Saline County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 9 of 17)

Philip Leininger, one of the best known citizens of Napton, Arrow Rock township. Saline county, Missouri, was born in Lamsheid, Germany, on October 16, 1834, and is the son of Jacob and Anna M. (Christ) Leininger. He was educated in the schools of his native land and was reared on the paternal farmstead, being the eldest of the three children born to his parents. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, under the direction of his uncle, Peter Christ, with whom he remained for two years, becoming a proficient workman in that Hne. He then went to the town of Neindorf, on the Rhine, where he waa employed for two years, at the end of which time he went to Kreitzger, where he remained a short time. He then returned to Neindorf, where he remained a month. In 1853 he was about to be impressed into the German army, to avoid which he determined to escape to America. A friend of his, John Smith, whose residence was in Jacksonville, Illinois, but who had been on a visit to his former home in the Fatherland, gave him material assistance in the matter. He placed Mr. Leininger in a dry goods box, and shipped him as freight on a Rhine steamer l^ound for Holland. The subject remained in his uncomfortable quarters until the boat's destination was reached and from that point he came across the Atlantic as a regular passenger. Landing at Philadelphia, he first went t() Chicago, where he remained three or four months, at the end of that time joining his friend at Jacksonville. He remained in that city a year and then spent six months at Whitehall, Illinois. In 1856 Mr. Leininger came to Saline county, Missouri, locating in Jonesboro (now Xapt(3n), Arrow Rock township, where he engaged in the blacksmith business. He was successful in this, enjoying a large patronage, and, being industrious and economical, he was soon enabled to branch out. He purchased a water mill and soon afterwards he built a good steam mill.

In 1861 Mr. Leininger enlisted in the Confederate army, under Colonel Robinson, and was taken prisoner on Blackwater creek. He was sent to Mc- Dowell's College, St. Louis, where he remained from December ist to January 15th, when he with other prisoners were transferred to the prison at Alton., Illinois, where he was confined until May, 1862, when he took the oath of allegiance and was released. He then returned to Napton, but a short time later went to Montana and w'as engaged in the blacksmith business at Helena for about two years. At the end of that time he returned to Napton, Missouri, and resumed work in his blacksmith shop there and started the gristmill. In the fall of 1865 the mill property was destroyed by fire, and was not rebuilt, Mr. Leininger devoting his attention to his forge. He also engaged in the buying and selling- of hogs and mules, in which he was successful. He had become the owner of one hundred acres of farm land near Nelson, but about the time land values in this vicinity began to raise he sold the land, receiving sixty dollars per acre, being the first to realize that price for land in this part of the state. At present Mr. Leininger is the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of splendid land adjoining Napton and lives on this place. He has retired from active work at the forge and also rents his farm land, being now in a position to enjoy an appreciated rest after his many years of arduous toil. He still gives close attention to his interests and is numbered amongthe enterprising- and intelligent citizens of the community. He takes a lively interest in the public affairs of the community and gives his support to every movement that promises to benefit his fellow citizens. In politics he gives his support to the Democratic party, though he is not a seeker after public office. He enjoys a large acquaintance and is liked by all who know him.

Samuel Webb

This biographical memoir has to do with a character of unusual force and eminence, for Samuel Webb, whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits us all, was for a long lapse of years one of the prominent citizens of Saline county, having come to this section in pioneer times, and he assisted in every way possible in bringing about the transformation of the county from the wdld condition found by the first settlers to its latter day progress and improvement. While he carried on a sj>ecial line of work in such a manner as to gain a comfortable competence for himself and family, he also belonged to that class of representative citizens who promote the public welfare while advancing individual success. There were in him sterling traits which won the highest esteem of all who knew him. He was born in Northumberland county, Virginia, March 9, 181 5, and he was called to his reward while living in Saline county, Missouri, on May 20, 1898. His parents died when he was young and when he was sixteen years of age, in 1831, he came to Missouri and worked out by the month for some time. Later he bought a stage line, running from Lexington to Boonville, Missouri, and conducted the same for a time, meeting many interesting characters in those old' picturesque stage-coach days, but later he sold out the line and purchased a farm near Union church and later bought land in Grand Pass township. Saline county, which is now known as the Dave Moreland farm. This Mr. Webb improved and sold, buying the farm on which his family now lives, which consists of three hundred and twenty acres of as good land as the county affords, and it has been well tilled and carefully managed all these years. It was all w-ild prairie land when Mr. Webb bought it, but he was a hard worker and soon placed it under excellent improvements. He was very successful as a farmer and stock raiser, provided a substantial and attractive home for his family and his place ranked among the best in the county.

Politically Mr. \\'ebb was a Democrat, and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a steward and trustee of the same, and a devout Christian, as was also his wife.

On November 14, 1843, Mr. Webb married Elizabeth McReynolds, a native of Tennessee and the daughter of Joseph McReynolds, also a Tennessean, but who came in an early day to Saline county, Missouri, locating in Grand Pass township. The wife of Samuel Webb was called to her rest in 1869, after becoming the mother of eleven children, named as follows: Noah, now deceased, was a soldier in the Confederate army; Laura has remained single and is living on the old homestead ; Mary is the wife of Frank Feagan, living in Warrensburg, Missouri ; xA-mos is a farmer in Grand Pass township, this county; Emily is the wife of Joseph Shaull; John married Mary Whitfield and is living in Warrensburg, Missouri ; Nancy died in childhood ; Robert, who married Maybell Phillips, also lives in Warrensburg ; Allen operates the home farm ; Anna, who married Prosmann Reed, is deceased ; Leva, who married Frank Long, is deceased ; Nancy, who is the wife of John DelNIoss, resides on a farm near Odessa.

Calvin Pfleger

One of the men who has stamped the impress (^f his strong indixidualitv upon the minds of the people of Grand Pass township. Saline countv, in a manner as to render him one of the conspicuous characters of this localitv is Calvin Pfleger. Faithfulness to duty and a strict adherence to a fixed purpose, which always do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances, have been dominating factors in his life, which has been replete with honor and success worthily attained, he being a pioneer settler of this township, now living retired. He was born in Lafayette county, Missouri, seven miles east of Lexington, January 4, 1834. He is the son of David and Mary E. (Slusher) Pfleger, both natives of Virginia, where they grew to maturity and married. As early as 1828 they came to Missouri, locating in Lafayette county, arriving there on the 28th of Octol)er of that year, and they at once entered government land. The mother lived to an advanced age, dying in 1899, and Mr. Pfleger died while on a visit to his old home in Virginia. They were good Christians and highh- respected, and to them eleven children were born, namely: Allen, Elizabeth, Calvin, of this review: Susan. Marv Jane, Lvdia, Rebecca, Mahala. Mariah, Mattie and

William. The father of these children was a Democrat, but no politician. He and his wife believed in leaving no stone unturned whereby they could do any good.

Calvin Pfleger has spent his entire life in this region, having been reared on a farm which be began working when very young, and during the winter months he attended the old-fashioned common schools, receiving a limited education. He also assisted his father in the sawmill business, which he conducted in connection with liis farming, Calvin and his brother Allen having operated the first circular sawmill ever seen in Lafayette county, Missouri, it being run by horse power.

In 1858 Calvin Pfleger came to Saline county and erected a sawmill in Grand Pass township in the Missouri river bottoms, and here sawed a great deal of lumber for the early settlers during a period of sixteen years. He had no capital when he came to Grand Pass township, but understanding the sawmill business thoroug'hly and as there was no mill for many miles around, the settlers here solicited him to start a mill here and therefore aided him financially and every way possible in getting a start. He later changed the horse power and installed a steam (Uitfit and did a thriving business, and finally became the owner of five hundred acres of land. He later sold out and invested his surplus money in bank stock and real estate. Being a keen observer and by nature a good business man, he has succeeded at whatever he has turned his attention to, and he is now living in an attractive home in the little town of Grand Pass, retired, surrounded by every comfort as a result of his former years of activity.

]\Ir. Pfleger was married in 1858 to Margaret E. Wilds, a native of Kentucky, the daughter of Joel Wilds, a native of the Blue Grass state but an early settler in Lafayette county, Missouri. He was a merchant and hotel keeper, also postmaster at different times during his residence in Lafayette county.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pfleger, namely : William, who lives in Arkansas and is engaged in the lumber business, married Elizabeth Coats, who is now deceased, leaving one child : Elizabeth is the wife of W'illiam Taylor, living in Elmwood township, and they have four children ; Mollie is the wife of Abraham Hart, living in Kansas on a farm, and she is the mother of four children ; Anna is the widow of Charles Younger, living in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The mother of the above named children, who was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in Fulton, Missouri. Mr. Pfleger's second marriage was with Elizabeth Chrisman, a native of Missouri.

Mr. Pfleger is a Democrat, but he has never found either time or indination to seek pubhc office. He is a director in the bank at Malta Bend, Missouri, and he was at one time a stockholder of the Saline- Bank at Marshall, this county. He is one of the old-time pioneers in the lumber miUing business. He remembers when the Indians were here, and it is indeed interesting- and instructive to hear him recall reminiscences of them, of the abundance of wild g-ame and the pioneer conditions that prevailed here in his boyhood days. Personally he is very pleasant, kind, hospitable and a man whom everybody likes readily because of his genuine worth, his life of honest endeavor and his interest in the general good of his community.

Louis O. Nye

One of the most successful farmers and stock raisers of the younger generation in Grand Pass township. Saline county, is Louis O. Nye, who was born, here, three miles northeast of ]\Ialta Bend, Missouri, December 27, 1874. He is the scion of an excellent family, well known in this county, his parents being William and Margaret ( McKown) Nye. The former was born in Ross county, Ohio, and was the son of George Nye, a native of Germany, who came to America and located on a farm in Ross county, Ohio, until the family emigrated to Saline county, Missouri, in an early day and settled on wild land in Grand Pass township and he there led a pioneer life until the country was settled up. The father and grandfather of Louis Nye remained in Saline county the rest of their lives, William Nye dying in 1904. They were Republicans and public-spirited men. honorable in their dealings with their neighbors and were highly respected by everyone who knew them. They did their full share (^f the Avork in developing this country. The maternal grandmother of Louis Nye Avas known in her maidenhood as Lucinda Warren and she and her husband, George Nye. became the parents of these children : Andrew, ^^'illiam ( father of Louis of this review). Margaret, Christena. Rhoda. George. Lucinda ; several other children died in infancy. William Nye was fourteen years of age when he came to Saline county. Missouri, with his father, George Nye. The former devoted his entire life to farming, which he made a success. He was a member of the Presbyterian church of the old school, as was also his wife. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he was also a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war and he was in the state militia. His widow is still living in Malta ISlmuI, Missouri; she is a woman whom e\"er}-l)o(ly highhrespects for her kindness and good deeds, and she is the mother of five children, namely: Carrie, the wife of Charles A. lAmbeck; John lives in Malta Bend; Belle died in childho(xl; Louis, of this review; W'illiam died when six years old.

Louis Nve was reared on the home farm, where he worked during the summer months and attended the common schools in the wintertime, receiving a fairly good education. He remained at home until he reached maturity and then married, after which he farmed his father's place for three years and got a good start in life. In 1906 he bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty acres, lying three miles west of Malta Bend, in one of the best farming districts of the county. He has kept this farm in first class condition in every respect and. he has a good home and splendid outbuildings. He well understands all the phases of diversified farming, and his place yields abundant crops of all kinds.

Mr. Nye was married December 22, 1897, to Pearlie A. Little, who was born in Grand Pass township, the daughter of Daniel Little and wife, early settlers and a highly respected family here. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nye, the one living bearing the name of Lois Pearl ; she is now attending school; Leroy, a son, died in infancy.

Politically Mr. Nye has followed in the footsteps of his worthy father and votes the Republican ticket, and fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Malta Bend.

Israel Grant Dyer

Among the men who have lived in Grand Pass township. Saline county, of recent years none have been more popular or better deserved the universal esteem in which they were held than Israel Grant Dyer, for he was a man of the highest principles and while laboring for his own advancement and the comforts of his family, he never lost sight of his duty to his fellow men. but was always doing something for his neighbors out of the altruistic impulses of his noble nature. He was bom in Callaway county, Missouri, April 9, 1836, and his useful career was, on March 8, 1909, closed by the fate that awaits all mankind. He was the son of John and Eveline (Warren) Dyer, the father a native of Virginia, v.diere he was born in 1792, and his death occurred December 24, 1840. John Dyer was the son of Samuel Dyer, who was born in Bris- to], Eng-land, October 8. 1756; he came to America in 1770, settled in Virginia and bought five hundred acres of land and at the time of his death he owned more than two thousand acres, an estate which was known as Plain Dealing. He was wealthy and influential in his locality and had serv-ed in the Revolutionary war as patriot. His father was John Dyer, who spent his life in England. The death of John Dyer, the father of the subject, which occurred in 1840, was due to cholera. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, namely : Sarah, Helen, Miriam, Emily, Ann, Israel, of this review : Celia and Samuel. Israel was born on the day that a negro was hanged for killing the former's uncle, for whom Israel was named.

Eveline Warren was born in Kentucky and she came to Callaway county, Missouri, in a very early day. She and her husband were members of the Presbyterian church and highly respected.

Israel G. Dyer was reared to manhood in Callaway county, ^Missouri, on the home fann, which he worked when he became of proper age, and attended the common schools during the winter months. In the early fifties he made the arduous overland trip to California, experiencing many hardships and adventures. He maintained a stage house for a time, and there several people were killed. After spending some time in the West, he returned to Missouri and married, soon after which he settled on a farm which he purchased in Grand Pass township, Saline county. At that time his land was all wild, but he improved the same, making many important changes. He later sold this and bought the farm on which his family now li\-es in Grand Pass township ; it consists of one hundred ninety-six acres of excellent land which has been well improved and skillfully tilled. At the time of his coming here he had but five hundred dollars, and he hauled the lumber with which to build a house from Miami, many miles away. He erected a modern eight-roomed house and a good barn and made many other extensive changes, developing one of the best farms in the township.

Politically Mr. Dyer was a Democrat and active in party affairs. He was a member of the old-school Presbyterian church and was a deacon and a pillar in the same, taking a great interest in church work.

Mr. Dyer was married in 1870 to Belle Palmore Irvine, who was bom in Saline county, Missouri, the daughter of James and Mary E. (Clark) Irvine, the former a native of Rockingham county, and the latter of Augusta county, Virginia, where they grew to maturity and married, coming to Saline county, Missouri, in an early day, making the trip partly by boat and partly on horseback and by wagon. They landed in Saline county, Missouri, in 1838. The Irvine family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father was a Democrat, a good and successful man, and he and his wife were the parents of eleven children, namely: Mar}- E., Joseph McDowell, Charles Albert, Robert R.. Belle P., widow of Israel G. Dyer, of this review; she and Sarah Ellen were twins ; William McKendree, Ellen Louisa, Henry Brown and Sarah Ellen; the other two children died in infancy. The father of these children died November 20, 1856, and their mother, who was born in 18 18, died March 30, 1882.

Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Israel G. Dyer, namely : Warren Irvine, deceased; Anna B., deceased; Mary Gertrude, wife of Lawrence Winslow and the mother of two children, Henry B. and Mildred ; John Houston Dver married lona Smitherman ; they live near Fairville and are the \)2.\'- ents of two children, Israel G. and Virginia Belle ; Ernest married Bessie Blackburn, living in Miami township on a farm, and they are the parents of two children, Dorothy and Evelyn Louise; Nellie Myrtle is single and living at home ; Roval Homer is single and is a practicing physician in Marshall, Missouri ; Emmett P. is a farmer in Miami township ; Frank Leslie lives at home and runs the farm of his mother ; Helen P. is also- a member of the home circle ; Emily is also at home and is attending school.

Mrs. Dyer and part of her children live on the home place, surrounded by every comfort and enjoying the respect of all who know them. No family in that part of Saline county is more prominent than the Dyers, and the memory of the late Israel G. Dyer is revered by all, owing to his industrious and honorable life.

Hon. James Baskin

The amount of hard labor required to develop a farm in a new country can scarcelv be estimated by the present generation, and all credit should be given by the heroes of the period known to historians as the "early days." of which worthy number James Baskin, a venerable farmer of Grand Pass townshi]). Saline county, must be reckoned. To establish a home in the primitive environment referred to was a task that never ended and all members of the family were required to assist early and late and at all seasons of the year. But this persistence in all instances brought success and in time the bare acres were .spread out before the sun and soon covered with bountiful crops and browsing herds. This was the task of Mr. Baskin and his father and grandfather, and the task was faithfully performed, as we shall see by a study of his life record. He is a native of Highland countv, Ohio, where he was born

September 20. 1825. the son of Andrew and Nancy (Fulton) Baskin, the latter of Irish descent. Andrew Baskin was bom in Pennsylvania and his wife in Butler county, Ohio, the former being the son of Thomas Baskin. a native of Ireland and an early settler in Pennsylvania, who later came to Highland county, Ohio, where he ended his days on a farm which he successfully established. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife was Miss Cunningham, and they reared a large family. It was in Butler county, Ohio, that Andrew Baskin and Nancy Fulton married ; they farmed there for many years, finally moved to Highland county, that state, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Andrew Baskin was a Democrat and took an active part in politics. He also seiwed in the Ohio Legislature in an early day, and he was a soldier for a short time in the war of 181 2. He was a strong and influential character and a man of more than ordinan- ability. He and his wife were Presbyterians. His death occurred in 1849, his widow surviving until about 1889. They were the parents of nine children, namely : John ; James, of this review ; Thomas ; Robert is a lawyer and has been a member of the supreme court of Utah, where he lives ; Ann, Catherine, Margaret, Sarah and Mahala.

James Baskin was reared on the home farm and educated in the district schools, taught in log school houses, equipped with puncheon floors and seats and greased paper for window panes. He was always a studious lad and he took a course in natural science and chemistr}-, also Latin at a college at Salem, Ohio, but he did not graduate therefrom. He taught school for a short time Mdien a young man and read Blackstone at home, having decided to devote his life to the legal profession, and he has also since pursued his studies bearing on natural science, geology and kindred subjects, having been a constant reader all his life and he is therefore an unusually well informed man on these and current topics of the day, an interesting and instructive conversationalist. But Mr. Baskin decided that the simple life of the husbandman was the most attractive for him and he accordingly bought a farm in Highland county, Ohio, which he successfully conducted until 1866, when he came to ^Missouri and bought a farm in Grand Pass township. Saline county, where he still lives, the place consisting of about four hundred acres of as good land as Saline county can boast, which has been greatly improved and skillfully tilled. He famis extensivelv and scientifically and has been a successful feeder of cattle and liogs, mules and horses and various other kinds of live stock in large numbers. He has an attractive home and surroundings.

Mr. Baskin was first married in Highland county, Ohio, to Mary 1'ht)mpson, which union resulted in the birth of one child, Edwin, who is a salesman and lives in Independence. [Missouri. The second marriage of James Baskin also took place in Ohio, the date being 1867, to Sarah Lakin. of a well establislit'd old family there. Mrs. Baskin was called from earth in 1905, leaving two cl'iildren, Clara, the wife of Worthy Bryan, and Elsie, the wife of Floyd W'ilson. The mother of these children was a member of the Methodist Episco|!al church.

Mr. Baskin is a Democrat and he has been active in the party for some time and as a reward for his faithful services and his ability to hold positions of public trust, he was twice elected to the Missouri State Legislature, where he made his influence felt and won the confidence of his colleagues and the commendations of his constituents. He has been a delegate to the congressional convention. He has for some time made agricultural reports to the secretar}' of agriculture at Washington, D. C. for Grand Pass township. He is an interesting' man to know, pleasant, hospitable, scholarly, and he is held in liigh esteem by all classes in Saline county, which he has long honored with his citizenship.

Frank J. Wright

A prominent and successful ag'riculturist and stockman of Gra'.id Pass township and the descendant of one of the excellent old families of Saline county is Frank J. Wright, who is carrying- on the various phases of his work in a way that stamps him as a modern farmer on his farm three miles southwest of Malta Bend. Like many of the enterprising citizens here, he is a native of Virginia, having been born in Rockbridge county, July 23, 1848. and he is the son of John G. and Hester (Beeton) Wright, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Virginia. The father died in 1865. after a life of success and honor, and the mother passed to her rest in Virginia. John G. Wright was a carpenter by trade, which he followed more or less all his active life. Politically he was a Democrat and his wife was a member of the Baptist church. They spent their lives in Virginia and are buried there. They were the parents of seven children, nameh' : John William, Jane, Fanny, Frank J. and three that died in infancy.

After the death of John G. Wright, his widow married a Mr. Roberts, who died, and then the mother of Frank J. Wright, of this review, came to live with him for a time, but later went back to her old Virginia home and spent ihe remainder of her life.

Frank J. Wright remained at liome until he was twenty-two years of age, receiving a good common school education ; he helped care for his mother, and hired out as a farm hand for some time. In 1869 he came to Saline county, Missouri, and continued to work out for several years. He saved his money and later bought two hundred and twenty acres in the Missouri river bottoms, but later sold out and bought one hundred and sixty-two acres where he now lives. He has a fine farm, well improved and skillfully managed, so that abundant harvests are reaped annually, and he has an attractively located and cozy home and substantial outbuildings and all kinds of modern agricultural machinery. He has a fine orchard, plenty of fruit of various kinds and nice shade trees, so that his place is one of the most desirable in the township, for he is a man of splendid tastes and takes a great pride in keeping everything about the place in first class condition. He handles a good grade of live stock, all that the farm will conveniently support.

]Mr. \\'right was married in 1875 to Laura B. Fulton, daughter of John Henry Clay and Abana D. Z. (Silcott) Fulton. The Fulton family are natives of Virginia, but they removed to Adams county, Ohio, in an early day and farmed there until 1869, when they came to Saline county, Missouri, and bought six hundred and forty acres on which Mr. and Mrs. Fulton lived until their deaths. They were excellent people, according to those who remember them best ; they belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. John Fulton was a verv progressive farmer, a Republican and an active worker in the party. His death occurred on December 20, 1885, and his wife survived him until November 4. 1896. They were the parents of the following children: Albert, deceased : Laura, wife of Frank J. Wright, of this review ; Everett. Xora, Charles E., Jennie, Ashton and Jessie. The paternal grandfather of these children was David Fulton, a native of Virginia.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wright two interesting children have been born. Harry, who married Sarah J. Adams, lives near Malta Bend, this county, is engaged as a rural mail carrier, and he and his wife are the parents of one child, bearing the name of Anna Laura. Hester Wright is still a member of the family circle.

^Mrs. ^^'right is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Malta Bend. Politically Mr. \\'right is a Democrat and he is a member of Grand Pass Lodge. No. 258. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Malta Bend, in which he has passed all the chairs and has been noble grand. Personally ]\Ir. Wright is a pleasant man to meet, gentlemanly, honorable and one of the most capable farmers in Saline county and he and his family are held in the highest respect by their neighbors and acquaintances.

Charles F. Yancey

The N'ancey family is one of the best known in Sahne county, the member? of which for many generations having- been prominent here in various walks of life and they have, without exception, borne unblemished reputations. One of the best known of the present generation is Charles F. Yancey, a progressive farmer in Grand Pass township, of which he is a native, having been born here on March 19. 1861, the son of Dr. Thomas A. and Mary C. (Snoddy) Yancey. For a complete sketch of the Snoddy family the reader is directed to the sketch of \\'illiam A. Snoddy on another page of this work. The parents of Charles F. Yancey married in Saline county and to them five children were born, namely: Charles F., of this review; Elizabeth G. is deceased; Mary A. is the wife of S. W. Barnett ; Thomas C. was born in 1867 and died in 1895 in the month of November. He was a prominent physician in Malta Bend, Missouri ; Daniel L., the fifth child, is living on the old home farm in Grand Pass township.

Dr. Thomas A. Yancey, father of these children, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, November 10, 183 1, and he died on June 11, 1888. He was reared in Virginia on a farm and there received his education in the common schools. He attended the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and after his graduation he practiced awhile in Virginia and in 1859 came to Saline county, Missouri, and here farmed and practiced medicine until his death. He was a skilled physician and became one of the most prominent men of the county, winning a reputation much beyond the borders of the same. He was a public spirited man, always advocating any movement looking to the general good of Saline county. Although his sympathies were with the South during the war, he was not in the service. He was a member of the Masonic order, and a member of the Presbyterian church. He was a man whom everybody trusted and respected. His wife. Mary C. Snoddy. was born August t. 1835, and she died April 17, 1900. She was a woman of beautiful Christian character and a member of the Presbyterian church.

Charles F. Yancey, of this review, was reared on the old home farm in Grand Pass township, and he received his education in the common schools and at Westminster College, in which he made an excellent record. After leaving school he engaged in the drug business in Marshall for about eight months in about 1881. He then came back to the farm, where he worked awhile, later was appointed deputy sheriff of Saline county under Capt. Joe Elliott and sensed very ably for a period of four years in that office. In 1893 he was elected, at a special election, sheriff of Saline county, on the Demo- cratic ticket, to finish the unexpired term of S. M. Ayres, who died while in office, and so faithfully did he perform the duties of this office that he was reelected to the same in 1894, without opposition in his party. His term of office expiring in 1896, he came back to the farm and has since devoted his time exclusively to agricultural pursuits. In 1899 he bought his present fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, lying two miles southeast of Malta Bend. He keeps his place well improved and has shown by his able management of the same that he is fully abreast of the times in all the diversified phases of agriculture and stock raising, always keeping some excellent grades of live stock on his place. He has remodeled his dwelling house, making the old one attractive and substantial : he also has an excellent barn and all the substantial outbuildings and modern farming implements that his needs require. He handles stock of all kinds, but he is especially known as a cattle and hog feeder.

Mr. Yancey is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Malta Bend, Missouri, and he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, at Marshall. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church South, at Malta Bend, and liberal supporters of the same.

Mr. Yancey was married on March 29, 1883, to Ella Rader, who was born in Jasper county, Missouri. She is the daughter of Rev. A. M. and Isabella (McFarland) Rader.

To Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Yancey three interesting children have been born, named as follows : Maurice A. married Mary Cecil VanStone, a native of Saline county, Missouri; he is engaged in farming; Charles F. Yancey, Jr., has remained single and is at home assisting with the work on the fai-m ; Elizabeth, a school girl, and also a member of the home circle.

Mr. Yancey is a public spirited man, always taking an active interest in whatever tends to promote the general good of Saline county. He takes an active interest in political affairs and lodge work, and he and his estimable wife and their children are held in high regard throughout the county.

William Addison Snoddy

. In mentioning the pioneers of Grand Pass township. Saline county, who have played their full part in the development of the same and have won definite success because they have worked for it along legitimate lines, the name of William Addison Snoddy should receive a position near the top of the list, partly because his long and useful life has been spent right here at home and partly because it has been lionorably lived, proved to be a blessing to scores of his fellow citizens and shown himself in every way worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by all classes. He was born in Grand Pass township, Saline county. Missouri, near his present home, on June 11, 1841. He is the son of Daniel F. and Elizabeth Jane (Brown) Snoddy, both natives of Buckingham county. Virginia, the father being the son of Samuel Snoddy, also a native of Buckingham county. Virginia, where he lived on a farm until his death, this family having been prominent there for several generations. Daniel F. Snoddy came to Saline county. Missouri, when young and was reared on a farm here, coming here in 1832 when the country was undeveloped, and he married here the following year and purchased g-oveniment land. He was a very successful farmer and at the time of his death he owned about seven hundred acres of land. He was a man of influence in his community and bore an exemplary education. His death occurred in Marshall, Missouri, in 1849, he having been a victim of cholera. He was a member of the Presbyterian church and an elder in the same. His widow survived him until 1877. They were the parents of four children, namely: John James died in 1876: Polly, who married Doctor Yancey, is also deceased; William A., of this review; Calvin P. lives near Marshall on a farm.

William A. Snoddy grew up on his father's fann and was educated in the common schools ; he remained at home assisting with the work about the place until he reached maturity. He came into possession of one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead on which he still lives and which he has greatly improved and skillfully managed, causing it to yield abundant han^ests and support large numbers of an excellent variety of live stock. He has an attractively located and pleasant home and good barn, sheds and other buildings.

Mr. Snoddv was married in 1868 to Teresa Ann Power, who was born in Bath county. Kentucky. She is the daughter of Woodson and Adiliza F. (Gauldin) Power, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia, dying in Kentuckv. The\' were ]:)eople tif excellent worth, successful in their vocation.

Three children have graced the home of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Snoddy. named as follows: Mamie is the wife of Alfred Rock, of Marshall, ]Missouri : Robert D. married Ina Yeager and is the father of four children, Virginia. Ann. Marjorie and William A. ; Josephine Snoddy is living at home and she is teaching in the Saline countv schools at Malta Bend, having taught at various places for some time. One child, the third in order of birth, died in infancy.

Snocldy being an elder in the local congregation and a liberal supporter of the same. Politically he is a Democrat, but he does not find time to mingle much with politicians and is no aspirant for official honors.

Mr. Snoddy proved his patriotism to the South, the country of his ancestors, by serving in a very gallant manner in the Confederate army, as a private under Captain Brown, later in Company D, Gordon's regiment, Shelby's brigade. He enlisted in 1864 and served until the close of the war. His services were mostly in Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Missouri. He was taken prisoner in Saline county, Missouri, early in the war, but was held only a short time. Later in the war he was detached and acted as escort for General Marmaduke.

The Snoddys are and have been since the early pioneer days generally recognized as among the leading citizens of Saline county, public-spirited, industrious and scrupulously honest, always ready to assist in furthering any worthy cause, and they have done much for the development of the county in various ways, such as the building of roads, churches and school houses ; they are the type of people that believe in pushing the car of civilization up the steeps.

Oren M. Elliott

To win definite success in any field of endeavor indicates the possession of praiseworthy attributes and characteristics, withheld from or at least undeveloped by the major portion of the human race, and to win the coveted goal by handicap, under the most unfavorable environment and in the face of the most discouraging barriers along life's pathway that winds for all alike through both Arcady and Ajalon, shows indeed sterling qualities. But such is the record of Oren M. Elliott, whose life-record is worthy of emulation by those easily discouraged and who stand hesitating at the parting of the ways. He is editor and owner of the Malta Bciid News and one of the progressive citizens of Malta Bend, Saline county. He was born June 9, 1873, "^ar Maitland, Holt county, Missouri, and is the son of Thomas and Caroline (Rozelle) Elliott. The father, a man of worth and influence in his community, died about 1904, and the mother, a woman of gracious personality, is still living. Thomas Elliott was born in Ohio and his wife in Ohio.

Oren M. Elliott is a deaf-mute; but who can say whether this so-called affliction has been a hindrance or a blessing? He, at least, has not permitted it to thwart him in his hfe work. At the age of three years he was a victim of the dread disease, spinal-meningitis, which destroyed his ear drums, thus depriving him of his hearing and destined him to forever be a deaf-mute. As soon as he was old enough he w^as placed in the School for the Deaf at Fulton, Missouri, a state institution, where he remained until he was graduated in i<^93. While at school he learned the printer's trade, preferring this to any other, and which he has since followed. He made his first start as a journalist in 1900 at Maitland, Missouri, where, with an outfit costing only thirty-five dollars, he issued a paper in the interest of deaf people, calling it The Eye, issued monthly and later twice a month. In the fall of 1901 he bought The Graham Post, a paper for hearing people, which he still owns, l)ut which he has leased to a deaf friend. The Eye was sold to a citizen of Omaha, Nebraska, whither it was moved and where it is still being issued. Mr. Elliott then started The Silent Success, another paper in the interest of deaf people, but having more than he could attend to properly, he sold it to a deaf-mute in St. Louis and it is being issued regularly in that city. Having leased The Graham Fast and learning of an o]3ening at Malta Bend, Missouri, Mr. Elliott came here and started the Malta Bend News, which is a bright and interesting paper, well edited and attractive from a mechanical standpoint and is rapidly gaining prestige and a wade patronage. It is independent in politics, eight pages and issued weekly.

Mr. Elliott has been honored by his fellow mutes, having been elected vice-president of the Missoin"i Alumni Reunion, very faithfully and satisfactorily senang in that capacity from 1904 to 1908. He was elected president of the Northwest Missouri Silentium Association for three years, from 1905 to 1908, and again proved his efficiency in a public position. On August 27, 1909, he was elected vice-president of the Missouri Association of the Deaf, w'here he is doing an excellent work.

While attending a reunion of the deaf of Nebraska at Omaha in 1901, Mr. Elliott met for the first time Mella T. Smith, a lady of culture and refinement and marked intelligence, and the friendship thus formed ripened into a mutual attachment that led to their marriage on April 9, 1902. They first ]i\ed at Graham, Missouri, where they remained until coming to Malta Bend. Mrs. Elliott was born in Butler, Missouri, June 22, 1882. She was born deaf, or very nearly so ; however, she can hear some, which enables her by watching the working of the lips of those talking to her to understand what is said. She talks fairly well, and while her articulation is not perfect she feels that she enjoys a great blessing. She has lived at Pipestone and St. Paul, Minnesota, and at Sioux Falls and Madison, South Dakota. She at- tended the school for the deaf at Faribauh, Minnesota, from 1893 to 1894, and at a similar school at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, from 1894 to 1897, and also at Omaha, Nebraska, from 1897 to 1900.

To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott three children were born, all of whom could hear and talk, and one of whom survives. They are: Thomas \V., a bright and interesting lad, born April 9, 1904, is attending the public schools at Malta Bend; Miller W., born January 18, 1907, died on August 27th following; Maud O., born August 2, 1908, died July 11, 1909.

Mr. Elliott is independent in politics, voting for the man whom he deems best qualified for the office rather than the party. He is well informed on current topics of the day, well educated and a vigorous and independent thinker and an entertaining writer.

William Larkin Hancock

A progressive and honored citizen of Elmwood township, Saline county, is William L. Hancock, a native of Todd county, Kentucky, where he was born June 28, 1832, and his long, useful and exemplary life has been spent in such a manner as to be of more than passing service to others, for he is a nmn who delights in aiding his neighbors while advancing his own interests. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (White) Hancock, both natives of Virginia, in which state the father died, the mother dying in St. Louis, Missouri, with cholera when that dread scourge devastated sections of the Middle West a half century ago. She was an earnest Christian woman and a great church worker. Her husband was a strong Southern sympathizer. The subject's mother was born in Hanover county, Virginia. To her and John Hancock five children were bom, namely : Thomas W., a minister living in Missouri, having preached over this section of the state many years and was a power for good; Elizabeth is deceased; John M. died in California in 1908; Sarah died in California; William L., of this review, being the youngest. The mother of these children was twice married, her second husband being Robert Greene, by whom she became the mother of two children, Robert, who lives in Arizona, and Ella, the wife of John Byrd, living in Kansas.

Losing his father when but a child, William L. Hancock was reared on a farm by an uncle until about fifteen years of age. He earned money to pay for a limited education in primitive schools during his early youth while working as a farm hand. Later he learned the blacksmith's trade and conducted a shop in Kentucky. He came to Missouri in 1855, locating in Sweet Springs, buying eighty acres of land, which he farmed until after the Civil war. In 1866 he came to his present farm of six hundred and forty acres in Elmwood township and he has prospered here by reason of his good management and close application to his individual affairs. He has greatly improved all his farm, making it one of the model farms of the township. He has a fine old home, large, attractive and comfortable, and commodious and substantial barns and other buildings; his place is nearly all under cultivation or in pasture, though it was all wild prairie when he bought it.

y[r. Hancock was married in Logan county, Kentucky, in 1854, to Nancy Jane Daniels, a native of that county and the daughter of Andrew and Mary (Hines) Daniels, both natives of Virginia, but early settlers of Logan county, Kentucky ; they were of English extraction and descendants of ancient nobility. Senator Daniels, of Virginia, a national figure in politics, is a cousin of Mrs. Hancock. To the subject and wife thirteen children were born, of whom nine are living, named as follows : Mary Olive, wife of Taylor Entrekin, living in Blackburn, Saline county, and she is the mother of five children, Frank, Nannie, who died at the age of twenty-two years, Alice, Will and David; David Hancock, a ranchman in Nebraska, married Hettie Scott and they have two children, Nancy and David, Jr. ; Elizabeth Hancock is the wife of L. W. Scott, living in Marshall, Missouri; Alice is the wife of Robert Pierce and the mother of one child, Olive; Frances is the wife of James Sparks, living in Marshall also, and they have one child, Leta Elizabeth; Larkin. Leta, William and Archie P. all live at home.

Mr. Hancock and his sons are known throughout this part of the state for the fine horses which they keep, being enthusiastic horse fanciers, and they breed some of the test track horses in Missouri, their stock being known to horsemen throughout the Middle West; they sell at high figures and are in great demand. The sons, Larkin and Archie Hancock, devote their time and attention to track horses and racers and road horses, owning some of the best horses in the state, among which are "Russell Hardin" and "Professor Nelson," "Tommy B.," a colt of "Russell Hardin," the colt holding the state record of 2:i2j4- He is now (1909) three years old. "Russell Hardin" and his colts took premiums over all competitors at the Missouri State Fair held in Sedalia in 1909. "Lady Jane" is a three-year-old and has taken some of the best races in the United States, never losing a race and broke only twice in the past season. All these animals are greatly admired by all who see them and they have brought money and notoriety to their owners.

William L. Hancock was in the Confederate army, having enlisted in Colonel Robertson's regiment at Grand Pass, Saline county, Missouri. After some service in this state he and his comrades were captured by Jeff Davis, a Federal officer, and were taken to St. Louis and imprisoned in McDowell's College, which was then used as a prison. He escaped from the prison by pretending that he was William S. Hancock, of Greene county, Missouri, who was to be taken out for the hospital. He then returned home and took no further part in the war. He tells many interesting- stories of those stirring times - in fact, is a most interesting conversationalist on any theme, for he is well read and has been an observing man. He has always. been an admirer of good horse flesh as well as an enthusiastic dog fancier. While making the long and tedious overland trip from Kentucky to Missouri in 1855 he lost his favorite and most valuable hound and spent an entire day looking for him without result. While reflecting over the time lost and the fact that he had no mone}-, a family to support and emigrating to a new and unknown country, he made a resolution that he would smother his ambitions for the ownership of dogs until he had a home for his wife and children. In after years he imported from Kentucky some of the finest hounds ever brought to Saline county, and for several years thereafter he indulged to his heart's content in chasing the fox, being one of the best known experts in this respect in the county. He is a strong Democrat and a great party worker, but he has never held any public office. His activity in politics for the welfare of his friends is proverbial and there are few in Saline county who have wielded a greater influence in the ranks of the Democratic party or who have been a more worthy foe of the opposition. He and his family are members of the Christian church at Blackburn, western border of Saline county. He is a progressive and scientific farmer and stockman and one of the most influential men of Saline countv.

John W. Spencer

One does not have to search far down the list of enterprising citizens of Grand Pass township, Saline county, before encountering the name of John W. Spencer, who was born in Marion county, Missouri, October 27. 1843, the son of Edward G. and Margaret (McElroy) Spencer. The father w^as a native of Marion county. Kentucky, born about 1804, the son of Frank Spencer, a native of England, who came to America at the dawn of the nineteenth cen- tiiry and settled in Marion county, Kentucky, about 1800. Edward Spencer died in 1871. Although a Union man during the Civil war, his sympathies were with the South. He was a member of the Christian church. He farmed extensively and owned six hundred and forty acres of land in Marion county, Missouri, where he settled in 1831, land being wild in that early day and he purchased what he wanted from the government. He carried on general farming and raised mules in large numbers. He was an influential and highly respected man in his community. Margaret McElroy was born in Marion county, Kentucky, in 181 1, and she passed to her rest in 1886. She was the daughter of James McElroy, a native of Kentucky, where he farmed and passed his life. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.

The parents of John W. Spencer were reared and married in Kentucky, and came to Missouri in 183 1, as already intimated. To them twelve children were born, namely : Samuel, Joseph, William, Eliza, Isaac, James, all deceased; John W., of this review; Edward G., George D., Benjamin F., deceased ; Henry Clay, and Mary. All of these children lived to maturity.

John W. Spencer was reared on the home farm and educated in the common schools, also attended school at Windsor, Canada, West. After his marriage he farmed one year in Marion county, Missouri. He came to Saline county, Missouri, and rented land until 1874, when he purchased his present farm of one hundred two and one-half acres in Grand Pass township. It was wild prairie land with very little improvement, but being a hard worker and a good manager, he has brought his place up to a high state of cultivation and improvement, erected a neat, comfortable and attractive eight-roomed dwelling and a substantial barn, thirty-six by thirty feet. Besides successfully carrying on general farming in all its phases, he raises many mules for the market and feeds large numbers of cattle. He thoroughly understands all the "ins and outs" of general agriculture and handling of stock and he has been unusually successful at both.

Mr. Spencer was married in 1866 to Lydia B. Blanchard, who was born in 1848 in Marion county, Missouri, the daughter of Hiram and Amanda Jane (Stevens) Blanchard, the latter a native of Virginia. Hiram Blanchard came from England when seven years of age and spent the balance of his life in America. He reached the remarkable age of ninety-seven years, dying in 1907. He spent his active life merchandising and farming. He came to Waverly, Lafayette county, Missouri, where his death occurred and where he had lived since 1868. Politically he was a Democrat, and he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church South. They were the parents of thirteen children, named as follows : Angeline, Hiram, Amanda, Lavenia, Caroline.

Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, namely : George William, a cattle salesman at Kansas City, married Minnie Whittleton and they are the parents of two children, Harriett and Hester; Henry Clay, a traveling salesman, lives in Chillicothe, Missouri, married Willie Fulkerson, and they have one child, William Carl ; Emma is the wife of R. H. Alexander, living in Oklahoma, and they are the parents of three children, Roberta, Irene and John W. ; Lydia B. is the wife of George Terrell, living in Elmwood township; John Wilson has remained single, is living at home and is attending school ; Orval M., a farmer, living at Mt. Leonard, married Leda Belle Oquest; Horace Raymond is single and living at home.

Mr. Spencer is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been steward and a member of the official board. Fraternally he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is one of the influential, progressive and much respected men of Grand Pass township, and he has a very pretty home about three miles north of Mt. Leonard.

Charles Thierfelder

Although a "Badger" by birth, Charles Thierfelder has spent the major part of his life in Missouri, ranking today among the progressive citizens of Saline county, owning a valuable landed estate in Cambridge township. His birth occurred in Sac county, Wisconsin, May 15, 1852, and he is the son of Frank and Ursula (Burge) Thierfelder, the former a native of the province of Saxony, Germany, and the latter born in Switzerland. They grew to maturitv in their native countries, went to school there in early childhood, and before reaching maturity they came to America, she with her parents, who came on to Wisconsin and settled in Sac county, Mr. Thierfelder having made the long trip to Wisconsin unaccompanied. They met and married in that state and soon afterward bought a small farm. In i860 they moved to Saline county, Missouri, locating in New Frankfort. When the war between the states began, Frank Thierfelder, in 1861, enlisted in the L'nion army and served about two years in the cavalry. He was disabled by his horse falling on him and received an honorable discharge, after which he returned to New Frankfort and resumed farming in Sheridan county. He remained there several years and then returned to Cambridge township. Sa- line county, where he bought forty acres of land in section 17, remaining there about eight years, when he sold out to his son, Gustavus, and moved to Moberly, Missouri. There his death occurred in 1902, at the age of seventy-six years, his wife having preceded him to the grave in about 1897, dying at the age of sixty-two years. They were the parents of seven children, four of whom are living at this writing, namely : Gustavus, of Cambridge township. Saline county; Charles, of this review; Mrs. Laura Miller, of Moberly, Missouri, in which city John also resides.

When about eleven years old Charles Thierfelder began working on the farm at about two dollars and fifty cents per month and board. He made his home with his parents and worked out as a farm laborer until he was twenty-three years of age, when he began life for himself. He and his brother bought their father's farm, which they worked on the "shares" for one year, when they dissolved partnership and Charles bought sixty acres adjoining the home farm in section 17. He sold this place in about 1885 and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in section 16, w'here he lives at present. He has prospered here and has by purchase added fifty-six acres; however, he has sold his son forty acres. He has carried on farming in its various phases and devoted much time to cattle feeding. He has a very comfortable home and substantial outbuildings. '

Mr. Thierfelder was married February 28, 1875, to Lena Kurz, who was born in Kreiznach, Prussia, December 17. 1856, the daughter of Jacob and Katherine (Kaul) Kurz, natives of Prussia. Mr. Thierfelder came to America unaccompanied in 1870, coming direct to New Frankfort, Saline county, Missouri. To the subject and wife twelve children have been born, two of whom died in infancy; John W., born January 12, 1877, of Cambridge township; Henry Frank, born September 17, 1878, of the state of California; Lydia, wafe of Almon McCall, born September 3, 1880, lives in Moberly, Missouri; Emma, who was born September 3, 1880, is the w-ife of Aubrey Guerin, of Higbee, Missouri (Lydia and Emma are twins); Katherine U., born November 8, 1882, is the wife of Otto Reidenbach. of Cambridge towmship; Lena, born February 11, 1885; Nora, October i, 1887; Charles, born March 19, 1890, died December 25, 1893; Ursula, August 3, 1892; Gus Leonard, November 11, 1894; Susanna Esther, December 6, 1899, are all living at home except Lena and Ursula, who are attending college.

Mrs. Thierfelder's father died at the Kurz home in Germany, after which event his widow and two sons came to America. Mrs. Kurz died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thierfelder.

Politically Mr. Thierfelder is a Republican and he is a member of the Evangelical church. He is regarded as one of the up-to-date farmers of this township and his beautiful home, picturesquely located, is often the visiting place for numerous friends of the family. He is regarded as an ideal neighbor, and all who know him are unstinted in their praise of his many sterling equalities, embracing honesty, industry and generosity.

Joseph Hamill

Joseph Hamill was born in Jefferson county, Missouri, in 1862, the son of Hugh and Mary (Conners) Hamill, both natives of Ireland, from which country they came when young and emigrated to Jefferson county, Missouri, where they married and began farming, which Hugh Hamill continued until killed by the militia during the Civil war. His widow then moved to Lexington, Missouri, where she resided a number of years, when she returned to Jefferson county and lived there until her death, in 1889. They were the parents of two children, Francis and Joseph, the latter the subject of this sketch. The mother married a second time, her last husband being Patrick Lyons and three children were born to this union, Bridget, the wife of Doctor Early, of St. Louis ; Mary, of Jefferson county. Missouri, and Martin, a lawyer in St. Louis, who is now attorney for the Pacific & Iron Mountain Railroad Company. Their entire family are members of the Catholic church, as was also Hugh Hamill, who was a Democrat politically.

Joseph Hamill was reared in Jefferson county, Missouri, on a farm where he began working when a mere boy, and he was educated in the common schools and he also received a business education. He came to Saline county in 1 89 1, and settled on a farm, which he still owns and where he farmed until 1899, when he moved to Marshall, Missouri, and launched into journalism, buying The Citizen, which he conducted until 1906, when he sold out and returned to his farm, which lies in Elmwood township, two miles northwest of Shackelford. This is one of the best farms in Saline county, and consists of four hundred acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. It is known as Pine Grove farm, owing to the beautiful grove of pine trees which has occupied a conspicuous place for many years. In 1909 Mr. Hamill erected a "commodious, attractive and modern dwelling, which stands amid beautiful surroundings. He engages in general farming and raises some good stock and is an extensive cattle feeder. Politically he is a Democrat and fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Columbus and he and his family belong to the Catholic church. Mr. Hamill is the only member of his father's family bearing the name of Hamill.

In 1898 Mr. Hamill married Nellie Welch, the representative of an old and highly respected family of Saline county, Missouri, of which her parents, James and Jennie Welch, were early settlers.

William G. Fowler

The varied career of William G. Fowler, one of the best known citizens of Cambridge township, Saline county, is one fraught with more than ordinary interest, for he has been a man of action and courage, has faced dangers in strange countries in travel and military campaign, and in business affairs he has also proven himself to be possessed of those commendable qualities that win, and now, as the shadows of the evening of life are lengthening, he can look backward over a life well spent and hosts of warm friendships which he has formed all along the way. He is a native of historic Boone county, Kentucky, where he was born March 2, 1834, and where he received a good education in the district schools and the academy at Burlington, Kentucky. He is the son of John B. and Mary ( Stillwell ) Fowler, the former a native of r>(.)cjne county also, where he was born in 1800; the latter was born in Maysville, Kentucky, about 1808 or 1810. They spent their lives on a farm in Boone county, where they were known as successful, hard working and honest. Mr. Fowler died there in 1855, having been preceded to the grave by his wife in 1840. They were the parents of six children, of whom William G., of this review, was the second in order of birth, and liesides him onl}- one other child is living in 1909, Dr. Robert M. Fowler, of Schuyler county, Missouri.

\\ illiam G. Fowler, of this review, made his home with his parents until their deaths. After his father died he traveled in Texas and Old Mexico, remaining there until t86o, when he came to Saline county, Missouri, and located here, being quick to see the great future development in the l(;calit\-. But when the war between the states began he was ready to prove his loyalty to the South, the land he loved and the countr}- of his forbears, and in t86i he enlisted in the Confederate armv under Colonel Green, later under General Marmaduke and finally under General Shelby, and he served right gallantly under these peerless leaders until in 1863, his health failing, he was compelled to leave the army and was discharged on account of disability, and he -soon afterwards returned to Saline county.

On September 5, 1864, Mr. Fowler married Fannie Thompson, who was born in Saline county, Missouri, January 7, 1838, the daughter of Rev. Robert Y. and Lucy T. (Nowlin) Thompson, both natives of Kentucky, Fayette and Logan counties respectively. The father was born in 1800 and he came to Saline county in 18 18, but returned to Kentucky and in 182 1 came back to Saline county, locating in Cambridge township, where he prospered and became the owner of a vast tract of land, in all four thousand acres. In 1825 he married Lucy T. Nowlin, who was born in 1809 and who came to Saline county with her parents in 18 18. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson ten children were born, Mrs. Fowler being the sixth in order of birth, four of them living at this writing besides Mrs. Fowler; they are Robert K., living in Pettis county, Missouri; Sue M. is the wife of Dr. Howard Ford, living at Mt. Leonard, Missouri, and Alvin W., who is Hving'in Gilliam, Missouri.

Mr. Thompson died in 1862, his widow surviving until 1889. They were excellent people whom everybody admired and highly respected. Airs. Fowler inherited three hundred and forty acres of excellent land in Cambridge township. At the time- Mr. and Mrs. Fowler married, he built a house on the place and otherwise improved it, and they have since made their home on this farm, which is one of the model ones of the township and has been skillfully managed and is one of the most desirable places in this locality in every respect. Mr. Fowler is not only well abreast of the times in agricultural affairs, but he is also a good judge of stock and always keeps some good grades on the place which he prepares for market.

Mr. Fowler was appointed director of the Sappington School Fund, as successor to Dr. A. M. Davidson, one of the original members of the board. Mr. Fowler has very ably and satisfactorily discharged the duties of this office since 1868 and he is today the oldest director on the board. Politically he is a Democrat, but has never held public office. Fraternally he is a member of the ]\Iasonic order. Mrs. Fowler is a member of the Baptist church at Slater.

Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are the parents of six children, all living, namely : Robert ^^^, born September 5, 1865, lives in ^^'ichita Falls, Texas, engaged in the real estate business; Susie M., born May 21. 1869, is still a member of the home circle; McDonald T., born May 8, 1872, is deputy sheriff at Mar- shall. ]\[issouri ; Effie L. was born April 8, 1875, is teaching- school and livings at home; LaSalle P., born December 23, 1877, is living at Wichita Falls, Texas, partner with his brother in the real estate business; ]\Iamie L., born December 23. 1879, is living with her parents.

Melvin H. Hall

The progressive and public spirited citizen of Elmwood township, Saline county, whose name introduces this biographical review, is a man of rare energy and excellence of character, according to those who know him best, and is therefore worthy of a place in the history of his locality along with other men of worth. Melvin H. Hall w-as born in Cedar county, Missouri, March 19, 1857. He is the son of Thomas D. and Mary Jane (Buckley) Hall, natives of Knox county, Tennessee, where they grew to maturity, were educated and married. In an early day they came to southwestern ]\[issouri, settling in Cedar county on new and unimproved land, which they cleared, making a good home and living on it until the war began, when Mr. Hall cast his fortunes with the Confederacy. However, before the close of the struggle he came home and moved to Illinois, locating at Mt. Pulaski, remaining there until peace had been restored. Then, after farming one year, he returned to Missouri, locating in Johnson county, farmed there one year, then came to Saline county, and after two years' residence here he returned to Tennessee and there died in 1870. His widow then came back to Saline county, Missouri, and made her home here with her son, Melvin H., until her death, in 1890.

To Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Hall seven children were born, named as follows: James, Joseph L., Melvin H., Elizabeth Josephine, Zachariah. Thomas ; Ida died in childhood ; Sarah was the youngest child.

Melvin H. Hall was reared on a farm and remained with his parents until he reached maturity. He received his education in the common schools. He worked out on the farm for several years and in the fall of 1882 he rented a farm in Saline county and a short time afterwards he purchased eighty acres of land on wdiich he resided tw^enty-seven years in Elmwood towaiship. The place had only a small box-house on it when Mr. Hall bought it, and there was no barn or much other improvements of consequence, but being a hard worker and a good manager he greatly improved the place, erected a comfortable six-room house, a good barn and fenced his fields, until he had as good a little farm as could be found within the limits of the township. He recently sold it and bought fifty acres one mile and a half southwest of Marshall, where he resides.

Mr. Hall was married on February 24, 1895, to Cordelia Crank, daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Bristow) Crank, the former born in Tennessee, the son of James and Nancy (George) Crank, natives of Tennessee, who married there and came to Adams county, Illinois ; they became the parents of the follov.ing children: James, Thomas, William, Nancy, Harriet R., Samuel L., James R., Eliza J., George W., John and Hedessa.

Thomas Crank was reared in Tennessee and Illinois, educated in the common schools and grew to manhood amid the wholesome conditions on the farm. He came to Sheridan county, Missouri, in 1883, and died in this state in 1898. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal clunxh. He and Mary A. Bristow were married on June 3, 1853, and six children were born to them, namely: Charles William, James A., Amanda Hedessa, Pearletta Alice, Cordelia Jane, wife of the subject, and Hattie Belle. The mother of these children is living with her daughter, Mrs. Melvin H. Hall. She is a highly cultured and intelligent woman and remarkably well preserved for one of over seventy-six years of age. She is the daughter of John A. and Sarah (Wade) Bristow, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Kentucky, and who were early settlers in Morgan county, Illinois. John A. Bristow was a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, an old circuitrider and a personal friend and associate of the noted Peter Cartwright, who preached Reverend Bristow's funeral, the latter dying in 1845, his widow surviving him until 1879.

Melvin H. Hall and family are members of the Missionary Baptist church and Mr, Hall is a Democrat politically and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are pleasant and hospitable people and stand high in the social life of Elmwood township.

John A. Wheeland

From an excellent Ohio family sprang John A. Wheeland, a prominent agriculturist and stock raiser of Elmwood township. Saline county, he himself being a native of Ross county, Ohio, where his birth occurred January 19, 1845. He is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Henry) Wheeland, the former a native of the same locality in the Buckeye state and the son of Peter

Wlieeland, of Pennsylvania, but who, early in life, located in Ross county, Ohio, and married Katie Esery, a native of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wheeland ten children were born, named as follows: Abner; Thomas, father of John A., whose name introduces this biography; Presley, Landa, Jesse, Harvey. Jasper, Betsy Ann, Clara and Kasiah.

In the early fifties Peter Wheeland came to Sangamon county, Filinois, and in 1868 removed to Davis county, Missouri, where he remained until his death. He was a soldier in the war of 18 12 and a member of the Baptist church. Thomas Wheeland married in Ross county, Ohio, Nancy Henry, who was born in Ireland, a daughter of James Henry, also born in Ireland, who came to America, settling in Ross county, Ohio, where he farmed until his death. Thomas Wheeland came to Sangamon county, Illinois, in the fifties and farmed there for six years and in 1875 moved to Saline county. Missouri, locating in Elmwood township, where he bought two hundred sixty-five acres of good land, which he cleared up and made into a fine farm. At the time he settled on the land it was mostly in brush and woods, but by the assistance of his sons the place was cleared and put under cultivation. Thomas Wheeland was born in 1822 and died in 1898; his wife died in 1906. They were devout members of the Baptist church and were workers in the same for many years, Mr. Wheeland having been a liberal supporter of the same and he donated the erround where the Mt. Zion church now stands on the old home farm in Elmwood township. He was a Democrat, but not much of a politician. He and his wife were the parents of eight children, namely: John A., of this review; Simon P., Henry, Thomas, James V., Emanuel, Samuel and Adina. These children were reared in a wholesome home atmosphere and their daily lives reflected the same everywhere they have dispersed, for their parents carried their religion into their daily lives in the home. The excellent work the father did for the church cannot be overestimated, being indeed far-reaching, and his memory will ever be revered by a wide circle of admiring friends and acquaintances for the noble work which he did in this line.

John A. Wheeland was reared on his father's farm and received a fairly good common school education in the district schools. He remained at home until he married in Benton county, Missouri, in the year 1872, choosing as a life-companion Eliza DeLay, a native of Illinois and the daughter of Henry De Lay, a native of Kentucky, but an early settler in Illinois and Missouri. This is an old and highly respected family.

To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeland five children have been bom, named as follows: Samuel A., living at home; Thomas is deceased; William married Emma Scott and thev have one child named Elsie and live in Elmwood township;

Mr. and Mrs. Wheeland are members of the Baptist church and are interested in the affairs of the same. Mr. Wheeland is an independent voter and a well read man, especially on political and current topics of the day. He and his sons own two hundred and seventy-eight acres of some of the best land in Salt Pond township, which they settled upon in 1877 and which at that time was all in brush and woods ; but they are hard workers and good managers and their farm is one of the most attractive in this vicinity.

They have an attractively located and comniodious eight-roomed house and a good barn, - in fact, they have made all the improvements themselves. This farm lies about six miles northeast of Sweet Springs. A good grade of such live stock as hogs, cattle and mules are handled here and a general farming business is successfully carried on. Strangers entering the Wheeland home are very cordially received and made to feel that they are the guests of honest, pleasant and excellent people in every respect.

James Verni Wheeland

Of excellent pioneer ancestry comes James Verni Wheeland, a successful farmer of Elmwood township, Saline county, who, by close application and persistence, has come up from none too favorable environment until he is today the owner of a valuable landed estate and is one of the substantial citizens of the western part of the county. He is a native of northern Missouri, his birth occurring on July 30, 1856. -He is the son of Thomas and Nancy (Henry) Wheeland, the former a native of Ross county, Ohio, and the latter of Ireland. Owing to the fact that a complete history of the Wheeland and Henry families is to be found in the sketch of John A. Wheeland, on another page of the Avork, it is not deemed necessary to repeat the subject's ancestry here but to refer the reader to the sketch in question. Suffice it to say here that no better people could be found than either the Wheelands or the Henrys, since their life records will bear the closest investigation by the biographer.

James V. Wheeland was reared on the home farm in Saline county, reared to habits of industry and in time became a practical farmer. He received an excellent common school education in the old-fashioned district schools, but he applied himself well and has later added to his primary education by extensive home reading.

In March, 1887, Mr. W'lieeland located on his present farm of eighty acres in Ehnwood township. There were very few improvements on the place at that time, 1nit b}- hard work and good management he has made a model farm of the same, making all the necessary improvements, erecting a good six-roomed house, substantial barn and. outbuildings. He engages in general farming and keeps some good stock, everything about his place showing that a man of energy and good judgment manages it. He also owns fifteen acres of the old homestead of his father.

January 27, 1887, Mr. Wheeland was married to Anna Garrison, a native of Pettis county, Missouri, the daughter of John and Mary (Dillon) Garrison, both natives of Missouri. John Garrison is a farmer in Elmwood township, he and his family being considered among the best people of the township. They are members of the Missionan- Baptist church.

The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wheeland : May is living at home ; Edna, also a member of the home circle, is attending school; Jesse died when three years of age; the fourth child died in infancy unnamed; Ruby is living at home and attending school.

Mr. Wheeland is a member of the Primitive Baptist church, while Mrs. Wheeland holds her membership in the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Wheeland is a Democrat, and fraternally he is a Mason, having affiliated with this ancient and honored order twenty-five years ago, and he takes a great interest in its affairs. He and his wife are very pleasant people to know, making all feel at home when they visit the cosy and neat dwelling and it is useless to add that such people are held in high favor by their acquaintances.

Louis Cook

Among the thrifty German element in Saline county who have come to us from the Fatherland and have benefited alike themselves and the community where they have settled by their wholesome and straightforward lives is Louis Cook, a pioneer former of Elmwood township, who was born in the city of Wiemar, Saxony, Germany, January 29, 1836, the son of Louis and Augusta (Sauerbrie) Cook. The former, a man of unusual force of character and ability, was an officer in the standing army of Germany, but being attracted to the new^ republic of the West by the stories he had heard of the great opportunities here, in the winter of 1849 and 1850 he set sail for our shores, making the slow voyage across the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, bring- ing his family and settling with them, first in Erie connty, Xew York, near the city of Buffalo. There the father farmed awhile, later removing to Illinois, then to Detroit, Michigan, where he died. He was fairly successful at w-hatever he turned his attention to in this country and was a man whom everybody admired. He was twice married; the children born to him by his first wife were, Louis, of this review-; Maxwell, Felix, Olga, Rosa and Elizabeth. Four children were born of his second marriage, namely ; Lydia, Albert, Mary and Anna. The parents of the above named children were members of the Lutheran church.

At the age of eighteen years Louis Cook, the immediate subject of this sketch, began working out in New York as a farm hand by the month ; however, he found time to gain some education in the common schools. Being a lad ambitious to succeed and a hard w^orker, he soon had a start and has gradually built up valuable property interests. In the latter fifties he came to Saline countv, Missouri, and worked near Slater, later moved to Salt Pond township, where he farmed, then moved to Sweet Springs, where he lived until the breaking out of the war between the states. It w^as in 1876 that he moved to his present farm in section 7, Elmw^ood townsliip, consisting of forty acres which is a verv attractive little place and yields a very comfortable living. He has a cozy home and good outbuildings.. He has. perhaps, put up more fence than any other man in Missouri, this line of work being a part of his business; he erected thousands of rods of fence and such an expert is he that he always has more work than he can do.

Mr. Cook married Anna Jackman on August 26, i860; she was born in Kentuckv in 1840, the daughter of William and Eliza Jane (CofTey) Jackman. This family came to Saline county, Missouri, in 1841 and the parents of Mrs. Cook spent the remainder of their days here. They were members of the Alissionary Baptist church and were farmers. Mr. Jackman was a member of the state militia at one time. To Mr. and Mrs. William Jackman, twelve children were born, namely; Anna, wife of Mr. Cook; JefTerson, Mary Jane, Frank, George, Martha, AA'illiam, James, Emma, Margaret and Richard; one died in infancy.

Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Louis Cook, named as follows: Richard; Alice is the wife of Charles Mcjilton, wdio lives in Montana; Emma is the widow of James Kidd, living in Idaho; Lizzie is the wife of David Kitchen, living in Colorado ; William lives in Kansas and is married to Nelhe Dotv; Ida is the widow of William Garrison; Max, wdio lives in Kansas City, Kansas, married Maggie Coffey ; Rosa is the wife of Henry Garrison, living in Kansas City, Kansas; Olga died in childhood. The parents of these children have twenty-five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

During the Civil war ^Ir. Cook was a strong Union man and enlisted in the state militia in 1862, at Georgetown, Pettis county, serving more than three years under Capt. Ben. H. Wilson. He served mostly in Missouri and Arkansas, in Company F, Seventh Missouri Calvalry, and served until the close of the war, serving under Colonel Phillips and Lieutenant-Colonel Crittenden, serving mostly in this state, assisting in driving General Price from the state. Mr. Cook was in the fight at Marshall. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and he and his wife belong to the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Cook is a Republican and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

John B. West

The prominent farmer and representative citizen whose name introduces this review\ and who has gone to join the silent majority, was a native of Knox county, Tennessee, and a son of Jesse and Susan West, both parents Tennesseeans by birth, but early settlers of Saline county, Missouri, locating near Arrow Rock when the country was new and taking an active interest in the development of that part of the country. John B. AVest was born November 15, 1823, accompanied his parents to their new home in Missouri, and on October 19, 1847, contracted a marriage with Sarah Gregory, who w^as born November 24, 1826, being the oldest daughter of William and Jane (Murrell) Gregory, of the county of Saline. At the time of his marriage, Mr. West entered land near Arrow Rock, where he set up his domestic establishment and lived for several years, but about i860 he disposed of his interests there and purchased eighty acres on Fish creek in Clay township, which he improved and on which he resided two years when he sold the place and farmed as a renter until the close of the Civil war.

In the year 1865 Mr. West bought two hundred and forty acres in section 5. township 50, Clay township, on which he erected a beautiful and commodious residence, which the family still occupies and which is justly considered one of the finest and most attractive rural homes in the county. Later he and Mr. Gregory formed a partnership, and together they ow^ned one thousand and thirty acres, five hundred and fifty in Clay township, the balance in the township of Arrow Rock. On this land they did general farming, but gave most of their time to the cattle business, which they conducted with grat- ifying success for a period of twenty-five years, the greater part of the farm during- that time being devoted to the raising of hay for the purpose of feeding their large herds.

Mr. \\'est was a man of practical intelligence and sound judgment, and so managed his business interests as to accumulate a handsome property and place his family in independent circumstances. He was a pronounced Democrat in politics and during the Civil war served about one year in the Confederate arm)?^, under Gen. Sterling Price, rendering valuable service to the cause which he honestly believed to be right and just. In his religious belief he had no use for man-made creeds or statements of doctrines, but, choosing the Bible alone for his rule of faith and practice, united with the Christian church, of which he continued a consistent and worthy member until called from the church militant to the church triumphant. This earnest Christian gentleman and representative citizen ever had before him noble purposes and high ideals, and his relations with his fellow men were always of the most pleasing and courteous character. His honesty was never in dispute, his integrity and high sense of honor gained the esteem and confidence of all with whom he came in contact and in his death, which occurred on February 19, 1906, his family lost a loving husband and a tender and considerate father, and the county one of its most enterprising and praiseworthy citizens. Mrs. West, who is still living, has reached the advanced age of eighty-three years, notwithstanding which she enjoys excellent health, has a fine memory and retains to a marked degree the possession of her faculties both physical and mental. Although meeting with not a few of the troubles of this world, she is always cheerful and inclined to look upon the bright side, and her many friends unite in the wish that her years may yet be mau}^ in which to bless the world with her presence and influence.

The following are the names of the children in the family of John B. and Sarah West: William Henry, born September 8, 1848, lives in California. He married Kate Sugget, of Howard county, Missouri, who has borne him three children. Charles E., also a resident of California, was born August 23, 1850. His wife, formerly Kittie Whorley, of Oakland, that state, has presented him with three children. Susan Jane, wife of A. S. Brown, of Clay township, Saline county, was born December 28, 1852. Frances E., who married M. F. Allen, of Slater, Missouri, was born November 3, 1855, and is the mother of two children. James Archie, born September 4, 1859, has always lived with his parents and since his father's death has managed the homestead and looked after his mother's interests and comfort. He owns a fine farm of two hundred acres in section 28, Arrow Rock township, just south of the family estate, and is one of the leading ag-riciilturists and stock raisers in his part of the county. On August 18. 1897, he was united in marriage with Cora A. Morris, wliose birth occurred in Clay township. September 4, 1874. the union being blessed with two children. Alary Lucile. l)orn February 21. 1899. and Sallie Lorine. who first saw the light of day Alay 25, 1900. ]\Ir. and Airs. West are esteemed members of the Methodist Episcopal church South. The sixth and youngest member of the West family is Mary Matilda, who was born July 5, 1862, in Saline county, and is now the wife of R. M. Brown, a farmer of Clay township.

A faithful and successful \yorker in the yineyard of the Lord and an honored citizen of Saline county, Missouri, he \yhose name appears at the head of this sketch is eminently descrying of representation in this work. Though not old in years, he has already stamped the impress of his individuality on the community in which he is laboring and his life thus far giyes marked promise of greater and more marked usefulness in the years to come.

Rey. Ernest Runge, who is the present popular pastor of Zion's Lutheran church at Blackburn, is a native son of this commonwealth, having been born on a farm near Concordia, Lafayette county, on the 14th day of October, 1875. He is a son of John and Matilda (Bruns) Runge, the former of whom is a native of Hanover, Germany, and the latter of Lafayette county. Missouri. John Runge came to the LJnited States in young manhood, 1866, and settled first in Illinois. Subserjuently he came to Alissouri and took up the vocation of farming in Lafayette county, wdiere he is still living, being numbered among the successful agriculturists of that region. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church. He and his wife became the parents of the following children ; Emest, Louis, Edwin. Adolph, Mary and John.

Ernest Runge was reared on the home farm and received a good education. After attending the Lutheran school in connection with his home church he was sent to St. Paul's College at Concordia. He then took a three-years course in Concordia College, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he graduated in 1896. after which he pursued the theological course at Concordia Theological Seminary at St. Louis. After his graduation and ordination as a minister of the Gospel, Rev. Runge accepted a call to St. Alatthews church, in Lafayette county, this state, where, in addition to his duties as pastor, he had charge of the parochial school. He was successful in his work on this charge and remained there until 1907, when he accepted a call to the pastorate of Zion's church at Blackburn, where he has since remained. The first pastor of this congregation w'as Rev. ]\Iehl. Rev. F. Rohlfing having gathered the tiock and organized the church, which tor a time held its religious meetings in the Alethodist Episcopal church, but subsequently, under the pastorate oi Rev. Mehl, the present house of worship was erected in 1898. The present pastor has taken a strong grip on the work of the pastorate and has demonstrated his aljility both as preacher and pastor. Besides his pastoral duties, which are numerous, he also conducts a school for the children of the parish, the sessions being held in the church, as no school house has been erected. However, plans are being matured for the erection of such a building, which is much needed. The congregation of Zion's comprises about forty-one families and the society is a definite and influential factor for good in the communit}-. Reverend Runge has won the hearts of the members of this church bv his faithful and conscientious performance of his duties and the able sermons wdiich he is delivering to his people from the pulpit.

In 1900 Rev. Runge was united in the holy bonds of "matrimonv with Doris Kammeyer, a native of Lafayette c<uinty, Missouri, and a daughter of John and Caroline (Haessemeir) Kammeyer, also natives of this state. To the subject and his w'ife have been born the following- children; Amalia, Johanna, Carl, Ernest and Theodora. Of prepossessing appearance and of a genial, optimistic temperament, Rev. Runge makes a pleasing impression on all who meet him and since coming to his present field of labor he has won a host of warm friends, wdio are by no means confined to his own religious circle, but include all who know him. ^^>ll educated and of marked native ability, he has shown splendid qualifications for the sacred ofiice which he fills and is numbered among the influential and efiicient ministers of the county.