Shelby County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 13 of 16)

It is not to be overlooked, or passed with a mere mention, that ^Ir. Coe took part in tbe Civil war in this county. At tbe very beginning of the conflict he enlisted as a private soldier in tbe Confederate army, in Colonel Franklin's regiment under Colonel Porter. Whatever tbe length of bis term of sen'ice, it is certain that be bore himself bravely in all the privations, bardsbii)s and dangers of military life and admirably sustained tbe reputation of bis forefathers. His company was commanded by Captain Kendrick, and tbe regiment by Colonels Porter and Franklin. He was united in marriage with Miss ^[artba V. Nelson, a native of Knox county, on May 24, 1864. Eight children in all were bom to them. In politics Mr. Coe is an Independent, considering first, in every cam- paigB, the best interests of the public, and casting his vote in accordance with his judgment on that ground. In fraternal life he is a member of the Masonic order, and in religion his allegiance is given to the Missionary Baptist church. He has been very successful in his business, has shown himself to be an excellent citizen in every respect, and has won the lasting regard and confidence of the whole people in the northeastern part of this state and wherever else he has lived.

Kim Bethards

All of the fifty-five years that have passed to this time (1910) in the life of Kim Bethards, one of the substantial, prosperous and progressive farmers and live stock breeders of Black Ci'eek township, have been spent in Shelby county, and all of the number since he was first able to work have been devoted to the promotion of the two leading industries of the county in which he is now engaged. He was born in the county on November 8, 1844, and has never lived in any other county than Shelby, and never far from the locality of his present faiTU of 193 acres near Shelbyville.

Mr. Bethards is of Maryland ancestry, his grandfather and his parents, Joshua and Matilda (Moore) Bethards, all having been bom and reared in that state. The father came to Missouri in 1835 and located on a farm of 160 acres neaij Shelbyville, and there he farmed and raised and fed live stock for the markets, steadily enlarging his possessions in land and extending his stock industry as his prosperity increased, until at the

He and his wife were the parents of thirteen children, four of whom are living : Adeline, the wife of Robert Douglas, of Shelbyville ; Isaac, who resides in Henderson county, Illinois; and Zedoc and Kim, both of whom are residents of this county. The father was a pronounced and active Democrat in political faith and allegiance, and a man of great enterprise and zeal in behalf of all commendable projects for the improvement and development of his township and county. He found them almost at the dawn of their corporate existence and not far removed from the frontier stage of their history. He left them well advanced in material progress, dotted with the homes of an enterprising and sturdy people, determined to make the most of the opportunities for advancement their fertile acres afforded, and with all the elements of mental, moral and spiritual life well established. And to this result he and his wife contributed extensively and substantially. He died on March 5, 1875, and she on May 11 in the same year.

Their son Kim, the interesting subject of this brief sketch, obtained his education in Shelbyville, and after leaving school at once began farming on 200 acres of land near that town. From that farm he moved in 1878 to the one of 193 acres which he now owns and occupies. From the first planting of his plowshare in the responsive soil of this county he has been continuously and profitably engaged in general farming and raising and feeding live stock. He lias been very successful in both lines of activity, and his success is due to his energy, capacity and general good management. He has been a student of his business in all its details, and has applied the results of his reading, reflection and practical observation with skill and judgment, expanding his intelligence and broadening his views as the years have rolled away in their course. He is now considered one of the best and most practical farmers and stock men in his township.

On December 23, 1873, Mr. Bethards was united in marriage with ]\Iiss Ann Eliza Jordan, who was born in Michigan. They have had nine children, eight of whom are living: Minnie, Frank, Omer, Louis and Elva, all of whom are still at home with their parents; Albert, the third in the order of birth, who is a resident of South Dakota, and Eoy and Bay, whose homes are also in South Dakota. In political affairs the father follows the fortunes of the Democratic party and is active and serviceable in his support of its principles and candidates, although he is not desirous of any of its honors or emoluments for himself. Mrs. Bethards is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.

The fine old state of Virginia has made her name glorious in history by her production of many of the most distinguished men this country has known, and also by rearing on her historic soil a whole race of chivalric and high-minded men and graceful, cultivated and elegant women.

From her prolific and teeming population and liberal institutions have gone forth in addition hosts of sturdy and self-reliant emigrants to other states, which they have helj^ed to build up and develop in every element and feature of industrial, commercial and civil power.

In this last class belongs Elias A. Mc- Bride, one of the sterling yeomanry of this county, and the family from which he sprang, whose activities in this section of the state form part of the productive force which has been at work in developing its resources during the last three generations. He was born on October 13, 1850, in that portion of A'irginia which was torn from the mother state by the stern arbitrament of the Civil war. There also was the place of nativity of his grandfather, Stephen McBride, and his parents, James J. and Ellen (Horn) McBride. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1858, and the family located in Sheridan county, where the father was actively engaged in general farming and raising live stock until the beginning of the Civil war. "When that memorable conflict between the sections of our torn and distracted country began he went into the Confederate army as a drill master. But before he served any great length of time he was captured by the opposing forces, and from then until his death, which occurred in 1863, he languished in a Federal military prison in St. Louis, and there he died. The mother was spared the sadness of knowing his fate, for she died in 18G0, more than a year before his military service began.

Histoky Of Shelby Couxty

two of whom are living: Lucretia, tlie widow of the late Jesse Smith, of Hannibal, Missouri, and Elias A. The latter was thus orphaned by the death of his mother when he was ten years old and doubly orjihaned by that of his father when he was thirteen. Yet, in spite of the malignity of fate that thus bereaved him, he was able to secure a good education in the. disti'ict schools of Shelby county and the high school in Shelbyville. But he was obliged to make his own way in the world from an early age, and he began his progress up the steep incline toward prosperity by working out as a hired hand on farms in the state of Illinois, which he did for a period of eighteen months.

Mr. McBride was industrious and frugal, and used every opportunity available to him to advance his fortunes, and at the end of the period named, he returned to Shelby county, Missouri, and took up his residence on a farm of 120 acres near Shelbyville. He now lives on one of 240 acres in the same locality. He has farmed his land vigorously and skillfully and has made it highly productive. And his success in developing it and enlarging his own prosperity, while the progress was slow and painful at first, has been continuous and considerable. He has also taken an earnest interest and an active part in helping to build up and improve his towmship and county, and is regarded as one of their most worthy and estimable citizens. In politics he is a Republican, in fraternal life an Odd Fellow, and in religion a member of Missionary Bajjtist cluucli. On October 4, 1874, he was married to Miss Agnes Forman, a native of this county. They have had four children, three of whom are living: Ernest H. and Everett T., prosperous citizens of Shelby county, and Emmet C, who is still living at home with his parents. Ely E. died on August 23, 1909, aged twelve years. Mrs. McBride died October 31, 1906. No persons in the county stand higher in public esteem than the members of this excellent family.

Robeet Edgar Taylor

The son of an extensive live stock breeder and shipper, and who was also extensively engaged in farming, and himself occupied from the dawn of his manhood in the same lines of activity, with steadily increasing success, Robert Edgar Taylor, of Black Creek township, has contributed materially and effectively, in himself and through his parents, to the growth and development of Shelby county and its consequence, influence and power in the productive and commercial life of the state. The part his parents took in this commendable work is, however, by no means to be considered onh' on his account, nor is his part to be regarded only in connection with theirs. For each is worthy in itself of honorable mention, without reference to the other, as each has l)een considerable in magnitude and ini])ortance.

Mr. Tayloi' was born in this county on July 11, 18fi8, and is a son of Robert James and Louisa (Prye) Taylor, natives of \'irginia, where their forefathers lived for generations. The father came to Missouri in 1849 and settled on a farm of 280 acres near Shelbv- ville. He carried on an active and extensive business as a general farmer, and also conducted one of equal magnitude in raising and shipping live stock for the Eastern markets. He was very successful in all his undertakings, devoting to them his whole attention and applying to them all his energy and intelligence, except what was given in behalf of the general interests of his township and county. He was so zealous in his industry and the management of his operations that he never laid aside his instruments of progress or abated his earnestness in the use of them until death ended his labors on January 26, 1909.

His union in marriage with Miss Frye took place in about 1850, and by it he became the father of eight children, three of whom are living: Maggie, the wife of I. N. Looney, of St. Louis, Missouri; Lula, the wife of Charles Ennis, of Shelbwille; and Robert E., the subject of this brief review. The father was an active and zealous Democrat in his political relations, a member of the Masonic order in fraternal life, and gave his religious allegiance to the Southern Methodist church.

Robert Edgar Taylor, like most of his boyhood associates, ol)tained his education in the public schools of Shelbyville.' And, like the greater number of them also, began a career as a farmer and stock breeder as soon as he left school. The beginning of this career was on his father's farm and tuider the direction of that enterprising and progressive man, and the son continued this relation until 1899, when he bought the farm and began operations for himself on it.

All its industries and interests were thus transferred f x'om father to son, although the former remained in his position as adviser of the latter to the end of his life. The business has gone on in the same steady strides of advancement and enlargement ever since the son took hold of it, and he has shown that his early ti-aining under the eye of a master in it was not lost upon him. He has kept up the general farming and also the live stock industry to their full capacity, and has also kept i^ace with the march of modern progress in conducting them.

He united in marriage with Miss Ollie Dines, a native of Shelby county, on September 16, 1891. The two children born to them are both living and still members of the parental household. They are Daniel E. and Clifford Lee, both youths of promise and giving excellent fruits of their home training in their fidelity to duty and admirable traits of character. The father is a Democrat in his political faith and activity and devoted to the welfare of his party. He is an Odd Fellow, and belongs to the Southei-n Methodist church.

Henry G. Miller

The history of this sturdy farmer and stock man, sterling citizen and stimulating force in the affairs of Black Creek township, this county, and that of the family to which he belongs, presents a feature of very unusual occurrence and interest. Both he and his father were soldiers in defense of the Union during our Civil war of unhappy memory, and each saw three years' service in that sanguinary and momentous conflict, the father as a corporal in his company and the son as a private in his. Of the military experiences they had, both have been restrained by natural modesty and genuine worth from saying much, especially in their own behalf. But the knowledge of others, based on well ascertained facts, has established the truth that they bore well their part in the shock of battle or frenzy of the charge, and bravely endured the hardships and trials of duty in camp and on the march.

Mr. Miller is a native of Shelby county, Missouri, born on March 20, 1842, and is a scion of old Alabama families. His grandfather was a native of that state, and not the first representative of the family that lived there. In that state also the father and mother of the interesting siibject of this sketch were also born and reared. The father, Solomon W. Miller, came to Missouri in 1836, and located in Shelby county. He bought a farm of 120 acres of land near Shelbyville, and on that he lived and labored with well applied industry and fidelity to every requirement of duty until 1856. He then built a mill, known all over the surrounding country as "Miller's mill," and for a long time one of the landmarks and central gathering places for farmers and others for many miles around. He was successful and prosperous in both his farming and milling operations, and became a man of substance and of prominence in the community. The mill was built in the neighborhood of Shelbyville.

Solomon AV. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Jane Tolliver, a native of Alabama, the marriage taking place in Indiana. Seven children were born in the household, four of whom are living, and all but one of them residents of Shelby county. They are: Henry G., to whom these paragraphs are specially devoted ; Fannie, the wife of Samuel Allison; Joseph H., also a successful Shelby county farmer; and Emma, the wife of John Ruckman, of the state of Oklahoma. In politics the father was a Democrat, and in religioTi a Universalis!.

He was a son of the South, but he was not favorable to the institution of slavery, and was strongly opposed to the dismemberment of the Union. And he showed the strength of his convictions by following them to the battlefields of the Civil war, which so violently wrenched the institutions and was so fatal to the life and prosperity of the country, serving as a corporal of the company in which he enlisted, as has been stated above. He was discharged from the service in 1865 after being in it three years.

His son, Henry G. Miller, obtained his education in the district schools of Shelby county, and after leaving them at once turned his attention to farming and milling. From then until now (1910) he has been energetically occupied in these industries, except during the three years of his service in the Union army during the Civil war, mention of which has been made in the opening paragraph of this sketch. He lives on an excellent farm of 160 acres near Shelbj^ille, which ho cultivates with vigor, intelligence and profit, and his mill is one of the established and popular institutions of this part of the county, of which he is also one of the leading and most representative citizens, licJd in high esteem by all who know him and eai'nestly devoted to the best interests of the township and county in which he dwells and to the prosperity and advancement of which he so essentially and judiciously contributes.

Mr. Miller was married on February 15, 1866, to Miss Mary S. Collier, a native of Grundy county, Missouri. Seven of the ten children born to them are living: Sallie F., the wife of E. C. Grossenbacher, whose home is in Texas; Mary C, the wife of Amos Forman, a resident of this county; Lizzie B., the wife of C. H. Walker, who lives in Quincy, Illinois; James W., who is in business in St. Louis; Effie E., the wife of W. L Forman, of Shelby county; Maggie I., who also has her home in Shelby county; and Ida, who is residing at home. The father is a Democrat in politics and a Universalist in i-eligion. He gives diligent attention to the claims of both his party and his state, and is valued as a member and worker in both. In his business operations he has been uniformly successful and jjrosperous, and in citizenship no man in the county stands higher.

Robert L. Carmichael

Transferring to this state and Black Creek township. Shell ty county, the elevated ideas of manhood and public duty he inherited from his ancestors and acquired from association in the place of his nativity, and coming to this locality with his parents at the age of sixteen, Robert L. Carmichael made himself a very useful and esteemed citizen here and helped materially in the woi'k of building up the township and county of his residence, in which he lived and labored for the last forty-four years. His death occurred February 1, 1911.

He was born in Hampshire county, "Virginia, now West ^"irginia, on October 28, 1850, and was a son of Robert and Lucy A. (Louthan) Carmichael, of the same nativity as himself, and a grandson of Daniel Carmichael, who came to this country from Scotland, where he was born and where his forefathers lived many generations before that event occurred. The father was born on Novemlier 15, 1814, and brought his family to Missouri in 1866. He located on a good farm in Shelby county and lived, on it until his death on November 3, 1899. He was a planter in his native state and a farmer here, ])assing the whole of his life from boyhood in agricultural pursuits, and he attained considerable success in his work, which he managed with .skill and ])rosecuted witli vigor and enterprise of the most commendable character.

He was mai'ried to Miss Lucy A. Louthan, and by this vmion he became the father of six sons, five of whom are living: John W., Daniel A., James H., W. E., and Robert L., all residents of Shelby county. In ]iolitics the father was a Democrat of the old school and a devoted member of his party, giving it loyal and effective support at all times. His religious association was witli the Methodist Episcopal church. South. He was a man of strong character, considerable intelligence and elevated manhood, and he became one of the jirominent and intlueiitial citizens of this countv.

His son, Robert L. Carmicliael, obtained his oducation in the ijublic schools of his native county, and while attending them assisted his father in the management of the plantation there. After his arrival in this county he continued this filial course until the death of his parents, when he took charge of the farm and had been actively, progressively and profitably occupied with its cultivation and the conduct of his large and remunerative live stock industry. In connection with the home farm he also cultivated what was long known as the Fumam farm, which he became possessed of. His joint farm now comprised 300 acres, and is one of the most valuable landed interests in the township of Black Creek.

Mr. Carmicliael was married on March 9, 1876, to Miss Sallie A. Taylor, a daughter of B. F. and Eliza (WilUams) Taylor, who have long been highly esteemed residents of this county. The Carmichael offspring numbered five, and four of the children are living : Lena M., whose residence is still with her parents ; Winnie, the wife of Albert Kennel, a resident of this county ; Ethel, the wife of W. W. Elgin, who lives on the old family homestead ; and Lucy T., the wife of R. A. Moore, also living in Shelby county. Thus Mr. Carmichael 's children dwelled with and around liim, within easy communication with their parents and one another, and was thereby enabled to keep up to a large extent the old spirit of the family circle of the past. His political allegiance and support were given loyally to the Democratic party, and he was prominent in its councils and active and effective in its service. He had no direct religious affiliation except through that of his wife, who is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, but he aided in the support of all denominations with a liberal hand.

Theodore B. Damrell

A representative of the third generation of the Damrell family in Missouri, the subject of this review has long held precedence as a progressive and upright business man who has been very successful in his various enterprises, and as a citizen well worthy of the high regard in which he is uniformly held in the county that has been his home during the major portion of his life. He is now a resident of Shelbyville, he has given effective service in various offices of public trust, and is actively engaged in the business of buying and shipping high-grade horses, jacks and mules, in which line he has built up a large and flourishing business.

Theodore B. Damrell was born on the homestead farm of his father in Jefferson township, Alonroe county, Missouri, on May 9, 1859, and is a grandson of Judge Edmond Damrell, who was one of the pioneer settlers of that coimty and one of the first judges of the County court, having been a man of prominence and influence in his community and having continued his residence in Monroe county until his death, in the fulness of years and honors. Alpheus T. Damrell, father of him whose name initiates this article, was born in Monroe county, this state, in 1832, and there he passed his entire life, having been reared to the sturdy discipline of the pioneer farmbcn stead and having gained his early education in the common schools of the locality and period. After leaving school he continued to be associated in the work and management of the home farm until he had attained to his legal majority, when his father gave him a tract of land in Jet^erson township, that county, where he developed a valuable farm and became known as one of the thrifty and successful agriculturists and stock growers and as a representative citizen of that section of the state, where he continued to maintain his home until his death, which occurred on March 20, 1877. At the time of his death he was preparing to move to Salt River township, Shelby county. Mo., and after his death his family removed to the farm mentioned.

In the year 1853 was solemnized the marriage of Alpheus T. Damrell to Miss Lupine Stribling, who was bom in ^Ionroe county, this state, in 1839, being a daughter of Toliver Stribling, a sterling pioneer of that county. She still survives her honored husband and now, venerable in years and secure in the affectionate regard of all who know her, she maintains her home in the city of Shelbyville. Of the ten children eight are living and all save the youngest still reside in Shelby county, namely: Leonidas, Tolivor S., Theodore B., Lydia, Orlando, Edwin M., Eppie, and Lovie Lupine. Lydia is the wife of Marcelus C. Coomes, a representative farmer of this county; Eppie is the wife of William IL ISfoore, who is likewise identified with agricultural pursuits in this county; and Lovie Tj. is the wife of James AY. Miller, of St. Louis, this state. In politics the honored father was a staunch advocate of the principles and policies of the Demoratic party and he wielded no slight influence in public affairs of a local order, having been one of the leaders in the ranks of his i)arty in Monroe county. He was signally loyal and public-spirited as a citizen and his aid and influence were ever given in support of measui'es and enterprises tending to conserve the progress and ])rosperity of the comnumity. He was a charter member of the Alasonic lodge at Florida, Monroe county, and passed its various official chairs. His religious faith was that of the Christian church, and his wife has long held membership in the same church. His name merits perpetuation in this work as one of the worthy citizens who have contributed to the material and civic upbuilding of this favored section of the state.

Theodoi'e B. Damrell, the immediate subject of this review, passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm, in whose work he early began to lend his aid, waxing strong in mind and body and duly availing himself of the advantages of the common schools of the locality. He continued to be associated in the work and management of the old homestead farm until the death of his father and shortly aftei'ward removed with the family to the homestead in Salt River township, Shelby county, near Shelbina. The older brothers had established themselves independently and he remained with his widowed mother, supervising the work of the fann, until 1879, when he removed to Lewis county and established his home near La Belle, where he built up a jjrosperous business as a dealer in horses of the better grade and whei'e he continued to reside nntil 1886, when he returned to Shelby county, where he engaged in gieneral farming, in connection with the handling of fancy horses and mules. In 1889 he left his farm and took up his abode in the city of Shelbyville, where he became senior member of the firm of Damrell & Sanders, dealers in general merchandise. This association continued for a period of six years, at the expiration of which Mr. Damrell 's brother, Edwin M., purchased Mr. Sanders ' interest in the business, which was thereafter successfully continued under the firm title of Damrell Brothers until 1901, when the stock and business were sold to the present owner, Preston B. Dunn, Jr. Since that time Mr. Damrell has given his attention principally to the buying of horses, mules and ,iacks of the best type, and he has built up a large business, shipping principally into the western states and being one of the leading dealers in this kind of stock in this section. He is a stockholder of the Citizens' Bank of Shelbyville, of whose directorate he is a member, and was a. charter member and director of the Shelby County Eailrnad Company, the construction and operation of whose line was promoted and financed by the citizens of the county. Mr. Damrell never denies tlie sui^port of his influence and tangible aid in the furthering of measures advanced for the general good of the community, and his attitude is essentially that of a broad-minded, progressive and loyal citizen, while his course in life has been so guided and governed that he has never been denied the fullest measure of popuhir confidence and esteem. He has served for eight years as a member of the board of aldermen of Shelbyville and at the present time is serving his first term as a member of the board of education of his home city. He is a stalwart in the local camp of the Democratic party and takes an active part in its work. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife are zealous members of the Christian church, giving a liberal support to the various departments of its work.

On January 19, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Damrell to Miss Nellie E. Hughes, who was born and reared in Shelby county, being a daughter of the late William A. Hughes, an honored pioneer settler and the organizer of the first bank in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Damrell have one daughter, Mary Hughes Damrell, who remains at the ])a rental home and is one of the popular figures in connection with the social activities of the community.

James M. Holliday

The subject of this sketch has been an intimate friend of the writer for more than fifty years, and at our own request the county historian has kindly permitted us' to write this brief sketch of the life of our friend as connected with the people of Shelby county.

James M. Holliday was born in Scotland county, Missouri, Januaiy 2, 18.39, moved to Shelby coimty, Missouri, with his parents in the month of November, 1S.')2. His father, his father's brother, and tlieir mother were among the pio- neer settlers of Shelby county, and were connected with its early history. His uncle, Judge William J. Holliday, was Shelby county's first representative in the Missouri legislature.

Our friend like most of our pioneer fathers who prepared this great country for its present civilization, was deprived of a college education, but he through his own effort and resources amassed a wonderful volume of information.

He was an untiring reader, a deep thinker, and a walking encyclopedia. He never forgot anything he heard or read, if it interested him. He was enthusiastic in his convictions and loyal to his fi'iends; a man who would boldly do battle in the conflicts of life for the success of his friends ; honest in purpose, resourceful in strength, and judicious in his executive accomplishments. Religiously he was a member of the Christian church, his biblical infoi-mation equal to many who have made the Bible a life stud^^

He was appointed constable of Taylor township in 1871, was elected public administrator of Shelby county and commissioned by Governor Woodson in 1874, but never qualified. Was elected justice of the jjeace of Taylor township in 1876 and held that ofiSce for six years ; was appointed and commissioned by Governor Francis in 1890 as a notary public of Shelby county and filled that office for four years, and in 1894, at the solicitation of Congressman William IT. Hatch, he was api)ointed, by ^Ir. Hurt, the doorkeeper of the house of representatives of the fifty-third congress, messenger and assigned to the committee on agriculture, which was Colonel Hatch's committee. This position he filled during the rest of Colonel Hatch's career as congressman, and the Hon. William H. Hatch never had a warmer friend or a greater admirer than James M. Holliday.

While in Washington Mr. Holliday visited Memorial Hall and was mortified to find Missouri with her long list of illustrious men without a representative. Mr. Holliday, being a student of Missouri's great men and an admirer of Col. Thomas H. Benton, at once begun the agitation of the question of having the statue of Thomas H. Benton placed in Statuary Hall in Washington, D. C. He wrote an article and had it published in the Shelbina "Democrat," calling attention to this neglect.

He also wrote a letter to Governor Stone, urging him to take up the matter, to which Governor Stone replied, promising to bring the matter before the legislature in his message, and this was done and Squire Holliday 's work was accomplished, which is a jewel among his successes of which he has always been proud.

It was his especial desii'e to have Col. Thomas IT. Benton represent Missouri in Statuary Hall in Washington, D. C, but along with this the Missouri legislature placed the statue of Francis P. Blair.

James M. Holliday left Shelby county in November, 189fi, moving to the state of Montana, again entering into the hardships and enjoying the hospitalities of pioneer life. He located on and homesteaded 160 acres of land, lived on it five years, proved up and got a deed to it. Has been successful in other ventures and has a nice competency to lean upon in his declining years.

He has had the confidence of the Democratic party in the great state of Montana, as evidenced Ijy liis nominations for the legislature and county commissioner without his solicitation.

He has while in Montana filled the office of postmaster four years, road supervisor six years, and has been honored many times with various minor offices. He is now living in Helena, Montana, and is a constant reader of the "Shelby County Herald" and "Shelbina Democrat," and has never lost interest in Shelby county people and tlieir enterprises or its history.

William A. Hirelingee

William A. Hirrlinger, one of the leading farmers of Jefferson township, in this county, was born in Riohhand county, Ohio, on June 28, 1846, but came to Missouri with his parents in 1852. The family took up its residence at Shel- ))yville, and here he grew to manhood and ol)tained his education. He lias passed all his subsequent years in this county, and may therefore, without impropriety, be called a product of Shelby county, and in all respects except his liirtli a Missourian. For he is thorougiily imbued with the spirit of the people of this state, and devoted to its welfare in every way.

passed his life in Germany. His son, William, the father of William A., was also born in that country, his life beginning in the city of Wittenburg in 1822. In 1844 he came to the United States and during the next six years had his home in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1850 he moved to Illinois, and in 1852 to Missouri, settling his family at Shelbyville. During the Civil war he enlisted in the army, his regiment becoming a part of the command of General Greene, and while the conflict lasted he saw considerable active service, taking part in the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge, Missouri, and a number of other engagements of great or small importance.

He was a cabinet maker, and at the close of his military service returned to Shelbyville and worked at his trade until 1865. He then turned his attention to farming, which he followed until his death in May, 1871. The mother, whose maiden name was Magdalena Doerr, was also a native of German j" and a daughter of Jacob and Magdalena Doerr, who were born and reared in that country, and belonged to families long resident there. She died on July 11, 1887. By their marriage they became the parents of seven children. One of them died in infancy and the rest grew to maturity. Those now living are: William A., the subject of this sketch; Magdalena, the wife of Stephen M. Hancock, of Marion, Indiana; Eliza, the wife of John Van Houten; Emma, the wife of Charles Rheinheimer, of Shelbyville; and Cora, the wife of L. L. Wheeler, of Clarence.

the carpenter trade until 1870. He then became a farmer and has been one ever since. In 1875 he located in Jefferson townshiij, this county, and from that time to the present (1910) has been engaged in his chosen occupation there. His farm comprises 162 acres of first rate land and is well improved and vigorously cultivated according to the most advanced modern methods. It is very x^roductive, yielding good returns for the labor and care bestowed ui)on it. Through its products Mr. Hirrlinger has gained a competency for life, and by his faithful attention to all the duties of citizenship and his cordial interest in and energetic activity in promoting the welfare of his township and county, he has arisen to an exalted ]ilace in the regard and good will of their people.

He was married in November, 1871, to Miss Keziah A. Barr, a native of this coimty. They had four children, all of whom are living. They are : Virgil F., whose home is in this county ; Lily Irene, the wife of G. M. Edmonds, of Clay township, this county; Bertha E., the wife of G. C. Chinn, of Lentner township; and ^Tyrtle, the wife of S. B. Searles, of Belleville, Ontario, Canada. Their mother died on June 28, 1882, and on April 15, 1885, the father married a second wife, making Miss Louisa Henniuger, a native of INTonroe county, his choice on this occasion. They had no children. His second wife died in 1892, and in 1894 he married a third, i\liss Maria Turney, a daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Waite) Turney, natives of Canada, who located in Monroe county, Missouri, in 1869. They, also, have no children.

In political connection Mr. Hirrlinger is allied with the Democratic party. "When Mr. Hirrlinger became of age he offered his first vote for Seymour in 1868, but was denied the right to vote on the ground that his father had served in the Confederate army, notwithstanding the fact that he had himself been mustered into the Missouri militia during the last year of the war and had done guard duty at Shelbyville during Anderson's raid on Shelbina. He served on the school board about six years, and in many other ways has been beneficial to the township and county by reason of his public spirit and helpful interest in the public affairs of his locality. He is a director of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of the county, and connected with other institutions of value to the people. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church South, of which his wife is also a member, and in the congi-egation to which they belong he has been one of the stewards for more than forty years. His interest in church work leads him to great industry in the worthy and commendable activities of the sect to which he is attached, and also to serviceable exertions in behalf of other church organizations. Jefferson townshi]) has no better or more useful citizen, and none whom the ])eople hold in more coi .lial and sincere regard.

John M. Wood

The subject of this brief sketch is one of the able and popular officials of Shelby county, where he has been superintendent of the countv infinnarv from the time of its establishmeut in 1900. He has proved a most careful, efficient and generous executive officer in connection with this well ordered institution for the aid of the helpless and indigent residents of the county, and he is well entitled to representation in this publication.

Mr. Wood is a scion of one of the sterling pioneer families of Missouri, though he himself is a native of the Lone Star state. His paternal grandfathei', Malcolm Wood, was born and reared in Missouri, where he passed his entire life, his parents having come from Kentucky to this state in an early day. John M. Wood was born in Texas on September G, 1872, and is a son of John and Sallie (Swearengen) Wood, both of whom were natives of Shelby county, Missouri, and now reside near Walkerville in this county. The father devoted practically his entire active career to agricultural pursuits, in which connection he maintained his residence in Texas for a period of about four years, at the expiration of which he returned to Missouri. He is a Democrat in his political proclivities, is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. South. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom only five are now living, nameh^: James H., who is a resident of Knox county, this state; Cora, who is the wife of Charles Quigley, of Shelby county; John M., who is the immediate subject of this review; Emma G., who is the wife of James Fitzpatrick, of Shelby county; and Nellie, who resides on the old homestead in Shelbv countv.

John M. Wood was about four years of age at the time of the family's return from Texas to Missouri, and he was reared to maturity on tlie homestead farm of his father in Salt River township, Shelby coimty, where he received his early educational training in the district schools. From his youth to the present time he has been actively identified with the great basic art of agriculture, having continued to be individually engaged in this vocation and in the raising of live stock in this county from the time he was twenty-one years of age until 1900, on the 15th of February of which year he was assigned charge of the Shelby county poor farm. Upon the completion of the infirmary buildings he was continued in charge of the farm and made superintendent of the infirmary. The institution is located one-half mile northwest of the city of S h e 1 b y V i 1 1 e and the farm contains twenty-six acres, affording adequate provision for raising much of the food products required in the conducting of the institution, which has about thirtythree inmates at the time of this writing, in the spring of 1910. The main building, a substantial structure of pressed l)rick, is modern in its design and sanitary provisions, is two stories in height, with ample basement, and is 40 by 60 feet in dimensions. Tiie plumbing is of the best type and the building is heated with steam. The county is to be honored in having made so effective provision for its unfortunate wards and is to be congratulated on having in charge of the infinnary so cajiable, earnest and true-hearted a manager, - one who has deep sympathy for those consigned to his

In politics Mr. Wood gives his allegiance to the Democratic party and he is essentially loyal and public-spirited as a citizen. In a fraternal way he is identified with Shelby Lodge, No. 33, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in Shelb;i"\'ille, and he holds memliership in the Methodist Episcopal church. South, and his wife of the Christian church, in whose work they take a zealous interest.

On March 9, 1898, Mr. Wood was united in marriage to ^liss Bessie Griffith, who was bom, reared and educated in Shelby county, and who is his effective and popular coadjutor at the infirmary, of which she is matron. She is a daughter of John Griffith, a representative farmer of this coimty. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have an adopted son, John T., who is five years of age.

Prestox B. Dunn

One of the representative and honored citizens of Shelby county and a scion of one of its best known pioneer families, Hon. Preston B. Dunn, vicepresident of the Shelbyville Bank, has so ordered his course in all the relations of life that he lias made his influence felt in a potent way in connection with industrial, financial and civic affairs and matters of public import. He stands as a fine type of loyal and useful citizenship, has attained to large and generous success through worthy' means, and well merits the high esteem in which he is held in his native coimty. He was formerly president of the bank of which he is now vice-president, being one of the largest stockholders of this substantial institution and having, in his present office, acted principally in an advisory capacity since his retirement from the presidency. A review of the history of the Shelbyville Bank appears on other pages of this publication.

Preston B. Dunn was born on the homestead farm of his father, in Black Creek townshi]), Shelby county, Missouri, on August 9, 1843, and is a grandson of James Dunn, who was one of the sterling pioneers of Kentucky, where he continued to reside until his death. In Jessamine county, that state, John Dunn, father of the subject of this review, was born in the year 1792, and there he was reared to maturity and continued to maintain his home until 1824, when he came to Missouri and numbered himself among the early settlers of Howard county, where he remained until 1832. when he removed to Clarion county, from which section he came to Shelby county in 1836. Here he secured a tract of land sis miles west of the present thriving little city of Shelb>'\nlle, the old homestead, which he developed into a productive fann, having been located in Black Creek township. He was a man of energy-, ambition, sti'ong mentality and mature judgment, and he played no insignificant part in the material and civic upbuilding of the county, where he ever conunauded the fullest measure of ]^opular confidence and esteem and where he continued to maintain his home until his death, which occuiTod in July. 186(i, having retired from active labors in the same year and having been a resident of Sliclbj"\Mlle at the time of his demise. He was one of the extensive and success- ful fanners aud stock-growers of this section of the state and wielded marked and beneficent inflnence in connection with local affairs of a public order. He was a staunch Whig m politics and after the dissolution of that party gave his allegiance to the cause of the American and Union parties. He became the owner of a considerable number o^" slaves and his sympathies were with the cause of the Union when the Civil war was projected upon a divided nation. Both he and his wife were zealous members of the Presbyterian church, showing their lively and constant faith in all manner of good works and kindly deeds.

In the year 1818 was solemnized the marriage of John Dunn to Miss Elizabeth Doak, who was born and reared in Harrison county, Kentucky, and who was a woman of noble and gracious attributes of eliaracter, her fidelity and strength being such as to make her a true helpmeet in the strenuous life of the pioneer days. She was summoned to the life eternal in 1876. Of the thirteen children three died in infancy, and of the number only two are now living: Martha C, who is the wife of John F. McMurray, of Shelbina, this county, and Preston B., whose name initiates this article.

Preston B. Dunn was reared to the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the pioneer farm and to the common schools of Shelliy county, including the Shelby high school, of Shelbyville, he is indebted for his early educational training, which was effectively supplemented by a cour.se in Westminster College, at Fulton, Missouri, in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1864.

Thereafter he remained on the old homestead and devoted a portion of the time to teaching in the country schools until 1866, when he entered the Louisville Law School, at Louisville, Kentucky, in which institution he was graduated in March, 1867, with the degree of Bachelor of Law. Shortly afterward, at Shelbyville, he was admitted to the bar of his native state, and there he began the practical work of his profession, in which he gained high prestige and unqualified success and in which he continued consecutively until 1892. He was identified during the long intervening years with much important litigation, retained a large and representative clientage, and was kno-rni as a counsellor well fortified in the science of jurisjjrudence and in the practical application of the same.

In 1893 Mr. Dunn was elected president of the Shelbyville Bank and he continued as the able chief executive of this solid and popular financial institution until 1899, when he resigned the active administrative duties to others, though he has since continued to serve as vicepresident, as previously stated in this article.

In politics Mr. Dunn has been a zealous and effective advocate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, but his partisanship is not of the narrow order that i)r('cludes the viewing of public matters from a bx'oadminded and clearly outlined vantage point. As a young man he served as deputy collector of Shelby county, and in 1890 he was elected as representative of Shelby county in the state legislature, in which he made an admirable record. He is affiliated with the Independent

Order of Odd Fellows, is a member of the Presbyterian church, and his wife is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. As a citizen he has ever been liberal, loyal and progressive, and he has done mueli to further the material and civic advancement of his home county, of whose citizens he is one of the best known and most highly honored, and of whose bar he was long one of the leading members.

On January 9, 1873, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Clara Mc- Murtry, who was born and reared in Shelby county, where her father, Alexander McMurtry, was a sterling pioneer settler. Mrs. Dimn was summoned to eternal rest on March 8, 1885, and both of their children are living: Alexander M., who is now cashier of the Shelbyville Bank; and Preston B., Jr., who is engaged in business at San Antonio, Texas. On December 2(5, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Dunn to Miss Lillie M. Rogers, daughter of Stephen Kogers, of Monroe City, this state, and they have one child, Clara E., who is a popular tigure in connection with the social activities of her native city.

The Shelbyville Bank

Among the oldest and most favorably known of the secure and ably managed banking houses of northern Missouri is that known as the Shell)yville Bank, which dates its incei)tion back to the year 1874, when it was organized under the title of the Shelby County Savings Bank. It was originally a jointstock institution, of which John T. Cooper was president and Philip Dinnnitt cashier. Under these conditions the bank was continued successfully for several years, and then its president and cashier purchased the stock of the other interested principals and changed the title to Cooper & Dimmitt. As a private institution conducted by this firm, the bank gained wide repute as one of the substantial and solid financial institutions of the state, and its title to popular support and confidence was based not more clearly upon its sound financial basis than upon the high character of the men who controlled its affairs. Mr. Cooper sold his interest to Dr. Philip Dimmitt, and thereafter the business was successfullj- continued under the title of Philip Dimmitt, banker, with operations based on a capital of $12,000. Dr. Dimmitt had in his employ, in an executive capacity, his son Frank and later Lindley G. Schofield also. In 1892, after the "death of his wife, Dr. Dimmitt retired from active business, having sold the banking business, December 13th of that year, to Preston B. Dunn, Lindley G. Schofield, Frank, Prince, and Marvin, Pope and Lee Dimmitt. At this time the institution was reorganized under the title of the Shelbyville Bank, which has since been retained, the previously mentioned gentlemen l)eing the stockholders of the bank, whose capital was increased to $20,000. The officers elected under the new regime were as here noted: Preston B. Dunn, president; Lindley G. Schofield, cashier ; and these executive officers were also members of the directorate, which likewise included the other three stockholders, Frank. Prince and Pope Dimmitt. On :^lay 31, 1S!)4. the capital stock was increased to $20,000, and at the next annual election, in 1895, the followingdirectors were chosen: Preston B. Dunn, Lindley G. Schotield, Prank and Prince Dimmitt, and Reason Baker. Mr. Dunn continued in the presidency and Mr. Schofield became vice-president, being succeeded in the position of cashier by Marvin Dimmitt. Under these conditions the business was thereafter continued until 1902, in the annual election of which year the following directors were chosen : Preston B. Dunn, Joseph Doyle, John Frye, Prince Dimmitt, and A. M. Dunn. As Mr. Dunn wished to retire from active administrative duties, Prince Dimmitt was elected president and Mr. Dunn assumed the essentially honorary ofiSce of vice-president. They have since continued incumbent of these positions, and A. M. Dunn, son of the vice-president, has been the able and popular cashier. George 0. Tannehill has been assistant cashier since January, 1904. The directorate remains unchanged, save that Preston B. Dunn, Jr., succeeded John Frye in the election of 1904. The history of the Shelbyville Bank has been one of continuous and substantial growth and expansion, and at all times have its interested principals stood representative of the best class of citizenship as well as of financial stability. The bank controls a large and important business and adds materially to the business prestige of Shelby county.

Sanford Baker

well entitled to consideration in this publication. He served with no little distinction as a member of the regular army of the United States, in which he took part in the Spanish- American war, and was later stationed in the Philippine Islands, and as a citizen he manifests the same sjjirit of loj^alty that made him an effective soldier of the reiaublic.

Mr. Baker is a native of the fine old Buckeye state, having been born at Woodsfield, Monroe county, Ohio, on March 15, 1877, and being a scion of one of the pioneer families of that state, where his grandfather, Henry Baker, a native of Pennsylvania, took up his abode in an early day. Leander C. Baker, father of the subject of this sketch, was likewise born at AVoodsfield, Ohio, in the year 1854, and there he was reared and educated. His active career was one of close identification with agricultural i^ursuits, and he died when a young man, having passed away on April 8, 1886, at which time he was a resident of ]\Ionroe county, Ohio. In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Susana Mc- Cammon, of Woodsfield, Ohio, and she is still living, maintaining her home in Shelby county, Missouri. They became tlie parents of three children, of whom the eldest is he whose name initiates this article; ^linnie is the wife of John F. Burkhardt, of Shelby county; and Lucy C. is the wife of Joseph Wilson, likewise a resident of this county.

Sanford Baker secured liis rudimentary education in the jmblic schools and was about eleven years of age at the time of the family removal to Missouri, whore ho continued to attend school as (ipjtortunity i)rosonted. After leaving school be followed farm work, principally ill Illinois and Nevada, until 1897, when he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-second United States Infantry, nnder command of Colonel Wycoff, who was killed in an engagement in Cuba in the Spanish- American war. Mr. Baker was with his regiment in this conflict with Spain, having taken part in the battle of El Caney, the bombardment and siege of Santiago de Cuba, and having been present at the capitulation of that city. He also took part in many engagements after his regiment was sent to the Philippine Islands, where he remained until the expiration of his three years' term of enlistment, when he was mustered out, at Cabiou island of Luzon, on August 10, 1900, duly receiving his honorable discharge, with the rank of corporal. Immediately after his discharge from the service Mr. Baker set sail for America, disembarking in the port of San Francisco and thence coming to the home of his mother, near Bethel, Shelby county, Missouri, where he remained for a short interval. He then went to Quincy, Illinois, where he was employed in a wagon shop for one year, after which he passed two years in Nevada, where he was employed for some time in a gold stani]) mill and later in an establishment liaiidling gold by the cyanide process.

In 1904 ]\Ir. Baker returned to Shelby county and for the ensuing three years he had charge of his mother's Jiomestead farm, \\\Hm which he erected within this period a new house and barn. In 1907 he opened a blacksmith, wagon and general repair sho]) in the village of Epworlh, where he has since continued in business and where he has built up a prosperous enterprise, being a skilled mechanic and conducting business according to the most fair and honorable methods, so that he has a strong hold upon the confidence and esteem of the community. This sterling veteran of the Spanish- American war is now in another department of government service, as he has been postmaster of Epworth since February, 1908. ^Ir. Baker marches gallantly and loyallj' under the banner of the Eepublican ]iarty, and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On December 23, 1907, Mr. Baker was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Johnson, who was born and reared in this county, being a daughter of Frederick H. Johnson, a representative farmer of Bethel township. Mrs. Baker passed to the life eternal on May 12, 1909, and is survived by one child, Oliver J.

James F. Moean

The owner of a fine farm property in Bethel townshi]i, the subject of this review is one of the representative agriculturists and stock-growers of the county, is a citizen who has exerted much influence in local affairs of a public order and who has served as county judge, of which office he was incumbent for two terms. He has been a resident of the county since 1880 and here has attained independence and definite success through his well directed efforts, the while lu> has at all times commanded the unqualified confidence and respect of those with whom he has come in contact in the various relations of life.

James L. Holliday

Judge Moran is a native of Mason county, Kentucl<y, where he was born on May 16, 1858, being a representative of a family early founded in the fine old Bluegrass commonwealth, where he was reared and educated and where he continued to reside until 1880, when, as a young man of twenty-two years, he came to Missouri and took up his residence in Shelby county. He purchased a farm of eighty acres, northwest of the village of Bethel, where he was engaged in farming for six years, at the expiration of which he disposed of the property and removed to a farm three miles southwest of Shelbyville, where he remained until he removed to his present fine homestead in Bethel township, where he now has a well improved farm of 256 acres. The place bears every evidence of thrift and prosperity and shows the interposition of an owner of marked energy and progressive ideas. The buildings are of substantial order and Judge Moran is constantly devising ways and means for the further improvement of his farm, which is devoted to diversified agriculture and the raising of excellent grades of live stock.

Judge Moran has maintained a liberal and loyal attitude as a citizen and has given his influence and tangible co-operation in the support of measures and enterprises tending to further the material and civic prosperity of the community. In politics he is found arrayed as a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and in 1902 he was elected county judge, being chosen as his own successor at the expiration of his first term and thus serving in this office for four consecutive years. He has also given efficient service in the offices of school director and road overseer* He and his wife are earnest and zealous members of the Missionary Baptist church.

On October 26, 1880, was solemnized the marriage of Judge Moran to Miss Ocea E. Clift, who was born and reared in Mason coiinty, Kentucky, being a daughter of Silas A. and Ellen (Dye) Clift, who still reside in that state. Judge and Mrs. Moran are the parents of five children, namely: William E., who resides in Shelljyville ; Ambrose, who is a resident of Republican City, Nebraska ; and Albert W., S h e 1 b i n a ; Mary Fay, and Alice, who remain at the parental home.

The parents of Judge Moran were Robert and Bridget (Fay) Moran, both natives of Ireland. They were both brought to the United States as children and were married in Kentucky. The father was a blacksmith and followed it through life. The mother still resides in Kentucky, the judge being the only one residing in Missouri.

Born in Shelby county, Missouri, nearly sixty-two years ago, on Deceml)er 13, 1848, and having passed all his subsequent years within its liorders, attending its public schools, working on his father's farm and later farming one of his own, and thus contributing essentially and practically to the growth and development of the county and the promotion of some of its leading industries, James L. HoUiday, of T51ack Creek township, has proven himself a citizen of

His grandfather was a native of Virginia, and a descendant of families domesticated in that state and factors in its history from early times. Mr. Holliday's father, James ^M. HoUiday, and his mother, whose maiden name was Emily Vandiver, were also born and reared in Virginia. They, were married in [Shelby county, and had seven children, three of whom are living: Richard S., whose home is in Carroll county, Arkansas; James L., the subject of this brief memoir; and Emma, the wife of Arthur FreeUmd, who also lives in this county.

The father came to Missouri in about 1832. He had I)een a trader between St. Louis and iSanta Fe, New Mexico, at an early period in the history of this part of the country under American rule. On his arrival and location in Shelby county he took up his residence on a tract of KiO acres of wild land, which was yet virgin to the plow and still luxuriated in the unpruned growth of centuries. After bringing this tract to a somewhat advanced stage of systematic productiveness and converting it into a home for his family, lie bought another tract of the same size and repeated his work of improvement on that, thereafter working both tracts under his personal management and supervision until his death in May, 1857. He had been successful as a traveling trader and he was highly successful for his day as a farmer and live stock breeder and feeder. His localized industries in this county were of great importance to a wide extent of country, for while he was carrying them on, at least during the iirst years of his residence here, the population was si)arse, supplies were scarce and every kind of production for the sustenance and comfort of the ])eople was of great value. He met the requirements of the situation as far as his facilities would permit, and being an imjioitant factor in the work of providing the necessities of life for an extensive frontier, he became a man of consequence in the public affairs of the region, as well as a highly appreciated purveyor for the physical wants of its scattered inhabitants. In politics he was a Whig and took a very serviceable ]iart in the activities of his party. His religious affiliation was with the Southern Methodist church. His wife died in 1865, after many years of great usefulness as his assistant in everything he undertook in the way of business.

Their son James L. began his education in the district school near his home and completed it at a high school in Shelbyville. After leaving school he worked as a hired hand on farms for a period of five years. At the end of that time he settled on a farm of sixty acres which he inherited from his father and which he has since increased to 208 acres, all of which he has improved to high value and made extensively productive. He has also been long engaged in raising live stock steadily, enlarging his operations in this line as his prosperity increased and his facilities became greater.

Mr. Holliday was married on March 5, 1878, to Miss Sarah C. Tingle, a native of Shelby county. They have had seven children, six of whom are living - Maud E.. the wife of Joseph 0. Foreman, a res- ideiit of Shelby county ; Mrgie, the wife of Albert Bethards, a resident of Meade county, South Dakota ; and Thomas E., Bertha, now Mrs. Roy Bethards, of Meade county. South Dakota ; Maggie and Ella, all of whom still liave their home with their parents. The father follows the fortunes of the Democratic party in faith and iiolitical action, and is a steady worker for the success of that organization. In religion he and his wife are Southern Methodists. All the members of the family are well esteemed, being accounted useful citizens, true to the best interests of their township and county and zealous in promoting the general welfare, the progress and the substantial improvement of both.

Luke Van Osdol

In his native township of Bethel Mr. Van Osdol is now to be accounted one of the successful farmers and stockgrowers, and as a well known and highly esteemed citizen of the county which has represented his home from the time of his ))irth to the present. Through energy, industry and well directed enterprise he has gained a success worthy the name, and he well merits the high regard in which he is imiformly held.

Mr. Van Osdol was born on his father's homestead farm, in Bethel township, six miles distant from his own farm home today, and the date of his nativity was April 1, 1877. He is a scion of a family founded in the state of Indiana in the pioneer epoch of its history, and in that commonwealth his grandfather, Madison Van Osdol, a farmer by vocation, passed his entire life. The original American progenitors came to this country from Holland. Thomas Jefferson Van Osdol, father of him whose name initiates this sketch, was born in Indiana, on Christmas day of the year 1835, and was there reared to maturity. At the age of twenty years he left the Iloosier state and came to Missouri, taking up his residence in Bethel township, Shelby county, where he secured a tract of land and developed a productive farm. Here he continued to reside until his death, which occurred on April 25, 1889. His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Miller, was likewise a native of Indiana, and her death occurred in the fall of 1897. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom seven are living, namely: Joseph 0., who is a resident of Linn county, Missouri; Oscar, who resides in Kirksville, this state; Annie, who is the wife of John K. Hiestaud, of Harper county, Kansas; Weber, who resides at Plevna, Missouri; Susan, who is the wife of Lafy Hunt, of Knox county, this state; Luke, who is the immediate subject of this sketch; and Maud, who is the wife of Coy D. Fox, of Linn comity, ^lissouri. Luke Van Osdol passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm and was not denied ample opportunity for the learning of the practical lessons of honest toil, while his educational advantages in the meantime were limited to the district school. He was a mei-e boy at the time of his father's death, and when twenty-one years of age he began working by the month as a farm liand, being tlius engaged, with various faruiers of the county, until 1899, when he initiated his independent career as an agriculturist by purchasing forty acres of land in section 27, Bethel township, to which he has since added thirty acres lying contiguous, and here he has labored indefatigably and with marked judgTaent in the developing of one of the excellent farms of this section of the county, all of his land being available for cultivation. He gives his attention to diversified agriculture and stock raising, is enterprising and aggressive in his endeavors and has won his success through worthy means. He takes a loyal interest in all that concerns the welfare of the community, keeps in touch with matters of public polity and interest, and in politics is aligned as a supporter of the cause of legitimate Socialism. He is affiliated with the lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the village of Plevna, and both he and his wife are earnest members and regular attendants of the Missionary Baptist church at Mt. Pisgah.

On December 26, 1899, Mr. Van Osdol was united in marriage to Miss Florence Riley, daughter of Valentine and Martha Biley, of Florida, this county, within whose borders she was born and reared. ]\Ir. and Mrs. Van Osdol have one son, Vance, who was l)orn on June 3, 1906.

Morris Osburn

One of the honored and venerable pioneer citizens of the county, which has been his home from his boyhood days, is Morris Osburn, who resides on his finely im]-)roved homestead farm in Taylor townshi]), where he is the owner of 200 acres, located in sections 33 and 27.

satisfaction in reverting to the historic Old Dominion as the place of his nativity, and the family was founded in Virginia in the colonial days, being of staunch English lineage. In that commonwealth was born his grandfather, Richard Osburn, and there also was born his father, John Osburn, in the year 1803. The father was reared and educated in his native state and was a man of excellent intellectual attainments, having been a successful and ])opular teacher in the schools of Loudoun county, Virginia, at the time of his death, which occurred in 1833, when he was a young man. In 1826 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Van Vactor, who was born and reared in Jefferson county, Virginia, and who survived him by many years, her death occurring in Shelby county, Missouri, in 1865, at which time she was about sixtyfour years of age. Of the four children, the subject of this review is the only one now living.

JMorris Osburn was liorn in Loudoun county, Virginia, on December 27, 1831, and in 1835 his widowed mother came to jMissouri and took up her abode in Clarion county, where .she remained until 1838, when slie established her permanent home in Shelby county, having glassed the closing years of her life in Taylor township, this county. She was a woman of gracious and noble personality and her memory is revered by her only surviving child, to whose care and welfare she was ever devoted. Mr. Osburn is indebted to the district schools of the jiioneer days for his early educational discipline and was reared to maturity in Shelby county, which has continued to represent his home during the long intervening years. He initiated his independent career at the age of seventeen years, and for several years he was employed at farm work by various farmers of his home county. From 1859 until 1862 he conducted a general store at Hager's Grove, and after his marriage, in 1866, he located on his present homestead farm, having originally purchased forty acres, to which he has since added until he now has a well improved landed estate of 200 acres, all of which area is available for cultivation, making the farmstead a model place. For many years Mr. Osburn bent every energy to the improving and developing of his farm, guiding his course with marked discrimination and judgment, and in due time reaping the generous reward that was his just due. Now venerable in years he relegates the practical work of the farm to younger hands, though he still finds much of satisfaction in giving a general supervision to the same. Ills character has been moulded and formed in the practical school of experience, and he has ever been kindly and generous in his intercourse with his fellow men, tolerant in his judgment and imbued with an impregnable integrity of purpose, so that he has naturally held the unequivocal confidence and esteem of those with whom he has come in contact in the various relations of life. He has been one of the world's gallant army of workers and none has a deeper appreciation of the value and dignity of honest toil and endeavor.

Democratic party, and, while never ambitious for public office, he has given effective service as road overseer and school director. He and his wife are zealous and devout members of the Christian church and have been specially active in its work until advancing years have partially precluded this faithful and constant service.

On April 10, 1866, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Osluirn to Miss Martha E. Smith, who was born in Harrison county. West Virginia, and reared in Shelby county, where her parents, Charles L. A. and Nancy (Parr) Smith, settled many years ago. Of the six children of Mr. and IMrs. Osburn, four are now living, the other two having died in childhood. Helen F. is the wife of William G. Vandiver, who is a successful farmer of this county; Dewitt C. has the practical management of the home farm ; George M. likewise is a successful farmer of this county; and Samuel A. is associated in the work of the homestead farm.

George W. Hall

Tt is gratifying to the editors and publishers of this history to be able to incorporate within its pages a review of the career of this venerable and honored citizen of the county, which has represented his home for more than half a century and been the scene of the earnest and honest endeavors that have gained to liiin independence and enabled him to enjoy gcnei'ous p(>aco and prosperity as the shadows of his life ))egin to lengthen from the golden west. He has lived virtually retired on his fine homestead farm for more than twentyfive years, the same being eligibly located in Taylor township, and he is here surrounded by a circle of loyal friends, being one of the well known and highly honored residents of this section of the county and commanding the high regard of all who know him.

Mr. Hall is a native of the state of Maryland, having been born in Worcester county on February 7, 1829. His father, James Hall, was born in the same county and passed his entire life in Maryland, where his active career was one of active identification with agricultural pursuits. He died in 1832, while still a young man, having been married in 1828 to Miss Louisa Grey, who was likewise born and reared in Maryland, where the respective families were early founded, and of the two children the subject of this sketch is the survivor, his brother, Thomas P., having died at the age of about fourteen years. A number of years after the death of her first husband, Mrs. Hall became the wife of "William Webb, with whom she came to Missouri in the year 1835. They located in Marion county, whence they later removed to j\lonroe county, and both Mr. and Mrs. Webb passed the closing years of their lives in Shelby county, where her death occurred on March 3, 1891. Of the children of the second marriage, two are now living, Jacob and Elizabeth (now Mrs. Brewington), both of Shelby county.

George William Hall, the immediate sul)ject of this review, was about six years of age at the time of the family removal to Missouri, and his early educational advantages Avere most meager, being limited to a very irregular and brief attendance in the pioneer schools of Monroe and Scotland counties, this state, where he did not even become familiar with what were designated in the early days as the "Three E's," interpreted as "Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetie." Through the valuable lessons gained under the wise headmaster, experience, he later supplemented his limited early training, becoming a man of mature judgment, much business acum en an d wide general information. When eleven years of age he went to live with his uncle, Jacob Grey, a farmer in Scotland county, and there he worked on the farm and in a blacksmith shop for the mere recompense of a home. He continued thus engaged until 1847, when, at the age of eighteen years, he began working by the month in Shelby county, devoting himself to farm labor in this way until 1819, when he married and initiated his independent career by renting land, ui)on which he farmed until the following year, when he i)urchased a tract of practically unimproved land near the village of Clarence, this county. A few years later he sold this property and purchased 110 acres in Salt River township, where he was engaged in farming until the close of the Civil war, having also operated a saw mill on Black creek. In ISHf) he sold his farm and removed to the village of Clarence, this county, where he conducted a blacksmith shop until 1873, having built up a successful business. He then sold the shop and purchased 160 acres of his present homestead, in Taylor townslii)), where he has since maintained his home and where he continued activelv identi- lied with the work of the phioe until 1882, since which time he has lived virtually retired. He has developed his land into one of the valuable farms of the county, and the area of the same is now 270 acres. Soon after locating here he established on his farm, contiguous to the village of Leonard, a Ijlaeksmitli shop, which he conducted until his retirement from active labors, and of which he is still the owner.

Mr. Hall has been one of the progressive and loyal citizens of the county and has never failed in his duties as a citizen. He is a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, but the only office in which he has consented to serve is that of school trustee, of which he was incumbent for several years. His integrity of jsurpose has never been questioned, and his unassuming sincerity and honor have gained him the esteem and good will of all with whom he has come in contact.

On June 28, 1849, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Lovey Brewington, who was born and reared in Shelby county, where her father, Henry Brewington, was an early settler. Of the ten children of this union, six are living, and concerning them the following brief record is entered: James H. is engaged in the farming and blacksmithing business in the village of Leonard; Thomas B. is now a resident of the state of Idaho ; Joseph N. resides in Baker City, Oregon ; William P. is a physician of Macon county, Missouri ; Martha S. is the wife of Edward Hines, of Shelbyville, this county; and George M. is identified with agricultural pursuits in British Columbia. His first wife died June

17, 1899. He was married to his present wife in June, 1910, her name being Mary Willis, widow of Finius Willis. Her maiden name was Mary Breeding. She was born in Randolph county, Missouri. She died iu December, 1910.

William L. Gillaspy

In the attractive little viUage of Leonard Mr. Gillaspy is living virtually retired from active liusiness, after having contributed his quota of service as one of the world's workers. He is a native son of the coimty and a member of one of its honored pioneer families, and the original progenitor in America settled in Virginia in the colonial epoch of our national history. There was born James Alexander Gillaspy, father of him whose name initiates this sketch, and this worthy man left the Old Dominion to become a pioneer of Kentucky, whence came the original representatives of the name in Missouri.

William L. Gillaspy was born in Taylor township, Shelby county, Missouri, on October 6, 1840, and is a son of Louis H. and Lucinda (Mani;el) Gillaspy, both natives of Kentucky, where the former was born on July 5, 1806, and the latter on April 23, 1804. Their marriage was solemnized on January 1, 1835. In 1830 Louis H. Gillaspy had come from his native state to Missouri, first settling in Marion county, where he remained until his marriage, soon after which he came to Shelby county and secured 160 acres of government land, upon which a portion of the present city of Shelbyville is located. He reclaimed a portion of the tract to cultivation and there con- tinued to reside until 1838, when lie sold the property and removed to Taylor township, where he eventually became the owner of a fine lauded estate of 320 acres. He gained precedence as one of the successful farmers and stock-growers and influential citizens of this section of the country, where he ever commanded uniform confidence and esteem, and he continued to reside on the old homestead until his death, in 1890, at the venerable age of eighty-four years. He was a staunch Democrat in his political proclivities and both he and his wife were luembers of the Christian church. Mrs. Gillaspy was summoned to the life eternal in 1890 at the age of eighty-six years. All of the three children are living, the subject of this review being the youngest of the number. Sarah C. is the wife of Samuel P. Gaines, of Leonard, this county; and John A. is likewise a resident of this county, where he has attained marked success in connection with agricultural pursuits.

William L. GiUaspy was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm in Taylor township and his early educational advantages were those afforded in the pioneer schools of the locality. He continued to attend school at intervals until he had attained to the age of nineteen years, and tlius he laid effective foundation for the large fund of practical knowledge which he later gained in the school of ex]ierience. He continued to be associated in the work and management of the home farm until 1860, when he purchased from his father a tract of eighty acres in section 24, that township, where he continued to be actively and successfully engaged in general farming and stock-growing until 1886, when he sold the farm and removed to the village of Leonard, where he has since lived a retired life, having an attractive home and here enjoying the generous rewards of past endeavors. He developed his land into one of the valuable farms of the county and through its operation and the final sale of the property he has realized a competency. Mr. Gillaspy is one of the substantial and highly esteemed citizens of his native county, sincere, honorable and of generous and kindly nature, so that he has won and retained a wide circle of friends in the community that has represented his home from the time of his nativity to the present. He is a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, has shown a loyal interest in all that has touched the general welfare, and has served as constable and also as school director. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Christian church.

On August 29, 1860, Mr. Gillaspy was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Davis, who was born in Snowhill, Maryland, on July 10, 1840. being a daughter of James and Eliza Davis, who took up their residence in Shelby county, Missouri, when she was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Gillaspy became the parents of ten children, and the family circle remains still unbroken. Concerning the chiLlren the following brief record is given, in conclusion of this sketch of the career of one of the county's sterling citizens: Edwin E. is a resident of the city of Hannibal, this state; James L. is a successful farmer in Taylor township, as is also Eichard W. ; James P. is engaged in the same line of enterprise in Clay township; Effie M. is the wife of Robert S. Magruder, of Clarence, this county; Anna L. is the wife of John Kyle, of Rush county, Kansas; Callie B. is the wife of William Pepper, of Ranchester, Wyoming; George C. is a representative farmer of Taylor township; William N. is a resident of La Crosse, Kansas ; and Fannie remains at the parental home.

Jacob H. Singleton

It is gratifying to be able to present in this historical compilation record concerning so large a percentage of the essentially representative farmers who are ably aiding in upholding the industrial prestige of the county, and among this number is he whose name introduces this paragraph. Mr. Singleton is the owner of a well improved farm in Taylor township, is a citizen to whom is accorded unqualified pojiular esteem, and is a native son of the township in which he now maintains his home. He is a brother of Judge Adolphus E. Singleton, of whom individual mention is made on other pages of this volmue, so that detailed review of the family history is not demanded in this article.

Jacob H. Singleton was born in Taylor township, this county, on October 8, 1857, and is a son of William and Susan (Vandiver) Singleton, both natives of Virginia, where the former was born in 1817 and the latter in 1824. The paternal grandfather, Myron Singleton, was likewise a native of the Old Dominion, in which was cradled so much of our national history, and there the family was founded in the colonial epoch. William Singleton was reared to maturity in his native state and came to Missouri in the pioneer days, first locating in Marion county, whence he soon afterward removed to Shelby county, becoming one of the pioneers of Taylor township, where he secured 200 acres of government land, which he eventually reclaimed, developing a productive farm and becoming one of the honored and substantial citizens of the county. He continued to be actively identified with the great basic industries of farming and stock-raising throughout his entire business career, save for one year passed in the village of Clarence, this county, and he was summoned to "that imdiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns" in the year 1894. He was a loyal supporter of the cause of the Democratic party and both he and his wife, who is still living, became known as zealous members of the M. E. church, South. Of their eight children five are now living, namely: Benjamin H., a resident of Shelbyville ; Judge Adolphus E., of the same city; Jacob H., subject of this sketch; and Ella and Cary, who remain with their widowed mother on the old homestead.

Jacob H. Singleton was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm and the district schools afforded him his early educational advantages. He continued at the parental home, assisting in tlie work and management of the farm, until 1886, when he ]mrchased seventy acres of land in section 33, Taylor township, where he continued oi)erations as a thrifty and progressive farmer and stock-grower, having added to the area of his original tract until he now has a well improved farm of 134 acres, all of which is available for cultivation. He is a Democrat in his political allegiance, takes a loyal interest in public affairs of a local order, was incumbent of the office of school director of his district, is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, and both he and his wife are zealous members of the Christian church at Leonard.

On October 3, 1886, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Singleton to Miss Vassie McDaniel, who was born in this county, being a daughter of Cornelius and Susan McDaniel and a member of one of the old and honored families of this section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Singleton became the parents of eight children, and the four living children all remain at the parental home, namely: Leila, Clark V., Guy and Vance, who are popular young folk of this part of the county.

Alexander Burnett

One of the most successful and enterprising farmers of the jJresent day and having made his own way to his present consequence and standing in the estimation of the people, Alexander Burnett, of Black Creek township, Shelby county, has richly earned his prosperity in worldly wealth and shown himself to be a man of great energj' and resourcefulness, warmly interested in the welfare of the people of his township and county, and at all times ready to exert himself wisely and effectively in their behalf. His devotion to the interests of the region in which he lives has won him the universal confidoiioo and esteem of its inhabitants and given him a strong hold on public regard in other parts of the state.

Mr. Burnett was born in Sauk county, "Wisconsin, on July 10, 1855. He is the oldest son and second child of his parents, Thomas and Isabella (Osborn) Burnett, the former a native of Scotland, where his parents were also born and the families were domesticated many years. The father was bom in 1824 and came to the United States with his parents in 1838. During the next seven years the family lived in the city of New York, but in 1845 moved to Wisconsin, and in 1858 moved to Iowa, and there the father was actively engaged in general farming until his death, which occurred on October 11, 1887. His marriage took place in 1851, and by it he became the father of seven children, all of whom are living. They are: Mary, the wife of Gilbert Palmer, of Aledo, Illinois; Alexander, the subject of this re\new; Malissa, the wife of John Brown, of Des Moines, Iowa ; Robert, Grant and Thomas, all of whom live in Iowa; and Zachariah, who is a resident of Jacksonville, Missouri. The father was a Republican in politics and a Baptist in church affiliation. The mother was a native of Indiana. She died in Iowa in May, 1898.

Their son Alexander grew to manhood on his father's farm in Iowa and obtained his education in the coimtry schools and the high school at Bonaparte, in that state. For two years after leaving school he clerked in a dry goods store in Des Moines, then passed one year working again with his father on the farm. At the end of that period he moved to Shelby county, Missouri, and during the next three years worked for Alonzo Cooper. His next step in business was general merchandising, which he fol- lowed for two years. Since then he has been continuously and very progressively engaged in general farming and raising stock on a steadily increasing scale of magnitude and profit. He now owns and cultivates 800 acres and has a live stock industry in proportion, all of which he has accnmulated by his own euerg^^, thrift and wise management, having become one of the leading and most successful farmers and stock men in this part of the state.

Mr. Burnett was united in marriage with Miss Eliza B. Hopper on November 20, 1879. She is a daughter of Solomon and Eliza (Graham) Hopper, well known residents of Shelby county. Five children have been born of the union, three of whom are living - David E., one of the prosperous and influential citizens of this county, and Martin and Mabel, who are still living at home with their parents. The father's political affiliation is with the Democratic party and his fraternal connections are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Burnett belongs to the M. E. Church, South. Mr. Burnett is a gentleman of sterling integrity and universally regarded as one of the most estimable, influential and commendable men in the county, numbering his friends by the host and performing every duty of citizenship with fidelity, intelligence and great breadth of view.

Christian P. Glahn

industry of agriculture in Shelby county, having been the owner of a finely improved homestead farm in Black Creek township, and having ever commanded the high regard of the people of the commimity in which he so long lived and labored to goodly ends, - an honest, upright, unassuming gentleman, a devoted husband and father, and a man to whom friendship was ever inviolable. He left the heritage of a good name and it is most consonant that in this history be incorporated and perpetuated a tribute to his memory as one of the worthy citizens of the county. He was summoned to the life eternal on April 24, 1906, secure in the esteem and respect of all with whom he had come in contact in the varied relations of life.

Christian P. Glahn was born in Prussia, on January 17, 1839, and was a son of Christian and Mary A. (Wand) Glahn, the foi-mer of whom was born in Prussia and the latter in Germany. The jiarents severed the ties that bound them to their fatherland and immigrated to America in 1842, making Missouri their destination and first settling near Palmyra, Marion county, where the father bought a farm, the work of which was principally done by his sons. He himself was a wagon maker by trade, being a skilled artisan in this line, and he followed his trade in the village of Palmyra until 1865, when he removed with his family to Shelby county and purchased a small farm in Black Creek township, gradually adding to its area as his financial circumstances justified, until he became the owner of a valuable landed estate of 400 acres, in the vicinity of Hager's Grove. He continued to be identified with agri- cultural pursuits on this place until his death, which occurred in 1889, his wife surviving him by several years and both having been held in high regard as folk of sterling worth of character. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom five are living: Henry F., a farmer of Shelby county; August, residing at Los Angeles, California; Joseph, twin of August, engaged in farming in California ; Benjamin L., a resident of Clarence, Shelby county; and Catherine, wife of Irving Lathrop, of Joplin, Missouri.