Saline County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1910 (part 1 of 17)

Biographical sketches

One of the well known native citizens of Saline county, Missouri, is John Gaines Miller, having been born here on March 2, 1857. He is the son and only child of William B. and Rachael A. Miller. He received his primary education from his mother, who was a graduate of Monticello Seminary of Illinois and from the private schools of the days immediately following the Civil war. From 1869 to 1874 he attended Prof. G. B. Newton's Academy at Marshall, Missouri. In the fall of 1874 he entered \^'estminster College at Fulton, Missouri, where he remained four years, graduating from that institution in 1878 wnth the degree of Bachelor of Science. In 1879 he began the study of law in the office of Yerby & Vance and was admitted to the bar in 1882 after a most thorough examination by Hon. John P. Strother, who was then judge of the circuit court of Saline county.

Mr. ]\Iiller has been in the public eye ever since he entered the legal profession, having held many positions of public trust. In 1880 he was elected justice of the peace of Marshall township and was re-elected to this office in 1882, 1886, 1890 and 1894, holding the office for a period of fourteen years continuously, and part of the time he was honored with two official positions contemporaneously. In 1884 he was elected mayor of ^Marshall and served two years while the water works system and the gas plant were lieing built. In 1892 he w-as elected alderman and served two years, during which time the electric light franchise was granted, and as chairman of the committee of the whole board, to which this important matter was referred, Mr. Miller took a very active part in protecting the interests of the city in the rate schedule and other important particulars.

On January i, 1895, he resigned the office of justice of the peace, to which he had just be re-elected for another four-year term, to accept the position as assistant prosecuting attorney of Saline county and he formed a partnership with R. M. Reynolds, who was then prosecuting attorney, in the practice of law. under the firm name of Reynolds & ^filler.

In 1896 Mr. Miller was again elected mayor of Marshall and re-cicciccl in 1898, serving a period of four years. These were the most important

\car.s of his life. He devoted his entire time and his best efforts towards im])ro\ing the cit\- of Marshall That he sncceeded is attested by the splendid improvements that are today the ])ride of tlie city. Immediately after being installed in office in 1896, he recommended that competent engineers Ije employed to make a survey of the city, establish a sN'stem of grades and design a ciMiiplete sewer system. The expense of such work was considered bv the board of aldermen too great for the city to bear and ^Ir. Miller's i)roposition was not endorsed. He appealed to the Commercial Clul) of the cit}', and, backed bv that body, five hundred dollars was raised by ])rivate subscription for the |)urpose of paying half the exi)ense for the sur\e}-, the board of aldermen agreeing to vote in favor of the city paying the other half. The sm-\e\- was made, a uniform system of street grades was established, a sewer s}-stem co\'ering the whole town was designed during the year 1896 and the work of ])uilding the sewer system was begun the following year, and all the business portion and one-half of the residence portion of the town ^vas covered by a well built and suljstantial system of sewers. The work of macadamizing the principal streets of the city was then begun, contracts for im]iro\-ing eight streets were let and the work completed. The of the jjublic square was then taken up, all the old sidewalks around the public S(|uare were condemned and remo\-e(l and were replaced by granitoid walks, fifteen feet in width, substantial and uniform. The four streets adjacent to the court house square were paved ^\-ith asphalt of the best (juality and many yards of granitoid walks were Ijuilt in the residence portion of the city. Notwithstanding the fact that Marshall had spent four busy years in general improvements and the A'arious ex])enses were hea\}', at the end of ^layor Miller's administration he left the city entirely free from debt, all its obligations paid in full and no debt, bonded or otherwise, e.xisting against the town for futiu'e generations to paw His record during those four }-ears is one of which he can be justh' proud, and one that the l)eo])le of Marshall should, and we do, greatlx' ajipreciate.

In 1900 Mv. Miller mo\-ed to his uncle's farm and s]:)ent two years caring for his in\-alid father who. in his declining \ears, needed his son's attention. In T902 he returned to ^larshall and jjurchased an interest in the J)cmocraf-Xc7^'S, with which he is still associated as editor.

In Xovember, 1906, Mr. Miller was elected as re])resentati\e from Saline county in the forty-fourth General Assembly of Missouri without o])position in his own i)artv. He was made chairman of the committee on engrossed bills, ranking member of the committee on municipal corporations and a member of the committee on roads and highways. He wrote the law^ known as the "Connty Highway Act," which was i)assed by l)oth houses almost unanimously. So faithfully did he perform his duties as representative that he was re-elected in 190S, again without opposition in the Democratic party, and while a member of the forty-fifth General Assembly, he was made secretar}- of the Democratic joint caucus of the house and senate, which was an important i)osition pending the election of United States senator. During this session he was the author of many bills that became laws, and as chairman of a special committee he revised the county highway engineer act and his w^rk A\as appro\-ed by the roads and highways committees of both house and senate and his revision was adopted and passed bv both houses with.out material change or alteration and is now a law of Missouri. During his second term he served as the ranking Democratic member of the committee of roads and highwa}-s and was also a member of the committee on railroads and internal improvements.

Thus it will be seen that Mr. Miller was signally honored by the people of his native county and city. His official record is an open book to which he may point with pride as evidence that the honors have been w^orthily bestowed.

December 31, 1885, Mr. Miller married Annie, daughter of Judge J. H. Burkholder, of Moberly, Missouri, who died April 22, 1889, without issue. October 12, 1896, Mr. Miller married Pauline, daughter of the late John G. Russell, of Springfield, Missouri, formerly of St. Louis. Of this union two children were born, John G., Jr.. born September 23, 1897, and Rachel, l)orn in 1899. the latter dying in infancv.

Mr. and Airs. Miller and their son, John G., Jr., are members of the First Presbyterian church of Marshall. Air. Miller has been a member of the Knights of Pythias since 1887, and he has represented his lodge in the grand lodge several times. In 1887 he was chosen captain of Alyrtle Division, Xo. 27,, of Missouri, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, composed of meml)ers of the order from Marshall and Slater, and he served in this capacity for seven years or until he was promoted to the position of colonel of the iMiurth Regiment (^f the Missouri Brigade, in which i:)osition he served for four years. He has been a Mason since 1892 and is a ])ast master. He has also been a member of the Maccabees and Court of Hon.n- for manv years.

Mr. Miller comes from sterling pioneer stock, his ancestors having been prominent in the afi'airs of Saline county from a very earlv da\-. His grandfather. Gen. A\'illiam Miller, came to Saline countv in 1837. His father, William !>. Miller, was born in Danville. Kentuck\-. where the latter's father had lived since 1807, having moved there in that year from Virginia. Mr. Miller is justly proud of the fact that his ancestors served their country in important and honorahle positions. Two of them, Richard Gaines, Sr., and Richard Gaines, Jr., father and son, inscribed their names on the honor roll of their country. Both were captains in the Revolutionary war, both being in command of companies at Valley Forge, enduring the hardships there, so graphically described by the historians. Mr. Miller's maternal grandfather. Dr. Abraham Wayland, was a surgeon in the United States army in the war of 18 12. The sturdy ancestors of the subject have left an honorable record of their lives in the halls of Congress, in the judicial departments, as soldiers in the various wars of their country, in the records of the oldschool Presbyterian church, of wdiich they were all members without exception as far as their descendants are able to trace, and all were true and faithful to their God, their home and their native land.

Erasmus Darwin Sappington

Few men of Saline county w'ere as wndely and favorably knowni as the late Erasmus D. Sappington. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section of the state and for years his name was synonymous for all that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with everyday common sense, were among his chief characteristics and while advancing individual success he also largely promoted the moral and material w^elfare of the community.

Erasmus Darwin Sappington was born August 5, 1857, in Saline county, Missouri, and w^as the fourth in order of birth of the five children born to William B. and Mary M. (Breathitt) Sappington. His paternal grandparents were Dr. John and Jane (Breathitt) Sappington, while the paternal great-grandfather was Mark Sappington. The Sappingtons are descended from English ancestry and members of this family w^ere among the earliest settlers of this continent. Mark Sappington, whose home was in Virginia, was a physician by profession and emigrated from his native state to Tennessee, locating where is now situated the beautiful city of Nashville, but which at that time was but a canebrake. In that sparsely settled country he continued the practice of his profession, but met with but indifferent success. He died at an advanced age, having been preceded to the silent land by his wife, whose maiden name was Boyce. They were the parents of eight children, namely : Roger, Frank, John, Thomas, Rebecca, Eleanor, Fannie and Mary. Roger, John and Thomas became physicians, while Frank turned his attention to mercantile pursuits.

Dr. John Sappington was born on May 15. 1776, at Havre de Grace, Maryland. During his early boyhood the family removed to Tennessee. Because of the straitened financial circumstances of the family, John was not afforded much opportunity for the securing of such an education as he aspired to, the major part of his time being given to day labor in the fields. Fired with an unquenchable ambition to acquire knowledge, however, the young man availed himself of every opportunity to increase his mental store and was often found during the long evenings of the winter season, by the aid of burning pine knots, perusing such books as he could secure. \Miile with his father, and under the latter's direction, he gave serious study to the science of medicine. His naturally keen and analytical mind readily grasped the underlying principles of materia medica and he soon entered upon the active practice as the associate of his father. The country was at that time but thinly settled and the medical profession afforded an unpromising and unsatisfactoiy living. In 1804 Dr. John Sappington was united in marriage to Jane Breathitt, the marriage taking place at Russellville, Logan county, Kentucky. Mrs. Sappington was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Breathitt and was the eldest of eight children, five of whom were boys. John was afterwards governor of Kentucky and died while filling the gubernatorial chair; Edward, a physician who studied under the tutelage of Dr. John Sappington, practiced his profession at Franklin, Tennessee ; James was a successful attorney-at-law at Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Cardwell was a farmer and merchant at Russellville, Kentucky; George was a private secretary to President Andrew Jackson and died while holding that position. Doctor Sappington moved to Franklin, Tennessee, and continued the practice of his profession there for a number of years. It has been stated that it was he who laid off the town of Franklin, and records seem to bear out the statement. While living there, during the years 18 14 and 181 5, he attended a course of medical lectures at Philadelphia, and soon afterwards he moved to a farm near Elkton, Todd county, Kentucky, where for a time he combined the practice of medicine with agriculture. A little more than a year later, however, he returned to Franklin, Tennessee, having decided to confine his attention exclusively to the practice of medicine, being now the possessor of a regularly granted diploma as Doctor of Medicine. In 181 7, in the hope of bettering his fortunes. Doctor Sappington started overland for Missouri, then the mecca

()f SO many settlers throughout the Mississippi vahev. 'i'hey first settled on an island at about the present site of Jefferson City, hut in 1819 remnved to the west side of the Missouri river and located upon sections 8 and 9. township 49. rang-e 19. Here a home was built, consisting of a two-story log structure, two rooms on each floor, with a hall and porch. The walls were hewn logs and at one end was a wide-mouthed fireplace, surmounted by a stone chimney. This w'as one of the three settlements which were at that time made in Saline county. Soon other log houses were raised around this one and in 1819 Dr. John Sappington, Alexander Gilbraith, Asa Finley, Sanders Townsend, Richard Marshall and I\e\'. Peyton Nowdin began the third white settlement in Saline county, it being known as the Sappington settlement. Doctor Sappington. in the midst of these strenuous days, did not lose sight of his profession and as the settlement of the country increased, his practice also grew, covering practically all the territory between Lexington and Jefferson City. He was a careful and successful practitioner, being l^articularly successful in the treatment of malarial fever, at that time so common in the new settleinents, and he acquired a reputation that extended far bevond the confines of his field of work. Always of an in(|uiring and experimental make-up, he was led to conclusions regarding certain phases of the practice of medicine which were radically different from the long established rules laid down by the schools and followed almost universally in the practice. The course he mapped out for himself and the ra]Md strides he made alongthat way. created somewhat of a stir in the medical world, but, disregarding criticism and calumny, he maintained his position and had the satisfaction in his later days of seeing his theory approved by many of the most advanced medical thinkers of the country. The teachings of his youth and the theory of medicine at that time was that the treatment of fevers consisted partly, if not wholly, in depletion, i. e.. in vomiting, purging and bleeding, but Doctor Sai)])ington boldly declared this an erroneous practice and that the treatment of fevers consisted not in depletion, but in tonics and their auxiliaries. He introduced to medica science the use of Peruvian bark and quinine in the treatment of malaria, the efficacy of which he had fully demonstrated, at least to his own satisfaction. A writer in a history of Saline count}' has pertinentlv said: "There is a niche in the temple for the bust of someone who has wrought the great revolution which had transpired during the present nineteenth century in this branch of medicine, and if it does not belongto Doctor Sappington 1 challenge criticism to incjuire to whom it does belong." Tn 1844 he published "Sappington on Fevers," which clearly outlined his l)ehefs and disbeliefs regarding the treatment of that form of disease, the

Dr. Sappington enjoyed a large practice and. with wise forethought, he carefully invested his savings so that at length he found himself in very comfortable financial circumstances. Accordingly, in 1832. finding himself worn out because of the years of continuous practice. Doctor Sappington retired from the active practice of his profession to a large measure, taking into partnership Dr. George Penn. who assumed the major part of the work. He then commenced the manufacture of what were known as "Dr. Sappington's Anti-Fever Pills," which acquired a widespread fame throughout the country. In this connection, one incident illustrates forciblv the character of the man. In 1844, when his medicine was enjoying a wonderful popularitv and his wealth was increasing by bounds, an overflow of the rivers in Missouri left in their wake conditions conducive to disease. - conditions which would cause an increased demand for his pills, - at that time he published his treatise on fevers, containing the formula for preparing his medicine. When expostulated with by relatives, he replied that he and thev had enough to support them comfortably and that mankind had claims on him as well as his family.

Dr. John Sappington was the father of eight children, namely: Eliza, who became the third wife of Gov. C. F. Jackson: Lavenia, the wife of Gov. M. M. Marmaduke; Erasmus Darwin: William B. : Jane, the second wife of Governor Jackson: Susan Catherine, wife of Capt. L. S. Eddine : Sarah Margaret, who died at the age of thirteen years ; Mary E, wife of Dr. AMlliam Price. Eliza was the wife of a Mr. Pearson before she became the wife of Governor Jackson. On December 14, 1852, the Doctor was bereaved bv the deatli of his wife, and on the 7th of September, 1856, he too passed over the silent river.

Politically, the Doctor was a Democrat of the old Jeffersonian school. He was not an orthodox Christian, but was liberal in his views and extremely charitable in his attitude toward those who held views different from his own. One of the last and perhaps the greatest act of charity and love which he performed was the setting aside, in the distribution of his estate, of twenty thousand dollars, which he placed in the hands of trustees, and the interest of which was to be used for the education of indigent children of Saline county. Su1)scription schools were the only means of education in ^Missouri at that time and many of the early settlers were not in a position to send their children to these schools and probably no act of philanthropv had so wide spread and beneficent an influence over the vouno- of that and sue- ceeding generations in this state as this act of Doctor Sappington. As an evidence of the practical work done through this fund, it may be stated that in 1870 two hundred and seventy-eight children were sent to the subscription schools through its agency, and in the following year there were three liundrcd and thirty-eight beneficiaries. The original fund was carefully invested and has been safeguarded during the subsequent years, so that in 1903 - fifty years after its establishment, - it amounted to over fifty-three thousand dollars. Now, that the free public school system has been established by the state, the interest on this sum is being used for the higher education of worthy young men and women of Saline county.

\\'illiam B. Sappington, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Franklin, Tennessee, January 4, 181 1, and was about six years old when he accompanied his father on his removal to a farm near Glasgow, Howard county, Missouri. In 1819 they located on a farm in Saline county, this state, where the subject was reared on a farm, and secured his education in the subscription schools of the neighborhood. At the age of seventeen years he entered Cumberland College, a manual labor school located near Princeton, Kentucky, where he remained four years. Returning home, he commenced the study of law, but, because of failing eyesight, he was compelled to cease his studies. He then took up the pursuit of agriculture, which he continued, in connection with the banking business at Arrow Rock, until a Avnt time before his death, which occurred on August 16, 1888.

On September 3, 1844, Mr. Sappington married Mary Mildred Breathitt, of Russellville, Kentucky, a daughter of Governor John Breathitt, of that state. She was born at Russellville on August 7, 1827, and her death occurred August 13, 1880. To William and Mary Sappington were born six children, namely : John Cardwell, of Boonville, Missouri ; William Breathitt, deceased; Mildren Jane, deceased; Erasmus D., the immediate subject of this sketch; Stella P., who married a Mr. Gephart and now lives at Missoula, Montana, and Price, deceased.

Of these children, }6hn Cardwell Sappington was born in Saline county, Missouri, February 4/ 1849, ^''^^ was reared on the paternal farmstead, called "Prairie Park," near Arrow Rock. He attended the schools of the neighborhood until seventeen years of age, when he entered Cumberland University, at Lebanon, Tennessee, and subsequently was a student in the State University. At Boonville, Missouri, on October 22, 1873, he was united in marriage to Pauline W. Nelson, a daughter of Dr. George and Pauline (Wyan) Nelson, and to this union were born three children, namely: G. W., of Syracuse, Kansas; C. W., of Nelson, Missouri; and Lina M.

Erasmus Darwin Sappington secured his elementary education in the common schools of Arrow Rock township, which he attended to the age of sixteen years. He then entered Kemper's Military Academy, at Boonville, Missouri, where he remained about three years, leaving there to enter Christian Brothers College, at St. Louis. After two years attendance at that well known institution, he spent a year in the William Jewell College, at Liberty, Missouri. He was thus well equipped mentally for the duties of life. His first active employment was as bookkeeper and clerk in the Wood & Huston Bank at Marshall, where he remained about eighteen months. He then eng'aged in the general mercantile business in partnership with William McMahan. In 1880 he sold his interest in this business to his partner and went to live on the home farm with his father, but in the fall of the following year he removed to the Wallace farm in Cooper county, this state, where he remained two years. Returning again to his father's farm, he remained there until 1890, when he removed to Nelson, this county, where he built an attractive home in which he resided until 1893. He then built a residence in section 17, township 49, range 19, Arrow Rock township, about one and a half miles north of Nelson. He there owned a fine and fertile fami of two hundred and forty acres, Avhich has been splendidly improved, and there the family homestead has been maintained to the present time. Mr. Sappington was also the owner of three hundred and fifty-seven acres in Linn county, Kansas. He was an enterprising and progressive man and was numbered among the leading men of the county. Practical in his methods and sound in his business judgment, he was prospered in his business dealings and stood high among- his fellow men. His death occurred on November 24, 1908, and in his passing- away the commuuity felt that it had suffered a distinct loss.

On April 25, 1883, Mr. Sappington married Mary V. Miller who was born March 9, 1867, in Georgetown, Pettis county, Missouri, the daughter of Henry C. and Anna E. (Wing) Miller. Henry C. Miller was born near \\'hite Sulphur Springs, Virginia, and his w'ife was a native of Cooper county, Missouri, the daughter of John F. Wing, the head of one of Cooper county's oldest and wealthiest families. Mr. and Mrs. Miller were the parents of four children, of whom INIrs. Sappington is the second in the order of birth. Capt. H. C. Miller was a merchant and in young manhood came from Virginia to Arrow Rock and entered the store of Governor Jackson. He remained thus occupied for some time and then engaged in business for himself in Arrow Rock, during which time he had at difYerent times as partners T. C. Rainey and Beverly Thompson. For half a centuiy he was an honored niciiil)or of the Alasonic lodge at Arrow Rock. Mr. MiHer was a relative of the noted Daniel Boone and on the maternal side was a descendant of the (irattans of Ireland. He died at the home of his son, H. C. Miller, jr., at Arrow Rock, on February, 1889. To Mr. and Airs. Sappington wei-e horn two children, namely: Erie Cameron, born April 6, 1884, and William Breathitt, born January 7, 1886, both of whom are living at home with their mother. Mrs. Sappington is a lady of culture and refinement and is jDOpular in the social circles in which she moves. She now owns the original oil portraits of Dr. John Sappington and his wife, painted in 1834 bv Bingham.

Probablv no resident of Saline county, Missouri, enjoys a wider acquaintance or a greater number of warm personal friends than does the subject of this sketch. An honorable record as a soldier in the Civil war, a long and successful professioiial career as a successful physician, an eminently .satisfactory administration as postmaster of Marshall, a public-spirited and broad-minded citizen in private life, a faithful friend and genial companion - in every avenue of life's activities in which he has engaged he has stood "four square to every wind that blows" and today is rightfully numbered among the representative men of the county.

M. T. Chastain was born in Logan county, Kentucky, May 13, 1839, and was reared on a farm. His education was commenced in a private school, after which he attended the Warsaw (Missouri) Academy. Returning to Kentucky, he became a student in the Locust Grove Academy and on the completion of his studies there, he, in 1859. went to Calhoun, Missouri, and began the study of medicine in the office and under the direction of Doctor Holland, visiting with his preceptor in the latter's professional visits and in this way gaining much valual)le information in a practical way in the diagnosing of diseases. He took a regular course of lectures in 1860-61 and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession. Scarcely had he begun his career, however, before his plans were interrupted by the outbreak of the conflict between the North and the South. He decided to stand by the Union and at once volunteered his services, becoming a private in the Seventh Missouri Cavalry, his company being raised in Calhoun, Missouri, and was commanded by Colonel Phillips and Lieutenant-Colonel Crittenden. Doctor Chastain was at once made orderly sergeant and served as a non-commissioned officer until his jjromotion to the rank of serg"eant-major and later to that of assistant surgeon of the regiment, in which capacit}- he continued to serve until the close of the war. The Seventh saw much active service in Missouri, Arkansas and Kansas, taking part in a number of hotly contested battles and skirmishes and being suldect to much exposure and severe marches. Dr. Chastain was always in the line of duty and escaped with no further injury than slig'ht tlesh wounds. His military career was an honorable one and he was mustered out at St. Louis in ]\Iarch, 1865.

On the conclusit)n of his military experience. Doctor Chastain located at Georgetown, Pettis county, this state, and again took up the active practice of his profession, also being appointed examining surgeon for pensions. In October. 1865, feeling the need of further technical training, the Doctor entered the Uni\'ersity Medical College. New York City, where he was graduated in March. 1866. He then located at Marshall. Missouri, where he devoted himself exclusively to the practice of medicine. He met with gratifying success from the start and commanded the confidence of the people throughout the surrounding country. 1 le built up a large and lucrative practice, in which he remained actively engaged until March, 1904. when he received from President Roosevelt the appointment as postmaster of Marshall, in which office he remained until 1909, his administration of the postal affairs meeting- with the universal endorsement and appro \al of the patrons of the office. During his official incuml;)enc\- he raised the efficienc}' of the office to a high standard and made a marked increase in the rural free deliverv service. During his residence here Doctor Chastain has from time to time invested in real estate and owns a fine large farm located two miles southwest of Marshall, to which he removed after retiring from the postmastership. He is now devoting his attention to the impro\-ement and cultivation of this farm and the raising of live stock, in which he has a deep interest.

During his acti^-e practice Doctor Chastain maintained close and pleasant relations with his professional brethren and at one time served as president of the Saline County Medical Society. Reared and educated politically in the old Whig party, his first vote was for Abraham Lincoln fc^r President in 1864 and he afterwards consistently affiliated with the Re])ul)lican part}. Still he is conservative and somewhat independent in his attitude, ha\"inglater affiliated with the Democratic party and voted for (irover Clex'eland once for President and others outside of his own party in local elections, voting for the men whom he considers best fitted for the offices the}' seek. Being a ]M-otectionist. he has voted with the Republican party since 1888.

He has himself i'llled sexeral offices, such as mayor of Marshall, alderman aiul memher of the school hoard, and in these positions he stood at all times for the highest interests of all the people, helieving- firmly in the adage that "public office is a public trust." In religion Doctor Chastain is a member of the Christian church, to which he gives an earnest and liberal support. He served man}- years as an elder of his church and after the Civil war he assisted materially in the reorganization of the church and its subsequent growth, it being now numbered among the strong and influential religious bodies of the community. He is a member of the time-honored order of Freemasonry, in which he has made considerable advancement, and is also alftliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the subordinate lodge of which he has filled all the chairs.

Doctor Chastain has been married three times. His first union was with Louise Sandige, of Saline county, this state, a lady of culture and refinement, and a daughter of Capt. John Sandige, a nati\'e of Kentucky and an early and well known settler of Saline county. He was a prominent farmer and large slaveholder and died in this county prior to the Civil war. He was a Whig in politics, but never aspired to office. Airs. Louise Chastain died February 22, 1867, there having been no issue. In October, 1870, Doctor Chastain married Fratie Holland, who was l)orn in Calhoun, Missouri, the daughter of Dr. \\'. S. Holland, a prominent and popular physician and who was Doctor Chastain's first preceptor in the study of medicine. Originally he was a prominent Democrat and later a Republican and filled the office of state senator, Ijeing also a member of the state constitutional convention. He was widely known throughout the county and state and was influential and highly respected. He came to Saline county in 1874 and remained successfull}- engaged in the practice until his death in 1903. He became a strong prohibitionist and advocated his sentiments in no uncertain terms. To Doctor M. T. and Fratie Chastain w'ere born two children, namely: Julia, who became the wife of O. E. Grecian, a prominent banker at Stroud, Oklahoma, and Willis A., a printer. Mrs. Chastain died in August, 1893. and in May, 1905, the Doctor married Dora Cartwright. a native of Pettis county, Missouri, and a daughter of Doctor Cartwright, who was for many years a resident of Pettis county, where his death occurred. Mrs. Chastain is a member of the Christian church and takes a helpful interest in the various activities of the church.

Reverting to the ancestral historv of the subject, it may be stated that he is a son of Willis W. and Mary E. (Tandy) Chastain, both natives of Kentuckv, where thev were married. The sul)iect"s mother was of Scotch-

Irish descent and his paternal ancestors were of honored French Hugnenot stock, being- compelled to leave France because of their religious beliefs, locating" in the American colonies in an early day. After his marriage. Willis W. Chastain settled dn\\n to agricultural pursuits, in which he was successful and which he continued until 1848, when he brought his family and slaves to Alissouri, locating in Benton county, where he again engaged in farming'. A number of years later he moved to Pettis county and engaged in farming until 1867, ^^"hen death claimed him. He was a consistent and worthy member of the Christian church, and in each community where he had resided he was highly respected and was iniiuential in the support of all worth}- movements for the best interests of the people. His life was characterized by sterling- integrity and an honesty of motive that gained for him the unbounded confidence of all who knew him. He was a constitutional Union man and took no part in the secession movement during the Civil war. In his political afifiliations he was a \\'hig- and later a Democrat and took an active interest in local public events, though he never aspired to office. He was, however, induced to fill the office of justice of the peace for a number of years. His children were as follows : M. T., the immediate subject of this sketch ; Alice, wife of R. S. Sandidge ; Belle, who died in 1884, was the wife of Major G. W. Lankford ; Charles E., who is a successful and popular physician of Plattsburg, Missouri.

John Sappington Marmaduke

No citizen of the state of Missouri occupied more exalted political or military position or bore himself with more signal honor and uprightness than John S. Marmaduke. For a quarter of a century he was conspicuous in the histor}- of the state and he ever bore an unblemished reputation by reason of his capability and unquestioned honesty in the administration of the duties devolving upon him in the various important positions in which he was placed.

John S. Marmaduke was born in Saline count}-. Missouri, in 1833, and was a son of ex-Governor Meredith M. and Lavinia ( Sappington ) Marmaduke. (A sketch of the former will be found elsewhere in this work.) He was reared on his father's farm and received his elementary education in the district schools of the neighborhood. He then attended studies one year in the Masonic College, at Lexington. Alissouri, after which he was

Student in Yale College two years and in Harwird College a short time, his attendance at the last-named institution being cut short Ijy his ajjpointment to a cadetshi]) at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated from that institution in 1856 and recei\'ed his commission as a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the command of General .Vlbert Sydney Johnston and saw active service in the frontier difficulties known as the Mormon war. He remained with Johnston's army until icS^o. when he returned home on a furlough. At this time threats of Southern secession were materializing into a certainty, and it appeared to be ec|uall\' certain that there would l)e a clash at arms between the North and the South. Lieutenant Marmaduke hesitated as to what course he should pursue in the matter, and in his dilemma he came home and consulted wath his father and relatives. His father advised him earnestly to remain with the Union, but John replied that he felt his duty lay with the South. The father's reply was that he hoped his son would never violate a service of duty.

When the conflict was finally precipitated, Lieutenant Marmaduke entered the service of the Missouri state government, becoming a member of what was known as the State Guard. Eventually, becoming convinced that there was more i)olitics than war in this state, he resigned his position as colonel, in which rank he had been commissioned. Prior to this he had commanded the troops at the engagement at Boon\'ille, in which he met with defeat. He had strongly opposed this battle, for the reason that the troops under his command were inadequately equipped and were to be opposed by United States regular troops. He was by his superior officers and the result was as he had foretold, though he did the best he could under the circumstances to avert the defeat. On his resignation from the state military service. Colonel Marmaduke went to Richmond, Virginia, and offered his services to the Confederate government. His offer was promptly accepted and he was commissioned as colonel of the Third Confederate Regiment. He again joined his old commander, Gen. Albert Sydney Johnston, and at the battle of Shiloh he led the advance and rendered brilliant serxice on that battlefield until he received a wound which disabled him temporarily. For his conspicuous gallantry on the field of battle he was made a brigadier-general and was transferred west of the Mississippi river and served in Arkansas during the greater part of the remainder of his militar\- service. He was put in command of the united cavalrv branch of the arm}-, with the rank of major-general, and participated in a number of severe engagements, in all of W'hich he was noted for his military ability and his personal courage. A\'hile commanding the troops in Arkansas. General Marnia- duke became involved in a quarrel with General Walker, a superior officer, who challenged him to a duel. General Marmaduke had no desire to engage in such an affair, hut under the circumstances he could not evade it. In the encounter, General Walker was killed. During Price's celebrated raid, General Marmaduke, who commanded the rear guard on the march from Kansas Cit}' southward, was, with other officers, captured and taken to Johnson's Island, Lake Erie, where he was held a prisoner for some time and then transferred to Fort \Varren, near Boston, where he remained until the close of the war, his period of imprisonment amounting to about one year. At the close of hostilities he was released and at once went to Europe, where he remained for about six months. He then returned to Saline county, Missouri, and entered into a business partnership with his brother, D. W. Marmaduke, and Wyatt M. Brown, the ccMumercial house then established being known as Marmaduke & Brown. At the end of a year, the subject retired from the co-partnership and recei\ed from Governor Hardin the appointment as railroad commissioner of the state of Missouri. At the expiration of his appointive term he was elected to the position by popular ballot and rendered efficient service in this capacit}'. At this time, upon the invitation of Bowls Brothers, American bankers of London, England. General Marmaduke and his brother, D. W., went to England and conditionally arranged to take charge of the firm's ])anking business in the L'nited States. Eventually, however, Mr. Bowls failed to comply with the conditions of the agreement and the deal was not consummated. During the following six or seven years General Marmaduke was engaged in several enterprises in Missouri, in all of which he met with fair success. In 1880 he was induced to enter the race for the Democratic nomination for governor, but in the convention he was defeated by Crittenden, who later was elected. In 1884 General Marmaduke was unanimously nominated for the governorship and in the ensuing election he was chosen to the chief magistracy by a handsome plurality. He entered upon the discharge of the duties of the position just forty years subsequent to the administration of his father and gave the state honest and faithful service up to the time of his lamented death, which occurred on December 2/, 1887, after serving about three years of his term. He was buried at Jefferson Cit}\ Missouri, under the auspices of the state officials and military. The state of Missouri has erected a beautiful and impressive monument to his memory. Fraternally he was a member of the time-honored order of Masonry. There now hangs in the court house at Marshall a splendid full-length oil painting of Governor Marmaduke. given to the people of Saline county by his family. Governor Marmaduke never married.

A stalwai'l specimen of American manhood, John S. MarmacKike impressed all who met him w itii the absolute poise and dignity of his make-np. Modest and nnostentations In- nature, yet his presence could not but be felt in an\- compan\- of which he was a member. His forceful character and natural abilit\- made him a leader among' his fellow men and he exerted a potential influence among those who came in contact with him. (jcnial in disposition and courteous in manner, he easily won friends and all who knew him held him in the highest regard.

Fr. Francis J. O'Neill

E'verybod}' around Marshall knows the pastor of St. Peter's Catholic church, and to know him is to love him. Recognized as a gentleman of education and culture, earnest and energetic in his pastoral duties, progressi\e and liberal as a citizen, being' to public affairs intelligent and considerate, and to social life bringing the genial charm and kindly manner characteristic of his race. Father O'Neill is a welcome guest in e\'ery household and gladly received in every circle. The famih- is L'ish (_)f the Irish, genuine sons of the "auld sod" and patriots of the Emmet type as far back as the genealogy can be traced. Neill O'Neill, the paternal grandfather, was born in a house made famous by the Irish rebellion. Francis and Catherine (Sweeney) O'Neill, parents of the pastor of St. Peter's, were lifelong residents of the Emerald Isle, where the former a farm for many years with the industry and close management made necessary hx the agricultural conditions in those davs and finalh' ended his life there when \\orn out by these arduous labors. His wdfe had reached a ver}- adx'anced age, well up in the nineties, before her kindiv eves Avere closed on this world. Francis J. O'Neill, their son, was born in count\- Tyrone, Ireland, the sixth in order of birth of se\'en children. Me was well grounded in the primary studies at an early age and learned ( u'eek and Latin in a classical school preparatory to entering All Hallow College in Dublin. He became a student in that institution of learning in i<~^73 and remained there for two years. Having long since determined to make .\merica his future home, he bade his native land farewell, and in iJ^/cj made a swift and pleasant voyage across the Atlantic. He embarked at Londonderry on the steamer "Etn-()]Ma." which came over without mishai) and landed the future priest safely at New ^'ork after ten days upon the ocean. He entered the Theo l(jgical Seminary of St. Bonaventnra at Cattaraugus, Xew York, where he studied three years. He received numerous orders and sub-deaconship in the Buffalo Cathohc church. A deaconship in the College Seminaiy of Our Ladv of Angels, Canada, was conferred upon him. He was ordained priest June 21, 1882, by Bishop Ryan of the Buffalo diocese. He was assigned to the diocese of Kansas City and, after spending some time in Philadelphia, he went to Springfield, Missouri, in August, 1882. At that place he was made assistant priest under Father S. K. Kussman for about seven weeks, after which he took charge of the church of the Sacred Heart in Springfield. He was thus engaged until the following November, when the church was destroyed by a cyclone. \\'ithout delay the energetic Father set about making good the great loss the parish had sustained, and his magnetic manner soon enlisted powerful support. His efforts met with a ready response from other congregations which sympathized with the parish of the Sacred Heart and he also received encouragement from the general pul> lic, who appreciated his energy, courage and determination. Almost entirely owing to the work of Father O'Neill, the church was rebuilt the same vear of its destruction, the new edifice being e\"en more substantial than its predecessor, besides being unincuml^ered \\ith debt.

Father O'Neill continued in this pastorate until February 6, 1887, when he came to Marshall to take charge of St. Peter's diocese, succeeding Father M. J. O'Dwyer. This church was built by Father Hammill, who gathered together the people in the parish and labored earnestly to establish a church in their midst. The first priest of St. Peter's was Father ^lurphy. Father O'Neill has accomplished much good since he took charge of his present parish and the congregation appreciates his constant efforts in their spiritual behalf. No matter what the weather or the time of day or night this pious and unselfish man is always ready to attend the sick and suffering and dying of his flock. He is ever advising them for the good, whether regard be had to their earthly or spiritual welfare, and he is ever ready with acts of self-sacrifice and words of cheer for those cast down and in afliiction. Tn return he receives the esteem and confidence of all who know him. It mav 1)e said of him that he is liberal in sentiment, generous in expression and just in judgment. In common with all good citizens, he is in full sympathv with refonu and progress, being in every sense a true and loyal American. Aside from the other valuable work he has accomplished in Bishop Hogen's diocese, he has improved the pastorate by an extensive additicm and is noted for the vigilance he displays in the care of the church possessions.

Hon. Asbury Fletcher Browx

In presciuiiii;- in brief uulline to the readers of this work no formal introduction need be made of the name introducing these paragraphs and no extravagant laudation of his work and character, for Judge Brown has for a long flight of ^-ears been one of Saline county's most prominent and progressive citizens and his dealings wdth his fellow men have been of such a nature as to inspire the utmost confidence and esteem, for, while achancing his i)wn interests and those of his family, he has ever been solicitous' of the general good of this localit}-, fostering- every movement having for its object the betterment of the same. He is a connecting link between the opulent present and the ])rimiti\e pioneer period when this country was a wild stretch of prairie and primeval forest, overrun by red men and wild beasts, and it is indeed interesting to hear the Judge recall reminiscences of the earlv days. He is a scion of an excellent Southern family of the Old Dominion and combined in his nature are those c|ualities that never fail t(j win, both in the social and the business world - keen i)erception, clear analysis, persistence and a desire to be fair in all the relations of life.

Judge Asbury h'letcher Brown, president of the Malta Bend Bank, of Malta Bend, Missouri, and ex-judge of the Saline county court and one of the leading agriculturists of Grand Pass tow^nshij), was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, August 11, 1829, the son of James and Polly ( Cald- \vell) Brown, both natives of Buckingham county, Virginia, where they grew to maturity and were married. As early as 183 1 they came to Saline county, Missouri, settling near ^lalta Bend, in Grand Pass township, on thirteen hundred acres of land, then entirely unimproved. James Brown was born in Virginia. March 19, 1783, and after a successful and honoralile life his death occurred in Saline county, Missouri, in 1875 at an advanced age. He married in the Old Dominion and for a time lived in Cumberland county, later moving to Buckingham count}-. Virginia, and, as already stated, made the tri]) o^-erlan(l in 1831 to Saline county, Alissouri, bringing his slaves along with him, and while the latter had opportunities to secure their freedom, they did not wish to do so. The long journe\- from beyond the Appalachian mountains, across unbridged streams and over unfre(|uented roads, was not without peril, but this hardy jMoneer enjoved such hardships and took them as a matter of course and he became prosperous after reaching his destination. Mr. and Mrs. James Brown were members of the Methodist Episcopal church .Sdulli. Their ten children, born in \'irginia. were named as follows: Charles died in childhood: W'eslev, Sarah Ann. T^lizabeth Jane. William J., Mary, Royal F., Spencer, Addison, Asbury P., of this re\iew.

Addison P. was a physician at Malta Bend, this county; \\'ilham J. was a minister in Missouri for a period of fifty years: Spencer Brown was also a practicing physician and now resides near \A'a\"erly, Lafayette county. The father of these children was a Democrat. Imt he never sought puhlic office, being, like his father, William Brown, a plain, honest citizen. His wife died in 1866. She was an excellent woman and of a fine old family.

Asburv F. Brown was reared on the farm and he assisted in the work of de\'eloping the home place when he became of ])roper age. attending the common schools during the winter months. His father finally turned his farm over to him and he conducted the same judiciously for some time.

Judge Brown married Elizabeth Bennett in 1855. She was born in Buckingham county. Virginia, the daughter of Rev. John R. and Elizabeth (Langhorne) Bennett, the father a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal church South, and her maternal grandfather was also a Methodist minister in Virginia. After preaching in this section of Missouri for some time, Reverend Brown moved to Morris county, Kansas. He and his family were natives of Virginia and were early settlers in Missouri. Ann Elizabeth Bennett was born in Buckingham count}-, Virginia. December 8. 1837. Her mother dving wdien she was an infant, she was reared by her grandmother Langhorne. When six years old she was brought to Missouri by the Bennett family and li\ed in Lidependence and later to Lexington. She attended the Pritchett Institute at Glasgow, Misscxiri. Her married life extended over a period of fifty-four years, nearly fifty years of which were spent on the farm from which she was called to her reward on September I, 1909. When only nine years of age she joined the Methodist church and she was a charter member and one of the most ardent workers in the congregation at Malta Bend. Her strong intellect, genial disposition and broad sympathy won for her a host of friends and she did a great deal of good in promoting Christianity, being truly "a mother in Israel." To Judge Brown and wife twelve children were born, named as follows: J. .R., a leading phvsician at Malta Bend. Missouri, married Nina Myers : Mary and Elizabeth, twins, the latter deceased; Laura is deceased; Sarah is the wife of Charles Fulton; Addison married Floyd A. Cox; A. F. is a physician at Malta Bend. Missouri; W'esley lives at home; Royal is a dentist at Malta Bend; the three youngest children died in childhood.

Politicallv Judge Brown is a Democrat and has long been active in the local ranks. He has been school director for twenty years, during whicli time the cause of education has been carefully fostered and built u]^. in 1874 he was elected countv judge and for one term he served with fidch'ty ami elticiencv, very ably looking after the interests of the county and winning the commendation of all concerned irrespective of party affiliations. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church South, and (or a period of twenty years has been steward of the local congregation and a liberal supporter of the same. He is a Master Mason.

Judge Brown has very faithfully and ably discharged the duties of president of the Malta Bend Bank since its organization, and has so well managed its affairs that it is regarded as one of the safest and most popular of the smaller banks of this locality. The Judge has a beautiful and attractively located home in the suburbs of Malta Bend, his fine farm l}ing just beyond the limits of the town. His home is one of the commodious old types that evidences ease, thrift and hospitality, and his farm is one of the most desirable in the township, having been well tilled and highly improved. The Judge is one of the prominent men of the county and his family has long ranked as one of the distinguished ones of this section of the state, meriting in every respect the high esteem in Avhich they are held. Personally the Judge is cordial, amiable, learned, entertaining, but reserved and unostentatious. His long career is without the shadow of w'rong or the suspicion of evil and he is trusted and admired by all classes.

Hon. Samuel Davis

It is not an easy task to describe adequately the character of a man who has led an eminently active and busy life in connection wdth the great profession of the law and wdio has stamped his individuality on the plane of definite accomplishment in one of the most exacting fields of human endeavor; and yet there is always a full measure of satisfaction in adverting, in even a casual w^ay, tO' the career of an able and conscientious lawyer. Judge Davis merits consideration for what he has accomplished as a member of the bar of his native state and his native county, and also for the inflexible integrity wdiich has characterized him as a man among men. He is recognized as a man of high intellectual gifts and of thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the science of jurisprudence, while the prestige wdiich he has acquired has come as the result of his owai efforts and abilities.

Samuel Davis w^as born April 17, 1847, two miles southwest of Marshall, Saline county, Missouri, and is the son of Jesse and Lavinia (Jarboe)

Davis. His father, a native of Virginia, was l}()rn August 14. 1823, and about 1835 came to .Missouri with his father, who also was named Jesse and who became one of the earHest pioneers of Sahne count}-. The farm which he purchased and imprcned became the homestead on which the subject of this sketch was born. Jesse Davis, Sr., was a man of great force of character and in Virginia spent some time in pul:)hc life. His Welsh ancestors were in Virginia in the colonial period and the family was represented in the war of the Revolution. Judge Davis's father taught school several years and also served in many public ot^ces in Saline county. Prior to the Civil war he occupied the offices of school commissioner, assessor and deputy collector. At the outbreak of the Civil war he was filling the office of county clerk, but was alienated from this office by reason of his sympathy with the South. He died November 7, 1867, His wife Lavinia, a native of Kentucky, was a daughter of John W. Jarboe. whose ancestors came from France and settled in Maryland. Her maternal grandfather Crouch, a Virginian, fought under General Washington in the w^ar of the Revolution. She came to Missouri on a visit in 1844, here met Jesse Davis, and in 1846 they were married.

Samuel Davis was reared on the homestead and, after a preparatory course in the common schools, he entered the Kemper school at Boonville. Until 1868 he remained on the home farm, teaching one term of school in the meantime. After a course of study in the law office of John P. Strother, of Marshall, he was admitted to the bar of Saline county in August, 1869, and at once opened an office in Marshall. A stanch Democrat, he early took an interest in politics. For awhile he served as a justice of the peace in Marshall. In 1872 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Saline county, and was re-elected to this office in 1874. In 1876 his manifest capabilities led to his nomination and election to the state Legislature and his re-election in 1878. During his latter term, the thirtieth General Assembly, he filled the important position of chairman of the ways and means committee, and throughout his entire legislative career he was recognized as one of the most useful members and most brilliant and forceful debaters in that body. Upon his retirement from the Legislature, Mr. Davis resumed his law practice, in which he was eminently successful. He was made the candidate of his party for judge of the fifteenth judicial circuit in 1898 and was elected without opposition, succeeding Judge Richard Field, of Lexington. From 1894 to 1896 he acted as chairman of the Saline county Democratic central committee. Early in his career he was attorney for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company for four years. During his entire legal practice, but one murder case was Iried in Saline county in which lie (Hd uni appear as counsel. usuall\- for the defense wliile not acting as puhh'c ])rosecut()r.

On Noveml)er 19, 1872. Judge Davis was married to Julia S. Newton, a natixe of Louisville, Kentucky, and a daughter of George B. and Louise ( Ha\en) Newton, who reniox'ed from Kentuck}- to Missouri before the Ci\il war. Iler father was for many years a noted educator in this state, conducting a private institution at Longwood. afterward at (ieorgetown. and tinallv at Marshall, where he located in 1870. He died in 1892. Judge and Airs. Da\is ha\e one son, (jeorge Newton Davis, who was born November 26, 187^). After completing his common school education, he read law with his father, was later graduated in the classical department of the Missouri V^alley College at Marshall, and in 1900 was admitted to the bar, ha\ing previousl}- graduated from the law department of the L^niversit}- of ^Michigan.

Those fellow practitioners of Judge Da\'is who know him l)est place a high estimate on his ability and his sterling integrity and sterling worth. He belongs to that conser\-ati\'e and unostentatious type of men whose careers are always referred to with pride, by the community in which they live His qualifications for the ofiice of judge are uncjuestioned. He possesses the natural abilit\' and essential requirements, the acumen of the judicial temperament. He is able to divest himself of prejudice or favoritism and consider only the legal aspects of a question submitted. No labor is too great, howe\er onerous; no application too exacting, however severe, if necessary to the complete understanding- and correct determination of a (|uestion. As a practitioner he employs none of the arts and tricks of oratory, but his speeches are elo(|uent in the clearness of statement, the broad common sense of reasoning, the force of logic, earnestness and pow-er. Faultless in honor and fearless in conduct, his career reflects credit on the judiciary and he enjo}s the unbounded confidence and high regard of all who know him.

Meredith Miles Marmaduke

True biography has a more noble i)ur|)ose than mere fulsome eulog}'. The historic spirit, faithful to the record ; the discerning judgment, unmoved by prejudice, and uncolored bv enthusiasm, are as essential in giving the life of the individual as in writing the history of a pveople. Indeed, the ingenuousness of the former jjicture is e\cn more \ital, because the indi\i(lual is the national unit, and if the nnit is jnstl)- estimated the complex organism will hecome correspondingly intelligible. The world today is what the leading men of the last generation have made it, and this rule must ever hold good. From the past comes the legacy of the present. Art, science, statesmanship and government are accumulations. They constitute an inheritance upon wdiich the present generation have entered, and the advantages secured from so vast a bequeathment depend entirely upon the fidelity with which is conducted the study of the lives of the principal actors who have transmitted and are still transmitting the legacy. This is especially true of those whose influence has passed beyond the confines of locality and permeated the state or national life. To such a careful study are the life, character and services of the late Governor Meredith Miles Marmaduke pre-eminently entitled, not only on the part of the student of biography but also of every citizen who, guided by example, would in the present wisely build for the future.

Meredith M. Marmaduke was born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, in 1 79 1, and was a son of Vincent and Sarah (Porter) Marmaduke. These parents were both born in England, !and in an early day came to America. Politically they were pronounced Tories and received at the hands of the Crown the grant of the entire county of Westmoreland. Virginia. They thus became the owners of a great estate and incidentally became the owners of many slaves. They became the parents of three children, Vincent, Sarah and Meredith. Subsequently, however, misfortune overtook Vincent Marmaduke and he became comparatively poor. Meredith was thus left largely upon his own resources. Nevertheless he secured a good sound education, though he suffered many personal sacrifices and privations in order to secure it. He served as deputy United States marshal and recorder of Westmoreland county until he was enabled to attend private school, where he applied himself assiduously to his books. In 1811, at the age of twenty years. Mr. Marmaduke raised a regiment of soldiers for the second war with England, and was elected colonel of this command and rendered \'aliant and courageous service in that struggle. His old flintlock musket is now in the possession of his son. D. W. Marmaduke. of Sweet Springs. Missouri, and is highly prized as an heirloom. At the close of the war of 18 12, Mr. Mannaduke. with a personal letter from President Monroe, came to ^Nlissouri and settled at what at that time was known as Franklin, in Howard county, opposite Boonville. At that time Missouri was yet a territory and the countrv was l)Ut sparselv settled. There he resided until his marriage, at which time he located in Saline countv and took \\\-> the i)ursuit of agri- cullurc in Arrow Rock township. He lliere took up a tract of wild and unimproved government land, which he proceeded to improve and developed it into a good farm and on which he continued to reside until his death. About the time he settled on this farm, he became a member of a company of traders, the western branch of their business being at Santa Fe, New and in connection with this business he made several trips across the plains. Later he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Erasmus D. Sappington, and started a store at Jonesborough, now known as Naptonville, which was conducted with considerable success for several years. During the meantime he also continued to carry on his agricultural operations on the home farm. About this time he was elected surveyor of Saline count}-, in which capacity he served several years, and during this time he laid off and platted the city of Marshall. Later he was elected judge of the courts of Saline county and served several years with distinction. He possessed in a large degree what is known as a judicial mind and his course on the bench was marked l)y an evident desire at all times to be just to litigants as well as to conserve the dignity of the law. He retired from the bench with an enviable record as a jurist. In 1840 Mr. Marmaduke was elected lieutenant-governor of the state of Missouri, and about three years later, when the gubernatorial office became vacant through the suicide of Governor Reynolds, he became the chief magistrate of the commonwealth and occupied the governor's chair for about one and a half years. While no events of great importance transpired during his incumbency, yet his administration was notably strong and he was recognized throughout the state as an able and efficient servant of the people.

At the expiration of his official term. Governor Marmaduke returned to his farm and family, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1864, at which time he was seventy-three years old. At the outbreak of the Civil war, Governor Marmaduke, who was reared in the South and whose interests w-ere Southern, took a firm stand against secession and thereafter was a strong Union man. He opposed the war, believing that such a conflict meant ruin for the South and its institutions, mostly because of the strength of the North in men and resources.

Meredith M. Marmaduke married Lavinia Sappington, a daughter of Dr. John Sappington, one of the most prominent men who have lived in Missouri. Dr. Sappington was born in Maryland May 15, 1776, and later removed to Tennessee, where, under the direction of his father. Dr. Mark Sappington, a pioneer physician, he studied medicine and entered upon its practice there. He went to Philadelphia and after taking a complete course in medicine he gained his degree of Doctor of Medicine and then, in 1817, he came t(j Missouri, setthng in Howard county. In 18 19 he came to Arrow Rock, Sahne county, where he Hved the remainder of his Hfe. He was a successful physician, being particularly successful in his treatment of malarial fever, which at that time was so prevalent here, and became cjuite wealthy, owning several thousand acres of land. He manufactured what were called "Sappington's Anti-Fever Pills," which possessed recognized merit and through their sale he also prospered. However, when an overflow of the rivers in Missouri had left the country in a fearful condition and fever was becoming prevalent everywdiere, - conditions which ordinarily would have meant thousands of dollars for Dr. Sappington, - he, heedless of the protest of his relatives, published the formula of his pills, thus putting the fever remedy within the reach of all. This one act illustrates the broad and unselfish character of the man. At the time of his death he provided a fund of twenty thousand dollars, to be a perpetual fund, the interest of which should be applied to the education of indigent boys and girls of Saline county, Missouri. This fund has already helped thousands to seciu'e an education and at the same time has been so wisely managed that the principal has increased to nearly sixty thousand dollars. To Meredith and Lavinia Marmaduke were born ten children, namely : Jane became the w^ife of L. B. Harwood and both are now deceased ; Sarah was the wife of Thomas J. Yerby and they also are deceased ; Vincent, deceased; John S., deceased; Meredith M., who lives in the state of Florida; Lavinia is the wife of William R. Bruce, of Fort Worth, Texas; Darwin W., of Sweet Springs, this county; Henry H., of Washington, D. C. ; Layton, who died in infancy; Leslie lives in St. Louis. Governor Marmaduke, realizing full well the value of an education, and remembering the adverse conditions under which his own education was received, gave his children every opportunity in his pow-er to equip them mentally for their life careers. The Governor was a member of the Masonic fraternity and w^as buried wdth all the honors of that ancient order.

Though many years have elapsed since the subject was removed from the scene of his activities, there are those yet living in this community wdio remember him well and to them his memory is sacred. A man of earnest and i)urposeful life, he was one to be trusted and his integrity was never impeached nor his character blemished. His life was characterized by a constant endeavor to do the right as he understood the right and in his death the communitv and the state suffered a distinct loss.

William Catron Gordon

An enumeration of timse men of the ])resent i^eneration in Saline count}', who have succeeded by reason of properly and persistently applied principles is William Catron Gordon, who has sustained a very commendal)le reputation in educational circles and today is givino- thouo-htful and intelli,<^ent direction to the afYairs of the Farmers' Savings Bank of Marshall, of which he is cashier. Though comparatively yt^ung in years, he has achieved a spleidid record in banking circles and stands high among his business confreres.

Mr. Gordon is the only child of Col. James A. and Margaret (Catron) Gordon, a complete history of whom is to be found on another page of this work. The son was born at Waverly, Missouri, August ii, 1878. He received his preliminary education in the public schools of Marshall, whither his parents moved when he was about one year old. He graduated from the high school in 1894 before he was sixteen years old. In the fall of the same year he entered Missouri Valley College at Marshall, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1898 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, but. being ambitious for still higher attainments in educational afTairs, he entered Harvard University in the fall of 1898, taking the degree of Bachelor of Arts there the following year; resuming his studies there the next year, he took the degree of Master of Arts. Thus splendidly equipped, Mr. Gordon, in the fall of 1900, went to St. Paul, Minnesota, and taught Latin and Greek in the central high school for two years, and in the fall of 1902 he accepted a similar position in the central high school in Kansas City, Missouri, which he retained six years, during the last year of which he was chairman of the language department. On January i. 1908, he relinquished the pedagogical profession, although he had gained a splendid reputation as an educator much more than local, resigning his position to accept that of cashier of the Farmers' Savings Bank of Marshall, in which responsible position he is now serving to the entire satisfaction of the directors and patrons of this popular institution. Mr. Gordon has demonstrated business qualifications of the highest order and from the first has shown his fitness for the position he now holds.

On June 22, 1904, Mr. Gordon married Leonora Yeager, a native of Kansas City and the daughter of Robert L. Yeager, a prominent lawyer of that city. Mrs. Gordon is a woman of culture, education and refinement and popular with a wide circle of friends in Marshall and Kansas City. One child, William Catron. Jr., has graced this union, his birth occurring on March 31, 1905.

Fraternally Air. Gordon is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken the degrees up to and including those of Knight Templar, and the Mystic Shrine, his membership in the latter being with Osnian Temple at St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a member of the executive committee of the Marshall Commercial Club, and president of the Alumni Association of Missouri Valley College. He is a Democrat in political faith, but does not take an active part in politics. Air. and Mrs. Gordon are members of the Christian church. Mr. Gordon being a deacon in the same.

Mrs. Gordon takes an interest in the affairs of the church, education and art. She completed her education at the Universitv of Alichigan, at .\nn Arbor. Mr. Gordon's genial disposition and splendid personal qualities have gained for him a high position in the business and civic life of Saline comity and he numbers his friends only by the circle of his accjuaintance. He is a worthy son of a worthy sire.

George P. Sahth

George P. Smith, who resides at Experiment, the old homestead of the Smith family in Saline C(Uinty, is descended from ancestors who have jilayed an important part in our national history. His paternal grandfather was Brig.-Gen. Thomas .V. Smith, who was born August 12. 1781. a son of Francis and Lucy ( Wilkinson) Smith, of Essex county, Virginia, the latter's mother being a daughter of Governor James and Alary (Lawson) White, of Knoxville, Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. White were natives of Tennessee, in which state they were married, and in that state he attained to prominence as a successful planter. Gen. Thomas A. Smith was born and reared in Essex ' county. Virginia, where his family and that of Thomas Jefferson were intimate friends. He received his advanced education at W^illiam and Maiw's College, in which institution also Thomas Jefferson received his mental training. After leaving that institution, Thomas A. Smith became a cadet in the National Military Academy at West Point. In 1803 President Jeft'erson effected the Louisiana Purchase and soon afterwards he appointed young- Smith a lieutenant and sent him south to the army which was ordered to occupv the newly acquired territorv^ From this time Lieutenant Smith's military record was a brilliant and successful one. In 18 13 it was he who gave the Seminole Indians such a severe chastisement as to almost exterminate the tribe. His brilliant services were recognized and he was steadily promoted until he held the rank of colonel. He then joined the army of Gen. William Henry Harrison in his campaign in the Northwest and rendered valiant service in the campaigns against the hostile tribes. It was he who personally commanded the United States forces at the battle of the Thames, in Canada, in 1814, and for his eminent sei'vices he was made a brigadier-general. Beingassigned to the command of the Department of the West, he established military forts at Rock Island. Illinois, Des Moines, Iowa, and Prairie du Chien, \\' isconsin. He also established Fort Smith, Arkansas, which was named in his honor. To General Smith is given credit for practically subduing the western Indians and putting the country in a safe condition for the settlement by the white race. In 18 18 General Smith resigned his military commission and accepted the position of receiver of the land office at Franklin, Missouri. He performed the responsible duties of this position in a satisfactory manner. He was himself among the first to enter land in Saline county, the tracts entered being large. On this land he placed a large number of slaves, under an overseer, built a good residence and other necessary structures, and named the place Experiment, from the fact that he had never farmed before. However, he proved his versatile ability and in this line of effort he achieved a pronounced success. About 1830 he moved from Franklin to Experiment and thereafter lived the life of a private citizen up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1844. Gen. Thomas A. Smith married Cynthia White and to them were born six children, namely : Lucy A., who became the wife of Judge Tucker, of Williamsburg, Virginia, where they spent their lives and died; Cynthia became the wife of Major W. N. Berkeley, of Albemarle county, Virginia, a veteran of the Confederate army during the Civil war; James died at the Experiment homestead at the age of thirty-five years ; Troup died and was buried at sea ; Reuben died while a student at William and Mary's College and was buried there; Crawford, the father of the subject.

Crawford Smith was born at Franklin, Howard county, Missouri, where he was reared and attended the common schools and also attended William and Mary's College, Williamsburg, Virginia. He then entered Jeft'erson Medical College of Philadelphia, taking the full courses in medicine and surgery, graduating with the degree of Doctor of Medicine and was thus well equipped for the practice of his profession. He entered at once on the practice, in which he gave promise of great success, but, because of the fact that other business interests demanded his attention, he was compelled to abandon the practice of medicine. Returning to the old homestead at Experiment after the death of his father, Doctor Smith remained with his mother, assist- ing her in the management of the extensive plantation, one of the largest in the northern part of the state and including one hundred and fifty slaves. After the death of his brother James, who had had charge of his father's estate, Crawford Smith assumed charge of the estate, over which he retained supervision until his mother's death. After the death of the parents the estate was divided among the heirs, Crawford retaining a large portion of the old homestead. He also bought the slaves. At the opening of the Civil war Doctor Smith joined the Confederate army, and, with all the members of his company, was captured at the Blackwater fight, in Saline county. The prisoners were taken to St. Louis and a short time afterwards to Alton. Illinois, where they were held for several months. They then took the oath of allegiance and were permitted to return to their homes. Prior to entering the army Doctor Smith had sent his family to his wife's relatives in St. Louis county, Missouri, for safety, and after his release he rejoined them there. He thereafter made frequent trips to his farm, which he had left in the charge of an overseer. Eventually he rented the farm until 1878. when he sold the old plantation, consisting of two thousand five hundred acres, though subsequentlv he was compelled to take the property back, the purchasers failing to pay the purchase price. He then continued to rent the farm and resided in St. Louis county during the remainder of his life. In politics he was a strong Democrat and took an active interest in public affairs, though he was never ambitious for public office. He was a man of broad mind and intelligent conceptions, and was at all times true to his honest convictions.

Crawford E. Smith married Virginia Penn, wdio was born at Jonesboro, Saline county, Missouri, a daughter of Dr. George Penn, of Virginia, an eminent physician and surgeon and an early settler at Arrow Rock, where he practiced his profession and conducted a successful mercantile business. He owned a large plantation also, including a number of slaves. He later sold his interests there and moved to St. Louis county, where he again engaged in fanning and also practiced his profession. He at one time made a trip across the plains with Gen. Phil Kearney, serving in the capacity of chief surgeon. After his return from this trip, which was to New Mexico, Doctor Penn was appointed sub-treasurer at St. Louis, which position he held for a number of years. He took an active interest in politics and served two terms in the lower house of the state Legislature and later one term in the state Senate. Subsequently, during the reorganization of the municipal government of St. Louis Doctor Penn was appointed as one of the commissioners in supeiwision of the change and in this capacity rendered important and appreciated service. He was a stanch Democrat in politics and was considered an unusually effective public speaker and an influential leader of men. In religion he was a Presbyterian. He died in St. Louis county at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His wife Sarabella was the daughter of Colonel Chambers, who had served with valor during the war of the Revolution. He was a native of the state of Pennsylvania, in which state the town of Chambersburg was named in his honor. Colonel Chambers at one time visited Missouri, remaining here a short time. Of his family of children, two daughters became residents of Saline county, Mrs. Dr. Penn and Mrs. Pulliam. To Doctor and Mrs. Penn four children were born, Virginia, Lucy, James and George. Crawford and Virginia Smith became the parents of eight children, namely: Isabella and Mary B., both of whom remained unmarried; Thomas A., a phvsician and farmer at Napton, this county; George P., the immediate subject of the sketch; William N. B., who died at the age of thirty years: Virginia C. the wife of Dr. Thomas Hall; Philip M., a prominent farmer of this county, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; Lucy L., the wife of L. T. Stouffer.

George P. Smith was Ijorn on the 12th day of January. 1864. in Saline countv, Missouri. He received his education in the common schools of St. Louis county, subsequently attending the Missouri State University at Columbia. He also took a full course and graduated in medicine, his entire life having been mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits, m which he has achieved a definite success. He remained with his parents in St. Louis county until their deaths, when, in 1892. he returned to the old home farm in Saline county and took up active farming operations. Everything about the farm is kept up in good shape and the general appearance of the place is a credit to the owner. He is a lover of the country and thoroughly enjoys the quiet yet l)usy life of a farmer.

A strong Democrat in his political proclivities, Mr. Smith takes a keen and intelligent interest in local public affairs, though he has never sought office for himself. He has served as a member of the county central committee of his party. Religiously, he is a member of the Presbyterian church.

George P. Smith married Lucy Vaughan, who was born at Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri, in 1876, a daughter of George M. and Lucy (Hamm) Vaughan. Both of these parents were natives of Saline county, Missouri, the former having been a son of Gen. Richard C. Vaughan, of Virginia, who during the Civil war was connected with the L'nion army. He came to Missouri, locating in Saline county, and was a Democrat in his political views. However, he was opposed to secession and cast his influence on the side of the national government. During the war, he was influential in saving much discomfort and annoyance to many of his friends of Southern s}-mpathies in this community, a fact that was widely recognized and appreciated. His death occurred at Lexington. He reared a family of eight children. h\e sons and three daughters, George M. Vaughan enlisted in the Union army during- the war, and was in the battle of Lexington. He was highly educated and was cashier of the Commercial Bank of Lexington a number of years. He is a strong prohibitionist in sentiment and in religion he is a member of the Presbyterian church at Lexington, where he yet resides. His wife is a daughter of Dr. Strougher Hamm, a native of Virginia, but who is numbered among- the early settlers of Howard county, Missouri, and who successfully practiced medicine for many years near Slater, this county. He was a strong Democrat in politics, but never held nor aspired to public office. During the Civil war he served as a surgeon in the Confederate army, and his death occurred at ^^'arrensburg, this state. He was the father of but one child, Lucy, the wife of George M. Vaug-han. To George M. and Lucy (Hamm) Vaughan were born seven children, namely: Margaret M., unmarried; Eliza B. (Mrs. Baker); Anna R. and Mary F. remain single; Lucy is the wife of the subject of this sketch; Christie (Mrs. Ewing), of Lexington; Richard M., of Portland, Oregon. To George P. and Lucy (Vaughan) Smith have been born five children, namely: George P., Jr., born in 1899; Lucy v., born in 1901 ; Isabella E., who died at the age of four years; Thomas A., who was born in 1906; Margaret M., born in 1908. The members of this family are affiliated with the Presbyterian church and take an active part in the work of that society. ^Ir. Smith is alert to the best interests of the community and gives his support to every worthy movement.

Academy Of Notre Dame De Sion

Saline county, Missouri, is blessed with several splendid institutions of learning, and of these none occupies a more envial)le standing than the Academy of Notre Dame de Sion, formerly know'n as St. Savior's Acadeni}-. The institution, which is most eligibly located on English avenue and Jefferson street, in Marshall, was established mainly through the efforts of the Rev. M. J. O'Dwyer, the well known pioneer priest of the parish of St. Peter, at Marshall, with the co-operation and assistance of a number of prominent citizens of the city. The organization of the school entailed a vast amount (^f hard work, but the energetic and untiring Father persevered in his laudable efforts until, in September. 1884. the institution opened its doors for the reception of pupils, under the direction of the Sisters of Loretto. St. Savior's Academy from the first was accorded an excellent patronage, not only from Catholics, but from all. regardless of religious creed. One of the first and most positive rules of the institution has been that, as pupils are received without regard to their individual religious beliefs, no influence whatever will be used in the instituti(Mi to alter or chang-e their beliefs, a feature most commendable.

The courses of study otTered in this school emliraced all the ordinary and higher branches incident to a thorough literary, musical and polite education, especial attention being paid to music, drawing and painting. The corps of teachers was a strong one. embracing talent (tf the highest order, and the maintenance of a high standard among- the instructors was one of the strongest reasons for the wonderful success which attended the school from its inception. The buildings are spacious, convenient and well ventilated, the most advanced hvgienic and sanitary practice being observed, thus insuring the health and ccmrfort of the inmates. In 189 J a large and substantial addition was made to the main building, which, owing to the rapidly increasing patronage, was not large enough to accommodate the school. Further additions and improvements have been made from time to time as conditions demanded, until now the buildings, equipment and courses of study are considered adequate and complete in every detail. Among the features of the buildings is a fine exhibition hall, which has a seating capacity of five hundred, and a large and well arranged stage, lighted by gas and electricity and with all the necessarv accessories. The grounds surrounding the buildings are well laid out and are kept in the best possible condition, contributing in measure to the comfort and pleasure of the faculty and pupils. Many persons call at the school, ever\- \-isitor being" shown the greatest courtesy by the Sisters in charge.

The first Sister Superior of St. Savior's Academy was Sister Dolores Jackson, who retained the supervision of the work for about two years, when her health failed and she was transferred to a position whose duties were less trving. This excellent Christian woman was a native of St. Louis, ^Missouri. and her death occurred in Kentucky. The faculty of instructors who took ttp the work in this institution comprised Sisters Mary Kevin, Annette, Mary Berchman, Alberta and Laura. They were devoted to their work and possessed culture and pedagogical ability of a high order.

Recently the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion. from Paris. France, well known in the French capital for their solid education, high culture and refinement, have taken charsre of the school and are now conducting it. The in- stilution offers to young ladies all the advantages of a thorough American and European education combined. The French and English teachers hold diplomas from the Universities of Paris and Cambridge and the academy is in frequent communication with the Old ^^^orld. French is spoken in the institution by all the teachers and pupils. On the completion of their studies, the young ladies can pass from the academy to others of the same order in Paris, London, Vienna, Rome, etc.

This institution offers likewise a quiet country home, during vacation or any other time, to ladies who would be desirous of learning or perfecting French under native Parisian teachers and of having the advantage of constantly hearing" the language spoken.

This sketch w-ould not be complete were there failure to make specific mention of the Very Rev. Father Marie-Theodore Ratisbonne, who was the founder of the Society of Priests and of the Congregation of Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion (or Our Lady of Sion). In reviewing the career of Father Theodore, liberty will be taken in quoting from his biographv which has been translated from the French in two volumes, a very comprehensive and valuable work. Father Theodore was of Israelitish birth, his maternal grandfather having been the Jew, Theodore Cerfbeer, surnamed bv the French lower classes, "Grandfather Cerfbeer," who died in 1793, leaving a name so generally esteemed that, during the Reign ol Terror, more than one churcli confided to his family the care of the sacred vessels exposed to profanation by the revolutionists. Li his house also, several priests and religious found refuge. Father Theodore, speaking of this ancestor, said, "* * * my grandfather, the only Jew who, under Louis XVI, obtained not only the right to possess property at Strasburg, but also a patent of nobility." Theodore himself was reared, as he sa3^s, "if not in the religion, at least according to Jewish traditions and customs," but as he grew to maturity he became uneasy as to his inability to believe the dogmas which had been taught him. He was hungering for the light of truth. He had lost faith in Judaism and at the same time he, through prejudice, looked upon Christianity as idolatry. He sought a satisfying solution for his trouble through various channels, becoming first a stoic, then joining- and studying Freemason iw, and later applying himself to philosophical and scientific studies. In 1823, through association with M. Louis Bautain, he w^as led into the light of Christianity and at length embraced it with all his strength and soul. In due time he was baptized, and in Mayence, in 1827, he made his first communion. He decided now to enter the priesthood, in which his relatives tried to prevent him, but during the three years following he successively received holy orders, and in 183 1, at Strasbiiri;-. the Abbe Ratisbonne celebrated his first mass. The Bishop fit Strasbiirg had estabHshed in his country home a seminary for higher studies and in this institution Father Ratisbonne became an instructor and pastor of souls. Under his direction the standard of the studies was raised and the institution was patronized by the best families, who appreciated the splendid work being- done by these Priests of St. Louis, as they were called. Subsequently enemies succeeded in having them separated from their school and in 1840 they transported their little society to the College of Juilly. Shortlv afterwards he was transferred to the church of Our Lady of Victories at Paris, where he became chaplain to the Queen, the pious Marie-Amelie. During these years he had earnestly prayed for the conversion of his familv to Christianity, and in 1842 his prayers were answered in the miraculous conversion of his brother Alphonsus at Rome. He now obtained great light on the question of the conversion of the Jews and became convinced that his future life work lay along that line, and that summer, in an audience with the Pope, he asked for the special mission of working' for the conversion of the Jews. In response, Gregory XVI placed his hands on him and blessed him in his new ajx>stleship. Amongst his first efforts was the education of several Jewish girls, which had providentially been placed in his care, and he secured the assistance of Madame Stouhlen and Melle. Louise W'eywada. the first fruits of his ministry. At length the house they used became too small and a larger house was secured. The new family l^egan to grow rapidly and placed itself under the patronage of Our Lady of Sion. In 1847 the Communitv (^f Our Lady of Sion was given its canonical existence and from that time its growth was rapid and widespread. Xuml)ers of \-ocations came trom all countries and foundations were made in dift'erent parts of the world. The Congregation received the solemn approbation of Rome in 1863 and the definite sanction of the Rule in 1874.

In 1852 the Archc(mfraternity of Christian ]^Iothers was convened and Father Theodore was made their director and maintained this relation for many years, with great benefit to all who came in contact with him. What characterized best his last days and moments was their calm, their simplicity and the care he had for his own who were in the world and whom he loved to the end. His death occurred on January 10, 1884.

The aim of the work of Our Lady of Sion is to promote and hasten by praver. sacrifice and good works the entrance of the people of Israel into the great Christian family and the Congregation has houses in every ([uarter of the glolie. While pursuing its primary work, - the conversion of the Jews. - - the Congregation aspires to exercise an influence upon all classes of Christian societ^- l^y means of its boarding and day schools, poor schools, orphanages, work-rooms, catechism of perseverance and its widespread Archconfraternity of Christian Mothers. Anxious to make itself "all things to all," it educates Catholic girls of all ranks of societ}', and receives into its various institutions those of every sect and of every religion ; shunning' whatever savors of proselytism, but striving by the example of a Christian life to overcome prejudice and break down barriers. By these means it hopes to hasten the realization of the divine prophecy, "There shall be one fold and one shepherd."

Henry Hungerford Marmaduke

Saline county, Missouri, was the home of Henry H. Marmaduke during his earlier years, and he is a rei)resentative of two of the honored pioneer families of this favored section of the state. He wrought out his own success through the persistent application of his energies and abilities, and to him is the distinction of being a \'eteran of the Civil war, in which he served with fidelity and patriotic ardor, taking part in many of the most hotly contested engagements of the long and sanguinary struggle. He was born in Saline county in 1842 and is a son of Meredith M. and Lavinia (Sappington) Marmaduke, being thus, as already stated, descended from two of the earliest and most prominent families of this section of the state. (Sketches of Dr. John Sappington and Governor Meredith Marmaduke appear on other pages in this w'ork and contain detailed records of these families.)