City and established his present shop. He now manufactures about 25 wagons annually, besides a number of spring wagons and other vehicles, and keeps four hands employed. His business is already established on a solid basis, and his wagons have an enviable reputation, the demand for them being greater than his means to supply. Mr. Garner was born in Moiu'oe county, January 5, 1855, and was a son of John and Catherine (Terrill) Garner, well known and respected residents of the county. His youth was spent at home, and he remained in the county until he went to California in 1875, as stated above. May 2, 1883, he was married to Miss Minnie L., a daughter of John T. Christian, of Christian county. They are now established at housekeeping in Monroe City, and Mrs. Garner presides with becoming grace over her neat and tidy home.

Gentry & Snider

This firm was formed on a small capital in the spring of 1872, and has since been in business at this place continuously. By enterprise, close attention to business and fair dealing, its house has risen to the position of one of the prominent business establishments of the place. Messrs. Gentry & Snider carry a large stock of groceries, queen's-ware, glass-ware, stone-ware, provisions, etc., etc., and besides have a meat market, where they keep cured and fresh meats in ample quantities for the trade constantly on hand. They have two separate establishments, one for the grocery business and the other for the meat market. In 1879 they erected a handsome grocery building at a cost of over $5,000, in which they carry everything to be found in a first-class grocery store. For the custom of their meat market they kill about three beeves weekly, and have the bulk of the trade in the fresh meat line. They also do a large business in handling farm produce, such as vegetables, including potatoes, poultry, eggs, etc. They ship about 800 cases of eggs annually, and, indeed, handle more farm produce than all the other firms of the place combined. They make a specialty of cured meats, preparing them or curing them for their trade themselves. Both are thorough-going business men who have the conlidence of the community, and their personal popularity contributes materially to the marked success they have had. Overton H. Gentry was born in Monroe county, near Monroe City, October 18, 1836. His father, Rev. Christy Gentry, was a well known minister of the Missionary Baptist Church of this county, and died here in 1866. He was actively engaged in the ministry up to the time of the enforcement of the provisions of the Drake Constitution, prohibiting ministers who had any sympathy whatever with the Southern people from preaching the Gospel, unless they took an oath of perjury declaring that they had no such sympathy. He declined to take the oath, but suffered so much from being prohibited to preach the word of God that that is believed to have had much to do with his taking off, for he died soon afterwards, and was greatl}^ depressed in spirit up to the time of his death, constantly saying to his friends that in a w^orld where the word of God could not be preached without debauching the conscience of the minister with odious prescriptive test oaths and purjury, there was nothing to live for. His widow, whose maiden name was Lucy Christ}^ died in 1869. Overton H. was the oldest of their family of 11 children, nine sons and two daughters, only four sons of whom are living: Richard, William T., of St. Francois county, Joshua H., of Vernon county, and Overton H. On the 18th of April, 1861, Overton H. Gentry was married to Miss Susan Elgin, a daughter of Samuel H. Elgin, of this county. He resided at the old homestead until 1867, and then in the same vicinity until 1872, when he came to Monroe City and engaged in business with Mr. Snider. Mr. and Mrs. Gentry have one child, Addie, now a young lady, who was educated at the Monroe Institute. Mr. Gentry was a member of the city council for two years, and he and family are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Gentry is a substantial property holder of Monroe City. Mr. Snider is from Ralls county, and his parents, Samuel and Sarah (Dennison) Snider, were from Pennsylvania. They came to Ralls county in an early day, and Samuel R. was born there September 12, 1848. Both his parents are now deceased, the father dying in 1860, and the mother in 1861. Samuel R. was one of five children, four of whom are living : Mahala, now Mrs. Willow Newell ; Samuel R., Delia, now Mrs. John Henderson, and William, all in Monroe City. Samuel began work for himself at the age of 19, under William P. Bush, handling stock, and also learned the butcher business. He worked with Mr. Bush until 1872, when he became connected with Mr. Gentry in their present business. They bought out Mr. Bush's neat market and have since conducted it, and also the grocery business. Mr. Snider is a thoroughly experienced butcher, and besides, a good business man and personally well thought of. He and Mr. Gentry employ from one to three hands all the time, and are steadily coming to the front as enterprising business men and substantial property holders. Mr. Snider is a member of the Baptist Church and of the I. O. O. F.

Grimm & Losson

With an annual business of from $12,000 to $14,000, these gentlemen may well congratulate themselves upon having one of the leading and solid houses in their line throughout this entire section of country. Their success is the fruit of their own industry, fair dealing and business enterprise. Both are self-made men. In other words, they began without means, and have come up from the workman's bench to their present enviable positions in business life. Each learned his trade when young, and both followed it until they were able to begin in business with a respectable capital. .They now work several hands, and everything is done under their immediate personal supervision, so that they know that no work goes out from their house that will injure their reputation or ftiil to give satisfaction. The public have found this out, and hence the popularity and large trade of their house. Both gentlemen are natives of Germany, Mr. Grimm born in Wurtemburg, November 27, 1852, and Mr. Losson, in Lorraine, August 3, 1852. The former came to America with his parents in 1870, locating at Hannibal, and the latter with his parents in 1866, locating at Palmyra. Mr. Grimm learned his trade at Hannibal, and worked there until 1875, and Mr. Losson learned his trade under his uncle, Simeon Herndon, at Palmyra, where he worked until 1880. The senior member of the firm came direct to Monroe City on leaving Hannibal, as did the junior member on leaving Palmyra. They organized their present partnership in the fall of 1880, and have since had a most gratifyingly prosperous business career, as is proven by the large trade they have built up. Mr. Grimm was married September 16, 1872, to Miss Anna Peuera. They have four children: Anna M., Katie, Theresa and Nicholas A. Both parents are members of the Catholic Church. Miss Minnie Diemer became the wife of Mr. Losson, August 26, 1872. They have three children : Mary, William and Frankie. He is a member of the Catholic Church and she of the Lutheran. Both of these o-entlemen are accounted amono; the best business men of Monroe City and are highly respected.

Hickman, Hawkins & Co

The firm of Hickman & Hawkins in the above business was formed in 1878, and this they carried on with steadily increasing success and reputation, until the first of January, 1884, when Mr. Ogle was admitted into the firm, the business being continued under the name of Hickman, Hawkins & Co. This is one ©f the leadino; firms in the lines mentioned above in Monroe county, and besides carrying a large stock of lumber, sash, doors, blinds, laths, hair, lime, cement and other building material, etc., which brings them an extensive trade from the general public, as carpenters, contractors and builders, they have an important patronage in the erection of houses of diflerent kinds, residence, business and otherwise, and, indeed, all sorts of work in their line. They have erected a large number of buildings of a superior class in Monroe City and the surrounding country, some of them running up in cost from $1,000 to $5,000 and upwards. Their reputation is well established and no one contemplating building can have any reasonable cause to refuse them the contract when the terms are satisfactory, for they never fail to do first-class work, and acquit themselves of their contract with honor to themselves and satisfaction to their patrons. Mr. Hickman is a native of Harrison count}^ Ky., born September 28, 1834:. When 21 years of age he came to Missouri, having previously learned the carpenter's trade, and up to 1861 worked at his trade in this State, respectively, in Ralls county, at Hannibal, LaGrange, and also in Warsaw, III., and again at La- Grange, Mo., as well as other points. At the outbreak of the war he entered the Confederate service under Price, and was out either in active service or in prison until in the spring of 1865. He was drummajor and participated in numerous sanguinary battles. He was captured at the surrender of Vicksburg and again at Franklin, Tenn., being confined in prison the last time several months, at Camp Chase. After the war he followed his trade two years in Cincinnati, and then at Quincy, III., until 1870. The next two years he spent in Ralls county, and he came to Monroe City in 1872, where he has since been in business. Mr. Hickman was married in 1858, to Miss Sarah M. Mayer, a native of England, and of LaGrange, Mo. They have six children : Mollie A., now Mrs. George Schofield ; James T. S., Jesse A., Lucy E., Emma L. and Nannie F. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a worthy member of the A. O. U. W., the I. O. O. F., and the R. T. of T. He served five years as alderman in Monroe City and five years as school director. He was a son of Hugh S. and Sarah A. Hickman, her maiden name being Holton, both now deceased.

Mr. Hawkins is also a Kentuckian by nativity, but his parents were early settlers of Monroe county, his father, Fielding S., being a contractor and builder at this place when it was first laid out. He was also justice of the peace here for a number of years, and died at the age of 64, May 18, 1882. His wife, whose maiden name was Anna Hamilton, died in the fall of 1860. George A. Hawkins was the first of their family of four children, and was brought up to the carpenter's and contractor's trade by his father, which he has since worked at continuously. He was married June 27, 1871, to Miss Endora Hayden,from Marion county. They have four children : Eva, Leona, Endora and Maude. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and a Royal Templar of Temperance. He has served one term in the city council. Mr. Hawkins is now 36 years of age, having been born July 4, 1848.

well known Jesse Ogle, proprietor of Ogle's mill in that county, but he has been deceased since 1870. Joseph E. began to learn the carpenter's trade in 1872, and workedfor about two years at both Salisbury and Paris. He helped to build Wayland's machine shop at Salisbury and also helped rebuild the college at College Mound. For a number of years past, however, he has been at Monroe City, and has become one of the prominent and successful men of the place. May 4, 1876, he was married to Miss Sarah J., a daughter of Jacob Paynter. Mr. and Mrs. O. have four children : Georgia, William, Ernest and Chauncy. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Ogle has held the office of town marshal for one term.

By these facts it is seen that all three of these gentlemen are experienced and capable builders. Individually and in their business they are well respected by all who know them. They have contributed their full share to the growth and prosperity of Monroe City and are entitled to no ordinary credit for the good taste and judgment they have shown in the erection of the buildings put up by them. Their future in business seems to be one of gratifying promise.

Isaiah Jones

Mr. Jones is a former merchant of long and successful experience, and came to Monroe county in the spring of 1883, to engage in farming and stock-raising. He has 170 acres in his homestead, situated a mile and a half south-west of Monroe City, and besides this he has over 1,000 acres some eight miles south of his home place on Indian creek. Prior to coming to this county he had been living at Gilead for the previous fifteen years, where he carried on merchandising, and was also postmaster. In addition to his mercantile business Mr. Jones had a fine farm in Lewis county, where he was quite successful in raising stock, and he also followed buying stock and shipping them to the wholesale markets, shipping large quantities of cattle, hogs, etc., annually. He is a native of Maine, born in Kennebec county, October 17, 1829. He was reared in Maine, but in 1853 crossed the continent to California, where he engaged in mining, and with good success. While in California he was married on the 20th of April, 1859, to Miss Mary Davis, of Sacramento City, but formerly of Massachusetts. Mr. Jones came to Missouri in 1868 and located at Gilead, in Lewis county, referred to above. He was quite successful there in merchandising and agricultural pursuits, but being able to sell out to advantage, he disposed of his interests in Lewis county and came to Monroe, where he has since resided. His farm near Monroe City is well improved. His residence is a particularly commodious and tastefully constructed building, and, indeed, all his buildings and improvements are made with regard to appearance and good taste only less than to durability and convenience. Mr. Jones is engaged in raising fine short horn cattle and now has a herd of about fifty head of this class of stock. He is a man of large business experience and stirring qualities, and is unquestionably a valuable acquisition to the agricultural class, and indeed, the citizenship of Monroe county. He is of that class of new-comers that every community most desires - a man of means, business ability and high character. He will undoubtedly take an enviable position among the leading agriculturists of the county at an early day. Indeed, he is already recognized as one of our progressive and prominent farmers and stock-raisers. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have reared a fomily of three children : Albert M.,.a young man 23 years of age, now in Nebraska; Ada M., a young lady at home, a graduate of LaGrange College in the class of 1883 : and Percy D., a young man in his nineteenth year, also still at home. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are both members of the Baptist Church. Their family is cordially received in the best society of Monroe City and vicinity, and indeed, wherever they are known. Miss Ada, the daughter, is especially welcomed and prized by the young people of the vicinity. She is thoroughly accomplished and being a young lady of great vivacity and su^Derior mental endowments, as well as an exceptionally fine conversationalist and always graceful and pleasant to those around her, she ornaments with, singular attractiveness the refined and cultured circle in which she moves. In form and feature nature has done all for her that could be desired, while the kindness of her parents in giving her everj'^ opportunity for mental improvement, worthily seconded by her own industry, have contributed to fit her for the most polite and accomplished society.

James L. Lyon

Mr. Lyon has been identified with the railroad business almost continuously since he started out in life for himself, and has been in the office at Monroe City for the last 17 j^ears. This long service at one office speaks more for him as an efficient, upright and popular local officer of the road than mere words can express, however ingeniously or eloquently put together. He has not only done his duty faithfully, but has given unqualified satisfaction both to the general officers of the road and to the public. Nothing truer or more creditable could be said of his administration than that if his position were an elective one he would be chosen to it, probably, almost unanimously, if not - quite so. The business of the office since he entered it has more than quintupled, or increased fivefold. Mr. Lyon had the benefit of a good practical education as he grew up, and Avas born in Beaver, Pa., November 12, 1844, but principally reared in Missouri. In 1855 his parents, Thomas and Harriet (Pettigrew) Lyon, removed to Iron county. Mo., and six years later to Mooreville, near Chillicothe, but finally settled in Utica in 1855. The mother died there the same year, but the father survived until 1882, dying at Hannibal. There were three children: Samuel, James and Thomas, the first a printer at St. Joe and the last named connected with the railroad at that citv.

James L. commenced railroading in 1864. Subsequently he learned the operator's business and came to Monroe City in 1867. In 1866, however, he was in the drug business. He is also agent of a promi nent fire insurance company, and does some business in that line.

These are one of the leading mills in Monroe county, and were erected originally in 1869 by Josselyn & Cumniings, which firm dissolved and the mills fell into the hands of William Booker, of Ralls county. Mo., from whom Wilson & Megown bought it. In one j'^ear and a half Wilson sold to Josselyn, and a year later Mr. Megown bought Josselyn' s interest and became sole proprietor of the mills, and on May 17, 1881, he sold H. J. Kent a third interest in the mills. A year ago they put in the roller process. They now have a capacity for sixty barrels of flour daily and do an exclusively merchant business, buying wheat for manufacture into flour and exchanging flour for grain. They have no corn buhrs in the mill, but manufacture flour altogether. Their machinery is all in first-class condition and their flour has obtained a wide reputation for superior excellence. In 1872 Mr. Megown engaged in milling at the old Hornbuck mill, near Sidney, in Ralls county, where he continued until he bought into the present mill. Prior to that he had been engaged in farming and running a repair shop. On the 26th of January, 1860, he was married to Miss Sarah J. Couch, a daughter of Henry Couch, of Ralls county. They have eight children : John W., Margaret J., Mary A., Etta E., Julia A., Henry E., Samuel and Ella. Mr. Megown is a native of Ralls county, born in Spencer township, near New London, January 11, 1841. His father, Samuel Megown, and mother, whose maiden name was Julia McCread3^ were both from Pennsylvania. They came to Missouri as early as 1846. The father was a brick mason and a manufacturer of brick, and Samuel was brought up to that business. Early in the war he enlisted in the six months' service on the Union side, and afterwards in the Enrolled State Militia. He was in the artillery service a part of the time. In all he did about 18 months' military duty. He was first under J. F. Rice, of Henderson's division, and then under Capt. Johnson, of theE. M. S. M. Mr. Megown is one of the substantial, highly respected citizens of Monroe City.

Robert K. Megown

Mr. Megown, who has a place of nearly 200 acres situated in sections 21 and 22, township 56, range 8, in Monroe county, and is one of the energetic farmers of Monroe township, is a native Missourian, born in Ralls county, four and a half miles west of New London, January 7, 1843. He was reared in that county and remained on the farm until he was 19 years of age, when he enlisted in the Missouri

State militia, Union service, under Col. Lipscomb, under whom he served for about seven months, and participated in the pursuit of Porter and the fights at Cherry Grove and Kirksville. Being disabled, however, by an afiection of the lungs,' he was discharged on that account and returned home to the farni". His father, Samuel Megown, being a brickmason by trade as well as a practical farmer, Robe'i-t K. learned to lay brick whilst a youth, and also brick-making, at which his father was a master workman. He has therefore followed making and laying brick more or less ever since he attained his majority, up to the time when he engaged in farming, and he has since followed farming, principally, and handling stock. He is now engaged with J. H. McClintic in buying and shipping stock, and is considered an excellent judge of stock and a successful dealer. On the 6th of August, 1867, Mr. Megown was married to Miss Nancy J, Shulse, a daughter of William A. Shulse. She died, however, on the 13th of June, 1876, leaving him three children, Nora, Zoe and Lena. To his present wife Mr. Megown was married November 14, 1876. She was a sister to his first wife. Miss Martha E. Shulse. They have had four children : Samuel A., who died at the age of two years ; Myrtle E., Alberta, and Julia A. Mr. Megown resided in Ralls county until 1879, and settled on his present farm in 1881. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

'Squire McLeod, for 32 years a resident of Monroe townshii), and long a magistrate in this township - one of its old, influential and highly-respected citizens, a man of superior education and natural ability, is thus spoken of by the biographer of the Twenty-eighth General Assembly of Missouri, of which body he was an able and honored member: "This venerable silver-haired gentleman, one of the oldest members of the floor, having passed his allotted time of threescore years, was born in Derry county, Ireland, in 1814. Leaving the Green Isle in 1834, he emigrated to this county, coming to Washington City, where an elder brother, Matthew McLeod, was'conducting^i classical high school, and another relative, John McLeod, was principal of the Columbia Academy, an institution well known to the old inhabitants of Washington City. He remained in Washington Citv several years, attending school and assisting his relatives in teaching. Andrew Jackson was President at this^time, and from this indomitable old hero Mr. McLeod first imbibed his Democratic principles, and has adhered to them with strict fidelitv all his life. While residing in Montgomery county, Md., in 1839, "he was united in marriage to Miss M. C. Jones, daughter of J. J. W. Jones (one of the most distinguished flimilies in the State), by whom he had 10 children, several r.f whom are still alive. In 1848 he traveled extensively in the West, and in 1849, in company with Gen. Craig and other irentlemen residing in the 'Platte purchase,' he was allured to the Pacific Coast in search of the unbounded gold fields that report had located in California, After prospecting for several years with varied success, in 1852 he removed to Missouri, locating on Indian creek, Monroe county, where he has since uninterruptedly resided. When the late war commenced, in common with most of his neighbors, he was despoiled of most of his [)roperty by the Federal forces on account of his Southern sympathies, and sufi'ered many indignities at their hands. He has never taken an active part in politics, and, excepting a few township oflSces, his present position in the Legislature is the first position ever held by him. He was elected as a Democrat, l)eating his tadpole opponent, G. H. Hasman, nearly 800 votes. Mr. McLeod is a member of untarnished and unblemished reputation ; is well qualified for the position he holds, standing without a superior, as far as emphatic and practical duties pertaining to the duties of a representative are concerned. He is connected with several important committees, never evading his duties on any of them." In 1876 'Squire McLeod declined to be a candidate again for the Legislature, and has since led a retired life on his farm. He has held the office of justice of the peace, however, since 1854, except during the war, when he declined to take the Drake test oath, and also except while in the Legislature. On first coming to this county he taught a 12-month school, the first one ever taught in the township where he has since resided, and he has always been a zealous advocate of popular education. 'Squire and Mrs. McLeod have reared a family of seven children : James E., Anna M. C, now Mrs. James Hardesty ; William T., Sarah H., now Mrs. James Spalding; Josephene, now Mrs. William R. Yates; Maggie, now the widow of George Stanton, and Ellen still at home. Josephene and Sarah were students in Monroe Institute and taught school prior to their marriage. 'Squire McLeod and family are members of the Catholic Church.

It was a common remark with Sir William Jones, a man possessed with one of the greatest minds that illuminates the history of any country, that the great disparity between the positions men occupy in a given calling or profession results not so much from the difi'erence of their opportunities as of their capacities and natural aptitudes. One eminently suited for a particular occupation generally makes an eminent failure in some other pursuit, if he undertakes it. The touchstone of success is in the proper choosing of one's calling. A mistake made here and all the rest of one's life will be " bound in shallows and in miseries." Hence it is that in all the lines of trade, in the mechanic arts, and in the professions, we daily see examples of those who have succeeded to a marked degree and of others who have made signal failures, - whereas, there was perhaps but little difference in their opportunities and advantages. Original adaptability to a line of duties will inevitably tell to advantage if one but apply himself with proper energy and resolution in the field for which he is by nature fitted. These preliminary remarks are suggested by contemplating the remarkable success the subject of the present sketch has had in the medical profession. He is still comparatively a young man, and his experience in the practice is not the experience of a lifetime ; yet to-day he occupies a position in his profession above many whose heads have grown white in their long practice of medicine, a position second perhaps, if not indeed, to that occupied by no other physician in the county. Dr. McNutt has a large practice, a practice unusually large, considering the necessarily sparse population of an essentially agricultural community and the natural healthfulness of the country. His practice is limited only by these circumstances and the distance that a physician can without great inconvenience or peril to the sick be called. To understand how it is that he should so early in life make so marked a success in his profession, we have studied closely the man and his surroundings, and we have no hesitation in saying that we can attribute his success chiefly to no other causes than his striking natural adaptability for the healing art and his thorough devotion to it. When nature makes a physician, the man himself has little to do, but when he seconds the work of nature by his own industry, even greater than those less favored might hope to succeed by, the result can not but be a more than ordinary success. Let us then briefly sketch the outline of Dr. Mc- Nutt's life, a sketch which most appropriately finds a place in this volume. Necessarily it must be brief, too brief, indeed, to even approach doing justice to the subject. Dr. McNutt was a son of Dr. John McNutt and wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth F. M. G. Steele, old and respected residents of Monroe county. The fiither is a retired physician of the county, located at Middle Grove. Dr. Mc- Nutt was born at Middle Grove, October 4, 1850. The taste and aptitude for the medical profession, which he inherited from his father, were greatly strengthened by his bringing up. From an early age it was seen that he was destined to becouie a physician, all his desires and inclinations manifesting themselves in that direction. He was accordingly educated with that object in view, and his father improved every opportunity to .strengthen his purpose and to instill into the youth's mind a correct and liberal knowledge of the science with which he was to deal. His preparatory general education was received at Middle Grove Academy, and then he entered upon a higher course of study at Westminster College, where he took a course of two years. After this he entered immediately upon the regular study of medicine under the daily instruction of his father. He made rapid progress in the curriculum of studies required preparatory to matriculation at medical college, and in due time, in 1873, entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he took a regular course of two terms, graduating amons; the first in his class, in 1875. In the meantime he had practiced during the interim between his terms at medical college, and after his graduation, he came to Monroe City, where he established himself as a physician. Since then he has been continu- ouslv in the practice at this place, and in this comparatively short period has risen to the first position in his profession in the county. He is a leading and influential member of the State, District and County Medical Societies. He and Dr. J. J. Norton have been in the practice together as partners for about six months past, July 9, 1876, Dr. McNutt was married to Miss Lillie, a daughter of Dr. E. Bailey, of this place. This union, one of singular happiness, was broken by the hand of death early in 1883. Two children were born, but one of whom is now living, Bailey, aged seven years. The Doctor is a prominent member of the Episcopal Church, and of the Commandery and Royal Arch Lodge of the A. F. and A. M. Socially, he is as popular and prominent as he is professionall3^

Richard Miles

This venerable old citizen has been a resident of Missouri for over seventy-four years, having been brought to this State when in boyhood by his parents, Josius and Theresa Miles, who came from Kentucky as early as 1810, and settled in St. Louis county. Richard Miles, our subject, was then six years of age, having been born in Nelson county, Ky., February 14, 1804. At the age of twenty-one, or rather in his twenty-first year, on the I8th of October, 1825, he was married to Miss Yates, a daughter of Stephen Yates, and the following vear he removed to Callaway county, where his father-in-law's family had settled in 1820. He lived on Hancock's Prairie, in that county, near his father-in-law, until 1832, when he removed to Monroe county and at what is now known as Shrinkey, on Indian creek. Here he and his good wife have since resided, and have reared their family of children. They still occupy the same house wdiich he built in 1832, but to which additions have been made, and these notes were taken in a large comfortable room, twenty-two feet square and eio-ht feet to the ceiling, built fifty-two years ago, and characteristic of the architecture of those days. At the same time Mr. Miles came here Thomas Vincent and Raphael Yates also came, and Edward Hardesty, who married a Miss Yates, all settling in the same neighborhood. Mrs. Miles' parents, Stephen and Zella (Austin) Yates, came the year following. Thomas Yates is the only one of the settlers of 1832, except Uncle Dick Miles and wife, now living, and he was the only one who never married. The only settlers in this part of the county that preceded these were those who came in 1831, namely : John Thrusher, Robert Lewellin, John Dale, Leonard Green, William Sipple, Fanthroy Dye, Edward Goodnight and Alexander Winsatt, the first four settling above Shrinkey and the last four below Shrinkey. Those who came in 1832 also settled above Shrinkey. Mrs. Miles was born in Washington county, Ky., September 6, 1804, and came with her parents to Missouri in 1818, residing in St. Louis county two years and going thence to Callaway county. It was in St. Louis county that she met her then future husband and there in the wild and weird frontier of civilization, when only the canoe and flatl)oat plied the waters of the Mississippi, a lifetime before the whistle of a locomotive had sounded the bugle note of modern progress, the short, sweet story of their love was told under the wide extending branches of primitive forest trees and there, - two loving hearts were plighted in bonds of enduring devotion that were to bind two lives together through the long journey of life and until the end shall come. They were married, and through the long vista of years that has been measured out since the happy union they are still seen together, each past the age of four-score years, and each crowned with the wreath of honored old age, hair as white as their lives have been spotless, symbolizing the purity and happiness of the home that awaits them beyond the grave. They reared a familv of five children : Josiah, Susanna, Permelia A., Thomas J., and Vincent. Permelia A., is the wife of Hiram Rally, of Ladonnia. Thomas J. lives on the farm, and a niece, Miss Isabelle Miles, a young lady eighteen years of age, of the most faultless embonpoint of person as well as of features, and extremely pleasant and entertaining in conversation, has charge of the household, the affairs of which she conducts with neatness and grace. All the family are members of the Catholic Church. The son, Thomas J., is married and has a worthy fomily of children. He was lieutenant in the Missouri State militia during the war, but was not called into active service, while in that commission, although he had previously seen service and was captured at the fall of Paris, and paroled.

Dr. Adolphus Noland

Dr. Noland, a former educator of superior education and established reputation and a man of marked general culture, has been actively engaged in the practice of the dental profession for the last 15 years, and has risen to a position of prominence in his profession quite in keeping with his high character as a man and his enviable social standing. He is one of the leading surgeons of dentistry in North Missouri, and has an established practice over a large district of country, including several counties, which exceeds in value several thousand dollars annually. A close student of the science of dentistry and having a remarkable natural aptitude for his profession as an art, as well as being a man of advanced, progressive ideas, he keeps fully up with the times and promptly avails himself of all new ideas, methods and improvements evolved in the progress and development of his calling. There are therefore no new processes with which he is not familiar, and he is prepared to do work as scientifically, expe- ditiously and with as little discomfort and inconvenience to the patient as it can be done anywhere in the conntry. Such is his reputation and the importance of his practice, that he makes from 20 to 40 sets of teeth montlily, and while he works on as reasonable terms as any practitioner of established reputation, yet he is sometimes called to furnish patients with teeth in cases so difficult, and requiring so much care and skill, that $500 is considered, in the profession and by all capable of judging, quite a reasonable charge. Successful as a practitioner, Dr. Noland has been not less successful in the accumulation of those substantial evidences of skill and ability in any of the liberal pursuits of life, and is a man in quite easy circumstances, one of the well-to-do property holders, in fact, of Monroe City. He has a handsome home, comfortably and tastily furnished with all the conveniences and needs to be looked for in a family of culture and refinement. Much devoted to general literature as well as to the sciences and other branches of advanced learning, he has provided himself with a handsome library, aggregating several hundred volumes, selected with great care and good judgment. He has several rare and valuable works on archaeology, the study of which he makes something of a specialty, and also has a cabinet of curios in that department of investigation, including one or .more skeletons of the pre-historic mound-builders, taken from ancient mounds of Illinois. In his practice, Dr. Noland has a skillful assistant in the person of Dr. L. B. Brown, who is thoroughly proficient in his profession. Dr. Noland's dental rooms include a handsome suit of parlors, three in number, all elegantly furnished, adjacent to which is a large and well appointed laboratory. Personally, Dr. Noland is a man of prepossessing presence, having a fine form, striking, manly features and a most agreeable address. On the 22d of October, 1874, he was married to Miss Mary E. Ennis, a refined and accomplished daughter of Joshua M. Ennis, Esq., present sheriff of Shelby county. Mrs. Noland is a graduate of the Shelbyville High School, in charge of Prof. ALdkinson, and is a lady of superior suavity and grace of manners, as well as extremely pleasant and instructive in conversation. Dr. Noland was not less fortunate in the selection of a wife in respect of her personal appearance than of her qualities of mind and heart. Three children are the fruits of this singularly appropriate and happy union, Ennis Dixon, Clare Agee, and a baby boy. Another, little Rossie A., an infant of remarkable beauty and promise, is deceased.

The Doctor and Mrs. Noland are members of the M. E. Church South, and the Eastern Star, and he is a member of the A. O. U. W. Dr. Noland early in life recognized in Masonry an institution of the highest moral worth, saving the Christian religion, and at the first opportunity after his majority petitioned Durham Lodge, No. 329,

A. F. & A. M., Illinois grand jurisdiction, and was made a M. M., January 6, A. L. 5856. The R. A. degree was conferred upon him by Monroe City Chapter No. 104, Missouri grand jurisdiction, April 5, 1883. He was knighted by Parsifal Commandery, No. 44, Missouri grand jurisdiction, March 15, 1884. Dr. Noland is a native of Illinois, born in Hancock county, October 22, 1842. His parents were Thomas L. and Nancy D. (Dixon) Noland, his father originally from Maryland, but his mother from Alabama. They were married in Illinois, and the father died there in 1851. The mother is still living. Dr. Noland was educated at the Iowa Academy of Denmark and subsequently had charge of the graded school at Mt. Sterling, Ohio. He then taught in the Carthage Academy of Illinois and was afterwards principal of the Dallas City public schools of that State for two years. He taught two years additionally, and studied dentistry during the last two years' teaching. He came to Missouri in 1870, and practiced the profession at Shelby ville until his removal to Monroe City in 1877.