Saline County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 2 of 17)

Henry H. Marmaduke was reared on the parental homestead and secured his early education in the common schools of his home neighborhood, supplementing this training by attendance in the Uni\ersity of St. Louis. While attending at the latter institution he, in ^S-^y, received an appointment as cadet in the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis. He had completed three years at that institution when the war between the states broke out and, feeling that his duty lav with the South, he resigned and went to Montgomery. Alabama, where he tendered his ser\-ices to Jefferson Davis, recjuesting" appointment to the navy. His request was promptly granted and he was assigned to duty on the Mississippi river, where he rendered effective service, giving especially valuable service in the ])rotection of Mobile bay against the Union fleet under Admiral Farragut. He was then sent to France with orders to take command of a vessel that the Confed- ate g()\-cnimtMil had Ixiui^-ht from l*"i'ance. ])ul the \essel was ne\-er put into commission and the subject returned to the United States. He successfully ran the blockade and reix)rted to Admiral Buchanan, who assigned him to dut\- on the "Merrimac." \\'hile with this historic craft, all of the vessels of tlie Union fleet were destroyed except two and the "Monitor."' He participated in the notable battle with the Union "Monitor," and duringthis engagement he was twice wounded but remained at his gun until the battle was finished. For his gallantry on this occasion he received special praise by Admiral Buchanan in his official report. The Confederate navy having now been practically destroyed, Mr. Marmaduke entered the army under Gen. Robert E. Lee, with whom he remainded until shortly before tile surrender of the army, when he was captured and imprisoned at Washington, D. C, where he remained until the close of the war.

During the first years of the present century Mr. Marmaduke entered the service of Colombia, South America, and was given complete command of the Colombian fleet with the rank of admiral. He fitted out, armed and manned the steamship ''Bogota," with which he pursued the rebel fleet, sinking several of the vessels and capturing the remaining one. He then reported to the government, and, the war there being over, he resigned from the service of that country and returned to his native land.

During President Cleveland's administration, he accepted a position in tlie postoi^ce department at Washington. He is now retired from active life and is living quietly at Washington. D. C. He has never married. He is a man of many fine qualities of character and enjoys the unbounded confidence and esteem of all Avho know him.

Col. James A. Gordon

The name of Col. James A. (iordon, president of the Farmers' Savings Bank of Marshall, Missouri, needs no introduction to the readers of this work, owing to the fact that he has figured conspicuously in the banking circles and civic life of the state, especially Lafayette and Saline counties since 1870, being a native of the former, his birth occurring at Lexington on August 26, 1841. He is the scion of a well established and prominent ancestry, descendants of which have been leaders in various walks of life where\'er thev ha\'e dispersed. James Gordon, the Colonel's paternal grandfather, was a farmer, of Scotch descent, who, about 1830, came to

Jefferson City, Missouri, and entered a farm near there where he developed a splendid estate in the midst of primitive conditions. His son, the Colonel's father, was Judge William L. Gordon, wdio was born in Kentucky. He received a good education for those days, and, being actuated by a laudable ambition to succeed at some useful profession, jjegan the study of medicine in Jefferson City under the direction of Doctor Bolton, later attending lectures at Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky, where he made a good record and received his degree of Doctor of Medicine. Soon afterwards he came to Missouri and established an office in Cedar county, later practicing in Jackson county, being very successful in each. In 1853 Judge Gordon moved to Holt county, this state, where he devoted himself to his profession with his usual success until his death, which occurred in 1884. He became prominent in political aft'airs there and as a reward for his services for the general welfare of Holt county, he was made presiding judge of the county court, \vhich position he acceptabl}" and creditably filled for a period of six years, w^inning a reputation throughout the Missouri valley as a man of rare mental ec[uipment and probity of character. He married Sarah Smith, a native of Tennessee and the representative of an excellent old Southern family. This union resulted in the birth of four children. This wife was called to her rest in 1847 and Judge Gordon was married a second time, his last wife being Zilpha Ann Philpott, who bore him eight children. The mother of these children was a woman of gracious personality and reared her family in a wholesome atmosphere.

Colonel Gordon was the eldest of four children born of the first marriage and grew to maturity on his father's farm where he learned the true dignity of labor, alternating farm work with schooling at the primitive school houses of those days, but being ambitious to delve into the higher subjects, he later attended high school at St. Joseph, Missouri, after which he became a student of the University of Missouri at Columbia. In 1862 he cast his fortunes with the Southern Confederacy, enlisting in Gordon's regiment, Shelby's brigade, and his military record is a brilliant one, he having participated in many of the most notable battles of the war. On June 24, 1864, he was wounded by a pistol shot and spent six weeks in a hospital. Upon the completion of his military service. Colonel Gordon returned to Lafayette county, Missouri, and filled in a very creditable manner the position of president of Shelby College from 1866 to 1869. In 1870 he turned his attention to business affairs and organized the Farmers' Savings Bank of Waverly, Lafayette county, and became cashier of that institution. It was well patronized from the first, but in 1879 it was moved to Mar- shall, and on Tnne i. 1889. Colonel Gordon succeeded to the presidency of the institution, in which position he has ser\'ed to the present time in a manner that stamps him as a man of progressive ideas and unswerving integrity.

Decciulier 29, 1868, Mr. (lordon was united in marrige with Margaret E. Catron, of Lafayette count}-, where she was reared and ])arth- educated. She is the daughter of an excellent old family, her father. John Catron, Sr.. being a nati\'e of d^nnessee. though hrotight to Alissouri 1)\- his parents when a child. He married Mar\ I'letcher. who was born in Virginia, in 1815, and in childhood was brought b}' her father, James Fletcher, to Lafayette county. Missouri. Mrs. ( iordon was one of eight children, and she grew to be a woman of culture and refinement. She is a graduate of the Cdiristian College at Columbia, Missouri.

in all the relations of life Colonel Ciordon has proxen true to the trusts reposed in him h\ his fellow men, and without ostentation or desire for the admiring plaudits of men he has endea\-ored to promote general interests wdiile laboring for his own ach'aucemeut. thereby winning the confidence and esteem of all classes.

A man ^^d'lo is too well known to the peo])le of Saline count}' to need any formal introduction here is Dr. John Randolph Hall, universally recognized as one of the leading ])h}sicians of the state of Missouri and one of Marshall's most influential citizens, bearing bis well earned honors modestly and ratlier avoiding than seeking the plaudits of his fellow men. He was born in Arrow Rock, this countv. August 28, 1849. the son of Mathew W. and .\gnes J. (Lester) LTall. a sketch of whom is to be found on another ])age of this work. Dr. Hall received his elementar}- education in the schools of his neighborhood. Later he attended Spaulding's Commercial College at Kansas City, also Westininster College, at Fulton, Missouri. After discontinuing his classical studies, he read medicine under the direction of his father, .subsecjueritlv matriculating in the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, which conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Medicine in ^f^yT,. His first location was in Salt b^)rk township. Saline county, where be ])racticcd in ])artnershii) with his father for se\Tn }-ears and was very successful from the first. On May 2y, 1880, seeking a broader field for the exercise of his talents, he moved to ^larshall and opened an office where he has since practiced continuously, his name having long ago become a household word throughout the county. Vov ten years he maintained an office alone, but since 1890 he has practiced in partnership with Dr. D. C. Gore.

Doctor Hall has kept fully abreast of the times in advanced medical science, being a close observer and reader of all matters pertaining to his profession. In 1890 he took a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic School, and for a long time he has lieen actively identified with the more important medical societies, including the American, Missouri State, District and Saline County associations. He has served as corresponding secretarv and vice-president of the state society and was one of the organizers of the district society. For several years he acted as local surgeon for the Missouri Pacific railway. Before the adoption of the law organizing the board of examining surgeons under the pension bureau, he filled the part of local examiner, and during both administrations of President Cleveland he served on the Saline county board. He has been a frequent contributor to the leading medical journals of the country.

The city of Marshall is partly indebted to Doctor Hall for its present supply of pure drinking water. He, with others, proposed to dig to a depth sufficient to tap the underground river, which was known to flow near Marshall, and in September, 1883. was organized the Marshall \\'ater Works Company, of which his brother. Dr. C. Lester Hall, was elected president and of which Dr. J. R. Hall became president in 1890. This corporation at once dug a well thirty-five feet in diameter and forty-six feet in depth, penetratingseven feet of gumbo found over thirty-five feet below the surface and entering a strata of sand through which flows excellent pure water.

On February 4. 1885, Doctor Hall married Marceline W. Thomas, a lady of culture and refinement and the daughter of the late Dr. Lawson C. Thomas, a native of Saline county and for many years a practicing physician at Waverly, Missouri. Mrs. Hall can lay claim to distinguished progenitors, her ancestors having come to IMaryland with Lord Baltimore, and one of them having been honored by appointment as lord surveyor of the colony, and who was descended from the Cecils, of England.

The pleasant home of Doctor and Mrs. Hall has been graced by two children. Agnes Lester and John Randolph Hall. Jr.. the former being the wife of Lieut. J. H. Pelot. an instructor at West Point Military Academy.

ihc county and congressional committees of the Democratic i)arty, but though much interested in local political affairs and in all other movements looking to the development and general welfare of Saline count}-, he has never sought office. For several years he has been an elder in the Presbyterian cliurch. Owing to his exemplary character, his public spirit and his genial manners the Doctor has won and retained the confidence and esteem of all classes in this locality.

Hon. Robert L. Brown

Honored and esteemed by his fellow citizens of Saline county and holding worthy prestige among the leading public men of Missouri, the subject of this review has achieved distinctive success in the line of his calling and is entitled to specific notice in a work designed to perpetuate the lives and deeds of representative men of his native county and state. Robert L. Brown, exmember of the Missouri General Assembly, and an honorable representative of one of the old and prominent families of the central part of the state, was torn on a farm in Saline county, where he yet lives, May 3, 1841, being a son of William and Lucy A. (Guthrey) Brown, natives of Virginia and among the early pioneers of the county of Saline. Reared under excellent home influences, the subject early obtained ideas of life and its responsibilities, and while still a youth formulated plans for his future with the object in view of becoming more than a mere passive factor in the world. After attending the subscription schools of the neighborhood until acquiring a knowledge of the elementary branches, he entered the academy at Fairville, the training thus received being afterwards supplemented by a course at Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tennessee, where he was graduated from the law department in i860 with the honors of his class. Returning home in the fall of that year, Mr. Brown with his two half-brothers enlisted in the Missouri State Guards for the Confederate service and the following spring went into camp with the Second Cavalry State Troops, of which his company formed a part. Llis term of enlistment expiring at the end of six months, he returned home and from 1861 until 1864 performed no further military service on account of ill health. Recuperating in the meantime, however, he joined the latter year General Marmaduke's command as an escort or body-guard, and took part in the noted campaign under that gallant leader, which was marked by daily fighting across Missouri to the Texas state line, including- the two-days battle at Westport near Kansas City, and a hotly contested action near Ft. Scott, and many other engagements besides almost continuous skirmishing, in all of which both sides suffered severe losses. They ct^ntinued southward across the Indian territory to Texas, thence to Shreveport, Louisiana, where the force finally surrendered and were parolled, the Federals furnishing transportation to all going down Red River, Mr. Brown being among the number. Ariving at Baton Rouge, he took a steamer to St. Louis, thence to Miami, from which place to his home, which was only a short distance and quickly traversed.

Mr. Brown experienced many vicissitudes and hardships during- his military career and before leaving the army served in both the State Guards and the regulars and earned an honorable record as a brave and gallant soldier. On arriving at home he found his former slaves voters and himself disfranchised, the latter condition continuing until after the reconstruction period. During his collegiate course, he finished the study of the law and shortly after the war he opened an office at Miami and began the practice of the same. He made commendable advancement and built up a lucrative and growing business, but close confinement interfering with his health he was obliged to abandon the profession and retm-n to the farm where he has since lived and prospered.

Mr. Brown has made agriculture the subject of careful and critical study and he ranks among the most enterprising- and successful farmers of Saline county. In addition to growing abundant crops of all grains, vegetables and fruits raised in central Missouri, he devotes considerable attention to fine live stock, in the breeding and raising of which he has earned much more than local repute. Recently, however, he has turned his various interests over to his son, Frank L. Brown, who is carrying forward the work quite extensively and meeting with the success which is the invariable result of well directed industry and efficient management. Mr. Brown owns and occupies the old family homestead and is in independent circumstances, with an ample competency to insure his comfort during the remainder of his earthly sojourn. A pronounced Democrat in politics and thoroughlv informed on the leading questions and issues of the times, he wields a stronginfluence for his party and has long been recognized as one of its able and trusted leaders in Saline county. He has overcome all the disadvantages resulting- from his activity in behalf of the South and has no regrets for the course he pursued in upholding what he believed to be right, concerning questions upon which many of the ablest and best men of the country differed. Of his three brothers who entered the Confederate service, John R.

(lied ill a inilitarv prison, in St. Louis; Capt. E. J. Brown, who had served thnmo-h the Mexican war and organized the first cavah-y company in SaHne county for the Confederates, fell into the hands of the Federals who held him a prisoner until he took the oath recjuired of all who had l)orne arms ag-ainst the g-overnment. Returning peaceably to his home near Fairville, he was called uix)n one evening by a couple of soldiers for the purpose of making inquiries about certain matters with which he was presumed to be familiar. Xot suspecting anv treachery, he accompanied them a short distance from his dwelling, where, without an explanation or a moment's warning, they shot him down in his tracks, his murder being one of the most cowardly and brutal in the histcn^y of the county.

Although an active and influential partisan, Robert L. Brown has never posed as an office seeker. Nevertheless, in 1888 he permitted his friends to present his name to the county convention as a candidate for the ot¥ice of representative. His nomination followed as a matter of course and at the ensuing election he defeated his opponent by an overwhelming majority and in due time entered upon his duties as a lawmaker. He- served his term creditably to himself and acceptably to his constituents, was placed on several important committees, including those on the state penitentiary and internal improvements and introduced quite a number of bills, the majority of which became laws, besides taking an active part in the general discussions and debates on the floor of the House. At the close of his term he refused to stand for renomination, having little taste for pul)lic life and the turmoils and vexations which it very naturally entails.

In 1868, at the age of twenty-seven years, Mr. Brown was united in marriage with Anna M. Tucker, whose birth occured in Madison county, Virginia, in 1844, being the fifth of six children born to Thompson and Emily (Hume) Tucker, both natives of that state and descendants of old and highly esteemed families of Scotch lineage. Thompson Tucker was a merchant and one of the widely know'U and influential men of Madison county. After his death, which occurred in his native state, his wife kept the children together, reared them to respectable manhood and womanhood and in 1856 brought the family to Saline county, Missouri, settling on a farm which she managed successfully until her sons were old enough to relieve her of the responsibility. She was a worthy member of the Methodist E])iscopal church and went to her final reward in 1870, lamented by all who knew her. Her oldest son, John, remained in Virginia and died while defending the Confederacy in the Civil war. David came to Missouri with his mother, entered the Confederate army at the breakng out of the war, and died from sickness contracted while in the service. Mrs. ]\Iary E. Carpenter, Sarah E.. wife of Doctor Elder, Airs. Ann M. Brown and Andrew P. Tucker, of Lincoln, Nebraska, are the surviving members of the family.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Brown has been blessed with one child, a son by the name of Frank L., who was born on the old homestead March 15, 1 87 1. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and, as stated in a preceding paragraph, is now manager of tlie farm and one of the enterprising and progressive men of his calling in the county of Saline. He was educated at the Missouri Valley College at Marshall and at Central College, at Favette, Miss(uu-i. He is a married man and the father of three interesting children, Catherine. Virginia and Frances E., the wife and mother having been Willie Parrish, a lady of culture and refinement, who was born in Saline county in the year 1872. Frank L. Brown and wife are esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal church South and move in the best social circles of the community. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the order of Alaccabees, and politically votes with the Democratic party.

William and Laura ( Gilliam ) Parrish, parents of Mrs. Frank Brown, were natives of Knox and Saline counties, Missouri, respectivelv, the latter a daugliter of F. H. Gilliam, of Virginia, who was an early pioneer and for many years a prominent citizen of Saline county. Mr. Gilliam did as much if not more than any other man for the material improvement and moral advancement of the section of country in which he settled and his name will long be remembered as one of the influential and representative citizens of this part of the state. He is descended from one of the old aristocratic families of Virginia and is a son of a Revolutionary soldier who served during the se\en long years which were required to secure the inestimable blessing of free government for the colonies. Of his eight children, Mrs. Parrish is the fifth in order of birth. AL". Gilliam is yet living, having reached the ripe oUl age of ninety-five years and retaining to a marked degree his mental and bodilv powers.

Mr. Parrish settled in Aliami township after his marriage and engaged in farming and stock raising, which he continued very successfully for a number of years. In 1884 he was elected treasurer of Saline county, which office he filled with credit for two terms, later removing to Marshall, where his death occurred on the 4th day of October, 1908. He was a worthy member of the Christian church and a man of unimpeachable integritv and a high sense of honor. His wife, who is still living, makes her home in Marshall, where she is deeply interested in church and charitable work, and where she is greatly esteemed for her beautiful character and many sterling qualities

\\'illiam Brown, father of Hon. Robert L. Brown, was a son of William Brown, whose antecedents came to America and settled in Virginia in colonial times. William Brown, Sr., served with distinction in the war of the Revolution, later became a prominent planter and slave holder and founder of one of the best known families of the Old Dominion state. For several generations the Browns have been Methodists and prominent in all lines of religious work. Wherever they have lived they have made their influence felt for good and all who bear the name are known for their upright conduct and high standard of citizenship. Two sons of William Brown, Sr., James and William, came to Missouri ; the others, whose names have been forgotten, spent their lives in Virginia.

William Brown, Jr., married and settled in Virginia, where he continued to reside until 1832, when he migrated to Missouri with his family and slaves, locating in Saline county, being the first man in this part of the state to reduce the prairie land to cultivation. He entered several tracts of land and in due time became one of the leading farmers of the county as well as one of its most enterprising and public spirited citizens. In addition to tilling the soil he erected a sawmill on Big Muddy creek which he operated a number of years and which proved to be of inestimable value to the people of that and other communities. His home was long a favorite stopping place for emigrants and travelers and he was never known to turn a needy wayfarer emptvhanded from his door. When settlers arrived he dropped any work he might have had in progress to assist them in finding favorable locations and in this way he rendered a service to scores of families, who never forgot his helpfulness and kindness. In many respects he was a remarkable man. In sickness his services were as eagerly sought as those of the physician and in writing deeds, settling estates and arbitrating differences between neighbors, he saved his friends hundreds of dollars and prevented much expensive litigation.

The name of William Brown was ever above reproach and in all business transactions his word was as good as a written obligation. In brief, he stood four-square to every wind that blew, an upright, honorable man who scorned a mean action and whose friendship was sought far and wide. A Democrat of the old Jeffersonian school, he worked for the success of his party and was well posted on every question that came before the people. His sympathies were with the South during the Civil war, but being too old for military sendee he took no part in the struggle. He suffered much, how- e\'er, from the Federals, who from time to time confiscated his stock, foraged from his crops and not infrequently left the family but little upon which to subsist. The. liberation of his slaves caused him great pecuniary loss, this, with the taking of his stock and the destruction of other property, leaving him in a crippled financial condition at the close of the war. By diligence and excellent business ability, however, he soon regained his fortune and at the time of his death was in independent circumstances. For many years he was a pillar of the local Methodist Episcopal church South to which he belonged and as steward and class leader rendered valuable services to the cause of religion and humanity. This excellent man, broad-minded citizen and typical Christian gentleman departed this life on the 25th day of December, 1876, his death being greatly deplored by all who knew him.

William Brown was twice married, the first time to a lady by the name of Palmore, who bore him seven children, viz: William S., who resides in California and is ninety years old; Mrs. Sarah P. Irvine; Capt. Edward J., whose cruel murder is noted in a preceding paragraph; Mrs. Martha J. Saufley ; Elizabeth, who died unmarried; Mrs. Mary Ruxton, and John R., wdio died in prison during the war.

The mother of these children died in 1832, while the family were en route to Missouri, and about four years later Mr. Brown chose a second wife in the person of Lucy A. Guthrey, of Virginia, who bore him four children, of whom Henry J. and Robert L., of this review, grew to maturity, the other two dying in infancy. Henry J. Brown, a farmer and contractor, also a well known and highly esteemed citizen, died on the i8th day of July, 1896.

Few men were more prominent in their da^- and generation in northern Missouri than the late Hon. Mathew W. Hall, M. D., one of the leadingpioneer physicians and public men of this locality, who descended from a line of distinguished professional men of Scotch ancestiT of title, handed down to succeeding generations, among whom were three practicing physicians. The Doctor's great-grandfather was at one time an Episcopal minister, and one of his sons became a Baptist minister. The subject's great-grandfather and grandfather, Nathan and Randall Hall, were Revolutionary soldiers and were with George Washington at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Doctor Hall's parents, Rev. Nathan H. and Annie (Crawford) Hall were na- tives of X'irgiiiia and Kentucky, respectively. The father preached at the First Presbyterian church at Lexinglon. Kentucky, for a period of twentyseven consecutive vears. His family consisted of seven children, four sons being professit)nal men, anK)ng whom was Mathew \\'., of this review, who was born May 5. 1817, in \\'ashington county, Kentucky, and he was reared in h'avette count v, that state, receiving a liberal education for these early times. He took up the study of medicine when a N'oung man. in keeping with the tradition of his ancestors, follow-ing in their footsteps in a most worthy manner, pursuing a medicial course at the Transylvania Medical College at Lexington, from which he was graduated in 1837, under its first board of directors. Soon afterwards he located at Salem. Illinois, and there successfullv practiced his profession for eight years. He was the family physician of the late Judge Silas L. Bryan, father of Hon. W. J. Bryan. While a resident of Salem, the Doctor married Agnes Lester, a native of X'irginia and a member of an old and prominent Southern famil}'.

Doctor Hall came to Saline county, Missouri, in 1845 and located at Arrow Rock, where he continued successfully in the practice of his profession for a period of twelve vears, becoming one of the best known plu'sicians in the county. In 1857 he located on a farm of three hundred and sixty acres he had purchased in Salt ln)rk township and wdiich he developed to a high state of productiveness, making- it one of the model farms of the count}'. He continued the practice of his profession in connecticin with his farming operations for several years until advanced age made it necessary for him to retire, spending the twilight of his age serenely, being surrounded by all the comforts of life as a result of his years of well directed effort and honorable dealings W'ith his fellow men. He was called to his rest November 19, 1894, his faithful life companion having preceded him to the silent land on September 17, 1883. They Avere the parents of eight children as follows: Dr. C. Lester, a prominent physician of Kansas City; William E., deceased, was formerly a banker of the .same city; Louisa F. is the wife of \X'illiam W. Trigg, of Boonville, Missouri; John R., a practicing physician of Alarshall ; Florida L. is the wife of Dorsey W. Shackleford, of Boonville, Missouri ; Thomas B., a practicing physician residing upon the old homestead; Mathew W., a farmer living in Saline county ; Effie B. is the wife of Fred B. Glover, of Kansas City.

Dr Mathew A\'. Flail was prominently identified with the ])rogress of Saline county for many years and one of its foremost citizens in various w'alks of life. Politically he was a staunch Democrat and active in the party for a number of years. Tn 1861, and again in 1875, he represented Saline county in the state Legislature where his influence was felt and his a1)ilit\' recognized, having heen a member of important committees and ranking' among- the foremost members. During the Civil war his sympathies were naturally with the South, two of his sons having served in the Confederate army. He also served as surgeon in Colonel Robertson's regiment until he was taken prisoner at Blackwater river and sent to McDowell's College in St. Louis, which was then used as a Federal prison ; later he was transferred to Alton, Illinois, where, after three or four months, he was paroled and returned home. His eldest son, C. Lester, was also taken prisoner at the same time and place.

Li relig'ious affiliations the Doctor was a member of the Alt. Olive Presbyterian church, in which he took an active part, serving several years as elder and contributing- liberally to its support. He was a good and useful man and his many noble acts among- his fellow men will always cause his memory to be revered by the citizens of Saline countv which he honored so long bv his residence.

The- name of A\'illiam X. Wilson needs no formal introduction to the citizens of Saline county and no verbose encomium in setting forth his life record to local readers of history, for he has been prominently in the public eye for many years, having formerly won distinction as a member of the Missouri Legislature and is at present the efficient superintendent of the Saline county infirmary. He is a native of the Hoosier state, having been born in Pulaski county, Indiana, November lo, 1866, and there he was reared to honest toil on the old homestead and there received a very serviceable elementary education, which was rounded out after coming to Missouri where the major part of his useful life has been passed, having spent some time i'n the common schools here, later three years in Central College at Fayette. He is the son of John and Celia (Vickers) Wilson, the latter a native of Maryland and the former born, reared and educated in Ohio, in which state he began w«^rking on his father's farm. Later he came to Indiana and bought land, which he improved and on which he remained until 1877, when he located in Saline county. Missouri, where he purchased a farm. He, however, resided on and operated the George Standard farm and became prosperous. He took an interest in all public affairs and was well informed on current events. Although an active Democrat, he never aspired to office or public notoriety.

He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South, and he belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He passed to his rest in 1900, having- gained the undivided admiration of all who knew him as a result of his devotion to honorable principles. His wife preceded him to the spirit land in September. 1897. She also was a Methodist and a consecrated Christian ladv. She. and her husband were the parents of five children, namely: V. A!., a physician in Canvon City, Texas; Molly has remained single; Elizabeth is living in Afarsliall : William N., of tliis review; John S., ex-c()unt_\- treasurer of Saline county, resides on a farm.

\\'illiam N. Wilson was ten years old when he was brought to !\lissouri by his parents, and, as already stated, received most of his education in Saline countv schools and he has made this his home ever since. He keeps well informed on all political matters and current topics of the day, always taking an active interest in the affairs of this county. He remained under the parental rooftree until his marriage, in October, 1894, then followed farming, at which he engaged very successfully until March, 1907. Then he was appointed superintendent of the county infirmary, which position he still holds to his credit and to the satisfaction of all concerned, regardless of party ties. He seems to be qualified in every respect for this position, being a good manager and looks to the interests of the inmates as well as to those of the count}'. There were twenty-six inmates when he took charge of the infirm- . ar^^ now there are thirty. Most of them are almost helpless and with the old, inconvenient buildings it was diflicult to make the inmates comfortable. The farm contains two hundred and sixty acres, with about one hundred acres in cultivation, the remainder in grass meadow and pasture. Mr. A\'ilson has built and repaired all the fences, the farm now being in excellent condition in every respect. He has increased the work horses and also the number of milch cows, needing no outside dairy products for the maintenance of the infirmarv ; he also keeps an excellent herd of hogs, supplying the meat and lard used here, also keeps plenty of poultry, and the farm is well stocked with growing live stock of all kinds. He has purchased considerable modern farm machinery to facilitate the work and so far he has reaped abundant harvests. During 1909 he gathered a very large corn crop and sold six liundred dollars' worth of wheat, and has stored for the coming year plenty of flour, hay and provisions and feed of all kinds, and contemplates increasing the acreage of cultivation and make the farm selfsustaining in the near future. He has clearly demonstrated that he is a practical farmer and up-to-date in all matters pertaining to agriculture. The peiiple of Saline county voted a bonded indebtedness of thirty-five thousand dollars for the construction of modern buildings which are now in course of construction. The buildings will be of brick, two stories high, commodious, convenient and substantial, everything modern, heat, light and drainage, and ]\Ir. Wilson is looking forward to the time when he can render his wards more comfortable with less care and worry on his part and less expense to the county. He is always busy himself and carries on the work with as h'ttle assistance as possible and, according to those in position to know, he is a very valuable man for the position. He gives his exclusive time to the work and makes every effort to properly provide for the inmates, the venerable and helpless wards of the farm.

Mr. \\^ilson has adhered to his rearing in respect to allegiance to Democratic principles, and from early manhood he has advocated and used his influence in support of the party and while still a young man, in 1892, he was elected to the Legislature and served w'ith honor and distinction, being next to the youngest man in the Assembly. He made his influence felt in the house and served on several important committees, among which was the ways and means committee, and he was chairman of the committee on engrossed bills, being active in all legislation and he acquitted himself in a very creditable manner, rendering the most satisfactory services to his constituents. Later, through the influence of friends, he made the race for nomination for clerk of Saline county, wnth three in the field and strong opposition, and he was defeated by a very few votes. He served in no other public capacity until receiving the superintendency of the infirmary. Air. A\'ilson is a man t)f exemplary character and a member of the Christian church.

The domestic life of Mr. Wilson began in 1894, when he married Willie E. Moore, who was born in Saline county, Missouri, in 1867, the daughter of \Mlliam and Elizabeth C. (Chappell) Moore. The Chappell family were among the early settlers of Saline county and they endured all the hardships and deprivations incident to a pioneer life in a new country, assisting in inaugurating the agricultural development of the county. William Moore was a native of Virginia, who, however, spent most of his manhood years in Saline county, Missouri, as a farmer. He was a Democrat, but never a public man. He was a worthy member of the Christian church and was known as a man of sterling- honesty. He passed to his reward in 1867, his widow surviving, rearing the children and keeping the family together, and remaining on the old home farm until her death, in 1907, at an advanced age. She was an excellent woman and a member of the Christian church. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Moore : Fanny, who married a Mr. Thompson, of Kansas City ; Philip, on the old homestead farm ; Jane, who married a Mr. Scripture; Anna, who married a Mr. Finnell : Mary, now Mrs. r)enton : WiUie. now Mrs. W'iUiam N. Wilson, wife of the sul)ject and the mother of two interesting children, Frances, born in 1896, and Wilma, born in 1899.

Thomas J. Robertson

A man who has long been prominently identified with the large agricultural and stock raising industries of Saline county and wdio has kept fully abreast of the times in all business and civic affairs is Thomas J. Robertson, a native of Knox coimty, Missouri, where he was born December 8, 1864, but the major part of his successful and useful life has been spent in Saline county, Missouri, wbere he was brought by bis parents wdien a boy and where he was reared and educated in the district schools; he also spent two terms at St. Benedict's College, Atchison, Kansas, being therefore a well educated man. He is the son of Albert G. and Mary (Black) Robertson, both natives of Ohio, the former born in Wyandot county, February 20, 182 1, the son of Josiah and Elizal)eth (Terry) Robertson, both natives of Virginia. Josiah, Jr.. was the son of Josiah, Sr., of Scotch descent, who served through the Revolutionary war, his brother being a captain in the patriot army and was killed at Norfolk, Virginia. Josiah, Sr., lived and died in Virginia, was among the F. F. V.'s of the Old Dominion. Eliza Terrv was the daughter of Thomas Terry, of Virginia, and about 1800 he moved to Flighland county, Ohio. He was a highly educated, a successful and popular school teacher. Josiah Robertson, Jr., the paternal grandfather of Thomas J. Robertson of this review, met and married Eliza Terry in Ohio, and about 1837 moved to Marion county. Missouri, where he entered and improved a large tract of land, which he finally sold and moved to Knox county. Missouri, and again engaged in farming until his death in 1864. He .served through the Mexican war. The children born to him and his wife were. Minnie, decea.sed : John M., a teacher in the Bai)tist College for many years, later a farmer in Grand Pass townshij). Saline county, Missouri ; he eventually moved to Kansas City and engaged in the practice of law and the real estate business, dying in 1908; Caroline is deceased; Isabella, now Mrs. Moreland. who resides on the old homestead in Marion county, Missouri; Albert G., father of Thomas J. Robertson of this review.

Albert G. Robertson was about fifteen years of age when he came from Ohio to Missouri with his parents; he was reared on a farm and educated in the cniiimon schools. He moved with his parents to Alarion county, Missouri, later accompanied them to Knox county, where he married and where his father gave him three hundred acres of land; this was in 1849. He carrietl on general farming- and stock raising and took some interest in political affairs, became treasurer of Knox count}', where he remained until 1863, when he moved to Hancock county, Illinois, where he rented a farm for two vears, and in 1865 he returned to Missouri and resumed farming on the old homestead. In a short time he sold out and moved to Saline county where he bought a large tract of land and reared his family in Elmwood township, where thev have all prospered. It was then a new country and had been considerably "torn up" by the Civil war armies. Here the elder Robertson underwent manv deprivations and hardships, but he was "gritty" and prospered in time, still residing- at the old homestead at this writing. He has a line residence, good outbuildings and his farm is in a high state of cultivation. He has all his children a good start in life and they are doing Avell. As already indicated, Albert G. Robertson married Mary Black in 1849. She was born in Perry county, Ohio, the daughter of Randal and Dorothy Black, pioneer settlers of the Buckeye state. This wife and mother of his children died in 1872. She was a member of the Catholic church. Albert G. Robertson's mother, after the death of her husband in Knox county, came to Saline county and spent her declining years with her son and died here. She was a member of the old Campbellite church. After settling in Saline county, Albert G. Robertson decided to worship with his wife and accordingly joined the Catholic church at Shackelford and his children were reared in that faith, from which they have never departed. The father has been very successful in his business life and has created a large estate. He is a broad-minded, public spirited and popular citizen of the western part of the county, well known and admired by all classes, his character being above reproach. His children are named as follows: Josiah J., a prominent farmer and stock man ; George remained single and died when thirtveight years of age; John M. is an extensive farmer; Daniel B.. who lives in Alarshall, is also identified with farming; Thomas J., of this review; Dollv. now ]\[rs. Baker; Minnie, a Sister of Charity, died in a convent at Florissant, near St. Louis, in ]\Iay. 1907.

Thomas J. Robertson remained under his parental rooftree until he reached maturity, then purchasing a farm from his father and engaged in farming and stock raising for a few years, "batching" it in the meantime. In 1899 he married and settled on his farm, later sold out and bought again, selling a few farms, and continued successfullv his farming and stock raising.

and he now owns two fine farms, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is an excellent judge of live stock and no small part of his income was derived from his feeding and shipping stock to the markets and in general stock trading, which he continued until 1909, when he moved to Marshall. However, he still continues his farming, successfully carrying on the work inaugurated by his worthy father. Politically he is a strong Democrat, but has not had time to mingle much in political affairs. He was reared a Catholic, from which faith he has never digressed.

Thomas J. Robertson w^as married to Lydia Sheppers, who was born in Osage county, Missouri, the daughter of William and Bertha (Flute) Sheppers, both natives of Missouri who moved to Saline county in 1893 and engaged in farming. He formerly engaged in merchandising at Chamois, Osage county. He is a Republican, but not an office seeker, and he took no part in the Civil war. In 1905 he retired from the farm and moved to Marshall. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. Their children are, Emma, who married J. M. McLaughlin ; Lydia is the wife of Thomas J. Robertson, of this review; Louisa married J. Horigan; Clara married Doctor Utz; Jerry is a farmer; Christina has remained single; William is a school boy and lives at home.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Robertson three interesting children have been born, Thomas G.. born October i, 1900; Bertha M., born December 23, 1903; William, born July 21, 1909.

Judge John Peter Foree

The readers of this histnr}' need scarcely be reminded that Judge John P. Force, pioneer farmer and judge of the county court of Saline county, has long occupied a prominent niche in the civic, political and business life of this section of the great commonwealth of Missouri, therefore no extravagant laudation need be employed here, but merely an adherence to the facts of a noble character whicli has a worthy line of antecedents, for wherever the Forces have dispersed they have been leaders in the various walks of life. Like many of the prominent citizens of northern Missouri, the Judge is a Kentuckian, having been born in Henr}^ county, that state, June 29, 185 1, but he was brought to Saline county, Missouri, when a boy and reared on a farm and educated here in the rural district schools. He is the son of Asa T. and Sarah J. (Major) Force, both natives of Kentucky, where they were reared and married. The former is the son of Peter B. Foree, also of the Bkie Grass state. The parents of Peter Foree were nati\-es of France and pioneers in Kentncky, Peter Foree becoming a prominent farmer and slave owner here, dying on his farm at the advanced age of ninety-six years. He was a strong Whig, but never sought pubHc office. He was a member of the Missionary Baptist church, a man of strict honesty and he became widely known in this locality. His wife died at the old homestead and he was married a second time, but no children were liorn to the last union. The following children were born of the first union: Asa T., father of Judge John P. Foree; Eunitia A., married twice, first t<) a Mv. Geohagen, who died leaving one son, Frank B. ; her second husband was Thomas Bain and three children resulted from this union. Martha E. Foree married James L Bellwood, a farmer living in Saline county. Asa T. Foree was born and reared in Kentucky where he grew to manhood and married and began farming. In 1854 he moved to Missouri and first located in Clay county where he rented a farm which he conducted in connection with school teaching; he prospered and was soon one of the leadingcitizens of that county, assisting in organizing the county fair there, of which he was a director. He later moved to Carroll county, Missouri, where he continued farming and school teaching. In 1859 he moved to Saline county, locating in Liberty township and tw() years later removing to Black Water township, buying land there which he impro\-ed, teaching school also during a part of the year. He was a slave owner. He received a college education and was graduated from a military school ; he was a veiT competent teacher in various branches and a natural leader of men. He was enterprising and influential, always active in promoting public interests. Physically he was a man of imposing appearance, tall, strong, athletic. He met with misfortune and lost an arm, but was able to transact all forms of business and he was a good financier and Avas making rapid progress when the Civil war began. Seeing that war was inevita1)le, Mr. Foree assisted in raising a company, of which he was made captain and also drillmaster, the company becoming well drilled before war was declared. He was a Southern sympathizer and continued active in assisting the Confederate cause. Saline county was in the raids following the opening of hostilities, and in 1863 there was a re-organization of the Saline county forces and .Mr. Foree joined a cavalry regiment and went into camp at Black W ater, this county, and soon afterwards they were engaged in a fight with the Federals and all were compelled to surrender, being made prisoners of war, most of the resfiment beino- taken first to McDowell's College, St. Louis, then used as a prison, and later lo Alton, Illinois, where they were held several months when thev took an oath of allegiance to the government and Avere released. Mr. h^jree then returned home. Being a fearless man and an independent thinker and talker, he hecame the enemy of the J^'ederals. The excitement ran high at that time and rather than violate his oath l)y going into the armv again, he returned to his nati\e home in Kentucky, fearing assassination if he remained in Saline county. He remained in Kentuckv until his death, on July 5, 1865. never rejoining his family again, I'^deral troops having scattered his family and devastated his farm ; all of his iine Kentucky horses had heen conh.scated and e\erything of value taken and his slaves freed. The family was often com])elled to feed large l)odies of troops and all sorts of insults had to Ije home l)y them, e\'en food and raiment being taken from the children. .Asa T. J^'oree was an intiuential Democrat and a leader of his part}-, and while he was intiuential in placing his friends in ol^ce he ne\er sought public preferment. He was an active member of the Baptist church. He was also a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, and was well known and highly respected in whatever community he lived, his integrity and honor having been above reproach. His wife, a w'oman of rare foresight and strength of character, remained on the Missouri homestead, keeping the children together and rearing them in credit and respectability as none but a good mother could. She was also a Baptist, and she was called to her reward in 1885. She was the daughter of

B. F. Major, a native of Kentucky, a prominent farmer and slave owner, influential and highly respected. He had considerable influence in politics, but was not an office seeker liimself. He died in Kentucky, where his labors were confined to his farming, the jjolitical i)arty of his choice and to the Baptist church. He and his wife were the parents of these children : John

C, wdio is still living in Kentucky: Sarah, mother of Judge John P. Force, of this re\-iew : Elizabeth married a Mr. l*arent; Susan married Samuel Miles.

Judge John I', b'oree was reared to manhood in Saline county. The Ci\il war interrupted his education; the ravages of war, the loss of almost everything movable about the place and the death of his father left the family almost destitute. John P. became almost the sole support of his mother. He assisted in keeping the family together, becoming the head of affairs at home when only in his "teens," but he was a courageous and industrious lad and he and his mother succeeded in educating- the younger children. He conquered all the difficulties that beset his early life, working steadily to a definite goal and became a man of influence and worth in his community and achieved substantial success in many ways. He has always been a strongadvocate of Democratic principles and during many campaigns he has been of great influence in leading the party to success. For his services he has been honored with positions of honor and trust, all of which has been to his credit and to the betterment of the community at large. For a number of years he was justice of the peace. He became a candidate for nomination as count}' judge of Saline county in 1904 and he was triumphantlv elected to this responsible position and so faithfull}- has he performed the duties of the same that he has been re-elected each election since then by an enthusiastic constituency, being at this writing a member of that honorable body, giving entire satisfaction to all regardless of party alignment, for he is fair in his decisions, quick and accurate in his analysis and unerring in his interpretations of the law and unbiased in arriving at conclusions, He has been a competent and conser^-ative financier for Saline county, always looking very carefully after the county's interests and he is now the oldest member of the board. When first elected he found the county finances in only fairly good condition. There was a small indebtedness, bridges and roads were in very bad shape, and one of the first things he did was to make a loan to meet the demands, managed by the judges, and substantial iron bridges were erected and concrete bridges of permanent constiiiction were placed over all small streams and crossings and the county is today in better condition than ever in its history. Judge Force has also done much for the county infirmary, and its tract of land of two hundred and sixty-eight acres, and which is not yet self-supporting. During the past year bonds to the amount of thirty-five thousand dollars were voted to be applied in the erection of more commodious buildings, now in course of construction.

Judge Force was appointed in 1909 as one of the trustees of the Doctor Sappington estate, for educating- the needy children of Saline county. The Judge has discharged all positions entrusted to him with a fidelity of purpose that has won for him the confidence and esteem of all classes. He is a worthy member of the Baptist church, and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The Judge remained with his mother until his marriage in 1885. when thirty-three years of age. After this event he bought a farm near his old home and looked after both his own and the home farm, and after the death of his mother he bought the interests of the other heirs to the old homestead. Having prospered by reason of good management, he has since added i(» Iiis original purchases until he now owns one of the finest farms in the county, consisting of four hundred and thirty-five acres, on which he carries on general farming, raises and feeds stock, principally cattle and hogs, for the market, being very successful in all his operations. In order to be accessible to better schools for his children, he lx)ught a beautiful residence in Marshall where the family lives during the school season, and during the summer months the family is to be found on the farm, which claims the major part of the Judge's attention. His place is highly improved and under an excellent state of cultivation. It is located ten miles south of Marshall. In her maidenhood the Judge's wife was known as Lavina Wilson, a nati\-e of Coo|)er county, Missouri, born in 1862. the daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Ann (Tharp) Wilson, natives of Maryland. The father of the former was Peter Wilson, a native of Maryland where he lived and (bed. being a prominent farmer and slave owner and member of the Methodist church. For a number of years Jonathan Wilson resided in the city of Baltimore where he was engaged in steamboating, owning and operating the "Marg"aret Ann," which boat was named for liis oldest daughter. He ran the steamer a number of years and kept well abreast of the times in shipping matters and he was well known at all steamboat points in eastern waters, continuing in this line of business until 1850. Then he closed out and mo\'ed to Missouri, locating in Cooper count}", where he bought a farm which he im]:)roved and managed successfull\- imtil 1865. when he sold out and moved to Saline county where he 1)ought a farm and grist-mill, conducting both very satisfactorily until his death in 1868. He did not take sides in the Civil war, though his sympathy was w'ith the South. He was threatened and harassed l>y the enemies of the South, until to save his life he went to Montana \\here he spent two \-ears, returning home after the war and resumed farming and milling. He was a Democrat, but ne\'er sought office, and religiously he belonged to the Alethodist Episcopal church and assisted in building church houses in Cooper county. He was a worthy member of the Masonic fraternitv and he bore an excellent reputation. His widow survived him two years, dying at the homestead in 1870. The following children were born to them: Margaret, Mrs. J. Carroll: Arthur, a farmer in Saline comity; I^mily married T. J. Claycomb ; Sally married George Fisher; Peter died when fourteen years of age; Lavina is the wife of Judge Force, of this review; she is a woman of intelligence

Five cln'kh'en have blessed this union, named as follows : Ira AI. and ]\Iartin, both engaged in farming; Grace. Alinnie and Hazel are attending school.

D. Fielding Calmes

Retired farmer, ex-soldier and a descendant of one of the sterling pioneer families of central Missouri, the subject of this sketch is a native of Clark county, this state, where his birth occurred on April 22, 1834, being a son of Fielding and Cassandre (Horton) Calmes. the father born in Virginia, the mother in Kentucky. Fielding Calmes. Sr.. was a son of William and Elizabeth (Fisher) Calmes. the former a French Huguenot and the latter of English descent. Elizabeth Fisher and her brother Alexander came to this country in the time of the colonies and when the Revolutionarv war broke out the latter entered the American army and served with same until independence was achieved. Subsequently, with the rest of the family, he settled in Kentucky, where he spent the remainder of his life. William Fisher, father of Mrs. Calmes, was an early settler of Kentucky and a man of considerable local note. He reared a family of thirteen children, and all but one of whom lived to old age and achieved much more than ordinary success as tillers of the soil.

\\'illiam and Elizabeth Calmes were the parents of three sons and daughters, viz: Harry, a prominent farmer of Clark county, Kentucky; Thomas, a farmer and manufacturer of Lexington, that state : Fielding, father of the subject, and Ailcy. who married Doctor \\'alker and settled in Ohio. Fielding Calmes. Sr., accompanied his parents to Kentucky when a mere lad and there grew to manhood and married, after which he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He left that state in 1832, on account of the cholera, and with a number of his neighbors and others came to Missouri, locating in Clark county. Five years later he returned to Kentucky, remaining there until 1840. when he again moved to Missouri, settling in Saline county, where he rented land. He also rented land in the county of Cooper, and subsequentl}- purchased a farm on Fish creek, in the former county, which he sold five years later and bought six hundred and forty acres three miles west of Marshall. He was a successful agriculturist and stock raiser, but in 1849 ^i^ turned his place over to other hands and he went to California, where he spent the ensuing year prospecting and mining. Returning to Saline county in 1850, he traded his farm for nine hunch-ed and twenty acres on the Blackwater, where he lived and prospered until 1854, when he disposed of his land and all his slaves except one colored boy and drove a large herd of cattle over the plains and established an extensive ranch in California, where he did a thriving business in raising and dealing in live stock. He also purchased several large tracts of land and carried on agriculture in connection with the stock business until his death, about the year 1892.

Fielding Calmes. Sr., was an enterprising, far-seeing man, broad minded and public spirited, and succeeded in all of his undertakings. During the early days in California he experienced many vicissitudes and dangers, at one time with two companions, while on a hunting trip, being attacked by Indians who killed one of their number and wounded Mr. Calmes, robbing the three of all they possessed. Later ]\Ir. Calmes raised a posse of men and, invading the Indian reservation, engaged the savages in a hard-fought battle, killing three of the enemy with his own hands and carrying away their scalps as trophies of his victory. His wife survived him about four years, dying in 1896, both being buried on the homestead in California, which he had redeemed from the wilderness. Their nine children, all of whom accompanied them to California, were, William, a sheep raiser, of that state, also a vintager; Walter, a farmer and stock man who died in California; Fisher, who was murdered in the West some years ago ; D. Fielding, the subject of this sketch ; Ziska, engaged in the stock business ; Mrs. Sarah M. Gregory; Mrs. Ameha Worley; Mrs. Anna Williams, and Timothy, formerly a miner in the Yukon country, but now a resident of Nome, Alaska.

D. Fielding Calmes, whose name introduces this review, went to California with his parents in 1854 and during the ensuing four years assisted his father on the ranch. In i860 he returned to Saline county and resumed farming, but the following year joined the Missouri State Guards, which, under the command of Captain Farmer, formed a part of Raines' division of General Price's army. After some skirmishing, the army moved south and formed a junction with other commands and fought a hotly contested battle in Vernon county on July 5, 1861, following which General Price, after various maneuvers, marched to Fort Scott, Kansas, where he engaged in battle with the Federal force under Gen. "Jii^i" Lane. Later Mr. Calmes shared with his comrades the fortunes and vicissitudes of war in a number of engagements, including the fight at Lexington, Missouri, Pea Ridge, Arkansas, and the bloody battle at Wilson's Creek, where General Lyon, of the Federal forces, fell, and where the Federals were defeated. After this victorv he was sent with dispatches to Lexing-ton, a trip attended with many dangers, which he made in six days. Rejoining his command at Springfield, where the armv wintered, his next active service was in Tennessee, where he took part in a number of skirmishes, subsequently going further south where he remained with his command until returning to Saline county, which being in possession of the Federals, rendered his sojourn there not at all pleasant or safe. With a number of his companions he joined the force under Ouantrell and started for the south, but got no further than southern Missouri, where he was obliged to turn back and for some time thereafter he kept in the brush, being considered a bushwhacker, to kill whom every Federal considered a dutv. In a skirmish in Jackson county in 1863 he was captured and confined in the jail at Lexington for six weeks, but at the expiration of that time he, with nine others, effected an escape and started for the Rocky mountains. At Leavenworth, Kansas, he hired as a teamster tu dri\-e through to Fort Kearney, and after receiving his wages for the trip, amounting to sixteen dollars, he left afoot for Denver, where he worked a few months and then returned to Missouri, expecting to join Price's raid, but learned that he had arrived too late.

It is impossible within the circumscribed limits of this sketch to narrate in detail all the experiences, adventures, battles and hair-breadth escapes through which Mr. Calmes passed during the troublous period of the war. Honestly sympathizing with the South, he did his duty faithfully and well, took part in many hardfought battles, but at the close of the war he accepted with philosophic fortitude the result and returned to his home again, settling down to farming, determined to be a worthy citizen and do all within his power to restore law and order in his county and state. He purchased land and in due time met with the success which industry and good management bring, and with a fine farm of two hundred acres he so conducted his affairs as to place himself in a position of financial independence and became one of the representative citizens of the community in which he lived.

Mr. Calmes was married in the year 1866 to Margaret Ervin, who. was born in Saline county in 1844, the daughter of Elisha and Elizabeth (Griffith) Ervin, both parents natives of Virginia, but from 1836 until their respective deaths residents of the county of Saline, Airs. Calmes being the second in a family of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Calmes are the parents of two daughters, Mattie, wife of John G. Legg, and Cassie, who is still single. In the year 1904 ^Nlr. Calmes purchased a commodious modern dwelling in Marshall, into which he moved that year to spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of the rest and quiet which he had so nobly earned during the long and streiuious period of his active life. Blessed with a sufficiency of this world's ,o()ods to place him ahove the possibility of want, and surrounded by many warm and admiring friends, his lot is indeed a happy one and today the city of Marshall or the county of Saline can boast of no better or more worthy citizen. In politics he is uncompromisingly Democratic and an influential worker for the success of his party. He is also an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and all charitable and humanitarian moyements haye his encouragement and liberal support.

John H. Vanwinkle

The ])r()prietor of the townsite of Norton and a man who has long been identified in a very extensive manner with the agricultural interests of Saline county is John H. Vanwinkle, who was born in St. Clair county. Illinois, July 28, 1857, where he was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools; he also spent two years in the State Normal at Warrensburg, Missouri. He is the son of Jesse and Lucinda (Padfield) Vanwinkle. both natives of St. Clair county, Illinois, where they grew to maturity and were married, the parents of both being natives of Kentucky and pioneers in Illinois. Jesse Vanwinkle was the son of Job Vanwinkle, and the father of Job and his brother John served throughout the Revolution. John's father was a Pennsylvanian and an early settler in Kentucky, where he died on his farm. Job was reared in Kentuck}- and was married there and some of his children were born in the Blue Grass state and they were pioneers in settling up Illinois. They located in St. Clair county, most of the first year there being spent in a fort, with many other families, but Mr. Vanwinkle, being short of means, was compelled to get out and seek work of some sort owing to his lack of means. After the Indians \yere driven back he entered land and engaged in farming, eventually becoming well-to-do and prominent in his community, where he remained until his death. There he reared ten children, who located around the old homestead. Jesse Vanwinkle, father of John H.. of this review, married and settled in Illinois where he remained until four of his children had been born; then he was the first to leave the place, St. Clair ci»unty. he having sold out in 1865. He came by wagon to St. Louis and there shipped his household effects to W'arrensburg, Missouri, where he came and for some time lived in Johnson county, renting a house for his family until he could find a suitable place. He purchased three hundred and twenty acres in Miami township. Saline county, which had a house on it and a small acreage cleared. As he prospered he added more land to his original ])urchase and at the time of his death owned five hundred and sixty acres. He placed a large tract of land under cultivation and made many substantial improvements, erecting at Norton a large two-story frame house and a commodious barn. He carried on general farming and stock raising very successfullv. He was a Democrat and during the war he was a Southern sympathizer, but did not go to the front. After locating in Missouri he changed his politics and as he came here during the reconstruction days he was disfranchised. l3Ut when he could vote he supported the Republican party. WHien the railroad question was being agitated he took stock amounting to five hundred dollars in order to assist in getting the road. The attorney for the Chicago & Alton railroad. John M. Woodson, of St. Louis, made a contract with him to secure a switch and plat the town of Norton from Mr. Vanwinkle's land. This was in 1877. The road was built and the town platted in 1878, Mr. Vanwinkle giving Mr. Woodson alternate blocks, and the railroad erected a good station. This place is now a great grain shipping point, having a large grain elevator, having also large stock pens to accommodate shippers, also a store, a church and a postofiice, having become an excellent trading point. Mr. Van Winkle continued farming very successfully in connection with his other business. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal ohurch South. His death occurred January 23, 1899, and his wife survived him until August. 1901. She was the daughter of James Padfield, a farmer who moved from Illinois to Henry county. Missouri. He served in the war of 1812. also through the Black Hawk war of 1832. taking part in the Indian war in Illinois and Indiana. He was a farmer and a brave, good and useful mau. His death occurred in Henry county, this state. He and his wife were the parents of ten children, the mother of John H. Vanwinkle of this review being the sixth child in order of birth. One of the sons was a soldier in the Mexican war. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Vanwinkle as follows : John H., of this review : Nevada, now deceased, married C. A. King; Thomas J., deceased; Ella, who married William Long; May married D. B. Robinson; Florence, wife of Joseph Norton; Nora, wife of Robert Lyle.

John H. Vanwinkle came with his father to Saline county. ^Missouri, when he was eight years old and he grew to manhood and was educated here, as already intimated, and when a small boy he began working on the home farm. Owing to the failing health of his father, he was the main stay of the family at the early age of fourteen years, and during the remainder of his father's life he looked after the fanning-, remaining at home imtil he married antl then he settled on a farm which he purchased for himself. After remaining- on the same a few years he returned and took charge of the old home place, and in the division of his father's lands he got the homestead. He has been an excellent manager and has been very successful, now owning seven hundred and twenty acres in three fine farms, and he has purchased from Mr. Woodson his portion of the town plot of Norton, now owning all the vacant lots there. He has kept his surplus money invested in farming lands ; he has also made loans, ^[uch of his land is in grass and hay, but he carries on g-eneral farming and stock raising in a manner that stamps him as one of the leading agriculturists of this favored section of the great C(jmmonwealth of Missouri. He has one hundred and fifty acres of corn and raises over two thousand bushels of wheat annually. He feeds cattle and hogs for the market and, being a good judge of live stock and knowing how to handle all grades of stock, no small part of his income is derived from this source. He is an excellent business man and makes few mistakes. He once engaged in the mercantile business at Norton for a short time, but not finding this line exactly to his tastes he abandoned the same and devoted his attention to farming. During the eighties he was appointed postmaster at Norton, which position he filled for years, making his sister deputy postinaster. Early in life he was a Democrat but about 1884 he changed to the Republican party and while he has always manifested a lively interest in political affairs and ah matters looking to the development of Saline county and the general Avelfare of the same, he has never sought public office.

November 24, 1886, Mr. Vanwinkle was married to Jennie Johnson, who was born in North Carolina and who came with her parents to Saline county, Missouri. She is the daughter of Alvin and Mary (Howard) Johnson, natives of North Carolina wdio came to Saline county, Missouri, in 1873, locating on a farm. He was a Republican and was reared in the Quaker faith, from which he never departed. He died at his homestead here in 1904; his wife still survives, living at the old home. They reared six children, Mrs. John H. Vanwinkle being the fourth in order of birth. She was called to her rest on August 17, 1907. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and a good and kind-hearted woman wdiom everybody admired for her beautiful Christian life. To Air. and Mrs. Vanwinkle the following children were born : Dean and Dessic, both living at home; Vera is attending Hardin College at Mexico, Missouri; Jesse, Mary, Don, Nellie, Mabel and John are all living at home. Jennie, who was next to the youngest of the family, died in 1906, at the age of four years.

Vixyard Barnes Swisher

A worthy descendant of a prominent earl}- family of Saline county, members of which have played well their allotted parts in all walks of life, as will be shown by the records contained in the following paragraphs, is V. B. Swisher, a prominent farmer near Slater, who was born in Virginia, September 21. 1840. and who, with his parents, came to Missouri when sixteen years of age. He was reared on the farm and completed his education in the local schools. He is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Barnes) Swisher, the former the son of Henry Swisher, of Virginia, where he farmed and from which state he went as a soldier in the war of 1812. Later in life his family separated, some of them coming to Ohio and some to Missouri and Kansas. Finally in his loneliness the old soldier and pioneer came to his younger children in Kansas and there spent his declining years, dying in Leavenworth at the advanced age of ninety-two years. L^p to his last days he was active and his mind normal. He was a strong character all through life, a hard worker, honest, courageous, and politically he was a Democrat. His large family is represented in many different states.

Henry Swisher, father of V. B., of this review, grew to manhood and married in Virginia. Learning the carpenter's trade when young, he became an extensive builder and contractor, which line of business he followed successfullv in Virginia, in which state his children w^ere all born. He brought his entire family to ^lissouri in 1857 and located in Saline county, where, with what money he had saved, he bought land which he improved and soon had a good home here at which he remained and where he died in December, 1875. He prospered after coming here and bought other lands, wdiich w^ere improved mostly by his five sons. He erected his own buildings and for a few years after coming here w^orked at his trade. In those early days most of the trading was done at Cambridge and the milling at Arrow Rock and Aliami, all of these places being c[uite a distance from the Sw^isher home. Game being plentiful, the elder Swisher was always prepared for emergencies, but he was not noted for his skill as a hunter. He led a cjuiet life and was successful in his worL-, becoming very much attached to his adopted country. He never had any law suits or controversies that recjuired a court to settle. He finally became the owner of five hundred acres of land. He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and he held member- . ship W'ith the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and politically he was a Democrat, but did not aspire to office. He was admired by all for his exemplary habits, being strictly honest in all his relations with his fellow men.

He left no will and after the death of both parents the five sons, all of them of age, amicably divided all lands and settled the estate without the assistance of an attorney or the use of a court. The mother survived eleven years. d}ing- in i88C): she was a good and kind-hearted woman and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. She was the daughter of Michael Barnes, who was a native of the Old Dominion, where he engaged extensively in farming, and he was in the prime of life when death overtook him. leaving a widow and some small children. Idie mc^ther very heroically kept the children together, rearing them in respectability and comfort, remaining on the old homestead until her death in 1865. Two of her brothers and one sister came west. William and Adam Barnes came to Missouri in 1842 and were early settlers in Saline county; later Adam went to Mississippi and was accidentallv killed there prior to the Civil war. William remained in Saline countv and died here, rearing an excellent famih-.

Five chilch-en were born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Swisher, all sons, named as follows: A. T., now recorder of Saline county; Vinyard B.. of this review; M. S., Frank and Mathias, all prominent farmers in this county, the last named being now deceased, having died in igo6. leaving fi\e children. Three of the oldest sons served through the Civil war as Confederate soldiers.

Vinyard B. Swisher came to Missouri with his parents and family in 1857. then being about sixteen years of age, completing his education and growing to manhood in Saline county. He assisted in impro\-ing the home farm here and establishing a new home, remaining under his parental roof until the opening of the war between the states, when his patriotism and Virginia blood were aroused and he endeavored to enlist, but being small of stature all the home companies rejected him. However, he persisted in trying to get into the Confederate army and his position became well known and the Federals were after his "scalp," so for protection he w'ent to St. Clair county. Missouri, where he was accepted as a recruit, odisting in Company K. Shank's regiment of cavalry, and was sworn in there in 1862 and was soon in the South attached to Marmaduke's division with Shelby in command, and e\ery day was a busy one. there being much skirmishing to do. The first real light in which Mr. Swisher was engaged was at Springfield. Missouri, after which the regiment marched on into Arkansas, after traversing the major portion of southern Missouri, and in 1863 Shelbv made a raid through northwestern Missouri. ])assing through Saline county, his regiment then containing nine hundred and thirty-six men and officers. At Marshall the I'Vderals with a much larger force engaged Shelby's men in battle and rel)ulsc(l them, dividing the command, a part of which retreated east and a part to the west. Mr. Swisher being- in the division that retreated west, which was closely pursued by the Federals, a skirmish ensuing at every turn of the road. This division had the major part of the ammunition, and. fearing that it would be captured, it was ordered thrown into the river. Both divisions escaped capture and the two divisions accidentally came together at Berryville. Arkansas, where they re-organized. During the long ride thither the troops were often hungry and thirsty. This regiment later joined General Price in his last raid through this country and then continued south until June i6, 1865. when they surrendered at Shreveport, Louisiana. They were paroled and sent home by the Federals on a steamboat. Air. Swisher was alwavs friendly with the officers and spent no time in the guard house, but he saw some hard service and underwent many hardships. Returning home, he resumed farming, which he continued successfully until 1870. living under his parental roof in the meantime. In that year he married and soon thereafter built a cozy and attractively located dwelling in which he still lives. This place belonged to his father and in the division of the estate, by agreement of his brothers, he kept the same, which he has greatly improved and which he has made yield a very comfortable living, he being one (^f the best general farmers and stock raisers in this locality. He has also built a large barn and substantial outbuildings, set out a fine orchard and made all necessary imprcn-ements. He has prospered by reason of good management and has added to his original estate another fine farm of two hundred and forty-six acres, all in a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Swisher is a Democrat, but no office seeker, and he is known as a man of honest i)urpose and friendl}- disposition. He married Elvira Hedges, familiarly known in her maidenhood as "Mittie"' Hedges. She was born in T^latte county, Missouri, in 1845, and she has proved to be a worthy companion and helpmeet. She is the daughter of Harvey and Catherine (^Miller) Hedges, both natives of Berkeley county, Virginia, where the}' grew to maturity and were married, having come to Missouri in 1845. settling in Platte count V where they improved a place which they later sold and in i860 came to Saline county, improving a farm here. Mr. Hedges lived here until his death, in 1869. He was a Democrat, a plain honest farmer who had the respect of all his neighbors. His widow survived him and died in 1879. Thev were Presbyterians and were the parents of eight children. Elvira, wife of Mr. Swisher, being the third child in order of l)irth.

To Mr. and Mrs. Swisher four children have been born, namely : Early, born in 1871, died October 4, 1875; Sallie, born November 30, 1876. married L. H. Pemberton. a farmer, and they are the parents of two children :

Charles, born in 1878, located on a farm and married Xellie G. Wood, of St. Clair county, Missouri, and they have one daughter; Alma, born August 14, 1 881. is still a member of the home circle. Both parents and children are meml)ers of the Presbyterian church.

Whipple Spaulding Newell

A man who has long been prominently identified with ithe agricultural and live stock industries of Saline county is W. S. Newell, a native of the great Empire state, having been born in Dutchess county, New York, January 17, 1839, and he has therefore more than rounded out his allotted three score and ten, the natural span of life according to the ancient Hebrew Psalmist; but Mr. Newell is still very active and hale and is successfully carrying on his business affairs. He w'as reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He is the son of Whipple and Maphlet (Newman) Newell, both natives of the state of New^ York, where they grew to maturity and w-ere married, the father being the son of William New^ell, a New Englander. The first member of this family to make his advent in America, so far as records show, was Jacob Newell, who was born in Ipswick, England, in 1634. He landed at Plymouth Rock, w'here many years previously the "Mayflower" had rested from its historic voyage. He located at Roxbury, Massachusetts, where he married and reared his family and where he died. His grandson, William Newell, was born in Massachusetts, where he married and reared his children, who were named as follows: Jason, born in 1746; the latter's wife Sarah was born in 1754; Jabez is the son of Jason, born in 1772. and his wife Mary was born in 1773; William was born in 1775; Amy, born in 1780; Jacob, born in 1784; John, Ijorn in 1788; Spaulding, born in 1790; Nathaniel. born in 1795. Jason Newell was a Quaker. \\'il]iam Newell, the paternal grandfather of W. S. Newell, of this review, married Ruth Wilkinson, by whom the following were born: Whipple, father of W. S., of this review; Marv, Mrs. Sterling; Sarah, Mrs. Mosier; Abigail. Mrs. Hicks; William; Amy, Mrs. Valentine; Lydia, Mrs. Merrill; Johanna, Mrs. Weatherhead. William Newell later in life moved to the state of New York, where he died; he was a farmer by occupation and a very successful business man. AA'hipplc Newell was reared in the state of New York where he married and farmed and engaged in the milling business and all his children w^ith the exception of Amy and Maphlet, were born there. In 1839 he moved to Wisconsin, lo- eating- near the city of Milwaukee, then merely a villag"e, where he Ixnight land, literally "hewing-" (uit a farm from the timbered ground he purchased, and there prospered, for he kept his place in a high state of cultivation, and he Ijecame popular and well known there. Politically he was a \\'hig and later a Republican. He tilled the office uf justice of the peace many years in Wisconsin. He was reared in the Society of Friends or Quakers and he never departed from that faith. He was known to all as an honest, plain man, never seeking- notoriety. His wife passed away in 1847 and he survived her until 1872. Their children were, Jason, who became a seafaring man, owning a vessel on the lakes, which was shipwrecked and he lost his life; he ne^-er married: Ruth, Mrs. Ashton ; Sarah, Mrs. Rice; William went to California in 1 85 1, returned to Wisconsin and bought a farm, entered the Union army and was killed, leaving- a wife and one son ; Neuman served through the Civil war, returned home, and died from exposure; Abigail, Mrs. Redford; Whipple S., of this review; Anna married a Mr. W'illiams; she came to Saline county and died here, leaving one daughter, Mrs. Duclose ; Maphlet married C. Orr.

\Miipple S. Newell w-as reared in the state of New^ York and he moved to Wisconsin Avith his parents when young and assisted in clearing and improving- the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until he was about twenty years of age when he was lured to California in search of the new Eldorado, going by way of Pike's Peak in 1859. He engaged in mining in the Golden state until 1865, then went on horseback to Idaho, then to Montana, wdiere he discovered and located a claim and resumed mining. In 1868 he returned home on a visit, then came from Wisconsin to Saline county, Missouri, and invested in a large tract of raw prairie land near Salt Springs, Grand Pass township, then returned to Montana and worked out his claim and was fairly successful. He came from a hardy New England stock that knew^ no such word as fail. Personally he was stout and athletic and for ten long years wielded the pick and shovel, scraping- bed rock for the precious metal. In 1870 he returned home, making a long visit and drove across the state of Illinois in a buggy to his Missouri purchase and took up the task of improving- his farm, erecting substantial buildings and cultivating his land and engaged in the stock business in a small way, feeding the products of his farm to live stock of A-arious kinds. Later as he prospered at this he bought most of the corn croj:)s near him, becoming a regular and extensive feeder, handling- large herds of fat cattle, which he shipped to market, his Saline county farm Ijecoming a greater "gold mine" than any of his claims in the far ^^'est. Later he began investing his surplus in lands, his first purchase being four linndred and sixty-eight acres, and he next bought a farm near Marshall, later added to that another farm, both containing six hundred and eighty acres, adjoining the corporation limits of Marshall, where he now resides in an attractively located and commodious house which he has remodeled and modernized, there being a splendid basement under the entrance to the building and all e(|uipment for a comfortable home. His lands are all well improved and in a high state of cultivation, his two sons carrying on the work wliich he beo-an. His farm ranks with the best in the county and he also owns lands in Texas and Kansas. He has bought and sold property in Kansas City, still owning some good property there. He hung up the shoxel and hoe and has retired from active labor, now merely looking after his property interests and advising his sons in the management of the farms. He has been a man of keen discernment and good judgment and is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished, for he is a purely selfmade man.

Mr. Newell was reared a Republican in principle, having cast his first vote for "Abe" Lincoln and he has never lost interest in the G. O. P.. although he has never aspired to political preferment or public notoriety of any kind, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his Imsiness interests. He is high in the sublime degrees of Masonry.

Air. Xewell married in Saline county. Missouri, in 1872, Alice Houston, who was born in Schuyler county, Illinois; she is tlie daughter of John \\ and ILUen (McNeeley) Houston, of Illinois, who came to Saline county. Missouri, in 1868, bought land and engaged in farming and the cattle business in (irand Pass township, becoming fairly well-to-do. He was a Republican, but not a jniblic man; he was a member of the Methodist church. Ijecame well known and highly respected, for he was not only a successful business man but also a man of the highest honor and worth. His death occurred in 1895. His widow survives and lives at the old homestead ; she is also a Methodist. John V Houston was twice married, the following children having been born of the first union; Sarah, now Mrs. McNeeley; Hattie, now Mrs. Rankin, of Burlington, Iowa. Mr. Houston's first wnfe died in Illinois and he then married Ellen McNeeley. this union resulting in the birth of the followingchildren : Alice, wife of \V. S. Newell, of this review^ ; Florence, now Mrs. McClellan; Elizabeth married D. Bixler ; John is a farmer; Laurence is living on the old homestead ; Sherman ; Belle, now Mrs. Irvin ; Grace, now Mrs. AFcRoberts.

Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. W. S. Newell, namely; Alice married \\'. Strother. and she was called to her rest on June 7, 1901, at the age of twent3^-eig"ht years and six months, lea\-ing- a husband and two children ; Neuman married Nell Sparks and they are the parents of two children : Alvin married Neva Brown, and they also are the parents of two children. The mother of these children passed from earth on May 29, 1904. at the age of fifty-two years. She was a woman of admirable personal traits, a worthy member of the Methodist church.

Robert Samuel Hays

The history of Saline county is not a very old one. It is the record of the steady growth of a community planted in the wilderness within the last century and has reached its magnitude of today without other aids than those of industry. The people who redeemed its wilderness fastnesses were strongarmed, hardy pioneers who hesitated at no difficulty and for whom hardships had little to appall. The early pioneers, having blazed the path of civilization to this part of the state, finished their labors and passed from the scene, leaving the country to the possession of their descendants and to others who came at a later period and builded on the foundation which they laid so broad and deep. Among the latter class is the prominent business man and enterprising citizen by whose name this article is introduced. While his appearance on the scene was not as early as some, yet he came in the formative period and has done much to develop and advertise to the world the wonderful resources of a county that now occupies a proud position among the most progressive and enlightened sections of Missouri.

Robert Samuel Hays is a native son of Missouri, having been born in Lafayette county on December 21, 1866. He is a son of James and Sarah (Peters) Hays, the former of whom was a native of Tennessee and the latter of Ohio. James Hays came to Missouri in an early day and engaged in the business of general merchandising, in which he w^as fairly successful and wdiich he followed until his death. He was the proprietor of a store at Lexington, Lafayette county, and stood high in the community. Though not a member of any church, he was conscientious in his daily life and was a potent and definite influence for good in the community wdiere he lived. His wife was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church South. They were the parents of thirteen children, three of whom died in infancy, the names of those who reached years of maturity being Mary A., Isaac, Annie, Belle, James, Lucy, R. Samuel, Bettie, Charles and Ernest.