Shelby County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 10 of 16)

In December, 1873, Mr. Snider united in marriage with Miss Ella Coleman, of Hannibal, Missouri. Three children were born to them, but one of whom is living, their daughter AUie P., the wife of Alvin Lippincott, who lives in this county and stands well among the people. Her father follows faithfully the fortunes of the Democratic party and is loyal in his service to it, although he seeks none of its honors or profits for himself. He and his wife are zealous and devoted members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal church and are held in high regard as useful forces in the congregation to which they belong.

Byron L. Sayift

Although not a native of Missouri, Byron L. Swift, one of the successful farmers and representative citizens of Salt Eiver township, has lived in Shelby county most of the time since he reached the age of five years, when he came to this state and county with his parents. He grew to manhood on the soil of Shelby county, drew from it his stature and his strength, obtained his education in its public schools and from the dawn of his maturity has been engaged in helping to promote its industrial greatness and power in his quiet and unassuming way, but with material enterprise and substantial results for the good of the people.

Mr. Swift was born in the town of Richfield, Summit county, Ohio, on ^larch 20, 18(50, and is a son of Stiles P. and Delia Elizabeth (Stofer) Swift, the former a native of Michigan and the latter of Ohio. In 1863 the father moved to Missouri and located in Shelby county. His family came two years later. Here he practiced medicine in the Homeopathic school for a number of years, and also conducted farming oiiei'ations in connection witli raising live stock. In 18fi5 he changed his residence to Shelbina and there devoted himself wholely to the practice of his profession. Some vears afterward he moved to Burlin- game, Kansas, but only remained two years. From there lie moved to North Topeka, Kansas, and there he remained actively engaged in a large practiee as a physician until his death, November 17, 1900, aged seventy-eight years.

In 1848 he was united in marriage with Miss Delia Elizabeth Stofer, at the time a resident of Ohio, as lie was, and they became the parents of six children, three of whom are living: Burton D., a resident of this county; Byron L., the subject of this brief review; and Lillie B., the wife of Jacob Griggs, whose home is in Parsons, Kansas. After the death of his first wife he again married, March 23, 1893, his second wife being Miss Miriam A. Blakeslee, who survives him. In his political allegiance the father was a devoted member of the Kepublican party from its birth to his own death, and he gave the organization the best service in all its campaigns he was capable of, although never seeking any of its favors for himself or allowing its demands to interfere in any way with his business.

Byron L. Swift was reared on his father's farm, and as soon as he left school began farming and raising live stock on his own account. He has steadfastly adhered to these occupations in spite of many temptations to give his attention to other callings, and has made his operations in them substantially profitable to himself and of very material benefit to his township and county. He has conducted his business with enterprise and intelligence, studying the best modem methods in connection with it and applying the results of his observations with excellent judgment and continuous industry, progressiveness and breadth of view.

He was married on October 25, 1893, to Miss Katy A. Wolfe, of New Orleans, Louisiana. The five children born of the union are all living and all yet members of the parental family circle. They are: Ruby, William, Bessie, Katy and Byron. Their mother died on August 27, 1908. The father is a Republican in his political connection, with an earnest and unceasing interest in the welfare of his party, and at all times renders it all the service he can. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which, also, he takes an active and serviceable interest. The enduring welfare of his township and county is a matter of constant concern and energetic effort on his part, no worthy undertaking involving it going without his earnest, intelligent and helpful assistance. He is regarded as one of the best and most useful men in his locality.

James Polk Connaway

"While the great state of INIissouri attracted the attention and commanded the admiration of the world during tiie late Spanish-American war by her prolific production of superior mules well adapted for hardy service and long endurance, which enabled her to supply all the requirements of the American army with this necessity of modern warfare, she is no less entitled to credit for her great industry in the production of high grade horses for almost every use to which the noble animal is put in the service of mankind.

ing forth this product as a creation for use, enjoyment and commerce has not been so pronounced as in connection with the other four-footed animal of great utility, and no great public exigency has brought the name of Missouri into universal notice in reference to it, but the industry is, nevertheless, an extensive one in the commonwealth and engages the energies of a large number of the people here, many of whom have national reputations for the excellent quality of their output in this line.

Among this niunber Polk Connaway, of Salt River township, Shelby county, is in the front rank and he well deserves the high standing he enjoys in connection with the industry. He has made a si^ecialty of it for many years and become an authority on every feature and department of the business and his name is as familiar as a household word in every horse market in the country that has any general and widespread reputation of its own or is frequented by dealers of extensive trading.

Mr. Connaway was born on February 22, 1871, in Shelby county, Missouri. His parents, John Henry and Anna (Swain) Connaway, were born and reared in the state of Delaware, and there their forefathers lived from colonial times. The father, who came into being in 1841, was a son of Minus Connaway, who lived on a farm in Delaware which the family had occupied for generations. He was prominent in the affairs of the little state, whose proud boast has often been that she "produces greatness, not bigness," and his son had the prospect of a career at home in line with the long habits and stimulating examples of his ancestors. But the West wore a winning smile for him, and he yielded to its persuasive blandishments, coming to Missouri at an early day in his own life and that of the state. '

He located on a fanii in Shelby county, three miles west of Shelbina, and there he faiTued and raised live stock actively, extensively and successfully until 1908, when he retired from active labor. Since then he has made his home with one or another of his children. He was married to Miss Anna Swain, and they became the parents of eight children, six of whom are living: Mary, the wife of Frank Barnes, of Ohio ; Polk, the interesting subject of this writing; Frank, who is also a resident of tliis county; Ollie, the wife of Charles Ra])lee, of Shelby county; John, another member of the family who dignifies and adorns the citizenship of this county; and Mattie, now Mrs. Earl Porter, of Palmyra, Missouri. The father is a Republican in politics and a member of the Southern Methodist Episcopal church in religious affiliation.

Polk Connaway was educated in the countiy schools of Shelby county, and after leaving school worked on his father's farm and others in the vicinity until 1895. He then began farming and raising live stock in a general way on his own account, and has been energetically and successfully engaged in these pursuits from that time to the present. Soon after starting in business for himself he determined to give his whole attention in the stock industiy to the production and handling of superior strains of horses, making that his specialty and allowing no other line to interfei'e with his extensive operations in it. He has been very successful in the business and, as has been noted, has reached considerable jirominence and won a national repiitation for himself in it as one of the best and most intelligent horsemen in the state of his residence.

On February 5, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Sallie Churchwell, of Shelby county, Missouri. The five children born of this union are all living and still reside under the parental rooftree. They are: Anna Valience, James Lester, Ethel C, Mattie Hazel, and an infant daughter, named Tomie D. The father gives his active support and loyal allegiance to the principles and candidates of the Republican j^arty in political affairs, and to the Modern Woodmen of America in fraternal relations. He is highly esteemed for his public spirit and enterprise in connection with the progress and improvement of his township and countj'^, and held in strong regard for the elevated character and general usefulness of his citizenshii?.

Hugh Dempsey

Starting with practically nothing in the way of financial resources, and now owning and cultivating a fine farm of 195 acres in an advanced state of improvement and productiveness, Hugh Dempsey, of Salt River township, in this county, furnishes an impressive illustration of the possibilities of industry, enterprise, thrift and good business management in our land of unmeasured resources and great wealth of opportunity. His career also gives another proof of the versatility, adaptability and readiness for any conditions so characteristic of the Irish race, and its powers of achievement in every field of human endeavor to which it sedulously devotes itself, whatever the circumstances.

Although liorn in Adams county, Illinois, on November 7, 1852, Mr. Dempsey is but one generation removed from the Emerald Isle, where his father, Charles Dempsey, and his mother, Sarah (Dempsey) Dempsey, were born and reared, the father's life beginning in that country in 1815, and the mother's two or three years later. The father came to the United States a very young man and located first in Pennsylvania. A few years afterward he moved to Adams county, Illinois, and in 1866 brought his family to Missouri and took up his residence in Shelby county. Here he was energetically and continuously engaged in farming and raising live stock until his death in 1882.

By his marriage to Miss Sarah Dempsey he became the father of eight children, six of whom are living: Edward J., of St. Louis, Missouri; Hugh, whose life story this review especially records; Lizzie, the wife of Marshall Baker, a resident of this county; Nancy, the wife of William Barry, of St. Louis ; Charles Mark, who is also a resident of this county ; and Margaret, the wife of Thomas Finney, another member of the family who is adding to the growth, improvement and prosperity of Shelby county. In politics the father adhered to the Democratic party and in religion to the tenets of the Catholic churcli.

mon school education in tlie district schools of his native county and those of this county. At an early age, even before attaining his majority in years, he began farming and raising stock on his own account, and from the beginning of his venture in these two lines of industry he has been successful and steadily increased in prosperity, having acquired the ownership of 195 acres of good farming land, as has been noted, and brought it to a high state of fruitfulness.

Mr. Dempsey has also steadily risen in the good opinion and appreciation of his township and county. He was foui*- teen when he became a resident of the county, and during the forty-four years of his I'esidence among its people has so demeaned himself as a man and been so active and useful as a citizen that he has won universal regard and good will in this part of the state. He rendered excellent service to the jmblic as a member of the local school board for a period of fifteen years, and in reference to every other public interest has always been active and heli)ful in behalf of the enduring welfare of the locality of his home.

On Deceml)er 28, 1875, he was married to Miss Jane Baker, a daughter of Reason and Dorenda (Dudgeon) Baker, long esteemed residents of this county. Of the six children born to the union, four are living, all of them still in the parental family circle. They are: Charles E., Georgia, Anna and Reason B. The father belongs to the Democratic party in politics and the Catholic church in religion. He is firm in his allegiance to both party and church and a faithful worker in each.

James S. Barker

Venerable in years and venerated for his long usefulness to his country in many different localities and lines of endeavor, inchiding faithful services on the battlefield and activity in several of the industries of peaceful production, James S. Barker, of Salt River township, is one of the memorable and striking personages in Shelby coimty. At the advanced age of ninety, he is resting from labor and enjoying the twilight of his long day of toil, amply provided for by the competence he has gained through his own efforts, and secure in the high regard of the people of the whole county because of the uprightness, consistency and general worthiness of his career among men.

Mr. Barker was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, on April 21, 1821. His grandfather located in that state on his arrival in this country from Ireland, where his family had dwelt for many generations. For a time he resided at Carlisle, in Cumberland county, and there his son, John Barker, the father of James S., was born, in 1773. The greater part of John Barker's life was ]iassed in Carlisle, but he died at Lockhaven, Clinton county, in 1850, having moved to that city from the adjoining county of Lj^coming some time previously. He was a millwright and worked at the trade for a time. But he was most ])rominently and extensively known as a very successful pilot on the Susquehanna river.

one is now living, James S. His older sister, Elizabeth, the wife of William Dunn, of Great Island, Pennsylvania, died in October, 1910, in her ninety-ninth year. The father was a man of great force of character and wonderful physique and endurance. The trials and exactions of his life on the river, the nervous strain under which he constantly labored, the dangers of his calling, the rigors of the seasons and rage of the elements to which, he was frequently subjected, all passed over his stalwart frame in vain. He lived to the age of seventy-seven and retained much of his vigor of bodv and all of his clearness of mind to the last.

James S. Barker obtained his education in the district schools of his native county, and while attending them acquired a good knowledge of blacksmithing, working at the trade when he had leisure from school sessions. After leaving school he followed the craft for a time with success and good prospects. But the outbreak of the Mexican war called him to higher duties, and he enlisted in the American army under Col. John C. Hayes, being enrolled in Company K, First Regiment, on July 3, 1847, at Dallas, Texas, where he happened to be at the time, having made the trip from Shelbyville on horse back, over 1,300 miles. He served to the end of the war and took part in several engagements, notably the battle of Laqueltapan, which was a hot fight in which the Mexican loss was 150 men killed. Mr. Barker was mustered out of the service on April 30, 18-18, at Vera Cruz, Mexico, the war having been ended by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Mr. Barker did not, however, work at the trade of blacksmithing until the beaiuuina' of the Mexican war. He became a Susquehanna river pilot, like h i s father, and was employed as such until 1842. He then came to Missouri and located at Walkersville in this county. In connection with his brothers, George and Tliomas, he built four mills on Salt river, but soon after their completion all but one, a saw mill, were washed away in a flood. This the three brothers operated until 1849. James then sold his interests in the mill to his brothers, and the next year he returned to Pennsylvania and again became a pilot on the Susquehanna, continuing as such four years. In 1854 he came back to Missouri and once more located in Shelby county. Here, during the next two years, he farmed in connection with Charles Smith, his father-in-law. At the end of the period named he opened a general merchandising establishment at Walkersville, which he conducted with great success and profit for two years. But mercantile life was not to his taste, and in 1858 he sold his business and returned to farming and raising live stock, in which he was very actively and extensively engaged until about ten years ago. Then advancing years impelled him to retire from all active pursuits, although he was at the time and is now in good health.

On July 17, 1849, Mr. Barker was united in marriage with Miss Sibbella Smith, of this county. Eight children were born of their union and six of them are living: Emma Belle, the wife of Andrew Baker, of this county; William, who lives in California; Elizabeth, the wife of James A. Kent, of Shelby county; Caroline, the wife of James Cooter, of Holden, Missouri; Jennie L., the wife of John W. Wilson; and Gertrude, the wife of John H. Lancaster. The two last named are residents of Shelby county, Missouri. The wife and mother died October 20, 1893, aged sixtythree years.

Mr. Baker's political faith has been pinned to the Republican party from its organization, and he has at all times given it loyal support, acting on honest convictions in this, as he does in everything else. For many years he has found entertainment and inspiration in the teachings and social features of the Masonic fraternity and the Order of Odd Fellows, and religious comfort in the doctrines of the Christian church, of all of which he has been ftn active and consistent member. His life in the past, his present peace and contentment, and his hopes for the future give force to the words of the Psalmist: "Behold the upright man, for the end of that man is peace."

Henry Will

'Mr. Will, who is one of the substantial citizens, large landholders and successful business men of Shelby county, maintaining his home in the village of Bethel, has been a resident of this county from the time of his liirth and is a scion of one of its sterling pioneer families, the name which he bears having been identified "with the annals of the county for more than half a century.

his father was one of the original members of the colony here founded by a number of substantial and worthy citizens of German birth or ancestry. John Will, grandfather of the subject of this review, was a native of Germany and passed the closing years of liis life in Missouri. Mr. Will is a son of Nicholas and Catherine (Ziegler) Will. Tbey were both natives of Germany. Their marriage was solemnized in Shelby county, ^Missouri, in 1847. The father came to this county in 1845 and to America in 1839. He became one of the colonists at Bethel, where he followed his trade, that of tailor, until the colony was disbanded, and thereafter he devoted his attention to farming on a small scale and to the raising of bees, being long known as one of tlie successful apiarists of this section of the state, and continuing to be actively identified with this line of enterprise until his death, wliich occurred on October 25, 1900, at which time he was seventy-nine years of age, having been one of the honored and well known pioneer citizens of the county. His devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal December 12, 1902, at the age of seventy-seven years. She came to America in 1831 and to Bethel in 1844. The mother had been a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church and the father had been a supporter of the cause of the Re])ul)Hcaii ]iarty from the time of its organization until his demise. Of the ten children five are mentioned in this sketch. Of the number the subject of this sketch is tlie eldest; Christine is the wife of Henry Schriever, of Bethel; Julius E. is a resident of Green City, this state; Louise is the wife of Freder-

Henry Will i:iassed his boyhood and yonth in his native village of Bethel, in whose schools he seonred his early educational training. After the breaking np of the colony he followed various occupations, in connection with which he developed no little versatility. In 1879 he engaged in work as a brick mason, to which vocation he devoted his attention for a few years, after which he was associated with his brother Julius E. in the conducting of a wagon repair shop for a period of seven years. They then engaged in the hardware business at Bethel under the timi name of Will Brothers, and they were associated in this enterprise for thirteen years. Tjike his father, Mr. Will has achieved success and no limited reputation as an apiarist, and to this interesting line of enterprise he has given special attention the past few years, finding the same a source of definite profit and conducting operations on an extensive scale. He has also been prominently identified with farming and stock growing, but now rents his fine farm property, which comprises 316 acres and which is eligibly located in Bethel township. In 1892 Mr. Will became one of the organizers of the Bank of Bethel, of which he was elected president in January, 1907, serving in this office for one year, since which time he has continued as a valued member of the directorate of the substantial and po])ular institution.

Though essentially loyal and public spirited as a citizen and taking much interest in all that tends to conserve the progress and prosperity of the community, Mr. Will has never been a seeker of ])ublic office. He is aligned as a staunch supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church in their home village, where they are held in high regard by all who know them.

On April 3, 187-t, Mr. Will was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Schriever, who was born and reared in this county, and who is a daughter of the late Samuel Schreiver. The six children of this union are: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Edward G. Bower, of Bethel, and Louise, Emma, Alma, Irwin R. and Catherine R., all of whom remain at the paternal home. Emma is now Mrs. William Erich, of Bethel township; Alma is now Mrs. John Brothers, of Bethel township.

William S. Fox

He whose n-ame introduces this sketch was for many years engaged in the grocery business in Shelbina, gaining recognition as one of the leading representatives of the mercantile fraternity in this attractive little city, where he still maintains his home, and where he now conducts one of the leading grocery stores and meat markets. He is held in unqualified esteem in the town that has so long been his home and is well entitled to consideration in this history of his county.

Mr. Fox was born on a farm near the village of Paris, Monroe county, Missouri, January 5, 1867, and the lineage of the family is traced back through several generations in America, his pater- nal grandfather, James C. Fox, having been a native of Kentucky. In that state also was born Joseph H. Fox, father of our subject. The former was reared and educated in liis native commonwealth, and as a young man he came to Missouri and took uj) his residence in Monroe eountj', where he became a successful farmer and also built up a large and prosperous business as a dealer in mules. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha M. McKinney, was born in the state of Missouri, Monroe county, and both are now deceased, the honored father having passed away in 1899 and the mother in 1871. In politics the father was a staunch adherent of the Democratic party, taking an intelligent interest in the issues of the hour and being loyal and liberal in his attitude as a citizen. He was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and botli he and his wife were zealous and valued members of the Christian church. Of their nine children all are living excejjt one, and concerning them the following brief record is given : James A. is a resident of Louisville, Kentucky; Maiy M., a maiden ladj^ resides in the city of St. Louis ; AValter L. is a resident of Fort Collins, Missouri; Alice M. is the wife of James B. West, of St. Louis; Annie E. is the widow of Arthur W. Skinner and resides at Harper, Kansas; Edward L. maintains his home in Hannibal, Missouri; William S. is the immediate subject of this review; and Louise T. is the wife of Albert N. Wiles, of Quincy, Illinois.

William S. Fox passed his boyhood days on the home farm and after completing the curriculum of the public schools of Shelliina he continued to assist in the work of the home farm for a short interval, at the expiration of which, in 1894, he engaged in the grocery business in Shelbina, where he built up a large, prosperous and essentially representative trade, based upon fair and honoi'able dealings and upon his care and discrimination in catering to the demands of his patrons. He was specially effective as a buyer and his store was looked upon as a model establishment of its kind. He continued the enterprise with ever increasing success until October, 1908, when he sold the same, and for two years was employed as a traveling salesman for the Scudders-Gale Grocery Company, of Quincy, Illinois, which he re})resented in a good territory in this state, though still maintaining his home in Shelbina, as has already been stated. He was one of the popular commercial men of his native state and his success as a traveling salesman was on the same high plane as was that he matured in connection with his individual l)usiness as a retail grocer. In December, 1909, Mr. Fox resigned his position as traveling salesman and in the spring of 1910 again engaged in the retail grocery and meat business at Shelbina, where he is now enjoying a large and constantly increasing trade. -^Ir. Fox is aligned as a staunch su])]iorter of the ])rinciples and policies for which the Democratic party stands sjwnsor, is progressive and ]niblic-spirited as a citizen, is identified with several fraternal and social organizations, the Masonic fraternity, K. of P. and I\r. W. of A. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church.

united in marriage to Miss Margaret M. Gresbam, who was born and reared in Marion county and wbo is a daughter of John Gresbam, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fox have two children - Porter G., wbo is now employed in a business with his father at Shelbina, and C. Brace, who remains at the parental home.

John Beo.Wn

John Brown, a native and all his life to this time a resident of Shelby county, and until three years ago one of its leading farmers and live stock men, is now one of the prosperous and prominent citizens of Shelbina, where he is energetically and extensively engaged in business as an auctioneer and general dealer in live stock. He was born near Bethel, this county, on June 28, 1855, and obtained bis education in the district school near bis home, living on bis father's farm and attending the sessions whenever be found opportunity amid the exactions of active farming o^jerations.

His grandfather. Eleven Brown, was a native of Kentucky, where bis parents settled in early days when that now great state was still a part of the frontier, but rapidly filling up with hardy and stalwart pioneers. Bedford Brown, the sou of Eleven and father of John, was ])oru at Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1820, and came to Missouri when he was but sixteen years of age, finding in this state at that early period much the same conditions that his forefathers had found in Kentucky when they arrived in it. He located for a short time at Palmyra, then moved to Shelby county and took up bis residence on a farm near

Bethel. There be followed farming and general stock-raising until his death. Wiien that event occurred be owned 240 acres of land and an extensive live stock business. He was energetic and knowing, took advantage of his opportunities with good judgment and used them with intelligence and skillful management. Success crowned all bis eiforts and gave him, in connection with his high character and public spirit, consequence and standing among the people. His specialties in stock were horses and mules, and he raised great numbers of each.

In about 18-18 be was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Todd, a native of Maryland, and by that uu^rriage became the father of ten children, all of whom are living. They are: Eliza, the wife of Henry Nichols, of this county; Alexander, who resides in Kirksville, Missouri; John, the immediate subject of this sketch; Benjamin F., also a resident of this county ; Lucinda E., the wife of James Nelson, of Sheridan county, Kansas; Fannie, the wife of Frank Taylor, of Shelby county; Lillie, the wife of Al. Taylor, who also resides in this county; Julia, the wife of James Gentry, of Kirksville; Kittle, the wife of Tom Will Garrison, of Shelby county ; and Joseph, whose home is in Knox county. The father was a member of the Democratic party in political faith and allegiance and belonged to the Missionary Baptist church in religious connection.

John Brown was trained to farming and raising stock, and gave bis attention to these pursuits immediately on leaving school. He also bought considerable numbers of stock for shipment to East- ern markets. He was very successful in his operations ou the farm, and continued them along progressive and jarofitable lines until February 1, 1907. At that time he moved to Shelbina, and during the subsequent years has been very successfully engaged in auctioneering and dealing in live stock generally. He understands his business thoroughly and gives it his whole attention. His success is therefore a logical result of capacity, enterprise and first rate management, combined with excellent judgment. He was married in 1878 to Miss Amanda T. Gentry, of Ralls county, this state. They have had ten children, three of whom are living, John and Paul, of Rexford, Kansas, and Mark, of Shelby county, Missouri, all of whom have inherited the business capacity of their father and are doing well in their several callings and localities, and, like him, are highly respected by the people around them.

Arthur E. Jordan

This enterprising, prosperous and highly successful farmer and live stock man and respected citizen of Jackson township in this county, was born in the state of Indiana on August 26, 1863, and came with his parents to Missouri and Shelby county when he was eight years of age. He is a son of Philip W. and Nancy H. (Coffman) Jordan, an account of whose lives will be found in a sketch of his brother, William A. Jordan, published in this volume and containing a narrative of the family history.

of study available to him in that temple of Cadmus, began at once a career as a farmer and producer and shipper of live stock, which he has continued to the present time and in which he has succeeded admirably by reason of his good judgment, fine business capacity and the close, intelligent and careful attention he has always bestowed upon his business. He has also taken an earnest interest and active part in the affairs of his townshi]) and was a member of the school board for some years. He is a Democrat in political allegiance, belongs to the Court of Honor fraternally, and is connected with the Christian church in religious alliance. He takes an ardent interest in his party, his fraternity and his church, and his membership is highly valued in each. In 1892 he was united in marriage with Miss Ina Vanarsdall, of Marion county, Missouri. They have had two children and both of them are living and still members of the parental family circle. They are a daughter named Nancy Ruth and a son named Guy. The parents stand high in the estimation of the people of the township, and common consent will attest that they are well deserving of the regard in which they are held.

William A. Jordan

Successful and progressive as a farmer and producer of live stock, and successful because he is progressive, William A. Jordan, of Jackson township, is also a man of influence and high standing as a citizen, and he holds his i-ank in this respect because of the elevated character and usefulness of his citizen- ship. He is not a native of Shelby county, but has lived in it ever since he was two years old, a period of thirtynine years, and during all the period of his youth and manhood has contributed to its advancement and improvement.

Mr. Jordan was born in Indiana on May 1:2, 1869, and is a scion of old Virginia families, his grandfather, Arthur B. Jordan, having been born and reared in that state and to a house long established there. In that state, also, Philip W. Jordan, the father of William A., was born, opening his eyes on this world in 1836. He left his ancestral home a young man and migrated to what was then the distant "West, locating in Linn county, Missouri, where he was extensively occupied in farming and raising live stock for a number of years. He then dwelt for some years in the state of Indiana, and in that state he was married in 1862 to Miss Nancy H. Coffman.

By this marriage Mr. Jordan became the father of seven children, six of whom are living: Arthur E., a sketch of whom will be found in this work; Rosa Lee, the wife of Lee Harrison, a resident of this county; Dora D., the wife of Lewis Parker, whose residence is in the new state of Oklahoma ; William A., the subject of this brief review; Allie L., the wife of James Collier, of Montana; and Charles P., whose home is in this county.

The family moved to Shelby county in 1871, and here the father followed general farming with great success imtil his death, which occurred in 1881. During the Civil war he was drafted into the Federal army, but the war was so nearly over when this occurred that he was never called into the service. His political support was faithfully and ardently given to the Democratic party, and his religious support with equal confidence and ardor to the Southern Methodist Episcopal church.

William A. Jordan secured a limited education in the public school at Oakdale in this county, and excellent training in his destined life work on his father's farm, on which he remained until he attained his majority. He then began operations for himself as a farmer and stock man, and to these pursuits he has steadfastly adhered through all the subsequent years, except that at times he has worked at the carpenter trade, of which he acquired a knowledge during his minority. He has made a very gratifying success of his endeavors in all his undertakings, and is now in easy circumstances in a worldly way and secure in the regard and good will of the people in his township and throughout the county.

On October 27, 1897, Mr. Jordan united in marriage with Miss Edith Cochrane, a resident of this county. They have had four children, and all of them are living, and still at home with their parents. They are: Harvey G., Mary E., Bessie and Tna Lue. The father is firm and faithful in his attachment to the Democratic party in political affairs and energetic and zealous in his support of it. Fraternally he is connected with the Court of Honor, in which he is also active and serviceable. In the public affairs of the townshi]i and county of his home he has always taken a very helpful interest, aiding in every way

Thomas D. Mitchell

In tlie life story and family record of this highly enterprising, i)rogressive and successful farmer, live stock producer and real estate operator of Jackson township, who is one of the leaders in his several lines of activity in this county, run golden threads of personal and general history, and firm fibers of manly achievement, embracing material, intellectual and spiritual conquests of moment in their immediate and of great value in their continuing importance. He is the son of one of the early pioneers, who was also one of the early school teachers in this part of the state. The farm on which he lives was the old cami)ing ground of the Methodists in the early evangelizing work which made them famous and gave them so strong a hold on the people in tliis and the adjoining counties. He has himself built up a large and profitable business by his own endeavors, which has been and is of great benefit to all Northeastern Missouri.

Mr. Mitchell was born in Shelby county, Missouri, on April 14, 1862. His father, also named Thomas I). Mitchell, was a native of Virginia and first saw the light of this world in 1835. He came to this ])ortion of Missouri among its earlier settlers and located on a farm near Emden. This farm he worked during the summer months and during the winter he taught school for a number of years. His scholastic contributions to the advancement of the county were based on very little education acquired in the schools, for he had not much opportunity for such acquisitions. But he was a great reader and student and a very well-informed man. "While he taught school, and afterward, he pushed his fanning operations and the live stock industrj'^ in which he was engaged to large proportions and considerable advantage to himself financially.

He was joined in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Spencer, of Marion county, and they became the parents of five children, three of whom are living : Thomas D. ; his brother, Douglas E., a resident of this county; and their sister, Margaret, the wife of Horace Warner, who has her home in Illinois. The father was a firm believer in the principles of the Democratic party and gave that organization earnest and effective support in all its campaigns. In religious connection he was affiliated with the Methodist Episco])al church. South. It is easy to infer, if the matter were left to inference, that he was an imi)ortant man in the early history of his locality. But this is on record to his credit, and it is manifest from the record that he never neglected a public or private duty or betrayed a trust.

His son Thomas had no educational advantages except those furnished by the district schools of Shelby county. And as soon as he left them he began th(> career of farming and raising stock, which he is still expanding, and in which he has achieved both a competence and a widespread rei)utation of credit for himself, and has also conferred upon the region in which he lives substantial com- niereial benefits. For many years he has given his attention in the stock industry to raising, feeding and dealing in fancy live stock, and he is now known prominently and favorably for the character of his output in all the alert and commanding stock markets of the country, and in some other countries as well. His farm at present comprises 326 acres of superior land, which has been developed by every means known to advanced agriculture and improved with judgment and good taste.

On November 28, 1888, he was married to Miss Bertie Blackburn, a daughter of Samuel Blackburn, now county judge of Shelby county. They have had five children, two of whom are living, Horace T. and Mary M., both residents of Shelby county. The father is a Democrat politically, and belongs to the Court of Honor and the Brotherhood of America fraternally, and takes a cordial interest in all these organizations.

Melchior Noll

The great empire of Germany has contributed to the com]ilex social fabric of the United States a most valual)le element of citizenship, and from this source our nation has had much to gain and nothing to lose. The sturdy equipoise, practical judgment and well-directed industry that characterizes our citizens of German birth or lineage act as a balance wheel in connection with the adjustment of civic and industrial activities, and even the most casual observer cannot fail to note that thrift and prosperity are in evidence wherever the average citizen

^lelcliior Noll, the only representative of his immediate family in the state of Missouri, is one of the substantial and honored citizens of Shelby county and is a successful business man of the thriving little village of Bethel, where he is engaged in contracting as a brick mason and where he has maintained his home for more than thirty-five years, ever commanding the most unequivocal confidence and esteem in the community.

Mr. Noll was born in Keibersdorf, Germanj', on January 6, 18-f8, and is a son of Melchior and Madeline (Christ) Noll, both of whom passed their entire lives in Germany, where the father followed the vocation of farming during the major portion of his active career. Of the seven children two of the number are residents of America, the subject of this review being the only representative in Missouri, as previously stated. Mr. Noll was reared and educated in Germany, and in 1872, when twenty-three years of age, he severed the gracious ties that bound him to home and fatherland and set forth to win for himself such benefices as could be wrested from the hands of fortune under the auspicious conditions existing in America. He had little in the way of financial resources, but was endowed with ambition, sterling integrity of purpose, diligence and self reliance, so that he came to the new world with an eciuipnu^nt equal to that of many others of his countrymen who have, here achieved success and independence. Soon after his arrival in America Mr. Noll made his way westward, and in the sum- mer of 1871 he settled in Hanuilial. Missouri, in which city he continued to reside until the spring of the followin": year, when lie came to Shelby county and took up his abode in Shelbina, where he followed his trade of brick mason until 1874, when he established his permanent home in Bethel, where he has gained a large measure of success through his well-directed efforts as a contractor in the line of his trade, having erected many of the liest buildings in this part of the county and also having done a large amount of other contract structural work. His career has been marked by indefatigable industry and judicious employment of the agencies at liis command, the while he has been guided and governed by those high principles of integrity and honor that ever beget popular confidence and esteem. He is one of the stoekliolders of the Bank of Bethel and is a valued member of its directorate, and he is also the owner of a considerable amount of improved real estate in his home village, including his attractive and commodious residence. In politics, though never a seeker of official preferment, he is aligned as a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, and both he and his wife hold membershij) in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is affiliated with Bethel Lodge, Xo. 537, Free and Accepted Masons.

In the year 1879 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Noll to Miss Emily Will, daughter of the late Nicholas "Will, of Bethel, and of their seven children five are living, namely: Sophia, who is the wife of George Keefe, of Marysville, this state; Julius and William, who are residents of Bethel ; Ella, who now resides in Marysville; and Frank, who remains at the paternal home. ^Irs. Emily (Will) Noll was summoned to the life eternal in July. 1897, and on November 28, 1S99, Mr. Noll was married to Mrs. Alvina C. Arnold, of Bethel, a daughter of George Fabler, who was a well known citizen of Lewis county.

James G. Blackford

Having enlisted in the Federal army in defense of the L'nion when he was but eighteen years old and passed the next three years in active service, in which he faced death on many a well fought field of conflict, James G. Blackford, now one of the prosperous and progi-essive farmers of Jackson township, in this county, began life for himself under conditions of great danger, privation and arduous exactions. He met the requirements of those conditions with manliness and fidelity, and in their stem discipline acquired both self-control and self-knowledge which have been of great value to him throughout all his subsequent years.

^Ir. Blackford was l)orn in this county on April 13. 18-14, and is a grandson of Benjamin Blackford, a native of Kentucky, and a son of James ^I. Blackford, who was also a native of that state. ])orn in 1810. The father came to ^lissouri among the early settlers and located in Clarion county, where he remained until 183i'. He then moved to Shelby county, and there he was actively and successfully engaged in farming and raising stock until his death. He was one of the leading men in his township and es-

He was married to Miss Eliza Deedman, like himself, a native of Kentucky, and by this marriage became the father of thirteen children, six of whom are living: ]\Iary Ann, the wife of William Finney; Lney, the wife of Charles Collier; James G., the subject of this sketch ; Clementine, the wife of Jacob Melson; Jessamine; Susan, the wife of William Fitzpatrick; and Benjamin G. They are all residents of this county except Mrs. Collier, whose home is in Grimdy county, Missouri. The father followed faithfully the fortunes of the Democratic party in political affairs, and gave his allegiance to the Christian church in religious matters.

The educational advantages of his son, James G. Blackford, were limited to the curriculum of the district schools of this county and his own study, reading and reflection. He left school in 1862, when he was eighteen years of age, and enlisted in the Union army, Company G, Second Missouri Cavalry, under command of Colonel Lipscomb and Brigadier-General McNeil. He served the full three years of his term of enlistment and took part in several of the historical battles of the war and numerous minor engagements. His discharge from the service came at the close of the war.

When the "war drum throbbed no longer and the battle flags were furled," he returned to his Missouri home, and since that time has been altogether occupied with progressive and jirofitable farming operations on his excellent farm in Jackson township, which now comprises 210 acres and is very productive and nearly all under advanced and skillful cultivation according to the most approved modern methods of farming. As he was faithful to his country in time of war, so he has been faithful to his township and county in time of peace, taking an active interest in their advancement and improvement, and at all times showing an eager desire and a willing hand to aid in caring for and promoting their best interests.

On February 14, 1878, Mr. Blackford was united in marriage with Miss Mary Givans, of this county. They have had two children, both of whom are living, their sons, Wayne, who resides in Columbia, Boone county, and Lloyd, whose home is in Shelby county, this state. Like their parents, the sons are well esteemed by the people who know them, and regarded as excellent men and exemplars of the most sturdy and sei*viceable American citizenship.

Feederick G. Speyerer

Farming and raising live stock are two of the leading industries of Shelby county, and the men who have helped to develop them and build them up to their present high state of prosperity and activity are entitled to high praise and the general approval of the people whose welfare is promoted by them. In this number is to be found Frederick G. Speyerer, one of the progressive and successful farmers and live stock men of Lentner township, whose operations in the industries mentioned have long been extensive and fruitful in good for the township and the county.

born on j\Iay 29, 1842, and a scion of families long domesticated in that country. His father, John Speyerer, and his grandfather, Frederick G. Speyerer, were natives of the Fatherland, and their forefathers lived in it for many generations. The father was born in 1816 and came to the United States in 1852. His first location in this country was in the state of New York, where he remained until 1863. He then moved to Illinois/, and in that state passed the remainder of his life, busily and profitably engaged in fanning. He died there June 11, 1867.

Before he left his native land he served his required term in the German army, acquiring in its discipline a control of himself and a use of his faculties which was of benefit to him throughout the rest of his life. In 1841 he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Heintz, who was also a native of Germany. They had nine children, three of whom are living: Their sons Frederick and John, wlio reside in Shelby county, and their son Michael, whose home is in Texas. In politics the father was a Republican in this coimtry, and in religion he belonged to the Lutheran church.

Frederick G. Speyerer was but ten years of age when his parents brought him to this country. His opportunities for scholastic training were limited to those afforded by the district schools of Erie county. New York, but he was of a studious mind and rend a great deal at home, and in this way acquired a large fund of general information. Soon after leaving school he became a sailor on the great lakes, and gave himself up to the hazards of wind and wave for a period of ten years. At the end of that time he came to Missouri and located in Shelby county, and from the year of his arrival here he has been very actively and successfully occupied in farming and raising, feeding and shipping live stock.

He has taken an active part in the affairs of the township and county of his home, giving his energetic and helpful aid to every commendable undertaking involving the welfare of their people. Politically he is a Republican. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religion he is affiliated with the German Lutheran church. On April 18, 1872, he was united in marriage with IMiss Elizabeth Dilcam, of Pennsylvania. Eight children were born to them and all of them are living: John B., who resides in Illinois; George F.. whose home is in this coimty; Frederick C, a resident of the state of Wyoming; Elizabeth, who lives at Marceline, Missouri ; and Etta v., Rosa C. Grace and Ino, all of whom are still ;it home with their parents. The latter stand well in the community in which they live and are highly res])e('ted by the people among whom they liave so long lived and labored. They are regarded as excellent citizens, with, an abiding interest in the substantial and enduring good of their coimty and a constant readiness to promote it in every way they can, and in reference to its every material, mental and moral need.

George W. Stalcup

residence in three states of the American Union to give him knowledge of men in different parts of the country and the varying application of American institutions to the daily economies of life, according to location and circumstantial requirements, George W. Stalcup, of Leutner township, Shelby county, has had many incentives to duty in his citizenship, and his nature has resiDonded to them in a very satisfactory manner. He is progressive, successful and prosperous as a farmer and producer of superior strains of live stock, leading and enterprising as a citizen, and upright and esteemed as a man.

Mr. Stalcup is a native of this county, where his life began on January 24, 1863. He is a grandson of William Stalcup, who was born and reared in Virginia, and a son of James Stalcup, also a native of that state. The father came to Missouri in the early days and located in Shelb}' county. Here he was actively and extensively occupied in farming and raising live stock until the beginning of the Civil war. Soon after the start of that unfortunate and sanguinary conflict between the sections of our land he followed his belief in the doctrine of state sovereignty into the Confederate army and defended it on the field of battle until he was killed in the massacre at Centralia, Missoui'i. He enlisted imder Captain Johnson and his command saw a great deal of active service until its existence was disastrously ended by the event in which he lost his life, along with many other brave men who deserved a better fate. They dared the hazards of war, espousing their caiase wamily and defending it valiantly, and they should have died, if at all, in fair and open battle, as true soldiers always prefer, and not in such unmanly and brutal warfare as that in which they fell.

Mr. Stalcup was married in Missouri to Miss Mary Byars, like himself, a native of Virginia. They had six children, Init onl^^ two of them are living: George W. and his older brother William, both of whom are residents of this county. During his life the father was a man of force and influence in his community and his death was widelj'' lamented. He was active in promoting the development of his township and county until the iron heel of war crushed out all enterprise and left every industry inert and languishing. But he did his part while he had opportunity, and his name is remembered among the people with great respect and general approval.

George W. Stalcup thus had his childhood and youth overshadowed by the terrible storm cloud of our Civil war, and began life for himself amid trying circumstances which were due to it. He obtained a limited education in the district schools of Shelby county and after leaving school worked on the home farm for two years. He then went to California in seai'ch of better opijortimities for advancement, but only remained in that state one year. The next four were passed by him in South Dakota. At the end of that period he returned to this state and Shelby county, and since his return has been actively, continuously and successfully engaged in farming and raising and feeding stock for the markets. He has made a specialty of tine saddle horses and won a national reputation for the excellence of his output in this department of the stock industry. His farm comprises 235 acres of good farm land, is well improved, highly cultivated and pleasantly located near Lentner. On September 18, 1889, he was married to Miss Alice Kimble, of this county. Two children have been born to them, but only one of them is living, their daughter Elsie, who is still at home with her parents.

Mark Dempsey

Forty-four years of the fortj'-seven which Mark Dempsey, the present county assessor of Shelby coimty, has lived have been passed in this coimty, to which he was brought by his parents when he was but three year's old. He was educated in the county schools, acrpiired his social habits in free and friendly intercourse with the people here, has taken a leading part in the industrial life of the coimty, and for a number of years has been one of its most capable, reliable and upright public officials. He is therefore to all intents and purposes a Shelby coimtian, although he is a native of Adams county, Illinois, where he was born, near the city of Quincy. on September 3, 1863.

He is a son of Charles and Sarah (Dempsey) Dempsej*, natives of Ireland, the father born in County Derry and the mother in Belfast. The father was reared to the age of twenty-one in his native land and came to the United States about 1833. He first located in Pennsylvania and entered the employ of the Crane Iron Works at AUentown, in that state. But the enormous migration from the eastern states to the prairies of the West, as it was then, attracted his attention and enlisted his interest, and in time the influence became so potential with him that he joined the tide and moved to Adams coimty, Illinois. There he engaged in farming for some years, and in 1866, when the Civil war cloud had vanished from our country, he moved his famih' to Missouri and located in Shelby county. On his arrival here he bought a tract of unbroken land in Jackson township, and to the development and improvement of this he devoted the remaining years of his life, which ended in 1877. His widow sur- \aved him eight years, dying in May, 1885.

Of the eight children born to them five are living, and all but one are residents of this county. They are : Hugh ; Elizabeth, the wife of Marshall Baker ; Nancj', the wife of William Barry, of St. Louis, Missouri ; Mark, and Maggie, the wife of T. J. Finney. Each of them in their several locations and occupations exemplifies in daily life the lessons of thrift, industry and upright living inculcated around the family fireside and by the example of their parents, and each is highly respected by all classes of the peojile among whom they are known.

The father was an active and loyal Democrat in his political faith, but he never held or sought a political office. His religious connection was with the Catholic church. Some years after he was well established in this country, and had become a prosperous farmer in Adams county, Illinois, his father, Patrick Dempsey, brought the rest of the family to that county, and there he met with a tragic fate, being killed by acci- dent before he liad much opportunity to become acijiiaiuted with the institutions and opportunities for advancement in tlie land in wliieh he had sought a new liome.

]Mark Dempsey grew to manliood in this county and was educated in its public schools, as has been stated. At the age of nineteen he began farming as a tenant on land he rented, and a few years hiter he bought the farm on which he now lives in Jackson township, where he owns 310 acres and has the whole tract under advanced and skillful cultivation. From the time when he began farming until now (1910) he has been continuously engaged in this interesting and progressive pursuit, and in connection with his farming operations he has conducted also an extensive bitsiness in raising and feeding live stock for the markets. He has been highly successful in both lines of his industry, and has risen to consequence and esteem among the people as one of their most enterprising, progressive and representative citizens.

So well has he established himself in the public regard, and so thoroughly has he demonstrated his ability, integrity and fitness for official duties, and his abiding interest in the welfare of the county and its people, that he was elected county judge for a term of four years, and during the last eight has been the county assessor, filling the office with great credit to liimself and decided benefit and acceptability to the people. His political allegiance is given firmly and faithfully to the Democratic party, and he has made himself so serviceable in helping to guide its activities and make them effective for continued success that he has risen to leadership in it and is highly esteemed by both its members of prominence and its rank and file, all of whom have found his counsel wise and his energy in the party's behalf continuous and effective.

On January 28, 1889, Mr. Dempsey was married in this county to Miss Catherine Hurley, a native of Adams county, Illinois, and a dai;ghter of James and Alice Hurley, highly respected residents of that county. Six children have been born in the Dempsey household and five of them are living, and all still members of the parental family circle. They are: William Hurley, Edward James, Alice Loretta, Margaret and Patrick Leo. All the members of the family belong to the Catholic church.

John Ertel

Although a native of this county, John Ertel, one of the prominent and progressive farmers of Salt River township, this county, is of French parentage and ancestry, and comes of a military strain. His forefathers fought from time to time in the French army, and his grandfather made a creditable record imder Napoleon, following the eagles of the empire from field to field until they were altogether overthrown in the historic battle of Waterloo. In his turn the grandson took the field in defense of the Union when war desolated our own imhapijy country, and in many a wellfought battle admirably sustained the examples and history of his family.

and Mary (Louckinbill) Ertel, the former in Prance in 1815 and the latter a native of Switzerland. The father came to the United States in 1832 and located in Quincy, Illinois. There he worked as a carpenter and millwright until 1860. In that year he moved into the country in Adams county. Illinois, a few miles from Quincy, and turned his attention to general farming, which he followed until 1898. He then returned to Quincy to pass the remainder of his days, and in that city he died in 1899. He was very successful in his several lines of industry, and when he died left an Illinois farm of 400 acres and other property.

His marriage with ^[iss Mary Louckinbill took i)lace in 1839, and by it he became the father of twelve children, seven of whom are living: John, who is the only one of them residing in this coimty; Fred J., whose home is in Quincy, Illinois; George, a resident of Adams county, Illinois ; Albert, who lives in Hannibal, Missouri; Daniel, of Adams county, Illinois; Emma, the wife of Nicholas Haufner, of Quincy, Illinois; and Louisa, the wife of Wilkie Brunts, also of Adams county, Illinois. In American political affairs the father adhered to the Democratic party, and, although he had no official aspirations for himself, always gave his organization the most loyal and effective support, and was a man of influence in its local coimcils.

John Ertel grew to the age of sixteen in Quincy, Illinois, and then accompanied his parents to the fann. He obtained his education in the public schools of his native city, and was about to enter upon a career for himself as a farmer when the Civil war broke out and called him to another department of sei^vice. In 1864, when he was but twenty years old, he enlisted in the Union army, Company H, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, under command of Major Beattj'. His service in the army lasted one year and was tlien ended by his muster out at Colmnbus, Georgia, and his discharge soon afterward at Springfield, Illinois. But while his term was short his service was active, and took him into the battles of Chickamauga, Georgia, and Knoxville, Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and several minor engagements. He was wounded twice in battle.

After the close of the war he returned to his father's farm, on which he worked until 1868. He was married in that year and began life for himself as a general farmer. He has adhered to this occupation ever since and has been verj' successful at it. In 1890 he became a resident of Shelby county, Missouri, and he now owns 280 acres of fine land in Salt River township, the farm being well improved and nearly all under cultivation. He was married in 1868 to Miss Nancy Wilhoit, of Adams county, Illinois. Eight of the ten children born of this union are living: William, of this county; Daniel L., of St. Louis, Missouri; and Jane, George, Anna, Delilah, Nancy and John, all of whom are still living at home with their parents. In politics the father is a Republican. He is loyal to his party and zealous in its service, but has never sought a political office of any. kind for himself.

Geo. W. Crawford George Av. Crawford

A native of the state of New York, born iu St. Lawrence county on October 3, 1848, and of Scotch and EngHsh ancestry, George "W. Crawford has exemplified in his career in Missouri the enterprise and progi-essiveuess of the great state of his nativity and the sterlingtraits of the people from which his family are descended. His grandfather, John W. Crawford, was born and reared in Scotland, where his forefathers lived for many generations. His son, also named John "\V. Crawford, the father of George W., was a native of Canada, and when but a small boy was taken by his parents to New York state, where the familj" lived for a number of years and he grew to manhood. A few years later he moved to Illinois, when that now great state was opening its horn of plenty to the service of mankind and askingall who chose to come and share in its bounty.

John W. Crawford, the second, was a farmer all his life. On November 22, 1829, he was united in marriage with Miss Diana Pay, a daughter of Caleb Fay, a scion of old English families, long resident in Great Britain, but himself a native of Vermont and a son of Caleb Fay, who was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill. Eleven children were born in the older Crawford household, but only two of them are living, George W. and his older sister Mary. The father died on March 5, 1862, and the mother in 1889.

school worked on farms in the latter state. In 1871 he came to Missouri and located in Clay township, Shelby county, and here he has been energetically and successfully engaged in farming and raising live stock from that time to the present. His farm comprises 420 aci'es and is well improved and liighly cultivated. His stock industry is extensive and active and is managed with the same care and intelligence that he bestows on his farming operations, and like that is progressive and profitable. He is one of the leaders in both industries in this part of the state and has a high and widespread reputation for his activity and intelligence iu both lines of endeavor and the excellence of his output in stock.

Mr. Crawford was married on December 24, 1873, to Miss Mary Bowman, a daughter of Aaron S. and Mary (Pierce) Bowman, who were natives of Tennessee and came to Missouri in 1853. On their arrival in this state they located in Ten Mile township, Macon coimty, where they lived until 1882, when they moved to Shelby county. Here the father was industriously engaged in farming until within a few years of his death, which occurred on March 25, 1892, when he was eighty-six years old.

Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have had five children, but only two of them are living, their daughter Zella, the wife of Leslie Schwada, and their son Charley M. In ])o]itics the father is a Republican, with an abiding interest in the welfare of his ])arty and an energy always ready for its service. He was a member of the school board for ten years or longei'. In religious connection he and his wife are affiliated with the Evangelical church and are very zealous and active clmrcli workers, serving as steward of the congregation to which he belongs and taking an earnest interest and leading part in all its benevolent activities and undertakings. He is generally esteemed as one of the best and most useful citizens of his township, who can lie depended on to do his part in furthering the promotion of every worthy enterprise for its improvement and advancement.

John Wiggins

Orphaned when he was but little over five years of age by the untimely death of his father, and thus thrown on his own resources at an early age, and now one of the successful and prosperous farmers of Shelby county, with a fine farm of 400 acres in Salt River township, John Wiggins has evidently had vision to see, alertness to seize and intelligence to use his opportunities for advancement to good advantage. What lie has is the fruit of his own unassisted industry, ability and determined spirit, and it is therefore all the more to his credit that he has it, and all the more enjoyable to him in possession and use.

^Ir. Wiggins is a Kentuckian by birth, l)ut he was brought to this county by his parents when he was but seven years old, and he has lived here from then to the present time. He was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on May 10, 18-1-6, and is a son of Thomas Wiggins and a grandson of Archibald Wiggins, the latter born and reared in Virginia and the former in Kentucky, his life beginning in Mason county of that state in 1800. He moved his family to Missouri in 1851, and took up his residence in Carroll county. But he did not live long to realize the high hopes with which he had sought a new home in the distant West, as it was then. He died on the farm on which he had settled his family in September of the same year at the age of about forty-five years.

He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Leach, of the same nativity as himself, and hy this marriage became the father of six children, three of whom are living: John, the immediate subject of this brief review; Adelaide, the wife of John Onan, of Shelliina ; and Julia, the wife of C. L. Wilkins, who also lives in Shelbina. In politics the father was a pronounced and loyal Democrat and a faithful worker for his party. He was industrious and frugal, making good provision for his family, according to his circvmistances, and also took an active and helpful interest in the affairs of his township and county, in which he was esteemed as an excellent citizen. But his usefulness was cut short and his career ended before he had made much headway in his struggle for advancement, and he left his widow and offsjiring but slenderly provided for.

It thus hajipened that the mother of John Wiggins found herself with several cliildren to rear and educate as best she could, and an undevelojied farm out of which to make a livelihood for her household. But she entered upon the task ))ravely and ])erforniod her duty faithfully. Nevertheless, it became necessary for her son John, her oldest child, to begin his work in the world at an early age. He ol)tained a limited education in the district schools of Carroll county, just over the line from Eay county, in which his mother's farm was located, but was not allowed to attend them long or with any regularity while he went to them.

He remained at home assisting his mother on the farm until 1864, then moved to Shelby county and began farming and raising live stock on his own account. He has dwelt in this county continuously ever since and been engaged in the same occupations all the time. He has been verj- successful in his operations, having nothing to start with in the way of capital, and is now one of the substantial farmers of the township in which he lives. On December 8, 1870, he was married to Miss Martha Cadwell, of this county. Four children have been born to them and all of them are living. They are: Clara May, the wife of A. B. Stalcup; Birda Ethel MeGee, whose home is in this county; Addie, the wife of Alonzo Keith, of Shelbina ; and Allie, the wife of Elwood Snell, who resides in Texas. The parents are zealous members of the Missionary Baptist church and take an active part in the work of the congregation in the sect to which they belong.

William L. Duncan

A son of the late Judge Duncan, of this county, and taking from him the management of the farm on which he was born and reaied, and on which he learned the art of farming under the careful tutelage of his father, William L. Duncan, of Black Creek township, in this county, has demonstrated in his successful career that the lessons of his boyhood and youth were not lost ui)on him, and also that he had capacity to apply them in practice to his own advantage and the benefit of the township and county in which he lives and has passed the whole of his earthly existence to this time.

Mr. Duncan was born in this county on December 15, 186-t, and is a son of William H. Duncan, who was born in this county in 1844, and a grandson of Levin Duncan, a native of Maryland, who was one of the early settlers of this part of Missouri. His son, William H. Duncan, the father of William L., was reared in this county and educated in its public schools. From the time when he left school until his death he was energetically and profitably engaged in farming and raising and feeding live stock for the markets, and in all his operations he was one of the most enterprising and successful men in his township, and one of its leading citizens.

His high character and great intelligence gave him influence with the people and made him something of a leader among them. And his interest in the progress and development of the county increased his jiromineuce and power. In 1894 he was elected county judge and in 1896 he was re-elected to the same position. At the end of his second term, in 1898, he was elected judge at large for his judicial district, but he did not live to take his seat as such, dying before the end of the year in which he was elected to it. In politics he was a Democrat and in religious affiliation a member of the Southern Methodist Episcojial church.

Jane Lowman. of this county. They had six children, four of whom are living: William L., the subject of this review; Mettie, whose home is in Shelbyville; Charles B., a resident of Nashville, Tennessee; and Maud, the wife of Clement Tyre, of Lexington, Missouri. They are all esteemed citizens where they live, and in their daily lives exemplify the teachings and examples given them at the jiarental fireside by their excellent parents, being faithful in the performance of every duty in both private and public life. The mother now makes her home at Shelbyville with her daughter Mettie. AVilliam L. Duncan began his scholastic training in a district school in this county and completed it in a graded public school in Shelbyville. Prom S(!hool he returned to his father's fax'm, the one on which he was born and on which he now lives, as lias been noted, and began the career as a farmer and live stock man which he is still extending. He has enlarged the farm to 240 acres, cultivated it skillfully and energetically, improved it with judgment and good taste, and made it one of the attractive and valuable rural homes of the township. He has also taken a good citizen's full part in helping to advance the best interests of his townshi[) and countj-, and labored in all his efforts to promote the enduring welfare of the people, giving them the stimulus of his influence and the force of his example in good work for progress and development. On February 19, 1898, he was married to Miss Marietta Wood, a daughter of Wesley and Kittie (Robb) Wood, highly respected residents of this countv. Politicallv he is a Democrat and fraternally a Knight of Pythias. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and takes an earnest interest in church work. Both are among the most generally esteemed citizens of the countv.

John B. Lowman

Now forty-four years of age, with good health, strength and a spirit of ])erseverance which is not daunted by difficulties; owning a fine farm, which he has improved with excellent judgment and good taste, and which he has brought to a high state of productiveness through systematic cultivation according to the most approved modern methods in agriculture and provided with everything in the way of equipment requii'ed for its advanced and vigorous tillage and further development, John D. Lowman, of Black Creek township, this county, is on the highway to extensive prosperity and material consequence among men. And, having won the regard of his fellow men who live in the same township and count y through his great public spirit and enterprise with reference to the progress and irajirovement of the county, and the readiness and intelligence with which he enters upon every worthy project designed to promote them, he has attained a position of influence that promises much for his future as one of the leading citizens of this portion of the state.

^Ir. Lowman is a native of Sh('ll)y county and has passed the whole of his life to the present time within its borders. He was born on February 15, 1866, and is a son of Samson B. and

Mary (Wilson) Lowman, a sketch of whom will be found in this work. He had no educational facilities but those furnished by the country schools of this county, but he has been an industrious reader and student on his own account, and is a well-informed man. After leaving school he worked on his father's farm and assisted the family until 1891. He then bought a farm and began a progressive and profitable career in farming and raising live stock for himself, which he is still extending under flourishing conditions. His farm comprises 160 acres and he has made it one of the most attractive and valuable of its size in the township. Nearly all of the land is under cultivation, and every acre that is farmed yields first rate returns for the labor and care bestowed on it.

Mr. Lowman was married on August -20, 1902, to Miss Ida B. Fagan, of Marion county, Missouri. Mrs. Lowman is a dai;ghter of George W. and Susan E. (Barnett) Fagan, residents of Philadelphia, Missouri. His political allegiance is given loyally and faithfully to the Democratic party, and, while he seeks no political honors or advancement for himself, he is impelled by the force of his convictions to zealous and effective efforts for the success of his party in all its campaigns. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and h i s wife of the Missionary Baptist church. They stand well in their community socially, take an earnest interest and an active part in the work of all the intellectual and moral agencies alive and vigorous around them, and in every way do their part as ui:)right, progressive and estimable citizens, and they are held in

Samson B. Lowman

Although of Virginia nativity and parentage, Samson B. Lowman, of Black Creek township in this county, who has made his mark indelibly on the record of the county's history both as a farmer and a public official, and is one of its best known and most esteemed citizens, is of Pennsylvania ancestry. His grandfather, Bernard Lowman, was born and reared in the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, but in his early manhood moved to Middlebrook, Virginia, and there his son, William O. Lowman, the father of Samson B., was born in 1815. There also he grew to manhood, was educated and learned the trade of tanner, wliich he followed in his native state for a nmnber of years.

In February, 1835, he was married to Miss Sarah Eagon, of Staunton, Virginia, and by this marriage became the father of foiar children, two of whom are living, Samson B. and his sister, Mary Jane, the wife of William H. Duncan, of Shelbyville, this county. In the fall of 1856 the father moved his family to Missouri, and, after passing the winter at Canton, Lewis coimty, settled in Shelby county, where he spent the remainder of his life and died in 1900, passing away at Shelbyville. In this county he was engaged in farming until a,bout fifteen years before his death, when he retired on the competency he had acquired to enjoy the rest he had richly earned. In politics he was a Democrat, in fraternal life an Odd Fellow,

Samson B. Lowman was educated in private schools at Middlebrook, Virginia, and, after completing his scholastic training, worked on the home farm with his father until 1860, having come to this state and Slieluy county with his parents. In the year last named he bought 160 acres of land in Black Creek township and began farming and raising live stock on his own account. He has followed these pursuits with unceasing devotion from that time to the iiresent, and has won a very gratifying success in pursuing them. In 1876 he was elected county surveyor and road and bridge commissioner of Shelby county, and he held the office until 1892, and during his tenure built the bridge over Salt river, between Shelbina and Shelbyville, the first iron bridge in the county. But ever since he located on his farm it has been his home.

As has been indicated, Mr. Lowman has been entirely successful in his business operations, and has also risen to prominence and influence in his township and county. His fann now comprises .360 acres, and all but twenty acres of it is under cultivation. With his intelligence and progressiveness in view, it is needless to say that his farming and live stock operations are conducted according to the most approved modern methods and with the ap])lication to them of all that is latest and best in theory and practice in the industries involved. And, with knowledge of his public spirit, enterprise and interest in his locality, it seems equally needless to say

Mr. Lowman has been married twice. His first marriage took place on November 26, 1860, and was with Miss Mary AYilson, who died in 1877. They had four ehildi-en and two of them are living: John D., an account of whose life appears in this volume, and his older brother, AVilliam M., both residents of this county. On June 26, 1879, the father was married a second time, being united on this occasion with Miss Angle Bryan, of Chillicothe, Missouri. Of the two children born of this marriage only one is living, Florence B., who is Mrs. Joseph C. Graddy, of Lexington, Missouri. The father is a Democrat in his political allegiance and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South, in religious affiliation.

James A. Smith

A native of Sussex county, Delaware, where his forefathers lived for several generations, and since 1865, except for a short interval of six months, during which he lived in Atchison, Kansas, a resident of Shelby county, Missouri, James A. Smith, of Lentner township, has ])assed the greater part of his life to this time amid scenes far different from those of his childhood, youth and early manhood, and among people whose habits and institutions are, in many respects, greatly unlike those amid which he grew to maturity. He has had ex- ]>erience in both country and city life, and followed Fortune's unreliable promise in several occupations. Yet he has at all times met the requirements of his

Mr. Smith was born iu Sussex county, Delaware, on May 1-t, 1843, and is a grandson of Marlow Smith, also a native of that state, and a son of John Smith, who lived in it all his life. He was a general farmer and also raised live stock on an extensive scale, owning 120 acres of land in a tract well adapted to his pui'suits. He was a man of force and enterprise and succeeded well in all his i;udertakings, achieving a substantial prosperity and standing well in his county as a citizen. In political relations he was a Democrat, and in reference to all matters affecting the welfare of his locality was public spirited and progressive.

In Delaware he was united in marriage with Miss Mellie Traitor, who was born and reared in Marjiand. They became the parents of ten children, seven of whom are living: John, whose home is in "Worcester county, M a r y 1 a n d ; Rufus, who resides in Sussex county, Delaware ; Leolyn M., who lives in Denver, Colorado ; James A., the subject of this brief review; David, who is also a resident of Sussex county, Delaware; William, who lives at Springwater, Oregon; and Mary, the wife of James Bunton, of Sussex county, Delaware. Both the father and the mother died in October, 1869, and within a few days of each other. They were well esteemed as useful citizens wherever they were known.

Their son, James A., obtained his education in the district schools of his native county, and after leaving school worked on the home farm with his father and assisted the family for a number of years. But the great AVest had a persuasive voice for him and kept tugging at his heart strings. And in 1865 he yielded to the call and came to Missouri, arriving in Shelbj- county on November 20th, and remaining here a short time. He then went to Atchison, Kansas, where he lived for six months, variously engaged. Returning to this county at the end of that j^eriod, he worked as a hired man on a farm for one year, then rented eighty acres of land, which he farmed on his own account for a time, with considerable success but not entire satisfaction to himself.

In order to more nearly accomplish his desires and have a permanent home for himself and his family, he bought a farm of forty-four acres, and on this he has ever since resided and expended his efforts with gratifying success and steadily increasing prosperity. He has greatly improved his farm, cultivated it with industry and skill, and brought it to a high degree of fruitfulness. As the place is not a large one, Mr. Smith is enabled to carry on what is called intensive farming, adapting his croi)s to the land as study and observaticm develop its characteristics, and thus makes every acre yield its due proportion of return for the labor expended on the farm and give him the best possible results. His farm is one of the most valuable and attractive rural homes in the township for its size.

have had twelve children, ten of whom are living : Jerome, who resides at Pine, Oregon; Dollie, the wife of Boone Faddis, of Centralia, Missouri; Charles L., whose home is in Portland, Oregon; Annie, the wife of Amos Miller, of Monroe county, Missouri; James E., a resident of Canada ; Lucy, the wife of John Winn, who also lives at Centralia, Missouri; Nora, a resident of Shelbyville; Armstrong and Maud, who are still at home with their parents ; and Leona, the wife of Arthur Phillips, whose home is in this county.

In political faith and allegiance Mr. Smith is a member of the Democratic party and, although he never has sought or desired a political office for himself, either by election or appointment, he is loyal and energetic in the service of the organization and always helpful in its campaigns. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal church. South, of which his wife is also a member, and to this also he is loyal and devoted, taking an active part in its work and aiding in evei-y way he can to promote its best interests. In the affairs of his township and county he takes an active interest and serviceable part, doing all he can to help them to wholesome and enduring progress and development along lines of steady and substantial advancement.

George W. Greenfield

One of the substantial farmers and stock growers of Shelby county, which has been his home from the time of his birth, Mr. Greenfield is a representative citizen of this section of the state and a member of one of the honored pioneer families of Shelby county. Through well-directed effort he has achieved a large measure of success in connection with temporal affairs, and he is the owner of a finely improved landed estate in his native county, besides which he is a member of the directorate of the Farmers' Bank at Leonard. He is held in uuquahfied esteem in his native county and is well entitled to consideration in this history.

George W. Greenfield was born in Taylor township, Shelby county, Missouri, on September 16, 1848, and the old homestead which was the place of his nativity is but three miles distant from his present place of abode. He is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Michaels) Greenfield, whose marriage was solemnized in the state of Ohio in 1838. The fatlier was born on Chesapeake Bay, in the state of Maryland, in 1812, and the mother was a native of Virginia, whence she removed with her parents to Ohio in an early daj'. Samuel Greenfield passed the first fourteen years of his life in his native state and then accomjianied his })areuts on their removal to Ohio, where he was reai'ed to maturity and where he received a common school education. He continued to reside in the old Buckeye state until about 1836, when the family removed to La Grange county, Indiana, and in 1840 came to Missouri and numbered himself among the first settlers of the present township of Taylor, where he secured a tract of wild land, which he reclaimed into a ])roductive farm. He became one of the successful farmers and stock raisers of the county and added materially to his landed estate, becomiug the owner of more tliau 700 acres. His first land was secured from the government and consisted of 120 acres. He continued to be actively concerned in the supervision of his large interests until 1899, when he disposed of his live stock and retired from active liusiness. In the meanwhile he deeded the greater portion of his lauded holdings to his children. He died in 1901, aged ninety-one years, and his name merits an enduring place on the roll of the honored pioneers of Shelby county, to whose civic and industrial development he contributed in generous measure. He gave his support to the cause of the Eepublican party from the time of its organization until the Greenback party was formed, and he thereafter was identified with the latter until it passed out of the political arena, when he again afiSliated himself with the Republican party. He was identified with the organization of the Methodist Epicopal church at Leonard, and both he and his wife held membership in the same. Mrs. Greenfield was summoned to the life eternal in aliout 1880, and of the eight children five are now living, namely : Sarah, who is the widow of Jacob Hoofer, of Shelby county; George W., who is the immediate subject of this review; Susan, who is the wife of Recompense Cox, of Norton, Kansas; Samuel A., who likewise resides at Norton, Kansas; and Mary, who is the wife of Edward Cox, of Shelby county, Missouri.

George W. Greenfield was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm and his early educational discipline was received in the Ernest school, in his home township, which lie attended until he was fourteen years of age, and in the McWilliams school house, which had formerly been a Baptist church, where he prosecuted his studies at intervals until he had attained the age of nineteen years. Thereafter he continued to assist in the work of his father's farm until 1871, when he began independent operations as a farmer and stock grower and established a home of his own, having l)urchased a house, to which he made an addition, besides making other improvements. He began operations on eighty acres of land and broke the virgin soil by the use of seven yokes of oxen. He directed his efforts with much energy and discrimination and his success became cumulative in its tendency, so that he soon gained precedence as one of the substantial representatives of the agricultural and stock industries of his native township and county. He is now the owner of a finely improved estate of two hundred acres and the land is of the most fertile order, so that he has one of the model farms of Shelby county. On his farm he has long maintained a blacksmith shop, and as he is a natural mechanic and has much skill at the blacksmith trade he has not only been able to attend to the shoeing of liis own horses and the repairing of his farm implements and machinery, but in earlier days he frequently came to the aid of his neighbors in making repairs of this order.