Saline County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 11 of 17)

George J. Hahn remained at home assisting in the cultivation of the farm until 1864. when, feeling that duty called him to the defense of his beloved state, he entered Davis's battalion of Maryland troops and went forth to do battle for the Confederate cause. For some months his service consisted mainly in scouting and skirmishing down the Shenandoah valley, but later he took part in the battles of Newmarket and Piedmont, receiving in the latter a gunshot wound in the right shoulder which for one month laid him off duty. The battalion entered the engagement at Piedmont ninety strong, but came out with only fifty survivors, which facts attest the de- structive nature of the tight and the part the Maryland troops took in repelling the attack of the enemy. Sometime after this the remnant of the company was divided and Mr. Hahn was assigned to Barton's division, whose principal duty was the guarding of Libby and Castle Thunder prisons in Richmond. Mr. Hahn's last active service in Virginia was with Rosser's brigade in the Shenandoah, where it went to check Sheridan's second raid, but being too weak to engage the enemy under that intrepid leader, the force scattered and each man finally made his way home as best he could, Mr. Hahn arriving at the family homestead, where after resting for a while he made preparations to join Johnston's command in the Carolinas. He had already started, but hearing of the surrender of that general's forces returned home and later entered an academy, which he attended until obliged to take charge of the farm. His father dying in 1868, Mr. Hahn the following year came to Missouri and located at Miami, where he was employed for eleven years as clerk in a general store. At the expiration of that period, in partnership with a friend, he purchased his employer's stock and embarked upon what proved to be a brief but prosperous business career of twelve months' duration. Selling out to his associate at the end of the time indicated, Mr. Hahn took another partner and opened a jewelry store in Marshall, purchasing stock to the amount of eleven thousand dollars, on which they paid five thousand dollars in cash, going in debt for the balance. After a few months he bought his partner's interest and three years later all of his indebtedness was wiped out. He had the largest and by. far the most successful business of the kind in Marshall and one of the leading jewelry establishments in .the central part of the;^state. In 1883 he trade,^! the stp,re,,for ,a farm, which he subsequently disposed of at a liberal profit, and about the same time helped close out a large stock of dry goods wdiich also redounded greatly to his financial advantage. Later he invested considerably in farm land and for some time was interested with a partner in the grocery business, which proved a successful venture.

Without describing in detail the various interests with which Mr. Hahn has been afterwards identified, suffice it to state that he became quite an extensive dealer in country and city property. He still retains an interest in two business establishments in the city besides owning two good farms in Sahne county and land in Old Mexico.

Mr. Hahn is a Democrat in politics and for a number of years represented his ward in the city council where he labored diligently to promote the various public improvements which have made Marshall so beautiful and attractive and given it such wide publicity among the progressive cities of the state. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, but does not confine his good work to any one church or organization, being interested in all charitable enterprises of whatever name or order and donating freely to all worthy means for the good of his fellow men. Mr. Hahn was married in 1879 to Eva Saufley, of Saline county, daughter of Jonas and Martha J. (Brown ) Saufley, natives of Virginia and representatives of old and well known families of that state. William Brown. Mrs. Hahn's grandfather, came to Missouri a number of years ago and was one of the well known pioneers of his day. He entered several extensive tracts of land, became a prominent farmer and was long a leader in the neighborhood where he settled. Jonas Saufley came to Missouri on horseback when a young man and for some time was an overseer on a large tract of land, later purchasing land of his own and becoming a successful farmer and public spirited man of affairs. He went to St. Louis at the beginning of the Civil war to avoid the troubles to which he knew the central part of the state would be subject, notwithstanding which precaution his place was frequently raided and overnm by the militia and much damage done. Returning home at the close of the war, he devoted himself to his various business interests until advancing age obliged him to discontinue, active pursuits, when he retired and spent the remainder of his life in the quiet and content of his home, dying- in October of the year 1892. His widow, who is still living , on the old homestead, has reached an old age, and retains to a marked degree the possession of her faculties, physical and mental. The children born to Air. and Mrs. Saufley were seven in number, their names being as follows : Anna, wife of Dr. A. R. Edmonds ; Eva. who married the subject of this sketch : Charles W. ; Mattie, now Mrs. N. Myers; Darwin H., deceased; Mrs. Letitia Hooper, and Edna, who married D. N. Burrus. Mr. and Mrs. Hahn have one child, a daughter, who answers to the name of Iva D., an intehigent young lady who is still with her parents.

Ormond Hupp

Abraham and Elizabeth Hupp were Virginians and they had seven children, the third of whom was Abraham Hupp, who was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1805. In early manhood he migrated to Indiana and settled in La Porte county, whence he went to Missouri, in 1867, and became a resident of Saline county. He became owner of a large farm near Slater and for two score vears was an honored and widely known citizen, as well as a l)rosperoiis agriculturist. He was ninety years old when he died and few^ men make hetter use (^t s(^ long' a life. He was a Whig- and Republican in politics and while a resident of LaPorte in 1845-6 was elected doorkeeper of the Indiana Legislature. He was made a Mason in 1839. was always an enthusiastic member of the order, and held religious convictions in accord with the teachings of the Baptist church, of w^hich h*e was long a member. June 9, 1837. he married Louisa Gardner, who was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, in 1814. and died in 1904 at Marshall. Missouri. They had ten children; Mrs. A. E. Replogle. of LaPorte. Indiana; Ormond ; George deceased; Mrs. Emily Austin, deceased; Mrs. Julia Crane, deceased; Arthur, of Marshall, Missouri; Orlando, of Idaho; Mrs. Hattie McAmis, of Marshall; Theodore T., who resides near Slater; and Wesley, deceased.

Ormond Hupp, second of the family, was born at LaPorte, Indiana, September 10, 1840. He received a common school education and spent one year at Notre Dame, the famous Catholic college of that section of Indiana, but had fiardi)- reached his maturity when the terrible tocsin of the Civil war dispelled all peaceful thoughts from the minds of millions while making an urgent and irresistible call to arms. Septeml^er i, 1861, Mr. Hupp became a soldier of the Union by enlisting in the Fifth Indiana Battery, under Captain Simonson, of Columbia. He saw much hard service with this command, being in the battles of Stone River, Perryville, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga and many minor engagements. He was with General Sherman until the Jonesboro fight, and during the campaign was under fire three months on the skirmish line. October 6, 1862. he was seriously wounded in the shoulder by a fragment of a shell in addition to being severely burned about the body from powder at the battle of Perryville and was sent to the hospital at New Albany, Indiana. On recovering from his injuries a year later, he rejoined his regiment and completed his term of enlistment. He was finally discharged from the service in the winter of 1864. He returned to Indiana and farmed one year and came to Saline county in 1867. Securing a farm, he entered actively into the business of cultivating Missouri soil and met with the success that usually accompanies industry and good management. In 1899 he removed to Slater in order to take life more easily after his strenuous labors and he is spending his time most pleasantly in a home whose comforts. con\-eniences and luxuries are surpassed by none in this region. Mr. Hujjp has always been a hard-working, frugal man. L'ntil his removal to Missouri he gave his father all his earnings, and e\en while in the army sent him ten dollars a month. The competency he enjoys is due entirely to the thrift and industry he has shown in the last forty years and no citizen of Saline countv better deserves a rest as well as peace and happiness than Ormond Hupp. His farm, ten miles north of Slater, is hig-hly improved and shows in its every feature the touch of a master hand. Idie tract now C(^ntains se\-en hundred acres, but at one time was a thousand acres in extent. Besides his home farm, Air. Hupp owns a one-sixth interest in three thousand acres of valual)le Canadian land, g-ood farming- lands in southern Texas and considerable property in Slater. .\11 this is the accumulation of little over half an ordinar}- lifetime, and may be said to have been created out of nothing-, as Mr. Hupp did not have a dollar when he first faced the world and its responsibilities. Furthermore, the successful record of Mr. Hupp has been attained in the face of circumstances which at times were so discouragingthat the majority of people would have given up in despair. During- his infancv and youth he was the victim of a series of misfortunes and accidents which seemed to pursue him relentlessly, although his later years have been rewarded with an excellent constitution, although crippled, and the enjoyment of most excellent health. When only three years of age he suffered a serious attack of fever, culminating in a paralytic stroke which affected the entire left side of his body and while he practically recovered from the paralysis in a comparatively short time, the growth of his left foot was stunted to such an extent that he is still a cripple from its effects. At the age of five years while placing some wood in the fireplace, his apron caught fire and he was so severely burned about the body that he hovered between life and death for a period of six months, his sufferings being c^f the most extreme nature. While a boy following behind his father and picking up the burdock his father was cutting with a cradle scythe, a misstroke of the blade was imbedded in his shoulder to the bone. He narrowly escaped with his life from this accident. In addition to the above, he underwent a serious operation for the benefit of his crippled foot, later nearly lost his life in a serious runaway and finally off'ered his services and life if need be in the defense of his country, from which he finally emerged after much suff'ering from wounds to take u]) the battle of life and acquire a home.

In 1873 Mr. Hupp married Laura Margaret Campbell, a native of Tennessee, who came to Livingston county, Missouri, as a refugee. To them have been born twelve children, of whom ten are living: Mary, deceased: lessie K., wife of Llovd Kemper, who lives north of Slater, and they have one child: Luella, wife of Otto Ruppert, who resides near Slater and has two children : Gertrude, wife of Elliot Brown, who has three children: Charles Chancev, who resides at Old Monroe, Missouri, and has three children: Montana, wife of Harry Harper, has three children, and is a resident of Van Al- styne. Texas; Elbert A., of I'ayette, Missouri: Oakland, Willie, Ormmid Roy and Vernon, at home. The twelfth child died in infancy and the mother departed this life on April i. 1907. She was a true, loving wife, a woman of great industry and strength of character and invaluable as an aid and encourager of her husband during his many trials. She w^as of a decidedly religious turn of mind and for years a consistent member of the Baptist church. Mr. Hupp is a Republican and has served as alderman of Slater, but the great bulk of his time as well as his affections has been devoted to agriculture and stock raising, to which he owed his success and his present enviable position in the world.

Although yet young in years. Dr. C. W\ Caldwell, a well known medical practitioner of Slater, Missouri, has achieved signal success in his chosen profession and demonstrated what talent, hard work and probity of character can accomplish in the face of obstacles and amid environinents none too favorable. He is a worthy scion of a fine old Kentucky family, he himself having been born at Carhsle, that state, in 1873, the son of W'illiam C. Caldw^ell, a native of the same locality, Nicholas county. He was reared and edycated there and devoted his life to farming. He came to Saline county, Missouri, in 1886 and settled south of Slater, w^here he lived, making a success of his farming operations, until his death in 1901. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and a man in wdiom the utmost confidence was reposed by his neighbors. He married Amanda Allen, also a native of Carlisle, Kentucky ; she, too. was the representative of an excellent old family; her death occurred in 1905 : she was a member of the Presbyterian church. To ]\Ir. and Mrs. William C. Caldwell five children were born, namely : Dr. Charles W., Mrs. J. B. Sterrett; E. -G.^i.of.Higginsville, Missouri, w^here he is engaged in the practice of law: Mrs. C. L. Parkhurst, of Hustonia, Pettis county, Missouri; J. C, of Slater, now a medical student in Kansas City. This family all received good educations and their daily lives would indicate that they were reared in a wholesome home environment.

Doctor Caldwell remained in his native town of Carlisle, Kentuck}-, until he was twelve years of age, wdien his parents brought him to Missouri. He received his primary education in Slater, Saline county, graduating from the high school here in 1892. Having decided to enter the medical profession, he sought to further his literary education by spending one year at the State

University at Columbia. He then went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he entered the medical department of the Vanderbilt University, spending two years there. 1dien he took the course at the Beaumont Hospital and Medical College, St. Louis, graduating therefrom in 1900, having made an excellent record in all these institutions. Soon after leaving college the Doctor began practicing his i^rofession in Slater and has remained here ever since, having been successful from the first and he now enjo}-s a very liberal patronage throughout this part of the county, having established a reputation second to none as a general practitioner, and the future to such an earnest, capable and relialile man as he cannot augur anything but great success and honor.

Judge John A. Rich

The family of this name is of English descent and Vermont origin. The first emigrant came over long before the Revolution and joined the colony at Cape Cod when population was sparse on the coast. Rev. George Whelock Rich, a lineal descendant of the emigrant ancestor, was born in Vermont during the first quarter of the nineteenth centui-y and came to Missouri in 1840. He was married to Susan Ann Roberts, who was born in Garrard county. Kentucky, in 1828, and died in May, 1899. Her father was James Roberts, of Scotch-Irish ancestry and a member of a family which became wideh" distributed, as well as influential in the various walks of life.. Three of the children resulting from this union died in infancy, the survivors being Mrs. Lulu \\'arren and James B. Rich, of Fayette, Missouri, and the jurist of whom this sketch is written.

John A. Rich was born at Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, July 12, 1855, and attended the public schools of Howard and Boone counties, besides the high school at Sturgeon and Central College. His first venture was in the capacity of an instructor, teaching a two-years term at Bloomington in Macon county, followed by two years at Monticello Seminary, in Lewis county. From the last named institution he came to Slater, April i, 1879, when the town was hardly a year old. The exchequer of the young lawyer was at rather a low ebb when he reached the place that was destined to prove the theater of his life's activities. Not deterred by poverty, however, but rather stirred on by it, he engaged in the practice of law with a brave heart and a wit made nimble by necessity. He was successful from llie start, increasint^- his clientele steadily from \ear to vear. addino- new business as he disposed of the old and meantime f>ro\vin,o" in fame and jjopularity. He exhibited marked ability as a lawyer, evidently having- a natural taste for the profession, and he was soon pointed out as one of the rising- young men of the bar. Judge Rich has accpiired a handsome competence, but his chief pleasure is derived from a higher incentixe. the reflection that he has earned the good will of his fellow citizens and established a reputation as a man of integrity. His first office was city attorney of Slater, and in this ]>lace he exhibited rare judgment as well as the close attention to business that is a marked factor in ever}' man's success. He was. however, destined to much higher honors and at the November election in 1898 was chosen judge of the criminal court of the fifteenth judicial court, composed of the counties of Saline and Lafayette. He was re-elected in 1904. the terms on the criminal bench being for six years, and he is now serving his second term. He has established that most prized of all reputations, the character of a just and able judg-e. these qualities being universally conceded to him. His skill and fairness in handling criminal cases, his habit of tempering justice with mercy, his entire independence and self-restraint, have gained for him the universal respect of the members of the bar who practice before him. as well as litigants and their friends. In fact, he enjoys a state-wide imputation. being often called to sit as special judge at Kansas City. St. Joseph and other cities in cases of changes of venue.

August Z},. 1882, Judge Rich married Jennie L., daughter of Marvin and Salina Reynolds, who were New Yorkers, though she herself was born at Rutland, Vermont. Of the six children born to this union, Evalena and Avonelle died in infancy. Homer Eugene, who was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, later took a special course in pedagogy at the State University at Columbia, with a view to filling a position as teacher in the Slater high school, to which he had been elected. Mary, the eldest daughter, took a degree in Howard Payne College at Fayette. Lena is a sophomore at the same institution and Lula remains at home.

Judge Rich and wife, as well as all the family, have been members since childhood of the Southern Alethodist church. The Judge has been cpiite conspicuous in church circles and highly honored in connection therewith. He holds the office of steward, has missed but tw^o annual conferences in twentyfi\-e A'ears. and has l)een a member of three general conferences, which meet every four years. Judge Rich was a member of the Vanderbilt commission, a])pointed in [906 by the general conference to settle controversies concerningrelations of the V^anderbilt L'niversitv and the Southern Methodist church.

Other distinguished members of the commission were Judge Edward O'Rear, of Kentucky, chairman; Judge Joseph A. McCullough, of South Carohna : Hon. Creed F. Bates, of Tennessee, and Judge Edgar D. Newman, of Virginia. Judge Rich is cliairman of the board of curators of Central College of Fayette, having been chosen in June. 1906, to succeed Bishop Eugene R. Hendricks, of Kansas City, who had served as chairman of thirty years. In his capacity as chairman of the board of curators. Judge Rich delivered a notable address at the annual conference at Hannibal, Missouri, x\ugust 27, 1908. The title of his address was "Central College and Missouri Methodism," its theme being an appeal for Christian education and Central College. The ability and i)0]iularity of this eloquent outgiving caused it to be so much sought after that it was printed in pamphlet form and widely distributed. Fraternally Judge Rich is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and politically a Democrat, though restraints of his judicial office have prevented more than a moderate participation in politics.

John Preston Brown

The people of this name in Saline county came from an old Virginia familv long established in the counties of Orange and Albemarle. For many generations back they were farmers in the Old Dominion and the representatives were men of note and influence in their communities. John W. Brown, who was lx)rn in Orange county during the last quarter of the eighteenth centurv. served as a soldier throughout the war of 18 12 and died in 1887, at the age of ninety-four years. He left a son named George E. W. Brown, who was b<3rn near Fredricksburg, Orange county, Virginia, in 1818, but was reared in Albemarle county, to which county his father had removed. He was a prosperous farmer and spent his entire life in his native state. At the beginning of the Civil war he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Regiment, Virginia Volunteer Infantry, but later was transferred to Carrington's Battery, with which he participated in many important engagements. He died in 1866 on his farm north of Charlottesville, from the effects of a wound received in one of the battles. He married Lucintha Ann Petitt, who was born in Albemarle countv in 1822. the daughter of Fountain W. Petitt, a farmer of that section. She was a woman of strong character and lovable traits, a longtime member of the Baptist church, and died in 1893, at the age of seventy-one years. Her seven children, all of whom are living, are thus recorded in the family register :

John 1\ : Mrs. E. W. Wood, who resides in Pettis county, near Sedalia ; William G., a farmer in Albemarle county; Mrs. Sallie S. Wood, of Topeka, Kansas ; James P., a farmer of Albemarle county ; Woods Garth, of Los Angeles, California; and Mrs. Lelia Vernois, who resides on a fruit farm near Topeka, Kansas.

John P. Brown, the eldest of these seven children, was born near Charlottesville. Albemarle county, Virginia, February i6, 1846. May 9, 1861, when only fifteen years old, he left school and, without his parents' knowledge, started off to the war with five companions, about his own age and older. These youthful warriors were accepted as recruits in the Forty-sixth Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantiy, and gave a good account of themselves during the subsequent bloody struggle. Mr. Brown, despite his youth, was ambitious and soon gained promotion from the ranks and during- the last two and a half years of the war he was orderly sergeant of his company. He participated in nearly all of the battles of the Peninsular campaign and took part in the ever-memorable engagements at Manassas, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. During the seven days' fight around Richmond he was wounded in the leg and on April 6, 1865, he was captured at Sailor's Creek and taken to Point Lookout, where he was held prisoner until June 25th, of the same year. In February, 1869, Mr. Brown came to Saline county and located at Arrow Rock, A\ here he took up general contracting- and building, residing there until 1872, when he began farming in Miami township. He followed agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he removed to Slater and again engaged in contracting, being the constructor of the most substantial buildings in the town. He is now retired from active business, though he still owns a well improved farm in Miami township

September 5, 1872, Mr. Brown married Mary E., daughter of Howard Cameron, deceased. He was a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, but emigrated to Missouri in its early history and became a prosperous farmer of Miami township. Saline county. He died some twelve years ago, but his w'ife still resides at Slater. Mrs. Brown was born on the family homestead June 5, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have seven children; Mary, wife of John Nickel, resides at Slater; Ola, who married James Austin Jaycox, and Grover C, who married Nina, daughter of Dr. F. A. How-ard, are also residents of Slater. The other children are Harry ^^^, Lucile, Virginia and John, all living with their parents. Mr. Brown served as alderman of Slater for twenty-two years, during which time he w-as active in promoting all improvements and every movement in the interest of the city. He is an extra enthusiastic Democrat, member of the Masonic order, and. with his wife, he is a member of the Baptist church.

Isaac W. Avitt

No man is better known in Saline county than the president of the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of Slater. He is one of those strong- men of brains and substance, whose business sagacity, thrift and public spirit contribute to the material growth and development of a community. Essentially a business man, trained in that fine old school wdiere the highest integrity, imi)lacable justice and rugged honesty are the prerequisites of success, he is also a helpful and enterprising- citizen, a loyal and generous friend, and a model in all the relations of life. The Avitts were a fine old Southern family, long: domiciled in the historic state of Kentucky. There Andrew Avitt, a type of the Southern gentleman of the old school, spent his entire life as a farmer and miller, in both of which lines he carried on an extensive business until his death, in 1846. He married Jane Helm, also a native of Kentucky, and one of the children by this union was John R. Avitt. He was born in Breckinridge county, Kentucky, May 10, 1826, and was reared on his father's large farm. His finishing- education was received at Mt. Movina College, and in 1853 he came to Missouri, locating in Lafayette county, near the town of Corder, where he entered one hundred sixty acres of land. For many years thereafter he continued to buy, improve and sell lands, owning at one time over four hundred fifty acres. In 1890 he retired from active business and has since made his home in Higginsville, where he had one of the finest residences in Lafa}-- ette county. He married Frances N. Van Metre, a member of a celebrated Kentucky family, who died at Higginsville about 1904, after becoming the mother of eleven children. Only three of these are now living - George H., of Slater: M. B., of Higginsville, and Isaac ^^^. the well known banker and business man.

Isaac W. Avitt was born in Breckinridge county, Kentucky, in 1853, but was brought to Missouri in the same year by his parents. His early education was obtained in Lafayette county. He went from his books to the farm, and made a full hand in all kinds of ag-ricultural work until the completion of his twenty-fourth year. His experience was invaluable to him, as it taught him practical agriculture, made him acquainted with the needs of farmers and laid his foundation for the broad information and liberal views that afterward distinguished him as a business man. After leaving the farm in 1875 ^^^ traded for a while in real estate and then located at Aullville, in Lafavette county, for the purpose of carrying on a mercantile venture. He was successful and after conducting this business for four years, he removed to Higgins- ville and again embarked in real estate transactions, consisting chiefly of handlino- farm lands. Continuing in this line for two years, he removed to Odessa, established the Farmers' Bank and became its president for four years Desirino- a larger field, Mr. Avitt went to Kansas City, Missouri, where he becaiJa charter member and one of the first board of directors of the Interstate National Bank. During the three years spent in this busy Western center, he -dso owned a bank in Kansas City, Kansas, and besides did some dealing in reni estate In 1895 he came to Slater and established the present harmers -uKl Merchants' Bank, of which he has been president since its organization He Ins laroe holdings in farm lands, and is one of the most successtul and prosperous of Saline county's many progressive men. His judgment and foresight command respect among his associates and he is consulted by many before entering into deals of importance. In October, 1909, Mr. Avitt took a leadino- part^ in the organization of the Drovers' National Bank, of Kansas City Ilissouri, and is president of the institution. The bank had a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars, which has recently been increased to three hundred thousand, with a surplus of thirty thousand dollars. It is one of the solid and influential financial mstitutious of the state, much ot its success beino- due to the business ability and sound judgment of its president.

In TsSs Mr Avitt married Georgia Hill, of Odessa, Lafayette county, ,vho died in 1887. leaving one child, a boy, who died the same year._ He siTids as high socially as he does m the business world, having long enjoyecl an entre into the best'society of the cities in which he has lived. As a type ot the best business man untainted by what is called the "commercialism of this ao-e, Mr. Avitt yields to none in the confines of the county.

John T. Rector

The Rectors were an old Virginia family long settled in the region east of the lower Blue Ridge. Alfred Rector founded the village of Rectortown in Fauquier county which still bears his name. He was a farmer and stock raiser and eventually became a man of wealth. His son, William Baylis Rector, rose to prominence as a lawyer in Campbell county, having obtained his education at the University of Virginia. He enlisted in the Confederate army in one of the regiments assigned to "Stonew^all" Jackson, and was killed at the battle of Winchester in 1863. He married Susan D. Frost, a native of Meriden. Sullivan county. New Hampshire, who came to Virginia when eighteen years old to teach school, and there met her future husband. She died in Concord, Virginia, in 1907, after becoming the mother of eight children, of whom those living are Mrs. Sallie D. Cardw-ell, of Concord, Virginia; A. F. Rector, of Marshall; John T., of Slater, and Mrs. Susie B. Carson, the latter living- at Concord.

John T. Rector, third in age of the living children, w^as born at Concord, Campbell county. \^irginia. January 16. 1858. He received a common school education and he clerked seven years in a drv g'oods store, beginning when eleven years old. After an intermission of two vears, tO' attend school, he returned to clerking and devoted four more years to that occupation. In July, 1 88 1, he came to Slater and was engaged for two years as agent for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. Then, as senior member of the firm of Rector & Gaines, he was engaged for a year in the mercantile business, at the end of which time he purchased his partner's interest and later sold it to W. H. Scanland, in connection with whom he conducted the store three years. Again he bought his partner's interest, ran the business for three years, then sold out and spent two years on a farm. Returning to Slater, he engaged in the real estate and insurance business with John A. Rich, this partnership lasting for thirteen years and not being dissolved until the election of Mr. Rich as criminal judge. Since then Mr. Rector has continued business at the old stand on his own account. In 1906 Mr. Rector was elected mayor of Slater and re-elected in 1908. Prior to the conferring of this honor he had served two years as alderman. He also served as president of "the school board for six years. December 3, 1885. he married S. Minnie Eubank, daughter of James Eubank, a native of Miami, Saline county. They have nine children: William E., his father's associate in business; Susie B.. Biidie L., Mary F., Gertrude D., Sarah Elizabeth. John T.. Jr.. Robert and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Rector as well as the older children are members of tlie Methodist cliurcli, of which the former has l)een a steward for twenty years. He belonsfs to the Masons and has held all the chairs in Odd Fellowshiji.

An especial tribute is due to the mother of Mr. Rector. Like millions of others in the South, she suffered severely from the Civil war, but her own lot seemed particularly hard. Her husband was sacrificed on the altar of sectional strife, leaving her with -eight children to provide for. Though she sold the farm and all the implements and other articles that could be spared, she lost all l^ecause f)f the fact that the Confederate money paid her was rendered entirely worthless by the defeat of the Confederacy. She rose superior even to this trying situation and managed by hard work and much self-sacrifice to keep the w^olf from the door. Remembering her old calling, she again took up teaching and with the proceeds reared all of her children to be useful men and women.

Rev. James Edward Sharp

One of the most eminent and best rememl>ered advocates of the doctrine of the Nazarene in this section of Missouri was the late Rev. James E. Sharp, than whom a more whole-souled, gentle, \et forceful and magnanimous character it would have been hard to have found, for he spent his life in the service of others, often disregarding his own pleasures and desires if thereby he might be of assistance to those needing spiritual or material guidance or assistance in any way, and thus thousands have been benefited by knowing' him and thus a vast host of acquaintances, friends and relatives revere his memor}^ and treasure his good words and deeds.

Rev. James E. Sharp descended from an excellent line of Southern ancestors, In's grand])arents having been natives of Virginia. His parents, George Washingt(ni and Julia ( Glass) Sharp, were born, reared and married in Scott county, Kentucky, in which vicinity the subject also was lx)rn, the date of his birth being January 13, 1833. His parents moved to Clay county, Missouri, in 1837, afterw^ards locating in Shelby county, where they resided several years, thence moved to Bloomington, then the county seat of Macon county, and in the last two named counties the Reverend Sharp was princi])ally reared. He obtained his education in the common schools and the high school, later attending McGec College. He received a good education, and his conversion occurred in Bloomington, whei"e he united with the Cum- berland Presbyterian church in the fall of 1849. He became a candidate for the ministry under the care of Ewing- presbytery at Shiloh campground, Macon county, in the fall of 1850. In the spring of 185 1 he placed himself under the care of the adjoining presbytery of McGee, by which he was licensed to preach at Eldad church, Randolph county, in the fall of 1853 and ordained in Huntsville in the spring of 1856.

Reverend Sharp was united in marriage with Louisa Jane Hannah, a native of Randolph county, September 15, 1853. The union was most fortunate and happy, Mrs. Sharp having ever been a helpmeet indeed, and by her noble and self-sacrificing life she has well earned the high esteem in which she is held by all who have known her. She is still living, in 1909, a blessing to her family and neighbors. Nine children were born to Reverend and Mrs. Sharp, three of whom survived their father, namely : William Fleming, George Edward Caldwell, and Rosa Lee, wife of Dr. James L. Russell, all residing in Marshall, Missouri. The sons and sons-in-law are dentists by profession and are in successful practice.

While a probationer for the ministry and for several years afterwards the Reverend Sharp traveled a g"reat deal, preaching- in churches, dwellings, court houses, school houses, at camp meetings, etc. He was pastor of Kirksville congregation from the fall of 1856 to the spring of 1861, except about eight months in 1859, when he preached for the Chillicothe mission. L'nder his management Cumberland Academy was erected at Kirksville, and had been in successful operation about a year before the Civil war began and its growth was interrupted. It was the first school of the grade of an academy or college planted in Kirksville. From that town he went to Bloomington and while pastor there conducted a great revival in 1863, which greatly strengthened the church and resulted in numerous conversions, doing a great work as he had done at Kirksville. In connection with his continuous ministry at Bloomington, he resided a short time in the neighboring town of Callao, where his ministry was again blessed to many persons. During a portion of the Civil war period he edited and published a bright and interesting weekly paper called The Macon Legion, having acquired some knowledge of the printing business in his youth in the office of The Macon Democrat. In the fall of 1864 he took charge of the work at Kinmundy, Illinois, where he labored for four years. Returning to Missouri, his next pastorate was at Moberly, and after an interval he was pastor there a second time, having accepted the work at the Kansas City mission in the meantime, closing his work in the mission in the fall of 1874 and continued to reside in Kansas City, assisting in pastorate work until the spring of 1875, when he became pastor of the congregation at Warrensburg, Missouri, where he resided six years. In the spring' of 1881 he returned to Moberly and remained there three years. He organized the church and broke the first ground to build the first Cumberland Presbyterian church in that city. He moved from there to Marshall, where he was pastor for a period of seven years. Besides doing a great work in the church, as he had done other places, he was very largely instrumental in establishing the college at Marshall under the auspices of this denomination, and he later did a great deal toward its prosperity and success. This is known as the Missouri Valley College. His next work was as synodical niissionar}- for the church in Missouri, and he did a great ser\-ice in this work. l)ut when the synod abandoned the work he conducted revival meetings until he was seized with disease which finally ushered him into the unseen world. .Ml through his long sufferings he never complained, bearing it heroicalh', having passed peacefully and triumphantlv over the river on August 8, 1895.

Through the efiforts of Andrew Olson, a life-size portrait of Reverend Sharp was presented by the citizens of Marshall to the Missouri Valley College as a token of their appreciation of his labors in securing the location of this institution at Marshall. He is remembered as a man of great social qualities, possessed a broad and profound intelligence and he was a speaker of much ability. His life was a pure one and no breath of suspicion ever touched his good name. He was, indeed, a grand and useful character and a man whose place in northern Missouri can never be filled.

Jerome B. Prior

The family of this name in Saline county is Irish on both sides of the house. William Prior came to America from the Emerald Isle when a young man and first settled in New York, where he lived for several years. Being a shoemaker, his trade made him something of a "tourist," and we find him temporarily a citizen of various places, including Charlestown, South Carolina, Mobile, Alabama, and then returning to the South Carolina capital for a brief sojourn. Finally he landed at St. Louis, where he embarked on an up-river Missouri boat which was soon after stranded. He returned to St. Louis and fitted up a team and went across country to Saline county, where he arrived in the spring of 1845. He located on a farm four and a half miles from Marshall, which he cultivated industriously until his death, which occurred in

1895, after he had reached the remarkable age of ninety-eight years. While in New York city, he married Ellen Johnston, who was born in Ireland in 1811 and died in 1884, after becoming the mother of seven children; Lewis N., deceased; Emily J., deceased wife of Daniel Black; W. E., who lives in Marshall; Thomas B., a resident of the county near Shackelford; Ellen E., deceased wife of F. E. Rigney; James B., deceased, and Jerome B.

Jerome B. Prior, youngest of the family, was born on his father's farm west of Marshall, October 2, 1856, and now owns the old homestead which was the scene of his childhood. He remained under the parental roof until the fall of 1889, when he removed to Shackelford and engaged in the mercantile business, remaining there for ten years and doing some fine trading on the side. In October, 1899. he disposed of his store and removed to Marshall to engage in the real estate and insurance business, followed by three years as a g'rocer. Finally retiring from all mercantile pursuits, he has devoted recent years to his farming interests and other investments. Mr. Prior is serving his second term in the city council as a representative of the first ward, having been elected in April, 1906, and re-elected two years later.

October 12, 1898, Mr. Prior married Agnes C. O'Laughlin, daughter of a notable character who was well known along the Mississippi in the olden da}'s. Michael O'Laughlin was bom in Ireland, but sought the shores of America at an early period in the nineteenth century. He was a passenger on the first steamer that came up the Mississippi river, and conducted the first store in St. Louis, a grocery located at Main and Spruce streets. He was engaged in business for forty years at the metropolis of Missouri and ranked as one of the city's early settlers. He married Johanna King, a native of Saline county and a daug'hter of Thomas and Catherine King', who came here in the spring of 1850 and settled on a farm near Shackelford. Mrs. Prior was born at St. Louis, February i, 1876, and was educated at Loretta Academy, from which institution she was graduated in June, 1893. Her birth occurred in what is now said to be the oldest house in St. Louis, the same building in which her father carried on business for so many years. Mr. and Mrs. Prior have three children: Helen, born September 21, 1899. on William Prior's farm two miles west of Marshall; Jerome H., born in Marshall August 6, 1901, and William K., born December 3, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Prior are members of St. Peter's church and the latter belongs to the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Mr. Prior is a member of the Maccabees and Knights of Columbus, and is a Democrat in politics. His father was one of the organizers of the old Catholic church, near the west Marshall township line and took much interest in its affairs during his lifetime. He was among the first to cast his lot with Saline county, and when he came here wild game was still abundant. Many of the older residents will readily recall this sturdy pioneer, as he traveled over the country on his favorite pony, making a picture of "ye olden times" of Missouri. The various generations of Priors have done their full share in developing and building up Saline county, with which they have been identified almost from its organization. They have achieved well desei*ved success in the different pursuits to which tliev have lent their energies.

George Edward Caldwell Sharp. D. D. S.

One of the most progressive and highly esteemed citizens of Marshall, Missouri, and a man in whom the utmost confidence is reposed by his large clientele, is Dr. George E. C. Sharp, who is a descendant of ancestors of such sterling worth that he should take a just pride in this fact. He has been an active citizen of the town for the past quarter of a century, during which time he has seen the great development of the same from a mere hamlet on the prairie to a busy and opulent city, taking no small part in the progress of the place in which he has had a healthy pride from the first - in fact, he has been identified with every interest to promote the moral and intellectual growth of the community.

Doctor Sharp was born at Kirksville, Missouri, March 3, 1857, one of nine children born to Rev. James E. Sharp and wife, the maiden name of the latter being Louisa Jane Hannah. A complete memorial sketch of the father is to be found on another page of this work ; suffice it to say here that he was one of the best known and most prominent men of this part of the state for many years. Of the nine children, only three sui*vive, all living in Marshall; they are: William F. ; Rosa Lee, wife of Dr. James L. Russell, a sketch of whom appears in this volume; and the subject of this sketch.

Doctor Sharp received his primary education in the public schools of Kansas City, later attending the Warrensburg State Normal, receiving an excellent text-book training. While yet a boy he decided to take up dentistry for a life work and accordingly began the study of this profession in 1879, under the preceptorship of Dr. A. O. Griggs, of Warrensburg, Missouri, under whom he made rapid headway, and in a short time opened an office in Higginsville, Missouri, in 1879, where he remained for seven months. In January, 1880, he moved to Moberly, Missouri, and was sue- cessfully engag-ed in the practice there for a period of four years. On May 18, 1884. he came to Marshall, Saline county, and has been in continuous practice here ever since, having enjoyed a liberal patronage from the first and winning a place in the front rank of dentists in a community noted for the high order of its medical and surgical talent. He took a post-graduate course at the Haskell Post-Graduate School at Chicago in 1897. During the twenty-five years of his practice here he has made hosts of friends among his loyal patrons and all others, in fact, who have become known to him.

Doctor Sharp's domestic life began in October, 1879, when he formed a matrimonial alliance with Ella Viola Davis, daughter of James M. Davis, an old resident of Saline county, where this family has long been prominent in local affairs. Mrs. Sharp was living near Blackburn, Elmwood township, when she was married. She received a good common school education and has proved to be a fit life companion for the Doctor. Three children have graced this union, namely: Beulah, wife of Dr. H. C. Powers, of Joplin, Missouri; Dr. E. E. Sharp, a graduate of the dental department of Washington University, of St. Louis, and who is associated with his father in this profession, having been thus associated for the past four years, the firm being known as Sharp & Son ; Maymie Lou is living at home. These children received evei"y advantage in reference to education, and they clearly reflect in their daily lives the culture and careful training they have received.

Dr. George E. C. Sharp has been very successful in a business way, and besides a modern and well equipped office and a beautiful home, he has other interests of no small importance, being vice-president and director of the Bank of Saline; also director and vice-president of the Marshall Ice Company. He has taken considerable interest in local affairs, as already intimated, and he has been a member of the board of education for the past fourteen years. ha\ing been president of the same for four years. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He was ordained deacon many years ag'O' and is now a ruling elder in the church. He takes a great deal of pride in the work of the church and Sunday school, having- been superintendent of the Sunday school in the local congregation for the past thirteen years. Mrs. Sharp is also a member of this church. Fraternally the Doctor belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed through all the chairs in the local lodge; he also belongs to the Knights of the Alaccabees and the Woodmen of the World. He was on the local board of aldennen for one term, but he has never been active in politics. He is a Democrat. He has always been interested in whatever tended to the advancement of Marshall and he is particularly interested in educational work, and his efforts to promote the welfare of the local schools while president of the school board is especially commendable. He is a man of pleasing address, always obliging, kind and courteous.

The family of this name in Saline county is of Kentucky origin. William Scrutchfield, who was bom in the historic county of Boone during the latter part of the eighteenth century, emigrated to Missouri when it was still a sparsely settled territory. As early as 1810 he located in Macon county and was one of the very first settlers of that region. He entered land and engaged in farming, which was his occupation until his death, some ten or twelve years ago. He married Barbara Burton, native of Virginia, who was brought by her parents to Randolph county, Missouri, in her childhood. They reared a large family, one of whom was David F. Scrutchfield, who became a farmer and trader in horses and cattle. He married Cclina B. Jones, a native of Illinois, by whom he had two children, Mrs. F. M. Woodford, of Atchison, Kansas, and the popular young doctor who is the subject of this sketch.

G. E. Scrutchfield, the elder of his father's two children, was born in Macon county, Missouri, November 4, 1870. He grew up on the farm, but meantime obtained a good education in the high school at Macon, supplemented by attendance for a term at the Missouri State University at Columbia, from which he was graduated in 1892. Shortly after he entered the Missouri Medical College, now Washington University, at St. Louis, and obtained his degree from this institution in the class of 1894. He spent eighteen months in St. Louis as associate superintendent of the City Hospital and received two special certificates from the city of St. Louis for special work done there during the smallpox epidemic of 1895. After this valuable experience Doctor Scrutchfield opened an ofiice at Macon, where he spent eight years in active practice. Realizing the value of post-graduate work, he spent a winter at the New York Polyclinic School of Medicine and then returned to Missouri to take up his life work. Locating in Marshall in 1904, he has practiced continuously ever since and grown rapidly in public estimation. Besides the general work of regular physicians, Doctor Scrutchfield specializes on eye, ear, nose and throat diseases.

being duly elected, he served two years most satisfactorily. Re-elected in 1908, he is now in the first year of the four-year terni required by a new law. He also served two terms as coroner in Macon county, Missouri, and so was no stranger to the duties of the office.

May 7, 1898, Doctor Scrutchfield married Effie L., daughter of the late George A. Coulter, of Macon county. The only child of this union is Helen Marie, born August 31, 1900. Doctor Scrutchfield is a member of the Saline County Medical Society, of the Elks, Modern Woodmen and Knights of ]\Iaccabees. He and his wife belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Marshall, of. which the Doctor is an elder and prominent member.

Robert T. Ham

Tennessee contributed a fine pioneer population to Missouri and her emigrants were conspicuous in many ways during the formative period of the state. Most of the incomers, however, were farmers, as that w^as practically the only industry in those days. The ancestor of the Hams havingbeen killed in Tennessee, his wife turned pioneer and sought a home in the new state bordering the Mississippi, which at that time was very attractive to all adventurous spirits. This brave woman brought her children along and by wise management succeeded in rearing them to useful lives. Her son, Adam Ham, settled on a farm northeast of Slater, which he had entered from the government. He farmed successfully until his death, in 1872, at the age of sixty-two years. He married Mary Ann AMiitson. a native of Saline county, w^ho died in 1865, at about forty-two years of age. Of their nine children, seven are living. Mathias, who lives in northwestern ^lissouri ; Jesse and Adam, who are farmers near Slater: Lucy A., wife of A. J. Gwinn. who resides in Oklahoma : ]\Irs. Bettie Pemberton. of Kansas City, and Mrs. Susan Agee. of Slater. Those deceased are Mrs. Mattie Donahue, who died in i8g8, at the age of forty-four years, and Mollie, died in 1 87 1, at the age of nineteen years.

Robert T. Ham, the other living- son, was bom two miles northeast of Slater, Saline count5^ Missouri, January 31, 1859. He grew up on the parental farm and made it his home until his removal to Slater in 1905, for the purpose of securing better educational facilities for his children. He began working on the farm when ten years old, as soon as he could reach the plow handles, and from that time on made a full hand whenever labor was re- quired for any purpose on the place. Even since coming to Slater he has by no means surrendered the reins, but still gives personal attention and general supei-vision to his farm. It is a valuable and productive tract of land and has been kept in a highly improved condition, as Mr. Ham is a natural born farmer, with wide practical knowledge of every feature of the business. He is in the prime of life and a fine sample of physical manhood, being six feet tall, large and well built. His home in West Slater is a beautiful structure with all the modern conveniences and a typical residence for a prosperous Missouri farmer. Aside from his life work he occasionally branches out in other lines and has shown himself to be a good politician. His popularitv and vote-getting (jualities attracted the attention of his fellow Democrats and in 1900 they insisted on his making the race for sheriff of Saline countv. He was elected, sen^ed in a very satisfactoiy manner and was reelected in the fall of 1902 without trouble. He is a member of the Modern A\'oodmen and for years has affiliated with the Christian church.

October 26, 1886, Mr. Ham married Lillie E., daughter of J, M. Jackson, a farmer and resident of Saline county. Mrs. Ham is a native of Howard county, Missouri, a member of the Baptist church and has borne her husband four children : Robert, Jr., Jesse D., Lillian and Daisy. The family are well known all over the county and enjoy general esteem. In the case of Mr. Ham, a life of industry has been rewarded with success and he is reaping the fruits of the hard labor of his early manhood. The compensation is a line property, a delightful, commodious and happy home, with troops of friends to share with him the good thing's he has earned.

Robert M. Reynolds

In the above-named gentleman we have a sample of the self-made, reliant, enterprising men who have made the West. Industrious in habits, attentive to duties and doing well whatever they are given to do are always characteristics of those who succeed in life and by their success benefit their respective communities. Mr. Reynolds is a lawyer by profession and in the line of his calling has clone valuable public work. As a practitioner he is careful with his cases, watchful of his clients' rights, conscientious in his dealings with courts and juries and altogether a fine example of the "civic conscience" working on an individual for the general welfare. Robert M. Reynolds was born in Arrow Rock township, Saline county, Missouri, Jan- uary 17, 1863. His father, Peter T. Reynolds, was born in Saline county in 1830, and after reaching manhood became a farmer, but later engaged in merchandising at Arrow Rock and Slater. He died in the last mentioned town about the year 1899. The family is of Virginia origin. Cornelius Re\Tiolds, grandfather of Robert M., came from the Old Dominion to ^lissouri when the state was still quite young, settled on a farm in Arrow Rock township and spent the rest of his days as a cultivator of the soil. He was a pioneer in that part of Saline county which was but sparsely settled when he moved in. His son, Peter T., married Martha Gilmer, who was born in Saline county in 1840, being a descendant of one of the oldest settlers. She died about 1901. Her father, John Gilmer, was a pioneer of the county and among the first of those who found out the value and productiveness of the rich soil of this section. Peter T. and Alartha Reynolds had seven children, of whom those living are thus recorded in the family Bible : John, a resident of Slater; Robert AL. the immediate subject of this sketch; ]\Irs. ^Nlollie ^lahard, of Marshall ; Peter, a resident of Kansas City ; Alexander, also of Kansas City ; and Mrs. Esma Grube, of Chicago. Robert M. Reynolds was reared in the town of Arrow Rock, Saline county, Missouri, and received a common school education, which was added to by a short period at Central College, at Fayette, Missouri. After completing his education he taught school in Arrow Rock, to which place his father had removed in 1873, ^^^'^ '^"ose to the rank of principal by reason of his satisfactory work. He continued in the profession of pedagogics for four years, meantime devoting his leisure to the study of law. In 1888 he was admitted to the bar bv Judge Field and entered at once into the active practice of his profession. Locating first at Arrow Rock, he afterward removed to Slater, where he practiced for one year. In 1890 he was appointed public administrator, which necessitated his removal to Marshall, and his subsequent election to the office made his sen-ice in its entirety cover a period of five years. The duties of public administrator were well and conscientiously administered by Mr. Reynolds and the people favored him with further honors. In 1894 he was elected prosecuting attorney and resigned as administrator to accept. He was re-elected in 1896 and altogether held the office for two terms of two years each. His work as prosecutor was highly satisfactory and gave him that general acquaintance over the county which proved valuable after he resumed the general practice and he has since had all the business he can legilimatelv attend to. He has been engaged in many important cases, both civil and criminal. He appeared as one of counsel for the Cumberland Presbyterians in its litigation with the Presbyterian church

In 1885 Mr. Reynolds married Sarah L., daughter of Wilham and Elizabeth Eddins, well known people of Howard county. William Thornton Reynolds is the only child of this union. The parents are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Marshall and Mr. Reynolds is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen and the Maccabees. His politics are Democratic and he is one of the workers and cainpaigners for his party when political battles are to be foug^ht.

Stephen Craig

1'he record of Mr. Craig is that of a man who by his own unaided efforts has worked his way from a modest beg^inning to a position of comparative prominence in the community. His life has been one of unceasing industry and perseverance and the systematic and honorable methods which he has followed have won him the unbounded confidence of his fellow citizens of Saline county.

Mr. Craig' was born near Toronto, Canada, June 8, 1853, and is a son of Hugh and Jeanette G. (Spears) Robson Craig. The father was born in Canada. February 10, 1825, and the mother in Scotland, August 14, 182 1. Mrs. Craig's parents brought their family to Canada in 1834. Hugh Craig was 1:)orn and reared on a farm and on attaining mature years he engaged in the mercantile business, but at the end of seven years he ceased that and engaged in farming- and at the same time operated a sawmill. In 1866 he moved to Cooper county, Missouri, living at Boonville one year, and during the greater part of the period of his residence in Cooper county Mr. Craig was engaged in the operation of a sawmill. In 1872 Mr. Craig moved to Saline county, the family coming here the following year. During the first two years of his residence here Mr. Craig operated a saw mill and at the same time he cultivated leased land. In 1875 he purchased about a section of bottom land located between Arrow Rock and Saline City, but he continued to operate the saw mill until about t88t. having leased the plant, but in the year mentioned the subject of this sketch and his brother Patrickbought the mill. Mr. Craig established his home on the bottom land and there continued to reside until his death. At the present time there is only about a half of the land he owned remaining, the balance having been washed awav bv the treacherous Missouri river.

In politics Hugh Craig was a Democrat, though he never manifested any special interest in politics aside from the casting of his ballot. His fraternal relations were with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Religiously he was identified with the Presbyterian church while living in Canada, but after their removal to Missouri he and his wife joined the Disciples church, with which they continued to be identified until their deaths. Mrs. Craig died on May 27, 1881, and was survived several years by her husband, who died in 1886. Both had been married prior to their own union, and by her first marriage Mrs. Craig had become the mother of three children, who remained in Canada. Mr. Craig had one son by his first marriage, Hugh. Jr., \\ho is now a successful farmer in Arrow Rock township, Saline county, Missouri, owning also a farm in Texas. To the union of Hugh and Jeanette Craig were born three children, namely: Patrick S., who lived in Saline county, died at the age of forty-four years, leaving a widows who is now^ ^Irs. Hari-y Hudson, and four daughters; Stephen is the immediate subject of this sketch; William S. never married and died in 1883. at the age of twenty-seven years.

Stephen Craig continued to make his home with his parents until the time of his marriage and during his boyhood days he secured his education in the schools of the neighborhood. He was a valued assistant to his father in the work of the farm and also as sawyer in the mill. After his marriage, which occurred in 1879, he continued to work as sawyer for his father until 1 88 1, when he and his brother Patrick bought the mill and two hundred and fort3'-three acres of bottom land. At the time of purchase there was a residence on this land, but they proceeded to build another, and thereafter they continued to conduct the mill and farm together. At their father's death, they bought the paternal estate of tw^o hundred and ninety-five acres, and continued to operate the same in partnership until 1892, when they dissolved the partnership and divided the property. In the division the subject retained the saw mill as a part of his share and he continued successfully to conduct the mill until 1903, when the rivers overflowed and covered the mill with sand. The mill still remains imbedded in this sand, no attempt having been made to uncover it. At the present time Mr. Craig owns about one hundred and seventy acres of what was his father's bottom land and two hundred and forty acres of high land located in sections 23 and 24. He has been unfortunate in losing land by the encroachments of the Missouri river, having in this w^ay lost the greater part of one hundred and sixty acres of bottom land in Cooper county and over one hundred and twenty acres in Saline county. In addition to his real estate holdings in Missouri, Mr. Craig also owns a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, located in Wichita and W'ilbarg- counties, Texas. He is a splendid business man and has been enterj^rising and progressive in the operation of his land. He is very energetic and keeps in close touch with every detail of his farm work, the result being that each year he is enabled to realize a handsome profit in his operations.

]\Ir. Craig has twice been married, the first time on September 24, 1879, when he was united to Mary Catherine Stafford, wlio was a native of Crawford county, Missouri, born February 10, 1857, the daughter of Jesse Stafiovd. To this union were born eleven children, of whom five are living, namely: J. Otis, of Texas: Flora Pearl, the wife of William Hubbard, of Arrow Rock, Missouri: Florence Ruby. Lavena Kate and Annie Blackwell, who are at home. Mrs. Mary Craig died on June 11, 1896 and on June 8. 1897, 'My. Craig married Cora L. Wiley, who was born in 1878 in Saline county, the daughter of A\'illiam and Ida ( Velten ) Wiley. To this union have been born six children, one of whom died in infancy, those livingbeing Clifton C. Etta L. Cora C. Benjamin Stephen and Dorothy.

Politically Mr. Craig- has always exercised his right of franchise in support of the Democratic party and he has taken a commendable interest in local public atTfairs, though at no time has he been an aspirant for the honors or emoluments of public office. Mr. Craig" and the members of his family are faithful members of the Disciples church and give to that society an earnest and generous support, being' active in advancing the interests of the society. In avenues of activity in which he has engaged. Mr. Craig has performed his full part and has at all times enjoyed the unbounded confidence and esteem of the entire community, who appreciate his sterling qualities of manhood.

William R. Hubbard, son-in-law of the subject of this sketch, was born in Montgomery county, Missouri, in July. 1872, and in his youth was brought to Saline countv. He received his education in the schools of Arrow Rock township and in a private school at Arrow Rock, conducted by Mrs. Anna McMahan. His parents were William R. and Arretta (Grooms) Hubbard, both of whom were natives of Montgomery county, Missouri. Mr. Hubbard died about 1874, leaving two children, the subject and his sister, who is now the wife of Roy Piper, of Clay township. Saline county. Her husband having died when her children were babies, Mrs. Hubbard moved to Arrow Rock township. Saline county, and purchased a farm, where she made her home several years and then moved to Arrow Rock, where she lived until her death, which occurred in 1906. at the age of seventy-five vears.

The son, William R. Hubbard, was reared to the life of a farmer and continued to be so engaged until 1893, when he entered the drug store of T. B. Morris at Arrow Rock, with the idea of learning the business. About three years later he bought a half interest in the business and in 1906 he became the sole proprietor of the store, which he has since successfully conducted. Some time ago he bought out a competing drug store and is thus now the only druggist at Arrow Rock. He carries a large and well selected stock of all the drugs and auxiliary lines usually to be found in an up-to-date drug store and is in command of a large and constantly increasing patronage.

On April 26, 1905, Mr. Hubbard married Flora Pearl Craig, the daughter of Stephen and Mai-y C. (Stafford) Craig, of Arrow Rock township, this county. Fraternally Mr. Hubbard is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of the lodges at Arrow Rock. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard are members of the Disciples church, in the work of which they take an active part. They are highly esteemed in the community because of their excellent qualities of character and their genial dispositions.

James L. Roberts

A very interesting couple to meet is Mr. and Mrs. James L. Roberts, who reside in a modern home at No. 419 East Summit street in the city of Marshall. Though they have reached and even passed the psalmist's limit of "three score years and ten," they still enjoy life, are full of vigor and possess many entertaining reminiscences of the past. Mr. Roberts is a native of Johnson county, Missouri, where he resided until 1879, when he removed to Aullville, in Lafayette county, and in 1890 came from there to Marshall, the main object being to enjoy better facilities for the education of his children. He has been a buyer and dealer in cattle and hogs all his life and is still, at the age of seventy-three, in active business. He is the son of John Roberts, a Kentucky farmer, and the remote ancestry of the family were Welsh. May 27, 1869, Mr. Roberts married Mar}^ E. Marshall, a native of Lafayette county, Missouri, and a descendant of the celebrated Virginia chief justice. She is an enthusiastic member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy and has many stirring tales to tell of her Civil war experiences. During the heat of that terrific struggle she and her mother came near being banished from the state for succoring sick and wounded

Confederate soldiers. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and the former is an unusually temperate man, having- a record of never smoking, chewing or drinking. His speech, too, is temperate, as he never swore an oath in his life, following the scriptural injimction to let his answer be "yea or nay." This honored couple became the parents of two children, James L. and John M., the latter being formerly principal of the Marshall high school, but at present secretary and joint owner of the Central Scientific Supply Company of Chicago.

James L. Roberts, the younger of these brothers, was born in Johnson county, Missouri, August 8, 1876. His primary education was received in the schools of Lafayette county, but at the age of fourteen years he came to Marshall with his parents and entered the academic department of Missouri Valley College and pursued his studies in that department for three vears. The next four years were devoted to the college course proper and he was graduated in the class of 1897 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His brother, who had preceded him in this institution, was graduated in 1894 with the same degree. He married Eva, daughter of Samuel Poteet, of Westport, Missouri, and in the thirty-eighth year of his age ranks as a firstclass business man. In 1898 James L. Roberts was appointed official court stenographer by Judge Samuel Davis, of the fifteenth judicial circuit, and was also appointed official stenographer of the criminal court of the same circuit, by John A. Rich, the presiding judge. These responsible positions have occupied all his time since his appointments were received and he has gained high reputation for the expertness and accuracy of his work. In 1895 he was admitted to the bar, and is now a member of the firm of Barbee & Roberts, with offices in the Marshall building. As court stenograplier and law reporter his services are in demand over the state. He took the testimony for the state of Missouri, by appointment of ex-Chief Justice Theodore Brace, commissioner, in the ouster proceedings instituted by Attorney General Hadley against the International Harvester Company of America and also in the lumber trust ouster proceedings. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, was official stenographer for the Cumberland Presbyterian general assembly, and is now official stenographer for the Presbyterian general assembly. In Masonry he is a member of the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, and also belongs to the Elks. He is an enthusiastic Democrat and always is found at the front working for his party during campaigns. As a side line he acts as correspondent for St. Louis, Kansas City and other metropolitan newspapers. He has traveled extcnsivelv ()\-er the L'nited States, is well informed and makes an instructive companion in leisure hours. He holds fine views of life, being optimistic, enthusiastic in good causes and reliable in all relations. In 1900 Mr. Roberts married Lula Stephens, of Macon. Missouri, who died in 1903. without issue. Mr. Roberts makes his home with his parents.

Charles E. Bradford

This enterprising farmer and representative citizen of Arrow^ Rock township is a native of Saline county, Missouri, and dates his birth from March 25, 1869, having first seen the light of day about two miles west of the village of Arrow Rock, near which place the greater part of his life has been spent. His father, Charles H. Bradford, formerly of the township of Arrow Rock, but since 1900 an honored resident of Marshall, belongs to one of the old and reputable families of Saline county, as does also the mother, who prior to her marriage bore the maiden name of Susan Smith. A complete sketch of this family appear upon another page.

Charles E. Bradford spent his early years in close touch with the farm, with proper conceptions of life and duty and the idea that true success is the legitimate result of inflexible integrity and honorable effort. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and when his services were not required in the fields he attended the public schools, although the greater part of his education consists of that practical kind which is only obtained at mature age by coming in contact with his fellow men. During- his minority he assisted his father in cultivating his home fann in Arrow Rock township, which the latter purchased in 1879. and on which since his tenth year the subject has lived, taking- charge of the place in 1900, when his father discontinued active labor and retired to the city of Marshall.

The farm which Mr. Bradford now cultivates consists of one hundred twenty acres in section 35, and forty acres in section 25, Arrow Rock township, the g-reater part under a high state of cultivation and otherwise well improved. The land lies in one of the most productive districts of Saline county, and is admirably adapted to agriculture and stock raising, all the crops common to this latitude being grown with success and profit while the pasturage is unexcelled for cattle and other domestic animals upon which farmers rely as a source of income. Mr. Bradford is an advocate of improvements and the beautifying and making attractive the home, the result being seen in the splendid condition of everything on the premises and the desirability of his farm as a place of residence. While Mr. Bradford gives his support to the Democratic party, he is not a partisan nor office seeker, being- first of all a farmer and making evei-y other consideration subordinate thereto. He holds membership with the Knights of Pythias and the Fraternal Order of Eagles and stands well with both societies, besides holding from time to time official positions involving responsibility and trust.

The domestic life of Mr. Bradford began in 1908, on February 15th of which year w^as solemnized his marriage with Leila Morris, who was born near the town of Butler, Bates county, Missouri, November 18, 1887. Mrs. Bradford, who is the daughter of Sue Morris, of Eldorado Springs, this state, enjoys the confidence of the neighbors and friends among whom she lives.

William Joseph Connell

In the death of the honored subject of this sketch, which occurred at his home in Arrow Rock township, August i, 1906, the community lost one of its most estimable and high minded men and the county of Saline a public spirited citizen, whose place it will be difficult to fill. A devoted husband and loving and indulgent father, a keen and sagacious man of affairs, he acted well his part in life, wielded a strong influence for good, and in his removal there passed from earth one who in a large measure had dignified his manhood and honored the race. William Joseph Connell was a Virginian by birth and a son of Brice and Elizabeth Connell, both natives of the Old Dominion state and descended from well known and highly esteemed families that settled in Page county, at an early day and took an active part in the development and growth of their respective communities.

Brice Connell, whose birth occurred in the above county in 1798, married, in 1820, Elizabeth Summers and followed agriculture until his death, which took place on February 24, 1882. Shortly after the death of her husband, Mrs. Connell came to Missouri and spent the remainder of her days with her children, several of whom had moved to the state some time previously and settled in various parts of Saline and Howard counties. Brice and Elizabeth Connell had a family of eleven children, of whom the subject of this review was the youngest and perhaps the most widely known.

William Joseph Connell was born March 19, 1846, in Page county, Virginia, grew to maturity on the home farm and received a practical education in the schools of his neighborhood. After remaining with his parents until twenty-three years of age, he left home to make his own way in the world, going to southern Illinois, where he spent about two years, at the expiration of which time he returned tO' his native state and in 1864 entered the Confederate army, wnth which he served until a severe attack of typhoid fe\'er a few months later, which rendered him unfit for active duty. Feeling- the approach of the dread disease, he started for home, but before proceeding very far his condition became such as to render further traveling impossible, in which dilemma he was found by a kind hearted old colored woman who took him into her humble cabin and tenderly nursed him until he was able to be up and about ; when sufficiently recovered he resumed his journey and in due time arrived at his father's house, where a grateful w^elcome awaited him.

After recuperating for some time, Mr. Connell again severed home ties and went to central Indiana, where he remained for two years and then proceeded west as far as Missouri, locating in the spring of 1869 on Luter's Island, Montgomen^ county, where he devoted the ensuing three years to farming. In 1874 he came to Saline county and settled on what is known as the Chestnut Hill farm, about one and a half miles w^est of Arrow Rock, where he lived and prospered for several years, removing from that place to the William Price farm, near the village, and still later transferring his residence to a locality northeast of Hardiman, in the township of Arrow Rock, where he made his home until 1891. In February of the latter year he purchased two hundred and seventy-two acres in the above township, one hundred sixty in section 34, township 50, and ninety-two acres in section 3, township 51, all in one body and lying about three-fourths of a mile northwest of the village of Napton. By well directed industry and excellent management he bought the land to a high state of tillage, made a number of substantial improvements and in a few years his farm compared favorably with any other in the township. He took high rank as an enterprising and progressive tiller of the soil, also devoted considerable attention to fine live stock and it was not long until he was in independent circumstances, with a sufficiency of material wealth at his command to give to each of his children a substantial start in life when they left home to begin life for themselves.

In his political affiliation, Mr. Connell was a Democrat, but he had little taste for party affairs and never aspired to office or public position. He was a firm believer in revealed religion and for a number of years was one of the pillars of the Smith Memorial Presbyterian church, in Salt Fork township, in addition to which he encouraged every laudable measure for the moral advancement of the community and the general welfare of his fellowmen. He stood high in the esteem of his neighbors and fellow citizens, made every other

]\Ir. Council was married on the 20th day of February, 1877, to Bettie Smith, whose birth occurred in Howard county, Missouri, February 6, 1856, being- a daughter of Sacre and Lucy (Green) Smith, natives of Missouri, the father born in Boone county, the mother in the county of Howard. This marriag-e was a most fortunate and happy one, resulting- in the birth of twelve children, and was terminated by the death of Mr. Connell on August

I, 1906. as stated in a preceding- parag-raph, his widow and all of his children surviving him. The oldest of the family is Virginia, who w^as born February

II, 1878, and who is now the wife of A. J. Keys, of Marshall; William Ashby, the second, was bom March 20, 1879, and lived with his parents until March 21, 1899, when he married Catherine Townsend, whose birth occurred in Arrow^ Rock township, on the 12th day of December, 1880, and who is the mother of two children, Marie, born April 20, 1903, and Catherine E.. who first saw the light of day on September 17, 1907. Ernest H., the third in succession of the subject's children, was born May 7, 1880, and lives with his mother on the home farm. Lester, who is also at home, was born March 23. 1882. Jesse Yewel, born September 8, 1883, lives in Chicago. Frances, wife of E. L. Hite, of Cooper county, Missouri, was born April 14, 1885, and has one child. Cecil, whose birth occurred on January 10, 1906. Nora Connell, who was born December 14, 1886, is still with her mother, as is also Joseph, w'ho w^as born October 22, 1888. Bessie w-as born June 20, 1890, and Anna M. on July 25, 1892. Flora, born July 14, 1894, and John H., whose birth occurred on the 28th day of July, 1897, are also at home and with their mother and others under the parental roof constitute a happy and contented domestic circle.

Samuel B. Thompson

AuKjng- the honored citizens of Saline county is the subject of this review, who has here maintained his home for a period of over forty years, winning- a definite success b}' means of the agricultural industry, to which he has devoted his attention during his mature years. His career has been without shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil and he has ever commanded the confidence and esteem of his fellow men.

The subject is a son of John and Catherine (Dingas) Thompson, the former of whom was born near Glasgow, Scotland, April 15, 1822. When he was five years old, death deprived him of his father and thereafter he made his home with his grandfather in Ireland until he was sixteen years of age, at which time his grandfather died and the young man, following the example of many of his countrymen, emigrated to the United States, locating in Philadelphia, where he made his home with an aunt. Mrs. Mary Adair. He secured a good practical education in the public schools of Philadelphia, and then served an apprenticeship of three years in the Holloway machine works. He was employed at the machinist's trade a short time and then was induced by a cousin, Robert Adair, to learn the trade of a gas fitter. He did so and worked at that trade in Philadelphia until about 1846, when he moved to Albany, New York, and he and his cousin were employed at gas fitting there until 1850. In that year the subject moved to Buffalo, New York, where he became superintendent of the city gas works. While residing in Buffalo, Mr. Thompson became a member of a companv which started the first gas plant in Detroit, Michigan, about 1852, and of this plant he became the superintendent. After, retaining this position a few vears, the gas plant was sold and Mr. Thompson went to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where another gas plant was started and again Mr. Thompson became superintendent. This plant was sold in 1857 and a short time afterwards he went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he met James Clarkson, who induced him to come to Saline county, Missouri, and buy land. He came here and located on Blackwater creek, but did not buy land, simply renting up to 1872. when he bought a small piece of two acres in Brownsville (now Sweet Springs), where he made his home until his death, which occurred on April 25, 1874. Mr. Thompson was a Democrat in his political views. During the Civil war his sympathies were with the South and he entered the army under General Price, serving in a company commanded by Capt. William Brown, under whom he had participated in the second battle of Boonville. He later joined Captain Emerson's company and at the Blackwater surrender he was made a prisoner and was confined at McDowell College, St. Louis, for a time. Subsequently he was transferred to the prison at Alton, Illinois, in 1862, but there he took the oath and was permitted to return home. He was a member (^f the Presbyterian church. His wife died February 25, 1894. In 1846 Mr. Thompson married Catherine Dingas. who was born in Kensington. Penn- >ylvania, in September, 1824, and to them were born twelve children, namely: Six that died in infancy; Mrs. M. A. Andrews, residing at Sweet Springs, this county; Samuel B., the subject of this sketch; William J., of Arrow Rock township, this county; Mrs. Letitia Herndon. of Liberty township, this county; Price L., of Canon City. Colorado, and George A., of La Junta, Colorado.

Samuel B. Thompson was bora at Albany, New York, on October 28, 1849, and made his home with his parents until 1873, securing in the meantime a good public school education. In the year mentioned he went to work as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Jonesboro (now Xapton), this countv. where he remained until 1875, when he entered a store in Brownsville (now Sweet Springs), remaining there a year. In 1876 he accepted a clerkship in a store at Marshall, but in the following year he moved onto a farm of Dr. C. Lester Hall, in Marshall township, which he rented for three years. In 1880 he moved onto a forty-acre farm in section 17, township 49, range 19, Arrow Rock township, which he purchased the year previously. He has since that time made his home on this place, to which he has added forty acres, making his present holdings eighty acres. The subject has made many permanent and substantial improvements on the place and has maintained it at the highest possible standard of excellence. The residence is neat and attractive in appearance, the barns commodious and well arranged and the general appearance of the entire property indicates to the passerby that the owner is a man of good judgment and practical in his methods. He here raises all the crops common to this section of the country and also gives some attention to the raising of live stock, in which also he has met with success.

Politically Mr. Thompson is a Democrat and has taken an active part in advancing the interests of the party in this county. In 1889 he was appointed deputy county assessor, holding the office four years, and in 1892 and again in 1894 he was elected for two-year terms in the same position. In 1900 he was elected for a four-year term and in 1904 was re-elected for a like period. In June, 1909, he retired from the office, the duties of which he had so capably performed for a number of years, but in August followinghe was appointed deputy assessor by his successor in office and continued in that capacity until the completion of his work in November of that year. On December first he was elected cashier of the Farmers and Merchants' Bank at Nelson, a corporation which he assisted in organizing in the fall of 1909. It is capitalized at fifteen thousand dollars, the date of incorporation being November 8th. At that time the new concern purchased a private institution known as the Bank of Nelson, which effected the consolidation of all the banking interests of that prosperous village. Mr. Thompson continues as the cashier of the bank at the present time, while George T. Jenkins serves as president and B. E. Staples vice-president. In addition to the president the following constitute the board of directors: Homer Conaway. August Petry, H. A. Smith, C. W. Smith, R. H. Scott and J. T. Jones. Religiously Mr.

On April 2, 1889, Samuel B. Thompson was united in marriage to Mrs. Frances M. (Collins) Kincheloe, who was born in Choctaw' county, Alabama. March 29, 1853, ^ daughter of Dillard and Harriett E. (Jones) Collins, the former born in Kentucky and the latter in Alabama. Her parents left Alabama and came to Cooper county, Missouri, in 1866, where they lived until 1882, when they moved to Saline county, their last home being at Sweet Springs, where the father's death occurred May 22, 1897, ^^ the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The latter became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South at the age of sixteen years, but after locating in Cooper county he joined the Christian church about the year 1868 and continued to be a member of that society during the balance of his lifetime. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, four boys and four girls. Those now living are as follows: Mrs. Thompson, who is the eldest of the children; Mrs. W. H. Burton, Mrs. J. N. Nixon, R. F., R. E., D. F. and J. P., all of whom live in Kansas City excepting R. E., who lives in Sweet Springs with his mother. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of two children, namely : Samuel Earl, born November 30, 1891, and John Ernest, boni February 7, 1893. Mr. Thompson is a man of splendid qualities and has long enjoyed the unlimited confidence of all who have come in contact with him.

John W. Keys

Among the well-to-do fanners and public spirited citizens of Arrow Rock township is the well known and highly esteemed gentleman whose career is brieflv outlined in the following paragraphs. John W. Keys was born December 19, 1858, in Fairfax county, Virginia, and is a son of James and Mary J. (Elgin) Keys, both natives of the Old Dominion state and descended from prominent families of the same. James Keys began life as a railway contractor and at one time was quite wealthy, but lost all of his property during the late Civil war. He was an ardent pro-slavery man and ere the war closed it is said that he donated something like thirty thousand dollars to the Southern cause. He entered the Confederate army at the breaking out of hostilities and gave about three and a half years to the service, his regiment during the earlier part of the struggle being under the command of Gen. Stonewall Jackson and participating in nearly all the bloody battles in which that distinguished leader took part. He was captured near Fairfax Court House, Virginia, and with a number of his comrades was imprisoned in the basement of the old capitol at Washington, where he remained until exchanged, a short time before the surrender of Lee and the downfall of the Confederacy.

Mr. Keys, although a member of no church, was a man of strong religious convictions and a profound student of the Scriptures. His wife, a most excellent woman, was a member of the Episcopal church and deeply devoted to the duties which emanate from the same. Their children, three in number, are all living and well situated, the subject of this sketch being the oldest of the family : Mrs. O. J. Watts is the second in order of birth and Ashby K. Keys, of Marshall, the youngest. The mother died July 18, 1896, aged seventy years, the father on April 24, 1902, in his seventy-seventh year. James Keys, in 187 1, moved his family to Johnson county, Missouri, where he resided until the following year, when he came to Saline county, Missouri, and purchased a farm of forty acres in the northern part of Arrow Rock township, which he improved and on which he and his good wife spent the remainder of their days and from which they went to their final reward, as stated above.

John AV. Keys was about thirteen years old when his parents left Virginia and since the year 1872 he has been a resident of Saline county, Missouri, and closely identified with the material prosperity of the township in which he now lives. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and remained with his parents until twenty-three years of age, at which time he became associated with Jesse T. Baker in farming and stock raising, on the latter's fann, an enterprise which lasted three years and proved the beginning of his fortune. In 1885 he purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 13, Arrow Rock township, which he at once began to improve and which he increased in the year 1900 by the addition of eighty acres, making a fine farm of two hundred acres on which he has since lived and prospered.