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

Byron W. Griffith received a good education in the public schools of Clearmont and was reared under the parental roof. Subsequently he moved to Hopkins with his parents, and was engaged in farming for three years. Feeling the need for a more practical education, he became a student in the State Normal School at Maryville, this county, where he pursued the business course. He then went to Omaha, Nebraska, where, for nearly a year, he was employed as a bookkeeper, after which he returned to Hopkins and accepted the position of deputy postmaster, in which position he is now serv¬ ing very acceptably. Accommodating and courteous in his relations with the patrons of the office, he is well liked by all, and is discharging the duties of his position to the eminent satisfaction of his superiors and the public.

On November 30, 1909, Mr. Griffith was united in marriage with Edith May Jones, of Braymer, Missouri, an intelligent and cultured woman. Mrs. Griffith is an expert photographer and is now engaged in that line, conduct¬ ing a studio at Hopkins and commanding a large and constantly increasing patronage. Her work is of a high order, her artistic taste being evidenced in the quality and character of the work she turns out. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith move in the best social circles of Hopkins and are deservedly popular with their associates.

Politically, Mr. Griffith is an ardent Republican and takes a commendable interest in local public affairs. His religious membership is with the Meth¬ odist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belong'S, and to this society they give an earnest and liberal support. Though young in years, Mr. Grif¬ fith has formed a proper conception of life and its responsibilities and his life thus far gives great promise for the future years.

Stephen Kellar Wray

The strong, true men of a people are always public benefactors. Their usefulness in the immediate and specific labors they perform can be defined by metes and bounds ; but the good they do through the forces they put in motion and through the inspiration of their presence and example is im¬ measurable by any finite gauge or standard of value. The late Stephen Kellar Wray was such a man. To epitomize his life and character within the lim¬ its which this work allows is impossible. But less than most men his equal does he need the voice of eulogy. For many years a resident of Nodaway county. Missouri, which was the scene of his mature labors, he left a distinct impress on the civic and commercial life of the county and in his death the community suffered an irreparable loss. Probably no man who ever lived in the county held a warmer place in the hearts and affections of the people, or whose mem¬ ory is today more revered, than he, and this history of Nodaway county would be incomplete were there failure to make specific mention of him.

Stephen Kellar Wray was born January 27, 1834, on a farm in Gallia county, Ohio, and he was the second in order of birth of the children born to John and Sarah (Wiseman) Wray. His father was a farmer and also engaged in teaching in the country schools. They were pioneers of Gallia county, as also they were afterwards of Nodaway county. Missouri, having moved to this state in 1854. They located three miles east of Pickering on a large tract of land, buying part and entering part. The parents spent the re¬ mainder of their days on this farm, the father dying there in 1880 and the mother in T904. They reared nine children, eight of whom are still living. John Wray was a man of considerable native ability and occupied a prom¬ inent place in the community, having served at one time as county judge, in which position he gave eminent satisfaction. In politics he was a Republican, while his fraternal relations were with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

Stephen K. Wray grew to manhood in his native county and secured his education in the schools of Gallia county and in eastern Iowa. He engaged in teaching school at Hillsboro, Iowa, and up to the opening of the Civil war he engaged in teaching school during the winter months, engaging in farm work during the summer. He came with his parents to Nodaway county in the spring of 1854. When the tocsin of war was sounded the patriotic senti¬ ment of Mr. Wray was promptly aroused and in the fall of 1861 he enlisted in what was known as Kimball's Six-months Volunteers, in which command he held the rank of first lieutenant. He also served eight months in the Home Guards, holding the position of captain of a company. In the fall of 1863 he was appointed recruiting officer of the Twelfth Missouri Cavalry and. in company with Captain Martin, he recruited Comapny F of this command, be¬ ing made first lieutenant of the company, and afterwards was appointed adju¬ tant of the regiment. He proved a valiant and courageous soldier and took part in many of the most hotly contested battles of the war. At the battle of Campbellsville he was captured by the enemy, but, thirty-six hours later, while being taken South, he effected his escape and. after a month of exposure and hardship, he rejoined his regiment and served with it until the close of the war, receiving an honorable discharge in 1865.

At the close of his military service, Mr. Wray returned to his home in Polk township. Nodaway county, and there gave his attention chiefly to agri¬ cultural pursuits until in March. 1880, when he came to Hopkins and engaged in the hardware and implement business in partnership with A. Watson.

Subsequently he purchased Mr. Watson's interest and conducted the busi¬ ness alone until his death, which occurred on January 24. 1901, at the age of sixty-six years, eleven months and twenty-seven days, his death terminat¬ ing a brief illness with pneumonia. The funeral services, which were held at the Methodist church, were very largely attended, the edifice not holding half the people who came to pay their last respects to the man whom they had admired in life. The Masonic lodge of Hopkins, of which Mr. Wray was an appreciative member, attended the funeral in a body. Among the many eulogistic expressions uttered at that time, the following from the tongue of

Rev. C. J. John, pastor of the Methodist church, are beautifully expressive of the esteem in which the deceased was held: "If there had come a message from heaven declaring there was but one honest man in Hopkins, the people with one voice would have said : That man is S. K. Wray. No man lives for a nobler purpose than to make the world better. This is what the deceased did. No man associated with him without feeling the impress of his influence for good, his influence being the result of the inherent force of a noble life rather than from any effort on his part. * * * In my forty-six years of experience with men in the church I have never known a more conscientious, faithful man than Stephen K. Wray." Other words of similar import were uttered on all sides, and Xenia Lodge, No. 50, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Hopkins, passed strong resolutions of respect. At the age of eleven years Stephen Wray joined the Methodist Episcopal church and during all the subsequent years he never wavered in his allegiance to it nor in his full performance of what he considered his duty, his unassumed, practical piety, Christian manliness and faithful devotion to his church and his God having been among his most marked characteristics.

Politically, Mr. Wray was a stanch Republican and took an intelligent interest in local public affairs, having served at one time as a member of the county court, where he acquitted himself with dignity and honor.

On April 30, 1859, Mr. Wray was united in marriage to Mary Carmean, the daughter of Curtis and Mary (Coddington) Carmean. Curtis Carmean was a native of Maryland, where he was born on October 3, 1806. He re¬ moved to Ohio, where he met Miss Coddington, their marriage afterwards occurring in Indiana. His death occurred in Hillsboro. Iowa, in 1882, after which event his widow made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Wray, at Hopkins. Her death occurred in 1892, while she was on a visit to Nebraska. To Mr. and Mrs. Wray were born six children, namely: Rosa M., the wife of D. A. Bugby, of Steele City, Nebraska; M. Alice, the wife of Frank Mahan, of Hopkins; Curtis, of Maryville, this county: Bertha L., the wife of O. H. Saylor, of Hopkins ; Howard, cashier of the bank at Pickering, and Florence, wife of Fred B. XIonroe. assistant cashier of the Bank of Hopkins.

Dana Amos Sargent. M. D.

Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but in what are known as the learned professions advancement is gained only through painstaking and long-continued effort. Prestige in the healing art is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thorough mastery of its great underlying principles and the ability to apply theory to practice in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual training, thorough professional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes essential to success, have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling and he stands today among the scholarly and successful physi¬ cians in a community noted for the high order of its medical talent.

Dana Amos Sargent was born May 18. 1854, in Ontario, Lagrange county, Indiana, and he is a son of Amos David and Eliza T. (Worthing) Sargent. Amos D. Sargent, who during his active years was a successful and well-known physician, was born on February 3, 1814. At the age of thir¬ teen years he suffered the loss of both of his parents and there was cast upon him the care of several smaller children. The lad was equal to the emergency, however, and not only cared for them, but managed to educate himself in the common branches and then worked his way through the Laporte Medical College. Eventually he married Eliza T. Worthing, and established himself in the practice of his profession at Ontario, Indiana. Later, in 1857, he moved to Butler, Illinois, where he remained until 1861, when he went to Ashtabula county, Ohio, from there to northern Illinois, and then, in 1865. to Boone county, Iowa. In 1867 he came to Hopkins township, Nodaway county, where he remained engaged in the active practice until his death, which occurred on August 13, 1895. His wife died on July 15, 1903. They were the parents of six children, of which number but two are now living, the subject of this sketch, and Francena, the wife of T. R. DeWolf. of Atchi¬ son township, this county. Dr. Amos D. Sargent was an ardent Democrat in politics and a member of the Masonic order.

Dana A. Sargent was reared by his parents, whom he accompanied on their various removals, receiving part of his education in the schools of Ash¬ tabula county, Ohio, and Boone county, Iowa. He completed his common school studies after coming to Nodaway county and during the vacation per¬ iods he worked on a farm. He had long entertained the intention of taking up the practice of medicine for his life work and, with this end in view, he had studied the Science under his father's direction. At the age of twenty-three years he matriculated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, where he was graduated in 1878, with the degree of Doctor of Med¬ icine. He returned to his home and engaged in the active practice in asso¬ ciation with his father, with whom he remained until the latter's death in 1895, since which time he has practiced alone, being now considered one of the lead- ing physicians of Nodaway county and commanding a large and representative clientele. His ability to trace the devious paths of disease through the human system and to remove its effects is widely recognized, and a mind well dis¬ ciplined by severe professional training and strengthened by the salutary counsels of his father, together with a natural aptitude for close investiga¬ tion and critical research, have peculiarly fitted him for the calling in which he is engaged. He possesses the tact and happy faculty of inspiring confi¬ dence on the part of his patients and in the sick room his genial presence and conscious ability to cope successfully with disease are factors that have con¬ tributed much to the enviable standing which he has attained.

In November, 1881, Doctor Sargent married Carrie E. Wallace, the daughter of T. D. Wallace, and they became the parents of two children, Lawrence, now of Hopkins, and Ethel, the wife of Charles Brown, of Inde¬ pendence township, this county. Mrs. Sargent died on December 8, 1884, and in November, 1885, the Doctor married Mary Donlin, to which union three children have been born, Edna, John F. and Lois, the last two being in school.

Politically, Doctor Sargent is a stanch Democrat and takes a deep interest in public affairs, though his professional duties have to a large extent precluded his giving any serious attention to public affairs, aside from the casting of his ballot. Fraternally, he is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Genial in disposition and courteous in manner, the Doctor enjoys a large acquaintance throughout the northern part of Nodaway county and bv all who know him he is held in the highest esteem because of his genuine worth.

John W. Lindsay

The subject of this sketch, who for a number of years has been closely identified with agricultural and business affairs in Nowaday county, en¬ joys a splendid reputation among his business associates because of his sound business judgment and his sterling qualities of character. Though not an old resident of this county, he is none the less loyal to its interests and his influence is ever to be found on the side of progress and advance¬ ment in local affairs.

John W. Lindsay was born on April 21, 1863, and is a son of John H. and Amelia (DeWolf) Lindsay. He was reared to manhood by his parents in LaSalle county, Illinois, where he was born, and secured a good prac- tical education in the public schools. In the spring of 1887 he came with his father to Nodaway county, locating at Allison, where they remained a year. Subsequently the subject bought a farm of three hundred and sixty acres near Gaynor, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his energies assiduously during the following seven years. He was a practical stockman and his operations were attended with a very gratifying measure of success. In the fall of 1896 Mr. Lindsay left the farm and took up his residence in the town of Hopkins, where he now resides. He is still the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of the old farm, from which he derives considerable income, though for several years his efforts have been mainly expended in the stock business, in which he has met with pronounced success. Though maintaining his residence at Hopkins, his business headquarters are at Sterling, Colorado, where he has large interests. Mr. Lindsay is a man of clear-headed business ideas and guides along successful lines everything to which he gives his attention, be¬ ing generally considered a man of unusual shrewdness and acumen.

In February, 1888, Mr. Lindsay was united in marriage to Harriett Gardner, of Mendota, Illinois, and this union has been blessed with two offspring, namely: Frances Hazel, who secured a good education, being a graduate of the Hopkins high school, and is now employed in the postoffice; and John H., who is employed as a clerk with B. Wooldridge & Son, clothing merchants at Hopkins. The members of this family move in the best social circles of the community where they live and are popular with their associates and acquaintances. Mr. Lindsay is a man of genial dispo¬ sition and pleasing address and enjoys an extensive acquaintance, being well liked by all who know him. Persistent industry, sound common sense and correct principles have been the keynotes to his success and he is right¬ fully numbered among the leading citizens of his community.

William H. Cramer

It is the pride of the inhabitants of this country that, when the great Civil war between the states closed, all the vast army of citizen soldiery quietly laid down their arms and returned to the pursuits of peace. It was predicted by the governments of Europe, not only that the country wrould be divided, but that after the war an enormous army would be kept up and a military dictatorship be established. Foreign nations did not understand the spirit of the people of this country, that is, the spirit of the people in all the free states. They could not understand how we had come to love the name of liberty and be willing to sacrifice blood and treasure to save a country founded upon the rock of freedom. In view of these misguided ideas, the most of the foreign nations stood ready to pounce upon the fragments when the smoke of war had rolled away. But they beheld a splendid sight instead. They saw the great armies melt away, saw a reunited country in which liberty was a fact as well as a name, and saw the soldiers return to their farms and shops, mills and various other vocations. Among those sturdy sons of the North, who, after fighting valiantly for their country during its hour of need, went to work earnestly in the channels of civil pursuits and has won not only pecuniary success but, what .is better still, the honor and respect of his contemporaries, is the subject of this review.

William H. Cramer was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, on September 19, 1839, and is the son of Richard and Charlotte (Lenox) Cramer. The father, who also was born in St. Lawrence county, spent his entire life there, dying in 1855. The mother was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and she died in St. Lawrence county in 1903. The subject was reared under the parental roof and secured a good, practical education in the common schools of his home neighborhood. At the outbreak of the great Civil war. his patriotic impulses were aroused, and in July, 1862, he enlisted in Com-, pany F, One Hundred and Sixth Regiment New York Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He proved a valiant and courageous soldier and was always in the thick of the fight, participating in a number of the most hotly contested battles of that great conflict. At Fair¬ mont, West Virginia, he was captured by the Confederates and was held a prisoner for some time, being finally paroled.

At the expiration of his period of enlistment, Mr. Cramer returned to St. Lawrence county, New York, but a few months later he went to Decatur county, Michigan, where he spent one summer, going then to Illinois, where he remained a year. In 1867 he came to Holt county, Missouri, where he re¬ mained until 1869, when he came to Nodaway county, settling in Hughes township, where he has resided since with the exception of two years spent in Atchison county, this state. Farming and stock raising has been his life occupation, and in this he has chosen wisely, for mother earth has been kind to him and in return for his earnest efforts he has been rewarded with a gratifying degree of prosperity. He is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of fine land in Hughes township, all of which is improved and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Cramer has been a practical and progres¬ sive farmer, keeping in touch with advanced ideas relating to the science of husbandry, and in the handling of livestock he has met with uniform success, being numbered among the leading farmers of his section of the county.

In Will county, Illinois, on September 24, 1867, Mr. Cramer married Dollie Ann Goodwin, who was born in that county on February 22, 1849, a daughter of William and Rebecca (Althouse) Goodwin, the former a native of New York state and the latter of Ohio, their deaths occurring in Will county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Cramer have been born eight chil¬ dren, namely: Charlotte R., Alta May, Lois H., Bertha E., Emma Naomi, William E. and Iva I. ; Jesse died in infancy.

Politically, Mr. Cramer is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party and takes an intelligent interest in local public affairs, though he is not in any sense an office seeker. Fraternally, he is a member of the time-honored order of Freemasons. Large-hearted, broad-minded and public spirited, he has been an influential factor in local affairs and he is held in the highest esteem throughout the community.

Frederick Earl Wooldridge

The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one of the enterprising and successful business men of Hopkins, Nodaway county, Missouri. He has lived here practically all his life and for a num¬ ber of years has been prominently identified with the commercial interests of the community. His well-directed efforts in the practical affairs of life, his capable management of his business interests and his sound judgment have brought to him prosperity, and his life demonstrates what may be accom¬ plished by any man of energy and ambition who is not afraid to work and has the perseverance to continue his labors in the face of any discourage¬ ments that may arise. In all the relations of life he has commanded the re¬ spect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact, and as a representative citizen of his community he is entitled to representa¬ tion in a work of this character.

Frederick Earl Wooldridge was born on July 8, 1874, at Moulton, Iowa, and is a son of Baxter and Melessia E. (Bailey) Wooldridge. Baxter Wool¬ dridge, who was born on October 26, 1839, at Jamestown, Kentucky, was a son of William and 'Margaret Wooldridge, who were both natives of the state of Virginia, where they were reared and educated, and where their mar- riage occurred. In 1846 this honored couple moved to Bloomfield, Iowa, where they followed agricultural pursuits, and there the wife died in 1856. William Wooldridge remained on the farm until 1888, when he moved to Hopkins, Nodaway county, where his death occurred one year later.

Baxter Wooldridge received a good practical education in his youth, and in 1856 he began teaching school, in which line of effort he met with splendid success, his pedagogical experience covering a period of ten years. In 1865 he located at Unionville, Iowa, where he engaged in the mercantile business during the following four years, and in 1869 he located at Moulton, Iowa, where until 1877 he was also engaged in the conduct of a store. In each of these enterprises he met with gratifying success, but, believing that Hopkins, Nodaway county, Missouri, offered better opportunities for busi¬ ness, he came here in 1877 and embarked in the clothing and shoe business. The soundness of his judgment was vindicated, for he met with success in his business affairs from the start, the business rapidly growing to large proportions. In 1896 he took his sons, Frederick E. and Horace Edgar, into the business as partners, and it was conducted by them jointly until January 1, 1906, when Edgar withdrew and went to Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, where he now lives. Baxter Wooldridge is also now living at the latter place, having turned over the entire management of the store to Frederick. Mr. Wooldridge for the long period of forty-two years has been affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

On July 1, 1869, Baxter Wooldridge was united in marriage with Melessia E. Bailey, of Knoxville, Tennessee, and their union has been blessed in the birth of two children, Horace Edgar, referred to above, and Frederick E., of Hopkins. The mother of these children died on September 15, 1907, at Cheyenne Wells, Colorado. She was a woman of culture and refinement and her excellent qualities of character endeared her to all who knew her.

Frederick E. Wooldridge received his education in the public schools of Hopkins, upon the completion of which he entered his father's store as clerk, and in 1896, as before stated, he was taken into partnership with his father and brother. He gives his entire attention to the business and is so conducting it as to enjoy a large and satisfactory patronage. He carries a large and well-selected stock of goods and the appointments of the store are excellent, customers receiving the best and most courteous treatment at all times, so that it is one of the most popular trading places in the town.

In 1903 Mr. Wooldridge married Elsie E. Downer, of Hopkins, and they have become the parents of three children, Margaret, Frederick E., fr.. and Elizabeth. Fraternally, Mr. Wooldridge is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America. Because of his splendid personal qualities of character and his genuine worth, he is popular in the circles in which he moves, being numbered among the repre¬ sentative men of the community.

Howard Wray

In examining the life records of the citizens of Nodaway county of a past generation, who have finished their allotted tasks and passed into the unknown, the biographer finds none worthier of a place in the history of this locality than that of Stephen K. Wray. He was born in Gallia county, Ohio, Janu¬ ary 27, 1834, and he w as called to his reward on January 24. 1901. He came with his parents to Iowa in 1853, and the following spring (1854) moved to Nodaway county, Missouri. He received a good education in his native state and after coming here he taught school during the winter months and farmed in the summer. When the Civil w'ar came on he served as first lieutenant in Kimball's volunteer regiment and was at one time captain of a company of Home Guards. In the fall of 1863 he organized Company F, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, and he became adjutant of the regiment, and he saw some very strenuous service at the front, and, according to his comrades, always performed his duty faithfully. He was captured by the enemy at Campbellsville, Tennessee, but escaped in thirty-six hours, being absent one month from his regiment. He served until the close of the war, after which he returned to Nodaway county where he became possessor of a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Polk township. In March, 1880, he bought a half interest with a Mr. Watson in an agricultural implement business at Hopkins and there continued in the active trade until his death, building up a very successful business and becoming known as one of the enterprising men of this section of the county.

Mr. Wray took more or less interest in political affairs and was always ready to promote the interests of his county. At one time he was justice of the peace, and he served very ablv as county judge. He was faithful in his support of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fraternally, he was a Mason. His marriage occurred on April 30. 1859, to Mary Carmean, and this union resulted in the birth of six children, Rosa, Alice, Curtis (publisher of The Tribune at Maryville), Bertha, Howard, Florence. Mrs. Stephen K. Wray, now advanced in years, is living at Hopkins.

he discharges in a manner that stamps him as a business man of high rank. He was born on June 12. 1876, and after being educated in the home schools, took up work with his father in the hardware store, continuing there, with the exception of one year spent in the bank at Hopkins. In the fall of 1900 he helped organize the Bank of Pickering, and became its first cashier, con¬ tinuing as such to the present time, being very largely responsible for the excellent prestige of this sound and conservative institution. He takes an abiding interest in the affairs of his community.

Howard Wray was married on September 25, 1907, to Kate Beckwith, of Chicago, a ladv of education and refinement. This union has resulted in the birth of two children (twins), Florence and Katherine, born on September 17- I909-

Capt. Ellis Sumner Cook

Not many men have the initiative, the force of character and the power of concentration and application to win even mediocre success and recogni¬ tion in one or more of the relations of life while yet in their twenties, this being primarily the formative period of life when the individual is casting about in a tentative manner for an opening that will insure future success and notoriety. But it seems that Capt. Ellis Sumner Cook, of Maryville, has been fortunate in striking the keynote of success while yet young in years, as the following paragraphs will attest.

Ellis S. Cook was born on a farm near Clearmont, Nodaway county, March 19, 1883, and he is the son of Mark and Rosa (Cassel) Cook, the father a native of Terre Haute, Indiana, born there on August 20, 1855. He devoted his life to farming, coming to Missouri in 1874, locating near Clearmont, Nodaway county. He was married on October 2, 1881, to Rosa Cassel, and two children were born to them, one dying- young in years, and Ellis Sumner, of this review. Mark Cook was a Republican in politics, a man highly respected by all who knew him, and his life work was attended with a due measure of success. Mrs. Cook, who was born on December 24, 1861, at Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of early pioneers of that section of the state, is still living, making her home with her son, Ellis S.

Ellis S. Cook attended the common schools in his native vicinity, gradu¬ ating from the Clearmont high school in 1899, and in 1900 he was gradu- ated from the Stanberry Normal, and the normal at Chillicothe in 1902, and the same year from the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and he did post-graduate work in all these institutions, thus receiving an excellent education and well qualifying himself for the profession of teacher, which he followed one year in the Stanberry Normal and two years at Brown's Business College at Davenport, Iowa; also taught for two years in the Metropolitan Business College in Chicago, giving eminent satisfac¬ tion in all these noted schools.

In 1906 Mr. Cook returned to Maryville and organized the Maryville Business College, which started with twelve pupils. He proved to be a good organizer and promoter and soon his school became widely known and recognized as one of the best in the country, thorough, up-to-date and where the ambitious student could be quickly equipped for his particular line, and during the past four years of its existence over twelve hundred pupils have passed through this school and have taken responsible positions in many parts of the United States, able to compete with the graduates of any insti¬ tution, new pupils being constantly placed in positions of trust and respon¬ sibility and invariably giving success - in fact, there is a greater demand for first-class, high-grade employes from the various departments of this insti¬ tution than the management can supply.

In 1908 this college was incorporated under the name of the Western School Company, for five thousand dollars, Mr. Cook being president and manager. This school is well located, properly equipped with all modern furnishings and appliances found in any up-to-date institution of a like nature, and it is under splendid system, its prestige rapidly growing and the enroll¬ ment gradually increasing.

Mr. Cook is captain of Company F, Fourth Regiment Infantry, Mis¬ souri National Guard, and he takes a great interest in military affairs. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Christian church.

Captain Cook was married on August 16, 1908, to Edith Inman, a younglady of culture and education, the daughter of J. C. and Della Inman, a wellknown family of Maryville, and this union has been graced by the birth of one child. Edith M.

William Hamilton Brown. D. O.

Prominent in the professional circles of Nodaway county and dis¬ tinguished as a citizen whose influence is far extended beyond the limits of the communitv honored bv his residence, the name of Dr. William Ham- ilton Brown stands out conspicuously among the successful osteopathic phy¬ sicians of northern Missouri. Characterized by a deep insight into his special line of endeavor and actuated by none but the noblest humanitarian motives, he has won the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of patients, friends and accjuaintances.

Doctor Brown was born December 18, 1867, near Mexico, Missouri, and is the son of William and Margaret C. (Curry) Brown, the father born May 28, 1838, near Bloomfield, this state, the son of Charles H. and Amanda (McKamey) Brown. Charles H. Brown was born August 18, 1812, in Mercer county. Kentucky, and was the son of William and Margaret (Hamilton) Brown. William Brown engaged in farming in Mercer county, Kentucky, until his death. His family consisted of seven children, two of whom still live. The father was a Whig in politics and a Presbyterian. His wife survived until 1867.

Charles H. Brown, grandfather of the Doctor, came to Calloway county, Missouri, when a lad and worked on a farm. Later he entered three thousand acres of land near Mexico, where he farmed, raised stock, bought and sold cattle on a large scale. He and Amanda McKamey were married in 1836. She was the daughter of Robert and Susan (McAfee) McKamey, early settlers of Missouri and natives of North Carolina, of old blue-blooded stock. They reared eight children, three of whom are now living. Charles H. Brown's death occurred on April 12, 1897. He was a Democrat and a Presbyterian. Mrs. Brown died February 12, 1892.

The Doctor's father, William Brown, worked on the farm during his early life, and became the owner of a large farm in Calloway county. He married Margaret C. Curry on July 3, 1862; she was born May 20, 1841, and is still living; Mr. Brown died on February 13, 1908. Nine children were born to them, all living at this writing.

Dr. William H. Brown received a good primary education in the com¬ mon schools and spent his boyhood on his father's farm. He owned one hundred and twenty acres of good land in Calloway county and began life as a farmer, but believing that his talents lay along other lines he sold out and entered the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, where he made a splendid record for scholarship and from which institu¬ tion he was graduated in 1902. This noted school is conducted by Doctor Still, and, together with other schools of osteopathy over the country, has done a great work in revolutionizing the science of medicine during the past decade and the osteopathic physician is now recognized everywhere as a very necessarv individual in a community, and Doctor Brown, like most of his professional brethren, enjoys an extensive patronage, which is constantly growing. He first began practicing at Moberly, Missouri, later opened an ofifice at Mexico, this state, but for the past seven years he has been in Maryville, maintaining a well-equipped and neatly-arranged office over the Nodaway Valley Bank.

Doctor Brown was married on June io, 1891, to Minnie T. Miller, daughter of a well-established family of Calloway county, Missouri, and this union has resulted in the birth of two children, Bessie I., now eighteen years old, attending high school, and Robert L., fourteen years old, also in school.

Mrs. Brown is a granddaughter of Hon. Henry Larimore, of Calloway county, one of the world's best known Shorthorn cattle dealers. Additional details of the Miller family, which has long been a prominent one in north¬ ern Missouri, will be found on another page of this work, under the caption of Ulysses Telemachus Miller.

Ulysses Telemachus Miller

One of the best known residents of Calloway county, Missouri, of a past generation, who was also well known in Nodaway county, was Ulysses Telemachus Miller, born on Miller's creek, Calloway county, on July 26, 1826, and he died at his residence near McCredie, that county, on February 15, 1890. For several years of his early life he followed the trade of his father, that of cooper; but upon his marriage to Fanny Larimore. in September, 1855, he moved to the farm which was thenceforth his home, to the successful management of which he devoted the remainder of his life. Although deprived in early life of the advantages of extensive edu¬ cation, he was one of those who, by an early education no less real than that of the schools, win for themselves the honorable distinction of "self-made'' men. By indefatigable industry and business tact he secured for himself an ample competence, and placed himself in the front rank of influential men in the community of which he was a citizen. In this respect he re¬ sembled his father, Abraham Miller, one of the honored pioneers of Callo¬ way county, who lived near Millersburg. He took more or less interest in the political affairs of his county and he was assessor of the county from 1849 to 1853. In 1872 he became a member of the White Cloud Presby¬ terian church, and he was one of the colonv from that church which after- wards organized the Mt. Olive church. Subsequently he became a member of the then newly organized Westminster church, where his membership remained until his death. As in other things, so in his religious life, Mr. Miller was a modest, unobtrusive man, but those who knew him best could not but be aware of his deep concern for the welfare of the church and all movements looking to the general good of his community. His family consisted of thirteen children, all of whom survived him. Two brothers also survived, Dr. Lee Miller, of Knobnoster. Missouri, and Lycurgus Miller, of Nowaday countv.

John Collet

Among the citizens of Hughes township, Nodaway county, who have built up a comfortable home and surrounded themselves with landed and personal property, none has attained a higher degree of success than the sub¬ ject of this sketch. With few opportunities except what his own efforts were capable of mastering and with many discouragements to overcome, he has made an exceptionable success of life, and in his old age he has the grati¬ fication of knowing that the community in which he has resided has been benefited by his presence.

John Collet was born in Cole county, Missouri, on the 23d day of September, 1833. His father, Abraham Collet, was a native of Tennessee, while his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gilliam, was born in North Carolina. After their marriage they resided for a time in Platte county, Missouri, but in 1845 they came to Nodaway county, locating north¬ east of Maryville, in Polk township. Here they successfully carried on agri¬ cultural operations for many years, eventually leaving the farm and making their home in Maryville, where the father's death occurred at the age of seventy-seven years ; his widow died in Andrew county, this state, when ninetyone years old. They were people of high character and enjoyed the highest degree of respect in the community where so many years of their lives were spent. They were the parents of six children, of which number John was the youngest.

John Collet was reared by his parents and accompanied them on their removal to Nodaway county in 1845. securing his education in the common schools of this and Cole counties. Since coming here he has remained a resident continuously of this county, a period of sixty-five years, and has thus been an eye witness and an active participant in the wonderful development which has characterized this section of the state. Farming has been his chief occupation during his active years, though for fourteen years he was suc¬ cessfully engaged in the blacksmithing business at Maryville. He settled in Hughes township about 1868 and devoted himself closely to the tilling of the soil until 1908, when he retired from active labor and is now living in Graham, enjoying a well-earned rest. He is the owner of three hundred and seventy acres of as fine land as can be found in Hughes township, all of which is under cultivation and producing abundant crops. Mr. Collet during his active years was numbered among the most energetic farmers of his section and his efforts were characterized by a spirit of enterprise and progress that insured success along his line.

On December 27, 1865, Mr. Collet married Pernecia Saunders, who was born in Polk township, this county, on September 16, 1848, the daughter of William and Arethusia (Courtney) Saunders. These parents were natives of Kentucky and were among the early settlers of Nodaway county, their deaths occurring at Maryville, at advanced ages. Of their three children, Mrs. Collet was the second in order of birth. To the subject and his wife has been born a daughter, Mary E., who is the wife of James A. Kavanaugh. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Collet are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church South, to which they give an earnest support. Their lives have been actuated by the highest motives and been characterized by a kind¬ liness and charity which have gained for them the good will and esteem of all who know them.

It is scarcely less than supererogation in outlining the leading facts in 'the biographical record of Dr. Lafe C. Allender, one of the youngest but most successful dentists of northwestern Missouri, to refer to him as a doctor of dentistry in the ordinary phraseology which meets requirements when dealing with the average member of this profession, for it is not too much to refer to him as a master of his profession and is eminently worthy of the large and growing practice which he today enjoys at Maryville, his padents coming from remote parts of Nodaway county and other localities.

Doctor Allender was born September 29, 1884, in Bloomfield, Iowa, and is the son of John C. and Nellie (Linnaberry) Allender. The birth of John Charles Allender occurred on July 24, 1856, in Centerville, Iowa, and he was the son of Richard B. and Elmira (Frazie) Allender. Richard

B. Allender was born March 27, 1816, in Pennsylvania, the son of a pio¬ neer miller, for whim his son, Richard B., teamed over the mountains. Hs afterwards became a school teacher and later a minister. His death occurred in Bloomfield, Iowa, in 1898 at an advanced age. He was a Mason, a Re¬ publican and a Methodist. It was in 1838 that he married Elmira Frazie, a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born August 16, 1820. and who died in 1883 in Bloomfield, Iowa. To this union nine children were born, two of whom were living, namely : Dr. J. C., of Maryville, and Dr. D. R., of Ft. Scott, Kansas.

- Dr. John C. Allender was educated at Bloomfield, Iowa. In his youth he learned the printer's trade, at which he worked ten years. At the age of twenty-seven he entered the State University of Iowa, and graduated from the dental department in 1886. He practiced at Bloomfield, Iowa, and Ft. Scott, Kansas, later at Eldon, Iowa, coming to Maryville, Missouri, in 1890, and he has been actively engaged in practice here ever since, enjoying a liberal patronage at each place. In 1907 he took his son, Lafe C., in as a partner and the firm name is now Allender & Son, which is one of the best known dental firms in this locality.

Dr. John C. Allender is a Royal Arch Mason, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Maccabees and the Yeomen. Po¬ litically he is a Republican and in religious matters a Methodist. On Jan¬ uary 20, 1883, he married Nellie Linnaberry, of Bloomfield, Iowa. She was born June 24, 1864. This union has resulted in the birth of two chil¬ dren, Lafe C., of this review, and Roland B., who is practicing dentistry in Boone, Iowa.

Dr. Lafe C. Allender graduated from the Maryville high school in 1903, then entered Northwestern University at Chicago, graduating from the dental department of the same in 1907, receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, having made a splendid record in that institution. Re¬ turning to Maryville soon afterwards, he formed a partnership with his father, which still exists. Fraternally he is a Royal Arch Mason, being secretary of the local lodge; he also belongs to the Benevolent and Pro¬ tective Order of Elks ; politically he is a Republican and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Oscar K. Herndon

Characterized by breadth of wisdom and strong individuality, and in all his undertakings actuated by noble motives and high resolves, the sue- cess and achievements of Oscar K. Herndon, one of Nodaway county's most prominent business men, but represent the result of fit utilization of innate talent in directing effort along those lines where mature judgment and rare discrimination lead the way.

Mr. Herndon was born on August 21, 1874, near Parnell. Nodaway county, Missouri, the son of Benjamin Franklin and Mary ( Dean) Herndon, the father born in 1840 near Lexington, Kentucky. He was the son of John Herndon, a farmer and a native of Virginia, from which state he came to Kentucky when quite small. There he grew to maturity, and he served in the war of 1812 with his father. In the seventies he moved from Kentucky to Nodaway county, Missouri, leaving his old homestead - a large tobacco plan¬ tation - behind forever, and came to this county to spend the remainder of his life with his children here. He reached the remarkable age of one hun¬ dred and four years. Benjamin F. Herndon worked on a farm until the late fifties, when he moved to Indiana. He enlisted in the Union army, September 18, 1861, in Company A, Thirty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infan¬ try, in the department of the Cumberland, and served with distinction until he was mustered out in November, 1864. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and was twenty-two miles south of Jonesboro, Georgia, when his time of enlistment expired, but was sent back with his regiment to Indianap¬ olis, where they received their final discharge.

In 1865 Mr. Herndon left Indiana and came to St. Joseph, Missouri, and with a kit of shoemaker's tools walked to Oxford, a distance of fifty miles, where he followed his occupation for a number of years. Land was very cheap at that time and he invested his surplus cash in a few acres, and added to his holdings from time to time, owning at the time of his death over four hundred acres of good rich soil. On October 6, 1866, Mr. Herndon was married at Oxford to Mary M. Dean. To this union nine children were born, seven of whom are still living, as follows : James W., of Maryville, Missouri; Amanda Powers, Parnell, Missouri; Oscar, of this review ; Mary Wilson, Asa, Granville and Horace, all of Parnell. Mrs. Herndon also survives.

Benjamin F. Herndon's death occurred on February 3, 1905. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, being an honored member of Grant City Lodge. He also belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic. While he was not a member of any church organization, he was a believer in the one true and living God.

vicinity was more accommodating to his fellow-men than he and he did much in assisting to upbuild his town and county in general. He had erected during his residence in Parnell several substantial dwellings and was always willing and ready to do anything for the advancement of the town. He was a school director at the time of his death and took con¬ siderable interest in educational matters. While living in Worth county he filled the office of judge of the county court two terms, and won the hearty commendation of his constituents.

Oscar K. Herndon, of this review, received a very serviceable edu¬ cation in the country schools, and worked on the farm until he was twentyone years of age. He then left his parental roof-tree and farmed for him¬ self for two years; then engaged in the real estate business, having been active in this line of work in this county ever since and is one of the best known real estate men in this and adjoining counties, controlling a large business. He recently sold nineteen thousand acres of land in Louisiana to one party, for a consideration of over three hundred thousand dollars. Through him a deal was consummated whereby C. I. Black, a wealthy retired Omaha merchant, became the owner of the residence of the late F. G. Shoemaker, in Maryville, for a consideration of twenty-five thousand dollars, one of the most beautiful residence properties in this city.

Mr. Herndon, in 1909, purchased as an investment, from H. H. Culver, of Omaha, a twenty-five-hundred-acre farm near North Platte, Nebraska, in Lincoln county. The ranch is situated twelve miles from the famous Buffalo Bill ranch. The price paid was thirty-two thousand dollars. This ranch is of excellent farming and grazing land.

Under the firm name of the National Sales Company, Mr. Herndon and George White, with offices in the Andrews building on Fourth street. Maryville, are building up a large special sales business covering several states, Mr. Herndon being the president and manager and Mr. White is advertiser and traveling solicitor. Unique methods characterize the busi¬ ness of this company. Its customers are merchants in town or city who are desirous of turning a portion of their stocks into cash in a short time - business men who find themselves overstocked or who are under the necessity of meet¬ ing heavy obligations that can not be handled through the ordinary chan¬ nels of income from the business. Right here the National Sales Company takes charge and advertises a special sale for a limited number of days. Extra clerks are employed, large advertising contracts are made and at the end of the sale the merchant finds himself in possession of a goodly amount of cash, odd and shop-worn goods have been cleared out in the rush sale, and he is in position to stock up with fresh, clean goods. The firm has been conducting some big sales all over the country and their prestige is rapidly growing.

Mr. Herndon's domestic life began on April 3, 1859, when he married Frauline Kennedy, the accomplished daughter of John W. and Susan M. Kennedy, a prominent family of this county. This union has been graced by the birth of one child, Adolph K., who is now in school.

Politically Mr. Herndon is a Republican, a thirty-second-degree Mason, a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he belongs to the Christian church. He is deserving of the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him, owing to the fact that he started out in business life with only a few dollars cash capital, but by the exercise of rare talents and persistency he has forged his way to the front while yet young in years. He seldom makes a mistake in forecasting the outcome of a present transaction, is keen of perception and discernment. He is straightforward and honorable, gentlemanly and genial.

James Arthur Wray

A man who would win his way in any locality where fate might place him is James Arthur Wray, one of the best known citizens in local industrial circles, for his career shows that he is a man of sound business judgment, coupled with great energy and tact, together with upright princi¬ ples, all of which make for success wherever and whenever they are rightly and persistently applied. He has won a host of friends in Nowaday county by reason of these principles.

Mr. Wray was born September 1, 1856, in Polk township, this county, and is the son of John and Sarah (Wiseman) Wray, the father born on Feb¬ ruary 13, 1805, in what is now known as West Virginia, and was the son of Thomas and Rachel (Neal) Wray. Thomas Wray was a school teacher. John Wray worked on a farm and taught school and in an early day moved to Gallia county, Ohio, and in 1854 came further west, locating in Nodaway county, Missouri. He entered four hundred acres in Polk township. There he farmed and taught school during the winter months. In the early sixties he was elected county judge and served one term very acceptably, and for some time he was a man of considerable prominence in the county. He enlisted in the Missouri Home Guards in the service of the Union and served six months during the Civil war. After this he devoted his attention exclusively to his farm until his death, which occurred on February 6, 1879. He was a Republican in politics, a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Methodist Episcopal church. On July 17, 1831, he married Sarah Wiseman, in Gallia county, Ohio. She wras born in West Virginia, August 27, 1811, the daughter of Isaac and Mary (Armentrout) Wiseman, old settlers of the Buckeye state, dying March 19, 1904, in Polk township, Nodaway county, Missouri. Eleven children were born to them, eight of whom are now living.

J. Arthur Wray of this review was educated in the country schools and worked on a farm in his youth; but, deciding that he would devote his life to other lines of endeavor, he came to Maryville and attended a business school. However, he returned to the farm and taught school during the winter months. In 1897 he bought the Banner Steam Laundry, the name of which he changed to Wray's Laundry. He successfully conducted this for a period of ten years, buying the building in the meantime. This has long been known as one of the leading and most reliable laundries in this part of the state, Mr. Wray having so ably conducted it as to give it this prestige. He is now devoting his exclusive time to his farming interests, owning three hundred and twenty-nine acres of fine land in Polk township. It is well improved, well managed and on it stand many substantial build¬ ings. Mr. Wray has a beautiful, modern home at No. 505 South Main street, Maryville, which is presided over by a woman of refinement, known in her maidenhood as Minnie M. Neil, whom Mr. Wray married on Septem¬ ber 25, 1883. She was born in Muscatine county, Iowa, September 30, 1864. but was still living in Polk township, Nodaway county, when she mar¬ ried. To this union three children have been born, named as follows: Nellie is attending college; Bessie is teaching school; Walter N. is attend¬ ing school in this citv.

In political matters Mr. Wray is a Republican and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a pleasant man to know, always courteous, genial and straightforward in his business life.

Edwin C. Curfman

He whose career is now taken under consideration and to whom the reader's attention is respectfully directed is numbered among the progressive young business men of Nodaway county, of which he is a native son and where

Edwin C. Curfman was born in Maryville, Missouri, October 4, 1872, the son of John C. Curfman, a complete sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. The father came to Missouri in 1865, settling first in Savannah and then coming to Maryville about 1867. He engaged in the hardware business up to 1887, when he sought a more peaceful life on a farm, remaining there until 1894 when he removed to Maryville and retired.

The mother of Edwin C. Curfman was known in her maidenhood as Lenora Alexander, daughter of Judge Joseph E. Alexander. She was born about five miles southwest of Maryville. She is yet of great encouragement and assistance to her children in their life work. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. John C. Curfman : F. L. is living nine miles north¬ east of Maryville ; George H. lives at Salida, Colorado ; Roy J. Curfman, of this city. These children were all born and reared in this county. Mary Curfman died at the age of eighteen years.

Edwin C. Curfman, of this review, was educated in the local public schools and the Maryville Seminary. He first decided to follow the law and he accordingly began the study of the same, but being naturally inclined to business, he gave up his ideas of the legal profession and entered the lumber business in 1898, first working for Conrad & Totterdale, with whom he re¬ mained until 1902, when he went to Burlington Junction, buying a lumber yard there which he successfully conducted until March, 1905; then he and his brother, Roy C., purchased their present business in Maryville, the old firm of Conrad & Totterdale, and he has been conducting the same since that time, assisting to build up one of the leading lumber firms in the county. Their yard embraces one hundred and thirty-two feet square, one hundred and ten by one hundred and thirty-two feet on the east side of the street that is not under cover. It is easily the largest lumber yard in the county, and it supplies a wide section of country.

Edwin C. Curfman was married on December 1, 1897, to Gertrude Con¬ rad, who was born, reared and educated in Nodaway county, where her people are highly respected. Four daughters have contributed to the happi¬ ness of this household, Laura, Helen, Mary Ruth and Gertrude.

Mr. and Mrs. Curfman are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically, Mr. Curfman is a Republican, and he was honored by the people of Burlington Junction by being elected mayor of that town, and while in that office he did many things calculated to be of permanent benefit to the vicinity. He has served one year in the city council of Maryville. Fra¬ ternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Maccabees and the Hoo-Hoos, the latter an organization composed of lum¬ bermen.

Thomas E. Fleming

It is an excellent thing to be born to great wealth, like a Vanderbilt, but it is also an excellent thing to be born to a good name. When ancestors through many generations have lived useful and distinguished lives and have made a splendid name for themselves by devotion to duty and honor, it is one of the brightest inheritances that can be left to descendants. In this respect Thomas E. Fleming, one of the most progressive and best known agri¬ culturists and stock men of the southern part of Nodaway county, who main¬ tains a valuable and attractive landed estate in Hughes township, is singularly fortunate, for he comes from an excellent old family of the Hoosier state. He was born in Shelby county, Indiana, on July 16, 1853, the son of Elijah F. and Sarah J. (Francis) Fleming, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Cincinnati, Ohio. In about 1855 they came to Andrew county, Missouri, and settled on a farm near Savannah, where they lived until 1865, when they moved to a farm about ten miles north of Savannah where they spent the remaining days of their lives, the father reaching the age of eightyfour years and the mother eighty-eight, her death occurring the last of March. 1910. They were a grand old couple, highly honored by all who knew them for their industrious, honorable, kindly and generous lives. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Thomas E., of this review, was the fifth in order of birth. He made his home with his parents in Andrew county until 1879, grew to maturity on the home farm on which he worked during the summer months and attended the home schools in the winter time. On the last mentioned date he came to Nodaway county and rented the farm where he now resides, for one year, then bought it in 1880, and he has since devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits, developing an excellent farm and establishing a very comfortable home.

February 12, 1880. Mr. Fleming was married, in Andrew county, to Ella Montgomery, who was born in that county on November 29, 1858, The daughter of George .K. and Rosanna (Newmeyer) Montgomery, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were among the old settlers of Andrew county, having come there in 1856, and there Mr.

Thos. E. Fleming Residence

Montgomery died on May 12, 1888, at the age of sixty-four years. They were the parents of twelve children, an equal number of sons and daughters, of which number Mrs. Fleming was the fifth in order of birth. She was reared and educated in Andrew county.

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Fleming settled on the farm where he now lives and where he has labored to so goodly ends, having not only one of the best farms in Nodaway county, but he has erected one of the most modern, beautiful and comfortable dwellings in the county, which is surrounded by good outbuildings and everything that makes life worth living in the country, which, as most people are now beginning to realize, is the best of all lives.

Being a good manager and a persevering worker, Mr. Fleming has been very successful since coming here, being now the owner of very valuable farming lands in Nodaway and Andrew counties to the extent of nineteen hundred and seventy acres, and he also owns about twenty-two hundred acres of good land in Lipscomb county, Texas. All this he has made unaided, having learned, early in his career, to manage his affairs independently of anyone, and he is therefore deserving of the high esteem which is today ac¬ corded him by all who know him, for his life has not only been one of in¬ dustry but has been led along such even tempered lines as to give offense to no one.

Mr. and Mrs. Fleming are the parents of two children, namely: Frank¬ lin P.. born November 12, 1880, and Mary B., born January 6, 1883, and who is the wife of W. C. Wilson, of Hughes township.

Mr. Fleming takes a great deal of interest in the affairs of his county and community, standing always ready to assist any worthy movement looking to the general good.

John F. Roelofson

It is not only a pleasure, but profitable as well, to study the life history of such a worthy gentleman as he whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, for in it we find evidence of traits of character that can not help but make for success in the life of anyone who directs his efforts, as he has done, along proper paths with persistency and untiring zeal, towards a worthy goal, and having as his concomitant upright principles, which, as we shall see, have resulted in ultimate triumph.

John R. Roelofson, well known public administrator, horseman and prominent citizen of Maryville, Missouri, was born in DeWitt county, Illi¬ nois, May 10, 1862, the son of Robert S. Roelofson, who was born in Whiteside county, Illinois, in 1832. He grew up on a farm, received a limited education in the pioneer schools and remained in his native state engaged in farming until in February, 1882, when he removed to Nodaway county, Missouri, with his family and located on a farm near Barnard, where the family remained one year and then moved to Maryville, where he still resides, being retired. He is advanced in years, but is fairly hearty and hale as a result of a past life of consistent living and the avoidance of those socalled "small vices'7 that wreck so many promising lives, the elder Roelof¬ son being a man whom everybody respects and honors for his honesty, his generosity and every attribute that goes to make up a genteel Christian gentleman.

The Roelofson family is of German origin. Grandfather Moses Roelofson. a sturdy pioneer farmer, was a native of Kentucky, from which state he removed to Illinois.

Amy E. Swearingen was the maiden name of the mother of John F. Roelofson. She was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, in 1844, whither her parents had come from Kentucky, She, too, is still living at an advanced age. This family consisted of seven children named as follows : Mary C. is the wife of Robert Lyle, living three miles southeast of Maryville; John F., of this review; Clara V. is still a member of the home circle; Mrs. Eva L. is the wife of E. E. May, of Savannah, Missouri; Ira C. lives three miles northeast of Barnard, this county, married Ida Shanks. One child died in infancy.

John E. Roelofson spent his boyhood in McLean county, Illinois, attend¬ ing school at Heyworth. that county, whither the family had moved. After passing through high school he took up farming and school teaching and was rewarded with a fair measure of success. He came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in 1882 and taught school for a period of four years, having accompanied his parents to this county. He had an excellent reputation as a teacher, but finally abandoned the school room for the freer life of the agriculturist and stock man and large success has attended his efforts in this direction. After his marriage he moved on a farm which he bought in the same community as that of his father, and he is still the owner of one of the model farms of the county, containing two hundred and forty acres, four miles south of Maryville. It is well improved in every respect and the crops have been so rotated that the soil has re¬ tained its original fertility, Mr. Roelofson being an able manager of a farm. Thirteen years ago he removed to Maryville and since that time has been engaged in the real estate and loan business, also extensively engaged in breeding and selling fine Percheron and standard horses, now enjoying an extensive and lucrative business, having a wide reputation in this part of the state for the high grade stock which he always handles, being considered one of the best judges of horses in Nodaway county and his fine stock is admired by all who sees them. He keeps young stock for sale by the great "Phenix" and other noted sires, his motto being "quality and size." He has a large and substantial barn for his herd of horses in Maryville, at his suburban place, south of the main part of town. His horses are pro¬ nounced among the finest in the state.

Mr. Roelofson was married on March 21, 1888, to Susie L. Greeson, daughter of John W. and Margaret L. Greeson, the former a native of Clinton county, Missouri. He came to Nodaway county, Missouri, in an early day. Mrs. Roelof son's mother was born about six miles southwest of Maryville, October 20, 1868. Mr. Greeson is living at the age of seventyseven years.

To Mr. and Mrs. John F. Roelofson the following children have been born: L'Marie Litta, born October 29, 1889; Goldie Clare, born February 6, 1895: Frank, born April 16, 1902; Harold, born March 19, 1904.

Mr. and Airs. Roelofson are members of the Christian church, Mr. Roelofson having been a member of the official board since 1893. He be¬ longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen and the Woodmen of the World. He was elected public administrator on the Democratic ticket in 1907. for four years, and he is at present very worthily discharging the duties of that office. He has long taken more or less inter¬ est in political affairs and he had been township trustee of Polk township, having carried every ward in the township and, this being the township in which the citv of Maryville is situated, is evidence of his high standing in his home vicinity, especially when we note that the township is Repub¬ lican by vote. From 1900 to 1902 Mr. Roelofson was trustee of his township.

Personally. Mr. Roelofson is a pleasant man to know, genial, hospitable, straightforward in all his relations with his fellowmen and of such high standard of integrity that no one questions his motives or his intentions as being other than honest and fair.

Eugene Rathbun

We rarely find two persons in everyday life who attribute their success in different spheres to similar qualities. Hard work and plodding industry paved the way for one, good judgment and a keen sense of values for an¬ other, intuition and a well balanced mind for the third. An admixture of some of the qualities above named, emphasized by hard work and persist¬ ency, and a high purpose, have been responsible for the success of Eugene Rathbun in his battle for the spoils of victory. He is the present efficie1 circuit clerk of Nodaway county, of which he was formerly a leading educator.

Mr. Rathbun was born on a farm near Hopkins, this county, on October 6, 1866, the son of A. L. Rathbun, a native of Marshall county, Illinois, who came to Missouri in 1869, settling on a farm near Hopkins. He assisted to build the first railroad in this county, having had a contract on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad when this line was built through here. He lived in this county until 1888 when he removed to Rooks county, Kansas, where he now resides on a farm, being a very successful agriculturist and a man whom the community highly honors.

The Rathbun family is of English antecedents. Grandfather John Rathbun was a native of Ohio and is described as a man of many sterling traits of character. The mother of Eugene Rathbun was known in her maidenhood as Rachael Hatfield, who was also a native of Marshall county, Illinois. She is still living and is a woman of splendid Christian attributes. To these parents eight children have been born, five of whom are living at this writing, named as follows : Edward resides in Rooks county, Kansas, on a farm; Henry lives in Indianola, Iowa: Eugene, of this review; Lottie is the wife of D. S. Clayton, living at Clearmont, Nodaway county, Mis¬ souri; Walter lives in Rooks county, Kansas.

Eugene Rathbun grew to maturity on the parental farm where he was born and when a mere lad assisted with the general work about the place, remaining at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He received a primary education in the district schools and the public school at Hopkins. He supplemented this with a college course at the Western Normal College, Shenandoah. Iowa, completing the course there in a very creditable manner in 1886. Early in life he decided to make teaching his vocation and he taught several terms before entering college, and after finishing at the Western Normal College he took up teaching permanently, following this line of endeavor with marked success for a period of eighteen years, during which time he became widely known as an able and painstaking educator, popular with both patron and pupil, and his services were in great demand ; he always kept abreast of the times in his profession and took an interest in institute and similar work. He taught at Quitman, Nodaway county, for two years, and the last three years of his teaching was at Elmo, this county, where he was principal. During his career as a teacher he was for two years a member of the county board of education, which passed upon and licensed the teachers of the county, his work with the board being commend¬ able and entirely salutary, for his interest in the best interests of education in this county has always been deep and sincere.

In 1906 Mr. Rathbun was elected clerk of the circuit court of Noda¬ way county, on the Democratic ticket, by a majority of one hundred and fifty-two, while the state ticket won by only seven; this is certainly criterion enough for his high standing among his constituents. He took office on January 1, 1907, his term lasting four years, and he is giving the utmost satisfaction to all concerned in his new capacity as public servant. Prior to his election he had been deputy county clerk. He is well cjualified for such work in every respect and his party will doubtless have further need for his services in various capacities.

Mr. Rathbun was married on August 26, 1891. to Maud Gasner, a lady of education and refinement, who at that time lived at Tarkio, Missouri, but was born in Iowa. This union has resulted in the birth of one child, Virgil, born November 17, 1900.

Mr. and Mrs. Rathbun are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Rathbun is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Marshall Elijah Ford

The deft shuttle which weaves the web of human life and human des¬ tiny, constantly and ceaselessly flies backward and forward, and into the vast and checkered fabric is woven the individuality, the efforts, ambitions and achievements of each man - of all men. Within this web may be defined the varied lines of individuality, but each individual is merged into the great aggregate, and yet the type of character of each is never lost, and there is both pleasure and profit in studying the life records of individuals, how¬ ever briefly, to note the forces that have made for success or failure, that have influenced others and that are destined to result in good or harm to succeeding generations.

The life of Marshall Elijah Ford, one of the successful young attorneys of Nodaway county, shows that success always comes to the deserving, to those who attempt to hear aloft high ideals and lead lives governed by right principles. He was born on a farm in Green township, this county, March 17, 1870, the son of Marshall and Lucy (Hutchison) Ford. The father was born in Wayne county. Kentucky, in 1819. He devoted his life to agricul¬ tural pursuits and in the early fifties came to Andrew county, Missouri, later to Nodaway county, locating east of Maryville. He soon settled in Green township, buying a farm of two hundred and forty acres on which he re¬ mained until his death. September 30, 1882. That community was only partly improved and sparsely settled when he came there and it required a great deal of hard work to put his farm in shape. The elder Ford was a Mason and a Democrat, a man whom everybody respected who had oc¬ casion to know him. He and Lucy Hutchison were married in 1840, while living in Kentucky. The latter was the daughter of a well-to-do farmer and an excellent family. She is still living on the old farm in Green town¬ ship. Fourteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Ford, Sr. Six of them are living at this writing.

Marshall E. Ford, of this review, received his education in the common schools of his native community and when a small boy was put to work in the fields. Being ambitious to become a lawyer, he began preparing him¬ self for this vocation. He attended the University of Valparaiso, Indiana, taking the scientific course, and was graduated from that institution in 1896. He then entered Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, from which he was graduated in 1899, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

Thus well equipped for his chosen profession, he applied for admis¬ sion to the Iowa bar and was admitted in Polk county, that state, in 1899. and in 1900 he was admitted to practice in Jasper county, Missouri. He at once began practice and remained in the last named county one year. He then went to the Pacific coast and spent two years there, one year in a law office at San Jose, California, and nine months in the state of Nevada. He came to Maryville, Missouri, in 1904 and .has been engaged in the prac¬ tice here ever since, having built up a very satisfactory clientele and rapidly pushing his way to the front, having a profound knowledge of the law and being a close and painstaking student at all times, keeping well abreast of the times in all matters bearing on his profession. As in the performance of his professional duties he leaves the impression of his individuality on his work, in like manner and degree he impresses his associates. He de- lights in good companionship and his greetings are uniform and friendly. His character is strong, deliberate, candid and truthful and to such young men the future holds much of promise.

Mr. Ford is a Democrat in his political relations and is always ready to do what he can to further the interests of his party. Fraternally, he is a Mason, having attained the third degree. He has remained unmarried.

Roy J. Curfman

While yet young in years and at a period when most young men are merely casting about in a tentative way in an effort to ascertain just what their true bent seems to be, Roy J. Curfman, of Maryville, Nodaway county, has shown what may be accomplished when energy and proper business and ethical principles are persisted in, and he has made such an impression on the local business world that those knowing him best predict a future that will be replete with abundant success.

Mr. Curfman is a native of Maryville, born July 23, 1881, and he received his education in the public and high schools of this city, graduating from the latter with the class of 1901. He then spent six months at the old Maryville Seminary. Thus well equipped for a business career, upon which he had decided early in life, on January 1, 1902, he went to Burlington Junc¬ tion and worked for his brother, who was engaged in the lumber business, remaining there until the spring of 1903 and getting many serviceable "pointers" in this pleasant line of endeavor.

Returning to Maryville, Mr. Curfman began clerking for the grocery firm of Brink & Holmes, with whom he remained until January 1, 1904, giv¬ ing them the utmost satisfaction as an alert and reliable clerk. Then he be¬ gan working for Conrad & Totterdale, with whom he remained until March 10, 1905, when he and his brother purchased the business, which they have continued to conduct with increasing success, having built up a very satis¬ factory trade with the city and surrounding country, always carrying an ex¬ cellent line of all kinds of building material usually handled by the best lum¬ ber dealers.

Mr. Curfman's ancestry and immediate family are mentioned at proper length in another part of this volume, hence will not be duplicated here.

merchant in Maryville. Mrs. Curfman was born at Creston, Iowa, June 25, 1882, and she has received a good education. One child has graced this union, bearing the good old name Virginia.

Mr. and Mrs. Curfman are members of the Presbyterian church. The former is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being senior warden of the local lodge; he is also a member of the Maccabees and the Hoo-Hoos, a lum¬ bermen's organization.