Pike County, Missouri - The whole text, 1883 (part 8 of 13)

Wliat lias bceii &aid of so:nc of the other town^-hijis a])plies with efpiai force to Ashley. Her citizens aro generally iiidusti'ious and orderly; tlioir homes are conjfortable and supplied with ail the ordinary eornforts of life; the people are intelligent, moral, and ho5pital)!e, and the whole face of the country indicates energy, thrift, and enterprise. The roads are the ordinary dirt roads usually found in the country, except that from Ashley to Bowliiig Green, a distance of six miles, a good gravel road]was .several years ago constructed.

The town of x\.shley has about 400 inhabitants, and is located in the southeastern part of the county, six miles from Bowling Green. It is surrounded by a fine farming community, noted for its industry and morality. Both tlie inhabitants of the villiige and the country surrounding it take great pride in promoting their educational facilities. This is attested by the manner in whicli tlie}' have supported and dolended tlieir cherished institution, known as '' Watson Seminary," which has been in operation for more than twenty-seven years.

While the town was named after General Ashley, of x\rkarisas, it was laid ont by William Kerr in 1836. His widow, who signed nearly all the deeds by which the lots in and about the town were originally conveyed, and who was known as Patsy, is still living in the town, at the age of seventy-seven. Barzel Biiirgs vras one of the first, perhaps the very first, settler in the town, and had the honor of building the first hotel in the place. This house was continuously kept by him for the benefit of his many guests until within a few months. lie is now a man of eighty, but still is seen frequently on the streets. The first store was kept by D. C. M. Parsons, an active politician, too, in his day, and who was running for congress at the time of his death. The ground on which the poor-house now stands, and many acres round about it, were owned by him. The young and promising editor of the Louisiana Journal ia his grandson. McCorraick ifc Ilesser had a Etore at an early day in the same place. S. N. Purse, who still lives at Frankford, was another of the early settlers. He ran a machine shop, aud made and sold carding machines, and also manufnctured the Manuy reaper and mower. Atterwards he was connected in business with W. II. Purse, now postmaster at Louisiana. Another of the first settlers who engaged in merchandising, was II. C. Draper. He was a brother of Edwin Dra- i.cr, now of Jacksonville, Illinois, and of Phiiander Draper, still living in [.ouisiana, bnt confined to Iiis bed on account of the iniinnities of age and iiijui-ies sustained long since.

Among tlie farmers at an early day about Ashley were Thomas Kern, Thomas Allison, Elliolt iloUiday, KHsha Lewis, James Orr, P. B. Bell, W. Kerr, John W. Netl, Joiiri Crow, who had the honor of building the court-house in 1S14, and whose widow slill lives near Ashley, one of the two or three womcu who first settled here; "William McPike, David Wilson, E. L. Bryant, L. M. Wells, N. S. Gillum, Moses Hendricks, Abrara Pritchett, Samuel Pfarr, Thomas D. South, and Wilbarger. According to the account of Barzel Kiggs, who left Jessamine county, Kentucky, in 1S3G, and came to ]\[issouri the same year, settling at Ashley in 1837, there is no lady here now that was here then exce])t Mrs. Patsy Kerr, tlie widov>' of V/illiam Kerr, who laid out the town. Mrs. Crow, the wife of John Crow, however, muit have bcer\ here, or came soon after the laying out of the town. She is still living and remarkably v\-ell preserved for a lady of about ninety. On the same authority it is stated tl.\at no male citizen i& here now that was present in 1S37 save Barzel Iliggs and his son x\mbrose. Mr. Kiggs, when he ca'.ne, bought out one Branham, who was keeping a saddler shop, and went into the business himself, occupying the same buildinof. His son Ambrose succeeded his fither in the business and is still engaged in the saiue trade.

The Mill

Perhaps the most important enterprise in the town, aside from Watson Seminary, is tlie milling interest. The first mill was built by I'urse >k Staley in 1S13, and was run a nnuibtr of years very successfully by Corker & Ocheltree. About the year ISo-f this mill was rebuilt by llickman 6z Purse, and sold by them to Bell <fc S:>son about 1S62. In 1805 Bell sold his interest to Judge S. S. Pussell, when the firm was known as Ptussell ct Sisson, by whom it was operated until May, 1S7S, when it was destroyed by fire. The loss was about §10,000, and covered, unfortunately, by no insurance. It was not characteristic, however, of one having the energy and persQverance of Judge Rus.sell to abandon the enterprise. Accordingly, the mill was immediately rebuilt, and put into operation in October of .the year 187S, by Puissell S: Sons, by whom it is at this time operated. Its capacity \s J"d)out 150 bushels per day. Every year there is ground abouf 2.5,000 bushels for custom; besides, an equal amount of merchant work is done.

The following summary will serve to give the reader a correct idea of V.-. extei)t and character of the business that is carried on in Ashley:

' Ashley Lodge iS'o. 2&0C,, was instituted November 12, 1S81, under dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Missouri, by S. P. Griffith, District Deputy Grand Dictator, with the following charter members: do agree to form ourselves into a church, called Bethesda, on the waters of \ North Cuivre, includiiig the members soutli of prairie, in Pike county. ' i

The total membership in February of LS50, according to the record^, was thirty, but by October 1 of the following year it liad reached flt'ty-four. Near the close of the year 1801 it rose to seventy-three, ai^d three years later, June 2, 1S(37, the climax in membership was reached, the roll showing a list of eiglity members. Froni this time there was a falling otf until

The coutinuity of the records is broken in 1S3S, and thci'C is a (;ap unti! 1853. Up to ISoS, B. Fl. Lovelace, from the beginning, leeems to have becu the clerk, and was very faithful in the dischai-ge of his duties. Upon his resignation Thomas Kerr became his successor, but as he left tlie bounds of the church in 18-! I, tiie records v.ere either neglected or lost fur a time, piuI it is not until lSo3, when the tirst clerk again took charge of the records, that we are able to furnish anything reliable touching the history of this old church,

Tlic Pethesda congregation met October 1, 1853, at Ashley, in the brick cluirch, which was at that time a common resort for all religious denominations. Two addirional elders, John Xelt' and James iX. Orr, were ordained by Eev. J. AV. Campbeir. In March, 1864, James W. Kerr was ordained elder by the same. The resignation of B. II, Lovelace as clerk occurred . September 14, 18^7, when he was succeeded by Benjamin F. Birkhead. At the fall presbytery of 18G7, by petition of the Bethesda congregation, its name v,-;is changed to that of Ashley congregation.

On the 7th of February, 1S70, J'enjamiu F. Birkhead and J. W. Bartlett were ordained elders, and J. W. Campbell was serving as pastor. Mr. Birkhead now resigned the clerkship, and Thomas J. Elmore became his successor, and still continues to discharge the functions of this otHce in the most satisfactory manner, keejting records rarely equaled for neatness and accuracy. In May, 1S72, M. T. Griggs and AY. G. Kerr became elders.

This congregation now, in connection with that of the Christian Church, worships in what is known in Ashley as the Union church, a neat frame edifice, that comfortably seats an audience of 300, and is about 35x50 in its dimensions. It was built at a cost of about ^1,800, in tlie year 1860. For many years prior to the building of this church, the congregation worshiped in a quaint old building of logs, still remembered by the old settlers; but, ai= far back as 1821), it was new and as yet unfinished, with its stone chimney built half way up, and awaiting the remaining processes of evolution, while tlio intervening spaces between the logs constil.nting tlie walls, as yet had (,o '-chinking anil daubing," thus aft'irding <>u>>;idefs conveniences scarct;ly interior to tliose within. It was at this time that A. OdcJi, of Ashley, still living, might have been seen peei-ing through the cracks, according to liis own story, while liev. J. "W". Campbell (Uncle Jinimie) was occu])ying the jMilpit. clothed not witli his surplice, but clad in a " blue jeans coat," reaching to a point near the knees.

The ground on which this re[)ublican meeting-house once stood, free to all denominations, is at this time the common city of the silent dead, whose tornbs novr stand where the strains of music and the tlights of eloquence once charmed tlie living. For more reasons thai! one, then, this cemetery is on hallowed ground, marking the phice v.-liere souls were l)orn into tlie epiritual kingdom, and also the place in which their bodies are awaiting the final resurrection of the just.

The Chri&tian Church was organized September 2-1, 1850, by Elders J.J. Errett and William Mason. The members originally were the following: E. L. Bryant, Ilezokiah Oden, Alfred Oden, John Daniel, James B. Arnold, D. W. zVrnold, L. A. Bryant, W. B. Bryant, E. W. Crutcher, Emily Strother, Frances Oden, Eliza A, Oden, Mary A. Bryant, Martha J. Burse, Nancy Hickman, ]S'ancy E. Arnold, Sailie E. Crutcher, and >[aria McPike.

Since the organization one hundred and three names have been enrolled, but at this time there remain only eight male and Iburteen female members in good standing, the rest having died, moved away, or severed their connection v.-ith the church. The elders at the organization were S. A. Bryant, W. B. Bryant, and A. Oden, and those still serve in the same capacity. The deacons are C. C. Cash and George Bryant. This congregation worships in the Fnion church, in connection with the Cumberland Presbyterians, as stated elsewhere.

During the month of July, 1821), a number of persons met at what was then known as the rei)ublican meeting house, the name indicating that the r.se of the house was free to all as it had l>een built by the united etibrts of all the neighbors. The building was of logs and stood on the left of the road as you approach Ashley from the south, about the center of the old graveyard on tlie road, and was used for purposes of worship as late as the Bummer of ISiS. The meeting was held for the purpose of organizing a

Presbyterian Olnircli. The couulrj <at that time bciiij; sparsely ticUio<l some liad to travel by ]ior?cback or on foot seveial miies in order to be piesent, but tliis was no f>!)siac!c t<> tbo hardy pi-'iicers who settled thj?, county. Among the goodly rmmber present, the following named ])urf.(tii'? joined i)i a request to bo organized into a Presbyteriiin Chinch; viz., "NFessr.-;. Williatii Hays, San.iiel T.aiid, Greenlee Hays, Jaines J3aird, and also Mr^. Catharine Hays, Miss llannali Ann Hays, ]\[rs. Sarah V)aird, and Mrs. Sarah L. Findley, from tt;o Stantbrds Churcd), Kentucky, and Mrs. Martiia J. Kerr from the church of Stanton, Virginia, whereupon the Kevs. WiHiani S. Lacy, assisted by Uev. Samuel Findley of Kentucky, proceeded to organize tb>cui iu due fjrm, they taking the name cf the \Vaverly Church, bv -which name the church was known until 1S55, when the name was changed to that of Ashle}" Old School Presbyterian Church. Soon after the organization, th.o congregation built a hewed log house in the woods altont thi'ce miles southeast of Ashley, and although they were nr.abie to complete the house tliey continued to use it for a house of worship lor a number of years and they finally abandoned it, and moved to Louisville in Lincoln county, where they Lad services as often as they could ])rocure a minister, having at that time no regular supj^ly, iiev, J. B. Poage having taken up his residence in Ashie\' lSr)5, the presbytery of Palmyra, on his motion, authorized the removal of the place of worship to Ashley. Of those present at the organization, there is but one living, Mrs. Margaret J. (Kerr) Elmore. wln> lives about one and one-half miles west of Ashley, where she lived at that time, lit'ty-three years ago, and where she has continued to reside ever since. Of the eai'ly members of the church there is living at the present time Mrs. Martha i>. Allison, a sister of ]\[rs. LImore, wjio joined the church March 27, IS'^0; Mrs. ilary Oden, who joined Xov. 25, LS;)2, and-Mr. Osborne N. Coffee, who joined June 10, 1S32. The roll of membership contains the names of 276 persons who have been enrolled as members of this church. There are at this time about seventv-five members holdin:r connection with "the church. Pev. T. P. Walton is minister in charge at this writing. Ofricers: P. B. Pdl, S. S. Russell, J. C. Wells, and Dr. J. F. Hanna, rulb^g elders; and W. S. L"wry, AV. J. Sissoii, and A. D. Piggs. deacoiis. The congregation has a nice comraodious church building, built in 1S70 by the members and frie!)ds of the church and com}>leted witliout a dobar of indebtedness, iu which they have preaciiing regularly tw.> sabbaths in the month, sabbath school every Sunday, and prayer meeting oncc a week.

The buildinor in M-hicli they wori^Iiip was built in the summer of 184?, iiiiishcd during the following winter, opened fur public worship in ]\Iar(;h, 1S40, and was the lirst church building ever couiplctod in Ashley. It was builL on hind belonging to William Kerr, on the south >k\e of town ami by Jiiui deeded on March 20, 1659, to James AV. Thomas, IJobert Kiggs, Je?se llenton, John Ilenton, Xathan S. Gillum, and William llenton. tj-ustecs ot the M. E. Church S')nth, with the proviso, "'that when not occupied by tlieir ministei's or congregation, it should be free to the ministers and coniireo-ation of the M. E. Church, The house v,-as built mainly throu'di the efforts of William Kerr, the citizens generally contril)Uting liberally to assist him. For many years the church was used by all denominations, this seeming to be an era of peace and good will aniong Cliristians in Ash- Icy. The negroes having had the privilege, of assembling for worship in the church wiiile slaves naturally claimed tlie same privilege after they became free. For a time this privilege wa> granted tlicra, but complaint being made to the trustees that they were abusing the Ijouse and leaving it very dirty, they (the trustees) locked the door on them and refused to permit them to occupy the house. That portion of the colored people who held connection with the M, E. Church claimed the right to occu}>y the house under the pi'oviso of the uecd alluded to. This claim led to a contest between the parties in the circuit court, his honor Judge G. Porter su.staining their claim and restoring to them the right to worship in the church when not occupied by the M. E. Church South.

This decision swelled the hearts of the "darkies'' with joy aiui pride, in consequence of which they prayed louder and sang more lustily than ever before, feeling that the -- good Lord '' was on their side. This contest naturally gave rise to some bitterness of feeling between the litigants, and soon the house was closed by the afurenamed trustees or their successors for repairs. In making the necessary repairs a debt of some ff^300 was incurred, fur which the trustees gave a note secured by mortgage, as they were authorized to do by the teru:is of the deed. The house was again opened for worship and occupied as it formerly had been. In the meantime the liOie became due, the mortcjaire was foreclosed, the house sold under the mortgage and bought by John F. Wight, who had furnished the money to make the repairs, and the darkies were again turned out. The citizer>s being culled upon, responded liberally, and assisted the congregation of the M. E. Church South to pay Mr. Wight's debt, and he, by deed, bearing date August 22,

A. Strotber, Ivy Zuinwalt, JoJiii T. Morris, A. A. Newlaiicl, and James J I. Wivrbt, trustees of the M. E. Church South. Since that time tliev have been dwelling in ])e}v,;e ^vith no shadow crossing tlieir patli, and no!ie b, molest or make them afraid, for v.-bich tlicj. too, tlmuk the <^uod Lord, . ,

Perhaps no chnich in tlie country enjoys a more romantic lustory tlum tliat of" Old Siloam," as it is now familiarly termed to distin^^uish it from two other churches, both of more recent date and both having sprung from the same source.

The church edifice was a "meeting-honse" that stood on lands then owned by James Moore, near where the Holliday brothers now reside, ])e. tween Hartford and Ashley. Those who worshiped here were known as United Baptists, and the congregation at first included a number of Christians (Campbellitcs). This v\-as more tlian a decade before the separation took place between M-hat are now known as the Regular ]Ja}>t)sts and the Missionary Baptists.

Materials are still at hand for an authentic history of this chnrcli as far back as 1S32, the date of the oldest records now extant, and which were carefully examined recently at the house of Moses Farmer in Indian township, who is their custodian. These records do not, however, furnisli any clew to the date of the organization, or to the authorities that officiated. Rev. W. Davis, an aged minister of the Regular Baptist Church, residing in Ashley, thinks that Darius Bembridge and Davis Biggs were the officials in question. The oldest minutes on record have the signature of Davis Biggs as moderator, which goes to corroborate the stateujent, as the church certainly does not long antedate the year 1S32, and hence Davis Biggs Nvas likely present at the organization.

"The church njet, and after consultation agree that, as many difficulties have arisen among us, principally from what we call Campbellism, we agree to separate ourselves from thof^e members who have embraced those views, and agree to live together as a church at Siloarn meeting-house ijnder our

Minhteia. - The church remained under the care of Elder D. B'gg? "iitil May, 1£35, when Elder Ephraim Davis was called to the pastoral care of the clnirch. lie remained in oliarge until September, 1837, when Elder W. l)avis, now of Ashley, assumed pastoral control and has ever since sustained the same relation to what is known as the Ke^ular or ('Id School Bapiists. On account of the infirmities of age the preaching is now mainly done by voniii^er njcn laboring under liis sn))ervision. This was the congregation that now worships at the Siloam church, and is the third of the same name.

Jlectintj house. - For aught we know the '' meeting-honso'' mentioned )nay have been a private residence, biit Ubcd foi' charcii purposes, for the records describe a cluirch wliose erection was contemplated in 1845. It was to "be -iOxL^O, walls eight logs above the floor." The trustees to superintend the building were Willis 11. Brown, L. Moore. James Moore, and John South.

It was in September, 1S3S, that Amos Beck was ordained. Two years later the difficulties began tliat resulted in a permanent division of the church. About this time occurred the uu':^erem.onious salutation that Amos Beck received from the owner of the ground, who, though not a church member, v/as bent on controlling the premises, with the church erected tliereou, in the iiitercsts of the Missionary Baptists. Litigation even ensued, and iinally, through defect in tlie title to the land, or for some otlier reason the Begular Baptists lost control.

The Division. - In the sjiring of 1840 the permanent division of the church took place, and ever since each branch has perpetuated a separate aTid independent organization. At this time Siloam, Spencer's Creek, Bethlehem, and Bryant's Chdrches withdrew from the Salt Biver xVssociation, on account of dill'erences touching missions, etc.

Lest, unwittingl}', injustice might be done to either branch of the origin.a) churcli we w'M (|uote the language of the iTcord as to the points of dissent, which is as follows:

" Whekkas, It is with deep regret and heartfelt sorrow that we have witnessed the great strides that are being made by the various religious denominations in the world to introduce into the church innovations which are calculated to alarm the true followers of the meek and lowly Jesus, inasmuch as they are not authorized by Holy Writ a.'^ a cliurch apjiendage. They come to us in the shape of societies by the following names, to-wit: Temperance, Missionary, Tract, Sunday-Schools, Abolitionist, and various others out of which we have no hesitation in believing will grow materials calculated in their nature to sap the foundations of our civil and religious liberties.* * Therefore,

Salt Kivcr Association on tlic j?ul»ject above recited, and tlierctbre it is nut laiown who is for or against these things, we would respectfully and in the Ikinds of love invite nil oar sister churches comj.iosing that body to fake u]) tiie subject and exrnnine it, aiul if they i'eel to foster the seeds of discord and confusion we shall have to h.tj)arate, but we hope better tilings of our brethren. * * * s ,^

The above, together with other resolutions of similar import in the form of a letter, \\ere sent to the several churches of the Salt liiver Associatioji, and their provisions were rejected by all the churches save the three already Dientioned, which, in connection with that of Siloaui, formed themselves into the (Cnivre) Siloam Association of Itegular Baptists.

The Siloam Church now, as go\'erned by the majority, haviiig withdrawn from the association, and a number of nienjbei-s still refusing to sever their connection with it, complaint was made in September, 1840, by Elder Amos Beck.

This matter caine before the church in the following October for trial and resulted in the excommunication of fourteen members, who for a time maintained Lhemselvcs '- on original gi'ound -' as the Siloam Chnrch, according to their view of the matter, and finally formed the nucleus in 1851, of the Missionary Baj^tist Church called Indian Creek.

For the present we take leave of this wing" of the chui'ch to follow the fortunes of the ilegular Baptists, who, upon losing the old Siloam building and the grounds on which it stood, took with them the "church book," "articles of faith,'' and "rules of decorum," determined to build tliem.- selves anotlier Siloam. and there preach and defend the old faith.

7Vs early as 1843 arrangements were made for a log meeting-house on the waters of JN'orth Cuivre, on the left side of the road leading from Ashley to New Hartford, but a few rods from the point at which the road crosses the stream. 'J"he orounds havinoj been secured, an arbor for summer use was cccted on them pending the building of the edifice in contemplation. Some of the older settlers still have a vivid recollection of the meetings held under the branches of trees that screened them from the scorching sun.

The house provided for was soon built and used for many years. It was described as a quaint building, having in one corner an inclosure for the colored peo])le with a suitable entrance for them exclusively. The logs that once enclosed this sacred spot are still doing duty in Ashley, and constitute the walls of the church for the colored j»eople that stands near tlic Union Church.

April ineetitig of 1S64 W. M. Jones and Peter L. Branstetter were set apart to the ministry by a presbytory cofnposed of Elders W. Davis, W. Priest, aad T. V. Tvodgevs. The church has at this time perhaps no more nnconij)romising defender of the old faith and order than Peter L. Branstetter, and it was thiongh his kindly assistance that access was had to the records witliout which this sketch coidd not have been pre].)ared.

built in ISf'S, and stands in Ashley township though near the Hartford j township line. It is a structure of 46x82 feet and cost about ^1,000. Elder

It now becomes our duty to revert to tliat remnant of the original Siloam j that remained at the old site after they had been deprived of the church \ book, articles of faith, etc., or to that ])art of this old church that, accord- ] iug to the minutes of the liegular Baptists, had been excommunicated. j

Notwithstanding all these perplexities, they claimed not only- to be a -i church, but the original Siloam church, remaining " on original ground " in | every sense of that word. They liad, as they claimed, neither left the old i premises nor discarded the old faith and remained within the pale of the I Salt fiiver Association. According to their own account, as found in the ] minutes kept from 1840, it was while Elder William Davis was preaching ] - about the year 1S41 - that the noted controversy arose that resulted in ]

The controversy arose from grave diflerenees of opinion touching methods of church work and especially in regard to the subject of missions. It was, therefore, with respect to the sul)ject of missions that Ilev. Davis mainly took exceptions, and as he had a strong following, and was very decided in his convictions as to the path of duty, he proposed that -'said church would leave the. Salt River Association, alleging that said association had gone into the missionary system, etc." Such is tlic language of the oldest record of the missionary wing of th.e ciiurch, from which we learn that this propo- sition was vi'ojoronsly opposed hy a large number who *' maintained that said association remained on oric;inal ground," and therefore refused to leave thn association, taking the ])ositiun that thej were properly the Siloam churcli even after the seceding wing - styled Regular }'lai)tist6 - had carried awav with them the church book, confession of faith, and rules of decorum, all t.f wliich, in the language of the record, "we tliink fully belong to us, and to which we fully subscribe, vet we arc drawn to the necessity of adopting the following articles of faith and rules of decorum," which the minutes show to liave belonged to ''The United IJaptist Church of ]]uck Eun. Kentucky."

Of this church the following names appear as the constituent members: Samuel Parsons and Lucy Parsons, Levi Moore and Xancy Moore, Barzel Itiggs and Eliza Piggs, Samuel Cruther, Mary Lovelace, Elizabeth Keith, Sarah Keith, Elizabeth B. Morris, Phody Crow, Xancy Griintli, Sister E. -Keith, James Moore, L. C. Mick, Peuben (a black man), Pachel (a black woman), Elizabeth A, Dismukes, Joseph Dismukes, George Hughs and Martha Hughs, Lewis Strader and Mary Stradei". Accessions 'in 1843: Permelia H. Keith, Matilda E. Putlierford, Harmon Hawkins, Thomas Kutherford. Accessioiis in 1844: H. G. Edwards, K. H. Johnson and wife, John Sisson and wife.

In 1842 J^. C. Alusick oc.-'.asionally preached, and Parzel Piggs was the regular clerk, whose minutes show that Pev, A. D. Landram was at this time called to preach, and accepted at a salary of $25 per annum. Services with more or less regularity were continued until September 20, 1851, when was constituted at a meeting held for this purpose at the school-house of the Union district, township 51, range 3, west, in Hartford township. At this organization Walter McQuie officiated, and in order to distinguish it from other churches the above aj'p.ellation was adopted. Of this new church the following were' the constituent members: Rev. Lewis Duncan, Thomas Weatherford, Levi Moore, James Shaw, Kobert Shaw, Harriet Duncan, Kancy Moore, Matilda Weatherford, Julia Ana Shaw, Catharine Shaw and Marijaret Peeds. ,

This excellent institution of learning is located in the village of Ashley, but its sphere of usefulness is nut circaniscril)ed by tlic bounduries of the county or even of those of the state. Its pupils have gone abroad and into uiauv states of tlie Union, and by virtue of tlieir tcholastic attalnnicurs, and Cliristian culture, become valuable members of the oomuiuniLy. It is not too much to say that this seminary has its representatives in California, Texos, Arkansas, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Colorado, Kentucky, and other states.. To those states as well as its owii it has furnished ministers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and editors, to say nothing of its host of intelligent men and women in the humbler, though not less houornble, walks of private life. The foundations of this school were laid by the will of Samuel Watson and the following charter:

''And I further give and bequeath the sum of five hundred dollars for the purpose of supporting her free from any public charge, shonld she live to become too old and iniirm to support herself. The said sum of 8500 to be paid into the treasury of said county of Pike, under the direction of the county court of said county.

"And it is lurtherraore my will aud desire that after the death of said Esther two hundred dollars of the said sum be set apart, and the same is hereby bequeathed to the said county of Pike for the purpose of supporting a free school for the poor of said county.

''FijVdy~l give and bequeath to said county of Pike, the further sum of one hundred dollars for the purpose of supporting a free school for the poor of said county, and direct my executor to pay the same into the county treasury of said county u;ider the direction of the county court. This with the before mentioFied sum of two hundred dollars making the entire sura of three hundred dollars for the support of a free school for the poor, it is my will and desire shall be loaned under the direction of the county court of said county, and the interest to be added to the principal from yeai' to year until there shall be some legal j)rovision for free schools in this state, and whenever a free school shall be established in said county by law then it is my will an.i desire that the interest which may thereafter acci-ue on the sum total of principal and interest, up to tlie time of establishing such school, shall be annually appropriated towards defraying the expenses of said public school, rescrvioi: the s:\id three hundred doHars, atjd the intercut that may has'e accrued thereon, before the establishuient of such public free school, Hi a pormanerit fund.

" Section 1. A. school is hereby established in the county of Pike by tlie name of tlio 'Watson Seminary,' in lionor of Samuel Watson, deceased, of said county, the directors of which, M'hen selected as liercinafter rec^uircd, are hereby coustituied a l>ody politic and corjiorate with all the |)o\vers of a corporation; and as such may sue and be sued, have a common seal, and such property, real and personal, as may be necessary and proper to etfect the purpose of its creation, under the name and styleof 'AYatsou Seminary.'

" Si:g. 2. 'j'he pvinci]>al ami interest of the fund donated by the said Sainuel Watson, now under the control of the said county of Pike, shall be, and the same is hereby declared to be, a ])ermanent fund for the suppoi't of said sem_inar\', and in addition thereto the amount of fines now in the treasury of said county, atid all moneys that may hereafter accrue to said county by way of line, penalty, or I'orl'eiture, whicli shall be paid into the treasury of said county, as the same is paid in, shall be added to and become a part of said fund, and the wliole shall be loaned out as the 'Watson Fund ' of said county is now Leaned out, under the direction of the said couTity court, in sums of not less than one hundred dollars, the borrowers being solvent men, and reijuired to give at least three good securities, and to pay annually an interest not exceeding ten per cent for the use of the same.

*' Sfo. 3. The bond; given by the borrowers of ssiid fund shall be in the same form and payable at the same time, as is required by the general lavv in relation to township school moneys; and the county court shall have the same pov,er to enforce the collection of the principal and to have the said bonds well secured as they have by the provisions of the law.

"Sec. 4. The county of Pike is hereby authorized to borrow, for county purj)0ses, tlie amount r.ow in the treasury of said county on account of Hues, penalties, and forfeitures, and whatever amount may h.creaftcr be paid in on the same acc':>unt, the county j>aying initM-est as an individual borrower.

'- S5:c. 5. No part of the Watson Fund above constituted, by the provisions of the second section of this act, shall be appropriated for any purpose whatever until, from the accumulation of interest thereon, and the payment of fines, penalties, and forfeiture:-, the whole fund shall amount to the sum of 82.000.

"Skc. 6. WlifMi the ruiul shall reach the siiiu of 8-,00L), it shall be the dutv ot" the couoty court of Pike county to p:ivc public notice, by advertisement, that said seminary wiil be established at ?.uch phice in 8;dd county as will contribute, or ])rocnre. the largest donations in money, or real estate, for tlic erection oi' buildings i'or said seminar}', and for establishing and pmchasing a library and suitable apparatus for the same, and which may in other respects be most advaiitageous for the location of said seminary. Said subscriptions sliall designate the ]>lace where said seminary is to be located, and the amounts subscribed shall be secured to the satisfaction of the county court, and made payable to the county of Pike, and liled in the office of the clerk of the county court. .

"Skc. T. At the term of the county court of the county of Pike held next after the publication of the advertisement above mentioned, the said court shall appoint not less than three nor more than live commissioners, residents of one or more of the adjoining counties, %vho shall meet on a day fixed by said court, at the court-house in Pike county, and examine said subscriptions, and shall fix upon the location of the said Watson Seminary at the place having tlie largest subscription in value in the o])inion of said commissioners, and possessing the greatest advaniages for the permanent location of said school. The said commissioners shall file a report, in writing, of their proceedings with the clerk of said county court, and the place designated by a majority of said commissiotiers in their report, shall be the permanent loci'tion of said AYatson Senjinary. . , '

"Sec. 8. So soon as tlie said seminary shall be permanently located, it shall be the duty of the county clerk to appoint nine directors, resident householders of the county, five of whom may be in the immediate vicinity of said seminary, who shall have tl'e management of the same, receive property for the use of said school, appoint teachers, ])urchase a site for buildings, contract for their ei-ection, and from time to time n)ake rules and regulations ior tlie government of the schools and the board, and for the management of the property belonging to the said seminary; but they shall contract no liability- nor contract any debt which will encroach U{)on the principal of the fund, nor shall they approriate the accruing interest or any part thereof, to any other purpose than tlie })aymeut of teachers' wages.

'-Sp:c. 9. At the first term of the county court, after the necessary buildings are completed and the scliool is in o7)eration, the county court shall draw their warrant upon the county treasurer for the amount of interest due for the preceding year, in favor of such officers as may be appointed for that purpose by the board of directors, and the same shall be done annually thereafter. '^

'-' Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the board of directors from time to timo to examine into the securities and other evidences of debt belonging to said Watson fund, and nolilj the cunrt of tlie necessity of requiring additional security, or of t])cir enforcing the payment of interest in aircars; and nodi, rector shall borrow from said fund directly or indirectly.

"Sec. 11. The diroctcrs shall appoint such oliicers as may be necessary, and shall till all vacancies which may occur in their body by removal, resifnation, or otlierwise.

" Sec. 12. Tlie directors shall biennially make a report to tlie superintendent of common schools, of the condition of said seminary, stating the number and ages of pnjdls, the branches studied, the price of tuition, the amount received from interest «>n the fund as wull as from pnpils, and anv other iiiformation calculated to shov%' the condition of said school, also the propertv held by said seminary, and the amount of its indebtedness.

'* Sec. 13. All the interest accruing npon the fund donated by the said Samuel Watson, at the time of the appointment of said directors, shall be appropriate*! towards the education of any indigent youttis in said county of Fike <vho m^y t'pp'y for ihe benelit of the same; and it shall be the duty of said board to have them educated at said seminary without charge of tuition, use of room, or any aj>paratas that may belong to said school.

"Sec. 14. The board shall adopt some plan by which selection can be made from said applicants for the benefit of this portion of the fund, and 3 by which the nuinber of the beneficiaries may be limited according to the annual interest accruing upon the same.

"Sec. 15. It shall be the duty of the board to make provision for tlie selection of any young men of good moral character, and industrious habits, and residents of the county, not- exceeding ten in any one year, who may attend said seminary free of charge: Procidtd, the said young men will give satisfactory assurance to said board that they will teach in some primary or common schools in the county, or state, at least one year after he or they have lett the seminary: Provid'il^ further^ that no such student shall continue longer than two sciiolastic years at said seminary 'on such terms, nor shall any such young men under the age of si.xteen years be taken into said seminary upon ttie terms prescribed in this section.

"Sec. IB. The board of directors shall ])rescribe the branches of learning which shall be taught, tix the prices of tuition for such students as do not attend under the provision of any one of the last three preceding sections, receive any donation of maps, books, or other property for the use oi said school, and carefully preserve the same, and kee_p a minute of their proceedings.

"Sec. it. Tiie fiuos, ])enalties, and forfeitures accruinc: to said county of Pike, after the ori^^anization of said seminary, sliali still ])e paid into the county treasury, tx:\d be apj-licd to ti;e increase of said yiennanent fund.

"Sf.c. is. An act. entitled ' An act to establisli tlje A^atson Free School,' approved February 23, 1S43, is hereby repealed, as arc all other acts and parts of acts inconsistent the pro\isions of this act.

The order of the county court advertising for bids (see section six of cliarter) was printed in the Northeast Jlissourian, and dated August 11, 1S53. On the seventh day of oSoveniber, 1S53, tlie citizesis of Bowling Green and vicii\ity, arid A^hle}" and vicinity, each filed sul»scriptions. Bowling Green's being ^3,000 in money and the old seminary building, valued at 8500; and Ashley's 8^,375 in money and four ac.i-es of land valued at s400. Thus Ashley was the successful bidder and obtained the Ljcation.

Locatloji. - xlt the February term of the county court of 185-4 commissioners were appointed by the court to examine subscriptions, site, etc. (see section seven of charter), and in accordance with their i-eport AVatson Seminary was located at Ashley.

Directors. - At the same term of the court the followin£r ffeutlemen were appointed as the tirst board of directors: "W. A. Harris, Simeon V. Eobinson, John McCormick, Joshua Sylvester, Samuel F. Murray, Dr. John C. "Weirourn, Peter Carr, Samuel jST. Purse, and Philander Draper.

The county court by its order of June 0, 1S54, turned over the subscription paper to this board of directors for collection. The board organized February 4, 1854, by electing John McCormick, president, Joshua Sylvester, secretary; and accepted the site for the building, rendered by Lemuel M. Wells in his subscription. The buildinj; was let to contract Se})te]uber 4, 1854, Conrad Smith, of Louisiana, obtaining the contract.

rrlacrpo.h. - The board elected Pev. J.. B. Poage as principal, October 25, 1S54, to take charge of the semfnary from first Tuesday in April, 1S55, when school was to open. This positi«ui he held until June, ISGO. On the 11th day of June, 1860. the board elected Prof. John A. McAfte. one of the first pupils of the seminary, and afterwards a graduate of Westminster College, Fulton, ^Missouri, as principal for a term of five yearc. At the expiration of this time he v.as re-elected and served until June, 1807, when he resigned. Rev. B. D. Thomas was, on the 24th of September, lSt)7, elected as princij.al fur a period of five years, but tendered his resignation June 20, 1S6S, which was accepted. Prof. Joseph C. Waikina was elected principal Au^iiPt 31, 1SG8, for a term of one year, but by re-election 1,( remuined at tlie head of the scliool nntil Juno, ISSl, M-hen be tendorod 1j1 resignation. On tbe 21 = 1 of Jnne, IS.Sl, the board elected the presenl iti. cumbent, Prof. J. J). Blanton, as principal for a term of live years, {.'n \ 13. is an accom]>lished scholar and a genial gentleman, and is in the vigor ..-, young manhood. Under his management the school promises to sustai:: the excellent ropntation that it has achieved in the past.

JJti'jaf/on. - The legislature of ]V[i?sonri having attempted by tlie passaii, of various acts at diiierent times to so alter, anjcnd, and repeal the chartrr as to withhold the lines, forfeitures, and penalties accruing in the county from Watson Seminary, and also to change tlie mode of electing the direct ors, etc., and the county coiirt withholding said lines, etc., in obedience t.^ said acts, compelled the board of directors to resort to the courts for redress. A suit was brought in the circuit court of Pike county before Judge G. Porter, and tried at tlie Mnroh term of ISTi, resulting in favor of the seminary. The committee to which this business was referred made the following report:

"Your committee appointed for the purpose of instituting proceedings to test the legality of the act of the legislature, repealing that part of our charter placing all the fines, forfeitures, and penalties accruing in the county of Pike in the Watson Fund, would respectfully report that we employed Elijah Pobinson, Esq., to take charge of the case, and that upon his motion the case was argued before his honor Judge G. Porter, at the March term of 1871 of the Pike county circuit court, and resulted in the court granting a writ of peremptory mandamus requiring the county court to return to tliC Watson Fund all the fines, forfeitures, and penalties that have accrued since the repeal of our charter and now placed to the credit of the couuty permanent school fund. .

The county court again withholding the fines, etc., in obedience to another act passed by the legislature, from the Watson Fund, another suit w;;s biought and tried in the circuit court of Kails county in May, lSS-2, before Judge Bruce^ and again decided in favor of Watson Seminary.

St. Clement

Thio qnaint little village is located on the gravel road leading from IJowiiiii:; Green to Ashley. It? distance from tlie lalicr town i.s about two tuile.<5. At thit^ time there arc Iiere congregated about fifty families of (Jermanic extraction and of the Catholic faith. Originally these catnc from' the prorinees of Hanover and V/cstplialia in Pru.ssia, bringing with them tjie religion, language, habits, and customs of their ancestors. To perpetuate these, as they have a right to do in free America, they have built a church and established a school, both of which are well supported for a town of its population. A number of lots have been laid out and sold to persons who contemplate the erection of buildings on them in the near future. The beautiful prairie in which the village is so snugly nc-tled aflbrds ample room for the growth of the town.

The very first who were attracted to this tine location were Clement Grate and William Klumpe, wlio, in 1870, bought 1,000 acre.s of land and commenced farming in partnersliip. Tiie first fainily consisted of the husband, \vife, and three sons - Clement, Ileury, and Joseph; and three daufh- '^i ters - Christina, Caroline, and Mary. The second family had OTie daughter, -;' Maggie. During the same year came Herman Deters and their son Georo-e; i Theodore .rohnsou and wife, and their son IJernard; Henry Albers and wife \ and their daughter Mary ; Henry Brockland and wife. The last two families \ did not, however, long remain. In ISTl came Joseph Wilmes and wife. i and two sons and two daughters; in IS 72 Mrs. Maggie Linhoff and son | Frank, aiid step-son Hermann Bushman; Godfried Greve and wife, and son | Frederick. In 1873 came Henry Bimslager and wife. Subsequently these were joined by Ernest Pohlmann, Henry Grote and wife and two sons, Joseph Grote and wife and son Clement, George Koster and wife and two children - George and Annie. - ' " is a brick structure, costing about $2,000, well furnished, having two altars, a statue of the Blessed Virgin, one of St. Clement, and seating capacity of about 700. This church was built in 1S73, ^lessrs. Grote and Klumpe being the principal promoters of the enterprise. At first the services were irregular, there being no stationed priest. The first regular pastor stationed was Charles Brokmeir, who came on the 16th of November, 1SS2, and has since tiiat time performed the priestly functions. This official was born in Germany, in the province of Westj)halia, where he spent nirie years at the gymnasium, coming to New York in 1S75, and finishing his theological \ studies at St. Francis Seminary, Mihvaukee, Wisconsin, in ISSO, when he was ordained and stationed for two years at St. Nichohis Church, St. Luiii.-, Missouri, from which he came t(^ this place. J lis con^^i-egation is reguUir and constantly incrcasino:. «

- was opened about six years ago. Tiie branches taught are those usually found in our })ub]ic schools, sup})leinented by the catecliisrn and other works peculiar to tlic church. At present about forty pupils are in attendance under the management of the priest. The school-bouse is a neat little frame building, erected about two years ago.

James A. Barbee. This gentleman, the son of Eratcher B. and Adaline (James) Barbee, was born in Kentucky December 25, lSl!4. Ris parents were natives of i-'auquier county, Virginia, from which state they moved to Kentucky, and afterwards, in 1S34, they came with their children to Pike county and settled in Cuivre township. Here he continued to reside until 1815, when he removed to Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where he lived until 1S63, when he again settled in Pike county, Mr. Barbee lost his first wife in J3ecember, 1^2S, by whom he had three children, James xV., May P., and William C. l^arbi-e. Some time after Mrs. Barbee's death herlmsband was again married, this time to his wife's sister, Hannah James, by whom he had one child, Adaline. Mr. Barbee lived for some years with his sous James A. and William, after his return from Wisconsin. He worked for many years at the trad-e of the shoemaker. He was very industrious and was always employed. He was also fond of hunting, and was an expert with the rltie. Hu was generous to a fault, upright in his dealings, and a tirm believer in the doctrines of Christianity. James A. Bat-bee. the son of the above and the subject of this sketch, was reared a farmer, and received such an education as the schools of the country at that time atforded. For be- tweuii two and three years be was engas^ed in lead mininf]^ near Galena, IIjinoi.-, goinjr there in 18-iG. In 1S50 he wont to California in company with McPike and Struther, wiit-re he remained for about fonr years, engaged in inininir, in busiiiess he was fairly successful, lie returned home in lSr>0, when, in company with Mr. Sisson, he built a taw and grist-mill on Cnivre Kiver. lie was engaged here but one year, when he sold out and went into the vstock busine>s, and for somg three years he braight and sold upon a large scah.'. In 1?50 he bought liis present home, a place containing fifty-eiglit acres, which he lias since finely improved. lie was married Juuuary 22, ISGO, to Miss Virginia A. Morris, daughter of John T. and Eniilv A. Morris, of tiiis county, but formerly of Virginia. ]\Ir. Barbee is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and liis wife of the M. E. Church South. 4

December 13, 1854, to Miss Margaret M. Barnett, daughter of Hobert Barnett, Jr., a pioneer well known in this county and for a long time a man of considerable local proniinence. Prom this union there were two children, both sons, Charles and Ilobert. Mr. Barnett lust his wife in 1859 and was married the second time, Xovember 29, 1864r, to Sallie H. Barnett, sister of his first wife. This union has been blessed with two children, one son, Fraidc, and one daughter, Fanny, the latter now dead. Mr. Barnett has a 5 fectiouer. In August, 1881. he moved to Ashley and went into the livery } business, iu which avocation he continues at this time. His genial manners

P. K. Boll, the son of John T. and Grace (Lnckey) Eoll, is; a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky, wheit; he was born October 12, iSlii. Mr. I'ell was reared in JStanford county and received but a limited school education, though he became, when but a young man, well acquainted with men and things, Wheii but fourteen years old he entered the store of J. B. and M, Camden, wliere he worked some four years and acquired that knowledge of business v.diich has j)roven of such large advantage in his sabser[nent life. On the 12th day of October, 1S30, he came to Pike county and settled near the town of Ashley, but in the spring of 1S32 he enlisted in Captain Mace's company as a soldier in the Black Hawk War. In the spring of 1833 he eniraged in selling; ffoods in the town of Bowlinfr Green, in which place there were then but three stores, including his own. fie continued to merchandise here until 1839, wlien he began to handle produce and to buy and sell stock, in which avocation he continued for some time. Mr. Hell was married May 1, 18-12, to Miss Martha Robinson, of this county, but formerly of Wythe county, Virginia, and soon thereafter again settled near the town of Ashley. In 1850 he bought the first thoi-ough-bred Durham cattle ever owned in Pike county, paying seven hundred dollars for three head, and being frequently told by his friends that his investments were ruinous and must soon succeed in bankrupting him. His stock, huwever, soon became very popular, as they took all the ]tremiums in their chiss wherever shown - his Dakc of Indiana recei%ing no less tljau five first premiums at the St. Louis lairs, and hence a demand was made fur his cattle, which was alike protitable to him and largely advantageous to the people of the c<ninty. From this beginning may be traced the \ery excellent cattle for which Pike county is now so justly noted. At this time Mr. Pell resides in Ashley, where he has a splendid residence, furnished with much taste, and =urrounded by all the comforts and luxuries calculated to make life pleasant and happy. He has tvro children, Rebecca, now Mrs. J. W. Bryant; and Anna, now Mrs. J. P. P>lanton, whose husband is at tliis time superintendent of the normal school at Kirksville. Mr. Bell has a larrje farm of about six hundred acres near Ashley, where can be seen some of the best cattle in Pike county. Mr, Bell is a member of the O. S. Presbyterian Church, an elder in the same, a liberal contribuwr to it, and also a zealous friend and supporter of the cause of education and of all tliose inornl influences whose tundeiicies are the uphuilini^ of society and the true elevation of the individual members of Iiis race,

B. F. BirkluMid. Tlie subject of tliis sketch is a native of Virginia, born in Tyler county .May ]0, ls-25. His father, Abraham iiirkhead, was a native of jMar viand. Iiis mother, Rntli Wells, was born and reared in the "Old Dominion.-' Mr. Birkhead was t'lc seventh child of a family of ten children. His early life \\'as sjient on a firm and in the acquisition nf a common school education. In IS-i.j he came to Miss'juri and settled in Lincoln county, where he improved some wild lands, which he sold when he removed to Ashley, in 18i9. Mr. Birkhead was married May S, ISoiJ, to Miss L. G. Wells, dauy-hter of Benjamin and Mary Wells, of Ashley. '

In 1ST5 he moved to St. Charles county, where he lived, engaged in farming, until 1S63. In ISGi he went to Alton, Illinois, where he resided for a period of fifteo!) months, devoting his attention to mercantile pursuits. 1

J. D. Blailton. This young man was born in Cumberland county, Virginia, March tj, 161';'. He is the son of F. B. Bhinton., of the same county, and Eiiza Diel, the daughter of Rev. John Diel, of J!!sew York, and one of the first missionaries to the Sandwich Islands, where his daughter, Mrs. Eliza Diel Blanton, was born. Mr, and Mrs. F, B. Blanton had five children, of whom the subject of our sketch is the oldest. J. D. I;>lanton spent his youth in his native county preparing for college, and in 1870 he entered the sophomore class of the Hampden-Sidney College, of Prince Edward County, Virginia, Here he graduated in June, ISTO, with the highest honors of his class. He came to Missouri in October, 1879, and taught a district school the following winter in Audrain county. During the winter of 1880 he was pri!:ciprd of the Keytsville public school, in Chariton county, and in June, ISSl, was elected principal of"\Vatson Seminary at Ashley fur a term of five years. Since liis connt'Ction with the school it is said to have grown somewhat in ]>iiblic lavor. Mr. lilanton is a Mason and also arneniof the 0. S. rreahyterian Chnrcli.

>Si!nC0ll A. Bryant . THe sul^ject of this sketch is a native of "Kentucky, born in Garrett county June 21, 1S2S. When but two years old his ])arents left Kentucky and settled in Lincoln county, Missduri. In ISoT tliey left Lincoln county and located in Pike, wliere IMr. jhwant v.as reared and educated. Pie v.-as married November 14, ISO:?, to Miss Pet Crow, daughter of John Crow, deceased, one of the early pioneers of the connty, an outline of whose life is to be found among the biog-raphies of this tov.nshij). In 1856 our subject removeiJ Jo the town of Ashley, where for about eight years he followed the avocation of a merchant, lie returned to his farm in 1863, and has since continued to reside there. His farm is situated two and a half miles from Ashley, and contains 272 acres of rich and well improved land ^vh!ch yields annually a rich return for the labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Ihyant is a xeulous friend of th.e cause of education and to advance this interest in the community where he lives he several years since, in compaTiy with his brotlier Walter, started a private school of a high grade at his own residence. The school has proved a great success and it may be the initiation of other enterjii-iscs of like character and advantage. Mr. Bryant is a member of the Christian Church, an elder in the same, and a liberal contributor to every worthy demand of his church; he is also a member of Ashley Lodge No. 75, A. F. & A. M. He is well known all over Pike county, and is both respected and honored for his u{)rightness of character and real riioral worth.

Geoi'g;e Bi'yaut. This gentleman, a worthy member of a large and respectable family, was born in Pike county, December 2S, 1S37. Mr. Bryant, like most of the boys of his time, was reared on a farm, and his education partook of the character of the schools upon which he was forced to depend for instruction. During the war, with hundreds of other gallant young men, he es])oused the cause of the south and participated in quite a number of hard fought battles, among them Lexington-, Pea liidge, and Corinth in the state of Mississippi. At the battle of Pea Bidge he was struck by a ball and six of his teeth were knocked out. In 1805 he v/ent to California, where he remained one year, when he returned, and in 1S70 or 1S71 commenced to sell goods in Ashley. He is associated with his brother and togetlier they are doing a good and constantly increasing business. He v.-as married November 10, 1S06, to Miss Watkins of Kentucky. They have twu cliikli-en, Ikfary ]v. and Willie S. I^ryant. He is a mcml>er of tlic ^laponic order, also of the Knights of Honor, and is a consistent member of the Chi-isfian Clmrch.

W. S. Bryant, ^(.r. JJryant is a n;iti\'e of Gai'i'ard county, IContnclry, wiicrc lie was horn Xuvonb.T i'l, 1824. \V)icn but fourteen years of a^e, ]\Ir. jlryaut canie'to Pike county, and located at Clarksville, where lie remained for about live years working at tlie business of taiiorini;. He returned to Kentucky in 1S4G, but in 1852 he a_u;ain left the state and journeyed overl:ind to California, where he remained searching for gold fir abont eighteen months, when lie returned by shij), via Xicaraiigna. In 1S5G he went to Minnesota and engaged in the real estate business, lie assisted in laying out '-Mankota'' and -^' La Crescent,"' but did not remain long enough to 1

Calumet township. Edward and Catharine Bryant had eight children; viz., Margaret, Sarah. Potictice, Hcndley, Martha, "W. B., and C4eorge. The . - parents came to Missouri at an early day,, and settled near Prairieville, but very soon thereafter moved to Ashley townshijs, and located abont two miles east of the town of the sam.e name. Mr. Bryant's early life was spent on the farm where he v.as engaged in laboring during the greater portion of the year and attending the common county schools during a few months in the winter season. In 18^1 he abandoned the farm for the store but after a short time again engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is at this time, however, a member of th.e firm of George Bryant t*^' Brother, dealers in dry goods, groceries, etc., at Ashley, and are doing a iarge and prosperous business. The subject of our cketch v;as married in May, 1850, to Miss Mary Crow, daughter of John and Mary Crow, who were among the pioneers of Pike county. Six children have been born to Mr. and ]Mr&. "\V. B. Bryant, tliree of whom are living; viz., Mary C. Eveline, and John Bryant. Mrs.

James E. Cash. Tlie subject of tliis sketcb -tvas born in Pcno townthii, near the tovni of Frannford ;>n tlie 2Sth of July, 1S4S. H6 is the son of William and Emily (Holidayj Cash. When but five years of a:^e bis parents moved to Aehley township, \diere our subject was reared ard educated p-, cciving his insTruction at AVatson Seminary. In ISTO he engaged in the dry goods busin-ess in the city of Louisiana, ]>ut soon afterwards removed to Bowling Green, where lie continued the same business for some time wlicn he finally removed to Ashley, where he continues to reside and sttll engaire in ineroantilc pursuits with his father-in-law, ]\Ir. 3>. J. Bowen. Mr. Cash wa^ married in February, 1S72. to Miss Susannah Bowen. They have five children; viz., Edna M., Yerna B., Cora E., Tina, and a babe. Mr. Cash is a member of the Masonic order, a jovial gentleman, and has many friends.

James Ciiamberlain, Among the pioneers of Pike county may he mentioned the subject of this sketci.. He is a native of Kentuckv, aiid was born February S, 1812. He came to Pike county in 1S2S wliere he ha? since lived, and to the advancement of the interests of his adopted lioir.c has contributed much both by his labor and enterprise. His historv is similar to that of others who assisted in clearing away the heavy forests or preparing the virgin soil of the prairies for the rece})tion of the seed that was to produce the needful crops. He was n?arried in the fall of 1S35 to Miss Martha Wright of this county. This union was blessed with nine ehiidrei:. After llio death of his first wife he married Mrs. Cynthia Huirhlett. For several years lie resided near Xew Harmony. Since the death cf his last wife, in 1S7C, he has made his home with Mrs. Stafford. He is an earnest and zealous member of the Christian Church,

F. A. Cllilds. Mr. Childs was born in Fauquier countv, Yiroinia, on January 22, ISIO. He is tlie eldest son of a large family of children. His early life was spent working on his fatlier's farm and attending the neighborhood schools. He was married, September 20, 1S53, to Sarah Strotlier, ak-o a native of Virginia. Mr. Childs came to Pike county with his family ii! 1S65 and settled on the fai-m where he now resides, about two and a half miles from the town of Ashley. The farm contains two hundred acres v( valuable land, well improved and with indications of the energy and indns try of its o^\lJer everywhere disjdayed. !Mr. Childs has a family of seven children who, like himself, are active and energetic, and desirous of doing something for tbemselves and those depcudcnt npon them. Mr. Cbilds cannot be chis-sed as an old settler, but has been hero lon^ enou£^h to become well acquainted with the people of the county, wlio hold him iu high cstecui for his many very excellent qualities.

Samuel Coi'bitt. This gentleman is of Scotch-Irish extraction and was born in Donciral county, Ireland, on duly 4, ISIS. When ho was fir'tcon vears of age his parents cnme to America and settled in Tyler county, Virginia, where our subject attained to manliood M'orkini^ upon a farm and attending the common district schools of the country. He was married, March 10, lS-li>, to Miss ^lavy A. Russell of Tyler county, Virginia. In 1S5T they came to Missouri and settled within about two miles of the tov^-n of Ashley, wliere he contiiiued to reside for twenty-tl»ur years. During the war he was taken prisoner b\ the Confederates, and was forced to take the oath not to again take up arms against the south, after which he ';vas permitted to return to his home. Mr. and Mrs. Corbitt are the parents of seven children; viz., Joshua, Josejihine, Susan, Kate, Eveline, Robei-t, and Francis. Mr. Corbitt is a meujber of the O. S, Presbyterian Church. lie is regarded as an honest, upright man, and lias the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and acquaintances.

John Crow (deceased). Among the early settlers of Ashley township none were better knov\-n or nioie higlily respected thar) the subject of this sketch. Born in Mercer county, Iventncky, in March, 1792, he spent his youth on a farm, receivinc-- such instruction at the schools of the countv as vvas common iu the times in which he lived. Before he had attained his maji.iity, in October, ISl:^, he was married to Miss Polly Little of the same county with himself, and who survives her husband, and is one of tlie very oldest ladies non- living in Pike county. Air. Crow enlisted and took an active part in the ^V^<ll- of 1S12. His services were recognized by the government, and during his life he received a pension for the service rendered, and since Ills death Mrs. Crow receives the same as the widow of a soldier of the War of 1812. In 1S13 Mr. Crow's family removed to Davis county, where they lived until 1621, when they came to ]\[issouri, first settling in Boone county, Ns'here tliey st;'.yed but twelve months, when they removed to Pike and settled on a IVirm near the site of the present town of Ashley. At this time there were but few settlers, neighbors were few, and the improvements meager and p'>or. Mr. Crow built the customary log-cabin in whicli they contrived to summer, without either window or door. Louisiana was at this time the trading point for this settlement, and for even th.e smallest article the settlers vreru compelled to travel twenty miles. At Mr.

Crow's cabin was held the first religions exercises in the neigbborliocl. llf-, . Jamc3 W. Oduipbell occasioiuilly preaching there by appointment. ^Mp. Crow was auioiig tlie first to agitate the question of bnihJing a cliureh. an-i to his zeal and energy muoli of the early interest cxhibitf-cl in both eiinc;ttional and religious njatter.-? is to be atcriVnited. He w&< a man of fren',- energy and acti\-ityj and by iiis efforts and j^ersevei'ance he succeeded i-i acqniring a good pro]ierty. Air. Crow was tlie fatlier of eight cliildreit, six of whom are still living, and are recognized as good and worthy citizens in the several communities in Avhich they reside. Mr. Crow died July 11, 1ST4, leaving not onh' his own family, but a large circle of neighbors and friends to mourn his loss. His wile still survives, but she, too, must ere long fill into tlic tomb, v/here, together, like weary travelers on tiioir \va,y to Jeru>:ilem, they Uiay rest until the trumpet of the archangel shall summon theiu to judgment and to an inim.ortality of happiness and joy.

Martin (^'row. This gentleman, a nati\e of Davis county, Kentucky, was born Juh' 11, 1820. He is the son of James and lihoda (Stemmons) Crow, both of whom were born in Mercer ('now Boyle) coun.ty, Kentucky, and not far from the town of Danville. James Crow was born July 1, 17SS, and Khoda Stemmons March 25, 1792; they were married October 25, IblU. Their union was blessed vrith live children, three daughters and two sons; viz., Xancy, Harriet, Sarah, Jacob, and Martin, the subject of tliis sketch. James Crow died August 31, 1822, in Davis county, Kentucky, and in 1S27 his widow, in company with her brother-in-law, Walter Crow, came to Pike county, making the entire trip from Kentucky here on horseback, to look at these wild western lands, and to determine wliether or not she thought it best to move her family to Missouri. They finally determined to settle in Pike county, and here she lived happily with her children until 18S1, whcji she quietly passed away. Martin Crow, our subject, was reared upon the farm upon which he nov; resides, and early imbibed those industrious hal>- its which liave been of incalculable advantage to him in subsequent lite. His education was limited; but what he lacked in the knowledge of books, was amply made up for by his acquaintance with the business ways of the world, and the knowledge he possessed of men and things. In the spriiiiT of 1850 he made an overland trip to California in company with his nndo, "Walter Crow, taking out a drove of cattle intended f:»r that far western market. He caine home in 1852, returning by way of >sew Orleans, and entered with new zest upon the duties of the farmer. Mr. Crow was marriea October IS, 15.55, to A[i-s Louisa Hendrick, daughter of the late Moses Hendrick, of Cov,dinii Green. Seven children have blcosed tliis union; viz..

Kinma i)., Henry Eilward E., John S., Sally ]\[., Ora 11, .'aid Lowell K. (h-osv, all of whom are living. Mr. Crow Jias a iiiaonificent farm of 730 acres of laiul, which is in a high state of eiiltivalion, with cxcollont improvements, and which, is made hy good management and judicious enlti- Viitlon to yield laigc returns fur the lahor bestowed upon it. Mr. Grow is a oQod manager, and an euterjirising citizen, and is justly classed among the solid and sub>tantial mun of the county. .

Elmore, of Welsh origin, who lived in Maryland. Benjamin, father of Free- ,} man P., was married to Mary Cobb January 24-, 1811. They arrived in Pike 1

Missouri. i\e was a zealous worker in the cause of education and relifion. He died February 1, 1853. After his death the widowed mother and six chil- I

In ISlGRobei't Orr and iamily moved to Lincoln county, Missouri, and in " | 1818 came to Pike county. They were the parents of nine children. J. L, Elmore, our subject, was born October 13, 1813, in Lawrence county, Missouri. "Wlien he was ten years of age his parents mo\ed to Lafayette county, where his father died, when the mother and children came to Ashley. He was reared in Ashley, received his educati(>n at Watson Semi- ' nary, being the first scholar on the fir.-t day of the opening of the school. In j 1879 he engaged in merchandising with Orr, Grigg i!c Co., he being one of the firm for three years, when he sold his interest ar.d engaged in the same business with B. J. Bowen, at Ashley, and was in business with ^[r. F>oweu for live years, when he sold his interest and engaged in business by liimself for two years, until January, 1882. In March, 1882, he engaged with Mr. Briggs in the same businccs. He was married April 23, 1871, to Miss Addie

Tlioiuas ,j. Elmore, of the firm of Elmore tl' KImore, wool curding ai;.l saw-milling, is the son of B^reemim P. Elmore and Martha ^Orr) Elmore. Our subject wasjboni March 31, 1S50. He was reared in Ashley and received bis education at AVatson Semin;uy. At tbe age of twenty-one be commenced to teach school and taught for some six terms. He then eno-aged in farming for some three years. He was married April 19, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Pritcbett, daughter of ^Villiam Pritcbett, of this county. They are tbe parents of one child, Ethel May. Tbe wool carding mill cards about 5,000 pounds of wool e-acb season. The saw-mi!! does a good business, sawing tbe native logs into all kinds of lumber. Mr. Elmore is a member of tbe Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and of the Knights of Honor. He is a young man of good business qualities and lias tbe respect and coiiiidence of those who kn.ow him. - -

John A. Ely. Among tbe stock dealers of Pike county none are, perbaps, better or more favorably known than tbe subject of this sketch. Mr. Ely is a native of Palls county, Missouri, where he was born Jauuaiy 24-, 1840. He is tbe son of John and Sarah (Fike) Ely, who wore natives of Kentucky. His youth was spent on the tarm and in attending the district scliools of tlic county. Just before attaining his majority, on September 10, 1856, be was married to Miss Mary A. Lane, daughter of Frederick Lane, who was among the first settlers of Pike county and who located near Frankford many years ago. Some years ago Mr. Ely moved upon tbe farm where be now resides, which is known as tbe William McPike farm, and which contains about 750 acres of most excellent land. Here be has devoted bis attention to farming and stock-raising, producing about five thousand bushels of wheat per annum and handling many mules and cattle. Ins muk' sales alone amounting last year to some twelve thousand live hundred dollars. He also bandies great numbers of cattle, having about 200 on band at tbe present time. Mr. Ely is no doubt the largest dealer in mules in the county and be is always ready to buy any stock of this kind, while he is also prepared to put upon tbe market at any time such character of stock of this kind as tbe trade may seem to demand. Although Mr. Ely is living upon a rented faim he has no less than 3SC acres of most excellent land of bis own, 2<dQ acres near Ashley and 120 acres not far from tbe town of Bowling Green. While Mr. Ely is recognized as one of tbe best, as well as one of tiie largest, traders in the county, his fair and honorable dealing has gained him tbe confidence ol tlic public and the respect uf all who arc personally acquainted with him. lie is a nieaiber of the Masonic order and also of the Knights of Ilunor.

Edward Dire I'^jiutsou (deceased). This oUi t>ettlcr was a native of Alhcniarle county, A'irginia. His wife v/as Elizabeth Dows, raised in the same county with her husband. They came to Missouri in 1815) and settled in Pike county, some six miles southwest of the town of Louisiarui, where Mr. Emerson continued to reside until his deatli, at the age of seventy-three vears. Mr. Emerson was thrice marrie*!. By his first wife he had eleven children, six sons and five daughters; by his second wife, Isabella Shields, one son and three daughters. His third wife was Mihlred Peay; there were no children from this union. The subject of our sketch belonged to the pio- j born in Buffalo tovrnsliip, Pike county, July 12, 1S24. His youth was spent . j in assisting in the cultivation of his father's farm. Dui'ing this p)criod he "j misfortune to lose his wife a few years ago. She died, January 7, 1881. Mr. Emerson removed to the farm upon which he now resides in ISHS. He has sixty-eight acres of excellent land in a high state of cultivation, M-ith excellent i.mprovements on the farm, including a splendid residence where he continues to reside with most of his children. Mr. Emerson has taken pains to give to his children the advantag-es of a good education and thus fit them for the right diooharge of the duties of tlieir future stations or posi- j izes tlie V^irginians from wliom he is directly d'jscended. lie lias a very in. tolligent and iiiterestinp' family of children aliout him, aud his life ajijicara to be one of gr;nr,ine happiness and eontentiucnt.

\. Gibson. This irentlemnii is a native of Pi-att comity, Missouri, v/hoio he born September IT, 18-15. lie is the son of Dr. J. .X. Gibson, v/iio was a native of Tennessee. Mr. Gibson's early life was spent attendini: school, and in March, 1S66, he came to Pike county and settled near Payne.--- ville where he v\-a.- enga<;!:ed in tanp.ing until March, ISsl, when he i-emoved to Ashley and commenced to sell dry goodr-. At this time he is selling drugs, of which he carries a very full stock, also dealing in patent medicines, stationery, and other lines of goods in keeping with the best interests of liimself and Jiis custoiners, ^!r. Gibr^on. was married, October -2.1>. 187!. to !Miss Anna Eastiu of Payncsville. They have but tv,-o children, both girls, Mary E. aud Katie M. Giltson. Mr. Gibson is a good business man, and by his honest and u])right dealing has made many fir.n friends among the people of his new home. He is a member of tlie Masonic fraternity and highly esteemed by his bretliren of the craft.

M. T. GrijU'g;^. Tliis geinleman was born in Adams county, Kentucky, Au'nist 16, 1832. lie is tlie son of Samuel X. Griggs, a native of Korlh Carolina, and Kachel (McCarty) Griggs, a lady born and reared in Kentucky. He came with Ids fiitlier to ^Missouri when a mere child about the year 1S33 or 1S34. His life has been passed in Pike county. He followed the avocation of a blacksmith for a period of fifteen years, when, in 1809, he engaged in mercantile pursuits having for a partner Mr. W. D. Orr, of Ashley. At the p)resent time he is conducting the business alone, and has a large and lucrative trade. j\[r. Griggs was married September 10, 1856, to Miss Amanthus E. Smith, daughter of Jesse K. and Eliza Ann Smith, of Ashley. The subject of our sketch has been constable of the township in which he resides, and for twelve years treasurer of Watson Seminary, the duties ot which position he has discharged with great satisfaction to all tlie parties concerned. Mr. Griirgs is a member of the Masonic order, and belongs to Cliapter Xo. 15. He is also a .Knight of Honor, and takes great interest in the welfare and prosperiry of the orders of v.-hich he is a member. He is also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and is specially attentive to the discharge of his religious duties. Mr. Griggs has long been identified v>^lth the business interests of Ashley, aud has done much to advance its material prosperity. lie has the confidence and respect of the people of the community where he resides, and can always be relied upon to lend a helping hand to any worthy cause or an enterprise looking to tlie a(lvantaf,^e. of his town or conininnity. JIo is a good citizen, and is well known in many portions of the county, and overywliere esteemed for his probity and n]»!iu,litnosr? of chtiracter.

J. F. Haiiua. M. 1). Di'- Hanna was born near Florida, Monroe county, Missouri, April Vl», 1S38, near tlnj jdace where the noted- "Mark Twain '- first saw the world whose denizens he has contributed so niiich to amuse. In 1855, when but seventeen years of ai!;e, he entered AVatson Seminary, whore he remained until July, 1S5T, when he went to Westminster Colle;^'e, at Fulton, Missouri, entering the junior class. lie continued liis academic studies until 1859, at which time he graduated. He now returned to Monroe county, and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. James Goodies, of Florida. IFei-e he. i-emained until October, when he went to Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, remaining until April, 1801, when he returned home and again read for a time with Dr. Goodies. In the fall of 1S61 he entered St. Louis Medical College, from which institution he graduated in the month of F'ebrnary, 1802. Dr. Ilanna now returned to Florida, Missouri, and practiced iiis profession with good success until August, 1803, when he removed to Ashley, where he has since resided, enjoying a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Ilanna was married August 19, 18C2, to Miss Mary C. Matthews, of Mexico, ]\[issouri. Tiiey liave two children, George William and Charles Meigs Ilanna, both residents of Ashley. Dr. Ilanna is well known in Pike county, and stands well with his brethren of the profession. He also has the confidence of the ])eople, both as a man and a ph}'fciciau. He is coniparatively a young man, and a long career of usefulness is still open before him.

J. L. Harness, the son of Granville and Jane (Oompton) Harness, was born in Wood county, Virginia, March 17, 1827. When but six years of age his parents removed to Washington county, Ohio, ^vhere he vras reared and educated. He was married July 8, ISIO. to Eliza Beswick, daughter of James and Augusta Beswick, of Ohio. In March, 1850, our subject came with his family to Pike county, where he has since continued to reside. Mr. Harness has one of the best farms in Ashley township, embracing an area of 2'23 acres, all ul which is in a high state of cultivation, and with other general and substantial improvements. Mr. Harness has reared a family of seven children, four of whom (George L., John L., James K., and Edward M.) are still living. Mr. Harness has given his children the advantages of a good education, and thus fitted tiit-m for their de.-tined stations in society. Besides following the avocation of a farmer, Mr. Harness devotes considerable attention to stock-raising, which has been a source of very considerable profit for tjonie vears past. Mr. Harness is well known and highly esteemed by the members of the community in which he resides. '..*"-

31. Hai1Ji;lit, farmer and stock-raiser. Amon>^ tliose of Ashley townsliip who are worthy of notice in the history of the county, is the siihject of this sketch svlio was born in Monongalia county, Virginia, son of Tobias ah<l Abigail (Moore) iiaught. When three years old iiis parents removed to Tyler county. I:[e was reared a fanner and received a limited education. He enlisted in August, 18(»2, in the Fifteenth Virginia Infantry; was engaged in some thirteen battles, during one of which lie was severely wounded in the hand. He svas married February 25, 1868, to Miss Matilda Moore of Tyler county, A'irginia. He came to Pike county in the fall of 1SC5, and .settled in Ashle}^ township. He has a line farm of 385 acres of good land, 1 under a high state of cultivation. He is engaged quite extensively in stockraising, his farm being well adaj)ted for that purpose. They are the parents of nine children: Melissa, Peter T., Sarah A.., Hester A., E!izal>etli E,, Ollie, Ida, Lueindia, Michael, and James. Mr. Haught comes of large stock, the con^biued w-'ight of his parents being 500 pounds. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812.

Elliott HoHiday (deceased). This gentleman was a native of Virginia, but when quite young his parents removed to. Iventucky, and settled in Clarke county. Here our subject was partially raised, and at an early day he was married to Ilachael Johnson of Fayette county. In the fall of 1834 Mr. Holliday moved with his fomily to IMissouri, and settled near Ashley, in Pike county. There were eleven childi-en: Eliza Ann, S. W., Polly, Sally, Xancy, Martha Jane, Emily T., James W., Lewis, Owen, and Margaret. Lewis and Owen lloliiday are still living upon the old homestead - two jolly bachelors - dispensing a generous hospitalitj' in a right royal manner. Asiile}' has no citizens v.-ho have more fully the confi ieuce and respect of her people than the Holliday brothers. Their farm is a good one, \ containing -iiO acres of land, and here they both tarm and engage in stockraising, as well as trade very largely in the same. They are active business of A^lilcv, on the farm now owned and occnpied by onr subject, on whieli he reared a family of six children, four sons and two dani^hter?, iivt- of v,-]ioni are stilj livi'ig, the father dying in 1S07, the mother in Auguet, 1845. Jamcb lluni]>reys' youth was past on the farm, Jiis educational advantages were those of the common school; being the. youngest of four sons he remained at the old liomestead, his present farnn containing 1S5 acres of choice land, well watered, and plenty of timber. The soil is of a superior quality with red clay for a subsoil. This land is well adapted to the growing of all kinds of small grain, as well as grass. The earlier part of J^lr. Humphreys' life has been devoted to the raising of grain, but in later years he has turned his attention to raising stock and trading in mules, Mr, lluiuphreys was married in iS50 to Rebecca King, daughter of James II. King, who was one among the early settlers of Ashley township. The result of this hui)py union has been thi-ec children: Mary E., James C, and Annie A. Personally Mr. IJinnphreys is a plain nnassuraing man; he is a good neighbor and well esteemed.

Robert Irviu (deceased). Promijient among the pioneers of Pike county was Pobert Irvin. He was a native of Kentucky, and was born August il, 17S1. At the age of twenty-one years Mr. Irvin moved to Duck Iliver, Tennessee, where he lived for a nnmber of years, and where he was married to Miss Rachel Ilill. In ISIS they started for Pike county, Missouri, with. pack horses and bringing with them several slaves. Their route was through a poorly settled country, and frequently they camped at the tents or huts of the Indians, who invariably treated them with great kindness and hospitality. When Mr. Irvin first reached Missouri, he formed the acquaintance of an old liunter, named Charles "Wells, who kindly offered to guide him to a good site for a home. The ofier was accepted and the hunter conducted hirn to a splendid place, his old homestead, now occupied by liis son, A. J. Ir^-in. At that time Indians were numerous, and bears and other wild animals were almost daily seen in the forests. Mr. Irvin bought the land shown him by Mr. Wells, at the first land sale held in the state, and at once commenced to improve it and to arrange conveniences for himself and neighbors. He had some money and miich enttTprise, and as soon as suitaljle houses for his family had been provided, he built a saw and grist-mill, a distillery, ancl a blacksmith sho[>. This mill is believed by many to have been the second one built in the county. Th.e blacksmith shop was of untold benefit to the early settlers, and tlie distillery, which supplied the hardy settlers with good whisky at twenty-live cents a gallon, was by some regarded as a sign of the special favor of divine providence. Mr. Irvin was ohq of the first extensive farmeri5 of tlie county aud did ujuch to stimulate otiieis to eflorU in the same direction. By his first wife Mr. Irvin had but one chiKl, WjUiaiu Irvin, a sketch of vlioso life ap['c:irs elsewhere in this work. Mr. Irviti was married the second time to Miss Xancy Smithcrs of Shawneetown, liHiiois, and this union was bles;ed with seven children; viz., Josephu?, Bedorn, John, Kaney, Ivobort, now deceased, Jesse, and A. J. Irvin, all of whom arc active and worthy members of society. Mr. Irvin was justice of the peace for twcTity years, bonght and sold large quantities of land in the neighborhood where he resided, and did much to build up the material interests of the county. He died in October, 1803, and his last wife follov;ed him to the tomb in March, 1870.

A. J. Irvin. ->l^i'- Irvin is a son of Robert Irvin, a sketch of whose life has already been written. The subject of this sketch was born in Pike county, and upon the tarm where he now lives, on February 4, 1837. He is a successful farmer and stock-raiser, to the duries of which he has been trained from his earliest boyhootk He was married February 13, 1867, to Miss Xancy D, Jo^inson of Fineoln county. Tliis union has been blessed with three children, Jeifer=on C, lona C, and Susan Irvin. Mr. Irvin ovvns a fine farm of 380 acres, upon which is an excellent two-story residen.ce splendidly furnished and with surroundings indicative of much taste. He devotes considerable attention to the raising of thorough-bred cattle and in his herd can be found many animals scarcely to be surpassed by any others in the county. Mr. Irvin ib an energetic, driving business njan, wide awake to his ovv-n interests but not unmindful of the rights and interests of others. He is a good trader and is ra}>idly accumulating. He is courteous, urbane, and hos})itabie, and the writer would here exjjress his own obligations for the kindness and consideration shown him vsdiile stopping for a short time a" his delightful country ho)ne.

AVilliaiu 0. Kei'i*- Tliis gentleman was borji on the old homestead, near x\shley, I)eceml)er i'4, 1834. He is the son of Thomas G. Kerr, a native of Augusta county, \'irgi7iia, born Xovember 1, 1796, and of Margaret (Calbreath) Kerr, also of Virginia. Thomas G. Kerr, and wife were married April 2:i, 1823. They had live children, Elizabeth II., Sarah J., John F., Thomas C, and William G. Kerr, the subject of this sketch. The old gentleman, Thomas G.Kerr, came to Pike county in the fall ot 1828 and settled upon the farm on which William G. Kerr now resides. He died August 31, 1834-. He was a good citizen, well known in the county at that early day and had done much to advance the material iiiterests of the people with whom he liad cast h.io fortunes. Our sul>ject, W. G. Kerr, was reared upon the place where he now resides, labored upon tlic farm the rreater purtioii of the year, and attended the district school during a part of TlM-'wintcr season. He was inMrried January 21, 1^50, to Mi^s llattie Culwell, dano-hter of Jaine.> C. Cuhvcll, one of the pioneers of Pike county. Tiiey liave rccired a family of nine children. >.Ir. Iverr has an excellent farm of 326 acres, a splendid dwelling and. a cumuiodious barn, and other necessary outd-uildings to meet the general wants of both the farmer and etock-raiser. Mr. Kerr is a iiicmber of the church and an elder uf the same.

W. H. 3IarzoIf. The subject of this sketch is anative of I'ike county; where he was born February 2, iS39. He is a son of George and Mary (Rennor') Marz^.lf. and is the third child of a large family. Jle was reared on a farm and received his education at the common schools of the country. He was married January S, 1S71, to Miss I^laria M. Mittleberger of St. Charles county. Their unioii has been blessed with four children, all dauirhters. ]\lr. Marzulf owns a good farm of ISl acres and everything appertaining to the same indicate the thrift and enterprise of its owner. Mr. Marzulf is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and is an elder in the same. His wife and two eldest daughters are also connected with the same religions organization.

John E. McPilie. Thi^ ^(ontleman ii the son of jI IT. ^TcPike, one ci the pioneers of Pike count}'. He was bc>rii September i^S, 1S54-, on a funi! near Bowling Green, and upon wliich his early life was spent. Mr. Mcl'iko was educated at Watson Seminary at Ashley, and at the J>aptist CoUc-y ar Louisiana. Our subject war- married October 1, ISIS, to Miss Marv V. Bryant, daughter of W. S. Bryant, of Ashley. They have two children: Ben Bryant and Bioberta M. McPike. Jn March, 18S0, Mr. McPike engaged in the mercantile business, with his father-in-law as his partner, to which business ho is at this time devoting his attention. Tie is regarded as a good business, man, and the firm stands well in commercial circles, Mr. McPike occupies a prominent social position, having the confidence cf the business public, and the respect and esteem of those with whom he is brought into social contacL

J. A. I\[lU'l)]jy. This gentleman, tlie sou of John and Elizabeth (Bouther) Murphy, was born in Alton, Bliuois, March 27, 1831. "When quite young his parents went to Arkansas, where they resided fur about four years when they moved to Newton county, Missouri, where our subject resided until ISfji. ilc was reared in town, and received such education as the facilities of the place iiiiorded. His father long carried (Ui a carriage shop, and )iis son worked in the same for many years. At the age of twenty-one he commenced to work at the carpenter's trade, which he continued to follow for about tliree years. In 1862 ^Ir. Murphy moved to Mattoon, Illinois, when, after a year's residence, he went to Terre Haute, Indiana, where he lived for two years, and in 1865 came to Pike county, Illinois, where he spent one year. In 1866 he located at Clarksville, Missouri, and the year succeeding he moved to Ashley, where he has since resided. He was married September 2, 1860, to Miss Mary Tiebecca Price, of Pike county, Missouri. They have seven chikiren, all of whom are living. Mr. Murphy is engaged in the carriage business; has a good shop, does about $2,000 worth of work per annum, and gives good satisfaction to his customers, lie is a member of the C. P. Church, and is esteemed as a conscientious and worthy citiz^jn.

D. A. NaHv' is a native of Culpepper county, A'irgiiiia, where he was born Septeuiber 14, 1814. lie is the son of Ilezekiah and Susan (Bowie) Xally, who resided in Virijlnir., and raired a family tf ten children, of whom our subject was the second. Mr. N'ally was raised on a farm., and like other farmers' sons of that early day, received only a cuniuion JM>f]jlish education. He was married in September, ISoT, to Miss Merriam Kite, which union was blessed with seven children. j\lrs. Xally died in JMay, .185-1, and Mr. JS'ally was subserjiiently married to .Miss May Avers, daii':,d;tur of liicliard Ayers, of this county, and one of the early settlers of Tike. Mr. Xally pigs and lambs that it was next to impossible to raise either. Duriu'"'' the \ winter of 1S29 and IS-O our subject performed the duties of clerk for two j of the merchants of Bovv'ling Greoi, and well remembers when Judge 1 Tucker held court in a room without any tloor other than the earth, and i when the logs were piled in the middle of the room and burned in a heaji J for the |iui'pose uf warnjing the aj>artment. In 1S''2 ]\[r. Oden enlis-ted as i a soldier in the Black Hawk War, under Captain ]\Iace of Peno towriship. { Mr. Oden was jnarried, May 23, 1831, to Miss Francos Ann Brown, a native of Virginia, who died in 1861, arid some years thereafter he was i again married, to Miss Susan C. Davis of Pike county. Mr. 0)de!i has j raised a family of six children. lie lias long been identified with the j growth and pros]>erity uf Ashley, and has contributed no little to advance j its material interests. C'ur subject is a gep.tlennm uf good information, j thoroughly familiar witli the history of the county; an enterprising citizen, J a good neighbor, a Mason above reproach, and a consistent and zealous mem- ] ber of the CLrisfian Chui'cli, ,| .54