Montgomery County, Missouri - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1885 (part 2 of 8)

1856. His father was Edward Carter, and his mother, before ne marriage, was a Miss Amelia Morton. The family in Pittsylvania county rank among the best people of that county, and are universally esteemed. In easy circumstances before the war, the devastations of that unhappy strife greatly reduced their fortune. One of its most serious results was to prevent the younger members of the family from securing advanced educations at college. At the early age of 17, William A., the subject of this sketch, started in the world to make his own way in life and went to California, where he took a course of one year, matriculating, from that institution into Washington University, at St. Louis. Subsequently he was a member of a large boot and shoe house in St. Louis where he remained for about two years, obtaining a practical knowledge of the details of mercantile business. In 1879 he went to New Mexico, engaged in stock trading, and followed it with success for about two years. Returning then to Missouri, he located in Montgomery county, where he owns a fine stock farm of 400 acres, near Jonesburg. Here he has

Thomas Casey

Mr. Casey is a native of county Limerick, Ireland, born on the 3lst of July, 1841.- His parents were Patrick and Bridget Casey, both of whose ancestors were long settled in the Emerald Isle beyond the Sea. They had a family of 10 children, all of whom are living and all members of the Catholic Church. Thomas Casey was reared in his native county in Ireland and at the age of 22 came to America, and pushed on out to the town of Seven Walnuts, in Kansas. After a residence there of some two and a half years, he came to Montgomery county, and located at Jonesburg. Here he became section foreman on the Wabash Railroad and has ever since dischar ged the duties of his position efficiently and faithfully, and greatly to the satisfaction of the railway company. Mr. Casey is a man of industry, and with an intelligent regard for economy, so that he has been able to accumulate some property. He has invested his spare means in a good farm, which he now owns, containing 75 acres, well improved. In 1876 he was married to Miss Johanna Moriarty, also formerly of Ireland. They have four children: James, Mary, Thomas and Taresa. Mr. and Mrs. Casey are members of the Catholic Church.

Among the largest landholders of Montgomery county, though never a resident of the county, was Daniel Clare, originally of Virginia, the father of the subject of thissketch. He was of German descent,

'but his ancestors had long been settled in the Old Dominion. He came 'to Missouri by way of Kentucky, i in 1829, and bought land in Lincoln county, an old Spanish grant from the Chouteaus. He had been a soldier in the War of 1812 and received a government land grant in recognition of his services, which he " laid'? on a tract of land in Montgomery county. He also entered and bought large tracts in this county, and at one time owned nearly 2,000 acres. He died on his homestead in Lincoln county, in 1843. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Jane Hansford, a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Hansford, a pioneer Baptist minister of Kentucky, and a friend and companion of Daniel Boone, uniting also the qualities of an Indian fighter with life is given on pp. 602-606 of the '* History of Audrain County " recently issued by the publishers of this work. After his marriage Mr. Clare removed to Montgomery county, and settled on the land which he now owns - a farm of 250 acres, wel] improved, and here he is engaged in raising stock. He also feeds cattle and hogs for the wholesale markets. He and his good wife have seven children, namely: Francis, who died in 1865, at the age of 16 years; William, Alice, the wife of Alexander Jefferson; Sallie, the wife of Dr. Muns; Frank D., Maggie, the wife of Frank Hensley ; Cynthia, and an infant, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Christian Church.

Abraham Davault

Mr. Davault's father, Peter Davault, was one of the early settlers of Montgomery county, Mo. He,and his young wife, Mary (nee Hoss), emigrated from East Tennessee and settled in this county in the fall of 1831. He was a successful farmer, a man of sterling integrity, a well known and highly respected citizen. He died at the home of his adoption in 1872, and his wife in 1883. They were both humble - and consistent Christians, having been converted under the preaching of Rev. Andrew Monroe, in 1835. They had nine children, of whom Abraham, the subject of this sketch, was the second. Abraham was born March 3, 1835, in Montgomery county, Mo. He received a liberal education, and inheriting the characteristics of his father - a desire to do good in an humble way - devoted many years to teaching, with eminent success. Mr. Davault was united in marriage, July 14,.1868, to Miss Medora E. Jones, daughter of Thomas and _ Catharine Jones. Mrs. Davault was for several years in charge of the department of music in Central Female College, Lexington, Mo., and has since held places of distinction. Mr. and Mrs. Davault have had four children, of whom only two are living, Juliet Emma and. Auna Theresa. In 1883 Mr. Davault engaged in the general hard-

David C. Dryden

The Dryden family, wide and favorably known in north-east Missouri, settled in this section of the State in an early day, among the pioneers of the country ; and representatives of the family are found in most of the counties between the two rivers up to the Chariton and in other parts of the State, particularly in St. Louis, Saline county, etc. The branch of the family of which the subject of the present sketch is a representative has been settled in Montgomery county for more than half a century. Mr. Dryden was a son of Judge Nathaniel

Dryden, originally of Virginia. Judge Dryden was reared in Virginia, and wasa gallant soldier from that State in the War of 1812. He was a captain in the army, and led his company with conspicuous bravery in more than one of the hard fought battles of the war. Married in Virginia, he continued to reside there until 1830, when he removed to and settled in Montgomery county, Mo. Here he became a successful farmer and one of the prominent citizens of the county. He served as county judge and held other positions of local prominence, including that of sheriff, etc. One of his sons became a judge of the Supreme Court of the State and a lawyer of eminence. Judge Dryden, the father, was married a second time, his first wife having been taken from him by death. She was a Miss Ellen Laughlin, of Virginia. She left no children at her death. His second wife was a Miss Margaret Craig; by whom he had 13 children, eight now living. Judge Dryden, pere, died on his homestead in this county in 1858, widely and deeply mourned. David C. Dryden, the subject of this sketch and the fifth in Judge Dryden's family of children, was born in Washington county, Va., August 2, 1829. He was, therefore,.in infancy when the family came to Missouri, and was reared in Montgomery county. In 1858 Mr. Dryden (David C.) was married in Warren county to Miss Belle Hutton, a daughter of William Hutton, of that county, but formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Dryden bave one child, Stella N. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Dryden, who was reared a farmer, has followed that occupation continuously from boyhood. He has a neat farm in section 28, where he resides.

Ninian M. Edwards

Mr. Edward's father, John Edwards, was one of the early business men of St. Louis, and was engaged in the grocery trade there until his death. He died during the small-pox epidemic of 1836, of that 'dread disease. He was from Virginia to St. Louis, but was married at the latter place. His wife's maiden name was Miss Catharine Hoss. She was originally of Maryland. They had but one child, the subject of this sketch. The mother afterwards married Joseph Denoe and the family removed to Monroe county, Ill., where Ninian was reared. He was the only child of the family and was brought up to the occupation of a miller, and afterwards followed farming for some years. In 1852, having come to Montgomery county in the meantime in - 1852, he engaged in farming in this county, and has ever since followed that occupation. In 1854, Mr. Edwards was married to Miss Lucy A. Skinner, a daughter of Francis and Lucy Skinner, of this county. Ten children have been born of this union, eight of whom are living, namely: Annie E., Felitita J., Francis H., Sylvanus W., Lucy M., Robert N., Thomas H., Julia W. F., Sallie L., Lola L. Mr. and Mrs. E. are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Edwards has a good farm of over 200 acres, situated in section 30, near Jonesburg.

Francis M. Ellis

Mr. Ellis' father, Benj. Ellis, was one of the pioneer settlers of Montgomery county, or rather his parents were early settlers here, having come to this county from Tennessee as early as 1818. Benj. Ellis was married in this county on the 30th of May, 1829, to Miss Catharine McGarvin, formerly of Ohio. In 1858 they removed to Callaway county, where they made their permanent home. Mrs. Catharine Ellis died there July 20, 1881, and Benjamin, her husband, died August 24, 1881. They had a family of three children: Francis M., Sarah A. and Elizabeth C., all of whom are living. Francis M-> Ellis, the subject of this sketch, was born on his father's homestead in

Leach, daughter of Regin and Catharine Leach of this county. His wife died October 5, 1861, just 21 months from date of marriage. At that time the great Civil War was raging, which perhaps caused him to remain a widower until January 25, 1866, when he was married again to Miss Matilda E. Leach, youngest sister of his first wife. They have four children: Harmar, Jewett P., Rosa Lee and Benj. R. _ He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. E.. has been continuously engaged in farming since previous to first marriage; he has a well improved prairie farm, in section 19, township 48, range 4 west, two miles due east of New Florence, wehaee can. be found some as fine colts and pigs as Montgomery county affords. In fact Mr. E. has done more towards the improvement of draft horses than any man in the county.

This old and respected citizen of Bear creek township, has been residing on the farm whete he now lives for over 25 years. His tract of land contains 330 acres, 300 of which are fenced and ina good condition of improvement. Hes is a native of New York, born in Schuyler county, February 24, 1819. His father was Abraham Fleet, formerly of New Jersey, and his mother's maiden name Elizabeth Wood, her parents also being from New Jersey. Mr. Fleet was reared in New York, and in 1843 was married to Miss Rachel Boyce, of New York, but of an old New Jersey family, a daughter of Leonard Boyce. In 1856 he removed to Ohio and two} years "later came to Missouri,

3 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 731 farmers of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Fleet have had five children: Samuel H., who died February 27, 1884, in the forty-first year of his age; Alice, the wife of C. C. McCarty ; Susie E., who died at an early age ; Addie, the wife of A. M. Kibler, and Amy.

Dr. Foreman graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, in the class of 1851-52, and at once engaged in the practice of his profession in Jefferson county, Va., where he was born and had been reared. He had received an excellent general education, and afterwards took a thorough preparatory course of study under an able and successful physician of Jefferson county before entering the medical college. His first term of lectures was attended at the medical department of the University of Virginia. He went to Philadelphia, however, to take a second term at the well known Jefferson Medical College. Possessed of a marked natural aptitude for the medical profession, and having qualified himself so thoroughly for the intelligent discharge of his duties as a physician, his success in the practice was assured from the beginning. Believing that this section of North Missouri afforded better opportunities for the useful and successful expenditure of his energies and talents as a physician than could be had in Virginia, he came West in 1853 and located in Montgomery county, where he has ever since been busily engaged with the duties of his calling. For over 30 years he has visited the sick and administered to the suffering in this vicinity of Montgomery county, and has become widely known as an able and successful physician, and has an established practice that could be separated from him only by his death or removal. Dr. Foreman is greatly esteemed in this community, and well he may be, for his life has been one of value to the the Old Dominion by nativity, born in Jefferson county, April 13, 1829. He was one in a family of 14 children, five of whom are living. His father, Jacob Foreman, died in Hickory county, Mo., in 1876. His grandfather was a Revolutionary patriot, and was with Washington through the struggle for independence. After the war he settled in the Shenandoah "valley, from whence the family scattered. J. M.'s mother, who was a Miss Eliza Locke, died in 1862. She was of one of the oldest and most noted families of Virginia. In youth, or when about 17 years of age, Dr. Foreman studied civil engineering, but from that atterwards turned his attention to the medipal profession. He was married in Lincoln county, Mo., in 1853, to Miss Rachel M. Dyer, a daughter of David Dyer, formerly of Virginia. The Doctor has been a member of the American Medical Association for many years, and is one of, the five physicians who organized, and is now President of the Linton District Medical Association, one of the most promising societies in the State; the present inventor of the ''sand box'"' for the treatment of fracture of the lower extremities, and is the author of numerous monographie articles on medicine and surgery.

John Gardner

Throughout the eastern part of the county Mr. Gardner has long been known as one of the leading farmers and stockmen of his vicinity. He came to Montgomery county in 1857, where he bought land and improved a farm. A man of industry, energy and good business qualifications, he has accumulated a large property, principally in land and stock. Notwithstanding he has set off to his children some 600 acres of land, he still has over 1, 400 acres in his own name, all fenced and in a good state of improvement. Besides raising grain and grass on an extensive scale, he also raises large numbers oe "stock, and has an excellent grade of short-horn cattle on his place.. Mr. Gardner also buys and ships stock to the wholesale markets. He is a Kentuckian by nativity, born in Garrard county, December 19,1829. Reared in his native county, he was brought up a farmer, and in 1851 was married to Miss Lucy A., a daughter of William and Barbara Pearl, formerly of Lincoln county, Ky., but later of this State and now deceased ; she was born November 2,1834. Some-six years after his marriage, Mr. - Gardner continued to reside in Kentucky ; he then removed to Missouri and settled in Montgomery county. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have nine children: William I., James H., Azariah W., Barbara E., Matilda L., Mary E., Virginia L. and Lucy S. Two others, John T. and Annie, are decéased. James, Barbara, Matilda and Mary are married and reside in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are members of the Christian Church. Wm. I. Gardner is also an extensive buyer and feeder and shipper of cattle. He owns 1,000 acres of land.

Henry M. Godfrey

Mr. Godfrey was born in Montgomery county June 19, 1839, and is a son of George Godfrey, a native of England, who came to America in 1834, and after a residence of three years located at Jonesburg, where he established a blacksmith shop and also followed farming near by. Mr. Godfrey, Sr., is still living and is now in the eighty-sixth year of his age. His wife (now deceased) was a Miss Mary Ostick, of England, "and they were married on the other side of the Atlantic. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom. are living, all grown to years of maturity and most of them the heads of families themselves. Henry M. was the seventh in their family, and Was reared to the blacksmith's trade. After working under his father for some years, he then established a shop of his own, and a> number of years ago engaged, also, in the manufacture of agricultural implements have a good sale. January 29, 1863, Mr. 'Godfrey was married to Miss Rachel Thomas, a daughter of John Thomas, of this county. His first wife survived her marriage about 10 years and prior to her death had borne him four children, but one of whom is living, Lee. To his present wife Mr. Godfrey was married in 1875. She was a Miss Hattie McClure, a daughter of Philemon McClure, of this county. They have had four children, but only two are living: Emma M. and Edward E. Mr. and Mrs. G are members of the M. E. Church South.

Hugh G. Goodrich

Mr. Goodrich's father, Robert Goodrich, has been a resident of Montgomery county for 30 years, and is still living on his farm, 12 miles south-west of Jonesburg, one of the worthy and highly respected citizens of Danville township, where he has a good farm. He is a Virginian by nativity, and came to Missouri over half a century ago. He first located in Monroe county, where he resided for nearly 25 years. From there he came to Montgomery county in 1854, where he has made his home ever since. His wife's maiden name was Miss Margaret E. Hart, also originally of Virginia. They became the parents of 14 children, three of whom died in infancy and 11 are still living. Hugh G. Goodrich was the second in their family of children, and was born in Monroe county September 29, 1852. He was therefore principally brought up in Montgomery county, and was reared on his father's farm. His primary education was received in the district schools, and subsequently he took a course at the State Normal School in Kirksville, and also a course at the State University. Mr. Goodrich followed the occupation of teaching with success for some eight years, and became widely and favorably known as a teacher in Mont- -gomery and neighboring counties. Desiring, however, to engage in a more active life, in 1883 he became a par tner with Mr. Logan in the milling business, in which he bas since continued with satisfi uctory success. Their mill does a general custom business in flogr and meal, and also has a good sawing 'patronage. October 8, 1882, Mr. Goodrich was married to Miss Lizzie Loens, daughter of Moritzand Bertha Loens.. Mrs. Goodrich survived her marriage, however, less than two years, dying March 28, 1884. She left him one child, Loens. She was for 20 years a consistent and exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church, and died as she had lived - a true Christian.

Harrison K. Goram

.Mr. Goram is a native of the Old Dominion, a son of Harrison Goram, Sr., and wife, nee Mary Kelley, both of old Virginia families. They had but two children, of whom Harrison K. is the only one living. He was born in Fairfax county April 8, 1807, and was reared in his native county. His father, who served in the War of 1812, was a wagon-maker by trade, and to this occupation Harrison K. was brought t up.' "fhe father died, however, while in the army, during the War of 1812. Reared in his native county, he then came to Missouri and located, first, in St. Louis county. A year or two later he came up to St. Ghiubles county, where he followed his trade, and in 1852 settled in Montgomery county, where he engaged in farming. Here he continued to follow the occupation of a farmer, and a few years ago retired from active work on the farm. He is now a resident of Jonesburg. Mr. Goram has been married twice. To his first wife, Miss Nancy Locke, he was married in Jefferson county, Va. She was a daughter of John Locke. She bore Mr. Goram seven children, only two of whom are living: Asbury We the subject of the next sketch, and Harrison M. She died in 1858. Mr. Goram's second wife was a widow lady, Mrs. Evan Pitman, and to her he was married on the 19th of January, 1862. She died August 19, 1863. Mr. Goram is a man whose life has been one to which as little blame has attached as seldom falls to the lot of men in this world, and now in his old age he has the respect that is due such lives.

Aspury W. Goram, the eldest son living of Harrison K. Goram, | was bornand reared on his father' s farm ; growing up on which he acquired the taste for farm life, and particularly fair handling stock, which influenced him to adopt these pursuits as his permanent. calling in life. He has, therefore, ever since been engaged in agricultural life, especially in the stock business. In 1858, however, he went to Colorado, where he was employed for a short time in mining; but returning in a little while he resumed his favorite pursuit. In 1871, in addition to his stock business, he became a member of the mereantile firm of Beagle & Goram at Jonesburg; but he is still handling stock, and has the name of being one of the best judges of stock in this part of the county. In 1865 Mr. Goram was married to Miss Elizabeth King, a daughter of Isaac King of this county. Mr. and Mrs. G. have Doan blessed with eight childr en, six of whom are living: Greene, M&tie N., Mamie, Georgia, Locke and Florence. Mr. and Mrs. G. dre sheribere of the M. E. Church.

Daniel R. Howell

Young and Christian Howell came to Missouri from Kentucky, in 1830, and settled in Lincoln county, where they made their permanent home and reared their family of 10 children. Daniel R., who was the eighth child (seven older and two younger) in their family, was born on the farm in Lincoln county, December 2, 1848, and received an ordinary district' school education as he grew up. At the age of 21 he engaged in mercantile business at New Florence, in this - county, where he continued for about 10 years. He then Loca at Price's Branch, and has been at his present location ever since.' For a time he was a member of the firm of Howell & Purl which carries an excellent stock of general merchandise and does a good business. Early in 1882, however, he sold out his interest in the store and engaged in handling the stock. He is now postmaster at Price's Branch and is still carrying on the business of the store He also has 20 acres of good land near this place, which is improved and in cultivation. November 24, 1880, Mr. Howell was married to Miss Ada R., a daughter of John H. and Mary Parl, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. H. have two children: John. A. and Henry M. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is « superintendent of the Sunday-school at this place. Mr. Howell is an active member of the A. F. and A. M.

John Jackson

Mr. Jackson is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Fayette county, December 11,1818. His parents were James and Mary (Hurrystone) Jackson, his father a native of Virginia, but his mother originally of Ireland. They had a family of seven chileren, two of whom are living. The father was a farmer by occupation, and both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. John Jackson was the fourth child in their family, and when quite a young man learned the carpenter's trade. .In 1851 he was married at Pittsburg, Pa., to Miss Elvira Chalfant, a daughter of David and Eliza Chalfant. Mr. Jackson continued to reside in Pennsylvania until 1852, when he came to St. Charles county, Mo. From there he subsequently removed to Warren county, and after a residence of several years in the latter county, he came to Montgomery county, where he has ever since resided. An experienced and skillful carpenter, he followed contracting and building in this county for many years, and during this time

_ put up some of the best houses in this part of the county. On the 25th of February, 1882, Mr. Jackson lost his wife by death. They had been married for 36 years, and her death was the heaviest bereavement that could have befallen her sorrowing husband in this life of partings and sore trials. She had borne him six children, five of whom are living: Lewis, William, George, Anna and Jennie. Mr. Jackson had previously been married, but his first wife, a Miss Mary Danks, lived only four years. He has one child by his former union, Mary E.; another is deceased.

Thomas B. Jones

Mr. Jones, who was educated with a view of becoming a professional educator, took a thorough course in the excellent schools of St. Louis, where he was reared, and immediately thereafter entered upon over to this country while yet young and unmarried. They met in New Jersey and were married in 1836. The father was a mechanic by occupation, and had come to America the year before his marriage. The family resided in New Jersey for 20 years, and Thomas B., the subject of this sketch, was born there, in Morris county, December 12, 1848. In 1856 the family removed to St. Louis. After a residence of seven years in that city they went to Cleveland, Ohio, but nine years afterwards they returned to Missouri and loeated in Montgomery county. However, the parents and younger children went back to St. Louis in 1875. The father died there the year following. There were six children, but two of them are deceased. The father was a member of the Episcopal Church, as was also the mother. Thomas B. Jones has been a resident of Montgomery county for over 10 years. He has been continuously engaged in teaching, and has an enviable reputation in his chosen profession, looking more to substantial results in the way of impart- .

Dr. Jones was a son of the man who was the founder of Jonesburg. He came here in 1829 and located on the site of this place. In North Carolina Mr. Jones, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, and he was engaged in that pursuit for some time after his removal to Missouri. However, here he became interested in business and after building up the North Missouri Railroad became ticket agent at this place. Dr. Jones' mother was a Miss Julia A. Cant before her marriage, formerly of Kentucky. The Doctor's parents had a family of eight children, all of whom are living. The father died November 2, 1882, but the mother still survives. Dr. Jones was born at Jonesburg, March 29, 1856. His education was concluded at the Central College, in Fayette, Howard county, where he took a course of three years. He then devoting about a year to that branch of medical science. In 1877 he: began the regular study of medicine under Dr. H. W. Pittman, and after instruction under him matriculated at the St. Louis Medical College, which he attended two terms, graduating in the class of 780. Dr. Jones thereupon returned to Jonesburg 'and entered upon the practice of his profession. He has: built up a good practice and is regarded as askillfuland successful physician, having every promise of an honorable and useful future in his profession, and in all the affairs. of life with which he becomes identified.

as a volunteer in the Southern service. He entered the Tennessee cavalry regiment and served with courage and fidelity until the close of the war: Among other engagements of note in which he took part were the battles of Nashville and Franklin, Tennessee. He had been born and reared in Kentucky, and after the,close of the war returned to his native county, Warren. He remained in Warren county, Ky., until coming to Missouri, when he settled in Montgomery county. On the 24th of December, 1874, he was married to Miss Martha Brown, a daughter of A. E. Brown, of this county. Three children have been born to them: Mary J., Forest, and one now deceased. Mr. Kimble has followed farming from boyhood and is still actively engaged in that pursuit. He has a place of 80 acres, well improved. ~Mr. Kimble was born in Warren county, Ky., July 18,

1849, and was a son of A. C. and Miss A. (Moore) Kimble. "Both parents are natives'of Kentucky. Mr. Kimble in 1881 was elected a justice of the peace and is still an incumbent of that office.

Felix G. Logan

Mr. Logan's father, William Logan, was a contemporary with the Boones, Cooper, Callaways and others, in the early settlement of Missouri. He came to this State in 1816 and settled in Warren county, when there were hardly more than a dozen counties in the State, and several of those were gréater in extent than some of the New England States. The country was, indeed, a wilderness, and while the settlers usually endeavored to live in groups for mutual help and protection, these settlements were generally miles and miles apart, often a day's journey or two. From such a condition as this, two generations, father and son, have lived to see the country transformed into one of the fairest and most prosperous commonweuaths in the galaxy of American States. The father, who had been a galiant soldier in the War of 1812, lived to a ripe old age in Warren county, and was at last laid to restin 1852. He was originally from Fleming county, Ky., where also, his wife, who was a Miss Nancy Hobbs, was born and reared, She died in 1880. They had a family of 12 children, of whom six are living. Felix G. was born on the family homestead in Warren county, May 2, 1831, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He engaged in the milling business, however, about the close of the war in 1865. On the 21st of August, 1862, he was married to Miss Emma Maloy, a daughter of Wm. Maloy, of New York State. The milling. business has constituted Mr. Logan's s principal occupation for a number of years past. He has for some time been engaged in this branch of business at Jonesburg, and is now a member of the firm of Logan & Goodrich, proprietors of the Jonesburg flouring, erist and saw mills. In 1873 Mr. Logan had the misfortune to lose his first wife. She had borne him four children, two of whom preceded her in death; the others are: Abner B. and Mary C. Mr. Logan's present wife was a Miss Eva Logan before her marriage, a daughter of Christopher Logan. They have three children, two of whom are dead and one is living, Romie F. Mr. L. has a neat tract of land in section 23, township 47, range 5; he also has some valuable town property at this place.

John W. Mason

Mr. Mason, one of the well known and popular citizens of the county, is a native Missourian, born in Warren county, February 28, 1853. His father was Albert G. Mason, an old and respected citizen ~ of that county, but now long since deceased. Mr. Mason's mother before her marriage was a Miss Sarah A. Dyer, and of the well known Dyer family of North-east Missouri. She was originally from Virginia, but his father was from Kentucky. John W. was' reared in Warren county and brought up a farmer. He received a good common school education, also had the benefit of a term at the Warrenton Academy and of a nine months' course at McGee College. He then engaged in teaching and taught for about eight years. Meanwhile he had also been farming during cropping seasons and on the 3d of September, 1872, he was married to Miss Jennie, the youngest daughter of George W. Owens, an early settler of Warren county from Kentucky. Mr. Mason continued farming in that county until 1877, when, having bought land in Montgomery county he removed to this county, where he has ever since resided. Here he has a neat farm substantially and comfortably improved. In 1882 he was nominated for, and elected to the office of county assessor, and he is now making his second assessment of the county. Mr. Mason has made an efficient and capable assessor and is universally pepular both in his own party and among Republicans. Mr. and Mrs. M. have four children: Mary M., Effie C., Dora B. and John W. Albert, a promising boy aged 7 years, and the eldest in the family of children, died September 24, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Mason are members of the Baptist Church, and he is a member - ofthe I..0.0. Fy '

John G. Miller

September 3, 1838, was the date of Mr. Miller's birth, and St. Charles county, Mo., the stéws accouchement. His parents were Fleming and Susan (McKay) Miller, his father originally of Virginia, as was also his mother. They had a family of nine children, four of whom are living. The father came to St. Charles county in an early day. John G. Miller was reared on his father's farm, and continued to reside in St. Charles county until 1883, when, having married in the meantime, he removed with his family to Montgomery county, and settled on the place where he now resides, which is stocked with a - good grade of cattle and: other farm animals. In 1880, Mr. Miller > was married to Miss Orlena S. Cottle, a daughter of Ora and Elizaae : (also ae ein beth Cottle, of 'St. Charles county. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children.: Fleming E. and Enoch M. Mr. M. is a member of the M. E. Church and his wife of the Christian Church.

Mr. Millikan, an energetic farmer and respected citizen of Bear Creek township, came from Kentucky to this State, but is a native of Tennessee. He was born in Grainger county, Tenn., January 19, 1825. His parents, George and Elizabeth (Coffman) Millikan, were both born and reared in Tennessee, where they were married and lived until their death. They had nine children, four of whom are living, and both parents were members of the Baptist Church. The father was a farmer by occupation, and William B. was reared in Tennessee to that calling. In 1847 he was married in Jeffersen county, Tenn., to Miss Emilie Walker, a daughter of James Walker, and four years later he removed to Crittenden county, Ky. He resided in that county for over 20 years, and came thence to Missouri in 1870. Here he located in Montgomery county, but in 1871 went to St. Clair county, this State, returning, however, the same year. He has been residing on the farm where he now lives since 1872. His place contains 314 acres, and is substantially improved. Mr.and Mrs. Millikan have had 11 children. Seven of their children are living, namely: John A., Sarah A., George R., Jehu T., Theodrick R., James H., Matilda J. and Isham W. Both parents are members of the Baptist Church.

Henry Morgan

(Farmer, Post-office, Jonesburg). a ~ Mr. Morgawis a native of Wales, born near Neath, Gleamorganshire, on March 27, 1850, and a son of William and Mary (Williams) Morgan, the ancestry of both of whom were settled in that country for unknown generations. Mr. Morgan's parents became converts to the faith of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormon Church, and when he was quite a youth they came to America. Whatever may be thought of this sect or its creed by the generality of men of the present generation, it is certainly held in no greater disfavor than was the religion of Jesus Christ in His day. So far as testimony that would be received in any ordinary court of _ justice is concerned, the Book of Mormon stands on a good footing. David Whitmer, a venerable and highly esteemed citizen of Richmond, in Ray county, Mo., a man whose word would be as readily received and believed in any court of justice as that of any living man, and who is.as far from a polygamist in faith and practice as was Joseph Smith . himself, is a living witness to the genuineness and divine inspiration of the Book of Mormon. The following is the sworn testimony of this venerable and honest old man, given half a century ago, which he confirmed only a few days since in the most solemn.manner in the presence of witnesses, tottering on the brink of the grave, as it were, almost in the very presence of death, and knowing that he has but a little while longer to live: -

Testimony

"¢ Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people unto whom this work shall come, that we, through the grace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of Nephi; and also of the Canaanites, their brethren; and also of the people of Jared, who came from the towns of which hath been spoken; and we also know that they have been translated by the gift and power of God, for His voice hath declared it unto us; wherefore we know of a surety that the work is true; and He also testifies that we have seen the engravings which are upon the plates, and they have been shown unto us by the power of God, and not of man. And we declare with words of soberness thit an angel of God came down from heaven, and he brought and laid before our eyes, that we beheld and saw the plates and the engravings thereon; aud we know that itis by the grace of God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that we beheld and bear record that these things are true, and it is marvelous in our eyes. Nevertheless, the voice of the Lord commanded us that we should bear record of it; wherefore, to be obedient under the commandments.of God, we bear testimony of these things, and we know that if we are faithful in Christ we shall rid our garments of the blood of all men and be found spotless before the judgment seat of Christ and dwell with Him eternally in the heavens; and the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen!

The plates, or hieroglyphics, themselves, were submitted to both Profs. Mitchell and Anthon, of New York, eminent Oriental scholars, who pronounced them genuine reformed Egyptian and Hebrew characters, and the original manuscripts from these Mr. Whitmer still holds in his possession, and always open for inspection. Certainly these testimonies combined will compare favorably with that of any of the early Christian councils that passed on the genuineness of the original Scriptures. Mr. Morgan's parents accepted the evidence of the genuineness of the Book of Mormon, and in the face of the testimony above given who can be surprised? Mr. Morgan himself, young, where his father now resides. Farming has been his occupation from an early age, and he and his brother Phillip have a good | place of 160 acres. He is one of the industrious farmers and well respected citizens of Bear Creek township. "i

Mr. Muns, Sr. (George T.), is a native of New York, born in ; Niagara county, July 16, 1834. _He wasa son of Hard and Elizabeth ¥ (Botting ) Muns, both originally from England. The father came to - sides at an advanced age, but, nevertheless, well preserved and active. He is an iron founder by trade and followed that in New York for many years, and up to the time of his retirement from the active reared in New York State, and in youth learned the wagon-maker's trade, which he followed for some seven years. In 1854 he was married to Miss Alta Doolittle, a daughter of Samuel Doolittle, and of an old and respected New York family. In 1861, on the outbreak of the war, Mr. Muns (George T.) promptly enlisted for the service of his country in the Union army. He was out for three years, under Gen McClellan most of the time, and during his term of service took part in some 27 battles, principally those in Virginia. After the expiration of his term of enlistment he was honorably discharged and returned home to New York. While in the army, however, by his merits and bravery as a soldier, he was promoted from time to time until he rose to the position of second lieutenant. Mr. Muns continued to reside in New York State after the war until 1868, when he came to Missouri and settled on the farm where he now resides. Here he has a neat place and is pleasantly situated. Mr. and Mrs. Muns have had five children: George E., Elizabeth, who died in girlhood, Virginia E., Florence L. and Charles H. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

Dr. Grorce E. Mons, the eldest in his father's family of five children, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., on the 20th of February, 1856, and was therefore 12 years of age when the family removed to

Missouri. He was educated at the high school of Prichett's Institute, in Glasgow, Mo., and subsequently read medicine under Dr. McLelan, a leading physician of this county. In 1878 he entered the medical department of the State University, at Columbia, where he took a thorough course of two terms and graduated with distinction in 1880. He then located at Gamma and engaged in the practice of medicine, where he has ever since been occunied with his profession and with excellent success. He has built up a good practice and has an enviable and steadily increasing reputation as a physician. In 1882 he was married to Miss Sallie Clare, an estimable and refined daugh-

_ter of Walden G. Clare, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. One child has been born to them, a son. As a student at medical college, it is worthy to be remarked, Dr. Muns stood at the head of his class, and was awarded its highest honor, the delivery of the valedictory.

Martin D. Puckett

For over 19 years Mr. Puckett has been a resident of Montgomery county, contributing by his industry and intelligence to its growth and development, and to its general advancement. Mr. Puckett was a sheriff, and some other positions of local consideration. Mr. Puckett - was born in Highland county, O., November 4, 1817. He was a son of Nathan G. and Anna Bell Puckett, his father originally of Kentucky, but his mother formerly of } Maryland. They came to Highland county, O., in 1802, and were among the pioneers of that county. Martin D. Puckett was reared a farmer, and also learned the carpenter's trade. February 4, 1860, he was married to Miss Nannie Florence, a daughter of Rien es Peres This union has been blessed with four children, three of whom are living: Albie, Mary H. and William. Richard O. died October 22, 1882. After his marriage in Ohio, Mr. Puckett continued to reside in Highland county until 1865 when he removed to Missouri and settled in Montgomery county. Here he bought land and engaged in farming, and his homestead now contains 200 acres and is substantially improved. He also has over - 200 acres of good land in other tracts, about 120 acres being in Warren county. Mrs. P. isa member of the Christian Church.

Taylor Purl

For some 13 years consecutively preceding 1883, Mr. Purl was engaged in merchandising at Jonesburg, and with excellent success, But in 1883 he found it convenient and advantageous to gratify an inclination long had for engaging in farming and stock-raising. Having previously bought a fine farm near Jonesburg, he retired from merchandising and located on his farm. There he has ever since been actively engaged in carrying on his place. Mr. Purl has 420 acres of land, all well improved and especially well adapted to stock raising, wich branch of industry he is making his leading interest, and therefore is stocking his farm with a good grade of cattle and other farm animals. He is a native of Indiana, born in- Wayne county, near Centreville, October 1, 1848. He was reared © to the occupation of a farmer in that county, and near Carrollton, IIl., and also had some experience in mercantile life. In 1867 he came to Missouri, and has since made his permanent home in this State. On the 10th of March, 1869, he was married to Miss Mattie Ella Camp, :a daughter of Hiram H. Camp, of -this county. The next year after his marriage Mr. Purl engaged in merchandising at Jonesburg, which he continued until 1883. He and wife have had a family of three children, but only one is living. Mrs. Purl is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Purl has some valuable town property in Jonesburg, and is highly respected in the community as an upright man and valued citizen. His father, Thomas C. Purl, who was orig- - inally from Pennsylvania, now resides at Carrollton, Ill. Hehas been - twice married. His first wife (Mr. Purl's mother) died in T851. - He was married to his second wife in 1854. She was a Miss Jones, -

Nirvim Richards

Mr. Richards' farms contains 116 acres, and he has been residing on his present place for a long time. He is an energetic farmer, and contributes his full share to the agricultural development of this part of the county. Mr. Richards came originally from Pennsylvania, but resided for a number of years in Ohio, where he was married. He was born in Lancaster county, Pa., October 30, 1830, and his father was Godfrey Richards, who was by trade a blacksmith, and also followed the occupation of farming. He finally removed to Williams county, O., where he died in 1854. Mr. Richard's mother was named Beshebe Adams before her marriage, and was born and reared in Pennsylvania. They hada family of 10 children. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. Nirvim Richards came out to Ohio with the family in 1854, and in 1865 came to Missouri, locating first in Warren county. Three years later he came to Montgomery county, where he has since resided and been engaged in farming. In 1863 he was married in Ohio to Miss Jane Bagley, a daughter of Alexander Bagley, of Williams county. Mr. and Mrs. R. have five children: Frank M., Viola L., Ada L., Walter W. and Arthur H. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

Mr. Rixey came to Jonesburg and engaged in his present line of business at this place in 1870, and has since met with good success. He has increased his stock from time to time, as his increase of trade justified, until he now has one of the representative business houses of this part of the county, and being accommodating and obliging and perfectly fair in all his dealings, he has the qualities and characteristics of a successful business career. Mr. Rixey is a native of the Old Dominion, born in Culpeper county, September 28, 1848. His parents were Charles W. and Fannie (Settles) Rixey, both also natives of Virginia. William J. was the eldest in their family of ten children, and was reared in Culpeper county. In 1869 he came to Missouri and engaged in mercantile business in Audrain county. While there he was married May 25, 1870, to Miss Mary C. Harper,

The branch of the Rodgers family of which the subjects of the present sketch are representatives, settled originally from England in Maryland. Parker Rodgers' parents, William'R. and Pearlie (Harness) Rodgers, were both natives of the Chesapeake Bay State, and during the latter part of the seventeenth century removed to Pennsylvania. Parker Rodgers was born in the latter State, September 22, 1807. Later along the family removed to Indiana, where the father died in 1847, and the mother in 1856. They settled in Indiana in 1817, where they reared a family of ten children, or rather, but two of their family of ten children are living. Parker Rodgers, the sixth in the family, was reared in Indiana, and was married there to Miss Hannah Blue. In 1854 he came to Missouri and located in Montgomery county. Here he bought the farm where he now resides, an excellent place of 700 acres. Mr. Rodgers is one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of this part of the county, and one of the highly respected citizens of the community. His wife died in 1875. She had borne him thirteen children, of whom three died in infancy, and only six are now living.

James K. Ropamrs, the tenth in bis father's family of children, was born in Indiana, January 1, 1845. He was eight years of age when his parents came to Missouri, in 1853. In 1858 he went to Colorado and was engaged in mining out there for three years. Returning, he was engaged in farming at home until 1864, when he enlisted in the Union service under Gen. Ward, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Spanish Fort, in Alabama, and in some other engagements of less importance. He resumed farming on his return home, and has followed it ever since with good success. In 1873 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hall, a daughter of Benjamin Hall, formerly of Indiana. They have four children: Parker B., Ettie, Mabel and an infant. Mr. Rodgers has a place of 260 acres, all Hive 20 of which are in his home fact! and his farm is well improved.

Mahlon Rohrer

Mr. Rohrer was fifth in a family of 14 children, seven now living, of John R. and Susan Rohrer, bis father of Goren extraction and his mother of Irish parentage. The father was a successful manufacturer of woolen goods, and Mahlon was brought up to that occupation, learning the trade thoroughly in his father's woolen factory. In 1847 he was married to Miss Mahala Lesueur, a young lady of German descent. Five years after his marriage Mr. Rohrer removed to Ohio, in which State he resided some seventeen years. In 1869 he came to Missouri and settled in Montgomery county. Mr. Rohrer has made farming his occupation for many years, and owns a good farm of 380 acres in this county, besides some other real estate. Mr. and Mrs. R. have had nine children: Mary M., wife of Joseph Early ; Susie, wife of Ely Younce; Laura, wife of W. Cope; Katie, wife of B. Ball, and Charley. The others are deceased. Mr. Rohrer is highly respected in the neighborhood where he resides. He is a kind and accommodating neighbor, and a generous, hospitable man, and still holds fast to the old-fashioned ideas of keeping open house to his friends and to all who pass his way. Humanity, the deeds of neighborly kindness and the generous help of our fellow-creatures - all to assist each other along 'whenever and wherever we can, these he believes to be most worthy of a good man's thought and effort. In the language of Dr. Knox, one 'of the greatest 'theologians of England, he believes that: '*The idea which Christianity he as suggested of the relation in which men stand to each other, is wonderfully adapted to promote universal hospitality."' * * * He isa Universalist by faith, believing that Christ accomplished what he came for. He was one of the first Abolitionists in the country.

John W. Schowengerdt

Mr. Schowengerdt, one of the leading agriculturists of Bear Creek township, and one of its most progressive and prominent citizens, is a son of Ernst Schowengerdt, an old and wealthy citizen of Warren county, a large land holder in that county and Moutgomery, and a leading merchant at Warrenton. John W. Schowengerdt, the subject of this sketch, was born on the old family homestead, on Dry Fork creek, September 6, 1845. He was reared on the farm and given a good common school education in the neighborhood schools. After he had grown up, in about 1867, his father having engaged in merchandising at Warrenton, he became his father's partner in business, and so continued fora period of fourteen years. But the close confinement necessary in retail merchandising proved seriously detrimental to his health, and he was compelled to quit the business on that account. He therefore resumed farming, locating in Montgomery county, on his present farm. Here he has been very successful, and for some years has held a prominent position among the leading farmers of the county. He has a fine prairie farm of 480 acres, and besides this he also runs his father's large farm in Montgomery county of 500-acres. In caring for his large crops he runs two binders and two mowers through the harvesting season and requires a large amount of other farm machinery on the two places. His mercantile experience made him a thorough business man, and having been reared on a farm, which he has followed successfully in later years, he combines in his character and qualifications the requisites to more than an ordinary degree of a successful business farmer. In 1873 Mr. Schow-

Rro Lot James E. Sharp

The branch of the Sharp family of Montgomery county, of which the subject of the present. sketch is a representative, came originally from Bedford county, Va., in the year 1838. Mr. Sharp was born in that county July 28, 1823, and when he was quite young was brought to Missouri by his parents, Capt. John Sharp and wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Cruse. They settled in Montgomery county. Capt. Sharp was twice married. His second wife's maiden name was Margaret Jeter, and she was also from Bedford county, Va. Capt. Sharp was captain of a company in old muster days, and was a man of some local consideration and prominence. He was a successful farmer and well-to-do citizen, and died in this county in 1866, and at the time of his death was in the mercantile business at High Hill. James E. Sharp was reared a farmer by his father, and when he was 27 years of age, in 1850, was married to Miss Margaret A. Sharp, a daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Sharp, also originally of Virginia. James E. Sharp and. wife have been blessed with eleven children. Seven are living: Edward W., Frances, Minnie, Julia, Jane, Kate and Dock. Albert, Henry, Florence and Douglass are deceased. Mr. Sharp has a neat farm of 120 acres.

William J. Skinner

Mr. Skinner's father, Francis Skinner, was one of the. pioneer settlers of Montgomery county. He was from Fauquier county, Va., born May 22, 1794, and was married there October 22, 1818, to Miss Lucy A. Jasper. Two years later he came with his family to Missouri and settled in Montgomery county when the country was yet a territory. Here he died April 26, 1876, and at the age of 82. He was. one of the sterling old pioneers of the county, a citizen widely known | and profoundly. respected by all. He and Kis good wife reared a family of seven children: Robert, John J., William J., Elizabeth, - Sarah and Lucy A., all of whom became heads of families themselves. William J. Skinner was born on his father's homestead in this county - May 31, 1824, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer. He was brought up to know about and not to fear hard work ; but better than this, he was taught by the precepts and examples of his honored old father that only by unremitting industry, united with economy and good management, can one hope to prosper honestly in the affairs of life. He has succeeded in becoming one of the well-to-do farmers of the county, and all he has is the fruit of hard work. He has always - handled stock more or less, and has had good success in this line. of - industry. Mr. Skinner has an excellent farm of 320 acress, all well improved. He also has some town property at Jonesburg. On the 26th of March, 1846, Mr. Skinner was married to Miss Melvina J. Pennington, a daughter of Joseph and Letitia B. Pennington. Hight children uae followed this union, of whem six are living : Mars gcret J., Joseph F., James L., Timothy W., William J. and Laura L. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Christian Church.

William W. Smith

The subject of the present sketch, Mr. Smith, now among the substantial citizens of this township, had but little or no means to start on when he began as a young man for himself. But possessed of the qualities which make successful men and valued citizens, his career has been productive of the results that usually attend the exertions of this class of men. Over four years of valuable time were spent, when he was a young man, in the Confederate army, fighting for what he believed to be right. Certainly a cause like the one which had so many followers was worth fighting for, aye, dying for, as many and many a brave Southerner did before the banner of the South went down. Mr. Smith was in a number of the hardest fought battles of the war, and did not return until its close. After the restoration of peace he located in Montgomery county, and he has been a resident of this county ever since. On the 20th of September, 1865, he was married to Miss Sarah Tannehill, a daughter of Carlton and Elizabeth Tannehill. 'Previous to his marriage 'he had engaged in farming in Montgomery county, and in handling leaf tobacco. He kept up both of these interests for some years, but latterly has been engaged in farming and handling stock almost exclusively. He has a 'valuable farm of nearly 400 acres, one of the well improved and choice places 'of the township. Mr. and Mrs. S. have but one child living, Mary Birdie Smith. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Their other child, Wyett Newton Smith, a promising son, died November 11, 1881. His loss was a sore bereavement to his parents, for he was a youth whose character and disposition were such as to make him especially beloved by father and mother, and, indeed, by all who knew him. But we know that all is for the best, for thus it has been spoken by Him from whom all truth and wisdom cometh. Mr. Smith was originally. from Virginia, born in Franklin county September 28, 1835. His parents, Stephen and Mary (McCall) Smith, removed to Missouri when he was only three years of county in 1830. Born in Henry county, Va., April 10, 1825, he was therefore principally reared in St. Charles county, Mo. While yet a youth he learned the business of manufacturing tobacco, and followed that exclusively up to 1860. He then also engaged in farming, but | continued to carry on the tobacco business at Wentzville, his establishment being well known in this part of the State and at St. Louis, as well as other points, by the brands of tobacco he put up; and the house of T. S. Thompson in the tobacco trade secured an enviable standing. Mr. Thompson came to his present farm in 1861. He has one of the best farms throughout this entire vicinity, his place being well improved. His tract contains 960 acres, and is an exceptionally fine body of land, one of the best in the township. In 1867 Mr. Thompson was married in Warren county to Miss Anna, a daughter of Benjamin Hutchinson, of that county. They have had seven children, of whom six are living: Waddy, Benjamin, Mary, Leah,

Cornelia and Cora. Mr. Thompson's father, Waddy Thompson, Sr., died in St. Charles county in 1876. He had been a gallant old soldier in the War of 1812, and was for 12 years justice of the peace of that county. Mr. T.'s mother was a Miss Mary M. Abbington before her marriage. She is now deceased. Both parents were members of the. M. E. Church South.

Dr. Tucker was born in Pike county, Mo., February 6, 1838, and was the youngest of two children of Henry and Margaret J. Tucker, early settlers 'of Pike county from Kentucky. The father died, however, when the Doctor was yet unborn, but the mother is still living, a resident of Montgomery county, and the wife of W. B. Summers. Young Tucker, besides taking a course in the district schools, attended Watson's Seminary, at Ashley, during the years 1853-54-55. He subsequently engaged in teaching school, sand while teaching read medicine under Dr. Waldon, of Ashley. - In 1857-58 he entered the St. Louis - Medical College, graduating in the class of 1860. Following his graduation Dr. Tucker located at Frankfort, for the practice of his: profession, where he continued until 1863, when he removed to Ashley. Meanwhile, on March 6, 1862, he was married to Miss Ellen, a daughter of William and Martha Pitt, of Pike county. In consequence: of war troubles, in 1866, Dr. Tucker removed to Louisville, in Lincoln county, where he practiced medicine for some five years. He came to Price's Branch in 1876, having practiced for several years previously at High Hill. He has built up a good practice at this place, and is looked upon as a thoroughly qualified and successful physician. On June 15, 1879, Dr. Tucker was married to Miss Ida, a daughter of Francis H. and Frances A. Duncan, formerly of Virginia. The Doctor has a family of four sons by his first marriage: John E., James W., Edwin and Walker. In 1864 Dr. Tucker was surgeon at Ashley,

James D. Wells

After a life of honest industry rewarded with the substantial competence for old age, Mr. Wells is now living in retirement on his farm, enjoying the fruits of his early years of toil. He has been a hard working farmer all his life up to within a few years ago, and now has a fine farm of about 1,000 acres, stretching out in everydirection from his comfortable home into broad pastures and fertile fields, all being improved save 120 acres. He was born in Tyler county W. Va., March 20, 1815, and was the youngest of a family of eight children of Charles P. and Rachel (McMechon) Wells, his father formerly of Pennsylvania, but his mother of the Old Dominion. Reared in Tyler county, Mr. Wells was married in Brook county, W. Va., on the 8th ot May, 1838, to Miss Jane, a daughter of John aud Mary (Blair) Prather, of Virginia, and related to the well known professional poliician of St. Louis, Griff. Prather. After his marriage he removed to Jackson county, W. Va., where he was engaged in farming until 1852, when he came to Missouri and located on a part of his present farm. He entered a part of his present tract and from time to time bought other pieces. He has two fine ponds on his place, one of which is stocked with fine German carp and the other with native cat, buffalo, bass, etc. Mr. and Mrs. W. have reared three children, who are still living: Nancy, the wife of George Usry, in the service of the C. R. I. & P. R. R., in Iowa; Adeline, the wife of Robert Alexander, living in Fayetteville, Ark., and Rachel, who is the wife of Stoddard K. Tippitt. Mr. Tippitt has charge of the farm and is conducting it with marked energy and success. Mrs. Wells is an invalid from a second stroke of paralysis. She has been a member of the M. E. Church for many years, and Mr. Wells is a worthy member of the A. F. & A. M..

George W. Wilson

George W. Wilson was born on the 5th day of February, 1824, in Madison county, Va. His parents, who were both born and raised in Virginia, were John Wilson and Frances Graves. They came to Boone county, Ky., in 1828. John Wilson died that fall near Petersburgh, Boone county. The mother, Frances Wilson, with her seven little children, then moved to East Bend, Boone county, the spring 'after the father's death, and died at the age of 49 years, in 1848. The children remained there for about three years, and then scattered. John L. Wilson married Sarah Foster, of Gallatin county, Ky., and lived and. died in Boone county. James A. Wilson married Jane K. Stephens, of Boone county, and both are still living there. Elizabeth

M. Wilson married James Carlton, of Boone county, where she is now living; her husband is dead. Charlotte M. Wilson married Philip G. Holmes, of Boone county, Ky., and she is dead, but he resides there. William H. Wilson married Emeline Vanness, of Boone City, and moved to Montgomery county, Mo., in 1851, their present home. Philip A. Wilson married Mary E. Ball, of Montgomery county, Mo., and both are still living here. George W. Wilson moved from Boone county, Ky., in the spring of 1851, and bought and entered 320 acres of new land, which he has up to this time made a fine grain and stock farm. Mr. Wilson married Mrs. Sarah Hoss, daughter of Francis Skinner, of Montgomery county, Mo., in 1856, and had six children, five of whom are still living, as follows: James C., born July 15, 1857; John H., born March 18, 1859; Sue Laura, born September 26, 1860; George L., born July 19,1863; Thomas A., born April 17, 1865, and Sarah E., born July 30, 1867. George W. Wilson and Mollie A. Miller, wife of Samuel Miller, were married April 15, 1869, and she died September 11, 1883, leaving two children: Pearl Wilson, 13 years old, and Anna F. Wilson, 9 years old. Mr.. W. is again a widower; he lives the best he can by the help of God, trusting in him alone for future prosperity. ;

Position and Description - The Bluffs and Streams - '' Pinnacle Rock'' - Early Settlements and Pioneers - The Settlements on Loutre Island - Fort Clemson - Snethen's Settlement on Dry Fork - The 'Big Spring '' Settlement - Early Historical Items - Villages of Loutre Township - Rhineland - Ameri icus - - Bluffton - Big Spring -- Country Churches.

This township comprises the southern portion of Montgomery county and embraces all those portions of congressional township 46 lying in the county, the sections and fractional sections of township 45, and the lower two ranges of sections in township 47, ranges 5 and 6.

For the most part Loutre township is hilly and broken. Some of the hills or knobs are, in fact, miniature mountain peaks, and stand out well defined and prominent. In the warm months of the year, or when Indian summer comes, the scenery is as beautiful as that of Switzerland. ;

Along the Loutre the scenery is equally fine. Except where the hard-working Germans live, the progress made in the cultivation of the soil is but unimportant and insignificant, and this portion of Montgomery county is almost as primitive and virgin as it was in 1824.

Bowlin's Knob, in the lower portion of the township, took its name from Laney Bowlin, who first discovered it and lived near it. He moved to Clay county, according to the statements of W. B. Snethen and others.

'In 1829 Matthew L. White entered the land embracing the famous '¢ Pinnacle Rock,'' which is in the southern part of this township, on South Bear creek. The following description of this singular stone formation was written by Mr. Rose in 1876 : -

It stands alone, in the midst of a small valley, and rises perpendicularly on all sides, except one, to the height of 75 feet. It covers van area of about one acre, and the top is flat and covered with trees, grass, etc. A shelving path on one side affords a safe ascent. During the last few summers the Pinnacle has been used as a preaching place.

A mile and a half from Bluffton there is another singular peak, apparently of volcanic formation, which has excited the interest and speculations of many in times past.

On the Missouri bottom, in the extreme southern part of this township, the land is exceedingly rich, and is cultivated almost up to, the Missouri river bank, and especially is this true of the lands in the vicinity of Kallmeyer's landing, or the Best Bottom.

In the south-west corner of the township, at Bluffton, the bottom is narrow, and is gradually becoming narrower, owing to the encroachments of the river upon the alluvial lands. Now there is no road up

The Loutre

Loutre creek (or river) is a beautiful stream, and rises in Callaway or Audrain county, but is an insignificant body until it enters this county. There is only one dam on the main stream - at the point opposite Big Spring.

Early Settlements

20, 1882, it attained the highest point at Mineola, or Loutre Lick, ever known. EARLY SETTLEMENTS. It was within the limits of Loutre township that the first settlements and by them called Loutre - meaning Otter,! doubtless from the number of these valuable fur-bearing animals found in the slough which surrounds it. Some of thefirst settlers on the upper portion of Loutre island were Lewis Groshong, James Thorp, Josiah Thorp,

John Thorp, Peter Popineau, Grey Bynum, Lindsay Carson (father | of Kit Carson), Amos Ashcraft, Otto Ashcraft, Jesse Asheraft, Temple Cole, Stephen Cole, James Patton, Thomas Patton, Jacob Patton, Christopher Talbott, ('* Kit'' Talbot), Hail Talbot, Benj. Cooper, Sarshall Cooper, - - - Clark, - - - Lewis and Laney Bowlin. A few of these may have lived for a time in the western border of what is now Warren county. These came from about 1798 to 1809, and nearly all were from Kentucky ; the Coopers and Thorps from Madi-

1 Loutre, in French, means Otter in English; '' L'outre'' means ''the other;'' but the word denoting the name of the island and stream here has always been written without the apostrophe. (See Beck's Gazetteer (1824), p. 308; Wetmore's Gazetteer (1837), p. 249). _ p son county, and the Ashcrafts from Estill county ; Gray Bynum was a South Carolinian; Popineau was a Frenchman, from St. Genevieve ; the Pattons were Kentuckians.

The first white child born in Montgomery county was Jacob Groshong, son of Lewis Groshong, born on or near Loutre island, in 1800. A few years since Mr. Groshong was living near Troy, Lincoln county, hale and hearty.

Jacob Patton, his nephew, Thomas Patton and Hail Talbott came to the island in 1809. Christopher Talbott, Hail's oldest son, came before them with two negro slaves and put ina crop. Jacob Patton located on section 30, township 46, range 4, just across the line in what is now Warren county.

Benjamin Cooper, Sarshall Cooper and their families went to Boone's Lick, Howard county, in the spring of 1808, but subsequently returned to Loutre island in June 1808.

In 1807 occurred the ill-fated expedition of William T. Cole ('*Temple' Cole), his brother Stephen Cole, James Murdock, John Gooch and James Patton (?) up to Grand Prairie or Skull Lick, which is mentioned elsewhere.

In 1808, Captain James (?) Clemson! left Loutre island with a company of mounted U.S. troops to build Ft. Osage, on the Missouri, in Jackson county. In the same year John Snethen, a native of New Jersey, came to the southern part of this township and settled four miles above Loutre island, on the Missouri river, where he remained one year, but later removed seven miles northward, and settled on Dry Fork of Loutre. In 1812 he removed to Howard county. Mr. Snethen afterwards removed his family to Hempstead's Fort, and then to Cooper's Fort. On the night of the 14th of April of that year, Capt. Sarshall Cooper was killed by some unknown person, and Mr. Snethen was seated by his side at the time, but was not hurt. In 1818, he returned to his old place on Dry Fork of Loutre, where he remained until his death.

2 Rose says Jacob Quick settled on Loutre island, but his grand-daughter, Mrs. W. B. Snethen, assures the writer that he first settled as above.

In December, 1810, Thomas Patton, from rena arrived in the colony. He purchased the claim and improvement of one of the Thorps, on the upper part of the island. Meantime, from 1806 to 1810, a dozen or more families had pushed up Loutre seven or eight miles, and John Snethen and others were at Dry Fork, while three or four families were on South Bear creek.

February 20, 1810, Col. Benjamin Cooper left Loutre island at the head of a number of people (including his five sons), who had been resident of Loutre island and the bottoms in St. Charles county, for the Boone's Lick country.

When the War of 1812 came on and the fierce Northern Indians, the Sacs, Foxes, Iowas and Pottawatomies, animated by a natural hatred against the Americans.and stimulated by British gold, began to make war upon the settlers of Missouri, the pioneers of Montgomery county removed their families to one of the numerous forts on the Missouri bottom and remained together untilthe danger was over. The fort resorted to by the Montgomery county settlers was Fort Clemson, which stood on the upper part of Loutre island, near the north bank of the river. The site is in what is now Warren county. The exact location was on the south half of the south-east quarter of section 30, township 46, range 4, although near the center of said section 30.

Fort Clemson was built in February, 1812, by acompany of mounted U. S. soldiers, presumably dragoons, commanded by Capt. Clemson, previously mentioned as the builder of Fort Osage. The interior of the fort comprised an area of half an acre or more. The fort itself was in the form of a parallelogram. By order of Gen. Clark the fort was

In 1811 there was considerable sickness among the settlers in Mont gomery county. On Loutre island Thomas Patton and a child of his died, and a Mr. Clark and others followed soon after. All were buried back on the bluff. On the Loutre some children died, and the body of a woman who had died was brought in to the Loutre graveyard on the bluff.

It was from Fort Clemson that Capt. Callaway started March 7, 1815, on the expedition that cost him and some of his company their lives. Massey's family had previously been run in from Loutre Lick and the year before Daniel Dougherty was killed, and Jacob Groom and Jack Stewart had their adventure with the Indians at the Big opm

Jacob Groom came to the Big Spring (where he had previously purchased Laney Bowlin's claim) in about 1816. Other settlers were scattered up and down the Loutre valley, wherever there was a desirable location.

The Big Spring Settlement

After the settlement on Loutre island, the most importantin Loutre township was that known as the Big Spring settlement. Laney Bowlin made the first claim and built the first cabin here about 1808. Jacob Groom removed thereto about 1810. The first children born in the neighborhood were Groom's, a the Big Springs. His son William was born February 22, 1811; then his daughter, Lurinda (now Mrs. W. B. Snethen), was born July 21, 1814. Later in the same year Groom removed his family to Fort Clemson.

Jacob Groom was a native of Kentucky. He was a man of considerable education, and taught school on Loutre island, in Fort Clemson, and elsewhere: represented the county two or three times in the Legislature, wasa magistrate and a very prominent citizen. He died February 19, 1842; his wife, who was Sallie Quick, a daughter of Jacob Quick, died January 7, 1865.

A man named Ryan, a Tennessean, started a tannery just below the Big Spring in 1820, but he was killed some time after and the enterprise was abandoned.

Early Historical Items

_ island was Dr. James Talbott, afterward a member of the first con- . stitutional convention of Missouri, and a member of the Legislature. He died in about 1844. Dr. Wm. Newland was about the earliest practitioner in the interior of the township.

at the house of John Snethen, in the year 1819. This was by the Baptists, of whom the first preachers in this section were Wm. Coates, Jabez Ham, Stephen Ham and Alia B. Snethen.

The first church built in Loutre township stood near a spring on the north-west quarter of section 25, township 47, range 6. This church building was put up by the Baptists in 1825. It has long since disappeared, the logs having been hauled away in about 1840.

taught this school in 1816. The first school in the Big Spring neighberhood was taught in about 1824, and Isaac Darneal was the teacher. In about 1825 or in 1826 a regular log school-house was built by the contributed labor of the settlers, on Dry fork, above John Snethen's and near the present site of Trinity Church, two miles or less below Americus. I. D. Lewis and French were the first teachers.

When Hail Talbott came to Loutre island he brought with him a number of brood mares, and from these there had sprung a number of colts when the War of 1812 broke out. During the war, fearful of a successful Indian raid, he swam nearly all of his horses across the Missouri and pastured them until in 1816, when he returned them to the north side of the river.

A distressing incident happened on the upper end of Loutre island on a night in March, 1816, to Mr. Thos. Patton, son of Jacob Patton. A frenzied and rabid wolf sprang upon him and bit him savagely in the hand and on the shoulder. Five months afterward Mr. Patton was taken with all the symptoms of hydrophobia, and died August 16, 1816, at the age of 43 years.

The village or hamlet of Rhineland is situated about two miles from the Missouri river, immediately under the bluff, in section 30, township 46, range 5. Practically there is but one street, and at present two stores and a dozen or more houses. There is a public hall on the - bluff in the western part of town. Lb

More than 50 years ago a number of Germans settled across on the south side of the Missouri river, in Gasconade county. In about 1837 or °38 Gerhard Lensing crossed over to the Montgomery side and settled in the river bottom, south of where Rhineland now stands. Mr. Lensing was from Dusseldorf, Prussia. He died in his Missouri home not many years since. After him came a Mr. Westhoven, to the first farm west of Monnig's store. He died in New Orleans of yellow fever. ;

In 1846 there came to the little settlement six German families - those of Henry Groteveil, Wesley Thiesen, John Vendring, Henry Katemann, Frank Goesen and Gerhard Johnson. The latter remained but a short time. Henry Parrish settled the farm where Groteveil now lives.

In 1853 Andrew Rincheval came and laid out the small village which he then calledand which still bears the name of Rhineland. He built a large double log store-house, and put up ahorse mill. Hugo Monnig was then here among the others named. Mr. Rincheval continued to live here, engaged in merchandising, until his murder by the bushwhackers in May, 1863. (See Chap. IX.)

Attracted by the German settlement at Rhineland, numerous German families crossed the Missouri and located at various points in the lower part of this township prior to and since the Civil War. Those who were here were loyal to the Union during the war ; many of them enlisted in the regular Federal service, and Capt. Gensert's company of the enrolled militia was composed entirely of Germans from this township. Under Gen. Rosecrans' order in July, 1864, Capt. John Kendrick reorganized and commanded substantially Gensert's old company, and was stationed for some time in Rhineland.

The village of Americus is on Dry fork of Loutre, in section 2, township 46, range 6. The site is partly on the Joseph Barton farm and partly on the Henry P. Sharff farm. Mr. Sharff hada house on the village site some years before the war.

In 1865 Ambrose Bush and W. F. Wilson built a steam mill here, and in 1866 James Talbot put up a store-house and opened a stock of merchandise. Soon after a post-office was established called Dry Fork Mills, which was subsequently changed at the request of the citizens to Americus. The town was laid out by a Mr. Hines, surveyor, in 1869, and the same year came Joseph R. Dickey and opened the first blacksmith shop. He still resides in the place.

. At present (fall of 1884) Americus contains one dry goods store, one drug store, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop and an excellent steam saw and grist mill. Trinity Church, down the Dry fork a mile, is noticed elsewhere.

In about 1844 settlements were made on and near the present site of Bluffton, and a dozen little houses were strung out along the river road in 1846. John Hill and Wm. Hill are said to have been the first or among the first settlers here. The village or hamlet was known as '« Stringtown'' for many years. |

'In 1866 the Bluffton Wine Co., Mr. Saml. Miller at the head, took charge of the town, laid it out and sold some lots, and engaged extensively in grape growing. In July, 1867, the editor of the

Farmers' Advertiser visited the place and made mention of the town in a most excellent newspaper article; lack of space prevents its insertion here.

Big Spring

The hamlet and post-office of Big Spring is located on the southeast corner of section 28, township 47, range 5, a mile east of Loutre creek, about eight miles, in a straight line, south-east of Danville. Where the old Cote sans Dessein and St. Charles road crosses Loutre, there is a dam and an old mill put up in 1846.

Originally, as noted elsewhere, the first. post-office called Big Spring was at Jacob Groom's big spring, on the west side of Loutre, nearly three miles from the present site. The office was moved to the mill on Loutre, and then to the present location at the cross roads. Big Spring contains Neidegerke's store, which has been here since before the war, and has also 'a dozen other houses.

Trinity M. EL. Church South. - On section 35, township 47, range 6 (Loutre township), is found the frame house of worship of this congregation, erected in 1872 at an expenditure of $1,200. It is one of - the oldest bodies in this county, having been formed in 1830, at which. time Peter Hunter, James Hunter, James P. Rigg, L. P. Rigg, James Moore, Sr., and family and John Moore comprised the membership, though it now numbers 114. Rev. J. M. Hoyle is the pastor in charge at this writing. B.S. Baker superintends the Sabbath-achogs of 35 pupils. Bethany M. EF. Church. - In 1879 this church, which had been organized in 1870, commenced the erection of a frame house of wor-.

William and Anna Lichte, Henry Baur and his wife, Mr. Steiner and wife, and Emil Baur were among the charter members. This number has been added to until there are now 60 communicants. Reys. P. Hehner, F. R. Miller, F. R. Schumacher, William Schleiter, T. R. Rock, Henry Vosholl and Henry Miller have officiated as pastors here. A parsonage is connected with the church, purchased in the spring of 1881, at an expenditure of $400. The Sunday-school of 38. scholars finds an efficient superintendent in the person of Mr. H. Baur.

15, 1858, its location now being in Loutre township, on the south-east quarter of section 28. There are now 140 names on the church roll as members. <A frame building, in which services are held, was completed in 1869, at an expenditure of $1,000. This pulpit has been supplied at different times by Revs. T. T. Johnson, J. H. Tuttle, M. T. Bibb, D. W. Graves, Luther Bibb, J. W. Swift, J. D. Robnett, James F. Smith and A. G. Mitchell.

Catholic Church And Monastery

Three miles north-west of Rhineland, on the Americus road, is a fine stone Catholic Church building, adjoining which is a monastery, and adjacent thereto is a fine cemetery. In the monastery are at present six monks of the order of St. Francis, whose superior is Father Arsenius Fahle, a German monk, banished from Prussia by Bismarck.

A history of this church and monastery was promised for this history, but-was not given us. Enough is known, however, to state that the church organization has existed since before the Civil War, that the cemetery is as old, but that the church and monastery have been built long since. The membership is very large, embracing several hundred.

The church is finely decorated and well furnished, but greater improvements are contemplated. It already contains very fine images of some of the superior saints, as well as of the Virgin, while the altar is a superior piece of workmanship. A splendid pipe organ furnishes the music: .

ticing physician, in which he was engaged with success for many years. He was likewise a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Dr. Crockett, Sr., was a man of fine mental culture, one of the bright scholarly men of this section of the State, and a citizen whose Citizenship was an honor to the community in which he lived. In early manhood he was married to Mrs. E. G. Allison (maiden with nine children, of whom Dr. Warren A. Crockett was the seventh. 'I'he father died at Portland, in Callaway county, in 1880, and the mother at the same place two years later. Dr. Warren A. received his college training at Montgomery College, in Montgomery @ity.n" He studied medicine under his father and Dr. F. A. Hamilton. In 1874 he entered the American Medical College, of St. Louis, and

Medical College. He then located at Rhineland, in Montgomery county, where he began the practice of medicine. He continued the practice there with satisfactory success until the spring of 1883, when he came to Americus. Sincescoming to this place he has become interested in merchandising and now has an excellent general store, where he carries a good stock of goods in his line and is the: recipient of a profitable and 'steadily i increasing trade. On the 23d of November, 1876, Dr. Crockett was married to Miss Kate Monnig, a daughter of Hugo and Caroline (Quick) Monnig, of Rhineland; her father, originally from Germany, but her mother was born ane reared in Montgomery county. Mrs. Crockett was reared and educated at Rhineland. The Doctor and Mrs. C. have three children: Ollie, Carrie and Ida. The Doctor isa member of the A. F. and A. M.

Among the names of the substantial agriculturists of the southern part of the county must be mentioned that of the subject of the present sketch, ereign kingdom of the German Empire, and possesses most of the sterling qualities of his German lineage. By his own energy and thrift he has come to be one of the substantial men of the community of which he is a member, and now has a fine farm of 370 acres, well improved and well stocked. During the war Mr. Holtwick served his country faithfully in the Union army and for three years kept step with the music of the Union. He was born at Buckholt, in Prussia, March 21, 1837, and was a son of Herman and Adelaida ( Heisterkamp ) Holtwick, whose ancestry on each side had long been settled in the land of the Nibelungen Lied. When he was about 10 years of age of eight children, and on the Ist of January, 1861, was married to Miss Caroline Flucht, a daughter of John and Hannah ( Walters) Flucht, also from Prussia. Mr. and Mrs. H. have four children: Herman, Hannah, Pauline and Caroline. Hannah is the wife of Lee Stewart, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Holtwick are members of the Holy Catholic Church.

Charles T. Moore

Mr. Moore, one of the respected farmers and worthy citizens of Loutre township, is a native of Virginia, born in Campbell county, September 8, 1834, and a son of John G. and Elizabeth M. C. K. (Wheeler) Moore, who came to Missouri in 1838, and settled in Montgomery county, where the father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1875, at the advanced age of 82 years. The mother died at the age of 62, in 1869. Both were consistent and exemplary members of the 'M. E. Church South. Charles T. Moore was the fifth of ten children, six of whom are living, and was reared on his father's farm in Montgomery county. October 16, 1878, he was married to Miss Lydia, a daughter of Edward and Virginia (Moseley) Bush, of this county, but formerly of Kentucky. Already Mr. Moore had engaged in farming for himself, and he continued in this occupation after his marriage. On the 5th of January, 1880, he had the misfortune to lose his first wife. She died of heart disease. To his present wife Mr. Moore was married on the 6th of September, nearly four years after his first wife's death. His present wife was a Miss Mollie J. Hunter, a daughter of Robert W. and Louisa (Leach) Hunter, of this county, but she was formerly of Virginia. Mr. Moore has a neat farm in section 33, township 47, range 6, in this county, and is comfortably situated on his place. He and wife are worthy members of the M. E. Chureh South.

Position and Description - Geology and Archeology - Early History - Pioneer Settlers and Settlements - Thos. Massey, Robt. Graham, Maj. Van Bibber, Daniel M. Boone and Others - Items of Early History - Country Churches - Danville - Founding of the Town - First Inhabitants - Miscellaneous History - Incorporation - M. E. Church South - Masonic Lodge - New Florence - Origin and Early History - Miscellaneous Mention - The Cyclone of 1867 - Items - Newspapers - Creamery - Churches and Sunday-schools - Secret Orders - Mineola - Early History - Maj. Van Bibber's Settlement - Sketch of the a Major - Sketch of Mineola Proper.

boundaries are a line beginning at the north-east corner of section 1, township 48, range 5, running thence due west to the north-west of section 7, township 48, range 6, on the Callaway county line, thence due south to the south-west corner of section 19,township 47, range 6, thence east to the south-east corner of section 24, township 47, range 5, on .the Warren county line, thence north to the beginning: The township contains a variety of soil, and the topography is very irregular. Loutre creek runs through the western portion from north to south, and except the narrow valleys along the stream, the country on both sides is hilly, rough and stony. The western portion of the township affords a fine field of investigation for geologists. There is not only magnesian limestone in abundance, but frequently formations of ferruginous sandstone as well. Near the residence of Mtr. D. F. Graham, a mile north of Mineola (section 27, township 48, range 6), is to be seen the limestone with the sandstone covering it. In some places, on the top of the bluff, the sandstone is worn by the water into pendants and miniature columns. The red sandstone is here 40 feet in thickness. A few rods north of Mr Graham's residence is a huge boulder of limestone, 30 feet in diameter and 20 feet high, although irregular in

On Loutre prairie hard-pan is found in many places at a depth of 18 inches. The prairie clays are very compact and tenacious, and water lying on the surface does not easily penetrate them.

Archelogical remains are both numerous and interesting in this township. In the western part, along Loutre, must have been a favorite resort of the mysterious mound-builders. There are not only numerous sepulchral mounds in this quarter, but there are reasons for believing that in one instance - in the south-western portion of the township, a mile or more west of Loutre river - there is a sacrificial mound. East of this, toward the Loutre, near Mr. England's residence, are numerous mounds of the sepulchral class. Seme of these have been opened and human bones, teeth, etc., found.

Fragments of pottery are scattered about in the field in which these mounds are, and in one place there could recently be seen pieces of mussel shells in considerable numbers, obtained no doubt from Loutre, half a mile distant.

West of Mineola, on the high hills, and indeed up and down the stream elsewhere, are scattered mounds, resting places of the dead of that mystericus race of whose coming and going into and out of this country no man now knows.

Mr. D. F. Graham has a valuable and interesting collection of archelogical specimens gathered in this township. His assortment of stone-axes, flint arrow-points and lance-heads, bone implements, etc., is both interesting and valuable. There are a few unimportant caves or caverns in the township. One, a few rods north of Mr. Graham's, is interesting, because it shows the dip and inclination of the rock formation.

Early History

Doubtless Thomas Massey, who located at the Loutre Lick in 1813, and whose settlement and misfortunes there are noted fully on other pages, was the first bona fide white settler within what is now Danville township. Massey had a family of eleven children, and one of his daughters, now a Mrs. Patton, is yet living in the south-eastern part of this county, near Loutre Island, aged 85.

In the spring of 1816 Robert Graham came from Kentucky and settled on the north-east quarter of the south-west quarter of section 27, township 48, range-6, or a mile or more above Mineola, where a hundred yards from D. F.'s residence, and cleared off the field on the Loutre bottom adjacent. The land was purchased from Daniel M. Boone, the son of old Daniel Boone, and was a part of a Spanish grant to the latter.