Pettis County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1919 (part 7 of 14)

Mrs. Charles H. Houchen

Fleming Houchen migrated from his native State to Missouri in 1837, and farmed on a large scale in Saline County during the remainder of his life. In those early days the rich farm lands of this section of Missouri was so plentiful and cheap that but few of the settlers felt any inclina¬ tion to purchase land. It was only when incoming settlers began to improve farms more rapidly, and an increase of population made a greater demand for land that Mr. Houchen deemed it necessary to invest in a farm. This he did in his later days, when he bought land in northern Pettis County. The farm which he cultivated in Saline County was a popular place with people, and especially travelers, because of the splen¬ did spring of flowing water which was situated on the premises. Mr. Houchen, the elder, moved to Pettis County in 1873, and spent his last days in this county. He reared a family of nine children, as follow : Mrs. Elizabeth McGill, lives in Cass County; John, deceased; Mrs. Sarah Mathis, Houstonia; Mary, is deceased; Ellen, lives in Colorado; Charles H., subject of this review; Louis, a farmer in Pettis County; James, a farmer in Canada; Mrs. Zelma Singles, Nevada, Missouri.

But little opportunity was given Charles H. Houchen, in the way of obtaining an education in his youthful days. He never attended school but six months in his life, although he has become a well-informed citizen, who reads the daily newspapers and has acquired a taste for good read¬ ing. Mr. Houchen is strictly a self-educated citizen, who late in life realized the need of more knowledge, and has applied himself to the task of improving himself educationally. He came to Pettis County in 1877, but did not begin farming on his own account until 1882, because his parents needed his assistance. He first rented a farm in the vicinity of his present home for one year. In 1883 Mr. Houchen bought 120 acres of brush land, at a cost of $24.00 an acre. He paid $1,000.00 down on this purchase and went in debt for the remainder. His first home was built of the wreckage of two log cabins, which he hauled from the river bottoms to his place on the upland. From the lumber of these two cabins he built his home. While Mr. Houchen was given plenty of time in which to pay for his farm, he sold off forty acres in order to clear up his title to the property. In 1887 he bought eighty acres more land, across the roadway. The next purchase was for a quarter section, and he also bought part of his wife's estate. His last investment was for a farm of 120 acres, west of Houstonia, at a cost of $115.00 an acre. This place has since been improved with a good bam and been fixed up in good

Mr. Houchen owns a total of 600 acres of land, 480 acres of which are included in his home farm. The Houchen place is splendidly improved with a fine, modern home erected in 1909, consisting of ten rooms; large and well-kept barns and farm buildings, and good fencing. For years, Mr. Houchen has been en extensive feeder of livestock, feeding from seventy-five to eighty head of cattle and about 300 hogs for the markets annually. He harvested 120 acres of wheat in 1918, which averaged 22.5 bushels to the acre. For the ensuing season of 1919 he has sown 120 acres to wheat. The land sown to wheat on his other farm, the crop of which was harvested last summer (1918), made the phenomenal yield of thirty-seven bushels to the acre on fifty acres.

Charles H. Houchen was married in 1881 to Miss Louisa Schondelmaier. To this marriage have been born fourteen children: Katie Eliz¬ abeth, Jacob Frederick, Clay, Alice Annie, Marion, Samuel Edwin, Charles Ray, Florence, Dewey, Thelma, Mary, Lillian, Josephine, and William H. Taft. Katie Elizabeth is the wife of Henry Nagel, and resides on a farm in Houstonia township. Jacob Frederick is farming in Blackwater township. Alice Annie is the wife of Louis Wicker, a farmer in Houstonia township. Marion is cultivating the Houchen farm, adjoining Houstonia. Samuel Edwin is a merchant at Houstonia. Charles Ray was born August 25, 1893, and enlisted in the National Army, October 5, 1917. After being in training at Camp Funston for six weeks, he was sent to Camp Kearney, California, and became a member of Company 75, 160th Regiment, Depot Brigade, and in July, 1918, was sent to France for service in the World War, which resulted in the defeat of Germany.

Mr. Houchen is a Republican. Mrs. Houchen and the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Houstonia. Mr. Houchen is president of the Farmers Bank of Houstonia, and is universally recognized as one of the substantial, successful and enterprising citizens of Pettis County.

Henry H. Taylor, a farmer and one of the leading breeders of Pettis County, is a Kentuckian by birth. He was bom in Bourbon County, Ken¬ tucky, November 27, 1855, a son of Frank and Sophia (Smith) Taylor, both natives of Kentucky, whose settlement in Pettis County preceded the Civil War. The Taylor family came to this county and settled in Bowling Green township in 1857. Frank Taylor, the father, was a prom¬ inent citizen and for years was active in the affairs of Pettis County. He took a prominent part in politics and served as a county judge for two terms. He was a member of that body when the present court house was built, and as such his name can be seen chiseled on the corner stone of that edifice today. When the court house was being advocated, there was much opposition to the move on the part of many of the taxpayers of the county. Judge Taylor favored the building of the court house at that time, notwithstanding the fact that even many of his own neighbors opposed it. The progressive element prevailed and the court house was built. He was held in the highest esteem by his neighbors and spent most of his life in Bowling Green township, after coming to this county. He died at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, honored and respected by the entire community.

Henry H. Taylor is one of a family of eight children born to his parents, of whom he is the youngest. Three are now living. One brother, Frank, has been an employee of the Missouri Pacific railway at Sedalia, twenty-five years.

Mr. Taylor is the owner of one of the valuable farms of this county. It is located in Prairie township with the exception of eighty acres which is in Dresden township. The home place is situated in section 10, Prairie township. Mr. Taylor is one of the successful breeders of mammoth jacks and jennies as well as Duroc Jersey hogs in this section of the State. His stock has frequently been exhibited at the State Fair with satisfactory results. Mr. Taylor is not only a successful breeder, but ranks high as a general farmer and has met with well merited success in this field of endeavor.

Mr. Taylor was only two years of age when he was brought to Pettis County by his parents. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools and remained at home with his father until 1888. He then lived on the old Wm. H. Powell farm near Smithton, about a year, when he bought his present farm. The improvements on this place were meager when he bought it and he lived in the old log house which was on the place until 1900, when he built his present commodious, modern home. He has improved his place and brought it under a fine state of cultivation until it is one of the valuable and fine appearing places in the county.

Mr. Taylor was married, December 25, 1889, to Miss Mary Owen. She was born August 1, 1871, in the eastern part of Bates County, Mis¬ souri, and is a daughter of Crayton and Mary Elizabeth (Haggard)

Owen, both early settlers in Missouri and natives of Kentucky. They spent their lives in Bates County, after coming here, and are now de¬ ceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have been born the following children: Thomas Wallace, resides in Kansas City, Missouri, where he is engaged in the dairy business; Mary A., married F. L. Reed, Glasgow, Missouri; Nettie C., Lela, Henry, Frank, and Mary Owen, all of whom reside at home with their parents.

Mr. Taylor is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Taylor is one of the widely known men of Pettis County and is public spirited and progressive.

Hinton Gorrell, a prominent farmer and stockman of Prairie town¬ ship, is the owner of one of Pettis County's valuable farms. It is located in section 9, Prairie township, and consists of 520 acres. The farm resi¬ dence occupies a very desirable building site, overlooking the surround¬ ing country, and a commanding view of the city of Sedalia can be seen from this point.

Mr. Gorrell was born in Todd County, Kentucky, February 17, 1862, and is a son of John B. and Mary (Tab) Gorrell. John B. Gorrell was also born in Todd County, Kentucky, February 14, 1818, and his wife was a native of West Virginia, born February 9, 1820, and died in 1879. The Gorrell family came from Kentucky to Pettis County, Missouri, in 1852. This section of the country was sparsely settled at that time, and considered well on the western frontier. They settled just east of Hughesville, in Pettis County, after making the trip from Kentucky in an old-fashioned covered wagon, common among the pioneers of the early days. John B. Gorrell died in Pettis County in 1880. He was a devout member of the Baptist Church, and he and his wife were both faithful workers in the cause of Christianity during the early days here. John B. and his brother, T. T. Gorrell, built one of the early churches in Pettis County.

John B. and Mary (Tab) Gorrell were the parents of the following children: William T., was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, and is now deceased; James J., also served in the Union Army, is deceased; Nannie, married Albert J. Harvey, and is now deceased; John B., who now resides at Windsor, Missouri, was a soldier in the Union Army; Van, died in Sedalia; A. H., retired, now living in Sedalia; Hinton, the subject of this sketch; Mary V. married F. Sterling and is now de¬ ceased ; Joseph B., Prairie township ; and Fannie, married Alfred Sterling, a merchant in Sedalia.

Hinton Gorrell was about one year old when his parents came from Kentucky to Pettis County. He was reared on the farm and received his education in the public schools. He has made farming his life's occupa¬ tion, except one year that he clerked in a clothing store in Sedalia. In 1883, he bought his present place and since that time has been success¬ fully engaged in farming and stockraising. He has also fed cattle exten¬ sively for the market, which he has found to be a very profitable venture. Mr. Gorrell is one of the live, up-to-date farmers and stockmen of the county, and has kept in touch with the rapid strides made in agricultural methods in recent years.

Mr. Gorrell was united in marriage September 1, 1880, with Miss Lulu McClung, a native of Pettis County, born in Prairie township, October 4, 1862. She is a daughter of John G. and Mary Elizabeth (Bar¬ rett) McClung, and a sister of the late Judge McClung. The McClung family were early settlers in Pettis County, coming here in 1854. To Hinton and Lura (McClung) Gorrell have been born the following chil¬ dren: Mary L., resides at home with her parents; Charles E., married Nellie Drexheimmer, and resides on the home place; Van, married Jessie Millard and lives on the home place ; and Hazel, resides at home with her parents.

Hinton Gorrell is one of the progressive and public spirited citizens of Pettis County, and has made good. He stands ever ready to cooperate with any movement that has for its object the betterment and upbuild¬ ing of Pettis County. It is to the industry, enterprise and progressive¬ ness of such men as Hinton Gorrell, that Pettis County owes its place of pre-eminence among the political sub-divisions of the State of Missouri. Mr. Gorrell has been a life-long supporter of the Democratic party.

Charles L. Turner, owner and proprietor of the "Silver Maple Lakedew Farm," which consists of 500 acres of some of the best land in Pettis County, is one of the well known and successful fanners and stock raisers of this section of the State. Mr. Turner's ancestry dates back to the very earliest pioneer settlers of Missouri, who were among those sturdy adventures who crossed the unbridged streams and cut their way through the unbroken forests to make homes for themselves and their posterity in a new country.

Charles L. Turner was bom in Marion County, Missouri, February 7, 1857, a son of Charles L. and Harriet (McReynolds) Turner. Charles L. Turner was also born in Marion County, Missouri, December 22, 1822, and was the first white child born in Marion County. He was reared amidst the pioneer surroundings of that day and obtained a very good education in the subscription schools which were held in the old log school houses of pioneer times. He taught school in early life and also followed fanning. He died in 1865. Charles L. Turner was a son of Charles L. Turner, Sr., who came to Marion County, Missouri, in 1818. He was a Kentuckian and served in the War of 1812. He was one of the first settlers of Marion County and a minister of the Baptist faith. He was one of the early-day circuit riders of that section.

Harriet McReynolds, mother of Charles L. Turner, was born in Marion County, January 26, 1832. She died in August, 1912. She was a daughter of John McReynolds whose wife's maiden name was Henry. She was a direct descendant of Malcomb Henry and was born in 1811 and died in 1866. John McReynolds was born in 1802 and died in 1867.

Charles L. Turner is one of a family of five children born to his parents, who lived to maturity: John M., deceased; Samuel, resides near Hannibal, Missouri; Charles L., the subject of this sketch; Orion, Hanni¬ bal, Missouri; and Miss Josephine, Hannibal, Missouri.

Charles L. Turner was reared and educated in Marion County and in early life taught school two terms. He followed farming in Marion county until in 1885 when he came to Pettis county and bought his pres¬ ent place. At first he purchased 200 acres of land in Prairie township, and since that time has added to his original holdings until he now owns 500 acres. Here he carries on general farming and stock raising and specializes in raising Hereford cattle. Mr. Turner owned at one time, 800 acres of land, 200 acres of which were given to him and his wife by her father, Andrew Haggard. Mr. Turner has divided 300 acres among his children.

Mr. Turner was united in marriage February 7, 1883, with Miss Belle Haggard, a native of Pettis County, born February 3, 1857. She was educated in the public schools of this county and Lexington, Mis¬ souri, and taught school one term prior to her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Turner have been born four children as follows: Jessie M., who re¬ sides at home with her parents; Charles E., married Essie Callis and they reside in Prairie township; Oriop H., married Edna Petty, and they re¬ side in Sedalia township and have three children; and Ruby, resides at home with her parents.

came to Pettis County, Missouri, in 1835. He was a very successful man of affairs and accumulated considerable property and was well off at the time of his death. He homesteaded his first land in Pettis county and subsequently acquired many hundred acres, and at one time owned over 3,000 acres of land in Pettis County. He was an extensive cattleman and in the early days raised hemp, when the nearest market for that product was at Boonville, Missouri. He died March 1, 1887. His wife Mary A. (Lewis) Haggard was a native of Kentucky, bom in 1813 and died in 1886. Both Mr. and Mrs. Haggard were consistent and devout members of the Christian Church. They were the parents of eight children, three of whom are now living as follows: Mrs. Anna Yeater, who resides near Sedalia, Missouri; Sarah Belle, the wife of Charles L. Turner, the subject of this sketch ; and Judge Andrew L. Haggard, who resides in Sedalia.

Mr. Turner is a member of the Woodman of the World and his politi¬ cal affiliations are with the Democratic party. The Turner family are all members of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Turner has been deacon for the past seven years. Mr. Turner is a citizen of real worth and by his own success in life has contributed to the high standing of the com¬ munity in which he lives. He is one of the progressive men of Pettis County.

John T. Redmond, a progressive and well-to-do farmer and stockman of Prairie township, is a native of Canada. He was born in Huron, March 24, 1869, and is a son of James and Rosanna (Murphy) Redmond, both natives of Ireland, who came to Canada when children with their respective parents.

James Redmond was reared to manhood in Canada and was married there. He followed farming there until 1871, when he came to Pettis County, Missouri, with his wife and children. He settled on a farm of 160 acres, north of Green Ridge in Prairie township. He was a frugal and industrious man and an upright citizen and good neighbor. He died in 1915, at the age of eighty-seven years. Politically, he was a Democrat, and he and his wife were communicants of the Catholic Church. She died in 1913, aged eighty years. They were the parents of the follow¬ ing children: C. E., resides in Sedalia township; Mrs. Catherine Mc¬ Grath, deceased; Elizabeth, deceased; John T., the subject of this sketch; and Mary, married L. D. Cole, Columbus, Montana.

pation, and is well known as the successful breeder of Poland China hogs. He owns a well-improved farm of 80 acres in Prairie township and is a successful farmer.

John T. Redmond was united in marriage in 1896 with Miss Josie Sullivan, a daughter of Michael Sullivan, who was an early settler of Pettis County. No children were born to this union. Mrs. Redmond died in 1898.

Mr. Redmond is a Democrat and belongs to the Catholic Church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Redmond is a substantial citizen and is known for his integrity, honesty and industry.

Robert Ash. - A respected and industrious citizen of Pettis and Saline counties, although he has been deceased these many years past, was the late Robert Ash, of Heath's Creek township. He was born in 1834 and died on Nevember 7, 1879. He was born in Virginia, and was a son of George and Eliabeth (Hand) Ash, both of whom were natives of Virginia. A brother of Robert Ash, named Frank, had preceded him to Saline County, Missouri. Robert Ash served for a time in the Con¬ federate army, with Missouri troops, in the Civil War. He came to Mis¬ souri in 1859, and in 1867 he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Anderson, who resides on the splendid estate known as the "Pleasant Grove Farm," in Heath's Creek township. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ash went to Saline County, and resided on the Ash farm in that county until after the husband's death. Mrs. Ash then returned to the old homestead of her parents in Pettis County, and has since resided here. She was born in 1846 in the house where she is now living, and is a daughter of George Anderson, a pioneer of Pettis County.

George Anderson was born in Louisiana in 1822, and died in 1880. He was a son of William and Margaret (Jeffries) Anderson. William Anderson was a son of George Anderson, who was born in Tennessee, on the border line of that State and North Carolina. The Andersons settled in Missouri nearly 100 years ago, and shortly afterwards the parents went to Louisiana, where George Anderson was born. Soon after his birth the family again came to Pettis County and made a per¬ manent settlement, thus being one of the oldest, if not the oldest, pioneer family in Pettis County. George Anderson entered free government land and built up a magnificent estate, which had the reputation of being, in his day, the finest in Pettis County. The old Anderson home, owned by Mrs. Lizzie Ash, is undeniably the most beautiful home in this section of the county. George Anderson came to Missouri with his parents at a time when the Indians were troublesome, and lived for a time in the neighborhood of the fort which the settlers erected in Cooper County. William Anderson entered land on the Lamine River and became wealthy. His son George erected the homestead in Heath's Creek township in about 1860. On October 30, 1845, George Anderson was married to Mary Jane Marr, a native of Saline County, a daughter of Thomas Mari', a Missouri pioneer, who came from Virginia and settled in Lafayette County. Mrs. Mary Anderson died in 1891, at the age of sixty-seven years. Eight children were bom to George and Mary Anderson, as follow: Mrs. Lizzie Ash, of this review; Mrs. Mary Scott, widow of N. H. Scott, of Heath's Creek township; Thomas, deceased; Lena Anderson, living with Mrs. Ash; Lillie, also residing with her sister; William, Samuel and George, deceased.

Daniel Marr, great grandfather of Mrs. Lizzie Ash on her mother's side, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Her grandfather, William Anderson, fought in the War of 1812.

"Pleasant Grove Farm," the home of Mrs. Ash, consists of 335 acres, and is cultivated and managed for Mrs. Ash by James 0. Latimer, a native of Tennessee, who married Mary Anderson, a niece of Mrs. Ash. Mr. and Mrs. Latimer have three children: James 0., born October 10, 1910; William Wallace, born March 12, 1914; Roy Anderson, bom Jan¬ uary 3, 1917. Mrs. Ash is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Edwin W. O'Daniels, a prominent farmer and stockman of Prairie township, is a native of Illinois. He was born in St. Clair County, Illinois, April 7, 1867, son of Hugh H. and Caroline E. Akiman O'Daniels. Hugh H. O'Daniels was bom near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and, when he was a boy, freighted across the Allegheny mountains, east from Pittsburg. During his freighting experience, he hauled many a barrel of whiskey over the Allegheny mountains, although he never drank a drop of liquor in his life. He was a son of Elija O'Daniels, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. The O'Daniels family is of Irish descent. Elija O'Daniels, father of Hugh H., went to Illinois from Pennsylvania with his family at a very early day in the settlement of Illinois. Hugh O'Daniels was about fifteen years old then. He obtained a very good education and practiced veterinary surgery and farmed in Illinois until 1886. He then came to Missouri with his family and settled in Pettis county. He died here December 11, of that year aged fifty-nine years. His wife, Caroline

Edwin W. O'Daniels was one of a family of eight children born to his parents, four of whom are now living. Edwin W. was about nineteen years of age when he came to Pettis County with his parents. He had received a good common-school education and began life here as a farm laborer. Later, he rented land and continued to farm rented land until 1911, when he bought his present place of 146 acres, in section 7, Prairie township. He has a well improved and valuable farm, where he is suc¬ cessfully carrying on general farming and stock raising. This place is known as the old Pauline place. At one time there was quite a preten¬ tious village located on Mr. O'Daniels farm. There was a postoffice, store and blacksmith shop, which were about all the necessary accessories to a flourishing town in the early days. The place was homesteaded by Daniel Botts.

Mr. O'Daniels was united in marriage, January 11, 1896, with Miss Lena M. DeJarnette, a native of Pettis County, and a daughter of Mayo and Mayetta (Gardner) DeJarnette, natives of Kentucky, who settled in Pettis County before the Civil War. To Mr. and Mrs. O'Daniels have been born seven children, as follows: Opal H., who was educated in the Sedalia High School and the State Normal School at Warrensburg, is now one of Pettis County's successful teachers; Leo M., who was educated in Sedalia and Green Ridge, is also successfully engaged in teaching in this county; Mildred, Edna M., Jewell H., Hugh H., and Dennis E.

Mr. O'Daniels is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is a Republican. He is one of Pettis County's well-known and substantial citizens and the O'Daniels family are widely known and highly respected.

Charles D. Rayburn, a successful business man of Green Ridge, who has an extensive acquaintance in Pettis County, has lived here practically all the time for half a century.

Mr. Rayburn is a native of Indiana. He was born in Ripley County, Indiana, September 12, 1856, a son of George W. and Nancy Rayburn. George W. Rayburn was also a native of Ripley County, Indiana, born September 26, 1826. In early life he was a railroad car builder and later made farming his occupation. In 1857, when Charles D. was about one year old, the Rayburn family removed to Illinois and settled in Warren County, where the father followed farming until 1869. They then came to Missouri and settled in Prairie township, Pettis County. The father drove through from Warren County, Illinois, with a team and wagon and the other members of the family came by rail. He bought land in Prairie township upon which he erected a small, four-room box-house and began life in the new country. He followed farming and stock raising and met with success. In later life he retired and removed to Green Ridge, where he died in 1910. At the time of his death he owned over 500 acres of valuable Pettis County land. After coming to this county, he was active in the building up and maintenance of public institutions. He was the organizer of the Baptist Church in Prairie township, and also by his efforts brought about the establishment of the Fairview school district. His widow, who is now eighty years of age, resides with her son, Charles D. Rayburn, at Green Ridge.

Charles D. Rayburn was the second in order of birth of a family of six children born to his parents. The others are now deceased. He was educated in the public schools and reared on a farm. In 1883, Mr. Ray¬ burn engaged in the drug business at Green Ridge and conducted that business until 1890, when on account of ill health he disposed of his busi¬ ness and went to Denver, Colorado. He remained there about three years, when he returned to Green Ridge and for a few years was engaged in farming. In 1912, he built a grain elevator at Green Ridge and was en¬ gaged in the grain business until 1915. He then entered the lumber busi¬ ness which he still conducts. It is now managed by his son, George Donald Rayburn. Mr Rayburn has always been more or less interested in farming and stock raising and has also fed cattle for the market quite extensively. He now owns 585 acres of Pettis County land which is some of the most valuable farm land in the county.

Charles D. Rayburn was united in marriage in September, 1878, with Miss Lucie E. Flesher, daughter of Captain W. H. and Catherine (Parr) Flesher, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Rayburn was born in Virginia, Sep¬ tember 18, 1860, and died at Green Ridge September 14, 1915. To Charles D. and Lucie E. (Flesher) Rayburn were born the following children: George Donald, manager of the Rayburn Lumber Yard, Green Ridge, Mis¬ souri, married Hazel Murphy and they have two children, George Donald, Jr., and Helen Chrystal; Edna Chrystal, a student at Columbia Univer¬ sity, Missouri. On December 31, 1917, Mr. Rayburn was married to Cora B. Flesher, a sister of his first wife. She is a native of Illinois.

County Court, having been elected judge from the western district in 1908. He was a thoroughly competent and careful public official and made a good record as such. He gave to Pettis County business the same careful attention that he has always shown in his private affairs. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, the Independent Order of Odd Fel¬ lows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and belongs to the Congre¬ gational Church. Mr. Rayburn is one of the citizens of Pettis County who has made good.

Joseph M. James, a prominent Pettis County farmer, who owns one of the valuable farms of 230 acres in Prairie township, is a native son of Missouri. He was born in Montgomery County, June 2, 1864, and is a son of Walter Rex and Julia (Morris) James. Walter Rex James was born in Warren County, Missouri, and his parents were among the pioneer settlers of that section of the State. He followed farming and stock raising in early life. For a time he was thus engaged in his native county and later removed to Saline County, Missouri; and for the last fifteen years of his life he was engaged in the mercantile business at Marshall, Missouri, where he conducted a grocery store. He died in Mar¬ shall in 1900, at the age of sixty-three years. Julia (Morris) James, mother of Joseph M. James, was born at High Hill, Montgomery County, Missouri, and now lives at Marshall, Missouri. She is eighty years of age.

Joseph M. James is the third in the order of birth of a family of seven children. He remained in Saline County until 1889, when he came to Pet¬ tis County. Here he rented land for one year and then bought a farm, four miles north of Sedalia. Here he carried on farming and stock raising until 1910, when he went to Colorado and purchased a ranch in the San Luis Valley. After remaining there one year, he traded that prop¬ erty for his present place and returned to Pettis County. He has a splen¬ did farm of 230 acres, located in sections 23 and 26, Prairie township.

Mr. James was united in marriage in 1889 with Miss Lorena Nicolds, daughter of Major R. W. Nicolds of Marshall, Missouri. Mrs. James died in 1902. In 1906, Mr. James was married to Miss Susan Yerkes, of Fairmount, Illinois. One son, Richard Morris, was born to Mr. James' first marriage, and a daughter, Frances Elizabeth, was born to the second marriage.

Richard Morris James is a graduate of the Sedalia High School and the University of Missouri at Columbia, where he took the mechanical engineering course. He was employed by the Westinghouse Company for four years, where he was at the head of the insulating department. When the United States entered the World War, he offered his services to the Government and is now inspector of machinery in a Government nitro plant in Alabama.

Joseph M. James and his wife are members of the Methodist Church South, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Politi¬ cally, he is a Democrat. Mr. James is a self-made man and by his own efforts, he has succeeded to a very satisfactory degree, and is one of the successful men of whom Pettis County is justly proud.

Parmenas Cole, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Prairie town¬ ship, was born in the township where he now resides and has been identi¬ fied with Pettis County all his life. He is a descendant of Missouri pio¬ neers, being a direct descendant of the renowned Daniel Boone. He is the son of James W. and Mary E. (Drake) Cole, both natives of Mis¬ souri. James W. Cole was born in Cooper County, Missouri. He was reared on a farm and in 1850, during the gold excitement in California, he made the trip across the continent to California and returned three years later. He was eighteen years old when he made his first trip to the Coast. Indians at that time were plentiful along the trail followed by the California gold seekers, and frequently hostile bands were encountered. On one occasion, young Cole wandered away from the wagon train and was captured by some Indians who were skulking along the trail. It was not long until other members of the train missed him and they imme¬ diately inaugurated a search for their lost companion and soon found Cole a captive by the Indians. Cole's companions were well armed and they had no trouble in persuading the Indians to give up their captive. This was one of Mr. Cole's many experiences in his various trips across the unsettled plains and mountains of the early day West. He made sev¬ eral trips across the plains in the early days and had a wide experience as a frontiersman. After buying land in Prairie township, Pettis County, he made his home here for many years and followed farming and stock raising. He died in 1899. Mary E. (Drake) Cole, mother of Parmenas Cole, was born in Howard County, Missouri, and when she was a child her parents removed to Cooper County, where she was reared and educated. She died in 1913.

Parmenas Cole was reared on his father's farm in Pettis County and received his education in the public schools. In 1888, he purchased his present farm of 160 acres in sections 15 and 23. This is one of the

February 29, 1888, Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Miss Sallie Read, a native of Cooper County, Missouri, born October 9, 1865. She is a daughter of A. J. and Eveline (Ewing) Read, the former a native of Cooper and the latter of Lafayette County, Missouri, and descendants of some of the very early pioneer families of that section of the State. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole, as follow: James R., resides at home with his parents; John E., a farmer, Prairie township; Blanche F., a graduate of the State Normal School at Warrensburg, now a successful Pettis County teacher; Finis Chatham died in infancy; and Parmenas L., who resides at home with his parents.

Mr. Cole is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat and has supported the policies and principles of that party since he became a voter.

Christian Neitzert, a successful farmer and stockman of Prairie town¬ ship, is a native of Morgan County, Missouri. He was born June 13, 1857, in the old log cabin on the home place where his father settled in Morgan County. He is the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Rodenbach) Neitzert, both natives of Germany, who came to this country when they were young. Frederick Neitzert was born in 1820, and died in 1896. As a boy in his native land he worked in a rock quarry and also was em¬ ployed in a foundry. He also worked in a stone quarry near St. Louis, after coming to this country. At an early day, he settled in Morgan County, where he bought a farm of rough and unimproved land. He built a primitive log cabin on his place and proceeded to improve his land. When he was married, his entire cash capital consisted of only fifty cents, but he started out in life with a determination to succeed and after overcoming many difficulties, prosperity came to him, and he became the owner of over 500 acres of land in Morgan County, and at the time of his death he was considered well-to-do. During the Civil War, Frederick Neitzert served in the State Militia and saw quite a good deal of service in Missouri. He was at the battle of Cole Camp, and took part in a num¬ ber of minor engagements with bushwhackers. On one occasion, bush¬ whackers came to his home for the purpose of murdering him, but his wife succeeded in saving his life. She was born in 1835 and died in Feb¬ ruary, 1915.

Pettis County and purchased a farm and later purchased another one, both of which he has improved and brought under a high state of culti¬ vation. His home place has one of the convenient, modem residences of Pettis County; the house is equipped with electric lights and is mod¬ ern throughout.

Mr. Neitzert was united in marriage November 23, 1892 with Miss Louisa A. Dinwiddie of Morgan County, Missouri, and to this union have been born five children, as follow: Gertrude, married N. Lane, Sedalia, Missouri; Bessie Ann, resides at home with her parents; Raymond D., Lloyd C., and Elsie E., all residing at home with their parents.

Mr. Neitzert is a Republican and he and his family belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Neitzert is one of the men of Pettis County who has made good, and whatever success has come to him, has been by his own industry and unaided efforts.

Forrest Everett Helman, an enterprising farmer and stock man who is operating the Helman home farm in Prairie township, was bom in Prairie township on the farm where he now resides, July 25, 1881, and is a son of Jacob D. Helman, a sketch of whom appears in this volume.

Forrest Everett Helman was reared on the home farm and edu¬ cated in the district school and the Green Ridge High School. He has always followed farming and early in life began for himself. In 1910, he took charge of his father's place where he has since been successfully engaged in farming and stock raising. He carries on general farming and also extensively raises high-grade cattle. The Helman farm con¬ sists of 416 acres of land which is well improved and is of rich, productive soil.

Mr. Helman was married November 28, 1911 to Miss Gertrude Weeden Calvert, a native of Green Ridge township, Pettis County. She is a daughter of Charles L. and Ella (Weeden) Calvert, who reside in Green Ridge township. A sketch of Charles L. Calvert, with a review of the Calvert family history appears in this volume. Mrs. Helman was edu¬ cated in the district school and the Green Ridge High School. She taught three terms of school prior to her marriage, and was one of Pettis County's successful teachers. To Mr. and Mrs. Helman have been born two children, Mildred L. and Mary E.

Mr. Helman has always supported the principles of the Republican party and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Green Ridge Lodge No. 425, and he and Mrs. Helman are members of the Metho¬ dist Church.

Gilbert H. Tevebaugh. - Every recognized occupation, profession or vocation has its known specialists. Gilbert H. Tevebaugh, of Houstonia, is a specialist in the breeding of farm animals ; every head of farm stock on his place is pure bred, and the greater number are registered livestock. Mr. Tevebaugh began the breeding of Hereford cattle in 1916 ; in 1910 he had begun the breeding of jacks and mules. In each of these ventures he has made a pronounced financial success, and proved that it pays to handle registered stock. He has a herd of fifty-five whiteface cattle on the farm, headed by a registered bull which cost $1,000.00, and which was purchased of A. M. Jones & Co., of Independence, Missouri. Mr. Tevebaugh has a herd of forty-two splendid mules, and finds their breeding a very profitable business. In 1917 he sold over $18,000 worth of livestock, and on November 9, 1918, he disposed of $15,500 worth of animals at public sale. He owns some splendid Percheron horses, among which are seven thoroughbred mares.

Gilbert H. Tevebaugh was born July 9, 1876, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. He is a son of Henry and Georgia (Daniels) Tevebaugh, natives of Kentucky, who came to Pettis County in 1887, and here spent the remainder of their days engaged in farming. Henry Tevebaugh was born in 1844 and died in 1916. The first location which Mr. Teve¬ baugh made in Pettis County when he came here was on a farm situated within three miles of Houstonia. He rented land for three years, and then purchased a farm south of Houstonia. When old age came upon him he disposed of his farm and moved to Houstonia. Mrs. Tevebaugh was born in 1850, and now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Nathan Harris, of Houstonia. To Henry and Georgia Tevebaugh were born chil¬ dren as follows: Mrs. Nathan Harris; Gilbert H., of this review, and Edward, who died at the age of three years.

Farming and stock raising has always been the occupation of G. H. Tevebaugh since his boyhood days, and after his schooling was com¬ pleted, he has devoted his entire attention to this vocation. He began breeding Hereford cattle in 1916, and he began the breeding of jacks and mules in 1910. Besides breeding fine cattle and mules, he is a breeder of Shropshire sheep, and has on the place at present forty fine ewes. During the past season he has sold 140 head of these fine animals. It is said that Mr. Tevebaugh has the finest sheep in all Pettis County. His hogs are of the pure-bred Poland China type, and he has ten regis¬ tered animals in his breeding pens. The Tevebaugh home, erected in

1909, is one of the finest residences in Pettis county, and is splendidly fitted up inside, consisting of fourteen rooms, and all modern. All of the buildings on the farm were erected by Mr. Tevebaugh since taking possession of the place, in 1909. The home farm consists of 320 acres, adjoining the town of Houstonia on the northeast. Mrs. Tevebaugh has another farm of 326 acres, near Houstonia, and he is farming or has charge of over 1,100 acres in all, 706 acres of which is part of the Chipman estate. Mr. Tevebaugh is vice-president of the Houstonia Bank.

On June 5, 1907, Gilbert H. Tevebaugh and Miss Mary Chipman were united in marriage. This marriage has been blessed with one child, Mary Elizabeth Tevebaugh, aged nine years. Mrs. Mary Tevebaugh is a daughter of B. Y. Chipman, one of the best known of the pioneer citizens of Pettis County, now deceased.

Bartlett Y. Chipman was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, December 27, 1818, and died December 27, 1899. He was the second child in a family of four children born to O. H. Chipman, a native of North Carolina. B. Y. Chipman was reared in Guilford County, North Carolina, and in 1845 he came to Pettis County, Missouri, and during the course of years, amassing a fortune in lands and money. He drove through from the South in wagons to his new location, and evidently came fairly well supplied with funds, because of the fact that he bought a large farm of 380 acres and erected the first two-story house in Blackwater township, in northern Pettis County. He purchased land near Houstonia, and continued to accumulate land until he owned 1,200 acres. Mr. Chipman was an extensive dealer in cattle, and was widely known as one of the largest cattlemen in Pettis 'County. Like many other southern families who have settled in Pettis County, the Chipmans brought a number of slaves with them, who were the property of Mrs. Chipman. Mr. Chipman was a charter member of the Blackwater Chapel Methodist Epis¬ copal Church, and was one of the founders of this church as well as being a liberal contributor to its support, during his lifetime in Pettis County. He was a good Christian, conscientious, honest in his dealings with his fellow-men, and liberal in all things pertaining to the welfare of the people of his neighborhood.

B. Y. Chipman was twice married. His first wife, whom he married on September 20, 1845, was Mary E. Winston, a daughter of Jesse Win¬ ston, of North Carolina. Seven children were born to this marriage, two of whom are living: Mrs. Lucy A., wife of J. P. Wymer, Wellington.

Kansas, and Bettie E., wife of L. A. Grubbs, Wellington, Kansas. Mrs. Mary E. Chipman dying, B. Y. Chipman was married, on July 20, 1875, to Mrs. Bettie Bear, of Elkton, Virginia, a daughter of Adam Bear. To this marriage were born children as follow: Bartlett Y., born 1876, died in July, 1895, and Mary Chipman Tevebaugh, of this review.

Mr. and Mrs. Tevebaugh are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Tevebaugh is a Democrat, but has little time nor inclination for political affairs.

Herschel F. Mastin, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Prairie township, is one of Pettis County's successful men of affairs. Mr. Mastin is a native of Missouri. He was born in Jackson County, September 5, 1870, and is the son of Reuben F. and Fredonia (Field) Mastin, and was the only child born to them. Reuben Mastin was a native of Tennessee and was born in Athens County in 1837. When the Civil War broke out, he cast his lot with the South and enlisted in 1861. He became a mem¬ ber of a regiment of Tennessee cavalry. Six months after his enlistment, he was promoted to captain and served until the close of the war in that capacity. He was paroled with Jefferson Davis. Captain Mastin had a brilliant military career to his credit. In one day he had five horses shot from under him. When the war was over he turned his attention to pursuits of peace, and in 1865 came to Missouri and settled in Jackson County, some distance out from Kansas City, Missouri. Here he bought and improved a farm which was his home until the day of his death, December 24, 1908. His wife, Fredonia (Field) Mastin, was born in Cherokee County, Georgia, December 18, 1848. She was a daughter of Elias E. and Susan S. (McKinney) Field,, both natives of South Caro¬ lina, the former is deceased and the latter is now living on the old home place in Georgia. Fredonia (Field) Mastin, mother of Herschel F. Mas¬ tin, now resides with him.

Herschel F. Mastin was educated in the district schools of Jackson County, the Kansas City High School, and the University of Missouri. He was engaged in farming in Jackson county, where he met with un¬ usual success. He was extensively engaged in stock raising and feed¬ ing cattle for market, as well as general farming. His holdings in Jackson County consisted of 1,440 acres. This was one of the well-improved farms of the county, and in 1900, he built a twenty-two room residence, modern in every particular. Owing to the difficulty of getting farm labor, he sold his Jackson County farm in 1908, taking in part payment his present farm In Pettis County and also city property in Sedalia. In 1908, he went to Kansas City, where he was engaged in the real estate busi¬ ness until 1914, when he removed to Pettis County and settled on the place which he had acquired in 1908. This place was formerly known as the F. W. Clemens farm, and prior to that was owned by Obe Harris. It consists of 720 acres, and here Mr. Mastin carries on general farming and stock raising. He has remodeled the farm residence and made other improvements.

Mr. Mastin was united in marriage December 14, 1892, to Lena Kees, a native of Pleasant Hill, Cass County, Missouri, and a daughter of John Oliver and Mary M. (Dunn) Kees, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Kentucky. They settled in Cass County shortly after the close of the Civil War, and are both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mastin have no children. Mrs. Mastin was born March 31, 1869, and was educated in the public schools and Central College at Lexington, Mis¬ souri. She was the eldest of three daughters.

Andrew Jackson Farley, a well known and successful farmer and stockman of Pettis County, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Johnson County, February 1, 1862, a son of Elijah N. and Mary E. (Dewitt) Farley. Elijah N. Farley was bom August 3, 1818, and died October 3, 1864. He was a pioneer Baptist minister and also followed farming. His wife was bom in Cooper County, Missouri, October 17, 1821. They were the parents of the following children: John T., was a Baptist minister in Kansas and is now deceased; Francis M., was living retired in Warrensburg at the time of his death, in 1918; William was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War and is now deceased; Jasper N,, lives in Wyoming; Larkin D., is deceased; Daniel L., lives in Green Ridge, Missouri; George W., Ray County, Missouri; James H., a retired farmer living in Sedalia; Andrew7 Jackson, the subject of this sketch; Susan H., married M. B. Farris and is deceased; she died at LaMonte, Missouri, March 16, 1902, aged forty-seven years. She was the mother of ten children. M. B. Farris now lives at Bryson, Missouri.

Andrew Jackson Farley was reared on a farm in Johnson County where his father settled. In 1881, he rented the place from his mother which she owned in Heath's Creek township, Pettis County. Later he bought thirty acres in that township and later bought 100 acres there which he traded for his present place in Prairie township. He has made

Mr. Farley was united in marriage, Octoebr 18, 1883, with Miss Nancy E. Lee. Mrs. Farley was born in Pettis County, April 15, 1861, a daughter of William M. and Elizabeth Jane Jenkins, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Saline County, Missouri. The father was born, December 28, 1825 and died at eighty-five years of age, and the mother died January 6, 1906, aged seventy-eight years. They were early settlers in Pettis County. Mrs. Farley was one of the following children born to her parents : Francis, died in infancy ; Eliza J., married J. Walker, Benson, Missouri; Sarah L., married L. Haines and is now deceased; Reuben, deceased; Kate A., married John Cranfield; William J., Beman, Missouri'; Nancy E., married Andrew Jackson Farley, the subject of this sketch; Lucinda E., married Thomas Rector, Beman, Missouri; James L., Sedalia, Missouri ; Robert M., lives near Beman, Missouri ; Charles R., Coffeyville, Kansas; and George S., deceased. To Andrew Jackson and Nancy E. (Lee) Farley have been born the following children: Lizzie, married W. 0. Phillips, Sedalia, Missouri ; Clarence N., an employee of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railway shops at Sedalia, Missouri; Lu¬ cinda, married G. C. Botts who died September 26, 1918, and she now resides at home with her parents; Susan resides in Sedalia; William E., Sylvester Lee and Charles reside at home with their parents. Sylvester Lee served from November 7, 1918 until December 18, 1918, in the Student Army Training Corps at Missouri University.

Mr. Farley is a Republican and he and Mrs. Farley are members of the Baptist Church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the public spirited and progressive citizens of Pettis County, and he and his family rank high in the community.

George H. Bagby is a native son of Pettis County and is one of the leading stockmen and farmers in Prairie township, where he owns and operates a valuable farm of 420 acres of land which is situated in sections 30 and 33. He also is an extensive feeder of cattle for the market and has been unusually successful in this field of animal husbandry. Mr. Bagby was born on section 33, Prairie township, December 29, 1867, and is a son of David Alex and Susan (Bowen) Bagby. They were the par¬ ents of the following children: The eldest died in infancy; Alice M., died at the age of eight years; James E., a banker of Green Ridge, Missouri, and George H., the subject of this sketch.

George H. Bagby was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools and attended the old Green Ridge College in 1887 and 1888, and was a student in the Central Business College at Sedalia in 1889 and 1890. He then engaged in farming and stock raising. He purchased his present place in 1899. He has been interested in farming and stock rais¬ ing and also conducting a general mercantile store at Camp Branch, where he also bought and shipped grain. During the season of 1918 he bought and shipped fifteen car loads of grain from Camp Branch. Recently he has moved to the old Bagby homestead where he was born, and has re¬ modeled the residence and improved the old place in many ways.

October 21, 1896, Mr. Bagby was married to Miss Carrie P. Wilson of Pettis County, who resided near Smithton. She is a daughter of Brooks and Margaret (Wright) Wilson, natives of Kentucky and very early pioneer settlers of Pettis County, both of whom are now deceased- To Mr. and Mrs. Bagby have been born three children, as follow: Julian Holman, Omar William, Georgie Wilson, all residing at home with their parents.

The Camp Branch brass band was organized May 29, 1888, by George H. Bagby, E. B. Helman and G. W. Close. This is one of the famous bands of this section and has played on various occasions in every town in Pettis County. The organization is still intact, although the member¬ ship is not as great as it has been, as many of its members are now scattered. Some of the members are musicians in the World War, others have become professional musicians and are traveling with shows. How¬ ever, nine of the old members are still in close touch with the organiza¬ tion. This band has turned out some of the best band musicians of the country. Mr. Bagby himself is master of a broad range of band instru¬ ments, and is able to play practically every instrument found in the aver¬ age band with the exception of the clarinet and the cornet. Mr. Bagby is a progressive and public spirited man and his co-operation is always counted upon in connection with any movement or enterprise for the development, betterment or upbuilding of the community from a moral, commercial or a patriotic standpoint.

William H. Purchase, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Elk Fork township, is one of the well known breeders of Percheron horses and mammoth jacks in Pettis County. In 1918 he exhibited his stock at the Missouri State Fair with flattering results. One of his horses took first premium at the State Fair on three occasions and in the same year this horse won the second premium. This is the celebrated "Gaming, Jr.," and his weight is 1,900 pounds. Mr. Purchase owns a registered threeyear-old, "Max Pride," which is a perfect animal. Mr. Purchase has given special attention to the breeding of horses and mules for the past four years and has been unusually successful in this field of endeavor, and is recognized as such by those who are posted in this line. Mr. Purchase is a native of England. He was born in Devonshire, September 26, 1859, and is a son of William and Betsy Purchase, both natives of England, where the father was a farmer. They are both now deceased.

William H. Purchase was reared and educated in his native land and in 1880 came to America. He first settled in Sedalia, Missouri, where he was employed for a time by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company. In 1881, he went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he was engaged in the transfer business. About 1890, he returned to Pettis County and en¬ gaged in farming. He bought his first land in Elk Fork township which consisted of eighty acres. Here he made improvements and was suc¬ cessful in farming and stock raising, from the start. Later he added to his original purchase, and is now the owner of 300 acres of well im¬ proved and valuable Pettis County land, every foot of which he owns is the result of honest effort and patient toil. Mr. Purchase has worked hard and made good.

On March 10, 1882, William H. Purchase and Susan Lewis were united in marriage in England. Mrs. Purchase is also a native of England and was born June 9, 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Purchase have been born seven children, as follow: George H., resides in Elk Fork township; Nellie, mar¬ ried E. B. Helman; William, Pendleton, Oregon; Ethel, married C. E. Mentzer, Cambridge, Idaho; John L., Elk Fork township, Pettis County; Myrtle, at home, and Clarence, resides at home with his parents.

James Wesley Rice, a Pettis County pioneer, who has seen much of the development of this section of the State, is a prominent farmer and stockman, and a well known breeder in Elk Fork township. The cele¬ brated horses, "Idler" and "Highland Chief," now owned by William T. S. Hall, were bred by Mr. Rice. He also breeds Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep.

Crawfordsville, November 22, 1856, a son of Warder and Elizabeth J. (Galey) Rice. They were the parents of ten children, five of whom are now living. James Wesley Rice, of this review, is the fourth in order of birth. Warder Rice was born and reared in Kentucky and in early life went from his native State to Indiana, where he was employed in a sawmill, following that line of work for a number of years. About 1859, he came to Missouri with his family and settled in Pettis County, on what was known as the Judge Perdue farm. After remaining there for a year, he moved to the Rayburn farm. In October, 1861, he removed to Elk Fork township, where he met with a tragic death in October, 1872. He was shot and killed by George Murcer, a man who lived on an adjoining place owned by W. D. Wade. It appears that the shooting was entirely unjustifiable. Mr. Rice owned a well improved forty acre farm, and Murcer owned forty acres adjoining it on the south. Mr. Murcer insisted that Mr. Rice either sell his forty acres to Murcer, or buy Murcer's forty acres. Mr. Rice made no proposition to do either. Later on, Murcer tore down Rice's fence and turned his cattle into Rice's field; Rice protested against such actions and a quarrel followed. Nothing was said after that for several weeks, when Murcer shot Rice, killing him instantly.

James Wesley Rice was about three years of age when he was brought to Missouri by his parents, who settled here in 1859, and while Mr. Rice is comparatively a young man, he is one of the pioneer settlers of Pettis County, owing to the fact that he started out pioneering at an early age. He has seen many changes in Pettis County since his boyhood days. He has made farming and stock raising his life's occupation, and has met with a well merited degree of success. He bought his first land in the fall of 1897, which consisted of only twenty acres; he had no capital with which to begin, and his start was naturally and necessarily handicapped. In 1905, he bought sixty acres more. He has subsequently added to his acreage, and now owns a well improved farm of eighty acres. Much of his land was heavily timbered which required hard and constant work to convert it into its present broad, fertile, tillable acres.

Mr. Rice was married September 25, 1895, to Miss Anna Miller, of Pettis County, who was born here July 26, 1877. She was a daughter of G. B. and Nellie (Jones) Miller, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of Ohio, and early settlers in Pettis County. Mrs. Rice died September 23, 1898, leaving one child, Ila, who is now her father's housekeeper.

Mr. Rice has many interesting incidents which he relates concern¬ ing the pioneer life of early days. He remembers having seen deer, wild turkey, prairie chickens and wild hogs in Pettis County, on occasions too numerous to relate. He says that wild hogs were the only species of wild animals with which he had any trouble, when he was a boy. The wild hogs were savage fighters and Mr. Rice says, that in skirmishes with them that he frequently retreated by the nearest tree, and that he was very thankful on these occasions that nature had so constructed wild hogs that they could not climb trees. His father was an excellent rifle shot, and hunted considerable in the early days, even before coming to Missouri, while living in Kentucky, he shot a panther that measured nine feet from tip to tip. After coming to this county, the father fre¬ quently killed wild game and whenever the family wanted wild turkey he took his rifle and went to the timber, and invariably returned in a few minutes with the turkey.

Mr. Rice is a Republican and a member of the Baptist Church, and Is now treasurer of the Bethel Church. During the activity of the Good Templer Lodge, a number of years ago, Mr. Rice was active in the work of this organization, and served as Worthy Chief of the local lodge for twelve years. He has held the office of constable of Elk Fork township.

Thomas H. Hurt, veteran plainsman, and substantial land owner of Houstonia township, now living retired in his comfortable home near Houstonia, is one of Pettis County's pioneers, whose early life story reads like a page from western fiction. Mr. Hurt was born December 25, 1840, in Madison County, just east of the Blue Ridge mountains of old Virginia. He is a son of Joel and Nancy (Smith) Hurt, and is the youngest child of sixteen children. Joel and Nancy Hurt reared a family of eight sons and eight daughters, all of whom lived to be grown. The first of this great family to die was Moses Hurt, who was killed in the Mexican War. While on a foraging expedition for his troop, he happened to get across the Mexican lines and was killed by Mexican soldiers. Joel and Nancy Hurt lived all of their lives in Virginia.

Thomas H. Hurt remained at home until he had attained the age of fifteen years, and even at that age the spirit of adventure was burning in his blood. He desired to get away from his early environments and try to find his fortune in a newer country to the westward. Tales came to him of the new country of Missouri, where there was plenty of room for an energetic and strong young man, and land was rich and cheap and easy to get. Accordingly, he migrated to Missouri and located in Saline County, working by the month on a farm near Slater. His next position was as overseer of the Thompson farm, and he then took charge of the J. W. Craig place of 1,000 acres, and at the outbreak of the Civil War he was farming on shares and in a fair way to soon become a land owner. He enlisted near Cambridge, Missouri, in 1861, as a private in Captain Brown's company and served with the Confederate Army for one year. When his time expired his adventures began. He went to St. Louis, and from there set out for the Rocky Mountain country. He managed to secure a berth on a river steamer between the two wheel houses, and paid $10.00 passage money to Sioux City. This boat was twice fired upon from the shore, and at a point above Lexington two men boarded the vessel and undertook to arrest him, although he had done nothing to arouse suspicion that he was a fugitive from justice. In fact, Mr. Hurt had done nothing other than serve in the Confederate army to warrant arrest, but this was a time when the Federal officers were ready to arrest on the least provocation, and it seems that the officers had been instructed to look for some fugitives. A German who was on the boat had given information at Lexington to the officers, who later boarded the boat. Mr. Hurt objected to the arrest and asked the reason for the detention. The men kept insisting that he had left the boat at Lexington and then boarded it at Blue Mills. This he denied, and the captain of the steamer admitted that he himself had no knowledge of Mr. Hurt's leaving the boat at Lexington. Matters having thus been cleared up and all parties reaching an amicable understanding, the officers then abused and roundly cursed the Dutchman for giving them wrong information.

At Fort Leavenworth Mr. Hurt hurriedly boarded a packet, crossed the river and then took train for Atchison, the train backing into what is now East Atchison. He applied to the provost marshal for a permit to cross the river and go West. The marshal gave him a pass which read "Pass Thomas H. Hurt and company." He then crossed the river on the ferry and .stopped at the Union Hotel in Atchison that night. While there he learned that the fare across the plains to Denver was $75.00. At the hotel he overheard some men talking about the difficul¬ ties of transportation and impulsively proposed that he would take five of them to Denver for $40.00 apiece and furnish them each two pairs of blankets and board. He purchased a three-seated wagon and team and loaded his wagon with provisions, at considerable expense. Mr. Hurt fancied that he would make money from the undertaking, but so prodi¬ gious were the appetites of his passengers that he lost money on the trip. He remained in the Rocky Mountains until Christmas of 1862. He then set out to cross the plains again, to reach civilization, during the worst winter which had ever been known in the western country. The temperature was below zero and the ground was covered with snow many feet in depth. Steers and mules were frozen in their tracks during that terrible winter, and many travelers perished on the way home. His party reached the region of the Little Blue River, in Nebraska, and put up at the cabin of a settler, who agreed to feed them as long as he was able. The men stabled their horses in sod huts under the snow, and remained with the settler until it became apparent that they would soon use up his store of provender to such an extent that his family would likely starve, during the rest of the winter. Mr. Hurt and his party again set out, and after numerous mishaps and struggling through intermin¬ able drifts, they managed to reach the settlement at Marysville, Kansas. At this place they hired a man to drive them through to Atchison. On the way, and near the town of Seneca, they saw two riderless mules frozen stiff in the snow. Thinking that their owners were buried in the snow, they searched until they found two men, cowering under such cover as they could find. One of the travelers resisted any attention, but Mr. Hurt's party insisted on taking the sufferers on to Atchison. The poor fellows never recovered from the exposure, as they were too badly frozen, and both died soon after their arrival at Atchison. A humorous incident of the trip is recalled by the two comical personalities who were members of Mr. Hurt's party - "Old Man Funk and Captain Trim¬ ble." These two characters were seasoned plainsmen and traders. Cap¬ tain Trimble was thin and had but one eye. Funk was very fleshy, but would get sleepy and drowsy and want to give up, lie down in the snow and perish. Captain Trimble would not permit Funk to flunk, and at the first sign of the old fellow's going into a doze the doughty captain would unmercifully thrash his friend Funk, and get him thoroughly mad and wakened up for another try at it. At Seneca, Kansas, they ran across a widow who wished to sell her place, near the frontier town, and go back to her homefolks in Ohio. None of the party cared to buy, in spite of the fact that Trimble urged members of the party to buy, saying, "Here lies land and an offer is wanted; some one should buy it." In a little over fifty years this very land, which could have been bought for a song, has risen in value to over $150 an acre.

Mr. Hurt had the misfortune of losing a good part of his gold which he obtained in the mountains. In Denver, Cass Eaton, the banker, pro¬ posed to him that if he did not need his gold he had better let him have it and he would give him a banker's draft for it. Mr. Hurt thought this a good plan, but when attempting to cash the draft in Atchison, he found to his everlasting sorrow that he had suffered a severe loss. The Atchi¬ son banker started to pay him in paper money. This Mr. Hurt refused, and called the banker's attention to the fact that the draft should call for gold payment. The banker told him that it merely said "money," and he was compelled to take the government paper, which had so depre¬ ciated in value that he lost over $3,600 through the exchange. Cass Eaton later arrived at Atchison, but he refused to change the draft.

Mr. Hurt then made his way to Illinois, and farmed in that State until after the close of the war. He then returned to Missouri and rented land from his brother, 0. Hurt, on the edge of Saline County, seven miles east of his present home place. Four years later he purchased a tract of practically unimproved prairie and brush land in Houstonia township, and began the task of making a fine farm out of 280 acres of land. In the course of years he has produced a splendid farm. As old age came upon him he relinquished the cultivation of his acreage to younger men and is now enjoying his well-earned retirement.

Mr. Hurt was married in Lexington, Illinois, in 1865, to Miss Vir¬ ginia Pryor, a daughter of Slias H. Pryor. Mrs. Virginia (Pryor) Hurt was born October 15, 1847, and died in 1886. Five children were bom of this union: Shelby, Monnie, Alice, and Odie and Ocie, twins. Shelby Hurt resides on a farm near Syracuse, Missouri. He has a son, Solon Hurt, a soldier in the National Army, now in active service on the Italian front in Europe. Mrs. Monnie Strole lives on a farm two and a half miles east of LaMonte, and has two sons and a daughter - Henry, Bessie and Perry. Bessie married Walter Winters, and is the telephone operator at Hughesville. She has a daughter, Ruby, great grandchild of Thomas H. Hurt. Alice resides on the home place with her father, and is the wife of Thomas Ramey, and married in May, 1900. Mr. Ramey operates the home farm. Odie is the wife of Dr. L. H. Goodrich, Norman, Okla- homa, and has three children - Carlyle, Helen and Joy Goodrick. Ocie is the wife of Con C. Benton, a contractor and builder of Buffalo, Oklahoma.

Mr. Hurt has been a lifelong Democrat. He is a believer in Chris¬ tianity but not in creeds, and throughout his long life he has endeavored to follow the precepts of the Greatest of all Teachers.

William T. Sherman Hall, a well known farmer and stockman of Elk Fork township, is a native of Indiana. He was born in Green County July 6, 1865, and is a son of William Hall, and his mother bore the maiden name of Price. They were both natives of Indiana. William Hall, the father, was a farmer practically all his life. In 1892 he came to Missouri from Indiana, and after remaining about a year here he returned to Indiana, where he spent the reminder of his life. He died in 1898, aged sixty-nine years. The mother died in Pettis County in 1903, aged seventyfive years.

Mr. Hall, the subject of this sketch, is the seventh in order of birth of a family of nine children born to his parents. He was reared on a farm in Indiana and obtained his education in the district school and began life for himself as a farmer on rented land when he was nineteen years of age. In 1890 Mr. Hall came to Missouri and settled on the W. D. Wade farm in LaMonte township, which he operated two years and later moved to present farm in Elk Fork township. This farm consists of 300 acres. In 1918 Mr. Hall purchased eighty acres of land in section 2, Elk Fork township. This land was formerly owned by Scott Mahan and is a valu¬ able piece of property. Mr. Hall carries on general farming and stock raising and has been very successful as a breeder. He raises the Idler stock of horses and Mammoth jacks.

Mr. Hall was married in Dubois County, Indiana, November 20, 1884, to Miss Winnie Chastine, a native of Morton County, Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Hall have been born four children, as follow: John N., manager of a creamery at Lexington, Mississippi; Leman, resides near LaMonte, Missouri; Norman, enlisted in the United States Army as gun and am¬ munition inspector, and is now serving as lieutenant of a company in the Government inspection fields at Sandy Hook Camp, New Jersey; and Velma, married Elton Rice, Elk Fork township.

Mr. Hall is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and po¬ litically he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. He is an in¬ dustrious man and a good citizen and neighbor and has a wide acquaint¬ ance and many friends in Pettis County.

Robert R. Cooper, a successful farmer and stockman of Pettis County, is a descendant of Missouri pioneer ancestry. Mr. Cooper was born in Morgan County, Missouri, October 23, 1870, a son of Arthur Y. and Sarah (Cannon) Cooper. To Arthur Y. and Sarah (Cannon) Cooper were born ten children, of whom Robert R., the subject of this sketch, was the third in order of birth. Arthur Y. Cooper was twice married, his second wife being Miss Mary Kindrick, and five children were born to this union.

Arthur Y. Cooper was a native of Tennessee, born in 1821. He was a son of James Wiley Cooper, a Tennesseean who came to Morgan County, Missouri, about 1833, when Arthur Y. was twelve years old. James Wiley Cooper followed farming the remainder of his life, after coming to Mor¬ gan County, Missouri, and he and his wife both died there. Arthur Y. Cooper spent his entire life in Morgan County also where he was en¬ gaged in farming and stock raising.

Robert R. Cooper was reared and educated in Morgan County and from early life has been engaged in farming. He was thus engaged in Morgan County until 1902, when he sold his place in that county and came to Pettis County, and purchased his present place in Elk Fork township. His place contains 160 acres and was formerly known as the old Preacher McCarey place. Since purchasing the place, Mr. Cooper has made many substantial improvements, among which is a fine modern residence which was built in 1916. This is an eight room structure and is a modern house in every particular.

On April 8, 1902, Robert R. Cooper was united in marriage with Miss Jennie McIntosh, a native of Howard County, Missouri, born Febru¬ ary 2, 1880. She is a daughter of George and Sarah (Gerhart) McIntosh, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Missouri. George Mc¬ Intosh was engaged in farming and stock raising all his life in Morgan County, Missouri, and he and his wife are now deceased. To Robert R. Cooper and wife have been born the following children: Albert R., Sarah E., Thomas L., and Ada M.

Herman A. Yost, a descendant of an early Pettis County pioneer family, is a prosperous farmer and stockman in Elk Fork township. Mr. Yost is a native son of Pettis County, born in Lake Creek township, No¬ vember 27, 1867. He is the son of John Antone and Mary (Gerlt) Yost, A sketch of John Antone Yost appears elsewhere in this volume.

the district schools. In early life he learned the blacksmith trade and worked at it three or four years, and at intervals, worked as farm laborer and also rented land. He has made farming his chief occupation and now has 200 acres of land in Elk Fork township, where he is extensively engaged in farming and stock raising.

Mr. Yost was united in marriage March 5, 1895, with Miss Ida McKinley, who was born in Elk Fork township on the farm where they now reside, November 25, 1867. She is a daughter of George V. S. and Matilda (Stevens) McKinley. Mrs. Yost was the only child born to her parents.

George V. S. McKinley was born in Madison County, Indiana, Janu¬ ary 25, 1834. When sixteen years of age he came to Pettis County, Mis¬ souri, with his parents, Joseph and Hannah (Wells) McKinley. Joseph McKinlby was a native of Tennessee and settled in Pettis County in 1850. George V. S. McKinley grew to manhood in Pettis County and spent his life here engaged in farming with the exception of a short time spent in Johnson County. He died January 2, 1899.

Matilda (Stevens) McKinley was born in Moniteau County, Missouri, April 28, 1836, and now resides with the subject of this sketch on her old homestead. Her parents were Robert and Elizabeth (Moad) Stevens, natives of Tennessee and pioneer settlers of Pettis County, who came here in the fall of 1850 from Moniteau County, Missouri, where they were both reared and married.

To Herman A. Yost and wife have been born the following children: Esther M., married Avery Rice, Elk Fork township, and they have one child, Marjorie Ida, born February 7, 1918; Nellie, residing at home with her parents; Minnie Augusta, resides at home with her parents.

Benjamin D. Clark, now deceased, was a pi'ominent figure in the affairs of Pettis County for many years. He was a man who contributed in many ways, not only to the material but the moral development of Pettis County. He was successful in his business undertakings, took a prominent part in the political affairs of his county, and was unceasing and untiring in his work for the spiritual betterment of mankind.

Benjamin D. Clark was a native of Tennessee. He was born in Cocke County, October 8, 1849, and was a son of Benjamin D. and Eliza¬ beth (Robison) Clark, both also natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Elizabeth

Clark was married the second time to Russell Kendrick and came from Tennessee to Missouri about 1854 when Benjamin D. was five years of age. They first settled in Johnson County. Two children: Benjamin D., the subject of this sketch, and William R., of Johnson County, Missouri, were born to the first union. Five children were born to Russell Ken¬ drick and Elizabeth (Robison) Clark Kendrick.

Benjamin D. Clark, whose name introduces this review, bought the place in Elk Fork township where he spent the remainder of his life and where Mrs. Clark now resides. For a few years before his marriage, he and his brother "batched" on the place. He was an extensive cattle man and bought cattle for the market on a large scale and was successful in that field of endeavor. He did a vast amount of business in this county and was known for his keen insight into business affairs and good sound judgment. He acquired considerable property, and at the time of his death owned 630 acres of land, besides other business interests. Mr. Clark possessed educational qualifications much superior to the average man of his time. When a boy he attended the district schools and later went to Tennessee and lived with relatives while attending college.

Benjamin D. Clark was a staunch supporter of the policies and principles of the Democratic party and was active in local politics for a number of years. He was elected county judge of Pettis County for two terms and gave to the people of Pettis County a practical business administration of public affairs. He was a member of the Baptist Church and active in the cause of Christianity as well as a liberal contributor to every field of Christian effort. He was a man who possessed a genial disposition and made many friends. He died September 9, 1909, and in his death, not only his immediate friends and family met with a great bereavement, but the loss was also that of the community and Pettis County, as well.

Benjamin D. Clark was united in marriage February 18, 1880, with Miss Etta Williams, a daughter of William A. and Mary (Glass) Will¬ iams. Mrs. Clark was born in Johnson County, December 17, 1860. Her father, William A. Williams, was born in Johnson County, Missouri, and was a descendant of one of the pioneer families of that county. In early life, he learned the blacksmith trade and later was engaged in the mer¬ cantile business. During the Civil War, he served in the Confederate army. He died in Clinton, Missouri. To William A. and Mary (Glass) Williams were born the following children: Etta, married Benjamin D.

Clark, the subject of this sketch, and James W., who lives in western Kansas. After the death of the mother of these children, William A. Williams was married to Amanda Gray and to this union were born two children, Don D. and Sidney E. The former is now deceased and the latter resides in Pueblo, Colorado.

To Benjamin D. and Etta (Williams) Clark were born the following children: William Lawrence, who is engaged in farming and stock rais¬ ing in Elk Fork township; James Edwin, died in infancy; Mary E., re¬ sides at home with her mother, and Allen M., at home.

Clarence G. Johnson, a successful farmer and stockman of Elk Fork township, is a native of Pettis County. He was born on the place where he now resides, August 2, 1878, and is a son of John L. and Christina (Erickson) Johnson, natives of Stockholm, Sweden, and early settlers of Pettis County. A more extensive history of whom appears in the sketch of Joseph A. Johnson, which appears in this volume.

Clarence G. Johnson received his education in the public schools of Pettis County and Green Ridge College. Since his boyhood days farm¬ ing and stock raising has been his chief occupation, and he has spent most of his life on the old home place, where he now resides. When his father died, he inherited a part of the home farm, his share being about eighty acres. This was in 1905. Since that time he has bought addi¬ tional land and now owns a valuable farm of 280 acres. He has made many improvements and his farm is now in a splendid condition.

Mr. Johnson was married February 20, 1901, to Miss Willia Tay¬ lor, a native of Pettis County who was born in Houstonia, September 10, 1881. She is a daughter of James L. and Ollie (Kalfus) Taylor. James L. Taylor was born near Sedalia, Pettis County, his parents being very early settlers in this part of Missouri. He now lives at Turon, Reno County, Kansas. To Clarence G. Johnson and wife have been born the following children: Carl, J. L., Roy, Walter, Taylor, Harold, Frances L., and Gladys'.

Mr. Johnson is a Republican and takes an active interest in public affairs. He has been a member of the local school board for eight years, and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is one of the progressive citizens of Pettis County and takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to the upbuilding and betterment of the community.

- Edward B. Gibson. - The career of Edward B. Gibson, retired farmer and large land owner, of Sedalia, Missouri, residing at 400 West Fourth street, is one of successful accomplishments. Mr. Gibson came to Pettis

County in 1877, with very little funds, and immediately began farming on rented land, in Blackwater township, near the town of Houstonia. He has become one of the largest individual land owners of Pettis County, and has well earned his present period of retirement.

Mr. Gibson was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, December, 1845, the son of Joseph and Marah (Jenkins) Gibson, both natives of Virginia, and they spent their lives there. Mr. Gibson's widowed grandmother brought her family of chil¬ dren from Scotland early in the nineteenth century, and settled in Virginia. Joseph and Marah Gibson were parents of four¬ teen children, all of whom were reared to maturity: George, Mary, Louisa, Anna Eliza, Judge W. C. Gibson, John, Margaret, Douglas, Fannie, Gilbert, Edward B., Nellie and Blanche.

George, the eldest of the family, is deceased. Mary Gibson resides in Virginia, and has attained the great age of ninety-seven years. Louisa, is deceased.

Judge W. C. Gibson, late prominent resident of Pettis County, owned a large estate south of Houstonia, and filled the office of presiding judge of the County Court of Pettis County. He left a son, Eugene C. Gibson, St. Louis, who is a salesman for the Cassidy Southwestern Commission Company, and a daughter, Grace, who is the wife of Dr. C. T. McConnell, of Houstonia.

Joseph Gibson served with a Virginia regiment during the Civil War, and at the close of hostilities was a prisoner in the hands of the Federals, and is now deceased.

Fannie, lives in Loudoun County, Virginia. Gilbert, deceased, served with the Confederate forces during the Civil War. Nellie, lives in Fauquier County, Virginia. Edward B. Gibson, subject of this review. Mrs. Blanche Gunnell, the youngest child, is deceased.

Edward B. Gibson was reared to young manhood in Virginia, and there received his education. Opportunities not being to his liking in Virginia, he came to Pettis County in April, 1877. His first location was upon a rented farm, five miles south of Houstonia. A few years later he bought 450 acres from John Gregg and Henry Reese, and began raising and feeding live stock on a large scale. His operations as a stockman proved to be very successful, and he continuously enlarged his land holdings in Pettis County until he became owner of 1400 acres, in Blackwatei township. The Gibson farm is in one body, located in township 47, range 23, and is a splendidly improved place, boasting one of the best and largest barns in Pettis County, 60x100 feet in dimension, and erected at a cost of $5,000. This barn has an inclined driveway which leads directly to the large grain bins on the upper floor, and is arranged with modern conveniences. One of the adjuncts to the livestock feeding on the place is a deep well, from which water is pumped by a gasoline engine during the dry seasons. The Gibson farm is now operated by his son, Joseph Clay. This farm has three sets of improvements, and is considered one of the best farms in western Missouri.

Mr. Gibson resided upon his farm, in active charge of his livestock operations until 1904, when he came to Sedalia to reside. He was married in November, 1883, to Miss Mary Gregg, a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Shepard) Gregg. Mrs. Gibson departed this life on July 12, 1914, and her remains are interred in Crown Hill Cemetery. To Edward B. and Mary Gibson were born children as follow: Ethel, died at the age of twenty years; Edna May, is the wife of G. C. Goodloe, formerly of St. Louis, a fanner and stockman, residing at 300 West Fourth street; Joseph Clay, operating the Gibson farm.

Joseph A. Johnson, a leading Pettis County farmer and stockman, who owns and operates a valuable farm of 412 acres in Elk Fork town¬ ship, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Knox County, June 28, 1869, a son of John L. and Christina (Erickson) Johnson, both natives of Sweden.

He located in Knox County, Illinois, where he was engaged in farming until 1876. He then came to Missouri with his family and settled in Elk Fork township, Pettis County. Here he was engaged in farming and stock raising for a number of years, meeting with success. The last few years of his life, he spent in retirement in Green Ridge, Missouri, where he died February 12, 1905. His wife, Christina (Erickson) Johnson, who was also a native of Sweden, born October 15, 1840, died July 15, 1917.

To John L. and Christina (Erickson) Johnson were born the follow¬ ing children: Minnie A., deceased; Emma M., deceased; Charles A., de¬ ceased; George B., deceased; Joseph A., the subject of this sketch; Miles A., deceased; Nettie M., married George Shelley, and is now deceased; Carrie A., deceased; Charles E., who is engaged in the harness and im¬ plement business at Green Ridge, Missouri; Hattie, deceased; Clarence G., who resides on the old home place in Elk Fork township; Arthur L., Portland, Oregon, and Forrest, Elk Fork township.

Joseph A. Johnson was educated in the public schools and remained on the home place until his father's death in 1905. He then inherited eighty-three acres, and later bought additional land, until he acquired 412 acres. He has a well improved farm and has made a success in his chosen field of endeavor. In addition to general farming and stock rais¬ ing, Mr. Johnson feeds cattle for the market.

March 1, 1903, Joseph A. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Zora M. Reavis, a native of Pettis County, Missouri, born September 26, 1875, a daughter of Daniel and Mollie (Pemberton) Reavis, the father a native of Pettis County, Missouri, and is now deceased ; and the mother resides at LaMonte. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have no children.

Mr. Johnson is a Republican and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Methodist Church, South.

George H. Kyd of Elk Fork township, is one of the progressive fanners and stockmen of Pettis County. Mr. Kyd is a native son of this county. He was born in Elk Fork township, January 27, 1881, and is the son of Charles and Margaret (Mackie) Kyd, natives of Scotland. Charles Kyd was bom in Scotland, December 27, 1841. When a young man he left his native land and immigrated to America, locating near Rockford, Illinois. Here he followed fanning and stock raising about three years. In 1870 he came to Pettis County and in partnership with his brother, John Kyd, bought eighty acres of land. They bought more land from time to time as opportunities offered and circumstances per¬ mitted and later divided their interests and at the time of Charles Kyd's death he owned 205 acres in Elk Fork township. He made many im¬ provements on the land which he bought, which was largely unbroken prairie at that time. He was an industrious and frugal man and con¬ tributed his part to the early development and upbuilding of Pettis County. He was a good citizen and a member of the Congregational Church. He contributed much to the cause of religion, both in time and money. He departed this life March 5, 1910. His widow, who was also born in Scotland, June 16, 1851, now resides in Green Ridge, Missouri.

To Charles and Margaret (Mackie) Kyd were born seven children as follow: Elizabeth, who has specialized in music, having taken a course in St. Louis, Missouri, and Columbia University, New York City, and is now devoting herself to teaching and writing music in New York City; Jessie, who is connected with Stevens College, Columbia, Missouri ; George H., the subject of this sketch; Grace, married Oliver C. Calvert and they reside near Sedalia; John, resides on the old home place in Elk Fork township; Charlotte, a teacher in the Green Ridge schools, and Everett S., died in infancy.

George H. Kyd was educated in the public schools of Green Ridge, Missouri, and taught two terms of school. In 1904 he went to South Dakota and homesteaded 160 acres of Government land which he im¬ proved and still owns. In 1907 he purchased his present place in Elk Fork township, Pettis County, upon which he has made many improve¬ ments, including a modern residence which he has just completed. His farm consists of 220 acres which is one of the well located and produc¬ tive farms of the county. He carries on general farming and stock rais¬ ing and is meeting with well merited success. He is a successful breeder of Holstein cattle.

Mr. Kyd was married March 5, 1908, to Miss Clarice Ream, a native of Clinton, Missouri. Mrs. Kyd was a successful Pettis County teacher for a number of years prior to her marriage. She is a daughter of A. R. and Ella (Truel) Ream, both natives of Pettis County and now resi¬ dents of Elk Fork township. To Mr. and Mrs. Kyd have been born the following children: Lois Myrtle, Margaret Truella, Charles Ream and George Lyle.

Spencer Delos Haight, a prominent farmer and successful fruit grower of Elk Fork township,' is a native of Wisconsin. He was born in Winne¬ bago County August 22, 1846, son of Moses and Lydia (Hibbard) Haight. The father was a native of New York and in early life learned the tanners and shoemakers trade. He came to Missouri in 1856 and opened the first shoe shop in Calhoun, Missouri. He also had the first shoe shop in Sedalia. He was a man who traveled a great deal and was engaged in the shoe business in a number of places at various times. He died at McAlester, Oklahoma, January 22, 1884, aged seventy-four years, five months and twenty-six days. The mother of Spencer Delos Haight was born in Green County, New York, in 1813, and departed this life in Neenah, Wisconsin, in 1851.