Saline County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 8 of 17)

Thomasse Van Dyke (or VanDyck). who, with his wife. Teuntje Haegen. settled at New Utrecht, Long Island. They had eight children, namely: Thomas ]nn^. Derrick Jans. Achias Jans. Hendrick Jans. Jan Jans, Karel Jans, Annatie Jans and Peter Jans.

Jan Tans Van Dvke. the tifth son of Jan Thomasse Van Dyke, of New Utrecht. Long Island, was born in Amsterdam, Holland. Married May 9. 1673. to Teuntje Tysson Van Pelt (wdio died 1725), by whom he had two sons. Jans and Mathys, and three daughters. He died in 1735 or 1736. Jan Van Dyke, of Brunswick, New Jersey, first son of Jan Jans Van Dyke, was born at New Utrecht. Long Island, and died December 18, 1764. He married Anna Van Kleck, June 6, 1706, and they became the parents of ten children. Mathys Van Dyke, fifth son of Jan Van Dyke, born August 28, 1714. and who became a resident of Mapleton, New Jersey. He married. June 12. 1746. Noltys Laen, and had eight children. The second of these eight children was Matthew, born January 8. 1752, at Mapleton, New Jersey, and died September 18, 1832. He was a private in the Revolutionary war. He married Lvdia Longstreet. January 25, 1774. by whom he had seven children. The first born, Mary, became the wife of James Carnahan. D. D.. who was president of Princeton University. Isaac, the fourth child, was born July 29, 1787. at Mapleton, New Jersey; died April 25, 1877. He married Ann Van Dvke. October 5. 1809. by whom he had six children. Matthew^ the third son of Isaac, was the father of the subject of this sketch, and was born March 8. 181 5. near Princeton, New Jersey. He came west in April, 1853 and settled in Saline county, Missouri, on a farm in Blackwater township. He was a farmer all his life and died November 18. 1903. on the old farm where he had settled, at the ripe old age of eighty-eight years. The mother of the subject was Anna Louisa Napton. who was a native of New Jersey, born July 31. 181 1. She was a daughter of John and Susan Napton. who removed from Princeton. New Jersey, to Saline county, Missouri, in April, 1853. She died January 28, 1899. at the age of eighty-seven years. To Matthew^ and Anna Louisa (Napton) Van Dyke, who were married October 21,, 1838. were born eight children, who are briefly mentioned as follows: Susan, born August 31, 1839. lives in Marshall; James Alexander, born May 24, 1843, died March 28. 1843; Jacob, the immediate subject of this sketch; Melinda. born Julv 31, 1845. lives in Marshall; Emma Theresa. l)orn May 29. 1847, became the wife of James J. Scott, a farmer living in Blackwater township. Saline county; Georgia, born December 9. 1848. married Jacob V. L. Davis, and died April 7. 1889; Florence, born October 13. 1851. resides at Ontario. Oregon; William Barclay, born March 10. 1854, lives in Malheur county, Oregon.

Jacob Van Dyke came to Saline county with his parents when nine years old. He received his primary schooling in a country log school house and from private instruction given him by his mother, who was a teacher. He began the active duties of life by assisting in the labors of the home farm, where he remained until the outbreak of the Civil war. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in the Federal army, becoming a member of Company D, Seventh Cavalry Regiment of the Missouri State Militia. He enlisted in 1862 and served until 1863, taking part in much active service in Missouri and Arkansas. At Boonville his company joined in the pursuit of Poindexter. His regiment was then ordered to Springfield, and then to vSpring Creek, and was placed under the command of General Totten. Mr. Van Dyke was here taken do\A'n with typhoid fever and was taken to Mudtown, Arkansas, and from there to Fayetteville. that state. His regiment was ordered to Missouri, he being left at Fayetteville, but subsequently he was removed to a temporary hospital at Cassville. Missouri. Here all the patients died except Mr. Van Dyke and one other patient, and after another move the other patient died. The subject was afterward removed to the hospital at Springfield, Missouri, and was able at the attack of General Marmaduke, to join a group of men from the hospital called the "Quinine Brigade," to help in the defense of the place. He then rejoined his regiment, but was not physically fit for duty and was compelled to go to the hospital again. His father then took him home and he was discharged because of disability.

After Mr. Van Dyke had recovered his health he went to St. Louis and took a complete course in a business college, and was then emploved for a while as bookkeeper in that city. He then came back to Saline countv for some time and was engaged in teaching country schools. In 1866 he came to Alarshall and entered the office of Head & Chase, abstractors, with whom he remained a short time. In 1867 he entered the circuit clerk and recorder's office as deputy, remaining there until 1871. He then compiled a complete set of abstract books for Alexander & Sandidge, and he remained with this firm and their successors until 1875, when he went into the abstract business for himself. He is thoroughly equipped for this work and is considered one of the most reliable men in this line in Saline county. He also does considerable real estate business, and has handled a number of large land deals successfully, besides hundreds of minor importance. From 1882 to 1900 he was associated in business with T. C. Rainey, under the firm name of Van Dvke & Rainey. Afterward the business was conducted under the firm name of Van Dyke & Company, J. T. Conway at one time being a member, and later R. B. Taylor becoming a member of the firm. Since 1901 and until March. 1909.

Mr. Van Dyke and his son, Leonard W., together with James T. Fisher, coml)ri^ed the firm, but since Leonard W. Van Dyke became postmaster, the senior V^an Dvke and Mr. Fisher have continued tlie business.

Mr. Van Dyke is a member of the city school board and is now serving' efficiently as its treasurer. He is secretary of the Ridge Park Cemetery Association, of which he was one of the organizers, and in which he takes a s])ecial pride. Mr. Van Dyke and his former partner, Mr. Rainey. are the owners of a splendid farm located two miles from the city and to this he gives some attention.

In politics Mr. Van Dyke has always given his support to the Republican party, and has ever taken a deep interest in local public affairs. In religion he and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church, in which he holds the office of elder.

On March 8, 1871, Mr. Van Dyke was united in marriage to Rachel Rebekah Shepherd, who was born in Virginia, but who moved first to Ohio and thence to Missouri. To this union have been born eight children, namely : Ella Maud, born December 4, 187 1, died November 4, 1874; Frank Barclay, born November 18, 1874, died July 6, 1876; Percy Hampton, born January 21, 1877, married Lulu Empie and lives at Newport, Arkansas, where he is an editor of a newspaper; Leonard Wilson, born September 11, 1879, and who is postmaster of Marshall, married Julia Scott, the daughter of L. W. Scott, of Marshall; Anna Louise, born March 19, 1882, is the wife of N. E. McLeod, of Brookfield, Mississippi; Rachel Miller, born September 26, 1884; Jacob Rainey, born November 30, 1890; Paul Shepherd, born February 27, 1893-

Samuel L. Black

A descendant of an honored pioneer family is Samuel L. Black, a farmer living near Slater, Saline county, who is a native of Knox county, Missouri, where he was born August 30, 1858, reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools. He is the son of John L. and Nancy J. (Porter) Black, the latter a native of Crawford county, Illinois, and the former of Virginia. They came to Missouri in the early days and were married here. John Black was born June 9, 1820, in Augusta county, Virginia, and he came to Missouri with his father and the rest of the family in 1834, then fourteen years of age. His father settled in Wayne county and engaged in farming, dying soon after he had established a home there; his wife kept the children to- gether, rearing- them to farming pursuits. John L. Black remained with his mother, growing to manhood in Wayne county until his marriage, and engaged in farming on his own account. In 1850 he moved to Knox county and bought eight hundred acres of land, w'hich he improved to a good farm, on which he remained successfully until 1865, when he moved to Saline county, Missouri, locating in Miami township, buying six hundred and seventy-one acres, on which he made substantial improvements and permanent settlement, remaining there until his death, January 25, 1890. He was a prominent farmer and slave owner and as a result of the war agitation he g-ave freedom to all his slaves. He opposed secession, but was a strong Southern sympathizer, although he took no part in the war. He devoted his attention exclusively to farming and stock raising. He was an ardent Democrat, but never an office seeker. He kept well informed on political matters and general topics of the day, and he was an influential man in his community. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity, and was highly respected for his exemplary life, his public spirit and industry. He was a good business man and a stockholder in the Miami Savings Bank and the Citizens' State Bank of Slater. He had no assistance in the accumulation of his splendid estate, but always relied upon himself entirely.

In 1845 John L. Black married Nancy Porter, daughter of David Porter, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Crawfordsville, Illinois, and in 1833 he located in Missouri, being a civil engineer and in the employ of the government. He first settled in Wayne county, this state, wdiere he established government surveys, and he did much sur\reying there. His wife died in Illinois and he brought the remainder of his family to Wayne county, where he remained, but during the Civil war he returned to Crawford county, Illinois, where he died in 1866. He was a man who made friends readily, for he was honest and of good habits. He and his wife were the parents of one son and one daughter, namely; Washington, who was a soldier and died in the Mexican war, and Nancy J., mother of Samuel L. Black, of this review.

Eleven children were born to John L. Black and his estimable wife, all of whom grew to maturity; they were named as follows: David P., of Slater; John N., deceased; Nancy J., now Mrs. Croff; Mary E., now Mrs. Phillips; Andrew W., who remained singie, is deceased ; Alexander is living in Montana; Samuel L., subject of this review; Cyrus, living- in San Erancisco; Sallie E., who married Jerrold R. Letcher, living in Salt Lake City; Virginia B. has remained single ; William L. is living in Chicago ; Anna N., now Mrs. McCormack. The mother of these children reached an advanced age, passing to her reward on August 15, 1909.

Samuel L. Black was reared on the home farm, and he has preferred to remain on the same, having- jun-chased the interest of the other heirs in the same and he is carrying on very successfully general farming and stock raising, having greatlv improved the old place. He has given his exclusive attention to his work here and has been very successful handling stock, preparing cattle and hogs for the market. He was reared a Democrat and he has never departed from the party of his choice. He has led a quiet life and is a member of the ]\rasonic fraternity.

Mr. Black was married in 1900 to Ida Martin, who was l)orn in Kentuck\- in 1873, the daughter of John and Emma (Jones) Martin, both natives of Kentuck^-, where they were married, later moved to Missouri, locating in Saline countv on a farm. He was a Democrat, but led a quiet life on the farm, win.ning the respect of all who knew him. His death occurred in 1907; his widow lives on the home farm. - They were the parents of ten children, Ida, wife of Samuel L. Black, being the fifth in order of birth.

Three interesting children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Black : Helen. l)oin i'.i 1902; Samuel H., born June, 1905; John L., born September, 1906.

John John

Germanv is famous the world over for its remarkable universities, for its learned men and for the patience, industry, morality and sturdiness of its citizens. Idiese qualities have been brought to this country by the immigrants and are now part and parcel of our wonderful nation - its progress in domestic economy, its advancement in ever}^ branch of material improvement, and its love of country and home. Of this praiseworthy class of citizens, many of wdiom reside within the borders of Saline county, comes John John, a progressive farmer in Elmwood township, who was born in St. Louis, Missouri, July 26. 1852. In tracing his ancestors we find that his parents, Peter and Barbara (Shafer) John, were both born in the province of Bavaria, Gennany, the father the son of Philip John, of the same country. They came to America in about 1817, making a tedious voyage in an old sailing vessel. After landing on our shores they began another long trip to the middle of the continent, finally locating at St. Louis, where they remained for a period of seven years. They then settled in St. Clair county. Illinois, on a farm where they lived and prospered until 1882, when they moved to Marshall, Missouri, where they spent the remainder of their days. Thev and their children were members of the Catholic church. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter John the following children were born: Barbara, Maggie, John (subject). Christian, Lizzie and Lena.

John John was reared on the home farm in Illinois, working on the place during the summer time and attending the district schools in the winter months. In 1882 he was married to Crescentia Schifferdecker, who was born in Freeburg, St. Clair county, Illinois, the daughter of Philip and Kunigunde Schifferdecker. Philip Schifferdecker was born in Grosherzogthum, Baden. Germany, August 20, 1816. He came to this country in May, 1854. goingdirect to St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained a few months, then going to Belleville, Illinois. In 1855 he located at Freeburg, Illinois, and there, on December 11, 1856, he was married to Kunigunde Ranch. The latter was born May 20, 1817, in Machle, canton Argau Bezirk, Rheinfelden, Switzerland, and came to the United States in 1848. The father was twice married, Mrs. John being the only child of the second marriage. Six children resulted from the first marriage, namely: Andrew, Christian, Philip, A\'illiam, Lena and Rosa. The mother of Mrs. John was three times married. The following children resulted from the first marriage: Frances, Casper and Amelia; there were also three children born of her second marriage. Kunigunde, George and Jacob. The third marriage was to the father of Mrs. John, she being the only child born to this union. The father of Mrs. John lived and died in Freeburg, Illinois, passing to his reward on August 19, 1885, having been preceded to the silent land by his wife, on September 12, 1884.

Eleven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. John, named as follows : Frieda is the wife of Milton Kuykendall, a farmer of Salt Pond township. Saline county; Bertha is single; Lena is the wife of August Reith. a blacksmith in Blackburn, the western border of Elmwood township; Ella is single and living at home; William and Theodore are also at home; George died in infancy ; Hilda died in early childhood ; John lives at home and is attending school ; Josephine and George are at home.

Mr. John and family came to Elmwood township. Saline county, Alissouri, in 1881, and moved on their present farm in 1892. It lies four miles south of the village of Mt. Leonard and consists of one hundred and forty acres, it being one of the best improved farms in Saline county and is verv rich, yielding abundant harvests from year to year. Mr. John has remodeled the dwelling and has made it attractive and comfortable, and he has built two excellent barns, buggy sheds and made many other substantial improvements about the place. He has a fine orchard, taking much interest in horticulture, which he keeps well informed on, and no small part of his income is derived from this source. He is an up-to-date farmer in every phase of the work, and he and his brother, Christ, who lives on an adjoining- farm, were the first to introduce clover growing in Saline county. He handles an excellent grade of live stock.

Mr, John is a Republican and he has sei-ved as a member of the local school board. The John family stands high in social circles, being hospitable, honorable in their relations with their neighbors and they make all feel heartily welcome who cross their threshold.

Considering the somewhat unpromising start of Mr. John and the present prosperity which he enjoys, one must accord him all praise for what he has accomplished, for it has resulted from long, persistent labor in definite lines and by honorable dealing- with his fellow men, whatever the relation may have been, and he therefore is w^orthy of the high regard which the people of Saline county have for him.

Edwin H. Haynie

The family of this name in Saline county is of Virginia stock on both sides of the house. The ancestors were part of the army of pioneers that left the Old Dominion state to join the hosts engaged in the conquest of tlie West. They did their full share in this grand but arduous work and left worthy names in the various communities where they settled and expended their energies. Missouri was selected as the field for the operations of one branch of the family and E. M. Haynie. the well known farmer and stock raiser, was a descendant. He was born ip Saline county in 1838, grew up on a farm, eventually became a farmer himself and has devoted all his active life to this pursuit. At present he resides in Marshall and is practically retired from active business. He married Sarah E. Grayson, a native of Virginia, who died in October, 1907, after becoming the mother of eleven children. The six of these now living are Edward H., John R., who lives on a farm in Miami township; Robert L., a resident of Miami township; Price G., a farmer of the same locality; Mary J., wife of Jesse Roberts, of Marshall; Angie F.. widow of Shelby Porter.

Edwin H. Haynie, eldest of the surviving children, was born in Saline county, Missouri, October 13, 1868. He was trained to farm life and as he grew up had all the experiences common to Missouri farm boys. He was taught to work, to keep regular hours, to look after the stock, help in the fields and his education was obtained by attendance during the winters at the dis- trict schools. He remained under the parental roof nntil he completed his twenty-fourth year, when he removed to Marshall and engaged in the livery business, which occupied his time for eight years. In 1900 he was offered and accepted a deputyship under Sheriff Joseph \\'ilson. which place he filled acceptably for a year, then returned to the farm. He spent the intervening Acars at his old occupation until 1908, when he was nominated for sheriff" and elected in the November election. He took office January i, 1909, and has served so satisfactorily as to increase his already well recognized popularity. He is a man of influence in the political world and stands well in business circles.

December 18, 1902, Mr. Haynie was married to lone V., daughter of J. O. Davis, of Miami township. Mr. Haynie is of social disposition, easy address and a friend-maker, his acquaintance being substantially inclusive of the countv's citizenship. He is not only well known and well liked, but is recognized as one of the leading citizens. His fraternal connections are confined to membership in the order of Knights of Pythias.

Frank M. Latimer

The Saline county family of this name is of English stock, and the first emigrants were identified with this country from a very early period. One iMTiP-ch located in Virginia and from this sprang Randall Latimer, who in early life migrated from the Old Dominion state to Kentucky. There his son, George W. Latimer, was born, who, A^'hen a young man, removed to Saline county, Missouri. He married Elizabeth Bell, a native of Missouri, who now resides at Marshall. Her husband was a lifelong farmer, but learned surveying, and bv repeated elections served for twelve years as county surveyor. He was killed in a runaway accident November 2, 1906. He left four children, of whom the eldest. Ida Bell, died in February, 1908. William Randall, the oldest son, is a resident of San Francisco, and E. R. is in the grocery business at ^Marshall.

Frank M. Latimer, youngest of the family, was born two miles west of Sharon, Saline county, Missouri, November 12, 1881. He was educated in the schools at Marshall and studied suiweying under his father. In 1899 he went ^^ est in the employment of a large railroad contractor, following civil engineering for two years. Returning home, he worked with his father in the surveyor's office until July, 1905. when he accepted a position with the Kansas

City Bridge Company, with which corporation he remained until the death of his father, whose unexjiired term as surveyor was left open, and he was appointed to same. In November, 1908, he was elected to this office, but in addition is county highway engineer, a new office created recently, to which he w^as appointed January i, 1908. He is a Democrat in politics and one of the local leaders of his party. He is a young man of promise and popularity, who has a bright future before him, and his business acquirements are such as to make him a useful man to the people. He is thoroughly trained as a surveyor and civil engineer, is studious and painstaking in methods, energetic in action and possessed of an alert, progressive mind.

In August, 1907, Mr. Latimer married Stella, a daughter of E. B. Hitt, of Marshall. The family enjoys high social standing and a wide acquaintance, with all of whom they are popular and highly esteemed.

Philip H. Franklin

The ancestors of the family of this name, as immigrants from England, settled at Chester, Pennsylvania, before the Revolutionary war. Thomas H. Franklin, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born at Chester, but was reared in Virginia and served as a soldier from that state during the struggle for American independence. After the war he returned to his Virvinia home and the family was long identified with the history and development of Campbell county. His son, Henry R. Franklin, was born in Campbell county, became a farmer and spent his whole life of ninety-three years within the limits of his native bailiwick. He married Rhoda G. Watkins, a native of Buckingham county, Virginia, whose ancestors settled Malvern Hill, the scene of a notably bloody battle during the Civil war. Her grandfather took part in the Revolutionary war and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. She died in 1873 at her old Virginia home, after the completion of her sixty-second year. Of the four children of this fine old Virginia couple, all are living but one. J. W. was a surgeon in the Confederate anny, went through the siege of Vicksburg and died a year after the close of the war. Cornelius H. resides in Campbell county and Mrs. Johanna V. Nelson at Alta, Texas.

Philip H. Franklin, youngest of the family, was born in Campbell county, Virginia, near Lynchburg, July 4, 1841. When he had reached the age of nineteen, the country was convulsed by the outbreak of the Civil war, and he was one O'f the wildest and most eager to go to the front in defense of the rights of his native state. He enhsted in the Lynchburg Home Guards, an eld company that had been organized some years before, which became Company G, Eleventh Regiment, Virginia Volunteer Infantry, was mustered into sen-ice April 24, 1861, and w'as the first organization of Virginia troops that reached Richmond. The Eleventh was hurried to Manassas, the assembling point of the Confederate army, and a few weeks later took part in the first great battle of the war, which resulted in a signal N-ictory for the Southern army. !Mr. Franklin took part with his command in man}- other battles and engagements, ami^ng them l)eing W illiamsburg. Se\'en Pines, Fiazier's Farm, Fredericksburg-, Gettysburg, Bull Run, Dranesville, AX'arrenton Junction. Cold Harbor, Five Forks. Drury's Bluff, Vorktown and Suft'olk. He was taken prisoner at Frazier's Farm, but was exchanged after two months, when he rejoined his regiment. He was wounded in the shoulder by a bullet, at Williamsburg, May 5, 1862, and still carries the lead in his body. At Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, during Pickett's famous charge, he was again wounded by a shrapnel shot in the back. ]\Iay 16, 1864, at Drury's Bluff, he was hit by another bullet. Few men have such an honorable and continuous record of military service as he went through the whole war of four years with no vacation except those enforced by capture or wounds. After hostilities ceased Mr. Franklin returned to Campbell county and resumed the peaceful pursuits of farming. In February, 1868, he removed to Missouri, located in Saline county and was engaged for a while in the insurance business. August 20th of the same year he established a drug store at Cambridg-e, but after remaining there nearly nine years decided to remove to the county seat. In July, 1876, he opened a drug store at Marshall and soon afterwards sold the concern at Cambridge. For forty years he has been continuously in the drug business in Saline county. About seventeen years ago, he moved into his present rooms, which accommodate two distinct stores, a drug and book and stationery business, occupying separate space under the same roof. He was appointed a member of the state board of pharmacy by Governor Crittenden and served in that ofiice for ten years continuously.

In 1872 ]\lr. h^-anklin married Mary F.. daughter of F. H. (lilhrun, one of the pioneers of Saline county, at present residing at Marshall, in the ninety-fifth year of his age. He estal)lished the first store at Cambridge. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin have had two children, both of whom are dead. Philip H. died when seventeen years old. Daisy C. married Rev. A. A. Mc- Geachy. a Presbyterian minister, and died at Sherman, Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin are members of the old-school Presbyterian church, of which the former is an elder. He is a Mason and has been honored with the deg-rees up to the thirty-second, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He has long been recognized as one of the best citizens of the county, honorable in dealing, public spirited and a man of the hightest integrity. His character has been tried in the war and peace and passed through the ordeal as pure as gold.

Abiel Leonard

The members of the family of this name have figured conspicuously and honorably in the history of Missouri in the various walks of life. Originating in New^ England, the first settlers came west at an early day and were identified with Missouri during its formative period. Nathaniel Leonard, who was born at \A'indsor, Vermont, in 1799, removed to Missouri when thirty years old and located in Cooper county, after the establishment of the colony founded by Daniel Boone. He was of an adventurous disposition and, yielding to the call of the wild, became a fur trader on an extensive scale during his first years of residence in the West, before he finally settled down in Cooper county. His expeditions covered a wide range, often taking him to the great emporium of fur trade at Mackinaw. At a later period he owned an extensive farm in Cooper county, which he so highly improved that it became known as one of the handsomest and most productive in the United States. He was a man of unbounded influence in his community and during his entire career was never known to do an act which from any standpoint could be regarded as dishonorable. He closed his long and useful life in 1875 at the home he had beautified and made the abode of genuine Southern hospitality. His brother, Hon. Abiel Leonard, was one of the most distinguished jurists of the state and for several years occupied a seat on the bench of the supreme court of Missouri. He was a man of extraordinary legal talent, of the utmost integrity and high public spirit. Nathaniel Leonard married Margaret Hutchinson and Abiel Leonard, one of the children l)y this union, was born at Bellair, Coo]:)er county, ^Missouri, Alay 24, 185 1. After the usual experience in the district school he prepared for college at the Kemper Military Academy at Boonville. and in 1868 entered Dartmouth College, where he studied for three years. In 1872 he came to Saline county and with his brother, ^^"ilham H., began the operation of a farm in Elmwood township. The situation was in the western part of the county at a point afterward named Mount Leonard, in honor of the family who had done so much for the development of the community. Mr.

Leonard continued in charge of this farm for twenty years, with his brother as a partner, making a specialty of Shorthorn and Scotch polled cattle. During this period the brother imported from Spain numbers of jacks and jenneys, which they bred on an extensive scale, their herd being one of the most noted in the nation. In fact the Leonard brothers were pioneers in this branch of the live stock industry in Missouri. From 1883 to 1886 they imported hundreds of loads of high-bred cattle. Their importations of black polled cattle equaled those of any other stockmen in the country. In 1892 Mr. Leonard removed to Marshall and engaged in the real estate business, first with H. G. Allen, and subsequently with G. W. Newton, who is his present partner. In 1888 he became identified with the Farmers' Savings Bank of Marshall, as a diiector and served in that capacity until June. 1900. Though he has disposed of his farming interests at Mt. Leonard, he retains a valuable farm in Blackwater township. Though an earnest supporter of Democratic principles, Mr. Leonard has steadily refused to become a candidate for office. He has, however, been deeply interested in the cause of education and always ready to serve the public welfare in that cause. From 1896 to 1899 he was president of the board of education at Marshall and from 1895 to 1899 was a trustee of Westminster College at Fulton. Under appointment of Governor John S. Marmaduke and re-appointment by Governor Francis, he served as a member of the state board of agriculture for eight years. He is an elder in the Presbyterian church, in which his wife also is a verv active and earnest worker. Since 1885 he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has risen to the rank of Knight Templar. He is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, affiliating with the Ararat Temple, of Kansas City.

May 10. 1883, Mr. Leonard married Mittie S., daughter of Joseph L. Ste])hens, and sister of former Governor Lon V. Stephens. They have four children, Horace Holly, Joseph S., Margaret Nelson and Speed.

Edgar Rives Page

Contractor and builder and for fifty-four years an h()n(^red resident of Saline county, the subject of this sketch was born at ]\Iadison Mills, near Orange, on the Rapidan river. Virginia, April i, 1837. His father was Robert F. Page, a native of Nelson county, that state, and a descendant of one of the first English families that settled in Virginia. By occupation he was a miller and spent all of his life near the place of his birth, dving in Greene county, Virginia, at the advanced age of eighty years. Prior to her marriage to Robert F. Pag-e, the subject's mother bore the name of Sarah Jones, whose l)irth occurred in the county of Albemarle and who died in 1898, v>hen about ninety years old. The family of this estimable couple consisted of ten children, of whom the following survive: C. G. Page, of Marshall; Z. K.. who has been clerk of Greene county, Virginia, for over thirty years; W. B.. of Crockett, Texas, and for several years a member of the Legislature of that state.

E. R. Page spent his early life in Virginia, and while still a mere )-outh gave evidence of decided mechanical skill, which he subsequently utilized as a carpenter, which trade he learned at his native place and at which he soon acquired much more than ordinary proficiency. Thinking the West abounded in better opportunities for a young man than his own state, he severed home ties in September, 1855, and in the following November reached Saline county, Missouri, where he immediately found remunerative employment at Jiis trade. Being a skillful workman, his services were soon in great demand, not only in the locality where lived, but throughout a large area of the county as well, and from that time on his progress was rapid and his success assured.

At the breaking out of the Civil war Mr. Page went west and from t86i to 1866 inclusive was engaged in contracting and mining in Nevada. In the latter year he returned to Saline county and resumed his trade at Marshall, where, during the ensuing twenty-five years, he erected more buildings than any other contractor, and to him as much as to an}- one man is due the material advancement of the city from that time to the present. It is a fact beyond dispute that he practically built the thriving county seat, the majority of the business blocks, public edifices and finer class of residences being the result of his mechanical skill,. in addition to which he also erected many dwellings throughout the rural districts and in other towns. Among the more noted evidences of his workmanship in Marshall are the Missouri Valley College buildings, several beautiful and imposing church edifices, private residences of a number of the leading citizens and various other structures, all of wdiich bear witness to his efficiency as a master of the calling- and which will long stand as monuments to his energy and skill.

Mr. Page's financial success was commensurate with the ability displayed in his labors. As a man and citizen he always manifested a lively interest in the growth of his adopted city, and all enterprises having for their object the moral welfare of the community received his encouragement and support. He always stood for law, order and a high standard of citizenship, while his social status and personal integrity were ever above reproach and all (^f his promises religiously kept.

Mr. Page was a Democrat, but made politics secondary to his business affairs, although well informed on the leading questions of the day and abreast of the times on current events. Fraternally he was a Mason of high degree, belonging to the three branches of the order, and in religion he held to the faith of the Methodist church, with which body his family are also identified. The death of Mr. Page occurred November 8, 1909.

In the year 1866 Mr. Page was united in marriage with Caroline W. Sims, a native of Greene county, of the Old Dominion state, in which she was born and reared, the ceremony taking place in the same neighborhood where they spent their childhood and youth. Of the twelve children resulting from this union, one lives in Seattle, Washington, two in old Mexico, and the rest in or near Marshall, Missouri, where the family is so well known and so Ifio-hlv esteemed.

James A. Walker

The face of the late Dr. Francis J. C. W^alker was familiar to thousands in this section for nearly two generations and through him and relatives the family name has been made widely known. He was a son of an old Carolina pioneer, James T. ^^^alker, born in 1795, who located in Kentucky at an early day and afterwards joined the emigration to Missouri. He was a planter and as a side line followed the trade of a saddle-tree maker. His son Francis became eminent as a physician, having begun practice over sixty years ago. Born in Casey county, Kentucky, December 5, 1826, he came with his parents to Missouri in 1843, when sixteen years old. The family located in Pettis county, where Francis studied medicine with Dr. William M. Lowry for two years and in i860 entered the McDowell Medical College at St. Louis, from which he obtained a degree a year later. After practicing a while at Longwood, he removed to Liberty township. Saline county, where he remained, in active practice for forty-five years. He died January I, 1908. after a long career of usefulness and a life that was free from blame. In early manhood he married Sallie M., daughter of Judge James R. Davis, whose father came from Virginia to Missouri during the state's formative period and founded a family of influence. Doctor and Mrs. ^^'alker had six children: James A.; Charles L., of Los Angeles; Mrs. Margaret McMahan ; Mary; Mrs. Nellie Boatright, of IMarshall. and Mrs. Katherine Alc^Iahan, of Long Beach, California. The mother died JanuarA- 28. 1905.

^Missouri. Julv 12. 1868. He grew up on the old homestead farm near Marshall, and remained under the parental roof until the completion of his twentv-third vear. Besides the usual routine in the puhlic schools, he attended a private academy at Sweet Springs and took a course in the business college at Ouincy. Illinois, from which he was graduated in 1888. After spending two years on the farm he taught school for three years and then obtained a ]X)sition in the Bank of Marshall, where he sj^ent a year. In 1902 he was elected to the office of county collector and ser\cd four years, or two terms as it was under the then existing law. .\fter two years' vacation he went to St. Louis and accepted a position with the Johnson-Rand Shoe Com])any, with \\hich he was connected for nine months. In Jul}-, 1908, he went to Tecumseh, Oklahoma, and secured a controlling interest in the First National Bank and became ])resident of that institution. April 15. 1909, he resigned and returned to Marshall where he accepted the position of assistant cashier of the Bank of Marshall, in which capacity he still ser\-es.

Januar^- 14, 1890, Mr. Walker married Gabriella, daughter of James ^^^ Clravson, of Sweet Springs, and the two children of this union are ]\Iar_\- Frances and Ruth. The parents are members of the Christian church and Mr. Walker's fraternal connections are with the Masons and Odd Fellows. He is a Democrat in politics and a man of unusual popularity. His address is capti\ating and his ])ersonal a|)])earance striking, his features being clear-cut, his height over six feet and weight about one hundred ninety pounds.

It was far back in the hislor\- of Missouii as a state that the hrst re])- resentatives of this well known family became identified with this section. James McMahan, who was a Kentuckian by birth, crossed the Mississippi when Indians still roamed over the fertile |)lains and all sorts of wild game were so abundant as to be an incumlirance. Before lea\'ing the old commor.wealth of Boone, he had married Helena Jones .and after coming to Missouri they hrst settled at C'oojjer's I'ort, but later took up some new Jand, in the improvement of which the newcomer devoted a large amount of exhaustive labor. By the exercise of that thrift and frugality known only to the earlv jjioneers he was able to purchase additional land until he owned a farm of five hundred eighty acres in Cooper county. On this place he ex- pended all his efforts, reared a large family, and li\'ed iii peace with all the world until his death, in October, 1857. He had nine children: Arminta. the eldest, is now ]\lrs. John H. Sutherland : Asenath, the second child., is Mrs. Robert K. Taylor; Jesse X. is dead; Jane married W. H. Wallace, but is now dead; Melissa became the wife of W. id. Wallace after the death of her sister; Mary is deceased; Laura L. is the deceased wife of Dr. Wade tlnward; and Sophia T. is the wife of George A. Murrell, of Marshall. The mother died in 1867.

Robert J. McMahan, eighth child in order of birth of this interestingfamily, was born in Cooper county, Missouri, June 23, 1833. He remained at home assisting his father until 1854. \\hen he went to California, bv the overland route, made popular by the gold-seekers of the preceding years. On returning from the Pacific coast he remained on his father's farm until the opening of the Civil war, for which he enlisted on the Confederate side. He was captured at Black Water, and sent as a prisoner to McDowell College and later to Alton. On the Doctor's advice he took the oath of allegiance and came home and here he remained until 1865, ^vhen he decided on a western trip. Embarking for Alontana with a mercantile stock, he was engaged for a year freighting goods, but then abandoned the enterprise. After returning to Cooper county he farmed until 1871, when he went to Arrow Rock to engage in the mercantile business, which occupied his attention until the fall of 1880. In that year he was elected clerk of Saline county, but during the interval before taking office he was in the grain business, being interested in the Marshall elevator. After serving two years as clerk, he was elected for a four-year term and later, in 1890, was honored by still another election for four vears and re-elected in 1894, serving fourteen years in all. His conduct of the office ^^-as such as to give universal satisfaction as is proA-en by his repeated and popular choice at the polls. In 1899, the year following his retirement from office, Mr. McMahan removed to Denver, where he engaged in the wholesale coal business, ow'ning and operating a coal mine near that city in partnership with his son, Robert W., and Arthur E. Huston. Two years later Mr. McMahan disposed of his interests in Colorado, owing to failing health on account of the high altitude, and returned to Marshall, since which time he has been associated with the Rea & Page Milling Company, of Marshall, one of the best equipped institutions of its kind in the state.

November i, 1859, Mr. McMahan married Sarah E., daughter of Freeman Wing, of Cooper county. To them have been born seven children, five of whom are living as follows: Virginia K., Helena R., Stella B., Sophia

A., and Robert \\'., the lallei" being also engaged with the Rea & Page Milling Company. Those deceased are Laura Freeman and Bessie Ella. Mr. McMahan has long been a member of the Masonic order, but has not affiliated with any of the newer fraternities. He is a fine type of the oldschool gentleman, who learned the lessons of life in the crucibles of the pioneer period and the later more terrible experiences of the Civil war. He is one of the oldest nati\'e-l)orn Missourians now living in Saline county, and is full of interesting" reminiscences of the olden times. He can also talk entertainingly of conditions in the West before railroads, as the result of his two trips across the plains and the Rocky mountains. No man stands higgler in Saline county and no history of its people and development would be complete without containing the name of Robert J. McMahan.

Leonidas Winfield Scott

As a sample of the poor boy rising in the world 1)}' his own efforts and making a fine success in life, it is not necessary to seek farther than this popular and progressive lawyer of Marshall. He has gained wealth, which is the chief ambition of most men, but with it he has also earned what is far better - the sincere esteem of his neighbors and influence in the community which comes from character and intellect. The Scott family is of Irish and Scotch stock, the kind that has made its mark in the world where\'er found. Though born in Dublin, Ireland, W^illiam Scott, the emigrant ancestor, was educated at Edinburgh, Scotland. He came to the United States in the flush of youth, located in what is now West Virginia, where he taught school and gave promise of a brilliant career, but his life was cut short when still a young man. His son, George \\'infiel(l Scott, left his native Virginia mountains in early life and found a home in Boone county, Missouri. There he engaged in business as a millwright for a few years, but caught the gold fever in 1849, started to California with the Argonauts and perished of cholera on the way. He married Sarah, daughter of William B. and Sarah Oldham, of Clark county. Kentucky, where she was born and reared, but subsequently went with her parents to Missouri. She died in Boone county about 1832, after becoming the mother of four children, of whom one died in infancy. Virginia, the eldest of these children, married William Tuttle, of Boone county, but died some years ago. Fremontie, wife of Richard F. Crews, of Howard county, died October 2. 1909, in Boone county. I.. W. Scott, the only son, was Ixirn in Boone countv. Missouri, and received his primary education in the puljhc schools. Later he entered the Missouri State Uni\-ersity at Columhia and obtained two degrees from that institution. Always ambitious for the legal profession, he entered the office of James Gordon, a prominent lawyer of Boone county, and studied for some time under his competent instruction. Subsecpiently he was in the office of J. C. V. Karnes, of Kansas City, and in the fall of 1867 came to Saline county, opened an office at Marshall and has been here ever since. He achieved success and he has grown steadily in reputation as a lawyer. He owns a large body of land in Black Water township. Saline count}-, besides considerable real estate in Marshall. When he reached Saline county, forty-two years ago, he had practically nothing but the clothes on his back, but he was young, resolute, ambitious, sober and industrious, qualities that, united with talent, never fail to win success.

In 1876 Mr. Scott married Nellie Holland, a resident of Saline county, but a native of Warsaw. Benton county, Missouri. Of the four children by this union Fratie F. and Sarah died in infancy. Robert Holland, the only son, married Edna Chilton, of Boonville, Missouri, and resides on the farm in Black Water township. Juliet Lay is the wife of Leonard Xan Dyke, postmaster of Marshall, and they make their home in that citv. The mother died in igo2 and in 1905 Mr. Scott married Elizabeth Hancock, of Saline county. Mr. Scott is treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire and Lightning Lisurance Company of Saline county, and for twelve years (three terms) held the office of public administrator of Saline county. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Christian church and he has been treasurer of the Sunday school over twenty years.

Adam Tabler Swisher

The founder of the Saline county family of this name was Henrv Swisher, born in eastern Virginia, near the Blue Ridge mountains in 1774. but lived most of his life in Berkeley county. He was a farmer hx occupation, served in the war of 1812 and was at Baltimore when General Ross was killed. In 1858 he removed to Kansas, where he died at the age of eighty-four years. His son, also named Henry, was bc^rn in Berkeley countv in April, i8c8. adopted the carpenter's trade and remained in his native place until 1857, "^vhen he migrated to vSaline countv, ^lissouri. \\here he remained unlil his death in iHjs. He married J^^Hzabeth Barnes, who was born in Berkeley county in May, 1809. and (bed in 1885. They liad five children, all sons: Adam T. ; Vinyard B., who was born in 1840 and resides in Saline county near Norton; Michael S., who was born in 1842 and lives at Slater; F. L.. born in 1847. lives near Norton; Mathias D., born in 1849 and died in 1905 near Norton.

Adam T. Swisher, eldest of the five boys, was born in Berkeley county, \'irg-inia. October 13, 1838. The only education of the children was obtained at the old-fashioned subscription schools, then common in Virginia, but after coming" to Saline county, in 1857. Mr. Swisher attended two terms in one of the educational institutions of this \-icinit)'. Before reaching his majority he began learning- the carpenter's trade, which he followed without a break until his election as county recorder in 1902. Beginning the following year, he served a two-year term and was re-elected in 1906. He had no opposition in the primary, which in Democratic Saline county is equivalent to election.

Mr. Swisher has a creditable record as a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war. Answering the first call, he joined the Saline county Jackson Guards under (ieneral Marmaduke. enlisting in April, i86t, and being first ordered to Jefferson City. Besides participating in the skirmish at Boonville. he was in the battle of Lexington. In September, 1861. he was brought home sick with typhoid fever, but returned to the army in December, was captured at Black Water and taken to St. Louis, where he was kept a prisoner until February and then removed to the federal prison at Alton. Illinois. July 11. 1862, he was paroled to report to the provost marshal at St. Louis, by whom he was released, and shortly after made his way home. He was forced to sign an oath of allegiance without knowing what it was. disregarded it and left for the south where he reentered the Confederate service, being with Shelby's brig'ade until the close of hostilities. He was in a number of engagements, including the battle of Prairie Grove and all the fighting around Little Rock. He received a light gunshot wound at the battle of Lexington, but aside from that escaped unscathed.

In 1867 Mr. Swisher married Mary Katharine Hedges, who was born in Berkeley county. Virginia, within two miles of his own birthplace. His seven children are all living and doing well in their respective lines. David A. resides near Napton, in Saline county ; Catherine E. is the wife of Ezra Baker, professor in Trinity University of Waxahatchie, Texas ; Harry A. is a resident of Saline county, near Norton ; Joseph F. is a bookkeeper in the Bank of Saline at Marshall; May E. married Robert J. Kiser and they live in Saline county near Blosser ; Ada V. is a teacher in the public schools at Marshall and still remains under the parental roof; Adam T., Jr., lives with and assists his father as deputy recorder. Mr. Swisher is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Masons. He is regarded as one of the reliable and solid men of the county, faithful in all the relations of life and as a consequence enjoying the confidence and esteem of the public.

Virgil V. Huff

Originally English, the family of this name was long settled in Tennessee, and from that state sent off-shoots into other parts of the West. Peter Huff was born in Tennessee during the last quarter of the eighteenth century and became an extensive landowner; he brought his family to Missouri and located in Saline county about 1816, when it was still a territory. He was a charter member of Good Hope Baptist church, which was organized in Saline county in 18 18 and became famous among the pioneer religious denominations. He contributed the land on which this church was built, was a very enthusiastic adherent and was long regarded as a very pillar of the faith. He died in this county and his remains were very appropriately consigned to rest in the cemetery of the church which he did so much to establish. In John Huff he left a son well worthy to wear his mantle. Youngest of the family, he was born in Tennessee, but came with his parents to Missouri when a child. After he grew up he engaged in farming and followed that pursuit until his death, August i, 1881. He married Jane Hampton, who claims descent from the celebrated English statesman of the Cromwell period, and is a relative of the late Gen. Wade Hampton, of South Carolina. She was born in Saline county October 10, 1835, and is still living near Gilliam. She had eleven children, to-wit : Mrs. Sarah E. Davis, of New England, North Dakota; Mrs. Leona Davis, deceased; William J., who resides near Gilliam; Daniel B., of Gilham; Christopher P., near Gilliam; Mrs. Levina Gauldin, near Gilliam; John S. M., near Slater, Missouri ; Mrs. Idena Howe, and Alexander, deceased.

Virgil V. Huff, youngest of this family, was born in Saline county, Missouri, near New Frankfort, March 2^, 1876. He remained on the parental farm until 1892, receiving his primary education in the famous Good Hope public schools, and was graduated from Gilliam high school in 1891.

His next move was to enter the Missouri Valley College at Marshall in 1892, and he secured the degree of Bachelor of Arts from that institution in 1898. He then attended the law department of Washington University at St. Louis, from Avhich he was graduated in 1900. Without loss of time, he hegan ])ractice of his jM'ofession at Marshall and has continued steadily at work, constantly increasing his l)usiness and growing all the time in popularity. Mr. Huff was a memher of Governor Folk's military staff, being an aide with the rank of colonel, and serx'ed during his entire term of office. Mr. Huff was the recipient of the Sappington school fund, which enabled him to obtain an education. This fund was left for the education of poor and deser\ing youths, and Mr. Huff gratefull}' acknowledges his indebtedness to the same. He is a very bright young" lawyer and is rapidiv fulfilling all the promises made for him by his admiring friends.

July 15. 1903, Mr. Huff was married to Belle, daughter of Henry W. and Sarah M. Campbell. She was born near Winchester, Scott county, Illinois, but her parents were living in Saline county at that time. Mr. Huff is a member of the Masonic order and the Baptist church, while his wife is a Presbvterian.

Judge Miles F. Prigmore

Miles F. Prigmore, who is rendering efficient service as judge of the court for the second district of Saline county, is a native son of the state of Missouri, having been born in Pettis county, about eight miles southwest of Sweet Springs, on February 7, 1850, and is the son of Benjamin and Jane (Taylor) Prigmore. The subject's mother was born and reared in Pettis county, being the daughter of Elijah Taylor. The latter, who was one of the pioneer settlers in Pettis county, was one of the first justices of the peace in that county and held the first county court at Pinhook Mills. He was a farmer and miller and operated one of the earliest of the old horse-power mills in the count}-. His death occurred in 1856. His wife was a member of the Christian church, and they were the parents of three children, namely: Jane, mother of the subject of this sketch; Mary, the wife of T. W. Dickinson, of Pettis county; William Y., of Kansas City, Kansas. Benjamin Prigmore was lx)rn in Kentucky in 181 1 and his death occurred in 1900. He was a son of P)enjamin Prigmore, who came from Kentucky to Pettis county, Missouri, in 18 18. but, owing to Indian troubles, he moved to Lexington, this state, where there was a small settlement. In 1820 he located at what is now known as the Tom Berry farm, in Pettis county, where he bought one hundred and twenty-five acres of land and also took up four hundred and forty acres of government land. He lived there during the remainder of his life, and is now buried there on the farm. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Sarah, William, Joseph, Isaiah, Benjamin (father of the subject), Polly, Elizabeth, Nancy, Sophia and Duke Y. Benjamin Prigmore, the subject's father, was a lad of eight years when the family came to this state. The trip was made l^}- ox teams and the Mississippi river was crossed at St. Louis in 1818, the trip l^eing characterized by many exciting and dangerous experiences. Benjamin was reared on the home farm and received a meager education, owing to the primitive educational facilities of the new country. He served as a teamster during the Mexican war, serving faithfully throughout that struggle. On his return he took up the occupation of farming in Pettis county. He was also engaged in peddling "Sappington's Anti-Fever Pills" all through the South, in which he was very successful. He later engaged in driving a "freighter" across the plains, his western terminal point being Sante Fe, New Mexico. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. They were the parents of six children. He had been twice married, the first time to Mary Wingfield, a native of Johnson county, Missouri, by whom he became the father of two children: Benjamin, of Pueblo, Colorado, and Charlie \\'.. who died in 1864. Benjamin Prigmore enjoys the unbounded confidence of all who know him and was the first postmaster at Bee Branch, Missouri, the mail at that time being carried by stage.

Miles F. Prigmore was reared (jn the home farm in Pettis county and received his education in the district schools, which in that early day lacked many of the educational facilities and aids which characterize the modern schools. The school houses were rudely built, the floor and seats being made of puncheons, and the school literature being scant and comparatively crude in selection. However, despite these drawbacks, some of the brightest minds of this country received their first mental discipline amid such conditions, and the subject of this sketch left school fairly well equipped to take up the battle of life. At the age of nineteen years, he commenced agricultural operations on forty acres of land which his father had given him and so successfully did he carry on his operations that he was able to add to the original tract from time to time until he became the c^wner of one hundred and forty-six acres, comprising the old homestead. In October, 1893, he left the farm and came to Sweet Springs, Saline county, and entered into

While residing in Pettis county, the sul)ject served ten \-ears as justice of the peace, acquiring a splendid reputation for his evident fairness and his ability in handling cases that came before him. In 1896 he was elected mayor of Sweet Springs, and gave so able an administration of the affairs of the office that he was re-elected in 1898 and again in 1900. He is also a notary public. In 1908 he ^vas elected to the office of county judge from the second district of Saline county and is now discharging the duties of this responsiljle position with marked ability and to the entire satisfaction of the people of the county.

In March, 1869, Judge Prigmore married Henrietta Smiley, a native of Pettis county, Missouri, who died on November 19, 1906. To them were born two children, namely : Charles S., a farmer in Johnson county, this state, married Lou Welch and they have one child, Henrietta; Benjamin T., who is unmarried, is connected with the Coulter Hardware Company at Sweet Springs. The subject and his wife also reared an orphan girl named Rosa Folkerth, who is now a resident of Lexington, Missouri. Politically, Judge Prigmore has ever given staunch support to the Democratic party and has been active in advancing its interests. His fraternal relations are with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is an appreciative member. At the age of sixteen years he became a member of the Christian church, but does not now take an active part in church work. The Judge is a man of splendid personal qualities and is popular in the circles in which he moves, being numbered among the representative men of the county.

Chastain Garland Page

This well known citizen has been connected with the manufacturing and industrial development of Saline county for more than fifty-three years. During that time he has done his full share towards helping on the community. at present occupying several posts of responsibility and trust. He was born in Madison county, Virginia, August 7, 1835. and remained in his native state for twenty-one years, when he was attracted to the West as affording good opportunities for young men who were willing to work and knew how to do things. His father, Robert F. Page, was a native of Nelson county, Virginia, and worked during most of his active life at his trade as a miller. He ^Yas a substantial man, of fine character, moral impulse and an integrity that could not be swerved. He died in 1884, when seventyfour years old, a consistent member of the Methodist church, to which he had belonged for many years. He married Sarah Jones, a native of Albemarle county, Virginia, v^ho reached the unusual age of ninety years before her death, which occurred only a few years ago. This worthy couple had ten children, all of whom have passed away except three, Z. K., a resident of Virginia ; William B., who lives in Texas, and the subject. E. R., deceased, is represented in a sketch elsewhere in this volume.

Chastain G. Page, the eldest of the family, obtained his training and early education in the Old Dominion, but as soon as he reached legal age he turned his foot-steps to the rapidly rising region beytjnd the Mississippi. He had decided to locate in Missouri, and reached Saline county in 1856, from which time, with a short intermission of two years spent in the Rocky Mountains, he has made his home here. His first work after reaching the county was as a carpenter and for several years he relied on that good old trade for a living. About 1889 he became one of the organizers of the Rea & Pag'e Milling and Elevator Company, at Marshall, and now holds the position of vice-president of that organization. This is one of the best mills in the state, having a daily capacity of two hundred and seventy-live barrels, and its establishment in Marshall has made a valuable contribution to the city's industries. Mr. Page is also vice-presicient of the Wood & Huston Bank, of Marshall, a financial institution which does a g'ood business, and is a worthy member of many agencies engaged in strengthening the city's credit and pushing its industries.

Mr. Page married Anna Hafford, of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and has two children: C. G., Jr.. and Nelhe C. The parents belong to the oldschool Presbyterian church.

Edward S. Lee

The subject of this sketch hails from Virginia and is an honorable representative of the noted Lee family which since the Revolutionary period has figured prominent!}' not only in the Old Dominion state but in national affairs as well. Gen. Robert E. Lee. distinguished Confederate leader during the late Civil war, was a third cousin of the subject, and the latter is also connected with a number of others of the same name whose deeds have become historic. Wyatt Lee, father of Edward S., and a wealthy planter and large slaveholder, was born in Campbell county, Virginia, in the year 1800.

He Spent his life in his native state, married when a young man and reared a family of seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the sixth in order of birth. VVyatt Lee was a man of intelligence and wide influence and socially stood high in the rank of Virginia's old-time gentry. He departed this life in t86o, his wife, Emily, preceding him to the silent land in the year 1851.

Edward S. Lee was bom December 6, 1833. ''^ Campbell county, Virginia, received a good education in the district school and remained on the home plantation until his father's death. When the Civil war broke out he espoused the cause of the Confederacy and in June, 1861, enlisted in the Eleventh Regiment Virginia Infantry, under Colonel Leftridge, and in due time was with the Army of the Potomac, experiencing all the vicissitudes and hardships through which the force under General Lee passed. After remaining with the infantry^ until 1863, he transferred to the heavy artillery under Major Hughes and from that time until the surrender of the Confederacy he served as a gunner and took part in many of the bloodiest battles of the war. He was present at Appomattox when Lee's forces laid down their arms, and carried away a piece of the famous apple tree in the shade of which the articles of surrender were signed by the two great generals. Grant and Lee. This little piece of wood he still retains as a memento of one of the most trying experiences of his life and as a relic of a war which caused so much desolation and bloodshed.

At the close of the war, Mr. Lee returned to the old homestead and resumed the pursuit of agriculture on the part that fell to him by inheritance, where he continued to reside until 1887. when he disposed of his interests in Virginia and moved to Saline county, Missouri, locating in Cambridge township, where during the nine years ensuing he cultivated a farm belonging to Judge Gilliam for a portion of the proceeds. At the expiration of that time he transferred his residence to another farm in the same township, but two years later discontinued agriculture and moved to the town of Gilliam, purchasing in 1899 the Gilliam Hotel, which, with the exception of one year, he has since conducted.

As a host Mr. Lee is deservedly popular and his hotel has a large and lucrative patronage. Since moving to the town he has been actively identified with its interests and as a public spirited man who keeps in touch with the times on all matters of import he wields a wide influence and is highly regarded by his neighbors and fellow citizens. Like the majority of Virginians, he was reared in the old Democratic school and has ne\er swerved in his allegiance to his political faith, being one of the leaders of

On December 21, 1863, Mr. Lee and Mildred Bruce were united in marriage, the union resulting in the birth of eleven children, all living. Mrs. Lee is a native of Campbell county, Virginia, born October 14, 1844, and is a daughter of Morton and Sallie (Brown ) Bruce, both natives of the Old Dominion state and descendants of well known families of the same. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lee : William W. and Robert E., of Cambridge township; Mrs. Cora S. Bryant, of Malta Bend, Missouri ; J. Otto, a druggist of Albany, Oregon : Charles C, a farmer of Cambridge township; Edward B.. of Kansas City; Mrs. Amia Huff, who also lives at that place; Wyatt C, of Washington, D. C. ; Lonnie, of San Bernardino, California; Mrs. Sallie Leinsbrock, of Gilliam, and Howard, a druggist of the latter town.

William W. Lee, of Cambridge township, the oldest of the above family, was born in Campbell county, Virginia, December ji, 1865. and received his preliminary education in the public schools, this training being afterwards supplemented by one term at Bedford Springs Academy. He remained under the parental roof until attaining his majority, when he rented a farm and engaged in agriculture for himself. In 1899 he moved to Saline county. Alissouri, and purchased one hundred -icres of land in Cambridge township, which he has since brought hi a high state of tillage and which in 1909 he increased by an additional forty acres, the farm being well improved and admirably adapted to general agriculture and stock raising.

Mr. Lee is a progressive farmer and his beautiful and commodious residence, situated on a romantic elevation overlooking the Missouri river and a large area of surrounding country, is known far and near as "High Point Farm." He raises every year an average of twelve hundred luishels of wheat, and one thousand bushels of corn, most all of which is fed to his livestock, principally horses, mules and hogs, which he markets in considerable numbers and from the sale of which no small part of his income is derived. In politics he is pronounced in his allegiance to the Democratic party, but with the exception of school director, which position he has tilled for several years, he has never sought office nor aspired to any kind of public honors. Fraternally he belongs to the Modem Woodmen of America, and religiously is an active and influential member of the Methodist church, being, with his family, connected with the congregation at Gilliam and deeply interested in all the activities of the same.

is n. daughter of Whitefield and Florvilla (Wood) West, and was born December 9, 1872, in Campbell county, Virg-inia, where her parents still reside. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Lee has l)een blessed with three children, namely: Walter Price, born October 15, 1888: Samuel J., December 12, 1889, and Myrtle, who first saw the light of day May 18, 1891, all living and with their parents on the home farm.

Jacob W. Tillotson

One of the best known agriculturists and stock raisers of the younger generation in Cambridge township, Saline county, is Jacob W. Tillotson, who is a native of the vicinity where he still resides, being a descendant of worthy ancestors on both sides of the house, his birth having occurred here on November 29, 1872. He was educated in the public schools of Saline and Sheridan counties, this state, receiving a very good text-book training. He is the son of Edward and Louisa (Keith) Tillotson, the former born in Sheridan county, Missouri, May 17, 1842, and the latter in Grundy county, this state, in 1844. Both families were well and favorably known in their respective counties for several generations. Edward S. Tillotson located in Saline county after the close of the war between the states, he having served through the same in the Confederate army, gallantly passing through many trying campaigns and hard-fought engagements. He first settled in Cambridge township, where he married and where he bought a farm of forty acres and made his home here until 1879, when he returned to Sheridan county, this state, where he remained until 1890, when he moved to Arkansas, where he still makes his home. He is a hard working man and has been fairly successful, and he is a man whom his neighbors like and respect. He married Louisa Keith in 1868. She is the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Wilson) Keith, the father having been bom near Louisville. Kentucky, in 1810, and the mother in Ross county, Ohio, in 1823. They moved from their respective homes to Grundy county, Missouri, when they were young, and here they were married and made their home until 1861, when they moved to Tarrant county, Texas, where they lived until October, 1867. when they returned to Missouri and located in Cambridge township. Saline county. Here Mr. Keith bought eighty acres of land in 1869 and later added forty acres more to it. Li 1889 he sold "out and moved to Slater, where Mr. and Mrs. Keith lived until their deaths. They had a comfortable home and were people of high integrity.

Mr. Keith was a local Methodist minister for many years and he did a great amount of good in the various communities where he lived. His death occurred in February, 1904, his wife having preceded him to the grave in 1891. They were the parents of five children, one dying in infancy ; three are living. Mrs. Louisa Tillotson being the third child in order of birth. She was called to her reward while she and Mr. Tillotson were residing in Sheridan county, in 1879, leaving four children, the oldest son dying, leaving three now living, Jacob W., of this review; Katie Eva Dimity is residing near Slater; Mary L. Dodson is living in St. Joseph, Missouri. Edward Tillotson married again in Sheridan county, and is now living in Arkansas.

Jacob \^^ Tillotson made his home on the farm with his father until 1890, when he came to Cambridge township. Saline county, rented land and farmed. In 1907 he bought forty acres in section 24, township 52, range 20, moving to this farm in the spring of 1908, where he still lives, having a neat little farm which is well kept and which yields abundantly. Mr. Tillotson has worked with threshing machines since he was fifteen years of age, and for several years he has owned a traction engine and a complete threshing outfit. During the summer months he threshes wheat and saws wood in the winter, thus keeping busy all the year. He also owns one of the largest sugar cane mills in- Saline county and has a wide reputation as a syrup or sorghum maker, his annual average being over twelve hundred gallons, which are eagerly sought after, always finding a ready market.

December 8, 1898. Mr. Tillotson married Emma Nickell, who was born in Clay township. Saline county, Missouri, December 6. 1877. She is the daughter of Andrew and Penelope (Cameron) Nickell, an excellent Clay township family. Mr. and Mrs. Tillotson are the parents of four children, namely: Mary Lee, born January 24. 1900; Edward A., born January 13, 1903: Nellie L.. born June 3. 1905, and Mattie Emily, born June 25, 1908.

James Waller

One of the most successful agriculturists and stock raisers of the northern part of Saline county was the late James Waller. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is todav honored bv all who knew him and is enshrined in the hearts of his manv friends. He was born in Clinton county. Ohio, April 26, 1850. and he died at his home near Malta Bend. Missouri, November 21, 1909. He was the son of William and Hester (Powell) Waller, the father being- a native of Virginia and the mother a native of West Virginia. William Waller was the son of James Waller, also a native of the Old Dominion, and he came in an earlv day to Boone county, Missouri, where he lived until his death. William Waller, father of James Waller, of this review, grew up in his native state, married and settled in Ohio where he owned a small farm and also followed his trade of cooper. He died in July, 1874, and his wife, the mother of the subject, died in 1904. She was a member of the Christian church. \N'illiam Waller and family moved to Boone county, Missouri, in 1857. where William Waller worked as a cooper and farmer until his death. He was a Democrat and Southern sympathizer during- the Civil war. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, named as follows: John H., deceased; James, of this review : Elizabeth is the wife of a Mr. Prichard ; Mary is deceased ; Pauline, who married R. A. Carter, is deceased ; Martha is the wife of G. M. Holoway, living in Missouri ; Emma died in childhood ; Catherine lives in Arizona.

James \Valler was seven years old when the family came to Missouri. He remained at home until he reached maturity and, it being necessary for him to assist with the work about the place, he received only a limited education, but he later read extensively and became a very well informed man. He worked out by the month on farms and, being economical, soon had a start. He came to Saline county in 1874 and went to work by the month for John Holoway. Later he rented a farm for a short time, finally bought the old Carthea farm on the plains, which consisted of one hundred and sixty acres. Disposing of this, he bought the farm where his family now resides near Malta Bend, in Grand Pass township. He was a good manager and a hard worker, and he left a very valuable estate of several hundred acres of fine farming land. He also handled a good grade of live stock and fed some cattle from time to time. He desen-ed a great deal of credit for what he accomplished, being purely a self-made man, having never accepted a cent from any one: but he worked hard and saved what he made until he had a start. He was a model farmer and a good neighbor and a pleasant man to meet. He favored higher education and at the time of his death had his three children in college.

Mr. Waller was married in No\'ember, 1888, to Marv L. Down, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, the daughter of John and Angeline ( Winchell) Down, natives of Ohio, but early settlers of Saline county, Missouri. They were people of highest integrity and prosperous farmers. Three chil- dren were born to Mr. and Mrs. James ^^'a]ler, named as follows : Alice. James Wesley and John M. Politically Mr. Waller was a Democrat, but he never aspired to political office.

George A. Jeter

A resident of Cambridge township, Saline county, Missouri, who is deserving of mention in a work of the province assigned to the one at hand, owing to his life of consecutive endeavor and his strict adherence to those principles that stamp him as a man of integrity, is George A. Jeter, who was born in Lunenburg county, Virginia, the son of James E. and Sarah J. (Tucker) Jeter, also natives of that county, the former having been born on March 24, 1824, and the latter on July 30, 1828. James E. Jeter's parents were farmers and he grew to manhood on the home place. On February 20, 1852, James E. Jeter married Sarah J. Tucker and soon afterward bought a small farm where they lived for a number of years, but soon after the close of the Civil war Mr. Jeter sold his farm and took charge of the poor farm in Lunenburg county, being superintendent of that farm for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. James E. Jeter were the parents of four children, namely: Mrs. Lucy A. Marshall, who lives in Virginia: George, of this review; James L., of Cambridge township, Saline county; John L., who is living in Virginia. The father, James E. Jeter, was called from earth on May 3, 1885 ; his widow, a fine old lady whom everybody admires and respects, is still living at her home in Virginia.

During the Civil war James E. Jeter was for some time a member of the Home Guards, but in 1864 he entered a regiment of cavalry in General Lee's armv and served as a private until the close of the war.

George A. Jeter, of this sketch, made his home with his parents until 188 1, when he rented land and farmed until in March, 1885, when he moved to Saline county, Missouri, locating in Cambridge township, where he rented land for four years. He had received a fairly good education in the common schools of Virginia and very early decided to devote his life to farming. Li November, 1889, he bought two hundred acres in section 13, township 52, range 20, later adding one hundred and sixty acres to this. He remodeled and improved the dwelling and outbuildings and made many other substantial and important improvements, thus bringing his farm up to the standard of Saline county's best farms. He was always a good manager and exer- cised excellent judgment in his farming and handling of stock, consequently he i)rospered and became one of the most substantial citizens of his township in due course of time. He carries on general farming and devotes considerable time to raising cattle and hogs for the market, his stock always finding a ready sale owing to their high grade. In 1908 Mr. Jeter bought twenty acres in section 14. and in June of that year he also purchased one hundred and sixty acres in sections 11 and 12. All his land is in one body, thus making him one of the most valuable farms in this locality. His place is known as White Hall and is one of the "show" places of this community.

February 12, 1879. Mr. Jeter married Lelia V. Hill, who was born in Lunenburg county, Virginia, January 9, 1859. She is the daughter of Samuel H. and Jamima D. (Worsham) Hill, the fonner born August 4, 18 17, in Appomattox county, Virginia, and the latter born January i, 1824, in Nottoway county, Virginia. The parents of Samuel H. Hill were farmers, but wdien he was a young man he left home and learned the tanner's trade, after which he launched into that line of business for himself in Nottoway county, Virginia, later moving to Lunenburg county, that state, where he remained until 1885, in which year he followed the trail of emigration westward and settled in Saline county, Missouri, taking up his penTianent abode in Cambridge township, buying a farm in the Good Hope settlement, where he lived until his death. During the Civil war Mr. Hill was not compelled to join the army and devoted his time to tanning leather for use for the Confederate soldiers. He was a member of the Baptist church. Mr. and Mrs. Hill were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living at this writing, namely : Mrs. Margaret G. Price, living in Virginia; Algernon A., living in Slater, Missouri: Philip M., a resident of Cambridge township, Saline county; Leha V., wife of George A. Jeter, of this review; Lee J., living in Kansas City; Samuel H., who is managing the home farm in this township. The father of these children died October 4, 1906, his widow having died January 28, 1897.

Mr. and Mrs. George A. Jeter are the parents of nine children, eight of Avhom are living at this writing', namely: Ernie N.. born January 16, 1880, wife of George W. Hains. a resident of Cambridge township. Saline county, Missouri; Lee A., born July 7, 1881, lives on the farm adjoining that of his parents: on l^>bruary 27, 1908. he was married to Bessie dinger, a native of Miami township, this county: Sadie D., the wife of Grover C. Hatfield, residing in Slater, Missouri, was born June 4. 1885: (jeorge R. was born January 26. 1887: Percy M. was born April 5, 1889; Lelia E. was born July 3. 189T : Bernard L. was born April 14, 1897: Margaret E. was born July i, 1900. The last five named make their homes with their parents.

Politically Mr. Jeter is a Democrat. He belongs to the Court of Honor and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he is a member of the Baptist chnrch, to which his wife also belongs. Mr. Jeter is spoken of by his neighbors as a man who merits the utmost respect. He always has a kind word for those he meets and he is jovial and genial, believing in scattering sunshine along life's pathway. i

Charles A. Senges

Among the large class of enterprising German citizens who have honored Saline county with their residence and thereby contributed to the general development of this locality and at the same time greatly benefited their own condition, should be mentioned Charles A. Senges, an enterprising farmer of Elmwood township, a native of Baden, Germany, where he was born August 16. 1863, the son of George Adam and Margaret Susan (Ridinger) Senges. The father is still living in the old country at an advanced age, being a man whom all his neighbors admire for his honest life as a tiller of the soil. His wife has passed on to her rest. They were always members of the Protestant Evangelical church. Christ Philip Senges, paternal grandfather of Charles A. Senges, of this review, was also a farmer in Germany, and died there on Good Friday, 1878, full of honors for a well-spent life. Margaret Speier was the maiden name of the subject's maternal grandmother, she being a native of France.

Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George A. Senges, named as follows: Charles A., of this review; Mike, born in Gennany, but who came to America and died in California in 1900; Susan is the wife of Henry Klein, and lives in Germany; Johanna is the wife of August Grabenstein and also lives in Germany; Freda Barbara is the wife of John Stammer and lives in Belleville, Illinois.

Charles A. Senges was reared on a farm in the Fatherland, which he worked during the crop season and attended the common schools the remainder of the year, gaining a good education. When a boy he conceived a plan to trs^ his fortunes in the new republic of the West, having had his youthful imagination fired by the stories of the ease with which a competency could be gotten together here, consequently, when eighteen years of age, he set sail across the broad Atlantic for America in 1880. One reason for his coming here was to avoid the compulsory service in the Germany army. He landed in New York city on April lOth, and he has been in various sections of the

United States and worked at various things, including Columbus and Sandusky, Ohio, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Louisville, Kentucky, awhile in St. Louis. Missouri, then Belleville, Illinois, remaining at the last named place about twelve vears working on a farm by the month. All the while he was picking up valuable knowledge of our customs, institutions and business methods, and thus by direct contact with the world at large he has become a well informed man.

On October 29, 1890, Mr. Senges came to Saline county. Missouri, and worked one winter for George Seibert, now his father-in-law. He was economical and saved his money until he could get a secure foothold here, and in 1893 he bought his present farm of eighty acres, which was formerly known as the George Harris farm. , Mr. Senges has greatly improved this place with excellent buildings of all kinds, fences, orchard, garden, and everything that goes to make life in the country pleasant and profitable. His place is rich and yields abundant crops.

Mr. Senges was married in 1891 to Clara Seibert, who was born in Illinois; she is the daughter of George Seibert, now living in Saline county. A full history of the Seibert family is to be found in the sketch of George Seibert in this work.

One child, Albert George, has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Senges, a bright boy, now attending public school. Both Mr. and Mrs. Senges are members of the Evangelist church. Politically Mr. Senges is a Democrat. He and his wife are cordial and hospitable and they have many friends in this township or wherever they are known, for their lives have been above reproach.

Levi Kramer

.\ j)n)minent agriculturist and lumberman of Grand Pass township. Saline county, is Levi Kramer, who has long been identified with the progress of this locality, where he has attained gratifying success in connection with the development of its resources, now owning one of the most productive landed estates in the county, which he maintains in a manner that shows him to be fully abreast of the times in this line. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio. December 17, 1853. the son of Henry and Lydia (Plank) Kramer, the mother born in Pennsylvania and the father in Germany. The>- were early settlers in Wayne county, Ohio, where they lived on a farm, but in 1857 they came to Illinois and settled in McLean county, farming there until 1876. They were successful and people whom their neighbors trusted and honored. The paternal grandfather of Levi Kramer was Henry Kramer, a native of Germany who came to America in the early days, located in Pennsylvania first, later went to Ohio and to Illinois. He was a farmer and he and his family were members of the Lutheran church ; later, however, they joined the Evangelical church. Henry Kramer, father of Levi, served in the German army. Lydia Plank, his wife, is still living in Corder, Missouri. She is the daughter of Jacob Plank, a native of Amrath, Pennsylvania, but her father was born in Germany. Idie parents of Levi Kramer, of this review, were each twice married, the father marrying first in Germany and six children were born of the union, Christ, John, Mariah, Henry, Kate and Lucy. He married his second wife, mother of Levi Kramer, in Wayne county, Ohio, and they became the parents of nine children, namely: Levi, of this review; Jacob lives in Kansas; William lives in Illinois, as does also George; August resides in Kansas; Mary in Kansas City; Anna lives in Greenfield, Missouri; Casper and Christ are twins. The mother of Levi Kramer had no children by her second marriag'e ; she is still living in Corder, Missouri.

Levi Kramer was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools, and remained at home until he reached manhood. He moved with his parents to Illinois and there rented a farm for a time; but in 1878 he followed the tide of emigration then setting in strongly toward Kansas. He took up a government claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Harper county, proved up on the same and sold it, and in October, 1880, moved to Saline county, Missouri, working a while in the milling business at Marshall. In 1884 he went to Lafayette county, this state, and there successfully conducted a sawmill until 1892. when he moved to his present fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres, which was at that time all in brush and woods; but. being a hard worker and a good manager, he cleared up the place, erected comfortable and substantial buildings, making- one of the prettiest homes in Grand Pass township, and he has one of the best improved and most productive farms in the same. His large two-story frame house contains eight rooms, is modern in everv respect, frame, lighted with acetylene lights, and he has a very convenient and substantial barn and other good outbuildings for his stock and grain. He is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of good land near his present farm, located in Lafayette county. He also conducted a threshing machine for a period of twenty-five years, becoming known as one of the leading men in this line in the county. He is also interested in eight hundred acres of timber land in Arkansas on which he and his partner have a sawmill in operation. Mr. Kramer handles much live stock and is an enthusiastic feeder, being a good judge of all kinds of stock - in fact he makes few mistakes in his business transactions and he has made a success of whatever he has turned his attention to, his keen discernment and ability to foresee the future outcome of a present transaction enabling him to carry to successful issue any undertaking, and, considering the fact that he is a self-made man and started in life under none too favorable environment, he is deserving in every way of the high esteem which is accorded him wherever he is known and for the eminent success that has attended his efforts.

Mr. Kramer was married in 1883 to Ella Carpenter, who was born in Indiana; she is the daughter of George Carpenter, a native of Pennsylvania, but who, in early life, came to Indiana and settled among the pioneers. He also lived some time in Illinois; he is now deceased. The mother of Mrs. Levi Kramer was known in her maidenhood as Orphia Ann Dunn, a native of Pennsylvania and in an early day a resident of Indiana.

Mr. Kramer is a Democrat, a member of the Masonic fraternity at \\'averly, Missouri, having attained the master's degree, and one would judge from his honorable dealings with his fellow men and his past exemplary record that he believes in carrying the sublime precepts of the same into his everyday life.

Philip Leininger

One of the most prominent facts in relation to the national population statistics is the remarkably large number of Germans and people of Germanic descent now living in the United States, there being today more Germanic blood here than any other. This being the case it is easy to account for the prosperity and morality of the country. Germany is famous the world over for the industry, patience, intelligence, morality and sturdiness of its citizens. These qualities have been brought tO' this country by the immigrants and are now part and parcel of our wonderful nation - its progress in domestic economy, its advancement in every branch of material improvement and its. love of country and home.