Saline County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 15 of 17)

Mr. Young is a Democrat in all the term implies and, wdtile wielding a strong influence for his party, he has never sought nor desired official prefer- ment at the hands of his fellow citizens. Both himself and wife are worthy and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in all that constitutes upright manhood and intelligent, conscientious citizenship his name and character are above reproach.

Mr. Young's marriage was solemnized January 8, 1862. with Virginia Gilliam, a native of Saline county and a daughter of F. H. and Ann Elizabeth f Ayers) Gilliam, both parents of Virginia birth. They came to Saline county, Missouri, in 1835. locating originally at Old Cambridge, where Mr. Gilliam engaged in merchandising and near which place he erected the first flouring mill to meet the wants of the settlers. This was a very primitive afTair. operated by oxen on a tread-wheel, but as population increased he built a larger and better equipped mill, which received its motive power from water and which he operated with success for a number of years. He also ran a saw mill, which was highly prized by the people of the community, and conducted a farm which he purchased shortly after his arrival. Mr. Gilliam was long one of the leading citizens of the county, was public spirited and in favor of all worthy enterprises for the improvement of the country and development of its resources. His first wife dying in 1876. he afterwards married a second companion, but in 1904 he was again left a widower, since which time he has lived in retirement in the city of Marshall, making his home with a daughter and enjoying- life at the remarkable age of ninetv-five years.

Like most reputable and peaceably inclined men, Mr. (iilliam was subjected to no little trouble and annoyance during the war, but took no part in the struggle, although his sympathies were with the South. He was arrested by the so-called Union men of Marshall, but after a short time was given his liberty, nothing sufificiently serious being charged against him to warrant his being- held as a prisoner. While under arrest his house was burned and to escape further trouble he went to Illinois, where he remained until conditions in Saline county had improved, when he returned and resumed his usual vocations. In early life he was quite successful as an auctioneer, in which capacity his services were in wide demand throughout a large area of territory. A Methodist in belief, he has demonstrated the beauty and value of a live Christian faith by his daily life and all with whom he comes into contact bear testimony to his worth as a man and citizen. He reared a family of seven children, namely: ^^'il1iam. deceased: Mrs. Virginia Young, ^Madison. INFrs. Elizabeth Parrish. Mrs. Marcella Hughes. Mrs. Eva I'^ranklin. and Luther, who died leaving a widow and one son.

are as follows: lleiin l., ncceased ; George M., Celsus C, Cora, wife of Y. N. Edwards; Mclviii M., deceased; Lulu E., deceased; Fayette G. ; Mary Eva, wife of Dr. ' . A Wherry; Philander H., and Virginia, who married A. D. Martin. Melvin M. Young, the fifth in order of birth, read medicine and built up a lucrative practice in St. Louis, where he was looked upon as (.ne of the rising physicians of the city. Owing to overwork and exposure while attending his patients, he contracted the dread disease consumption, from which he died in Pueblo, Colorado.

John R. Buck

The well known and highly esteemed gentleman under whose name this article is written, is one of Saline county's honored sons and dates his birth from the 8th day of January, 1854. Like many of the substantial citizens of central Missouri, his family is from the South, and in tracing his genealogy it is learned that his ancestors settled many years ago in Virginia, and that his grandfather, James Buck, who was a native of that state, early migrated to Kentucky, where he married, reared a large family and became a successful tiller of the soil. After the death of his wife he moved to Saline county, Missouri, and entered quite an extensive body of land, a part of which he improved and turned his attention to agriculture and stock raising. A Democrat of the old school, he manifested a lively interest in public affairs, and as a worthy member of the Methodist church he was active in all religious and moral movements and stood ever for the right as he saw and understood it. He lived a life of great usefulness, enjoyed the confidence of his fellow men and died at a ripe old age, lamented by all who knew him.

John Buck, son of James and father of the subject, was bom in Kentucky, grew to maturity in Saline county, Missouri, and in young manhood married Mariah Burke, who bore him the following children: William D., James T., John R., Lulu J., wife of John Ballentine, and Mary K., who married a gentleman by the name of Collie White. Mr. Buck entered land in 1848 five miles southwest of Marshall, improved a fine farm and in due time became one of the leading agriculturists and stock raisers in his part of the county. He was a public spirited man, an influential Democrat and kept in touch with the leading questions and issues of the times, but never sought nor desired official preferment. In early life, when the county was new and wild game of all kinds plentiful, he achieved quite a reputation as a hunter and it was largely through the efforts of himself and others of similar tastes that wild animals which once infested this section of the state were either killed or driven to other parts. Like his father, he. too, was a leader in a moral and religious way, having been a charter member of the Mt. Olive Cumberland Presbyterian church, and for a number of years an elder of the society. He was a good man, just in his dealings, and his death, in October, i860, at the early age of thirty-six years, removed from Saline countv one of its most worth\- and ])romising citizens.

Mariah Burke, who became the wife of John Buck, was a daughter of \\'illiam Burke, a native of Virginia and an early emigrant to Tennessee, where he lived until his removal to Howard county, Missouri, in the year 1 8 19. Subsequently he changed his place of abode to the county of Saline, where he entered land and engaged in farming and stock raising and rose to prominence as a leader in every good work among his neighbors and fellow citizens. Of his ten children, Mrs. Mariah Buck, the second in order of birth, and her brother. J. T. Burke, and sister, Airs. Ella Colvin, are the only ones living. Mrs. Buck is the onl}- sur\iving charter mem1)er of the Mt. Olive Cumberland Presbyterian church, to which so many of the earlv settlers of the count}' Ijelonged. Airs. Ikick has reached the ripe old age of eightv ^"ears, ha\'- ing been forty-nine \ears a widow and since childhood an earnest and devout Christian, whose life has e\"er been in accordance with her religious profession. After the death of her husband she managed the farm, kept her children until able to care for themselves and had the satisfaction of seeing them all grow to honorable manhood and womanhood and become settled in life.

John R. Buck spent his early years on the family homestead and after the death of his father assisted his mother in the management of the farm until 1 88 1, on June 30th of which year he was united in marriage w^ith Mollie Hill, a native of Alabama, and engaged in agriculture for himself. For some years he rented the home farm, but afterwards he and his two brothers bought the place and had it ecjually divided, each receiving sufficient land for a large farm, the share falling to him containing the residence, which he has since remodeled and converted into one of the most commodious and attractive dwellings in the neighborhood. By well directed industry and the adoption of modern methods his farm has been made to yield bountifully, this with the income from the sale of live stock resulting in a handsome competency and making him not only independent but one of the solid and wellto-do farmers of the county. Although interested in all kinds of live stock, he devotes especial attention to horses and mules, which he breeds and raises quite extensively for both local markets and shipment, and at the present

Mr. Ruck is a friend of all movements for the moral and intellectual progress of the community and is greatly interested in the cause of education, especially the higher grades, for which his children are now being prepared. Like all enterprising citizens, he takes an active part in politics and, believing in the principles of the Democratic party, which he thinks are the best for the interests of the people, he has been one of its influential supporters in Saline county for a number of years, though not an aspirant for office nor any kind of public recognition. In his religious belief the Presbyterian church represents his creed and as an humble and devout member of the same he has lived an upright life and influenced not a few of his fellow men to imitate his example in this important respect.

Mr. Buck's first wife, to whom reference has been made in a preceding paragraph, died February 5, 1882, the marriage being without issue. She came from an old and respected Southern family and was a lady of intelligence and worth, a zealous Christian and, although reared in the Baptist faith, subsequently united with the Presbyterian church, to which she continued faithful until called from the church militant to the church triumphant. On November i, 1892, Mr. Buck entered the marriage relation a second time, choosing for a wife Maggie Mahard, who was bom in Illinois and came to Missouri when quite young with her parents, W. K. and Susan (Lansdon) Mahard, both of whom spent the remainder of their days in Saline county. - John ]\Iahard, Mrs. Buck's grandfather, was a native of Ireland. He came to America in an early day and for a number of years lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he did a thriving business in packing pork and shipping it to the Southern markets. He moved from that city to Sangamon county. Illinois, thence subsequently to Saline county, Missouri, where he finished his labors and was called to his reward. William K. Mahard, father of Mrs. Buck, was a successful farmer in early life, but later engaged in the implement business at Marshall, which he carried on for some years with encouraging success. He finally closed out his establishment, since which time he has been living a life of honorable retirement in the above city.

Mr. Mahard is a leading member of the Presbyterian church and an influential worker in the Masonic order, and as a man and citizen is widely known and greatly esteemed for his high sense of honor and sterling worth. His family originally consisted of the following children: Mollie, who married R. E. Rae, both deceased; Maggie, wife of Mr. Buck; Lizzie, who became the wife of J. K. King; John S., a business man of Marshall, and Wil- liam K., who died when a youth of seventeen. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Buck has been blessed with five children, four of whom are living, namely : Harry, J. Roy, Lansdon and William T., all at home and pursuing their studies preparatory to the higher intellectual training which they and their parents have in view. Paul, the third of the family, died at the early age of two years.

William D. Buck

This representative citizen and member of one of the honored families of central Missouri is a native of Saline county and dates his birth from ]Mav i8, 1849. Paternally he is a descendant from sturdy Virginia ancestry and on the maternal side traces his family history to a very early period in the annals of the state of his birth. James Buck, his grandfather, migrated from Virginia to Kentucky in pioneer times, married in the latter state and there continued to reside until after the death of his wife, when he moved to Saline county, Missouri, where he entered land, improved a fine farm and became a successful man and enterprising, public spirited citizen. A slaveholder and a Democrat, he became the leader of his party in the community where he resided and also took an active part in religious matters, having been an earnest and devoted Methodist and an influential member of the church to which he belonged. He lived a useful life, reared a large family and died a numl^er of years ago at a ripe old age.

John Buck, son of James and long a prominent resident of Saline county, was reared to agricultural pursuits and in 1848 married and settled on a tract of land which he purchased that year from the government. He too became a public spirited citizen and few men took a more active part in the improvement of the country and development of its resources. A zealous Christian, he was a charter member of the Mount Olive Cumberland Presbyterian church and assisted to build the old house of worship in which the congregation met for so many years, besides serving the society as an elder. He always stood for law and order, did much to curb the prevailing evils of the times and to him with others is the locality in which he lived indebted for the high moral standing of its citizenship. He died in October, i860, at the early age of thirty-six years, and left to his descendants the memory of an honored name and a spotless character, which they cherish as a priceless heritage. His wife. Mariah Jane Burke, a native of Saline county, is still living, having reached the advanced age of eighty years, esteemed and honored by all who know her.

She is a dauiililcr of William I5nrkc\ who emigrated from Virginia to 'I'ennessee in a vcr\- early da), and in 1819 moved from the latter state to Missonri. locating in Howard connty, where he married and hecame associated with Doctor Sappington. of i)ioneer fame. Later he settled in Saline county, where he entered land and in due time improved a good farm and hecame (|uile successful as a tiller of the soil and stock raiser. He too was a Democrat of the old school and a slave holder and early threw his intluence on the part of law and good government and did much for the cause of morality and religion in the community in which he lived. His was indeed an active and useful life, tilled to re])leti(Mi with good to his neighbors and friends, and at its close he calml\ entered the X'alley of Shadows assured of a welcome and a crown of \ictory on the other side. Like the majority of earlv settlers, he became the father of a large famih-, ten children in all, Mrs. h)hn Ikick being the second in order of 1)irth.

h)hn and Martha J. Ihick were the parents of hve children, the subject of this sketch being the oldest of the family: the others are James T., John R., Lulu T-. deceased, who was the wife of John Ballantine, and Mary K., wdio married E. C. White.

William D. Buck was reared in his native county and since childhood his life has been closely identihed with its interests. He spent his early life on the family homestead, which he afterwards assisted to cultivate and until his thirtieth vear remained with his mother and ministei"ed to her comfort and interest. In the meantime he engaged in the pursuit of agriculture for himself and in addition to managing the old home place bought and sold two farms in the same locality, later purchasing a still larger tract of land where he has since carried on farming and stock raising on a large scale and with encouraging success. In his )'ounger days he taught school and also assisted in the establishment of a college at Marshall, purchasing some of the lots set aside by the college syndicate to raise a fund for the erection of the necessary buildings for the institution.

Mr. Buck is a representati\e Democrat of the old school and as such wields a strong influence for his party, being a judicious adviser in its councils and active worker with the rank and file. He has long manifested a lively interest in public matters, but has never been an office seeker nor aspirant for leadership, being a plain, practical man whose greatest delight is in his home and the duties of the farm. Religiously he subscribes to the Cumberland Presbyterian creed and for many years has l)een a faithful and consistent member of the church, to the material progress of which he is a liberal conirilmtr.r both ni linmc nnd i"n lands beyond the sea.

The domestic life of Mr. Buck dates from the year 1880, at which time he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Fannie Gaines, a native of SaHne county and a daughter of Thomas W. and Mary Catherine (Fackler) Gaines, the father Ijorn in Kentucky and the motlier in AHrginia. The parents were married in Missouri, of which state their respecti\'e famiHes were prominent pioneers, and in due time Mr. Gaines became one of the large land owners and representative farmers of the county of Saline. He and his faithful wife died a number of years ago in their adopted county and are now sleeping beneath its soil the sleep that knows no awakening. Their children, eight in number, are as follows: Richard F., Mrs. Ella Goggin, Maggie, wife of C. Graves; Thomas \V., William H.. Fannie, wife of Mr. Buck; Carrie, now Mrs. W. H. Martin, and U'ylie L. Mr. and Mrs. Buck have five children, namelv : Jennie ]\lay, F. Darwin, John Gaines, Carrie Lou, and Lillian, all except the eldest at home with their parents, constituting a domestic circle in which happiness and a mutual interest in each other's welfare are dominant characteristics. Mr. Buck has been quite successful financially and is now one of the wealthy and reliable men of his county, as well as one of its leadingcitizens and influential men of affairs.

The subject of this sketch, who is president of the Saline Bank of ^,h\vshall and a successful farmer and representative citizen, is a native of Lafayette county, Missouri, and a worthy descendant of one of the oldest and best known pioneer families in the central part of the state. His grandfather. Daniel Marr, a Virginian by birth, migrated to Tennessee in an early day and from there moved in 181 5 to Missouri, stopping for a while at St. Louis to complete his arrangements for entering land in what is now Saline county, where he located the following year. After remaining two years where he originally settled, he changed his place of abode to Lafayette county, where he purchased a small tract of land only partly improved and a little later entered land about three miles from Lexington, at that time a small frontier village, although a good landing place for boats and the trading point for a large area of sparsely settled territory. The country was new and infested with Indians and wild beasts. The pioneers encountered many hardships and privations, not the least of which was the trouble caused by the red men. wIk^ on a number of occasions became so hostile in their demonstrations that the settlers were obliged to flee to a fort for refuge. Later Mr. Marr took an active interest in helping civilize certain tribes of savages and was also largely instrumental in ridding the country of the wild animals, which had long been destructive to stock and when driven to desperation by hunger did not hesitate tu attack man himself. Mr. Marr was a recognized leader in all lines of material improvements, did much to intnxluce schools among the si)arse settlements and. being an earnest and consistent member of the old-school Baptist church, was instrumental in im[)ro\-ing the moral and sijiritual condition of the community in which he spent so many years of his long and useful life. Mr. Marr served with distinction in the Revolutionary war and his patriotism and love of country became proverbial. His struggle for American libertv. his sufferings and hardships while in the army and while leading the hosts of civilization into what afterwards became one of the great states of the union, gained for him the confidence and esteem of the people with whom he mingled and for many years he was honored as were few of his compeers. A Democrat in politics and a leader of his party, he wiekled a strong influence in public affairs but never aspired to office, having always been content with the plain, practical life of a farmer and satisfied with the simple title of citizen. To him perhaps more than to any other man is northwestern Missouri indebted for the law, order and good government which characterized its early settlement and in the history of this part of the state his name will always occupy a conspicuous and honorable place.

Daniel Marr reared a family of six children, among whom was a son by the name of Thomas, whose birth occurred in Virginia and who was cjuite young when the family settled in Missouri. Thomas Marr grew to maturity in Saline county, and there married Mary Jeffries, of Tennessee, whose parents moved to Missouri in an early day and experienced the various hardships and vicissitudes of life on the frontier. After his marriage Mr. j\Iarr purchased a small farm in Lafayette county and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he was cfuite successful, as he sul;)sequently added considerably to his real estate and became a stock farmer and slave holder. Like his father, he was a worthy member of the Baptist church, and in politics he supported the Democratic party, but never held office nor asked public honors at the hands of his fellow citizens. He was a man of sterling integrity, highly esteemed by a large circle of friends, and his death in 1840, at the early age of forty years, was felt as a personal loss by the people among whom he lived. Mrs. Marr, who survived her husband and reared their children, was called to her reward in the year of 1870 at a ripe old age. She was a woman of excellent character and beautiful life, a pious member of the Baptist church, and, ns already stated, belonged to one of the substantial pioneer families of the county of Lafayette. Her father, who moved from Virginia many years ago, in due time Ijecame one of the leading stock farmers of the county in which he located, as well as one of its enterprising and prog'ressive men of affairs. He too was a Revolutionary veteran, a leader of the Democratic party in his community and an influential member of the Baptist church. He died in Lafayette county at the age of sixty and, with his faithful wife, has long been sleeping the sleep of the just.

To Thomas and Mary Marr seven children were born, namely; Alary, who married George Anderson and settled in Pettis county, Missouri ; Rebecca died in young womanhood; John, who died in Marshall, this state, at the age of seventy-one years; William, wlio went to California in an early day and died there some years ago; Sarah A., who departed this life in young womanhood; James, who never married and spent the latter years of his life with the sul)ject, dying at Eldorado Springs after reaching mature age; Jesse, whose name introduces this sketch, being the youngest of the family.

Jesse Marr was born September 4, 1836, in Lafayette count}-, Missouri, and spent his earh' life on the family homestead, receix'ing his education in the schools of the neighborhood. He was reared to agricultural ])ursuits and assisted in cultivating the farm until the breaking out of the late Civil war, when he exchanged the implements of husbandry for the death dealingweapons of battle, enlisting in 186 1 in Colonel Bledsaw's regiment. Confederate service. Mr. Marr accompanied his command to the scene of action, wdiich was mostly in Missouri- and Arkansas, and shared with his comrades the fortunes and vicissitudes of war in a number of battles, including Lexington and Pea Ridge, besides much skirmishing and a number of minor engagements. At the expiration of six months, while on his wav to visit his mother, he was taken prisoner and detained in Bates county until taking the oath of allegiance to the Federal government, after which he returned home where he remained until the year 1864, when he went to Colorado.

Returning to his family at the close of the war, \h'. ]\Larr began dealing in li\-e stock, a business which proved very successful and which he continued with gratifying results until 1892, when he sold out and jjurchased a small farm near Marshall, where he has since resided. He was one of the original stockholders of the Saline Bank at Marshall, and in 1007 was made president of the institution, which responsible position he now acceptably holds.

The Saline Bank, which~ has a capital of fifty thousand dollars and a surplus of twenty-three thousand dollars, is doing a very safe and satisfactory Imsiness and is one of the solid and popular institutions of the kind in the northwestern part of the state.

Mrs. Man-, who prior to lier marriage Ijorc ihc name of Louisa Harvey, \\a> l)orn in r.oonxille, Missouri, in 1841, being a daughter of Henry and Martha llarvev. natives of Virginia, and Washington, D. C, respectively. Ijv occn])ation Mr. Harvey was a carpenter. He came to Saline county in an early day and worked at his trade in Marshall, erecting many of the pioneer Imildings in the city. He a.ssisted in the construction of the hrst court house for Saline county. He was a plain, practical, hard working mechanic, and worthv citizen. He died at the early age of twenty-nine years in iS4<). Of his four children. Mrs. Marr is the oldest.

William Hamilton Letcher

In the death of William Hamilton Letcher, which occurred on November J4. 1S07. there passed away one of the most intellectual, learned and accomplished men who have ever honored Missouri by their citizenship. Cautious, discerning, discriminating, logical, safe, he was a lawyer who honored his profession, while in ])rivate life, as a faithful husband, true friend and public spirited citizen, he enjoyed high regard not only in the community where he resided, but throug'hout the state.

The Letcher family in America sprang from the tribes of Giles and Letcher, originally of Wales, which emigrated to the north of Ireland about the middle of the seventeenth century. Giles Letcher, a merchant of Dublin, was the first representative to sail to the Western continent bearing the names of the united families. He settled in Maryland early in the eighteenth ceniur\-. there married Hannah Hughes and removed to Richmond, Henrico count}'. Virginia, later to Petersburg, Dinwiddie county, and finally to Goochland county. Their descendants were four sons and one daughter.

The third son. John Letcher, married Mary Houston, of the Scotch- Irish family of that name, a granddaughter of John Houston, who migrated from the north of Ireland in 1735, locating first in Pennsylvania, and afterwards in Virginia. - and daughter of Robert Houston and Margaret Davidson Dunlap. d'hey made their home at Timber Ridge, near Lexington, in Rockbridge county, lived to an advanced age and left as descendants five sons and four daughters. The youngest son, Isaac Addison Letcher, was born July 18. 1793. and after a brief schooling at the "Old Field Academy." was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade with his elder brother. William Houston Letcher, of Lexington. Before attaining his majority he saw service in the war of 1812, and in 1816 came west on foot and along by way of Green Brier, Gauley Mountain and the Kanawha to the Ohio, taking- keel boat from Point Pleasant to Louisville, Kentucky, whence, after a short year's work, in company with eight others, he continued his journey on foot. by way of Shawneetown to St. Louis. Arriving there in 1817, he at once resumed work at his trade, in which he soon attained both success and prominence, building many of the best residences in the city, among others, one on North Broadway, for Governor McNair, and also aiding in the construction of the historic Planters House, on Fourth and Chestnut streets. On January 3. 1822, he was married to Julia Bobb. daughter of John and Mary (Sprenkle) Bobb, and granddaughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Moloch) Bobb, an old Dutch family which migrated from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and thence to Missouri in the early days of the century. In addition to the carpenter work, he engaged in the manufacture of leather, near Hannibal, and also established a large brick-making plant in St. Louis, in connection with his father-in-law. In 1826 he paid a visit to his old Virginia home, and again, as in first setting out, made the entire journey on foot and alone. He was active both in business and political circles and continued to reside m St. Louis until his death, May i, 1865; his wife died November 26, 1884. Of a family of ten children, five sons and one daughter survived him.

Of the children of Isaac and Julia Letcher, the second son, William Hamilton Letcher, was born in the first log cabin home of his parents on the northeast corner of Seventh and Walnut streets. St. Louis, September 4, 1824. His first school days were spent under the direction of Elihu Shepherd, the great pioneer teacher. "A man severe he was and stern to view." in whose curriculum the birchen rod held equal prominence with the spelling book, and of whom an authentic tradition relates that on one bright spring morning he administered corporal punishment to forty-two tardy boys, who had failed to obey the summons, "To books."

At an early age he served his term as "off-bearer." and was accounted a full hand in his father's brick-yard, the routine work including a swim in Chouteau's pond, with an occasional diversion in search of fish, game or nuts, all of which were a1)undant in the Illinois bottoms. The boy's usual mishap befell him in the form of a tumble from a horse, resulting in a broken leg, which was finally knit only after a second break made by a surgeon to correct mistakes in the first adjustment.

The desire for an advanced course at school caused the selection of A\'ashington College (now Washington and Lee L^niversity). of which Dr. Henrv RufTner was then president, and George E. Dabney, Philo Calhoun and F. D. Armstrong members of the faculty, as an educational center, and.

in ccinpaiiv with his elder brother, he spent several years at Lexino-t,,n, Virq-inia, making" his home with an uncle. At college he ranked high in mathematics, the languages and the sciences, and took first place in belles-lettres and oratory. Notwithstanding his boyhood mishap he was the swiftest runner in the institution. Vacations were spent in the Blue Ridge and he became familiar with every spur, valley, spring, water course and natural object of interest in the regions roundabout. His spare moments w^ere devoted to a course in music, becoming proficient upon the flute and violin, under the tutorship of one of the elder McCormicks of the family of inventors, who had their first workshop near Lexington.

Owing to a misunderstanding with the faculty relative to the completion of the full course in Greek, he decided not to await the uncertainties of graduation and closed his college days early in 1845, returning to St. Louis, where he at once entered upon the study of history and law with William M. Campbell and Edward Bates, two of the ablest members of the Western bar. On January 21, 1848, he was admitted to practice by Ezra Hunt, judge of the St. Louis circuit court, and immediately sought out a location in the interior of the state, final choice being made in favor of Marshall, Saline countv. where, with the exception of short intervals, he resided a full half century.

On the 27th of March, 1848, Mr. Letcher married Evalina Hurt Ranson, a daughter of Ambrose and Elizabeth (Barnes) Ranson, of Union, Franklin county, and made his first home in a log cabin in the old Walnut Grove in the northeastern suburbs of the village of Marshall. Later his oneroom law- office was erected on the north side of the public square, wdiere for many years it w^as conspicuous as being the only building on that side and sen-ed for many public as well as private uses, in one crisis being converted into a temporan' hospital, with the owner as a nurse, for a stranger patient, under quarantine for cholera.

In 1849 Mr. Letcher acted as postmaster and served as justice of the peace. In 1850 he took the United States census for Sahne, which afiforded him the opportunity of knowing every person in the county, and for many years after he could recall each elector by name. In 185 1 he met with his first great bereavement in the death of both his wife and his eldest son, and the home in the old grove was abandoned, never to be re-occupied. From 1852 to 1856 he sensed as. county commissioner of common schools, and was largely instrumental in elevating the standard of education and placing the system upon an enduring foundation. On the 25th of October, 1853, he was married to Ann Bracket Ranson, a sister of his former wnfe, and for several years they made their home at Sulphur Springs, a few miles north-, east of Marshall. In 1856 he was elected on the Whig-American ticket as a member of the General Assembly, his opponent on the Democratic side being T. R. E. Harvey, both of whom were just coming into prominence as leaders in their respective parties. In 1858 Mr. Letcher was again chosen to represent Saline in that body, after an exciting contest in which he was opposed by Reuben E. McDaniel. During his term in the Assembly he served on all leading committees, acted as chairman of the committee on education and took a prominent part in the discussions on banks, railroads, state indebtedness and sumptuary legislation. His speeches, the replies to Col. Chris Kribben on the Cape Girardeau Sunday bill, and in opposition to the sale of the state's interest in the railroads, placed him among the most able debaters. During this period he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession in all the courts of the state and had as a partner T. W. B. Crews, for a long time an influential citizen of Saline.

In i860 Mr. Letcher was unanimuosly nominated on the "Constitutional-Union" ticket for the state Senate from the district composed of Lafayette, Pettis and Saline counties. Later he withdrew on account on a contemplated removal to the Pacific coast, but during the canvass made several speeches in support of that cause, one at the great state ratification meeting in St. Louis, which was pronounced by no less an authority than Uriel Wright, to have been the ablest delivered in the entire course of that most memorable campaign. At a mass meeting of the people of Saline, held in December, of the same year, to consider the condition of the county, presided over by ex- Governor Meredith M. Marmaduke, he again delivered a powerful address in vindication of the Federal Constitution and for the maintenance of the integrity of the Union.

Early in the following year he located in California, taking up his residence in the beautiful Napa valley, and engaging in the practice of his profession at San Francisco in partnership with Gen. John Wilson (a former Missourian), brother of Col. William A. Wilson, of Saline county. Here he soon took high rank at the bar and was repeatedly urged to accept a place on the state judiciary. Upon the main issues in which the country was then involved he had strong convictions and took a firm stand in favor of the preservation of the Union. His efforts in that behalf, so ably begun in Missouri, were continued with telling effect in California and he soon became a recognized force in the politics of the coast.

In 1864 Mr. Letcher was recalled to Missouri and the greater part of the three succeeding years were spent in aiding to adjust the disturbed con- ditions in liis native city as well as throughout the central regions of the state. When the reconstruction policy of President Johnson was announced, in c<)mi)any with such men as A. W. Alexander, Willard A. Hall, Samuel T. Glover, R. C. W'uighan, William F. Switzler, James O. Broadhead, Russell Hicks, R. A. Camphell and others, he espoused the Conservative cause, and during the memorable contest of 1866 made an extended canvass, accompanving the indomitable Frances P. Blair through the central portion of the state. He returned to California in 1867 and the following year moved his family back to his native state, locating in St. Louis on account of its educational advantages, renewing the practice of the law' (in partnership with T. W. B. Crews and Joseph S. Laurie, both formerly of Saline), and taking an active part in the state and national contests of 1868. In 1873 he again established himself at Marshall, improving his home at "Edgewood" and continuing his profession, in ccmipany with John P. Strother, who was later promoted to the judgeship of his circuit. In 1874 he was urged to become a candidate for member of the low-er house of Congress, but feeling a deeper interest in the question of the making of a new^ constitution for the state, he devoted much time to the advocacy of that measure and was rewarded by having the call for a convention adopted, though by a close vote. At an election held early in 1875 he w^as chosen as an independent candidate for one of the delegates from the district composed of Lafayette. Pettis and Saline counties, by a pronounced majority and after a most memorable contest. In that l)ody he sensed upon the more important committees, being chairman of the one on revenue and taxation, taking a leading part in the construction of the entire instrument, and in the debates, especially on the judiciar}% educational and revenue measures, he w^as without a peer in that assemblage of Missouri's ablest men.

In 1876 a call was made upon Mr. Letcher to become a candidate for attorney-general, which, under the new constitution, had become one of the most important of state offices, and during the canvass of that year he was also prominently mentioned in connection with the gubernatorial nomination. but he did nothing towards securing either of these positions. He was ever the advocate of good government, local and national, and was occasionally heard and read after in the joUmals of the day. Pending the great struggle ni Congress over the question of national finances in 1878, he delivered a most comprehensive address at Marshall on that subject. The annual gathernig of the old settlers of his section, as also on the occasion of memorial services, and particularly in honor of General Grant and Vice-President Hendricks, called forth his best efforts as a public speaker.

In later years he participated but little in the activities of public life and only once did he even acquiesce in the use of his name for a nomination, to the position of judge of the circuit court, but this was promptly withdrawn when his own county failed to respond to this sug^gestion. His wife died in 1888, three children having preceded her.

In 1889 a request was made by almost the entire bench and leading members of the bar of the state for Mr. Letcher's appointment as dean of the University Law School, to succeed the late Philemon Bliss, but the position was tilled by the selection of a younger man.

In 1893 his health became impaired from a partial stroke of paralysis. Several }'ears later his enfeebled condition necessitated a change of climate, and while enroute to the Arkansas Hot Springs, he died at Kansas Citv, November 24, 1897, and was buried in the family plot at Ridge Park cemetery, near Marshall. Two sons, one by each marriage, and his youngest brother and an only sister survived him.

In the profession of the law he rose by slow but certain steps ; qnick to grasp the vital points in a case, he was ever ready to apply the legal principles that settled them. He delighted in its theorv and practice, but he preferred the patient labor of the office to the more showy duties of the forum : he would rather make out a case than argue it in court. Exhaustive in research, any knowledge less than of the whole subject failed to satisfv him, and his habit of condensing "points" into a clear and concise summarv fitted liim for great work. His character as a jurist-consult was well rounded: as a counsellor he w'as cautious, discerning and safe : in criminal law, in the conduct of difficult land cases, in the intricacies of commercial law, he had an accurate ac(|uaintance both with the prhiciples and the rulings of the courts, but he surpassed all in the discussion of equity and constitutional questions. His logic, his discrimination, his calm judgment and unwearied industry, made him a master in this department. His great resources in the handling (if all cases were the fruits of exhaustive examination and study. A master of his native tongue, he ne^-er strove for mere rhetorical embellishment, and always preferred to make the opening rather than the closing argument. He was not pedantic, was averse to display and his demeanor, especially toward the young members of the profession, was marked by the utmost courtesy. His character and temperament were such as to make him at ease in the company of his elders, by whom his advice was most frequently sought ; but he likewise understood and loved young men. He was in the forefront of all movements looking to the advancement of schools, railroads and internal improvements, being among the very first to advocate good roads and to out- line suitable leg-islation tliereh)r. He was generous in every call made for puhlic or private need and. though a member of the Methodist church and of the Masonic fraternity, he was neither sectarian nor exclusive in his daily life. The people of his state and particularly of Saline county were always taken into his confidence and no move was made without considering- them.

Mr. Letcher's library of both law and miscellaneous works was never large, but was acquired with care and judgment. Some known as "Ye Olde Books" and verv rare, came to him by inheritance from several generations back, are still held and prized as family heirlooms and many volumes have found tlieir into the hands of friends, who now doubly value them. As a close student he became a constant reader and kept this up all through life; his books show they have been used and annotated, but never abused. Of general historical, literary, critical and miscellaneous standard w'orks of reference ; others bearing on political and governmental questions ; on travel and exploration and some of local historic value ; on nature and biographic and personal reviews ; also in the field of science, geology, astronomy, and even medicine and theology: English and American constitutional law. and choice government reports, such as Smithsonian, his collection was \-ery complete. Philosophy and the higher mathematics engaged his attention, and to these he would often turn for thorough preparation upon any great legal proposition he might hs-ve under consideration.

In estimating the great men of this state, a distinguished jurist said some tinie ago "The two most intellectual men Missouri ever had were David Barton and William H. Letcher - both now seldom referred to. Barton was witty, kindly and courteous; Letcher was just, but not severe. No man who ever heard either of them speak will fail to write them down as of the age <'f eiants."

John W. Robertson

Saline county obtained a valuable recruit in her ])ioneer citizenship when Nathaniel S. Robertson came here in 1850. He was born in Virginia, but came to Kentucky with his parents when a child. ITis start in life was as an humble worker in the tobacco factory of an uncle, from which he gradually rose to tlie Imsiness of a merchant. Missouri was still quite wild and undeveloped when he rode across country on horseback to look for an eligible site for settlement. He picked out a farm near Miami and subsequent events show that he used good judgment, as the place under his energetic manage- meiit developed into one of the finest estates in the county. In two years he went back to Kentucky, loaded his family and household goods into wagons and drove with his teams to his new-found Missouri home. He prospered greatly, by farming and raising stock, and at the time of his death, in August, 1863, owned over thirteen hundred acres of land. Few of the new settlers prospered so rapidly or to such an extent and he stood at the end not onlv as a successful but quite prosperous pioneer citizen. He married Emily Thompson, who was born in Barren county, Kentucky, in 1826, and still living with a daughter in Kansas City. The}- had six children, of whom four survive; John W.,, Mrs. Mattie F. Bernard, R. S. and D. H., all residents of Kansas City, except the first named.

John A\\ Robertson, eldest of this family, was born in Barren county, Kentucky, in 1850, and was consequently but two years old when brought to Missouri by his parents. He remained under the parental roof until the completion of his twenty-third year, meantime making a full hand in all the important work and rendering valuable assistance to his busy father. His education consisted of what he learned by irregular attendance at the country schools, and one term at the Lexington ( Kentucky) Uni\ersity. In 1874 he engaged in the livery business at Miami and did well during the seven years of his stay in that place. A feature of his work was the running of a mail and passenger coach between ]\Iiami and Marshall, prior to the building of the Chicago & Alton railroad, his contract being to carry mail and passengers to connect with the Wabash line at Miami. In 1880 he disposed of his interests at ]\Iiami and went to St. Louis, when he spent one year as junior partner in the well known firm of Crosswhite, Patten & Robertson, dealers on commission in horses and mules. From the Missouri metropolis he came to Marshall and opened up in the livery business, which has engaged his attention ever since. Beginning in 1881, he has operated a mail and passenger coach to the Chicago & Alton and the Missouri Pacific depots, and has for over twentyeight years carried every mail pouch to and from these stations. Many years ago he served as alderman of Marshall, having been elected as the combined nominee of both parties. He has long been regarded as a worthy successor of his honored father, whose place in Imsiness as well as the esteem of the people his son has largely inherited.

In 1872 Mr. Robertson married Mary E., daughter of John and Lucy (McClanahan) Sheridan, who were pioneer residents of Saline county and highly respected people. They lived in Black Water township, about ten miles south of Marshall, and were prominently identified with the county's development from the pioneer period up to the present day of its great ex- l)ansi()n and in<liisinal t^rowili. jolin Sheridan was i)roniinent in other ways th;m as an a.iiricuhurisl and at ime time lield an imiwrtant county office. Mis \\il\' faniiharK known as (Ir.andnia Sheridan, was hnrn in Kcntncky. She inimimraled t"t Missouri while young" and died when seventy-tive years old. .Mr. and Mrs. Rohert.son have had five children, of whom Umr snrvi\-e. Miss Dean, the eldest, is now in the millinery husiness at Slater. Xora is the wife of Kev. 1). -M. Clagell. pastor of the Tnited Presbyterian clinrch at Sedalia. J). W. is associated with his father in the livery husiness. and Emily is the wife of the Rev. J. C. Todd, the prominent pastor of the iMrst Christian church at Bloomingiton. Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson and all of their children, except Mrs. C'lagett, who is a Presbyterian, are members of the Christian church. Mr. Robertson belong-s to the Masonic order and ranks as a Knight Templar.

A worthy descendant of a sterling pioneer family of Saline county, and he himself a ])rogressive citizen of the same is Peyton A. Brown, who was born in Cumberland county, Virginia, May 8. 1836, but the major part of his long". acti\e and useful career has been spent in Missouri. He was reared in the home in P)uckingham county, near Buckingham Institute, and he received his education in the common schools of Saline county, Missouri, later attended the common schools in Virginia, also the Randolph-Macon College in \'irginia. He is the son of Hem"y J. and Susan A. ( Hobson) Brown, both natives of Virginia, where they grew to maturity and where they w^ere married. Henry J. Browm was the son of Daniel and Nancy (Walton) Browai. both natives of Virginia: Daniel Brown's paternal grandfather was Buckingham Brown, and his father was Clement Brown, a native of London, England, where he spent his life. Buckingham Brown was an early pioneer in the .American colonies, settling in Essex county. Virginia, wdiither he brought his English coat-of-arms which was handed dowm to succeeding generati()ns and is yet in Virginia. Thus from Buckingham Brown the large family of Browns in America today descended.

The Hobsons, the family of the subject's mother, also lived in Virginia in the early days. Susan A. Hobson being the daughter of Benjamin Hobson. of that state, where he farmed and owned a large number of slaves and whei-e he spent his life. He was a Whig, a plain, quiet, honest farmer. He and his wife reared a family of nine children, Susan A., mother of Peyton A.

Daniel Brown was a planter and slave owner and spent his life in Virginia. He was a Democrat and there were five sons and three daughters, namely: Heniy J., father of Peyton A., of this review; Robert came to Saline county, Missouri, but returned to Virginia, where he died ; Thomas died in Virginia; Edward S. was an attorney at law and died in 1907; Elizabeth married William Hobson; Mar\^ A. married H. Jones; Martha married Z. G. Morgman ; Daniel H. was a soldier in the Civil war and is now living in Virg'inia.

Henry J. Brown, father of PcA^ton A. Brown, was reared in Virginia and educated there; he studied art and became a talented and noted artist, doing a great deal of painting, both portraits and landscape, one of his best works being a portrait of Jack Randolph, of Virginia, a widely known man of that state ; he also painted other eminent men of the Old Dominion. He painted many pictures of home folks, and it is a treat to visit his son's home, that of Peyton A., and note the many fine works of his genius, the walls of this home being hterally covered with the art work of the elder Brown. Henry J. Brown also won considerable praise as a local Methodist minister, serving in that capacity for many years. After his marriage he first began farming in Virginia ; he owned slaves and was successful as a planter, remaining in his home country until three of his children were born. In 1838 he came to Missouri and settled in Miami township. Saline county, where he entered a large tract of prairie land and opened to cultivation an excellent farm, carr\^- ing on very successfully general fanning and stock raising, raised hemp for a "money crop." and continued here very successfully for a period of ten years, but in order to give his children a better education he returned to Virginia, leaving a manager on his Saline county farm. He occasionally returned to look after his interests here. When he first came to Saline county he was active in organizing churches and schools and assisted in every way possible in starting the moral and general civic development of the county, laving the foundation for good government, and no man is more worthy of an honored place in Saline county history than Henry J. Brown. He was a Democrat and he kept well advised on all public questions and issues of the day : however, he never aspired to offices of public trust. He was well known and highly respected in every community in which he lived, his integrity and honor being above reproach. He spent his last years in Virginia and was called to his reward on April 9, 1854. His widow survived until 1873. dying in Virginia on May nth of that year. She worshiped with her hus- b;iii(l in the Methodist Episcopal diiirch. Eight children wei'e born to them, namely: Adlina Walton died at the age of six years; Peyton A., of this review: \'irginia A. married C. V. Winfree ; Mary E. married W. B. Hatcher; Benjamin Hobson died in 1843 ; Charles E. died in 1846; Sallie, who remained single, is deceased ; Salina married Joseph Worsham.

I'exton A. Brown was two years old when his parents brought him to Saline conntv, Missouri, from Virginia. As already intimated, he returned to his native state to complete his education and he remained there until after the close of the Civil war, making occasional visits to Saline county, Missouri. He was married in 1858 and settled on a farm in Virginia, where he farmed until the breaking out of the war between the states, when he enlisted in Companv G, Third Virginia Cavalry, in May, 1861, and sen'ed in a very creditable manner for a period of one year. He was elected as first lieutenant of his company, which served under the distinguished Confederate cavalrv leader. Gen. J. E. B. Stewart, commander of all the cavalry in Lee's army. He saw some hard service and took part in some hotly contested battles. When the company was re-organized in 1862, Mr. Brown acted as scdut and during the performance of his duties in this connection he had a nunil)er of close calls, but he did his work well and during the last year of the war he was adjutant of the dismounted battalion, which capacity he filled until near the close of the struggle, when Gen. Fitzhugh Lee selecting him as acting aid and he was in active service up to Lee's surrender at Appomattox. He was never taken prisoner, w^as always on duty and always in the front ranks and he saw^ some hard service, undergoing many deprivations, hardships and exposures. After the surrender he started to his uncle's home, arriving there the day following the surrender; his uncle was also in the service. I^-ior to the w'ar he owned slaves and he kept one of them with him during the struggle. He met his wife at the home of his uncle. All his slaves were gone and everything was lost ; he was quick to realize that he w^as povert)- stricken, and he sought such work as he could get to do, and later borrowed money from his grandmother, using part of it to establish a general merchandise business at which he was fairly successful ; he later sold out to his ])artner. His wife had come to St. Charles county, Missouri, to visit her father and here Mr. Brown joined her. and here he farmed on his father-inlaw's place for one year and in 1868 he came to Saline county and took charge of his father's old farm. Later the place was divided and Mr. Brown bought l)art of the land belonging to two of his sisters and he still owns these shares. He began farming here, but owing to the prevalence of malaria he was coml)elled to move, and he accordingly went to Lynchburg, Virginia, taking his family, and there he engaged in the manufacture of tobacco for a period of eleven years. Moving to another location in Virginia, he remained there three years, then in 1893 returned to his farm in Saline county, Missouri. Avhich he operated successfully until 1905, when he retired from active farming and now resides at Faii-ville, still owning his farm, which his son manages. It is well improved and has been so skillfully tilled that the soil has retained its original fertility.

Peyton A Brown is a strong Democrat and he has long taken considerable interest in political affairs. Once his friends induced him to make the race for county clerk, but he was defeated by a few^ votes. He is a steward in the Methodist Episcopal church and has been superintendent of the Sunday school for the long period of thirty-five years. He has long been a pillar in the local congregation and takes a great interest in all kinds of church work. He was formerly a member of the Masonic fraternity, but has dimitted.

Mr. Brown was married on September 21. 1858, to Sally M. Hatcher, who was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, December i, 1839; she was the daughter of Henry and Susan M. (Spears) Hatcher, both natives of Virginia, the father coming to St. Charles county, Missouri, in the early pioneer days where he lived until his death in January, 1879. He was a farmer and slave owner, a plain, honest man, with no public record. He belonged to the Presbyterian church and to the Masonic fraternity. His family consisted of eleven children, of which number Mrs. Peyton A. Brown was the sixth in order of birth.

To Mr. and Mrs. Brown the following children have been born : Walter H. ; Edwin G. died leaving a wife but no children ; Charles B. is farming on the old homestead ; Susan died when eighteen years of age ; Elenore married A. L. Harmsbuyer; W. C. died in childhood; Peyton, Jr., also died when young.

James Alexander Renno

To a great extent the prosperity of the agricultural sections of our countrv^ is due to the honest industry, the sturdy persistence, the unswerving perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently characterize the farming element in this section of the great commonwealth of ^Missouri. Among this class mav be mentioned James Alexander Renno. who. by reason of vears of indefatigable labor and honest effc^rt, has not only acquired a well merited material prosperity, but has also richly earned the respect of all with whom he is associated, being one of the leading farmers of Black Water township. Saline county. He was born in Polk county, Missouri. March 3, 1 8^8, the son of William G. and Catherine (Moore) Renno, both natives of Tennessee, from which state the family migrated to Missouri in a very early da}-, and lived in a number of different places before coming to Pettis county, in 1863; they settled there in Hess Creek township, buying a farm w^hich thcv improved and on which they spent the remaining years of their lives. Thev were married in Tennessee and while yet young drove overland from their native community to the Ozark mountains in southern Missouri, when the countiT was wnld and unimproved, bringing their meager household goods in old-fashioned wagons drawn by ox teams. William G. Renno was a Democrat and a member of the Masonic order, a good and successful man ; his death occurred in 1905, having been preceded to the silent land many years bv his wife, she having died in 1874. They w^ere the parents of nine children, namelv : Cordelia is the widows of James Carroll and lives in Pettis county, Missouri ; Margaret, the widow of Buck Snapp, lives in Polk county, this state ; Orleana, who married William J. Hall, is deceased; Nancy died in childhood; Liza L., w^ho married John Ranerson, is deceased; William, who married Deborah Marren, is deceased ; Charles and John H. are also deceased ; James Alexander, of this review, is the youngest in order of birth. He was about si.x years old wdien the family came to Pettis county, Missouri. He was reared on the farm, assisting with the work during crop seasons and attending the district schools in winter time. He remained under the parental rooftree until his marriage, after which he started in life for himself, farming on the old home place in Hess Creek township, Pettis county, remaining there for some time, then moved to his present farm in Saline county in 1885, this place then consisting of one hundred acres, only twenty-five acres of which were under cultivation. He set to work with a will and soon had one of the best farms in the community, and he has erected a substantial and pleasant dwelling and other good buildings, and he has always taken a delight in keeping everything about the place in "ship shape." He is a very successful farmer along general lines, and he handles many hogs, feeds large numbers of live stock, raising hogs, cattle, mules, sheep, etc. Mr. Renno is also widely known in this county as a thresher, having follow^ed the threshing business for a period of thirty-five years, during which time he has worn out thirteen different threshing-machines. He also operates a portable sawmill. He first began threshing in 1875, and he has been amply rew^arded in this line of work and has been very successful in raising stock for the market.

James and Elizabeth (Coohorn) Howard, natives of Kentucky, but very early settlers in Saline county, Missouri ; they are now both deceased. They were the parents of ten children, namely; Susan, who married Thomas Phillips, is deceased ; John is also deceased ; Mary is the wife of John Hood ; Benton is deceased; George lives in California; James, Benjamin and William are all deceased; Membra is the wife of John Moon; Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Renno, of this review.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Renno, named as follows : Charles E. married Emma Rains ; Maud is the wife of John Reese and they are the parents of two children, J. H. and an infant, born in 1909; Dovie is the wife of O. B. Dix and they have one child named Mildred; Mabel and Birdie are the two youngest children.

Mr. Renno is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 134, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Ridge Prairie ; he has been an Odd Fellow for over thirty years, and he has passed through all the chairs of the same twice. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Longwood, Missouri, and is a member of the American Brotherhood. He is a Democrat and takes considerable interest in politics, but he has never aspired to public offices. This is one of the leading" families of Blackwater township, according to all who know them.

Henry F. Krumsiek

Among the sturdy, progressive and reliable citizens of Elmwood township. Saline county, Missouri, none is held in higher general esteem than is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this article. Engaged in the dual occupations of tilling the soil and the manufacture of grain tile, Mr. Krumsiek is a busy man and his indefatigable and well directed efforts ha\'e been rewarded with a fair measure of success.

Henry F. Krumsiek is descended from German ancestry, his parents, Henry F. and Louise (Olmsted) Krumsiek, having been natives of that countrv, the former born at Alverdisen, Lippedetmolt, Germany, and the latter in Hanover. These parents came to the LTnited States when young, and met and were married in Wisconsin. The father was a carpenter and was employed at his trade and also gave some attention to farming. He died in 1904. His wife, the snl)jecl's mother, died in March. tS/O. and he subsequently married Freda Krumsiek. the widow of his brother, who had died in the fall of 1869. Henrv F. and Louisa Krumsiek were devout mem- hers of the (icniiaii Methodist lipiscopal church, and in i)ohtics the father was a stanch l\ei)nl)hcan. 'J1iev were the parents of four chilch'en. namely: Henrv I*'., tlie snl)ject of this sketch; W'ihiam, a prominent i)hysician of this state; J-oiiisa. deceased; Lily, who li\es in the West. The subject's paternal g-r.'uid father was a "(ieheimrath." or counselman in the Fatherland, being- a blacksmith and a man of prc-minence in his comminiit}', and owned a small ppipert}'; he sold out. intending- to mo\-e to this countr)-, l;ut took sick and dieil.

Henr\- !-'. Krumsiek. jr.. the immediate subject of this sketch, was born (.n the i st da\- of l)eceml)er. i<^57. at W'atertown. Wisconsin, and was reareil on the old farmstead, rented from his sister, receiving his education in the i)ublic schools of the locality. When he was ten years old the family removed to southern Illinois, where the father and his brother bought a farm of twent)- acres, residing for some }-ears at Nash\-ille, where the father followed carpentry. The subject remained with his parents and gave material assistance in caring for the family. Eventually he went into the business of manufacturing drain tile, and they were so engaged until 1886, in which year he and his l)rother mo\-ed to Corder, Missouri. - Here they ])uilt and operated a tile mill and subsecjuently Mr. Krumsiek was compelled to change his base of operations, and in 1897 he came to Saline county and bought the tile factory from a Mr. Allison. Vaughn & Smith had built the tile factory on sixteen acres (jf land near Shackelford, Elmwood township. Here he installed a first-class and up-to-date mill, which he has operated continuously since. He uses improved machinery in this work and the mill has a daily capacity of between five and six thousand tile, the product being pronounced by competent judges to be of a superior (|uahty. A number of hands are employed in the mill and Mr. Krumsiek has acfjuired additional land, being now the owner of fifty-three acres. Lender the land there is a twelve-foot vein of excellent coal. Besides the manufacture of tile, he also gives some attention to the tilling of the soil, in which also he is successful. He also owns the old homestead at Nashville. Illinois, in partnership with his brother, and owns a forty-acre farm at Ulf. Phelps county, Missouri. Mr. Krumsiek is a hardworking man and is deserving of the success which has followed his efforts.

On January 3, 1889, Mr. Krumsiek married Minnie E. Ridder, who was born at Hopewell, Warren county, Missouri. October 14, 1863, the daughter of Charles and Marie ( Sharkey) Ridder. Both of her parents were natives ot Ciermany who came to .America when young and niet and were married m Warren county, this .state, where they bought a farm of eighty acres. They, were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which the father was a local preacher. He died on August 6, 1905. and his widow is still residing- in Warren count}', on the old homestead with her youngest son, (iustav Kidder. were the parents of nine cliildren, as follows : Minnie E., Henry. Julia. Edward, William, Jolm (deceased). Amelia (deceased). ( ieorge and (lustav. To Mr. and Mrs. Krumsiek have heen Ijorn nine children, whose names are as follows: Herbert, Edwin, Lawrence, Daniel, h'ranklin., \]l)ert, Carl. Emma and Erederick Henry.

Religiously the subject and the members of his family are allied with the Methodist Episcopal church at Marshall, to which they give an earnest and liberal support. Mr. Krumsiek has been a teacher in the Sunda}- school for a number of }-ears and while lixing at Corder, this state, he was superintendent of the Sunday school there. In politics he is a stanch Republican and is deeply interested in the success of the party. In the social circles of the communit}- the members of his famil}- take a prominent place, their own home being the embodiment of hospitality and good cheer. Mr. Krumsiek is a man of hue personal qualities and is deser\-edh' well liked b\- all who know him.

It is consistent that j^articular mention should be made of the stand Mr. Krumsiek takes in relation to the education of children. On this vital subject he holds positive and unalterable opinions, and he is endeavoring to carry out his ideas in the educational training of his own children. He decries the too common tendencies in parents to devote their time, energy and money to their own selfish social ends, while the training, culture and development of their children along right lines is neglected, or, at best, given but superficial attention. Mr. and Mrs. Krumsiek are endeavoring to rear their children so that they may be not only an honor to their parents in the later years, but a blessing t(_) the community in which they live. They are entitled to the highest commendation for the laudable stand they have thus taken on this most important subject.

The family name of the subject of this sketch is familiar throughout Saline county and is highly respected ])\ all. In the largest and most liberal sense of the term, the career of Daniel H. Johnson, farmer, of Blackwater township, has been successful and fraught with good to his fellow men. He was born in Cooper county, Alissouri, April 22, 185J. the son of James H. and Julia Ann (Taylor) Johnson, the father, a native of Virginia, and the mother, of Kentucky. Robert Johnson, grandfather of the subject, was a native oi Virginia, where he spent his hfe. His son, James H., came to Missouri in 1845 and settled in Cooper county, where he farmed for many years, and tlien moved to Sahne county, where he remained until his death, in i8g8. at the advanced age of eighty-two years. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and an old-time Democrat. He was an honoraljle. industrious man, admired by all who knew him. Julia Ann Tavlor. the mother of Daniel H. Johnson, was first married to Ignacious Adams. Seven children were born of that marriage. After the death of Mr. Adams she married James H. Johnson, this union resulting in the birth of three children: N. B.. Daniel H., of this review, and J. T.. who were bereft of their mother at a tender age. James H. Johnson later married Nancy Elliott, and this union resulted in the birth of five children : Virginia, J. B., Robert, Lee and Louise.

Daniel H. Johnson was reared on a farm and has followed this line of work all his life. He was educated in the common schools, remaining at home until he reached man's estate, spending one year in Texas in the meantime. He assisted his father with the work about the place and under his guitlance learned well the art of agriculture. He came to his present farm of two hundred acres in 1877. He has added many substantial improvements to the place from time to time, and it is now one of the best and most attractive farms in Blackwater township. It lies about five miles west of the village of Nelson, in one of the richest sections of the county. He has a modern and nicely furnished home and substantial outbuildings, a splendid orchard and garden - in fact, everything that goes to make life attractive in the country. His farm is well fenced and drained. He handles a good grade of stock of all kinds - about what the farm will take care of. He is particularly fond of good horses and some fine specimens are usually to be found on his place.

^Ir. Johnson married Hallie Hancock, who was born on the farm on which ^Ir. Johnson now lives, the marriage being on April 24, 1877. She was the daughter of John R. and \'irginia (Finley) Llancock. of Kentucky, who migrated to Saline county. Missouri, and were earl}- settlers in Blackwater townshi]). Airs. Johnson was called to her rest in Octolier. 1880. after becoming the mother of one child. Hallie. who married Warner Caton. They are the |>arents of one child, l^-ances. In 1884. Mr. Johnson was again married, to Virginia Reeder, a native of Blackwater township, tins county. She was the daughter of Enos M. and Romina (Hancock) Reeder, the father a native of Ohio and the mother, of Kentucky, from which states both had moved before their marriage to Saline county, Missouri, before the Civil war. Three children were born to Mr. Johnson by his second wife: Harry,' an alumnus of Missouri Valley College at Marshall, this county, and now connected with the Johns Hopkins University, at Baltimore, Maryland; Ethlyne, who is unmarried, and living at home, her father's housekeeper, and Aubrey, who is at home and attending school. The mother of these children, who was a devout member of the Methodist church, passed to her rest in 1903.

Politically Mr. Johnson is a Democrat and takes more or less interest in political matters, but has never aspired to public office. He is a member of Hope Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Ridge Prairie ; and of the Masonic Lodge at Nelson, Missouri. He has been quite active in the work of the latter order, having passed all the chairs in the same and been a delegate to the grand lodge.

Personalh' Mr. Johnson is popular with all who know him. and deserves to be, for he is public-spirited, hospitable in his home, genial and jovial, straightforward and honorable at all times. Such is the testimony of all who know him best.

Isaac Neff

Isaac Neff, a late prominent citizen of Saline county and for many years a leading farmer and stock raiser of Arrow Rock township, was a native of Tennessee, where his birth occurred in the year 1802. He was descended from German ancestry, spent his early life on a farm and in attaining the 3'ears of manhood married Lucy Romine, who also was born in Tennessee. In the year 1836 Mr. and Mrs. Neff moved to Saline county, [Missouri, Avhither his brother had preceded, and located six miles west of the ^-illage of x\rrow Rock, in the township of the same name. Avhere he entered several hundred acres of land, which was afterwards increased by additional quarter sections adjoining until he had accumulated over two thousand acres. On this land he er^ted'-a goodly sized house which he opened for the accommodation of TfHef itraveling public and for a number of years his inn was well patronized and greatlv appreciated, many of Saline county's pioneers spending their first night beneath its hospitable roof. He kept a postoffice and stage stand for many years and at the outbreak of the war, when he resigned, the name of the postoffice was Bryan.

Mr. Neff owned quite a number of slaves who tilled his land, and in due time he became one of the leading farmers of that part of the county.

as well ;is an cnui pi i-^nii;, imhlic s])irite(l citizen. He took an active ])ai-t in the material dexelopment of the township in which he settled, nsed his influence for the mural adxancement of the community and durin.i;- a resideuce of fortv-two years stood for progress and impro\ement and sustained the reputation of an upright and high minded citizen. A Democrat in ])olitics. he wielded a strong influence for his party and. Iieing of Southern hirth and tendencies, he verv naturally sympathized with the Confederacy during the late Civil war. though taking no active jjart in the struggle; notwithstanding his inacti\it\' he was at one time arrested hy the Union soldiers and held as a hostage for some months. As a farmer Air. Xeff had few e(|uals and no superiors in the township of Arrow I-iock. He tilled the soil according to the most approved methods and having devoted much stud}- to the science of agriculture seldom failed to realize ahitndant returns from the time and labor expended on his lands. By diligence and judicious management he succeeded in accumulating a comfortable fortune and placing himself in independent circumstances and at the time of his death, in 1878. he was one of the substantial and well-to-do men of the townsliip. which had long been honored li\- his citizenship. Mrs. Neff sur\i\-ed her husliand eight vears, departing this life in 1886.

Mr. and Mrs. NefT were the parents of fi\'e children. \iz : James. Jolin. Susan. Isaac. Jr.. and .\])ram. of whom James, of Arrow Rock townshi]), and Abram are the only sur\i\ors.

Dr. Abram Xeft", the youngest of the above family, was born December -'>- '839, in Arrow Rock township, received his education in the district schools and at Mc(iee College and grew to maturity (^n the family homestead. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and remained with his parents until 1861, when he entered the Confederate army, but owing to circumstaiices over which he had no control, his period of militarv service was destined to be of brief duration. His brother, James, becoming \ery ill at the battle of Wilson's Creek, he was detailed to nurse and otherwise care for him. and when the invalid had sufficiently recovered he made an attempt to rejoin his command in the South, but was prevented from so doing by the Union forces. landing Missouri exceedingly unpleasant to one of Southern s\nipathies, he decided to seek safety in the North. Accordingly he made his w^ay to Illinois, thence to Canada, where he remained for a short time, wdien he returned hoiue and matured plans for his future.

In the year 1866 .\bram Neff entered the Missouri Aledical College at St. Louis, where in due time he was graduated with a creditable record, and shortly thereafter took a post-graduate course in Bellevue Hospital Medical

College at New York City, receiving his degree imm that noted institution in 1873. Returning home that year, he opened an office in Saline City, where he soon built up a lucrative practice, but after three years at that place he removed his office to his father's farm, which from 1873 until 1885 he superintended in connection with the duties of his profession. In the latter year Dr. Neff discontinued the practice of his profession and retired from active life, moving to Marshall in 1892. where he resided until 1902, when he returned to the farm, to which he gave his personal attention during the four years ensuing. In 1906 he closed out his affairs in Saline county and moved to the town of La Luz, Otero county, New Mexico, where he is still living and with the various interests of which he is actively identified.

Doctor Neff owns one of the finest farms in Saline county, consisting of three hundred and twenty-three acres in section 19, and two hundred and sixty in section 24, Arrow Rock township, all in one body, the greater part under a high state of cultivation and otherwise well improved. While giving his attention to agriculture he ranked among the foremost farmers ni the central part of the state, also attained enviable repute as a breeder and raiser of fine live stock, and as a physician and surgeon kept fully abreast of the time and earned an honorable standing among the representative men of his profession in the county of Saline.

Doctor Neff early began taking a lively interest in public matters, and m due time became a local leader of the Democracy, besides exercising a wide influence in county and state affairs. In recognition of his political ser\ices as well as by reason of his fitness for the position, he was elected in 1886 as county judge, the duties of which office he discharged in an able and impartial manner and to the entire satisfaction of the public for one term. In 1888 he was further honored by being elected to the Legislature, in which body he served during the thirty-sixth General Assembly and in which he rendered valuable service to his constituency and to the state.

Doctor Neff is a Mason of high standing, including among other degrees that of Sir Knight, and for a number of years he has been a faithful and consistent member of the Baptist church. In 1873 he married Louis J. Bingham, who was born in Arrow Rock. Missouri. April 11. 185 1, the only child of Henry V. and Lamenda (McMahan) Bingham, the father being a brother of the artist George C. Bingham, who is recognized as having been one of the most distinguished portrait ])ainters in the United States. To Doctor and Mrs. Neff have been born five children, two of whom are living, Jesse Bingham, the third in order of birth, and Nadine E., who was born March 28, 188 1, and is living with her parents in New Mexico.

Jesse Bingham Neff, the only representative of the family in Saline C(Uinty at the present time, is a native of Arrow Rock township, and dates his hirlh from April u, 1878. After acquiring a jjreliminary education in the public schools, he entered the Missouri Valley College at Marshall, where he si)ent three years, during which time he made commendable progress in the high branches of learning and earned an honorable record as a close and critical student. In 1898 he became bookkeeper for a milhng firm in Marshall, but three ^-ears later was obliged to resign the position on account of failing health and return to the farm. .Amid the bracing airs and wholesome influence of rural life he soon regained his bodily powers and until 1906 he assisted to cultivate the family homestead and achieved distinctive success as a tiller of the soil. In the latter year he discontinued agricultural pursuits and accompanied his parents to New Mexico, where he remained about two years, retiu-ning to Saline county on January i, 1908, since which time he has made his home in the village of Arrow Rock.

]\Ir. Neff is a gentleman of high social standing and enjoys the reputation of being one of the most intelligent and progressive citizens of the community in which he resides. A Democrat in politics, he keeps well informed on the leading questions and issues of the day. and in close touch with the general ti-end of current thought, being a man of scholarly tastes and high ideals, whose influence has ever been on the side of right and for the best interests of those with whom he mingles. Fraternally he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and is an active worker in the blue lodge and commandery. Mr. Neff is a public spirited man in all the term implies and to the extent of his ability encourages eveiw laudable enterprise for the material development of his county and state and the general welfare of his fellow men. He has never assumed the duties and responsibilities of married life, is held in high esteem by the large number of friends among whom he moves and endeavors so to live as to add luster to the honorable family name which he Ijears.

The gentleman whose name introduces this sketch is one of the honored patriarchs of this section of Missouri, a typical Southerner whom to know is to respect and admire, partly because of his useful, active and successful life and partly because of his genuine worth as a high-minded, whole-souled citizen. He was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, March 2. 1832, the son of Thomas and Nancy T. (Toney) McCormick, both natives of Buckingham, county, Virginia, where they Hved on a farm and became the parents of nine children, Erskine S. being the fourth in order of birth, besides whom only one other member of the family is living, the other child being Thomas McCormick, whose home is at New Frankfort, Saline county, Missouri. The mother of Judge McCormick died in Virginia about 1840, and Thomas Mc- Cormick came to Saline county, Missouri, in 1870, and made his home with his son, Thomas, until his death in 1883, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. He was a good man and a strong character, a type seldom seen at the present day.

Erskine S. McCormick made his home with his father until 1851, when he came to Saline county, Missouri, and located in Cambridge township, making his home with his sister, Mrs. Mary J. Moss, for a short time. In 1852 he farmed in partnership with his brother-in-law;. Mr. Moss. He saved his money and in 1854 he bought forty acres. In 1861 he joined the Confederate army under General Price and was in the battle of Boonville, Missouri, after which he returned home on account of the illness of his oldest child. While at home he was arrested by Union soldiers and held a prisoner at Glasgow, Missouri, for three weeks, when he was released on bond. In 1865 he bought one hundred and sixty acres in section 17, township 52, range 19, where he made his home and farmed very successfully until after the death of his wife.

Politically the Judge is a Democrat and he has taken considerable interest in local affairs, and as a rew^ard for his services and his ability to serve in a pubhc capacity, he was elected judge of the Saline county court for a term of four years, which important position he held to the satisfaction of all. irrespective of party ties, owing to his fairness in the management of the aft'airs of this office and his keen analysis of all matters brought to his attention. He was road overseer for a period of twelve years, during which period the highways of the county were carefully looked after and improved. He is a faithful member of the Good Hope Baptist church, and a liberal supporter of the same.

Judge McCormick was married on January 9. 1853, to Luttie A. Hawkins, who was born in Cambridge township, this county. May 19. 1832, the accomplished daughter of George S. and Ruth A. (Baldridge) Hawkins, both natives of Orange county, Virginia, the former's birth occurring on Christmas day, 1808, and that of the latter on April i^th of the same year. It is the supposition that both came to Saline county, Missouri, in 1826 and were married in June, 183 1. Mrs. Hawkins died in 185 1, leaving nine children.

of which nuniher laiiiio .\. was the oldest. Mr. Hawkins married a second lime, his last wcildino- occurring" on December 26, 1851. to Maria F. Gaiildin. the daughter of a fine old pioneer family, and this second union resulted in the birth of ten children. Mr. Hawkins died July 5, 1871, his second wife surviving him until December 27. 1^97, at the age of seventy years, having been born on August [6. 1827.

Mr. and Mrs. McCormick became the parents of eleven children, eight of whom are living- at this writing, namely: William H., born July jy. 1855. lives in Mexico, Missouri: Mary F. is the wife of A. E. Brightwell. of Cambridge township, was born October 30. 1857: Ethlene M., wife of Edward Liglufoot, of Gilliam, Missouri, was born January 18, i860; Lorena A., wife of George Rhoades, of Cambridge township, was born May 7, 1864: Susan A., wife of John R. Rhoades. of Cambridge township, was born October 10, 1866: Sarah [.. wife of Charles Sydenstricker, of Sacramento. California. was born b'ebruar}- 11, 1869: Daniel E.. residing in Cambridge township, was born December 30. 1870: John E.. of Livingston. Montana, was born September 16, 1875.

The mother of these children passed to her rest on October 27,, 1895. Not long afterwards Judge McCormick sold his farm and has made his home among his children.

Cardwell Wyan Sappington

Though not old in \ears, the subject of this sketch has long enjoyed definite prestige in the county in which he li\es. A native of the county, he has had a hand in its recent prosperity and is numbered among the representative men of the community. Tn the full vigor of his manhood, he is sturdily performing his full ])art in life and, because of his personal worth and the splendifl business (pialities which he jxissesses, he cnjo\s the unbounded confidence and regard of all who know him.

(_. \\ yan Sap])ington. who operates a line farm in section 10, .\rrow Rock township, was born in this township on the 7th of May, 1876. He was reared by his i)arents and received his education in the public schools, finishing in the high school at Nelson. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has always followed that vocation. The i)lace on which he now- resides is a part of the old Sappington homestead and is generally considered one of the best estates in the county. .Mr. Sappington is practical and progressive in his ideas and has alreadv achieved a distinctive success alone the line of his chosen calling. Progressive in his attitude toward methods and means, he is not slow to adopt new ways of doing things when he is convinced of their practicability and value. He carries on a general line of farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and in connection therewith he also gives some attention to the raising of livestock, in which also he has met with gratifying success. The homestead farm is splendidly improved and is maintained at a high standard of excellence, the general appearance of the place indicating that he who directs its operations is a man of excellent taste and sound judgment.

Cardwell W. Sappington is a son of John C. and Pauline W. ( Xelson) Sappington, the former of whom was born February 4, 1849, in the house in which the subject now resides, and the latter born in Boonville, Cooper county. Missouri, on December 25, 1854, a daughter of Dr. George and Pauline (Wyan) Nelson. George Nelson was a native of Culpeper county, Virginia, and his wife of Boonville. this state, the site of which her father at one time owned. John C. Sappington was a son of William B. and Mary (Breathitt) Sappington. William B. Sappington was born in Franklin. Tennessee, January 4, 1811, and was about six years of age when the family moved to Missouri, locating first on a farm near Glasgow, Howard county. In 18 19 they located in Saline county, where he was reared on a farm, and secured his education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood. At the age of seventeen years he entered Cumberland College, a manual labor school, located at Princeton, Kentucky, where he remained four years. Returning home he took up the study of law, but failing eyesight compelled a change in his plans and. laying aside his legal studies, he took up agriculture as a vocation, which he continued, in connection with the banking business at Arrow Rock, until a short time before his death, which occurred on August 16, 1888. He had inherited a large tract of land from his father and in 1846 he completed the erection of the mansion where the subject now li\-es. It required three years in building and is a large and commodious mansion, of a colonial stvle of architecture, built of lirick, trimmed with stone. Mr. Sappington was closely connected with a number of monetary enter])rises. having been a heavv stockholder in a bank in St. Louis and the l)ank at Arrow Rock, being the president of the latter institution. On September 3, 1844, he married Marv Mildred Breathitt, of Russellville, Kentucky, a daughter of Governor John Breathitt, of that state. She was liorn at Russellville, on August 7, 1827, and her death occurred August 13, 1880. 1\) William and ]\Iary Sappington were born six children, namely: John Cardwell, father of the subject of this sketch; William !>., deceased; Mildred Jane, deceased; Eras- iiius 1).. wliwsc >kclch appears elsewhere in this work; Stella P., who married a Mr. Gephart and now resides at Missoula, Montana, and Price, deceased. Jt^hn C. Sappington was born in Saline county, Missouri, February 4. 1849, and was reared at "Prairie Park," the paternal homestead, near Arrow Rock. Pie attended the schools of the neighborhood until seventeen vears of age, when he entered Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tennessee, and subsequently was a student in the State University. He remained with his father until the time of his marriage, when he went to live on a fann owned by his grandfather. Dr. John Sappington. The farm comprised three hundred and twenty acres and was eventually given hini by his father, who inherited it. He continued to operate this farm until about 1882, when he sold it to his father and moved to Arrow Rock, where he engaged in mercantile business. He remained thus engaged for four or five years, at the end of which time he sold out and moved to Nelson, this county, where he lived until 1900, being engaged successfully in the lumber business. In 1900 he bought his father's homestead and four hundred acres of adjoining land, and in April, 1905, he moved to Boonville, Cooper county, where he now makes his home. On October 22, 1873, he married Pauline W. Nelson, a daughter of Dr. George and Pauline (Wyan) Nelson, and to this union were born three children, namely: G. W., of Syracuse, Kansas, born August 15. 1874; C. \\\, the immediate subject of this sketch, and Lena M., born October 20, 1879, who now lives with her father. John C. Sappington has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South for many years.

On the 27th of April, 1905, Mr. Sappington was married to Mary Hupp, who was born April 19, 1879, in Miami township. Saline county, a daughter of Arthur and Martha (McAmis) Hupp, natives respectively of Indiana and Tennessee. Her parents were married in Saline county and lived on a fami in Miami township until 1893, when they moved to Marshall, where they now reside. To the subject and his wife two children have been born, namely: Pauline M., born August 5, 1906, and Arthur C, born January 5, 1908.

This sketch would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of the subject's great-grandfather. Dr. John Sappington, who lived in this county from 1 8 18 to 1856, during which time he stood foremost among his fellow men in the work of developing this section of the state. Of exceptional ability as a physician, a practical business man, broad minded and public spirited in his attitude towards educational matters and possessing a heart that went out to all who were distressed - no man who has ever lived in Saline county has exerted a more beneficent influence or left a deeper impress on the community. For more detailed reference to the Hfe career of Dr. John Sappington, the reader is referred to the sketch of Erasmus D. Saj^pington, which appears elsewhere in this work.