Nodaway County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 5 of 6)

Samuel P. Huston was born at Brookfield, Linn county, Missouri, on November 25. 1872, and is a son of Samuel P. and Martha (Campbell) Huston. These parents are both deceased, both dying at St. Joseph, this state, the father on November 24, 1903. and the mother on May 5, 1905. Samuel P. Huston, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania and after settling in Missouri he became a man of influence and prominence in public affairs, hav¬ ing served as a member of the state Legislature. The subject's mother was also a native of the old Keystone state and was a woman of many graces and commendable virtues. These parents had seven children, two sons and five daughters, the subject of this sketch being the third child in order of birth.

Samuel P. Huston, Jr., spent the first eleven years of his life under the parental roof at Brookfield, and then moved with his parents to St. Joseph, this state, where he completed his common school education, supplementing this bv attendance at Avalon College, at Trenton. Missouri. L^pon the com¬ pletion of his education he accepted a position as clerk in a wholesale house in St. Joseph, but at the end of a year he relinquished that position and dur- ing the following year he was engaged in the life and accident insurance busi¬ ness. In 1898 he turned his attention to agricultural lines and located on the farm in Polk township, this county, where he now resides. The place com¬ prises one hundred and sixty acres of as good land as can he found in the township and it is maintained at a high standard of excellence, the result of the advanced ideas of the owner. Mr. Huston has erected an attractive and comfortable modern house and other necessary farm buildings, the gen¬ eral appearance of the place indicating thrift and prosperity. Mr. Huston gives attention to a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, in which also he has met with a gratifying measure of success.

On November 25, 1901. in White Cloud township, this county, Mr. Huston was united in marriage with Sarah L. Montgomery, who was born in that township on October 2, 1878, the daughter of John D. and Martha P. (Shinabarger) Montgomery. Her parents are both deceased, the - father having died at Omaha, Nebraska, on December 20, 1909, and the mother at Maryville, this county, in 1886. They were the parents of three children, of which number Mrs. Huston is the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Huston are the par¬ ents of four children. Alice L., Howard M., Grace L. and Ruth M.

Religiously, Mrs. Huston is a member of the Baptist church, to which Mr. Huston gives an earnest and liberal support. In every relation of life he has been true to his highest ideals and his daily life has been such as to win the respect and esteem of all who know him. Active, energetic and suc¬ cessful in his business affairs, he has been rewarded with a fair degree of prosperity and he is now numbered among the enterprising citizens of his township,

Robert D. Miller

Descended from honored ancestry and himself numbered among the leading citizens of Nodaway county, Missouri, the subject of this sketch is entitled to specific recognition in a work of this character. A residence in this county of many years has but strengthened his hold on the hearts of the people with whom he has been associated and today no one here enjoys a larger circle of warm friends and acquaintances, who esteem him because of his sterling qualities of character and his business ability.

Robert D. Miller, who owns and operates a splendid farm in Polk town¬ ship, was born on a farm near DeSoto, Iowa, on March 10. 1878. and is a son of John W. and Mary W. (Garrett) Miller, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Kentucky. The father is now deceased, his widow being now a resident of Nodaway county. They came to this county in 1880 and located on a farm in Hughes township, to the cultivation of which the father devoted himself until his death, which occurred on May 17, 1908, when seventy-eight years old. They became the parents of fourteen children, of which number four are living, Martin L., Harvey A., Cora M. and Robert D.

Robert D. Miller was but two years old when the family located in Nod¬ away county, so that practically his entire life has been spent within its borders. He was reared on the parental farmstead in Hughes township, re¬ maining with his parents until March, 1907, when he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Polk township, where he now resides. He is a thoroughly practical and up-to-date farmer, using modern implements and machinery in his farm work, and keeping in touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry. He has a comfortable and attrac¬ tive residence, commodious and well-arranged barns and necessary outbuild¬ ings, well-kept fences and other essentials of a high-grade farm, the general appearance of the place being pleasing to the eye and indicative of the own¬ er's progressive ideas. Mr. Miller conducts a general line of farming, and also gives considerable attention to the raising of livestock, a valuable adjunct to any farm, and as a result of his enterprise and indefatigable efforts he realizes a comfortable annual income from his place.

Mr. Miller was united in marriage on March 5, 1902, to Maude Gault, who was born in Polk township, this county, on August 4, 1874, the daughter of Lemuel E. and Mary J. (Roberts) Gault. These parents were natives re¬ spectively of Tennessee and Ohio and came to Nodaway county in the latter sixties, their marriage occurring after their arrival here. They settled in Polk township, where they remained until in July, 1903, when they removed to Maryville, this county, where they have since resided. They are the parents of eight children, of whom seven are living, namely: Maude, the wife of R. D. Miller; Icca, the wife of D. T. O'Connor; J. Earl; Etha O., the wife of Ered Stephenson, of Maryville; L. Odis ; Dessie E. ; Yerdie, who died at the age of about twelve years. To the subject and his wife have been born three children, Earl G., Mildred A. and Harold D. Religiously, Mr. Miller is a member of the Christian church and his wife of the Presbyterian, both giving to their churches ardent and liberal support. Fraternally, Mr. Miller is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He is a man of pleasing address and genial disposition, easily makes friends and among his acquaintances are many warm personal friends, who esteem him for his genuine worth.

John C. Looker

When John C. Looker first came to Nodaway county he found conditions very much like the emigrant would find today in the unsettled prairies of the far Northwest, dotted here and there with a cabin or rude dwelling, around which was a small "patch" of upturned sod which the settlers were endeavor¬ ing to wrest a living from. But conditions soon changed and he lived to see and take part in the wonderful development that has taken place since then ; having prospered by reason of hard toil and good management, he is now liv¬ ing in retirement in Maryville.

Mr. Looker was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 14, 1835. He re¬ mained on the home farm, assisting with the general work about the place and attending the neighboring schools during the winter until he was nineteen years old, then, in 1854, moved to Andrew county, Missouri. He is the son of James W. and Sophia (Sprinkle) Looker, both natives of Virginia, born in Rockingham county. They finally came to Missouri, settling six miles north of Savannah and there the father lived until his death at an advanced age.

In 1862, when twenty-seven years of age, John C. Looker left his parental home and came to Nodaway county, locating five miles east of Maryville, in Polk township, settling on timbered land, between the One Hundred and Two and the Mozingo branch, paying from six to eight dollars per acre for his land. He did not think he could live on the prairie, having been used to timbered country. He set to work clearing his land, to build a frame house, there being a sawmill one mile distant. A log house stood on the land when he came. Later he erected a fine frame dwelling and lived there until 1900. developing a fine farm which he still owns, but in the year mentioned he moved to Maryville. George Biggett, Sam Craven and John Lynch, who were boys in Mr. Looker's time, still live in the neighborhood where they -all settled about the same time.

Mr. Looker started with one hundred and forty acres, later added fifty acres, for which he paid thirty-three dollars per acre, and it is now worth seventy-five dollars per acre. It is one of the best farms in the vicinity, especially adapted for grain, and he has handled a great deal of stock on it and in the early days sheep and cattle. When he first came here he did considerable hauling from St. Joseph for the Maryville stores, it requiring three days to make the trip, remaining in St. Joseph one night and making twelve or fifteen dollars 'on a trip, which was considered good pay for the time spent. He kept this up until the railroad was built. The principal merchants of those days were Ben Torrence, Albert and John Michau and James Saunders, the last named being the only one left. Mr. Looker frequently drove his hogs to St. Joseph to market, the trips requiring six days. On one trip he brought back eleven thousand dollars, the hogs he drove that time being owned by Ned Stevenson and Wash. Downing. George S. Baker also often made the trip, taking two or three wagons, while he rode horseback.

Mr. Looker served in the state militia, and his brother James K. served in the Civil war, also in the state militia. Politically, Mr. Looker is a Demo¬ crat all along the line.

Mr. Looker was married, while living in Andrew county, Missouri, in i860, to Susanna Swartz, who died September 23, 1905. This union resulted in the birth of the following children : Lizzie, who married Mathias Casteel, of Polk township; Amandy married William J. Falls and died; Cora married Frank Woods, of Sword, Nebraska ; Mary married Elmer Young, of Bedison, Missouri ; John is operating the old home place for his father.

Samuel Dempsey

Among the representative farmers and stock growers of Nodaway county is the subject of this review, who is the owner of a highly productive farm and who is carrying on his business with that discretion and energy which always make for definite success. Fie has been a hard worker and has gained a substantial foothold in life, not because of the help or influence of others, but because he has wrorked for it in a most diligent manner, having overcome many obstacles that would have discouraged a less courageous man.

Samuel Dempsey was born in Ontario, Canada, on July 14, 1854, and is a son of John and Margaret (Money) Dempsey, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to the New World a number of years before the birth of the subject. In 1869 they came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and settled on a farm in Polk township, where the mother's death afterwards occurred. The father's death occurred in Marshall county. Kansas, a number of years after the death of his wife. They were the parents of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the sixth in order of birth.

Samuel Dempsey spent his boyhood days under the parental rooftree and secured a fair education in the common schools, mainly in the locality where he was born. FT is active labors have been confined to the pursuit of agriculture, in which he was reared, and in which he has achieved a definite success. He is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Polk township, all improved and under a high state of cultivation. As a farmer, Mr. Dempsey easily ranks with the most enterprising and successful men of his calling in Polk township, being progressive in his methods and using the latest modern implements and machinery and by judicious rotation of crops he seldom fails to realize abundant returns from the time and labor devoted to his fields. He also pays considerable attention to the raising of live stock, which he finds quite profitable.

Mr. Dempsey was married in Knox county, Illinois, on March 27, 1889. to Jeannette Murray, whose birth occurred in that county on August 15, 1863. she being a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Fisher) Murray. Her father was born in Kentucky and her mother in Knox county, Illinois, their deaths occurring in the latter county. Of their five children, Mrs. Dempsey was the second in order of birth. To Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey have been born three children, William J., Harry and Carl.

Mr. Dempsey has taken an intelligent interest in the general welfare of the community and has rendered efficient service in the capacity of school director. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, taking an earnest part in its various activities and contributing liberally of their means to its support. He is a man of high ideals and his life has been so ordered as to win for him the respect and esteem of the entire community. His support is given unreservedly to those movements which are for the advancement of the community, morally, educationally, socially or materially, and he is num¬ bered among the representative citizens of the township.

Hugh Dempsey

No farmer in Nodaway county carries on his work in all its diversified lines with more careful discrimination and foresight that tends to definite success, than the gentleman whose name appears above, who has developed and is operating a fine farm in Polk township. A man of much force of character, his good judgment has directed him along the right lines of action and today he is held in high esteem throughout the community where the greater part of his life has been spent.

were both natives ot" Ireland, from whence they emigrated to America some years before the birth of the subject, who is the youngest and ninth in order of birth of their children. John and Margaret Dempsey were married in the Emerald Isle and on coming to America they lived for some years in Ontario, where the father devoted his efforts to agricultural pursuits with a gratifying measure of success until 1869. In that year, having heard of the wonderful possibilities of the Western states of the Union, he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and located in Polk township, where the family made their future home. Here, after a few years, the mother died, and the father some years afterwards passed away while on a visit to a son in Marshall county, Kansas.

Hugh Dempsey was about five years old when the family came to the United States and he was reared by his parents on the home farm in Polk township, where he was early induced into the work of the place. He secured his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and assisted his father until 1895, vvhen he located on a farm in this township, which he had purchased, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of highly improved and productive land, on which he has since resided. He has applied himself to a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and has also given considerable attention to the raising of livestock, which he has found a source of considerable income. Thoroughly practical in his methods, he has kept in touch with advanced ideas relating to the sci¬ ence of husbandry and is numbered among the up-to-date farmers of his township.

At Maryville. Missouri, on February 12, 1892, Mr. Dempsey was united in marriage to Addie Renshaw, who is a native of Adams county, Illinois, where she was born on July 20, 1867, the daughter of William and Nancy ( Hogan) Renshaw. Her father was a native of Indiana and her mother of Illinois, their residence being in the latter state after their marriage until their removal to Nodaway county, Missouri, early in the eighties. They set¬ tled in Polk township, where the mother's death occurred, her husband sur¬ viving her. They were the parents of seven children, of which number Mrs. Dempsey is the third in the order of birth. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey, namely: Two that died in infancy, Earl, Helen and Yern. The subject and the members of his family are popular among a large circle of friends in Polk township, and their comfortable and attractive home is often the gathering place for their numerous acquaintances. Mr. Dempsey is a man of fine personal qualities and because of his earnest and upright life he has earned the universal respect of the community.

John S. Miller

In the development of Nodaway county the subject of this biography has borne an important part, for he has long been prominently identified with the farming life of the locality, and while advancing his own interests he has not been neglectful of his duty to his fellow-citizens, therefore he is accorded a full measure of esteem by all who know him.

John S. Miller, proprietor of -the well known "Cedar View Stock Farm." in Polk township, was born in Athens county, Ohio, on August 4, 1847, an<^ he is a son of Daniel D. and Sarah (Bodwell) Miller, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Ohio. After their marriage, these parents settled in Athens county. Ohio, and the rest of their days were spent on the farm where they first located. They became the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, and of this family the subject of this sketch is the eldest son and fourth child in order of birth. He was reared on the parental farmstead, where he lived until his marriage, at the age of twenty-two year's. He then settled on a farm in Athens county, where he lived until December, 1874, when he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating in Hughes town¬ ship, where he spent the two following years. He then removed to Polk township and soon afterwards bought ninety acres of land there, on which he settled and where he has since resided. He has erected good buildings, planted a splendid orchard and, altogether, he has one of the best appointed farms in Nodaway county. Mr. Miller makes a specialty of the breeding and raising of Shorthorn cattle, Shropshire sheep, Poland-China hogs and White and Buff Leghorn chickens. In the handling of this stock he confines himself to thoroughbreds and enjoys a splendid reputation because of the high quality of the stock sent out from his place. He takes a justifiable pride in his efforts to raise the quality of farm animals and he has accomplished much along this line. Mr. Miller does nothing by halves, and in building his fences he uses cement posts, some of them of his own manufacture, this one item showing the thorough manner in which everything is constructed about the place. Mr. Miller has a practical knowledge of the carpenter's trade, which he learned while living in Athens county, Ohio, and this knowledge has stood him in good stead, he having one of the best-equipped carpenter shops in the county. He is a genial and companionable man and in his comfortable home the spirit of hospitality is ever in evidence. The home is a most delightful abiding place and is the center of a large social circle.

On November 15, 1868. Mr. Miller was married to Sarah Jane Angell. who was born in Athens county, Ohio, on April 13. 1846, a daughter of Wil- liam and Magdeline ( Hailing) Angell. t hese parents were natives respect¬ ively of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and they both died in Athens county, Ohio. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Mrs. Miller was the eldest. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have become the parents of nine children, namely : Cora C., the wife of \V. R. Phillips, of the state of Washington; Fred D., a farmer near Barnard, Missouri; Imlah D., of St. Joseph, Missouri; Carl C.. who died in infancy; Gladys B., the wife of John R. Evans, of Polk town¬ ship; Daniel D., who resides at home; Mattie May, who was the wife of H. M. Dorman, died in the state of Washington on April 4, 1908; Arthur S.. of Washington; William Albert died August 20, 1898, at the age of twenty years.

Mr. Miller has taken a keen interest in public affairs, and has held the offices of justice of the peace for two terms and road overseer for many years, performing the duties of these offices to the entire satisfaction of his fellowcitizens. He also served over twenty years as postmaster, the office being known as Hughes postoffice. He gave it up when the rural delivery was established and the office discontinued. He and his wife are active members of the Missionary Baptist church, to which they contribute liberally of their time and means. Sufficient has been said of the subject to prove him entitled to a place in the front rank of the energetic, self-made men of his adopted state, those who, by well-directed enterprise and unswerving honor, have wwought nobly and well and who from the pinnacle of large success look back over lives of honor and rectitude in which is found little to criticise, but much to commend.

William R. Wells

We now take under review one of the sterling citizens of Polk township, Nodaway county, where he has resided for a number of years and where his life has been spent in such a manner as to gain him an ample competence. Mr. Wells is one of the successful farmers in this community, where he owns an attractive farm, having so conducted his business affairs as to bring success to himself, comfort to his family and good to the community.

William R. Wells wras born in the province of Ontario, Canada, on August 28, 1870, and is a son of Charles and xAnn (Campbell) Wells. Charles Wells was born in London, Ontario, Canada, on December 11, 1833. His parents, Thomas and Ann Jane (Thompson) Wells, were natives of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada, wffiere their deaths occurred. They were the par- ents of six children, Charles, W. R., Mary J., Janies, Elizabeth and Thomas. Charles was reared in Canada, and lived there until early in the seventies, when he went to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he remained four years, returning then to Ontario. Canada, where he remained during the following twelve years. In about 1888 he again came to Nodaway county and settled in Hughes township, where he has since resided. He has always followed farming and stock raising and has a finely improved farm, on which is a full set of commodious and attractive buildings, while the place is well improved in every respect. He is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land, all of which is in cultivation. He was married in Ontario. Canada, on February 14, 1 866, to Ann Campbell, who was born in Durham county, Ontario, Decem¬ ber 25, 1845, ^e daughter of John and Margaret McCoy, natives of Ireland, but whose deaths occurred after their migration to Canada. To Mr. and Mrs. W ells were born eight children, namely : -John T., of Polk township, this county; William R., the immediate subject of this sketch; James Alfred, of Oklahoma; Henry, at home; Edward, of Santiago, Chili; Norman D., of Wyoming; Jennie Mabel, a school teacher in Oklahoma; Edith Evangeline, a school teacher in Utah. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are members of the Presbvterian church, in which Mr. Wells has served as an elder for many years. He takes a deep interest in the general welfare of the community and commands universal respect.

William R. Wells was reared by his parents and received his education m the public schools of his native community. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Nodaway county and has remained here continuously since. He has always followed agricultural pursuits and is the ov ner of one hundred and twenty acres of splendid land in Polk township. PTe here carries on general farming and is meeting with excellent success. He is thoroughly practical in his ideas and keeps closely in touch with advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry, being considered a progressive and up-to-date farmer.

On June 22. 1898. at South Omaha, Nebraska. Mr. Wells was united in marriage with Myrtle Wells, who was born at Grosse Point. Michigan on the 26th of April, i860, the daughter of John J. and Mary R. (Cox) Wells, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. Mr. and Mrs. Wells are the parents of two children. Mary O. and lola R.

Politically, Mr. Wells is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and he has taken a commendable interest in public affairs, particularly as relating to educational affairs, having served several years as a member of the school board. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.

in which both take an active part, being deeply interested in the Sunday school. Fraternally, Mr. Wells is a member of the great, beneficial order, the Modern Woodmen of America. He is well regarded throughout the community, being regarded by all classes as a man of force of character, sta¬ bility, industry and honesty.

Marcellus C. Williams

The subject of this review, who is the owner of a fine landed estate in Polk township. Nodaway county, Missouri, in his successful career as a husbandman, must have clearly demonstrated what an enterprising and indus¬ trious man can accomplish when he has good, common sense and honesty of purpose to control his energy, and as a result of these praiseworthy qualities he stands today as one of the substantial citizens of the vicinity of Mary¬ ville, where he is well known.

Marcellus C. Williams was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 3d day of March, 1849. and he is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Reese) Wil¬ liams. These parents were also natives of the old Buckeye state, and were agriculturists of good standing in their community. Sometime early in the seventies they brought their family to Nodaway county, Missouri, and estab¬ lished themselves on a farm in Polk township, to the operation of which the father devoted his remaining years, both being now deceased. They were persons of high character and enjoyed the respect of the entire community. Of the nine children who blessed their union, the subject of this sketch was the first born. Marcellus Williams spent the first decade of his life in his native county, and then lived with his parents in Pike county, Ohio, until their removal to Missouri. He has since maintained his residence in this county and has consistently devoted his efforts to farming and stock raising, in both of which lines he has met with a gratifying measure of success. He now owns two hundred acres of fine land, all of which is improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has erected good buildings on the place and its general appearance indicates the owner to be a man of good judgment and excellent taste. He has resided in his present location since 1881 and in the community he is regarded as a progressive and up-to-date farmer.

In April, 1881, Mr. Williams was united in marriage to Laura B. Anders, who is a native of Ohio and a daughter of John and Maria (Barringer) Anders. To this union have been born the following children: Bert, Grace, Cal and Blanch. Mr. and Mrs. Williams and the members of their familv move in the best social circles of the community and because of their genuine worth and estimable personal qualities they are popular with all who know them.

Andrew Bicket Graham

Among the men of sterling attributes of character who have impressed their personality upon the community of their residence and have borne their full share in the upbuilding of Nodaway county, mention should not be omitted of xAndrew Bicket Graham, of Green township, where he has long maintained his home and where he has exerted a strong influence for good to the entire community, being a man of upright principles and desirous of seeing the moral, educational and material advancement of Nodaway county, of which he is a native, having been born in i860, in Nodaway township, a mile and a half west of where Wilcox is now located. He is the fourth child in a family of five children born to Matthew W. and Emily (House) Graham, the father born near Louisville, Kentucky, where he grew to maturity and from which state he and his brother, Amos, came to Nodaway county, Misouri, in a very early day. Amos married Mary House, the town of Maryville having been derived from her first name.

Matthew Graham, father of Andrew B., was a soldier in the Mexican war. He was the son of Isaac Graham, who lived for some time in Nodaway county ; his son Matthew came here in the early fifties, and his death occurred September 30, 1905. Emily (House) Graham, mother of Andrew B., was born in Kentucky, near the birthplace of Matthew Graham. She came to Nodaway county, Missouri, before her marriage. Besides Andrew B., the names of the other children born to Mr. and Mrs. Matthew W. Graham are given as follows: Georgia Ann, wife of Marion Bowman, lives at Elmo and has three sons and two daughters; Susan Alice first married William McKee, reared four children, three sons and one daughter: Mr. McKee died in 1880 and she afterwards married William Robinson, now deceased; four children were born to the second marriage; Airs. Robinson now lives with her children in Atchison county. Marion Worth Graham lived near Gilbert, this county, married Lucy Sutton and has one daughter. Charles Edward Graham, who married Jane Van Sycle, lived four miles southwest of Elmo on the old home¬ stead, which place his father bought after leaving Wilcox; he has one son. The mother of these children is now living in Elmo with her daughter, Mrs. Georgia Ann Bowman.

Andrew Graham And Family

and lived there until he was eighteen years old. Then his father sold out and moved to near Elmo where he bought a farm. When twenty-two years old, Andrew B. farmed on his own account for one year, in Atchison county, then moved to Cherry county, Nebraska, and farmed six years. He home¬ steaded three claims there of one-fourth section each. While in Nebraska, in 1885, he made a trip back to Maryville and married Jane Sellers, daughter of Duncan and Jane Sellers. Three children were born to this union : Emily Jane is living in St. Louis; Maggie Alice died when three or four months old; an infant died unnamed. The mother of these children died in the spring ot 1889.

About 1907, Mr. Graham disposed of his property in Nebraska and returned to Nodaway county, buying one hundred and sixty acres of land near Elmo and lived there about six years. In November, 1893, he married Mrs. Alice (Caldwell) Yates, widow of William Yates, deceased. She was born in Stark county, Illinois, and when ten years of age came to Missouri, her family locating in the east part of Atchison county. She is the daughter of George and Sarah (Barr) Caldwell. She grew to maturity in Atchison county and lived there until she married William Yates. Two children were born to them : Harry, living at Summerfield, Kansas, is married and has a son, Harold; Pearl Yates also lives at Summerfield, Kansas. Their father who was the son of William H. and Maherza ( Ryker) Yates, died in 1899.

After the marriage of Mr. Graham to Mrs. Yates they lived near Elmo until about 1897, when they moved to a place five miles west of Quitman, where Mr. Graham now owns a very valuable and well improved farm of three hundred and thirteen acres in one farm and eighty acres in another, and he has been very successful as a general farmer and stock raiser. He also purchased, in February, 1907, twenty acres in the southeast edge of Quitman and there has made his home ever since, having a commodious and pleasant dwelling, attractively located on rising ground, commanding a beautiful view.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Graham: Fern Valentine is living at home, as is also Eva Myrtle; Cecil Lowell died when one year old; Forest Harold is living with his parents; Lena Belle died when seven weeks old.

Mr. Graham is still very actively engaged in farming - in fact, is con¬ sidered one of the leading agriculturists of this township, a man of energy, good judgment and honesty. He is not a public man, but rather loves the cpiiet of home and the associations of his family; however, his support in all worthy measures looking to the interests of Nodaway county may be depended upon. Politically he is a Democrat and he and Mrs. Graham belong to the Christian church.

Sanford L. Wilson

Admired and respected for his general intelligence, as well as for his sterling qualities as a neighbor and a citizen, no man in Independence town¬ ship stands higher in public esteem than the worthy individual the salient facts of whose life and characteristics are herein set forth. Sanford L. Wil¬ son was born on February 21, 1873, 'm Fremont county, Iowa, and is a son of Jerry and Caroline (Sharpe) Wilson, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Missouri. Mrs. Wilson's father, James Sharpe, having been an early pioneer of this state, where both he and his wife died. The subject's paternal grandparents were Jerry and Elizabeth (Lockett) Wilson, who were early settlers of the state of Indiana, subsequently coming to Iowa, where his death occurred, after which event his widow came to Missouri, and died here. The subject's father, Jerry Wilson, was quite young when he came West with his parents, who first located in Fremont county, Iowa, later re¬ moving to Taylor county, that state, and still later to Gentry county, Missouri, where his death occurred in May, 1904. His widow is now living in Gentryville. Gentry county- They became the parents of nine children, of which number eight are living. Jerry Wilson was by vocation a farmer, and at all times commanded the respect of those who knew him, his life having been characterized by strict personal integrity and honesty of purpose. In politics, he was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, while, religiously, he and his wife were members of the Christian church.

Sanford L. Wilson was reared by his parents and received a good, prac¬ tical common-school education. He early became accustomed to farm labor and has always devoted himself to that line of effort. In 1898 he left Taylor county, Iowa, and came to Nodaway county, Missouri. Here for two years he farmed on rented land and then bought eighty acres of land in Independence township, where he now resides, to which he added forty acres, owning now a fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres. Here he has carried on general farming, in which he has met with well-deserved success, and in connection with which he has devoted considerable attention to the breeding and raising of draft horses, with gratifying results. He evinces a spirit of enterprise and progressiveness which is sure to win success in any line and among his fellowagriculturists he enjoys a good reputation because of his energy, industry and practical methods. His place is well improved and stands in unmistak¬ able evidence of the good judgment and industrious habits of the owner.

On February 22, 1899, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage to Nellie Risser. who was born July 17, t 873. in Fremont county, Colorado, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Jane Ann (Locke) Risser. These parents were natives, re¬ spectively. of Germany and Pennsylvania, the father having, on coming to America, located first in Indiana, and later moving to Illinois, where his mar¬ riage occurred. Later he and his wife went to Colorado, where they resided until 1882, when they came to Nodaway county and bought land in Inde¬ pendence township. He added to his original farm until he became the owner of eight hundred acres. He is now dead and his widow is living on the home farm. Mr. Risser was a stanch Republican and he and his wife were faithful members of the Christian church. They were the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have been born four children, Cleva, Truman, Neva and Dola, all of whom are living.

Politically, Mr. Wilson renders an earnest support to the Democratic party and he takes a commendable interest in local public affairs, though not an office seeker. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Christian church, to which they give an earnest and liberal support. Personally, Mr. Wilson is genial and friendly, easily makes friends, and is held in high esteem in the community, to the best interests of which he at all times gives his sup¬ port.

Manford J. Wilson

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free outdoor life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterize true manhood and no greater blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's most renowned and distinguished men were born on the farm and are indebted to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

Manford J. Wilson was born in Fremont county, Iowa, on February 21, 1873. and is a son of Jerry and Caroline (Sharpe) Wilson, the former a native of the state of Indiana and the latter of Missouri. The subject's maternal grandfather, James Sharpe, was an early pioneer of Missouri, where he and his wife spent their last days, both being deceased. The paternal grand¬ parents, Jerrv and Elizabeth ( Lockett) Wilson, located in Indiana in an early clay, subsequently locating in Iowa, where his death occurred, after which event his widow came to Missouri, where her death occurred. Jerry Wilson, Jr., came West in young manhood with his parents, who first located in Fre¬ mont county, Iowa, later removing to Taylor county, that state, and still later to Gentry county, Missouri, where his death occurred in May, 1904. His widow is now living in Gentryville, Gentry county. They became the parents of twelve children, of which number eight are living. Jerry Wilson was by vocation a farmer, and was highly respected in the various communities where he lived. Politically, he wras a stanch Democrat, w'hile, religiously, he and his wife were members of the Christian church.

Manford J. Wilson was reared on the paternal farmstead and is indebted to the common schools for his early mental discipline, which has been liberally supplemented during the subsequent years by much reading and habits of close observation. In young boyhood he removed with his parents to Taylor county, Iowa, and in 1899 he came to Nodaway county, but two years later he went to Nebraska, where during the following six years he engaged in farm¬ ing. In 1904 he returned to Nodaway county and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land where he now resides. On this land he has made many permanent and substantial improvements and because of his practical methods and progressive spirit he stands high among the farmers of Independence township. He carries on general farming and stock raising, in both of which lines success has attended his efforts.

Politically, Mr. Wilson is numbered among the stanch supporters of the Democratic party, in the success of which he takes a deep interest. He and his wife are constant attendants of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Wilson is a member and to which they give a liberal support.

On November 5, 1902, Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Fannie Jackson, a daughter of Edward and Mary Jackson, w'ho were natives of England. These parents, on coming to the United States, located in Iowa, from which state they removed to Nebraska, where the mother's death oc¬ curred. The father is now living at North Platte, Nebraska. Of the five children born to them, two are living. Mr. Jackson is a farmer by vocation, in politics, a Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to w hich his wife also belonged. To Mr. and Mrs. Wilson has been born a son, Roy. Their comfortable and attractive home is the center of a large social circle, who appreciate the spirit of hospitality and good cheer which is ever in evidence there. Mr. Wilson is a stanch supporter of all movements which promise to be of benefit to the community and enjoys a high standing among his fellows, wdio appreciate and value him because of his genuine worth.

Fred C. Wyman

A young farmer of modern, progressive methods who is deserving of the success that is crowning his honest efforts is Fred C. Wyman, of Green township, Nodaway county. Fie was born at Maitland, Holt county, Missouri, February 28, 1881, and he is the son of Dr. Russell C. and Bertha (Duchman) W yman.

Dr. Russell C. Wyman was born in Illinois and when a child was brought to Missouri by his parents, who located in Atchison county, but later moved to Nodaway, then Holt, county. Bertha Duchman was born in Wisconsin, about twenty miles from Milwaukee. She was the daughter of Jasper and Annie Duchman, both natives of Germany, from which country they came to Wisconsin. When Bertha was twelve years old they came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and spent the balance of their lives near Graham.

Fred C. Wyman lived near Maitland until about nineteen years old, he having worked on a farm several years, when he and his father bought a farm on the "halves'' northwest of Maitland in Holt county, and there Fred C. lived two years. While there his father died, his mother having died about four years previously. Fred C. Wyman was the second of a family of five children, namely: Charlie, Lionel, Grace, Demas and Helen.

In 1902 Fred C. Wyman married Daisy Brown, daughter of W. Taylor and Nancy Jane (Kyle) Brown. Her father, a sketch of whom appears else¬ where in this work, came here from Kentucky before the Civil war. Mrs. Wyman was horn four miles west and two miles south of Skidmore, where her parents still reside. Her mother was born near Graham.

After his marriage Mr. Wyman bought a farm in Atchison county and lived there about two years, then went to Skidmore and entered the general merchandise business, remaining there two years, then bought the farm where lie now lives four miles east and a half mile south of Quitman. It is an excel¬ lent place and he keeps it in good condition, it yielding him a very comfort¬ able living.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Wyman are descendants of excellent old families. The former's father was a practicing physician and was well known both in Nodaway and Holt counties. His oldest son. Charley, is also a practicing physician, being located at Maitland, Holt county: another son, Lionel, is farming south of Maitland; Grace Wyman is the wife of Raymond E. Teller and lives in Kansas City: Demas is associated with Lionel on the farm; Helen Wvman lives in Kansas Citv with her sister, Mrs. Teller.

Both of the grandparents of these children were tailors by trade. The maternal grandparents, the Duchmans, came to Nodaway county about 1870. before the railroad was built. Jasper Duchman's neighbors in Wisconsin endeavored to dissuade him from coming to Missouri, warning him against being killed by Indians and many other supposed disagreeable phases of life here. He brought his family here from the Badger state in wagons, bought a farm near Graham, but later sold it and followed tailoring in Graham. He wrote back to his neighbors in Wisconsin, telling them of the excellent condi¬ tions here and many of them came and settled near Graham. Mr. Duchman, who lived to be seventy-eight years old, fell into a natural sleep and never awoke, death coming to him as he slumbered. Mrs. Wyman's grandmother also lived to a good old age, eightv-seven years, dying in- April, 1910.

Theodore William Porter

Eew citizens in the northeastern part of Nodaway county are as widely and favorably known as Theodore W. Porter, of Hopkins, where he is suc¬ cessfully engaged in the insurance and real estate business. His life has be¬ come a part of the history of the community in which he has made his home for many years and his long and honorable business career has brought him before the public in such a way as to gain the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen. Keen perception, tireless energy and honesty of purpose, combined with mature judgment and every-day common sense, have ever been among his most prominent characteristics, and while laboring for individual success and for the material interests of the community, he has also been instrumental in promoting the moral and educational interests of the section in which he lives.

Theodore W. Porter was born June 22, 1843, 'n Battle Creek, Michigan, and is a son of William Lloyd and Roxy Ann (Beals) Porter. William L. Porter was born in New York state. His father was a lumberman, who operated a large number of sawmills in Allegany county. New York. Wil¬ liam Porter and his family migrated to Michigan in 1831, blazing their way from Detroit to Battle Creek, where Mr. Porter entered one hundred and sixty acres of land. He married Roxy Ann Beals in New York state, and they became the parents of seven children. The mother of these children dying in 1858, the father married again and by the second union were born two children. Mr. Porter came to Hopkins, Missouri, in 1868, and here lived until his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a man of high character and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.

Theodore W. Porter was reared by his parents, his boyhood days being spent on the parental farmstead. He was educated in the public schools, sup¬ plementing this by a course in the Michigan State Normal School. At seven¬ teen years of age he commenced life on his own account, and the following five years were spent in farming. In 1865, he began freighting across the Rocky mountains, in which he was engaged during the following two years. He then engaged in farming in Bates county, Missouri, but in 1868 he re¬ turned to Michigan, where he remained until the spring of 1869. In that year he located on a farm at Xenia, Nodaway county, Missouri, being one of the first settlers in Hopkins township. He was of an enterprising make-up and, seizing the opportunity, he opened a drug store, from which he sold the first merchandise bought in this township. In 1873 Mr. Porter was appointed post¬ master at Hopkins and served seven years acceptably in this position. He remained in the drug business continuously and with marked success until 1884. In 1893 he went into the lumber business, in which he was successfully engaged for several years. He has for several years been engaged in the insurance and real estate business, being numbered among the leading citizens of the town. He possesses an accurate knowledge of local real estate values and his judgment is considered good and sound. He is also a notary public.

Mr. Porter is a Republican in his political predilections and has long stood high in the councils of his party. His popularity is attested by the fact that he served his town as clerk and collector for fourteen years and as a member of the school board for twenty-one consecutive years, during which period he exerted a definite influence in the direction of elevating the standard of the schools and the courses of study. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in the local lodge of which he has served as sec¬ retary for eighteen years, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of which he is the present recorder.

On January t, 1872, Mr. Porter was united in marriage with Dallas Johnston, a native of Maryland, and they are the parents of a daughter, Cecil, who is now the wife of George W. Austin, of Olathe, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. Porter move in the best social circles of Hopkins and are popular among their acquaintances. Mr. Porter has, because of his sterling qualities of character and his genuine worth, earned and retains the respect and confidence of the entire community, and as a representative citizen of this section of the county he is eminently entitled to representation in this work.

James H. Lemon

He whose career is now taken under consideration and to whom the reader's attention is respectfully directed, is numbered among the progressive and successful agriculturists of Nodaway county, of which he has been a resident many years, while he has gained prosperity through his own honest efforts in connection with the honorable calling of husbandry. Mr. Lemon was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, August 16, 1842, and is a son of Elisha and Phebe (Hartman) Lemon. The subject's parents were born, reared and married in the old Keystone state, where the father followed agricultural pur¬ suits. Idle subject's paternal grandfather, William Lemon, was a soldier in the war of 1812, sometimes called the Second war for Independence. Elisha Lemon and his family came to Illinois about 1846, locating in Fulton county among the early pioneers of that section. He there bought a small farm, which he operated until his death. In politics he was an old-line Whig and was a man of high character and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. Lie and his wife became the parents of six children, three sons and three daugh¬ ters.

James H. Lemon received his education in the public schools of Eulton and McDonough counties, Illinois, supplementing this by three years' at¬ tendance at an academy at Prairie City, Illinois. He then engaged in teach¬ ing school for about four years. On the 9th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Nineteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In¬ fantry, as a private, serving with that command until the close of the war and being promoted to the rank of brigade provost sergeant. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from military service. Mr. Lemon returned to McDon¬ ough county. Illinois, to which place the family had removed prior to the opening of the war, and there he became identified with farming and school teaching. He shortly afterwards bought eighty acres of land, which he farmed with fair success for some years. In 1875 lie canie to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating on the farm on which he now resides in the northern part of Nodaway township. His first purchase there was one hundred and sixty acres, but he has added to this from time to time as he has been able, and is now the owner of twelve hundred acres of as good land as can be found in Nodaway county. He has been highly successful in his farming operations, being thoroughly practical and methodical in all he does. His property is well improved, its general appearance indicating the owner to be a man of good taste and sound judgment. In connection with a general line of farming, he has also given considerable attention to the breeding and raising of thoroughbred live stock, in which line he has acquired a high rep¬ utation.

On June 23, 1869, Mr. Lemon was united in marriage to Emily Kautz, and they have become the parents of six children, William P., Charles W., Sadie K., L. Amy, Nellie J. and Hervey A.

Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Lemon are members of the Methodist Episco¬ pal church, to which they give a general support. Mr. Lemon keeps alive his old army associations through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. He has taken an active part in politics ever since attaining his majority and has always been found aligned with the Republican party. While living in Illinois he served as tax collector and since locating here he has served as justice of the peace and school director many years. In the fall of 1904 Mr. Lemon was nominated as the candidate of his party for the State Legislature and in the succeeding election he was chosen by the voters of the county. He made an excellent record in that law-making body and has twice been elected to succeed himself, now serving his third term. He has taken an active part in advancing legislation of a beneficiary nature and has always taken a stand for such measures as will benefit the people at large. Among the special measures introduced by him was the normal school bill, through the operation of which the Maryille Normal School has been elevated to its present high standing. He has served efficiently as chairman of the committee on roads and highways and as a member of other important committees has done effective work. He is a man of recognized ability and marked talents and in him Nodaway county is ably represented in the Legis¬ lature. He is of pleasing address and enjoys a host of warm personal friends, who esteem him for -his genuine worth. In 1909 the State Nurses' Association, at their annual meeting at St. Louis, voted Mr. Lemon a hand¬ some gold-headed cane in recognition of his services in introducing and having passed what is known as the nurse bill.

Thomas Marion Trullinger

A well-known farmer of Green township, Nodaway county, is Thomas Marion Trullinger, who was born in Fremont county, Iowa, February 28, 1862, and he is the son of Barton Worley and Mary Ann (Miller) Trullinger, the father born in Fountain county, Indiana, of Scotch-Irish parentage; Illinois is the probable birthplace of Mrs. Trullinger. Her death occurred when her son, Thomas Marion, was only eight years old.

Thomas M. Trullinger has spent his life on the farm, having remained in Iowa until he was thirteen years old, then went back to Illinois with his sister, who had recently married and moved back to that state. After remaining there three years, he moved back to Nodaway county, Missouri, his father having moved to this county in the spring that the son went to Illinois, the father buying a farm near Maryville. At that time there were still thousands of acres of open prairie west of Maryville that was in a wild state. Roads wound around the ridges and followed across the prairies without much regard to the section lines.

Thomas M. Trullinger was married on January 10, 1883, to Malory Ellen Bentley, daughter of William Preston and Susan Jane ( Britton) Bent¬ ley. A sketch of Mr. Bentley appears elsewhere in this volume.

After his marriage Mr. Trullinger went to farming for himself in the west side of Polk township, and there he continued farming until about 1892, then moved to the east end of Green township and continued farming. About 1904 he bought a farm in that locality, which place joined that of his father-in-law, Mr. Bentley, and he has lived in that locality ever since. He follows general farming, raises hogs, milk cows, etc.

Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Trullinger, Fred B. and Earl B. The former died when seventeen and one-half years old. in July, 1901. The latter was born August 25, 1886, and he lives at home with his father, and is now (1910) in his fourth year at the State University at Columbia, where he is studying both journalism and agriculture.

William French

A man who boldly faces the responsibilities of life and by determined and untiring energy carves out for himself an honorable success exerts a powerful influence upon the lives of those about him and those who follow him. Such men constitute the foundation of our republican institutions and are the pride of our civilization. To them life is so real that they find no time to plot either mischief or vice. Their lives are bound up in their duties, they feel the weight of their citizenship, and take pleasure in sowing the seeds of uprightness. Such has been the career of the subject of this brief notice.

William French, who is now successfully engaged in the real estate and insurance business at Hopkins, Nodaway county, was born at Ringwood, McHenry county, Illinois, on June i, 1863, and is a son of Henry W. and Mary Jane (Vreelancl) French. Henry W. French was of English descent, his own birth having occurred in New York state. His parents moving to the city of New York, he there passed his boyhood days and served an apprentice¬ ship at the trade of a blacksmith. From New York he went to McHenry county, Illinois, where he was engaged in blacksmithing for twelve years. The following three years he was employed at his trade in Poughkeepsie, New York. During the following few years he was located for short times at var¬ ious places, being six miles west of Kansas City, Missouri, one year, at Hop¬ kins, this county, eight months, at Lenox, Taylor county, Iowa, three and a half years, in Norton county, Kansas, four years, at Atchison, Kansas, six months, at Halls Station, Missouri, one year, and then at Bolckow, Andrew county, Missouri, where he remained until the fall of 1909, when he moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where his death occurred on February 17, 1910. In 1861 Mr. French enlisted in Company H, Eighth Regiment Illinois Cavalry, wdth which he served valiantly for nine months, being honorably discharged from the service at the end of that period because of physical disability. He after¬ wards became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. In his political views he wras an ardent Republican, wdiile religiously, he was a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

While a resident of New York state. Air. French married Mary Jane Yreeland and they became the parents of three children, of whom the sub¬ ject of this sketch is the only one living. Mrs. French died in 1870 and Mr. French subsequently married Cornelia Houghtealing, of New York, who sur¬ vives him.

William French was not favored with exceptional advantages in his youth and his education was mainly obtained by home study, much midnight oil being burned in his efforts to equip himself mentally for the battle of life. Though limited in book learning, Mr. French has been a man of keen dis¬ cernment and by habits of close observation of men and events he has become a well-informed man and is thoroughly practical in his views of affairs and in his conduct of business. He began to learn the trade of blacksmithing un¬ der the direction of his father while residing at Hopkins, and he has remained here ever since, having devoted himself assiduously to that line of effort and with considerable success until October 1, 1908. when he sold his business and took up that of real estate and insurance. He has met with gratifying success in his efforts and is numbered among the leading business men of

Hopkins. He is the special representative of the Gray Realty Company, of Kansas City, of Bower & Hollingsworth, South Dakota lands, the Frank Wisdom Land Company, of Bedford. Iowa, and the Kelly Land Agency, South Dakota lands. He is also agent for a general line of life, tornado and fire insurance and has handled a large number of risks in these lines. He has been very successful in his real estate deals and is credited with possessing an accurate knowledge of general land values.

On November 5, 1884, Mr. French was united in marriage with Alice M. Worley, of Hopkins. In politics, Mr. French is an ardent Prohibi¬ tionist, believing that the temperance question is the most vital issue now before the American voter. His religious membership is with the Chris¬ tian church, to which he renders a consistent support. He is a man of splendid personal character and has earned the respect of the entire com¬ munity in which he has resided for so many years. Fie is public spirited and his support is ever given to those movements which promise to benefit the community morally, educationally, socially or materially.

William Preston Bentley

When the woods and prairies of northwestern Missouri were yet, for the most part, in their virgin state and the homes of many varieties of bird and beast that are not found here today ; when the log cabin instead of the large frame dwelling dotted the hill crests, and when land as rich as ihe Union can boast could be had almost for a song, compared with what it costs today, then the Bentley family invaded this section and have been prominent in the industrial life here ever since, one of the best known of the family being William Preston Bentley, who was born in Rush county, Indiana, May 9. 1838. He is the son of Levi and Mary (Cain) Bentley; his father was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, and his mother in North Carolina. In T844, when William P. was only six years old, his parents died and he was reared by his maternal grandparents, who, in 1844, took up government land in Platte county, Missouri, where they lived until 1849, then came to Nodaway county and settled in Green township, buying a farm here on which they lived the rest of their days, grandfather Cain dying prior to the Civ il war. During the war between the states Mr. Bentley served very faithfully as a soldier in Company H, Fifty-first Regiment. Missouri Infantry. Tn 1861 he married Susan Jane Britton, daughter of George W. and Mary

(Arbuckle) Britton. She was born in Jackson comity, Indiana, and came to Missouri in the latter fifties. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bentley, one of whom died in infancy ; the other is Malory Ellen, wife of T. M. Trullinger, whose sketch appears in this work. Mrs. Bentley was called to her rest in 1903.

While Mr. Bentley was still a minor he purchased forty acres of land in Polk township, this county. After the war he improved it and lived there about twenty years. He then sold out and bought his present farm in March, 1886, in the eastern end of Green township, and he has made his home here ever since, having a good farm and a very comfortable home. He is a mem¬ ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was his wife until her death.

Mr. Bentley is a very interesting talker of the days when he first came to Nodaway county, when there were all kinds of game, deer, wild turkeys, etc., also wolves and wildcats. Indians often came in the fall to hunt, and would be driven out by the whites. The towns of Skidmore and Burlington Junction had not been thought of. and at Quitman there was nothing but an old log water-mill.

Wilfred Allen White

From an excellent old West Virginia family descends Wilfred Allen White, a successful farmer of Green township, Nodaway county, he himself having been born in that state in 1858, near the Ohio line. He is the son of William and Elizabeth (Clyde) White, both of whom died when their son, Wilfred A., was a child. When he was six years old they moved to Illinois, locating south of Peoria. The subject's maternal grandmother, Ann Clyde, came from Scotland when a young girl, making the long voyage in an old-fashioned sailing vessel which required thirteen weeks to cross the great Atlantic.

After the death of his parents, Wilfred A. White lived with an elder brother, Clyde White. He received a good education, having attended Avingdon College, in Knox county, Illinois. Upon leaving the school room he turned his attention to farming. In 1884 he married Jennie Kiesling, a native of Kentucky, born in McCracken county ; she is the daughter of George and Ellen ( Reichel) Kiesling. Mrs. White has three brothers and four sisters: Martin and Lawrence live near Forest City, Illinois; George lives at Havana. Illinois; Etta, Mrs. Mary Warner; Mrs. Margaret Pemberton;

Mrs. Alma Tobias also lives at Forest City. The parents of these children were both born in Germany, the mother having come to America with her parents when six years old. George Kiesling, the father, was born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to America when twenty-eight years old.

Wilfred A. White is a member of a family of eleven children, of whom nine are living. David C., who reared the subject of this sketch, now lives in Maryville; Marion lives at Greenwood, Mississippi; Milton lives at Wash¬ ington, Iowa; John Calvin lives in Dallas, Texas; Elbert lives in Springfield, Illinois; Mrs. Sarah Maxwell lives in Idaho; Mrs. Alice Smith lives in Oklahoma, and Mrs. Anna Watt also lives in Oklahoma. Mr. White mar¬ ried in Illinois, to which state his wife was brought by her parents, in 1868. when she was a child, her father dying there in 1908; her mother still lives near Forest City. Illinois.

Xear the last named place. Mr. White went to farming for himself and lived there until 1902, owning a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Upon the date just mentioned he sold out and moved to Nodaway county, Missouri, buying a farm in the eastern end of Green township in the fall of 1901 ; it was located five and one-half miles west of Maryville. The year following he moved to where he now lives. Fie has a well-improved farm of one hundred and thirty acres, a good house, well furnished and well kept. Fie is very successful as a general farmer and handles some good stock, although he does not make stock raising a specialty.

Politically, Mr. White is a Republican and takes considerable interest in the welfare of his community. He is a member of the Masonic order at Maryville and is a Royal Arch Mason; he also belongs to the Modern Wood¬ men, and he and Mrs. White are both members of the Baptist church.

John Hubbert Miller

The name of John Hubbert Miller is well known in Green township, where he maintains a good farm, and, in fact, few men of western Nodaway county are better known, and he represents a fine old pioneer family. His birth occurred in Wisconsin, January 28, 1873, and he is the son of Nicholas and Catherine (Fredrick) Miller.

When John H. Miller was a small boy, the family moved several times. For a time his father was engaged in the livery business at Random Lake. \\ hen the son was about seven years old his parents moved to Kansas and there farmed a little over eleven years, then moved to Nodaway county, Mis¬ souri, and located in the eastern edge of Green township, one mile south of the Nodaway township line. There the father bought a farm of two hundred acres and established the family home, having sold his Kansas properties. He lived in Green township about eight years, then moved to Chicago, though he retained his farm here, but lived the rest of his life in Chicago, dying in 1904. He was a very successful farmer and business man. During the Civil war he was a member of Company A, Col. Robert G. Ingersolks regiment of Illinois cavalry, in which he made a very creditable record.

The Miller family is of German origin, Nicholas Miller having been born near Luxemberg, Germany, from which country he came to America with his parents, when a child. Ten children were born to Nicholas Miller and wife. Mrs. Miller was previously married before her alliance with Nicholas Miller, her first husband having been killed during the Civil war. By her first marriage one daughter, Katie, was born. At the close of the war she married Mr. Miller, and her daughter has since been known as Katie Miller. Of Mr. Miller's children only three are living, John, Frank, who lives in Chicago, and Joe, who lives in Evanston, Illinois, where the mother of these children also now resides. The following are the deceased children of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Miller: Frank died when about fifteen years old at Random Lake, Wisconsin; Lizzie. Maggie, Mary and Susie all met a very tragic death simultaneously, about 1885, having been struck by lightning, John H. being the only one struck that recovered, and he was badly burned; Jacob was about six years old when he fell off the steps of the Miller home and injured his skull, from which he died about six months later in the fall; Julia died in 1906 when fifteen years of age, while living in Chicago with her mother.

John H. Miller has been living on the home place for the past nineteen years, during which time he has greatly improved it and has been amply rewarded for his painstaking labor. On April 19, 1898, he married Annie Linneman, daughter of Joe and Nettie Linneman. Mrs. Miller was born in Quincy, Illinois, but came to Maryville with her parents when a small child. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John H. Miller, namely: Andrew, Leona died when nine years old; Charlie, Albert and George, all members of the home circle.

Mr. Miller belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Maryville, also the Knights of Columbus. He and his family are members of St. Mary's Catholic church at Maryville, and are very faithful in their support of the same, standing well in the local congregation.

Edward W. Geyer

There is no positive rule for achieving success, yet in the life of the suc¬ cessful man there are always lessons which might be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the sur¬ roundings of individuals differ but slightly, and when one man passes another on the highway of life, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. Today, among the prominent citizens and successful business men of Graham, Nodaway county, stands Edward W. Geyer. The qualities of keen discrimination, sound judgment and executive ability enter very largely into his make-up and have been contrib uting elements to the material success which has come to him.

Edward W. Geyer is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having first seen the light of day in Clark county, Indiana, on December io, 1864, and is a son of John L. and Christina (Helger) Geyer. His parents, who also were born and reared in Clark county, Indiana, married there and in 1865 they came to Nodaway county, Missouri, settling on a farm in Hughes town¬ ship, where the father still maintains his residence, his wife having died there on June 2, 1909, at the age of about sixty-seven years. They became the parents of eight children, of which number the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth.

Edward W. Geyer was reared to manhood on the paternal farmstead in Hughes township and secured his education in the common schools of the neighborhood, his vacation periods being spent in labor on the home farm. He continued to apply himself to agricultural pursuits until 1896, meeting with gratifying success the meanwhile, and in the year mentioned he came to Graham and engaged in the hardware and implement business, in which he is still engaged. He carries a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, to¬ gether with a good variety of implements and his efforts to cater to the re¬ quirements of the local trade have been fully appreciated, his trade being secured from a large radius of surrounding country. His store is eligibly located and is a favorite stopping place for the many friends of the owner, who enjoys a marked popularity throughout the section of the county in which he lives.

In Hughes township, on April 4, 1888, Mr. Geyer was united in mar¬ riage with Mary S. Sewell, a native of this township and the daughter of William A. and Lydia A. Sewell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Sewell died at her home in this township To Mr. and

Mrs. Geyer have been born four children, Orel R., Raymond E., John S. and Rose C. Orel R. is in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he is city editor of a newspaper.

Politically, Mr. Geyer is a stanch Republican and has taken an active part in local public affairs, having rendered efficient service as justice of the peace and assessor of Hughes township. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Woodmen of the World. His religious membership is with the Baptist church at Graham, to which his wife also belongs, and to which they render a hearty support. Mr. Geyer is a man of rare business acumen, foresight, sagacity and persistence. Coupled with this is a pleasing personality and courtesy of manner that win him friends wherever lie goes and makes him popular with all classes, so that the future to such a man is unquestionably bright.

Henry B. Cobb

Though not old in point of years, the subject of this sketch has already demonstrated his ability as an agriculturist and through his progressive¬ ness and enterprise he has achieved a pronounced and unqualified success at his chosen vocation. His fine farm in Hopkins township stands in unmis¬ takable evidence of his energetic methods and practical way of doing things, and he enjoys an excellent reputation among his fellows.

H. B. Cobb was born on June 25, 1879. in Abilene, Kansas, and is a son of George and Emma (Windbolt) Cobb. The father was a native of Medford, Connecticut, and the mother was born in the city of Chicago. George Cobb, when nine years of age, accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois and lived there until after the close of the Civil war. At the outbreak of that terrible conflict he offered his services in defense of the national honor and integrity, becoming a member of the One Hundred and Eighth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served four and a half years, rendering valiant and effective service in defense of Old Glory, and at the close of the war received an honorable discharge. Soon after the close of his military service Mr. Cobb went to Kansas, where he remained until 1880, when he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he devoted his attention to farming and stock raising, meeting with splendid success in both lines of effort. He gave special attention to the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He was a stanch Republican in political faith, and was twice elected to represent Nodaway county in the state Legislature, giving effective and appreciated service in that body. To him and his wife were born two children, Edith, who is now deceased, and the subject of this sketch. George Cobb died on March 14, 1908, and his widow is now living in Hopkins, this county.

H. B. Cobb was reared on the parental farmstead until twelve years of age, and secured his education in the Hopkins public schools. From his twelfth to his twenty-first year he lived in the town of Hopkins, and he then bought the splendid farm of one hundred and forty acres where he now lives. Besides carrying on a general line of farming, in which he is successful to a satisfactory degree, he has met with distinction as a breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle and Shropshire sheep. His farm is highly im¬ proved and is considered one of the best farms in Independence township. Energy, sound judgment and marked business ability have been the elements which have contributed to the prosperity which has come as the just reward for his persistent efforts.

On February 19, 1902, Mr. Cobb was united in marriage with Lola Burch, a native of this county and a daughter of Jasper and Nancy M. (Cun¬ ningham) Burch, who now reside in Los Angeles, California. To Mr. and Mrs. Cobb have been born three children, Margaret Hope, Mildred Irene and George Burch.

Politically, Mr. Cobb is aligned with the Republican party, to which he gives a stanch support. Religiously he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the workings of which they take an active interest. Mr. Cobb is known as a man of progressive ideas and, with the welfare of the community at heart, he gives a hearty support to every worthy cause. He is widely known and well liked throughout the community.

John Munn

One of Nodaway county's foremost agriculturists and stock raisers is John Munn, of the vicinity of Parnell, who has shown what an honest, earnest, hard working man can accomplish, although he had to hew his own for¬ tune from the obstacles that beset his way, for he started life with no great aid from any one, but he was always industrious and economical, so that today he has a comfortable competency and has been of no small amount of assistance to others.

Air. Munn is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in Wayne county, Ohio, March 14, 1837, the son of John and Sophia (Pearson) Munn, the father a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and the mother of Wayne county, Ohio. The former learned the blacksmith's trade in Pittsburg and came to Wayne county, Ohio, in an early day. In 1840 he came to Platte county, Missouri, and took up government land, and re¬ mained here nine years, when he sold out and returned to Pittsburg and remained there two years. In 1850 he went to Cedar county, Iowa. After remaining there a while he sold out and went to Muscatine, Iowa, where he died in 1896, at the advanced age of ninety-three years, having survived his wife over a half century, her death having occurred in 1844. Six chil¬ dren were born to them, four of whom are living. Mr. Munn devoted his long life to farming and blacksmithing. In his early life he was a Democrat, later a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Epis¬ copal church.

John Munn was reared on a farm and has made agriculture his chief life work. He first owned forty acres in Macon county. Selling this, he pur¬ chased eighty acres in Cedar county, Iowa. His next move was to Jasper county, Iowa, where he became the owner of four hundred acres of land. He farmed very successfully there until 1905 when he sold out and came to Nodaway county, Missouri, where he at once resumed farming and is now the owner of four hundred and forty acres of as good land as the county can boast. Besides general farming on an extensive scale, he feeds large numbers of livestock, devoting special attention to Aberdeen-Angus cattle. He has a well-improved and well-cultivated place, a beautifully located home and substantial outbuildings. A Republican in politics, he has never sought public office. Mrs. Munn is a member of the Congregational church.

On August 27. 1857, Mr. Munn married Mary J. Montgomery, a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and the daughter of William and Mary (Heckchoin) Montgomery, both born in Pennsylvania. They came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1853, and there Air. Montgomery died on March 1, 1862; his wife died in Jasper county, Iowa, in October, 1891.

Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John Munn, and all are living. They are: Jenette, the wife of J. F. Dowden, of Nodaway county; Mary Ann, the wife of August Haun, of Jasper county, Iowa; Alice, the wife of Delbert Bishop, of Des Aloines, Iowa; J. W., a farmer in Jasper county, Iowa, who married Alice AIcConkey ; Nevada, the wife of John Swihart, of Jasper county, Iowa; Ulysses Grant is farming on eighty acres of land which he owns in Nodaway county, is a Republican, and he married Mary L. Ma- chon, who has borne him seven children, four of whom are living; George W., who is farming in Jasper county, Iowa, married Clara Parks; D. L., who is farming in South Dakota, married Ida Loopy; Bertha, the wife of Frank Knight, a farmer of Jasper county, Iowa; Laura, the wife of William Stickle, a farmer of Grinnell, Iowa; S. A., who is farming in Nodaway county, mar¬ ried Lena Johnson, and they are the parents of four children, all living.

Leander M. Bird

Among the many Hoosiers who have settled in Nodaway county during the past half century and have thereby benefited themselves and the county alike, the name of Leander M. Bird, of Independence township, should be mentioned. He was born in Madison county. Indiana, October 1, 1857, and is the son of Joseph and Mary (Shetterly) Bird, the father a native of High¬ land county and the mother of Clermont county, Ohio. They came to Madison county, Indiana, in 1847, anc^ bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres and there Mr. Bird died in 1862, at the age of thirty-nine years, and Mrs. Bird died in Clermont county, Ohio, at the age of thirty-eight years. They were the parents of six children, of whom three are living. Joseph Bird was a mechanic, a teacher and farmer. Politically he was a Republican, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The paternal grandparents of Leander M. Bird, of this review, were William and Elizabeth Bird, early settlers of Highland county, Ohio, where they spent their lives and where they are buried. They, too, were Methodists. Leander M. Bird's maternal grandparents, George Shetterly and wife, were early settlers of Clermont county, Ohio, and were both natives of Pennsylvania. They spent their lives in Clermont county, he dying at the age of eighty-six years and she when sixty-four years old.

Leander M. Bird was reared on a farm, and early in life he knew the meaning of hard work, the home of his parents being in Madison county, In¬ diana, seven miles west of Anderson. He was educated in the common schools, and soon after finishing his education he took up active farming, and has continued to the present day. He came to Independence township, Noda¬ way county, Missouri, in 1880 and bought sixty acres of land of Damet Van Vorris. He now owns a well-improved place of one hundred and ten acres, having made all the improvements himself, and he is a general farmer and stock raiser.

In politics Mr. Bird is a Republican; he has been road boss in his com¬ munity. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.

In 1878 Mr. Bird married Viola Auten, daughter of Solomon and Mary (Ivertz) Auten. the former born in 1866. To Mr. and Mrs. Bird nine chil¬ dren were born, named as follows: Joseph, Omer (deceased), Alverda May, Clifford W., John O., Eugene E., Ethel V., Wilford Lee and Verna Olive.

William Cowen

Independence township has no more careful and persistent worker with its rich, productive soil, and Nodaway county no more loyal citizen than William Cowen, who was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, October 27. 1836. He is the son of Joseph and Hester (Mitchner) Cowen, the father born near Philadelphia and the latter in Greene county, Pennsylvania, her parents being pioneers of that county. When a child, the parents of Joseph Cowen brought him to Greene county, Pennsylvania, he being the son of Wil¬ liam and Mary Ann (Darling) Cowen, and here they both died on the old homestead. Joseph Cowen devoted his life to farming, and died on the old place in 1839, at the age of thirty-five years. His wife came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and died here. Five children were born to them, of whom William, of this review, is the only one living. The father was a Democrat in politics. The mother was again married, her second husband being Mathias Pettit, by whom she became the mother of two children, both living. Mr. Pettit died in Pennsylvania. William Cowen's paternal grandmother was born in England and came to America when sixteen years old. She saw George Washington many times.

William Cowen, of this review, was reared on a farm in Pennsylvania and educated in the common schools there. He came to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1857 and in 1859 returned to Pennsylvania. In 1873 he came to Inde¬ pendence township, Nodaway county, Missouri, and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he bought when a young man. He has made this his place of abode ever since, and has put on all the improvements, now having a farm that ranks with the best of his community.

Politically, he was a Democrat in early life, then a Republican, and now he votes independently. He has been road master and school director for years, also district clerk for some time.

Mr. Cowen was married on June 6, 1861, to Sarah Ann Smith, who was horn in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and the daughter of Craven and Betsy (Scott) Smith, who spent the last days of their lives in Greene county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Smith died on March 18, 1907, at the age of sixty-four vears. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Cowen, named as follows: Manfred, Laura Jane, Sherman, Flora Belle (deceased). Mel¬ vin, Newton, Charlie, Frank, Elsie, Mabel (deceased), Grace.

William H. Lawler

A successful farmer and honored citizen of Nodaway county is W. H. Lawler, who was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, November 24, 1851. and he is the son of J. T. and Sarah (Pinkerton) Lawler, the former a native of Bull Run, Virginia, and the latter of Putnam county, Indiana. Mr. Lawler went to Schuyler county, Illinois, when a young man, and there he died on February 10, 1900, his widow still living there in the comfortable home he established. Eleven children were born to them, seven of whom are living. Politically the father was a Democrat, and he belonged to the Methodist Epis¬ copal church, in which Mrs. Lawler also holds membership.

W. H. Lawler, of this review, was reared on a farm, and when but a boy assisted with the general work about the place. He attended the common schools and received a very good education. He came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1884, and bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, where he still resides and is successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising, having worked hard and managed well, so that he has one of the choice farms of the community. He has on hand from time to time varieties of good livestock, handling about all the place will support.

Early in life Mr. Lawler turned his attention to school teaching, and for some time taught very acceptably in Schuyler and Brown counties, Illinois, and in Nodaway county, Missouri. Politically, he is a Democrat, but does not find much time to mix in party affairs.

Mr. Lawler was married, on April 14, 1881, to Joanna McGovern, a na¬ tive of North Carolina, born there on November 15, 1854, the daughter of Michael and Frances (Butler) McGovern, the former born in Ireland and the latter in Bertie county. North Carolina. They went to Cass county, Illinois, in 1856, and settled on a farm where they remained for twelve years.

then sold out and went to Brown county, that state, and there Mr. McGovern died December 6, 1890, Mrs. McGovern surviving until May 2, 1907. Eleven children were born to them, four of whom are living at this writing.

Henry Pearl Johnston

Many families from the Hawkeye state have crossed the line and found excellent homes in Nodaway county, Missouri, and the fact that very few have desired to go back to their former place of residence is evidence that they are doing well here and find this a pleasant country from every point of view. One such is Henry Pearl Johnston, who was born in Taylor county, Iowa, September 22, 1872, the son of James and Anna (Long) Johnston, the former a native of Maryland, born in 1829. and the latter born in 1832. They were among the first settlers of Taylor county, Iowa, where Mr. John¬ ston became well established and where he now lives, retired. Politically, he is a Republican. Mrs. James Johnston was called to her rest in 1908. In their family were ten children, of whom six are living. The parents were always Methodists.

Henry P. Johnston was reared on the home farm, where he began work¬ ing during the summer months when a small boy, attending the neighboring schools in the winter time, also went to the Bedford high school. He came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1899, and has devoted himself to farming. He is the owner of eighty acres of good land, on which he conducts general farming operations and raises good stock, making a specialty of such stock as always finds ready sales. He keeps his place well improved and has a very comfortable home and such outbuildings as are found on the usual wellmanaged farm of the present day.

Mr. Johnston married, on February 9, 1898, Cina Dickerson, a native of Illinois, the daughter of I. S. and Mary (Bornhuff) Dickerson. The latter is now deceased and Mr. Dickerson now lives in Nodaway county. Missouri, To Air. and Mrs. Johnston two children have been born, namely, Carol Esther and Walter Harland.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Johnston belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Politicallv, he is a Republican.

William H. Mowry

Among the honored veterans of the Civil war, in which he bravely de¬ fended the stars and stripes, and one of the successful farmers of Hughes township, Nodaway county, is William H. Mowry, in whose life record there is much that is commendable, for he has been found true to duty in every relation, whether of a public or private character, and while energy and unabating industry have been salient features of his career, he is equally well known for his uprightness and the honorable methods he has always fol¬ lowed and for his loyalty to any public trust reposed in him.

Mr. Mowry was born in Washington county, Maryland, September 28, 1842. He is the son of Abraham and Mary (Burkett) Mowry, both natives of Washington county, Maryland, where Mrs. Mowry died, after which Mr. Mowry, in the fall of 1865, moved to Mercer county, Illinois, and lived there until 1879, when he came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and here spent his last days, dying at the home of his son, William H., of this review, when about seventy-nine years of age. He and his wife were the parents of four children, of whom William H. was the fourth in order of birth. He grew up on the home place and received his education in the neighboring schools, and in the fall of 1865 came to Illinois and in 1879 to Nodaway county, Missouri, locating on the farm where he now lives and where he has since resided, his place being one of the best improved in Hughes township. He bought eighty acres upon his arrival here, which has since been the scene of his endeavors, making him a very comfortable living all the while.

Mr. Mowry, in 1862, enlisted in Company G, Seventeenth Regiment Pennsylvania Cavalry, in which he served very faithfully for two years and nine months, participating in some of the great battles of the war, under Phil Sheridan. ' He was taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville, but was paroled ten days later.

Mr. Mowry was married in Mercer county, Illinois, January 10, 1867, to Irena Norman, who was born in Mercer county, Illinois, September 10, 1848. She is the daughter of Wesley and Mary (Jones) Norman; her father was a native of Indiana and her mother of Virginia. They came from Indiana to Mercer county, Illinois, where they lived until 1881, in which year thev came to Nodaway county, Missouri, and settled in Hughes township, where they spent the remainder of their lives, Mr. Norman dying at the age of eighty years and his wife at the age of eighty-five. They were the parents of four children, of whom Mrs. Mowry was the oldest.

To Mr. and Mrs. William H. Mowry seven children have been born, namely: John, Oscar, Stella (wife of John L. Kime, of Polk township), Everett, Mable M. (wife of M. M. Wiles, of Hughes township), Frank and Thomas B.

Byron Wilson Griffith

The subject of this sketch has early in life realized the fact that success never smiles upon the idler or dreamer, and he has accordingly followed such an aphorism, being numbered among the enterprising citizens of the town of his residence. Having spent all his life in the community, he is well known and by all is held in the highest esteem because of the commendable qualities which he has exhibited thus far.

Mr. Griffith was born on June 29, 1889, at Clearmont, this county, and is the third child in order of birth born to Henry B. and Samantha (Jones) Griffith, Henry B. was the son of Washington and Margaret Griffith, who were numbered among the early settlers of Nodaway county and are now both deceased, the mother's death occurring in 1888 and the father's in 1896. They were of sterling and rugged pioneer stock and enjoyed the respect of the entire community, to the development of which they contributed largely by their personal efforts. Henry B. Griffith has spent his entire life on a farm, and in 1882 he married Samantha Jones, to which union were born four children. They are now residing in Hopkins, the father being exten¬ sively engaged as a dealer in hogs, in which he is meeting with marked suc¬ cess. In politics he is a Republican and his religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church.