Montgomery County, Missouri - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1885 (part 4 of 8)

- | HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 799 questioned. But that such is always the case no one of general intelligence or reasonable observation would think of claiming. Indeed, _ judging by the lives of successful men, some have gone so far as to | claim that the best school for a youth of brave spirit and ambitious mind is the school of adversity; that only there can he learn those lessons and develop those qualities of character, from those habits of life, indispensable to a successful career. In proof of this the bright array of eminent names that adorn the history of the country - children of poverty and obscurity - are cited. These thoughts and others are called out by glancing over the notes from which 'the present sketch is written. Though "Riley H. Mansfield, be it said, has reached no eminent station in the affairs of State, he has nevertheless accomplished much more than thousands of others have, whose advantuges were the best - has achieved a degree of success which no worthy sketch of his life should fail to mention to his oredit. Nor is he hardly yet a middle-aged man; hardly has he more than reached > that period when his greatest activity and usefulness may be expected to be exercised. Much of his younger manhood was taken up with preparing himself for life's duties and labors ; and now he has but little more than entered upon that part of his career where he may expect to realize the fruits of his earlier years of struggles and toil. In youtn he had, practically, no advantages whatever to prepare himself for what he felt would be his position in life. For he was a young man without a dollar, working for his own living and spending his leisure of evenings learning 'the rule of three,"' "aia endeavoring to unravel the mysteries of an ordinary, common school, English grammar. But by his industry, steady habits, perseverance, sterling worth and natural gifts of mind, he has steadily made his way up until now many, who at first preceded him by vears, are far in the rear. Mr. Mansfield was born in Marion county, Tenn., December 5, 1842, about 16 miles from Nashville. He was the third youngest in a family of nine children of Robert and Nancy (Spear) Mansfield, his father originally of North Carolina, but his mother of an old Virginia family. When Riley H. was a lad about 9 years of age the family removed to Missouri, and settled in Madison county. As intimated _ above, the father was a farmer by occupation, and young Mansfield's _ youth -was spent on the farm assisting at farm work. Those were not - the days, either in Tennessee or Missouri, and especially in Southeast Missouri, of the excellent class of public schools we have now, and the instruction usually given fairly corresponded with the character and appearance of the 'old log school-house. Young Mansfield had the advantage of one term at one of these schools, as he grew up. Otherwise his education was limited to what he could secure by study ~ at home without an instructor. Nevertheless he succeeded in getting something of a practical knowledge of the information afforded by the books of a common-school course. During the first year of the _ progress of the war his father was plundered of all his personal property, and even his life threatened. He therefore crossed over into Illinois with his family as.a retreat of safety. Riley H. accompanied office of the Sixty-first Illinois infantry of Gen. Logan's division. This appointment he held, discharging the duties of his office with entire satisfaction to his superior officers, until 1864, when he was commissioned for the recruiting service, and was thereafter actively engaged in the work of recruiting volunteers until the close of the war. The war over, he now begun to cast about for some pursuit in life congenial to his tastes, and almost instinctively turned to the law. It was not until 1868 that he began regularly the study of law, which was with Judge Hubbard, of Marion county, Ill. The following year he came to Missouri and located at Montgomery City, where he continued to prosecute his legal studies, his preceptors there being O. L. Cross and William L. Gatewood. In 1869 he was duly examined for admission to the bar, and was formally licensed and enrolled as an attorney at law, Judge Gilchrist Porter, of the circuit bench, presid-, ing. Meanwhile he had also taken a supplementary course at school.

years, however, were years of hard struggles, as is usually the case with young lawyers, for he had both a living and reputation to make, and clients were not very bumerous. But he remained faithful to his profession, fought -his way up patiently and perseveringly, and finally ests ablished himself comfortably in a good practice, which he has never since ceased to command. In 1875 he was married to Miss Anna Hughes, a refined and accomplished daughter of H. J. Hughes, of this citv, and a sister of Dr. C. H.

Even then he had but little means to spare for founding a paper, but the same success has attended him in this that he has had in all his undertakings. Industry, patience, perseverance and good ability have placed the Optic on a safe and solid footing, both financially and as a popular, influential country journal. It has a good circulation of over 500 subscribers, and a substantial, profitable advertising patronage. Hditorially, it is remarked for the fairness and ability with which it is conducted. Asa newspaper, it is fully up to the times and is reliable ; and invariably it preserves that moral tone which makes it a welcome visitor in the homes of the most circumspect and those most careful of their own households. Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield have three children: Claude, Robert H. and Freddie. Mr. Mansfield's parents are now residents of Laclede county, Mo. All of the family of children now living are themselves married, except two boys, and the heads of families. A brother, Francis M., is the well known na of Hartsville, Wright county, Mo.

Joseph Penn

With a farm of 640 acres well improved, Mr. Penn, one of the largest wheat raisers in his vicinity, is justly placed among the leading agriculturists of the township in which he resides. All he has he has accumulated mainly by his own exertions and good management. Mr. Penn was born in Indiana March 10, 1828, but was principally reared in Callaway county, Mo. April 15, 1852, he was married to Miss Martha A., a daughter of Robert Goodman, of Moutgomery county. Only a short time before his marriage Mr. Penn had returned from California, where he had spent two years engaged principally in mining, and with a measurable degree of success. After his marriage he settled in Montgomery county and engaged in farming, which he has since. continued to follow in this county, During the war, however, he enlisted in the Union army, in the Missouri volunteer infantry, and served for three years, and at the expiration of his term of service was honorably discharged. Among other engagements he was in those of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and most of the principal fights in Sherman's march to the sea. Mr. Penn was a brave and faithful soldier for the cause he had sworn to serve, and as a citizen his career is not less commendable, for he is one of the law-abiding, public-spirited men of the community in which he lives. Mr. and. 'Mrs. Penn have had 138 children, 11 of whom are living: Anna, Mark, Luke, Sophia, Mollie, Robert, Missouri B., Matthew, Columbus, Lillie S. and Charles M. The two deceased were John and an infant. The first five are married and are comfortably settled in the county. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the Christian Church. His parents, William and years afterwards to Missouri, settling finally in Callaway county in 1835, where the father died about 16 years afterwards. The mother died in 1880. They had a family of 11 children, of whom Mr. Penn, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth. His parents were both members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Thomas J. Powell

Nancy Shelor, from Orange county, Va., were pioneer settlers in this county. They came here in 1820, about two years after the organization of Montgomery county (the county having been organized December 14, 1818), and settled on the present site . of Danville,where who came to have their grinding done in that day are now living, all having gone the way of all the earth, and the old mill itself has long since gone to decay. The father died at his homestead, in what age and died at the home of her son, Thomas J., near New Florence, in 1872. James Powell was a man of sterling intelligence and upright character, and regarded as a worthy, representative citizen by those among whom he lived. He came of an old and well respected family in Virginia. The Powell family settled in that colony from England prior to the Revolutionary War, and from time to time representatives of the family in Virginia, and in some of the other States where branches have gone, have risen to State and National prominence in public affairs and in the professions. Among others will readily be called to mind by every one of general average information the names of Hon. Alfred H. Powell, an eminent lawyer and a distinguished representative in Congress, from Virginia ; and of Hon. Levin Powell, of Virginia, 4 lieutenant-colonel in the Continental army, and afterwards a member of Congress; also, of Hon. Paulus Powell, an able member of Congress from Virginia for about 10 years, closing in 1859; and of Hon. Cuthbert Powell, another representative in Congress from Virginia. Then there was Hon. Joseph Powell, of Pennsylvania, who defeated for Congress successively the famous David Wilmot, and the not less famous Galusha A. Grow, in the old ** Wilmot district'' in Pennsylvania, as well as Col. Ulysses Mercur. There were also Gov, L. W. Powell, four years Governor of Kentucky, and six years 1 member of the United States Senate from that State; and Hon. Samuel Powell, elected to Congress from Tennessee, as well as numerous others. The Powells of Virginia were originally from Carmarthenshire, England, where the family, or the original stock of the family, has been settled from an early period in English history. Sir

John Powell was a distinguished representative of this family. His son, Thomas, was for many years an able member of Parliament. Thomas J. Powell, who comes of the Orange county (Va.) branch of the family (a grandson of Lewis Powell, a son of James Powell, a pioneer settler of Montgomery county, formerly from Orange county, Va., and who had served with courage and "fidelity through the War of 1812), was born after the family came to Missouri, at the family homestead on the present site of Danville, September 15, 1827. He was left an orphan while yet in infaney, which of course seriously

_ gently whenever an opportunity for instruction offered, and thus succeeded in getting a good ordinary knowledge of an elementary Enlish course. He soon found his whole time taken up with his affairs, | and hence had but little further opportunity to study. Taking an intelligent and public-spirited interest in local political matters, in 1850 while yet quite a young man, Mr. Powell was selected for and elected to the office of constable of Danville township. Such was the efficiency with which he discharged the duties of that office, and such his personal popularity, that two years later he was elected sheriff of the county over one of the most popular men in the county. In 1854 he was re-elected to the office of sheriff. In 1856 he was nominated by the Democrats for representative, but at that time the Know Nothing craze was at its height, and.a great many Democrats, very good men otherwise but in this respect considerably <<' rattled,'' followed this ignis fatuus. This had the effect to defeat him for the Legislature. In 1857 Mr. Powell was appointed public administrator of the county, a position he filled until 1860. He was then again elected to the office of sheriff, and served until 1861, when he was ousted on account of his sympathy with the South. After this Mr. Powell took no active interest in public affairs, his farming and stock interests occupying a large share of his time and attention. He also entered upon the study of law with a view to the practice, and in 1866 was examined for license and formally admitted to the bar, Judge Porter, of the circuit bench, presiding. Since then, for the past 18 years, Mr. Powell has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession and farming, and with good success. In 1853 he bought a handsome tract of land near the town of New Florence, which he has had improved and added to, and where he now resides. From time to time he has bought town property in New Florence and other real estate in the county, and now has quite a rent roll at this place. Mr. Powell's homestead contains 500 acres, and is one of the valuable stock farms of the south-central part of the county. He also owns the old family homestead of his parents at Danville, and considerable other property - inthecounty. Mr. Powellis one of the public-spirited, leading citi- - zens of New Florence, and has done much to build up the place and make it a prosperous business center. He has his law office in town. _ Personally, heis highly respected and justly popular. He is now - serving as public administrator of the county. He is also local attorney for the Wabash Railway, and is prominently identified with varir ous enterprises of a public nature. Among others he is president of _. the creamery company at this place. He is also secretary of the Old _ Settlers' Association of Montgomery county, in the affairs and pro- ; ceedings of which he takes an active interest. On the 17th of May, ~ 1853, Mr. Powell.was.married to Miss Mary M. Davault, a daughter eof Henry Davault, one of the pioneer settlers of the county, but long since deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have 15 children, and they have the singular good fortune of having reared 13 of them, all of ~ _ whom are still living, namely: Nancy V., Mrs. Rodgers; James H., a Mary F., Mrs. Davault; William L., John P., Thomas J., Robert

Lee, Florence M., Emma D., Alice, Dora T., George W. B. and Maggie. Mr. Powell's three. brothers were: John W., who was killed, together with Capt. D. Bryan and John M. Bryan near Lamar, in Barton county, by the militia, or '* Kansas Jayhawkers,'' whilst en route to join the Confederate army, and who left a family which now resides in Montgomery county ; James W., who died in Iowa in 1879, leaying a family, now residing in Iowa; and William L., who avey in Audrain county, also leaving a family of which only one child is living, a daughter, who is arcied to Rev. J. D. Robinet, a Baptist minister of the Gospel, who is now living at Brownwood, Tex. All of the children of Thomas J. Powell are now living in Montgomery county, except Mrs. Davault, who is in Leesburg, Tenn., her husband being a practicing physician at that place.

Harvey E. Scanland

Mr. Scanland, the foundér of Mineola, and one of the leading agriculturists of the county, and useful, public-spirited citizens, started out for himself a young man practically without a dollar; but, by industry and economy, directed by good management and sustained by unremitting perseverance, he has come, in a comparatively short time, to occupy the enviable position in affairs he now holds. He has a fine stock farm where he resides of over 400 acres, improved with exceptional excellence and good taste. He also has another handsome stock farm of 340 acres, which includes the site of the thriving little watering place village of Mineola, meaning in the Indian tongue, from which it was adopted, '' healing waters.'' The waters of the springs at Mineola have a wide reputation for their healing properties, and Mr. Scanland, with characteristic enterprise and public spirit, and with liberality and generosity, has fitted them up for public use free of charge. The waters of these springs are free to all, and are being hauled and shipped to all parts of the county and are proving many wonderful cures. Mr. Scanland, in order to get good business men to locate and build up the town of Mineola, has donated lots free, and by so doing has located. mostly good citizens in the place. Mr. Scanland comes nat an old Virginia family, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Kerr) Seanland, of Augusta county, Va. They came to this State, however, away back j in 1818, and settled in Ralls county. Mr. S. was born in Ralls county, October 26, 1832. When he was a lad four years of age his parents removed to Pike county, where they resided until their deaths. His father, who had been a soldier in the War of 1812, was a farmer by occupation and later along established the Walnutdale nursery in Pike county. He died there February 16, 1861. The mother died March 26, 1872. There were 13 children, of whom four sons and four daughters lived to mature years, and . themselves became the heads of families. Their names were John F., Sarah H., Alexander K., Nancy J., Elsina M., Harvey E., Charles B. and Augusta Se. Har vey Ke was the ninth in the family, and grew

- to manhood and lived with his father till 25 years old. His younger ' brother, Charles B., being in poor health, he stayed on the farm in m bike county. On the 24th of Febru uary, 1859, he was married to | Miss Sue E. Llewellyn, a daughter of Judge John W. and Jane _ (Trabue) Llewellyn, of Clarke county, Mo. Mrs. S. was educated at the Christian University in Canton, Mo. Soon after his marriage Mr. Scanland moved to Audrain county. Seven years later he came to Montgomery county, in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Seanland have five children, namely: Cora B., Edgar B., Minnie M., Nellie and Gracie. Edgar is a merchant at Mineola. Mr. 8. and oldest daughter, Cora, are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. S. is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. S. has been an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for more than 20 years. He is unusually temperate; has never danced, plaved cards or sworn an oath, and neither smokes, chews, nor uses intoxicating liquors of any kind. He is very fond of good coffee, and good things in general. Mr. S., having an eye to the welfare of posterity, is a member of the A. O. U. W.; believes in supporting the church ministry, and helping the poor, and letting the rich take care of themselves.

Edgar B. Scanland

_ farmer of this vicinity and the proprietor of the Mineola Springs. Mr. _ Seanland, Jr., was born September 18, 1862, and was reared on his father's farm. In youth very obedient to his parents, he was also | affectionate to his sisters, ever being ready to divide with them the ' last cent he had. He received a ood common school education in _ the Prairie Fork district school, and among his fellow-schoolmates he Was an universal favorite. Upon leaving this institution of learning he engaged in farming with his father on 'the family homestead in 'this county, known as Valley Farm, where he continued to farm and handle

- stock with untiring zeal until embarking in his present line of business at Mineola. Though starting in business life when quite young, he

__ always preferred to push his 'business rather than let his business 'push , him. When Edgar arrived at manhood bis father, thinking him not ' physically able to continue the pursuits of the farm, started him in the mercantile business at Mineola, as above stated, in the winter of 1888. He is now located at the corner of Main ond Maple streets in a a commodious building, a story and a half high, erected at a cost of $600. He has a good trade, which is steadily on the i increase, and is likely to continue, as his manner of doing business gives general satisfaction. He is perfectly temperate, keeps no. boisterous company, and has a good word for all. Both parents are members of the church, His _ father and sister Cora are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His mother is a member of the Baptist Church. His father

Jacob See

For nearly half a century this old and favorably known citizen has _ been identified with the history and agricultural affairs of Montgomery county, and with its growth, development, and prosperity. His life has been one of industry and energy, and one, withal, rewarded with abundant success. This position he has occupied not through any effort of his own to make himself conspicuons, but by his generally recognized personal worth, and by his plain, unassuming way, in the private affairs of life. Heis a Virginian by nativity, and comes of an old and highly respected family in that 'State, the founder of the family in this country having settled there prior to the Revolution. Jacob See was a son of Michael See, who was the youngest of three brothers in the family of 10 children of George See, of Hardy county, Va. (now a part of West Virginia.), the other two 'brothers having been Adam and George, all of whom lived to reach years of maturity _ and married. The families of the seven sisters made their homes in Kentucky. The eldest brother, Adam, became a leading lawyer of Northern Virginia. Michael See, the father of Jacob See, was born ~ and reared in Hardy county, W. Va., and was married to Miss 7 Kittie Baker of that county. Subsequently, he removed to Randolph: _ county, W. Va., where he made his permanent home. He al enlisted from that county, and was first lieutenant in the War of 1812, - of Capt. Wamsley's company, which was stationed at Norfolk during . the war. He reared a family of eight children, namely: Mary, Adam, 4 Elizabeth (Hart), Barbara (McClary ), Anthony, Jacob, John and Noah. Jacob See, the sixth of these, was born in Randolph county, W. Va., September 1, 1810, and was reared on his father's farm in that county. His opportnnities for education were very lim-. ited, but he sueceeded in obtaining a sufficient knowledge of 'books for all ordinary, practical affairs. In the spring of 1833, he was married in Randolph county, W. Va., to Miss Rachel Morrison, a daughter of Samuel Morrison of that county ; and four year later, he removed to Missouri, bringing his family, settling on land adjoining the town of Danville, where hes engaged in farming, and also kept a tavern. He continued there iene success for some 13 years. After the outbreak of the California gold excitement he fitted outa train - for the gold regions, the men agreeing to work for him in the mines on shares. Out of this, however, he made little or nothing, but by his own industry and management he had fair success. After his return in 1852 he gave his tavern or hotel property to his son-in-law, Daniel Nunnelly, and bought a farm about a mile west of New Florence, on which he settled and where he engaged - on a more extensive scale in farming and stock-raising. He continued - on his place near New Florence-until a few years ago, and there gave - his attention largely to stock-raising, and it was on that place that he - raised the famous steer '' Stonewall Jackson,'' known as the largest ox in the world, and exhibited at'« number of the leading cities of the Union. This steer weighed over 4,000 pounds, and, although a monster in size, was a handsomely formed animal. Mr. See became a large land-holder, and although he has given each of his numerous family of children a comfortable property, he still has an ample competency. Less than a year ago, September 26, 1883, he had the misfortune to lose his good wife, - she, who for over 50 years had shared with him his labors and trials, his sorrows and joys, his hopes and disappointments. She had just passed her seventy-first year. Five of his family of children are living: Michael, Cecelia, the wife of Nathaniel Patton ; Charles, Samuel, Randolph Ae arias. The others, except Kittie, who died whilst the wife of Daniel Nunnelly a few years ago, died at tender ages. Three of his sons are comfortably settled on farms near New Florence, and the other is engaged in merchandising at Montgomery City. In 1864 Mr. See was successfully prevailed with to become a candidate for the State Legislature, and was elected. He served during two sessions. Though now passed his seventyfourth year, he still has remarkably good health, considering his age, and, notwithstanding his life has been one of hard work, he is quite active for a man of his years.

Noah See

The name that heads this sketch is one as familiar to the people of Montgomery county as a household word. The wealthiest man in the county and one of the largest land-owners in North Missouri, these facts, and that he has made substantially every dollar he is worth, serve not so much to make him a prominent character in the history of the county as the further fact that wherever he is known his name stands a synonym for integrity, personal worth, and for abundant successes in agricultural affairs by honest toil and regular, steady, _ irreproachable methods. Mr. See has made what he possesses by the plain, honest methods of industry, economy, good management and fair dealings. He came to Montgomery county nearly half a century ago with only a small amount of means; and the years since have , been spent by him in labor both as energetic and untiring as have characterized the career of any man in this part of the country. Mr. See is a brother to Jacob See, whose sketch precedes this, and a worthy prominent member of the old and respected Virginia family 'whose name he bears. He was born in Randolph county, now of West Virginia, September 19, 1815. Like his brother his advantages to secure an education were extremely limited. But he more than made up for this by his own personal application to study in private and without an instructor. Indeed, later along he became well advanced in' mathematics, and thoroughly proficient in the science of surveying, and became a surveyor after coming to Missouri. While ) resident of West Virginia, he was married to Miss Margaret W.

See, a daughter of Adam See, his first cousin, January 8, 1838, and of Randolph county, that State. Brought up a farmer, he followed that occupation in West Virginia, and in April, 1838, removed with his family to Missouri. He had also learned the carpenter's trade and a AOS this at Danville for some time after coming to this State.

. See's wife becoming dissatisfied with her surroundings in this new country, returned to her father's family in West Virginia. Mr. See having identified all his property interests with the country, found it impossible to return with her and hencea legal separation took place between himself and wife. Steady and substantial progress:-prospered him in the accumulation of property here. He engaged in farming and in raising and handling stock on a somewhat extensive scale, and with good success. In a word, he became one of the wealthy men ofthis part of the State, and at one time owned over 8,000 acres of fine land, and he still ownssome 7,900 acres in Montgomery and other counties, besides large tracts he has given to his children. Most of his lands are in the shape of improved farms, and are occupied by tenants. His homestead contains 920 acres, and is one of the leading stock farms of the county. It is excellently improved, including a handsome two-story residence that he has just completed. Mr. See has given but little attention to public affairs, though in politics he is a life-long, consistent Democrat. Many years ago he was appointed deputy surveyor of the county, and was afterwards twice elected to that office, serving for eight years, but refused a further service. It is a fact in the history "of the county, greatly to his credit, that no survey he ever made has been successfully questioned, although they have come up for controversy in the courts several times. In 1853, some 15 years after his settlement in Montgomery county, and after living a lonesome life for 12 years, Mr. See was married to Miss Mary ~ A. Sailor (October 18, 1853), of this county. This has proved a long and happy union, and has been blessed with a numerous and worthy family of children. Eight of their nine children are living, namely: Anva M. , now the with of Roger W. Weeks; Millard EF. Virginia Missouri, the wife of Samuel T. Weeks; Robert E. Lee (named for the great general); Thomas J. Jackson (named for Gen, «¢ Stonewall'? Jackson); George W. Sylvester Clay, and Edward Everett. The three older of the children who are married are comfortably settled in life. The others are still athome. Mrs. See is a worthy member of the Christian Church. She was a daughter of James and Sibbe (Cobh) Sailor, of Montgomery county, but originally of Kentucky, and was the third in their family of 11 children, nine of whom are living: Nancy M., the wife of Richard Keel; Mary A. (Mrs. See); Sylvester J., Cyrenus C., Margaret M., the wife of Andrew Lorton ; Lucy V., 'Janes M.. John T. Salanthiel E., George W. and Virginia R., the wife of Arthur Scott. Mrs. See's grandparents on her father's side were Emanuel Sailor and wife, who, 'before - her marriage, was a Miss Anna Hollett, of New York City, but afterwards of Kentucky, where she was married. The grandparents reared three children: James (Mrs. See's father), John H. and Thomas.

Daniel P. Taylor

Mr. Taylor is a native of New York, born in Franklin county, August 6, 1828. The family, however, came originally from Rutland county, Vt. "His grandfather, Samuel Taylor, was a farmer of that county, and also subsequently engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements. This industry was subsequently continued by the four sons, namely: Samuel, Elias, John and Zadock. John Taylor finally bought out his brothers and ran the manufacturing business for a number of years. He was married in 1826 to Miss Philenda Trumbull, a daughter of Horace Trumbull, of Rupert, Rutland county, Vt. In 1827 he removed to Rutlead county, N. Y., and located at Malone, where he carried on the same business. Four years later he returned to Vermont and settled at Middletown Springs. He reared a family of five children, of whom Daniel P., the subject of this sketch, was the eldest. He was twice married, Daniel P. being born of his first marriage. His second wife was a Miss Mary Goodrich, of Washington county, N. Y., and the three younger children, namely, Charles, Philenda and Jane, were by this union. The father died in 1877 and his second wife in 1882. Daniel P. was reared in Vermont and in 1852 went to California, where he engaged in mining and afterwards clerked in a store. Two years later he returned to Vermont about $3,000 better off than when he went. He soon came West again and visited different States, following from time to time various lites of business. In 1866 he was married in Lake county, Bill., to Miss Charlotte, a daughter of Stephen Darrell. He was enwaged i in hotel keeping at Waukegan, i in that county, for about three years. He then came to New Florence, Mo., and engaged in the hardware business. In 1870 he went to Oregon, but returned to New Florence the same year and settled on the farm where he now resides. His place is largely devoted to fruit raising. He has over 2,000 trees and runs two evaporators in connection with his fruit. Last year he realized nearly $2,000 from his orchard. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have a five children: John P., Mary, Fannie, Charles and Dora.

Frederick Utz

Mr. Utz is a native of Switzerland, bornin 1846. He was one of a family of eight children, and was reared in the old country. In 1866 he was married in Switzerland to Miss Magdalina Beuther, and continued to reside there afterwards until ya when he emigrated to America, locating in Montgomery county. In 1874 he bought | a small place of 40 acres and by industry, economy and good management hus added to this from time to time, until he ze ae handsome place of nearly a quarter of a section of land. r. Utz is an energetic, intelligent, thrifty farmer, and is rapidly conte to the front as one of the substantial farmers of the township. Mr. and Mrs.

Utz have six children: Frank, Caroline, Ida, Annie, Mary and Charlie. Mr. Utz's parents, John A. and Ferana (Martin) Utz, were both of old families in Switzerland. The father died there in 1884.

James C. Whiteside

A substantial and enterprising young agriculturist of Montgomery county is Mr. Whiteside, » young man of high character and marked natural intelligence, and one who has been favored with the advantages of thorough college training and valuable experience in business affairs. He has followed agriculture since leaving college, in 1879, with a degree of energy and 'enterprise that could hardly have failed of favorable results. Mr. Whiteside has what. is justly considered one of the most valuable farms in the community, of 900 acres. He is also introducing good grades of stock, to the breeding and raising of which he expects to give his attention. Mr. Whiteside was born and reared in this county and was a son of John C. Whiteside, well known to all old citizens of the county, but who has long since been deceased. Mr. Whiteside's mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Polly Wade, and he is the only child by this marriage. His father had previously been married, but had lost his first wife, who was a Miss Caroline M.. Stewart, of this county. She died soon after her marriage, and her only child lived but a short time. Mr. Whiteside'smother, some years after his father's death, was married to Mr. William Quick, of this county. He afterwards died, but his widow, Mr. Whiteside's mother is still living, and now finds a welcome and pleasant home with her son, the subject of this sketch. James C. Whiteside was born' in Montgomery county September 11, 1857, and was reared here ona - farm, his time being employed to good advantage in assisting on the. farm and -attending the neighborhood schools. Later along, after a course at preparatory school, he matriculated at McGee College, in Macon county, for the completion of his education. He took an elective course at McGee and remained there for three years. A short time after leaving school he entered actively into farming and stockraising. However, for about six months he was traveling as a business representative of Lacy & Brown, tobacconists, at Montgomery City. Onthe third of April, 1883, Mr. Whiteside was married to Miss Minnie C. White, a daughter of ex-Sheriff Arch. H. White, of this county. Mrs. Whiteside was educated at the High School in Danville, taking an advanced general course and also a course of music. Afterwards she taught school for somethree years. She isa sister to Mrs: Gupton, the wife of William L. Gupton, county clerk of this county. Miss Ida White, another sister, is engaged in teach- ing, and is a young lady of finished education. She took a musical course of six years, and is a pianist of high order of talent and proficiency. Misses Sallie and Rose White, the two younger sisters, are now completing their educations at Danville. Mrs. Whiteside is an earnest member of the M. E. Church South. She is a lady whom it is a pleasure to meet, not less on account of her engaging manners and conversation, than of the many excellent, true womanly qualities of her heart. Mr. and Mrs. W. have one son, Clark Herndon. Mr. Whiteside is a prominent member of the Masonic order. He is also a member of the Baptist Church.

Alia S. Whiteside

Mr. Whiteside is a cousin to James C. Whiteside, whose sketch precedes this, and in which an outline of the family history has been given. Alia S. was born in this county June 13, 1837. His father, Maj. H. Whiteside, being a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, Alia S. was therefore brought up to these occupations. In early youth he attended the common schools of the vicinity where he was reared, and also later along studied at home under private instruction. Thus receiving a good general education, he supplemented it with a course at commercial college, graduating at Jones' Business College, of St. Louis, in 1858. From commercial college he returned home, and was shortly employed as book-keeper for Craig & Bros., High Hill. He remained with that firm for several months, and in 1861 was married in Lincoln county to Miss Mary D. Carter. Shortly afterwards he enlisted in the Missouri State militia and served until the fall of 1861, when he was elected justice of the peace, and therefore honorably discharged from militia service to enter upon the duties of his office. For the last 20 years or more Mr. Whiteside stock. For the last 10 years he has served as deputy assessor of the county, and has made a popular and thoroughly efficient officer. . Mr. and Mrs. W. have eight children.

Benjamin E. Wilson

r. Wilson engaged in his present line of business at New Florence some. a years ago, "and has been in the same business at this place continuously ever since, having previously had practical experience in business life and also a course 'at commercial college, his qualifications were such as to bespeak for him a successful future. By close attention to business, fair dealing and good management, he has made his house one of the representative " establishments of this line in the establishing himself in life. He had practically nothing to begin on, but went to work with energy and resolution to accomplish something for himself. Reared in St. Louis, after having been employed in mereantile business there for » time, he located on a farm in St. Charles county, where he remained up to 1869. By this time he had accumulated some means, and preferring a business life to far ming, he came to New Florence, and established his present hardware hou believing this point to be an excellent location for this line of business. At first he and his brother, Jno. M., were together as partners, but the latter withdrew from the firm, January 1, 1881. Mr. W.'s success has been all that he expected. He carries a good stock and keeps a general assortment of the different classes of "goods i in his respective lines. He also has a tinshop in connection with 'his business and a commodious warehouse for agricultural implements, in connection with his store. Mr. Wilson is a man of family. He was married in 1866 to Miss Elizabeth M. McClure, a daughter of A. McClure, of-St. Charles county. Mr. and Mrs. W. have six children: Nellie M., Lillie M., Charles M., Edward A., Bertha L.and Lula. Mr. Wilson was born in St. Louis county, Au gust 9, 1841, and was a son of Benjamin C. Wilson and Priscilla J. (Hall) Wilson, of that county, his father formerly of Ohio, but his mother originally from Virginia. His father.

was a son of John Wilson, one of the pioneer settlers of St. Louis county, the owner of Wilson's Island, a few miles above St. Louis, and for whom the island. was named. Mr. Wilson's mother was a and a grand-niece on her mother's side of Judge Stewart. Mr. Wilson's father, Benjamin C. Wilson, was a successful farmer of St. Louis county until 1854, when he started to California with a drove of stock. But selling the stock on the way, at Salt Lake City, he started to return home, and was murdered for his money a short time afterwards in the vicinity of Fort Laramie. He was twice married,

Joshua B. Winter

Mr. Winter was reared to the milling business, has followed it thus far almost uninterruptedly all his life, and has been engaged in running his present mill for about 12 years. It is an excellent mill ran by steam power and supplied with the best machinery and with a good building, 28x36 feet in dimensions and three stories high, erected in 1870. 'The mill has a capacity of 30 barrels of flour daily, and a sawing capacity of 8,000 feet. Mr. Winter is a thorough miller, and is_ therefore enabled to manufacture the best. grade of Ange He is a man of character and unquestioned standing, and has the full confidence of the public, both in his business and as a citizen. He is a native OLS, Tennessee, born in Blount county, April 10, 1839. His father was -

Sterling Winter, and his mother a Miss Decia Birdwell, both Tennesseeans, where they were reared and married. They came to Missouri in 1840, locating in Montgomery county, and in 1849 the father built a mill on Price's Branch, which he ran for 10 years. He then erected a mill at Danville, which he carried on until 1864. From that time up to 1870 he was engaged in farming, when he and Mr. Baker erected the mill in which his son afterwards succeeded him. The father went to California in 1881, but died near Wooden in that State in less than two years afterwards, in the fall of 1883. His wife, the mother of Joshua B., died in 1856. There were 10 children in their family, among whom the subject of this sketch was the third. He was reared in Montgomery county, and on the 2d of February, 1864, was married to Miss Luticia, a daughter of Granville and Elizabeth P. Nunnelly, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. W. have three children : Charles E., John W. and Mary E. Both parents are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the A. F. and A. M.

Position and Description - Early History - County Churches - Montgomery City - Early History - - Benj. B. Curd - Laying Out the Town - - How the Location of the Railroad was Secured - - Names of the First Citizens - First Stores, etc. - General Historical Sketch - Tragedies - Killing of Bob Harris - Mobbing of George Richards - Killing of '' Pack'? Slavens - Leading Institutions - Steam Mills - Tobaeco Factory - Tow Mills - Newspapers- - -Fair Association - Churches - Public School - Secret Orders.

Position And Description

Montgomery township is the last formed municipal township of Montgomery county. Up to 1872, after the formation of those townships, its territory was embraced in that of Upper Loutre, Danville and Prairie. It comprises nearly two congressional townships 49, range 5, and 49, range 6, with the northern tier of sections of township 48 of the same ranges. It is 12 miles in length, running from the range line between ranges 4 and 5 to the Callaway line, and the eastern portion is six miles and the western five miles wide. It contains 42,240 acres of land.

The western part of the township throngh which the Loutre and sundry of its branches flow is rough, broken and timbered. The eastern portion, lying upon and east of the watershed, is largely prairie, and though it was the last settled it is by far the best improved and most valuable portion of the township. px .

The western portion of this township, along Loutre, was the first. settled. In the southern part of the western portion of the township there was a settlement called '' Cobbtown,'' as early as 1823, in which year came Samuel Cobb, Sr., and his sons, Samuel, Jr., Adam and Philip, and located here in the border of the prairie. The Cobbs were from Kentucky. Adam was a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Delilah Bodkin and had 10 children. Samuel, Jr., lived to be nearly 90. Hewas the father of Alvin Cobb, the noted guerrilla.

Daniel Peverly was thrown from a horse and killed, May 7, 1868, while he and his grandson were riding a small pony which Mr. Peverley had purchased from the wife of Alvin Cobb, who, with her two children, had ridden the animal all the way from the Indian Territory, when she left the noted bandit.

The eastern portion of the township, especially on the prairie, was not settled until about 1848, and indeed some sections were not improved or even entered from the Government until as late as 1855.

New Providence Old School Baptist Church. - This organization, probably the oldest one in Montgomery county, dates its origin here the Ist of April, 1826, David Hubbard being the most prominent person in its formation. The following names appear on the church roll as constituent members: Emanuel and Anna Sailor, Abner and Katherine Johnson, Sarah Nettle, Mary Cobb, William

Green, Daniel Groves, Elizabeth Bunch, Nancy Moore, Richard Jones, Grace and Isaac Hunt, Hezekiah and Elizabeth Jones, James McCormack, Winnie Jones (col'd), William and Elizabeth L. McCormick,

Lowery, Mary Patterson, Mary Davis, Catherine Davis, John Woody, Jr., Prudence Woody, John R. Teneson, Emeline Louton, Daniel Hunt, Rena (col'd) and Uenic McCormack. The present membership is 25. David Hubbard, Jabez Ham, Stephen Ham, William

Jones and James EK. Lee, have supplied this pulpit at different periods. A church building was erected in 1826 and rebuilt in 1828; it stood on section 5, township 48, range 6, but at present there is no house of worship, the house having been taken away. The cemetery, however, is kept up.

Bethel Church M. H. South. - This church was first organized some time previous to 1840, and a log building was erected about that time, but owing to the loss of this structure by fire, the early records give the pioneer history of this body. It was reorganized, however, - through the efforts of William Eads in 1865. Mr. C. D. Maupin - and wife and P. Harrison were among the first members. The - congregation, which now numbers 75, worship in a frame church house, built in 1869, and the ministers in charge have been William Eads, Jesse Sutton, Horace Brown, Henry Craig, John F. Shares a and Revs. Jones, Edwards, Taylor, Penn, Paine, Loving and McClentic. The Sabbath-school has 50 pupils; C. D. Maupin, superintendent. Salem Church - Had until February 28, 1881, a frame house in ~ which services were held, erected in 1875 and costing $1,000. At the former date fire destroyed the building and the church has not been rebuilt, the members, numbering 23, having disbanded and gone to Montgomery and Wellsville. It was organized originally at Phipps' school-house with James H. and Carmilla. V. Oliver, Miss Sallie Oliver, Isaac M. Oliver, Joseph Phipps, and Martha and Jane | Phipps. William Penn was the incumbent of the pulpit one year, I. M. Oliver, one and a half years; E. D. Oliver and W. D. Grant, each ~ for alike period; the last pastor was M. M.. Modissett. Twenty ~ scholars in the Sabbath-school were superintended by A. P. Oliver.

Montgomery City

Prior to the year 1853 the land on which Montgomery City is now~ situated, and the region round about, was open prairie, virgin and unbroken, trackless and unsubdued. MHabitations were few and far between on the prairies in the county at that time ; a large portion of the land still belonged to the United States government, and was subject to entry. It was in the Palmyra land district. .

In 1851 or 1852 James M. Robinson entered a tract of land in thie northern portion of section 31, south-west of the present town site. To this land, in the early spring of 1853, he hauled the timbers for a log house from some distance in the country and erected the building. This was, however, outside of the corporation, and the building is yet standing 175 yards south-west from the college building, and oc- - cupied by a colored family. Also, in the same spring, a house was finished by T. C. McClearey.

In April, 1853, a citizen of this county, a Mr. Franti of Danville, went up to Palmyra, in Marion county, to enter some land in this neighborhood. Mr. Benj. P. Curd, then, as now, a citizen of 4 that county, and one of. its early settlers! was in the office at the time. He believed that the great thoroughfare known as the North Missouri Railroad, then already projected, would come along the watershed between the Mississippi and the Missouri from the mouth of the latter to the Iowa line; and learned, from the Montgomery county man that there was some land in this quarter wild and unentered. He selected 160 acres ina square, covering the site of the town, and 80 acres to the westward, embracing the fair grounds and other portions, and entered the same in his own name.

Between St. Charles and Mexico, along the route of the railroad surveyed, there was not a single town which was certain to be a point on the road. In November Mr. Curd had the town laid off, and soon after there was a sale of lots. é

Seeking out the local attorney of the railroad company, Mr. Wm. Saulsbury, of Danville, Mr. Curd proposed to give every other lot in the town plat if he would cause the railroad company to build its track through it and locate a permanent depot therein. Mr. Saulsbnry readily accepted, set to work to influence the company to make the location accordingly, but in the meanwhile two brothers named, Morris, of St. Louis, had purchased the tract of land lying east of Curd's land from Ira Ellis for $30 per acre, the Knapp Bros., of St.

The Morris Bros. endeavored to influence the railroad authorities to locate the town on their tract.. However, the railroad company decided that whoever gave the most should have the town. Sealed proposals were made, and the town given to Curd, who gave to the

-yailroad company 10 acres south of the track and in the heart of the town, besides right of way. 'These 10 acres include all the land from the track to Walker street on the south, and from Sullivan street on the east to Fourth street on the west. Ten acres west of town were also given the company. The company only leases its 10 acres in the original town plat, where the railroad hotel, the park adjoining, the elevator and other buildings are.

Mr. Curd pursued a very liberal and generous course in the upbuilding of the town. He sold his lots at reasonable prices, and indeed gave away a great many. In the spring of 1857 he gave to Thos. Stevens a prominent lot on the corner of Second and Allen streets, north of the track and immediately fronting it (where the mansard building now, 1884, is), and soon after Steven began the erection of a store building, the first in the place. Prior to this, however, David Snethen and Abraham Grooms had built a little

Some time after Stevens had opened his store came Daniel and - John Bryan and opened a general store on Allen street, between First ~ and Sullivan. They had previously conducted a store half a mile east of town, whither they had removed a small stock from down on the Dry fork of Loutre. The Bryans had for a clerk John W. Ham, now a merchant of the city. The store stood on the present site of the Jackson house.

Other buildings followed. William Saulsbury built a residence north of the track, in the western part of the town, which is still : standing. Daniel Bryan built a dwelling house (yet standing) on the south side of the track. The lumber out of which Bryan's store and ~ house were built was hauled from his mill, down on Dry fork, 12 miles away, by J. L. Pegram.

The first railroad eat building was put up in the fall of 1857, before the track was laid. Its construction was hastened by Sauls-_ bury, to make assurance doubly sure that there would be a depot at. Montgomery City. It stood on the company's ground, just south of the track, on the west side of Second street - now the site of the freight depot. 'The original building was moved back, and is yet in existence. The first depot agent was Thomas Stevens.

The grading of the railroad at and near Montgomery City was completed early in 1856, but owing to the length of time required to complete the ** big cut'' near Warrenton and to finish the grading in - Warren county, the track was not laid to this city until about December 1, 1857, soon after which time the cars began to run regularly. - A turn-table was built, and Montgomery City was made the terminus : of the road for two or three months following. This was of great | advantage. The town improved, although it was a cold winter, and - many buildings went up. The next terminus of the road was at Mexico. -

In the fall of 1857 two painters, named Mullen and Bartlett, built - a house on block 22, north-west corner of Sturgeon and Third streets, - which they intended for a business house. The first hotel was built - and managed by one Nelson, in the early winter of 1857. It stood : on the corner of Second and Allen, north of the track and opposite - the then depot. In about a year Nelson sold out to H. D. Brown, © who also purchased the Mullen & Bartlett building and removed it to - and adjoining the hotel. Both buildings were burned in 1861. a

In 1858 the citizens and proprietors of the town determined to build | acollege or high school building, in order to compete successfully with | her neighbor - Danville. Mr. Curd gave a tract of land in the western part of the original town asa site, and $1,500 in cash besides. Mr. James Robinson's proposal to donate land was also accepted, and the building was put up on Robinson's land in the summer of 1858. The first school was taught therein in 1859, with Rev. William A. Taylor as principal. It was called Montgomery College.

Also in 1858 there was considerable other improvements. Along Allen street, on the north side of the track, houses sprang up, and stores, groceries, etc. Numerous dwelling-houses were erected in various parts of the town.

Morris Bros. failed to pay for their land, and the Knapps relieved them of it and laid off Knapp's addition, which soon began to be settled with residences.

The first post-office was established at Montgomery City in 1857, with John Bryan as postmaster. He held the office until in the summer of 1861, when he turned it over to Thomas Stevens for a short time and entered the Southern army. In June, 1861, David Bruner took the office and held it until ousted by Andrew Johnson, in about 1866, being succeeded by Col. D. M. Sullivan. In March, 1870, Bruner was reappointed and served until March, 1882, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent, 8S. D. Ham, Esq.

The town was not laid out with the cardinal points of the compass, but with the raitroad track, and therefore the streets run from northeast to south-west and from south-east to north-west. The surveying was done by the railroad surveyors.

July 4, 1856, John Stone and Joseph Hibbert began building a steam mill onthe site now occupied by the Montgomery City Mills, in the southern or south-eastern part of town. The machinery and appointments for this mill were shipped from St. Louis by the Missouri river to Portland, and hauled across the country to Montgomery. Herman Schambach, of Danville, soon came, and he built a small 'one-story house on the west side of Second street, south of the track, and nearly west of the mill (lot 1, block 9), and this was used as a boarding-house for Stone & Hibbert's employes. When the steam mill was completed, in the fall of 1856, it was regarded as a curiosity by many, who came for miles to see it in operation. It was at first only a saw mill, but in 1857 it became a grist mill. In 1858 a distillery was added, with a capacity of a barrel and a half of whisky a day, and it was run until 1864. In 1862 Stone & Hibbert sold the mills to Capt. Goodrich.

vacated store house of Daniel Bryan, half a mile east of town. Miss Eliza Robinson taught the first school én town, using the Mullen & Bartlett building on Sturgeon street, before mentioned. This was in the summer of 1858.

and elsewhere. Upon the completion of the college building it was used by all denominations.? The first practicing physician. was Dr. John C. Hagan, who came in the summer of 1857. He is still in Missouri. shi Up to the outbreak of the Civil War, the population of Montgomery City had grown to about 300. There was a good mill and distillery, two or three general stores, some grocery stores, saloons, blacksmith ~ shops, etc. Numerous citizens from the Northern States had come in ©

Second Minois cavalry. i the early winter of 1862 Capt. Tyler's Righty-first Ohio was sent here to garrison the place and to encourage recruiting for the Federal service. It was stationed in the college building for some two months, and during this time Capt. Rice and Lieuts. McCammon and Meigs organized their company, afterwards known successively as Co. F, Twenty-second Missouri, and Co. E, Twenty-fourth Missouri, attached to the Tenth Missouri infantry.

While Tyler's company was here Daniel Bryan's store was administered upon by some of the officers, and it is alleged that many of the goods were sent to Ohio in flagrant violation of right and law. Bryan had been killed on his way to Price's army.

From this time forward until the close of the war, Montgomery City was safely in the hands of the Federals, though in August, 1863, the town was reported in danger of being raided by certain bands of Confederate bushwhackers and there was some alarm.

Among the other companies of Federal troops here during the war was a company of the Third Iowa infantry. This company destroyed the press and material of the Pioneer Gazette printing office.. The company obtained an unenviable reputation for thievery and general lawlessness while here. Its commander was one Capt. Ogg, of whom his men spoke as a coward, and often sang in his presence one couplet of an Soh song referring to his conduct at the battle of Blue

In the fall of 1864, during the Price raid, when Col. Holmes' Fortieth Missouri was sent into this county, it passed through Montgomery City on its return to St. Louis. Some of the members broke into the post-office and carried away postage stamps, as well as some goods then exposed for sale.

After the war many new buildings went up and the prosperity of the place increased considerably during 1865-66-67. In 1866 an effort was made to bring the county seat here, but, as noted elsewhere, this effort failed. January 10, 1866, the Montgomery county Independent was established, by R. E. Verdier, and since that date the town has never been without a newspaper, except from July, 1867, to January, 1868.

from an extended radius and area. 'The railroad hotel was built in" : the early summer of 1866, with the present proprietor, H. Spinsby, i as its first landlord. %s

The progress of the town has since been healthy and substantial. Buildings have gone up as they were needed, and proper improvements have been made from time to time as demanded. W. L. Gatewood's hall, on the south-east corner of Sturgeon and Second streets, was the first public hall of the kind in the place worthy of the name.

Leading Tragedies In Montgomery City

In the year 1876 or 1877 a negro named Bob Harris was shot and killed at or near the colored church in Montgomery City by another negro named Trimble. The latter was tried and sent to the penitentiary for 10 years

June 8, 1879, pears at Montgomery City, the murder by a mob of a negro named George Richards, who was accused of a nameless crime against a respectable white lady of the place. Saturday night, western part of town, was assaulted by George Richards. When the facts became known on Sunday, a warrant for his arrest was issued and served and Richards was placed in the calaboose, where he was identified by Mrs. Hamlin. Sunday night, about 11 o'clock, the door was shot and mortally wounded by a young man named J. W. Shumate, in Crockett's restaurant, on Allen street. Slavens was nota man of good reputation regarding his disposition, especially when intoxicated, as was frequently the case. On one occasion he assaulted an old man, James L. Pegram, and gave him a terrible blow on the head with a fence-picket. For this he left the county and was absent ett's restaurant for dinner, and in a few minutes Shumate came in and - a quarrel, a fight, and a struggle resulted between them, and at last

Shumate was arrested on a charge of assault with intent to kill, and released on bail. Slavens died three or four days afterward, leaving besides a wife, several children. The case against Shumate is yet undisposed of.

Leading Institutions Of Montgomery City

Tobacco Factory. - In the spring of 1880 J. H. Lacy and Paul Brown determined to remove their tobacco factory from Wentzville to Montgomery City. The citizens here gave them considerable encouragement, financially and otherwise, and early in the spring they began the erection of their building. In May they moved in and began work. January 1, 1881, the Lacy & Brown Tobacco Company was incorporated and took charge of the institution. The capital stock was $30,000; Paul Brown has been president of the company since its existence, and L. W. English, secretary, treasurer and shipping clerk. Mr. Lacy retired in 1884, but the style of the company is unchanged. The institution manufactures chewing and smoking tobacco, and readily disposes of its products. It buys by far the greater portion of its leaf tobacco in this county, with much in Callaway, Audrain and adjoining counties. Its manufacture is about 500,000 pounds of tobacco annually.

Tow Mills. - The tow mills at Montgomery City, located in the northern part of town, were built in August, 1881, by Vestal, Harris & Co., of Indiana. The citizens gave a bonus of $500 to the propri- are run by steam, and.the engine is of 60-horse power. They manufacture annually about $20,000 worth of upholstery and paper tow, and ship to various markets in the United States, including San Fran-

_ who built the log house before referred to. Mr. Robinson moved the _ press and material for his office here from Louisiana, Mo. The office politics, and was published more to advertise the town than for any other purpose. At last Mr. Robinson in March, 1858, disposed of the office material to his foreman, one Adam Harper, who had come from the Presbyterian office. Harper ran the paper unti] perhaps in 1860, and the name changed to the Chronicle. January 10, 1866, R. E. Verdier issued at Montgomery City the first number of the Montgomery County Independent. The office was

In January, 1867, the Independent enlarged to a seven-column _ sheet, size 24x36, and came out as a staunch Democratic sheet. This did not please many of the patrons, who withdrew their support, and post, being abandoned by its friends, and was mustered out. In | the fall of the same year W. L. Gatewood foreclosed a mortgage which he held on the office and sold the material to J. B. Ellis, who © issued the first number of a Democratic journal called the Montgomery |

Standard, March 4, 1869. The paper was 24x36 in size, and all - printed at home. Sometime in the fall of 1872 Ellis sold the paper to - W.S. Bryan, who enlarged it to an eight-column sheet, and published

The Ray

The first edition of this paper appeared December 7, 1871. It was j published in Danville, and had its office in an old brick school-house. -

The original proprietor and editor was Col. L. A. Thompson, who has ever'since conducted the paper in both capacities. The paper was a six-column folio, and the subscription price was $1.50. The paper has always been Republican in politics, and in 1872, its first political campaign,.it supported Grant for President, John B. Henderson for governor, T. J. C. Fagg for Congress, and the Republican county ticket, with S. C. Baker for representativer The paper was enlarged May 9, 1873, to a seven-column folio. October 2, 1875, the office and fixtures of The Ray were removed to Montgomery City, and put up in the room that it now occupies. Much of the time it has been the only Republican paper in the county, and although in a city, county, and district overwhelmingly Democratic, it has always maintained its rights fearlessly, and yet it has had a liberal patronage from the most intelligent Democrats. Annually, during the week of the fair, a full sized daily edition is published called The Ray Fair Daily. Although not a seeker for controversy on any opinion of public interest, it fears nobody's pen, and has with rare exceptions been let alone. The name of the paper.is purely original and was chosen with a view to newness; the two words of three letters each convey the desired idea of the publication, and were selected after some thought. Theis as much a part of the name as Ray, and is properly printed with the same emphasis.

Fair Association

The grounds of the Association were purchased March 7, 1867, of ior. Curd, and comprise 20 acres off the west side of east half section 30, township 45, range 5, and are one-fourth of a mile long north and south, and oneseighith of a mile wide east and west. Mr. Curd took $200 worth of Biol at $40 an acre. The officers for 1884 were, James Lail, president; J. F. (Dick) Smith, vice-president; Jas. R.

Churches Of Montgomery City

Baptist Church. - The first Baptist Church was organized at Elkhorn school house, by 8. T. Johnson, David W. Nowlin, and Walter McQuie, Sr., in September, 1856. In 1864 it was moved to Montgomery City, where it held meetings in the college until 1868, when the Uniou Church building, between the Baptists and Methodists, was completed. In 1880 the present church, a frame building, was erected, at a cost of $1,800. The building stands on the corner of Sturgeon street and Spinsby avenue. It was dedicated February 15, 1880, by

M. H. Church South. - This church was organized in the fall of 1859. 'The original members were Thomas McCleary (class leader), Peter H. and Sally Bratton, Mrs. Frances G. Robinson, Laura E. Robinson. The organization was effected at the college building, under direction of Rev. John Cook. The first sermon preached in Montgomery City by a Methodist minister was by George Smith, in Mullen & Bartlett's building, opposite the depot, in the year 1857. Soon after W. A. McNeiley held meetings in the freight depot and at

The first dedication was conducted by Rev. John D. Vincil. In 1880 the church was rebuilt, the entire cost of its construction exceeding $1,500. Soon after its completion it was dedicated by Rev. H. H. Craig. It is believed that the following is a complete list of the

John Cook, Bascom Watson, George Smith, Father M. L.Eads, H. H. Craig, Thompson Penn, J. Y. Blakey, J. F. Shore, - Loving, - Paine, Henry Kay, L. F. Linn, Henry Kay, and Mr. Lewis, the present pastor. The present membership is 151. The Sabbath-school has a

Episcopal Church. - The Church of the Holy Comforter, of Montgomery City, was organized about the year 1859. <A few of the original members were Mrs. Addie Worley, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Fannie Sharp. Not much of the early history of this church can be learned. At present there are nine regular communicants and 11 members. Services are held twice a month. The Sabbath-school in connection has about 20 scholars. In the absence of the rector Mrs. Addie Worley officiates as superintendent. Miss Anna L. Sharp is clerk of the church. Since 1869 the pastors have been Revs. J. E. Jackson, J. N. Chestnut, A. L. Sharp, Joseph R. Gray, C. De L. Allen, who died November 2, 1881, P. Wagner and George Moore.

After the year 1869 the members composing the congregation of the Church of the Holy Comforter worshiped without a permanent place. The rector was Rev. J. E. Jackson. Subsequently they met in Library Hall, under the Rev. J. N. Chestnut, and for four years in a chapel fitted up for them and rented from Mr. Thos. Ferguson, on the corner of Allen and Second streets. After Mr. Chestnut the Rev. A. T. Sharp was in charge for a few months, and during his ministry preparations were begun for the erection of a new and permanent church building. Two beautiful lots of land, on the corner of Walsh and Allen streets (block 8, Knapp's addition), were donated by Dr. H. W. Pocoke, and through the exertions of Mrs. Fannie Sharp and Mrs. Addie Worley, constituting the soliciting committee, about $1,500 was raised by subscription and otherwise as a building fund. A. H. Worley, S. T. Sharp and Dr. Horace W. Pocoke, composing a

26 it was occupied by the Sunday-school, with Dr. Pocoke as superintendent, and Mrs. Fannie Sharp, Mrs. Addie Worley and Mrs. Carlyle as teachers, with about 30 scholars. The church was dedicated November 30, 1879, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Robertson, assisted by Joseph R. Gray, the then minister in charge, and the building committee.

Presbyterian Church. - This church was organized the first Sabbath in June, 1860, by J. Harrison, D. D., and S. D. Longhead who were appointed by the Jefferson City Presbytery the previous May.. The original members were Mesdames Caroline M. Hoss, Francis

Case, Mary C. Jasper, Rachel D. Bruner, J. A. Schultz, Mary C. Yeater, Nancy Hagan, Prudence B. Otta, Angura C. Sailor; Misses Emma Drake and Esther W. Drake, and Wm. J. Baird, Edward Case and A. J. Yeater, the last two named being the first elders. _ The first accession by profession of faith was Miss Mandy M. Taylor, the same day of the organization. The church was built about 1866, by E. B. Overstreet, the deed for the ground being presented by B. P. Curd and wife. The building cost about $4,500. It was dedicated by Rev. J. H. Brookes, of St. Louis. The pastors have been 8S. D. Longhead, R. S. Symington, T. C. Smith, B. T. Lacy, E. W. Burke, Howison, H. M. Sydenstricker and T. Gallaher. The present membership is 60. Novo record of meetings between February ° 24, 1861, and December 25, 1864, and between February 26, 1865, and January 28, 1866, are to be found; but it is known that Anna Gordon and Lucy Gordon 'united with the church in 1863. The Sabbath-school has 50 scholars, with J. R. Hance as superintendent. Christian Church. - The Christian Church of Montgomery City - was organized with 21 members, in April, 1880, by Elder J. H. Har- | din, who was at this time State Sunday-school Evangelist. Promi- | nent among the first members were E. D. Bethel and wife, J. A. - Simpson and wife, W. D. Clare and wife, and Sisters Bodine, Carson, A McCanns, Herron, Gatewood, Abrams, Caldwell, Sharp, Summers, Vernette and others. Frank W. Allen was the first pastor and preached acceptably to the church until the spring of 1881, when Elder Jacob Hugly was employed, the State board assisting the church in paying his salary. At the close of the vear, Elder Hugly resigned and Dr. William Barbee, of Kentucky, was employed, but was soon chosen - to take charge of Woodlawn College, Independence, Mo., and the q church was again left without a pastor, until the spring of 1883, when 4 Elder W. I'. Sallee was called, and is still serving the church. | In the year 1871, Elder Thomas Bates, a student from the Kentucky University, organized a little band of Disciples in the Methodist Church, Elder J. H. Thomas being employed to preach. In the fall of 1872, the congregation gave $500 to the college for the privilege - of preaching there for a term of years, Elder Timothy Ford and J. - H. Healington preaching. After a time, as the college was so re- - mote, services were held in Library hall. About the year 1879, the members living out of town asked for letters and organized and built - what is known as Two-Mile Branch Church. The church building isa 4 frame and was built in 1880. 'The building, lots and furniture cost ' about $1,800. It was dedicated in October, 1881, by Elder Hardin. i.

Public School

L. Jenness, principal and teacher in the high school department ; Miss Mildred A. Nowlin, teacher of «* A'' grammar grade ; Miss Jane Bryan, teacher in '' B'' grammar grade; Miss Lilian B. Jones, teacher in C'' and ** D'' grammar grade; Miss Narcissa Skinner, teacher in ''A'' and '* B"' primary, and Miss Mary Martin, teacher in «* C"'

School population between six and 20 years, 490°; number of pupils enrolled, 403; average number attending, 228; per cent of enrollment on school population, 82; per cent of attendance on enrollment, 56.5 ; total number of days present, 36,057;. total number of days in session, 160; total number of days taught, 158; number of regular teachers, 6; number of pupils to teacher, 67 ; cost of tuition per pupil enrolled per year, $4.96; cost of tuition per pupil attending per year, $8.77; average salary per teacher, $41.66; amount paid teachers, $2,000.00; number of school rooms, 6; number of seats, 300; amount paid janitor, $120.00.

Montgomery City Royal Arch Chapter No. 84 - Was instituted by R. E. Anderson and Frank Gouley. The charter and dispensation are dated October 8, 1874. The charter members and first officers were: H. W. Pocoke, high priest; John F. Tippett, king; R. W. Jones, scribe; B. S. Barnes, principal sojourner; C. P. Evered, secretary ; J. C. McNeiley, W. W. Jordan and S. 8. Nowlin, masters of the veils; M. N. Mallerson, treasurer; A. Vogt, secretary ; Walter Caldwell, guard; F. H. Harrington, J. W. Buck, M. M. Moore, E. B. Overstreet and Cresap Barker. The present membership is 38, and the following are the officers: G. W. Varnum, high priest ; Andrew Kirn, scribe; H. W. Pocoke, king; John Tippett, captain of the host ; A.C. Devinna, principal sojourner; Frank Field, royal arch captain ; » W.H. Goodlove, C. P. Evered and Frank Sabourin, masters of the veils; M. N. Mallerson, treasurer; A. Vogt, secretary ; Walter Caldwell, guard.

The present number of members is 36. | Montgomery Lodge No. 123, I. O. O. F. - Nothing of the history of Montgomery Lodge, No. 123, I. O. O. F., has been learned except that it was organized in the fall of 1858, and that it surrendered its charter June 15, 1861. The lodge meets in a brick hall built in 1882. The names of the charter members and first officers, for what reason the charter was returned, when it was re-issued, ete., and - other items of interest pertaining to its history have not been furnished, although promised us. ! |

No worthy history of Montgomery county could be written without including more than a passing mention of the subject of the present sketch. Dr. Adams is by profession and a lifetime of active practice a physician, but his activity and usefulness have not been confined alone to his profession. A physician of prominence he has been and is at the present time one of the prominent citizens of the county in public affairs and in the measure of promoting its material and general interests. Dr. Adamsis a native Missourian, born in the Florisant valley, in St. Louis county, October 28, 1818. On his father's side he came of an old and respected Virginia family, but his mother's _ people, the Allens, were originally of New England - Connecticut. His father, Burrill B. Adams, came out from Virginia when a young man and located at St. Lonis, becoming the principal manager of Judge Tucker's business at that place. While there he was married to Miss Harriet Allen, and in 1823 removed to St. Charles county. Six years later he moved to Franklin county, and in 1844 settled in Mont- _ gomery county, locating near Winter's Mill, but afterwards removed to Danville, where he resided for many years, and until his death. He died in 1881 in the eighty-second year of his age. He was one of the well-known and estimable citizens of the county. His wife, Dr. Adams' mother, had preceded him to the grave by nearly 30 years. They had a family of six children, of whom Dr. Adams was the eldest. The others were: Bevely T., now of Danville; Joshua B., of Jefferson City ; James B., of Wright county ; Carter C., who died 'in 1872; two others who died in tender years, and Sophia F., a maiden lady of the county. Dr. Adams was principally reared in Franklin county, and after taking a course in the common schools in that county, entered Marion College when 19 years of age, where he took a course of three years, familiarizing himself during this time with the higher English branches and obtaining a general knowledge of Latin and Greek. After quitting college, in 1843, he immediately entered upon the studv of medicine under Dr. J. I. T. Mcllroy, a leading physician of Ralls county, under whom he prosecuted a regular preparatory course of study for medical college In 1844 he matriculated at the medical department of the State University, and was a graduate in the class of 1846, the first medical class graduated by » that institution. Following this he located at Danville and began the active practice of his profession. With his marked natural "adaptability for the practice of medicine and his thorough medical training, together with his well known. industry and professional zeal, he soon became established as one of the prominent and successful physicians of the county ; he had the leading practice at Danville up to the outbreak of the war (by which event he was withdrawn from his profession for awhile), and after the return of peace he resumed the practice at that place and continued there until three years ago, when he was influenced by other considerations to make his home at Montgomery City. He still retains a large share of his old practice in and around Danville. Dr. Adams took an active and somewhat prominent part in the affairs of the war in this section of the State. He has always had a warm sympathy for those who, by no fault of their own, seem not to have an equal chance with their fellows in the race of life. In other words, he is, and has always been, in feeling and sympathy, and with material help, so far as he could aid them, for the unfortunate and oppressed, whenever and wherever found. Hence, when the Republican party sprang into life out of the moral sentiment of the country against the wrongs of slavery, out of the moral sense of the world, of humanity, itself, it may be said, he naturally identified himself with that party, among the first. He was bold, fearless and outspoken in the expression of his opinions. But such was the manifest honesty and sincerity of his convictions, and such his high character and the esteem in which he was held personally and otherwise, that he suffered little or no inconvenience among his neighbors for his political opinions. Esteeming his neighbors himself as much as any one, and believing that it was as much for the good of the slaveholders as for the slaves that slavery should be destroyed, he respected the rights and interests of all, and until the war came on which rendered prompt action necessary, believed that emancipation should be effected by gradual, conservative methods. Holding the views he did, he came to be regarded as one of the prominent Republicans of North Missouri. As early as 1856 he was nominated a candidate on the first Republican State ticket ever ran in the State for the office of Secretary of State, the ticket headed by Gen. Jas. B. Gardenhire for Governor. When the war burst upon the country he promptly dropped everything else and busied himself with enrolling volunteers for the Union service. Ina short time he was appointed a membér of the board of enrollment for-the Ninth Congressional district. . After this he became provost-marshal for this district, with headquarters at Mexico until 1864, and then at St. Charles until the close of the war. However, in 1864, he was elected a member of the State constitutional convention, called to wipe out the slave provisions of the old State constitution, and to lodge the government of the State securely in the hands of its loyal citizens - those who were not seeking to take it out of the Union either by bayonet or ballot. Dr. Adams was a member of the State convention and won the general - indorsement of the Union element of the State by his manly, fearless course in that body. After this he was elected a member of the Legislature from Montgomery-county, and afterwards, in 1866, was elected to represent the district composed of the counties of Montgomery, Lincoln and Pike in the State Senate, defeating Hon. R. A.

Susan B. Drury, a daughter of Charles J. Drury, the first merchant to engage in business at EDanville. She is now deceased. They reared a family of six children: Charles J., now of Colorado ; Julia S., Dollie, Leigh Hunt, William B. and Einast Haesor fe Ben. 22 Dr. ie ee has a comfortable residence property at Montgomery City, and other property in the country. He is one of the respected and influential citizens of the county.

Charles W. Batchelor

Mr. Batchelor, though not reared on a farm, has a taste for farm life which induced him to quit business pursuits and engage in agriculture. In 1884 he came to Montgomery county from St. Louis, and bought the place where he now resides, where he went to work farming with as much apparent understanding of the business and as little fear of hard labor as if he had been reared a tiller of the soil. He has aneat place of 136 acres, about 100 of which are fenced and otherwise improved. Mr. Batchelor expects to make a specialty of raising and handling stock, and with his business qualifications, enterprise and industry, he can hardly fail of making it a success. He is a Kentuckian by nativity, born at Covington, April 26, 1847. His parents were

Joseph Batchelor, originally of Pennsylvania, and Mary, nee Ashbrook, a lady of Kentucky birth. Charles W. learned the printer's trade in youth, and worked at it for some years in Kentucky, where he was reared. In 1869 he was married to Mrs. Lida A. Lawrence, a daughter of William and Jane Faudree, of Ohio. After his marriage he came to St. Louis, where his father had before resided for a time, but not for some years before Charles W. located there. In St. Louis he engaged in mercantile life, and in 1880 began farming in St. Louis county. Two years later he came to Montgomery county, as stated above. Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor have one child, a son, Edwin F. They have lost one, Etta, who was 16 years of age at the cs of her death, just approaching young womanhood, and a young girl of rare graces of mind and sweetness of disposition. Her death was a sore bereavement to her parents, one that seemed too hard to bear, for lines of business and generally in nearly every walk of life. The sub- _ ject of the present sketch, reared in New York and. for a number of years resident of Wisconsin, a farmer and stockman by occupation, is no exception to the general rule of Northern agriculturists settled in Missouri. Coming to this State and to Montgomery county in 1871, he has become well known in the county as one of its leading fine - stockmen and farmers. He has one of the best farms in the county, kept in first-class condition. Meant mainly for « stock farm, everything is placed and provided to make the handling of stock the most convenient, and to keep them in the best possible condition, with the least: trouble and expense. Mr. Brandt has some of the finest stock to be seen in the county, and believes it far more profitable to raise the best grades, particularly in the line of horses. He has not less than four fine registered or pedigreed stallions. One a fine Messenger-Golddust, is a noted trotter, and has a record of a mile in 2.3821/7,. Two of the others are thorough-bred French-Norman draft horses, perfect pictures of that noted breed. The other is a tine two-year-old Golddust. He also has eight fine thorough-bred mares, veritable queens of the different breeds which they represent. His homestead contains 640 acres, and, besides this, he has 960 'acres elsewhere in the county, making an aggregate of 1,600 acres - one of the largest land-holders in the county. Mr. Brandt was born in Rhode Island, in Providence county, May 28, 1831. His father was Thomas T. Brandt, for a number of years a prominent ship-builder in Rhode Island, and later a successful farmer of New York. Mr. Brandt's mother was a Miss Mary Garrett before her marriage, also originally of Rhode Island. The father is still living, at an advanced age, but well preserved and active. The mother, however, died last spring and in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Mr. Brandt was reared on the farm in New York, near Hornellsville, and in 1855 was married to Miss Elizabeth Stelle, a daughter of Benjamin Stelle, of Pennsylvania, now deceased, but formerly of New Jersey. After his marriage he continued to reside in New York until 1856, when he removed to Wisconsin. From that State he came to Missouri, as stated above, in 1871. His first wife died in 1875; and four of the children she had borne him are living: Nathan W., now of Los Angelos, Cal. ; Solon S., whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Howard W., in the file factory at Joliet, Ill., and Thomas R., engaged in the patent-right business. To his present wife Mr. B. was married in 1878. She was a Miss S. L. Cutter, a daughter of Gilbert Cutter, formerly of Pennsylvania. They .have,.two children, John C. and Angie May Brandt. ;

Solon 8. Brandt

Mr. Brandt, a thorough-going, enterprising business man in the west-central part of the county, is a native of Wisconsin, born at Janesville, April 15, 1858. He was reared at his place of birth, where he attended the local schools up .to his thirteenth year, when, in 1870, his father and family removed to Missouri, and settled on a farm which his father bought in Montgomery county. Young Brandt grew up on the farm in this county, and in 1878 began stock trading, in partnership with his father, and handling trotting stock particularly. He continued this on the farm in connection with farming interests until he came to Montgomery City in the fall of 1882 and engaged in his present business. Here he continued to handle stock, mainly horses and mules, in addition to carrying on his stables. For livery purposes he keeps a full stock and his establishment is popular with the public, having a good patronage both local and transient. Mr. Brandt also handles the Columbus buggies, for which he is sole agent at this point, and for which there is a large demand. He brings on this make of buggies by the car load and keeps a full assortment constantly on hand. March 21, 1881, he was married to Miss Emma Sharp, a daughter of Dr. D. F. Sharp, of this city. They have an interesting little son, James Leonard.

Mr. Britt, who has one of the best stock farms in the county, a handsome place of 735 acres, started out in life for himself when a young man practically without a dollar in money and with only a horse, saddle and bridle, besides his wearing apparel, And although he is hardly yet more than a middle-aged man, he has made every dollars' value of property he is worth by his own industry, energy and good management. Mr. Britt is not only one of the leading farmers and progressive stockmen of this part of the county, but one __of its highly respected, valued citizens as well. He is doing much for the county in introducing good grades of stock, and is raising fine short-horn cattle, pure- -blooded Poland-China and Chester-White hogs. He also feeds and deals in stock to a considerable extent. Mr. Britt was the eldest son of Tandy H. and Martha J. Britt, early settlers of Montgomery county from Virginia. The father had been previously married, and by both unions there were 14 children. He died in 1852. Five of the children are living: Mary Bethel, Sarah Powell, Granville O., Virginia and Thomas H., the subject of this sketch. He was born in this county July 2, 1839, and was reared a farmer. In 1863, then about 24 years of age, he went to California, and was engaged in sheep-raising for some five years. He then returned to é Montgomery county and bought the farm where he now resides. In - 1869 he was married. to Miss. Malissa Stewart, a daughter of Osborn and Elizabeth Stewart, of this county, but formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Britt have four children: Wallace L., Avlett T., Emmet C. and Julia K. Three are deceased, two in infancy and Denare Vie _ who died in his third year. Mrs. B. is a member of the Primitive _ Baptist Church, and is a lady of marked intelligence and culture. _ She was educated at the New Florence Academy and Franklin Female College, of St. Louis.

E. R. Brown

Mr. Brown, for two terms collector of Montgomery county and a well-do-do, progressive agriculturist, as well as an enterprising busi- - ness man, is a Virginian by nativity, born in Albemarle county September 14, 1833. His parents were Bezaleel and Elizabeth ( Price) Brown. His mother was of a branch of the Price family of Virginia from which sprang Gen. Thomas Price, of this State. E. R. was reared in Virginia, and came to Missouri in 1856 and engaged in farming. On the 18th of April, 1880, he married to Miss Lydia J. Harper, a daughter of Col. C. B. Harper, of this county, referred to in the sketch of Charles D. Harper elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Brown became identified with Col. Harper in business in Montgomery county, and was connected with him for about seven years. In 1861 he enlisted in the Southern service under Gov. Jackson's call for the State Guard. He served out the term of his enlistment - six months. - After this he was at home until 1864, when he rejoined the Southern army under Price, and was out until the close of the war, participating in numerous battles during both terms of his service. After the surrender he was in St. Louis until late in the fall of 1865, and then - resumed farming in Montgomery county. In 1878 he became the Democratic candidate for county collector, and was successful. He was again elected to the same position, and in all served for four years. Mr. Brown made an efficient and popular collector. He has continued his farming. operations all the time, notwithstanding other interests and duties which have required his attention. He has an excellent farm of 260 acres about four miles west of Montgomery City. Mr. Brown came to Montgomery City in 1883 and engaged in his present business during the summer of that year. The firm dogs business on the cash principle, both buying and selling, and are. therefore able to sell their goods at the lowest possible figures consistent with good, safe business management. 'They have an adopted daughter, Miss Laura J., now a young lady. s