Shelby County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 4 of 16)

Mr. Smith, by the products of his mills, has been of great service to the general improvement of the county and state in aiding in the work of constructing many public utilities of great value, chief among them, perhaps, the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, for which he sawed a large part of the lumber required for cars, ties, bridges and turn tables. By the same means he has helped materially to promote the convenience, prosperity and comfort of the people, providing materials for their dwellings and other structures of necessity, in the towns and on the farms. And by his sterling integrity and elevated citizenship, he has also aided in the general advancement through his own activity the forces he has put in motion in others, and the influence of his excellent example, which has been effective both as a stimulus and a restraint among this people. In times of peace his industry has been productive. When war called men to arms in defense of their convictions he became a valiant soldier, and did his whole duty to the side he espoused, shirking no claim upon his services and shrinking from no danger. Wielding the sword effectually when duty placed it in his hands, he has still ever been a man of peace, and during the whole of his long life has never been a party to any law suit, complainant or defendant. He and his estimable wife stand high in the regard of the whole people and deserve the universal esteem in which they are held.

Robert H. Dunlap

Born, reared and educated in that hive of industry, Pennsylvania, in whose multiform activities almost every occupation that engages the energies of men is embraced, Robert H. Dunlap, of Hunnewell, has well illustrated on the soil of ^Missouri the sterling qualities of enterprise, resourcefulness and all commanding potency that distinguish the people of that mighty commonwealth and have made it one of the leading states of the country. His life began in Butler county, of that state, on September 20, 1849, and he represents the third generation of his family living in that section of the state. His grandfatlier, John Duulap, came over from Ireland and located there in his early manhood, and there the family has dwelt ever since, aiding in the development of the state's resources in various lines of life, living acceptabh", working industriously and in every way doing the best thej' could to advance their own interests and promote those of the people dwelling around them.

Robert H. Dunlap was reared in his native county and obtained his education in its district schools. His life as a boy and youth were passed on his father's farm, and after completing his education and assisting his father in the farm work until he was eighteen, he left his native heath and turned his face to the great West as the scene of his future activity and achievements. He arrived in Missouri in July, 1869, and during the next two years worked with his cousins on their farm in this county. On October 10, 1871, he was married to Miss Delma C. Smith, of Hunnewell, a daughter of Andrew J. and Susan (Salmon) Smith, an account of whose lives will be found on other pages of this work. He then took up his residence in Hunnewell, and here he has been living ever since, except during two years, when he resided in Hannibal and worked in a saw mill.

After locating in Hunnewell Mr. Dunlap turned his attention to milling. This lias been his occupation during the whole of his subsequent years, and he has earned his success and ^irominence as a mill man by close attention to his business, a thorough knowledge of all its requirements and a masterful energy in conducting its operations. His contributions to the industrial and commercial development of this section of the state have been extensive and are highly appreciated, and his aid in promoting the building of homes and other improvements for the enjoyment of domestic life has also been considerable and is valued by the people to whose welfare it has ministered.

In the public affairs of the community he has long been one of the prime movers and most esteemed leaders, giving helpful attention to every public need and directing provision for all with judicious liberality, wise coimsel and the stimulus of his excellent example. In religious faith he was reared as a Presbyterian, but for a number of years he has not taken a prominent part in the affairs of the church. His fraternal connection is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In this excellent benevolent society he has been very active and holds deserved eminence, having passed through all the offices in his lodge, shown earnestness and zeal in behalf of the higher bodies of the order, and looked after its welfare in every way. His offspring numbers five, four of whom are living. They are: Charles Arthur, of Macon City, Missouri ; A. B., of Hunnewell (see sketch of him elsewhere in this volume) ; Ernest C, of Cameron Junction, Missouri; and Goldie V., the wife of James Howe, of this county. In their several stations and localities they are all doing well and showing in their daily lives all the domestic, social and public virtues that digiiify and adorn American citizenship of the sterling and most serviceable kind.

Robert H. Diinlap is a son of Robert and Isabella (Hutchinson) Dunlap, both born, reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and jjassing" the whole of their lives among its people. They were useful and esteemed citizens of the state, industrious and frugal, and heljiful in all that aided in the promotion of the substantial good of the community in which they lived. And when they passed over to the activities that know no weariness, their remains were laid to rest in the soil their labors had hallowed. The father was born and reared in Mercer county and followed farming all his life. He found a dejiosit of coal on his farm and became interested in coal mining in connection with his farming operations, making both ])rofitable by industry and good business capacity. He and his wife were the parents of six children, four of whom are living: William P., of Butler county, Pennsylvania; Martha Jane, the wife of J. W. Everett, of Parker's Landing, in that state; and Robert H., the widely popular subject of this memoir, and Lewis M., of Grove City, Pennsylvania.

Matthew M. Cox

For a full quarter of a century Matthew M. Cox, of Hunnewell, has been connected with the mercantile life of that city, and during that period has risen from a very subordinate position in his line of effort to one of leadership, making the ascent by sheer merit and business capacity. He was born in our sister county of Monroe on March 15, 1861, and is a son of Samuel H. and Mary F. (Lasl^y) Cox, lioth of whom were born in Virginia, where their ancestors had lived and contributed to the welfare of the commonwealth for generations, the paternal grandfather, James A. Cox, having been an extensive planter and leading citizen in his part of the state, and later having followed the same pursuit and occupied a similar social and political rank of influence in Missouri.

The father of Mr. Cox came with his parents to this state in 1834, when he was but eight years old. He took his place in the wild life of the frontier as it was then and grew to manhood on his father's farm, which he helped to redeeiii from the wilderness and build up into fruitfulness and beauty, and secured what education he could in the district schools of the neighborhood. This was limited at the best, for the schools were ]irimitive in appointments and course of instruction, and even such as they were he was able to attend them only during the winter months and then irregularly. After leaving school he turned his attention to farming and raising stock, in which he was engaged until 1888. He then quit farming and entered mercantile life in Hunnewell in partnership with his son, the firm name being S. H. Cox & Son. As a member of this firm he continued mei-chandising iintil his death, on February 19, 1898.

The father was married on November 7, 1857, to Miss Mary F. Lasley. They had five children, all of whom are living: James AV., of Quincy, Illinois ; Willie C, the wife of the late W. C. Blackliurn, of Shelbina; Charles T. and Matthew M.,of TTiiiinewell; and Alwilda, (he wife of W. A. Vance, of Shelbina. In politics the father was a pronounced and unwavering Democrat, and in church relations was allied with the Southern Methodists. He was serviceable to his party and took a warm and helpful interest in all the good works of his church. In all the relations of life he bore himself with manliness and uprightness, and on all sides he was esteemed as an excellent citizen, a good business man and a worthy representative of the best elements of the population of the county.

Matthew M. Cox grew to manhood on his father's farm in Monroe county, and, like most of the offspring of the plains, obtained his education in the public schools. After leaving school he remained with his parents and assisted them in the work of the farm until 1884, when he took a position as a clerk in a Huunewell dry goods store belonging to an older brother. In November, 1885, he formed a jjartnership with W. C. Blackburn and together they started a grocery and grain business under the firm name of Blackburn & Cox. Mr. Cox has remained with this establishment thi'ough many changes in the firm and has at length become a stockholder in the co-operative concern known as the Hunuewell Mercantile Company, with which he is still actively connected.

From the dawn of his manhood he has taken an active and serviceable part in all matters of public improvement and helped to promote the usefulness of all moral and intellectual agencies at work in the community. He served as a member of the school board four years, and in many other ways has given the people around him the benefit of his enterprise and public sj^irit and tlie stimulus of his excellent example as a citizen. In politics he is a firm and faithful Democrat, loyal to his party and serviceable in all its campaigns. For many years he has been a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and taken an active part in its work.

Mr.. Cox was married in 1888 to Miss Anna M. Balliet, of Hunnewell. All of their six children are living. They are : Callie L., Pauline, Willie M., Henry Hollis, Pearl V. and Thomas Jay. They all live at home and contribute greatly toward making the household a popular resort for their hosts of friends and one of the social centers of the city. The father has helped to elevate and keep up the standard of the business life of the community by fair dealing and strict integrity in all his transactions. He has given light, animation and proper stimulus to its social activities, and he has been one of the prime factors in promoting its public interests and giving the spirit of improvement among its people proper trend and restraint. He stands high in the esteem of the whole county and well deserves the regard and good will bestowed upon him by all classes of its citizens.

Charles T. Cox

This leading business man and eminent citizen of Hunnewell is a brother of Matthew M. Cox, a sketch of whom, containing the family history, will be found elsewhere in this work. He was born in Monroe county, Missouri, on June 20,. 18.59, and is a son of Samuel H. and Mary F. (Lasley) Cox, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Missouri. His education was obtained in the public schools in the neighborhood of his father's farm in

Monroe county, on which he lived until 1879. He was then twenty years old, but felt impelled by a strong sense of duty to take up the battles of life for himself, and in obedience to this feeling he took up his residence in Hunuewell, determined to make his own way in the world without waiting for fortune to smile on him or circumstances to favor his aspiration.

For eight years thereafter he hauled lumber in connection with AV. C. Blackburn, encountering the rage of the elements on many occasions and cheerfully enduring all the hardships incident to his occupation. He made the business pay and took good care of his earnings, showing then, as he has shown ever since, a commendable frugality and thrift in connection with his admirable industry. In 1887 he gave up the line of effort in which he had been successfully engaged for eight years and returned to the family homestead, on which he carried on extensive operations in fanning and raising live stock during the next nine years.

Neither teaming nor farming was exactly suited to his taste, however, and so, in 1898, he gave the impulses within him free rein and followed their demands by moving to Hunnewell and engaging in mercantile life. To this end he bought the interest of C. L. Landrum in the grocery business of which his brother Matthew was a partner. They conducted the business together until 1902, when their establishment became a part of the cooperative concern known to the world as the Hunnewell ^lercantile Company, in which he is still one of the leading factors. His business life among this people has been successful in a material way, but it has been more. It has helped to hold up the good name of the mercantile interests of the city to credit and high standing in the business world all around the town and throughout a large extent of the surroimding country, and has given an example in mercantile life worthy of all imitation because of its uprightness, enterprise and real manliness without regard to circmustances.

Mr. Cox has also been active and serviceable in the public affairs of the community. He has ever shown a cordial and intelligent interest in the welfare of the community aod intense activity in promoting it. No move for the substantial and enduring good of the city has lacked the aid of his energetic mind or the directing force of his skillful hand, and the people aj^preeiate his services in their behalf as those of one of their leading and most intelligent citizens. He is now serving them well as one of the aldermen of the city, a position in which his loyalty to the communitj' and devo- I tion to its lasting good have full scope ' for exercise to the advantage of the municipality and all the people living within its limits.

On December 20, 1879, Mr. Cox was joined in marriage with Miss Lillie Jane Davis, of Hunnewell. They have had six childi-en and all of them are living. They are: Nellie Leone, the wife of Thomas Hawkins, of Shelbina ; Ethel, the wife of Samuel Haskett, of this county ; Samuel C, a resident of Hunnewell; Elizabeth, i now ^Irs. J. C. ]\raupin, of Enterprise, Shelby county; John IT. and Edward, both living at home. In politics the father is a Democrat. In fraternal life he is connected with the ^fodern AVood- men of America and iu religious affiliation he is allied with the IMethodist Episcopal Church, South, in which he is an active and zealous worker.

On the soil of Missouri and amid its mercantile interests Mr. Cox has exemplified the traits of chax-acter and elements of elevated manhood that gave his ancestors prominence and influence in the "Old Dominion" for generations. He has heeu sedulous iu industry, upright in conduct and enterprising in all personal and puhlic affairs. And as no examjale of worth and potency is ever lost on the American people, he is esteemed in the community which has witnessed and had the benefits of his earnestness and zeal as one of its best and most serviceable citizens. In business, in social relations and in domestic life he has met every requirement of upright and serviceable living, and in public affairs he has been both a stimulus and a sedative, inciting his fellow citizens to all good works for the advantage of the community and restraining them from all excesses in the exercise of their enterprise. The communify is indebted to him for wise counsel and productive energy, and also for prudent guidance and consei'vativo force, and it esteems him accordingly.

Charles A. Hickman

A scion of valiant ancestry and filled with the spirit of American patriotism, Charles A. Hickman, of Hunnewell, has exploited in the pursuits of peaceful industry the attributes of exalted manhood that have distinguished other members of his family on the field of carnage and helped to give American citizenship its standing in the estimation of the world. His grandfather, "William A. Hickman, foiight under Andrew Jackson at New Orleans in one of the decisive battles of the world's history, where native courage and love of liberty were matched and won against splendid discipline and the heroism of ten thousand sanguinary conflicts.

Mr. Hickman was born in Shelby county on December 7, 1873, and began his education in the i)ublic schools of Hunnewell, which he comjileted at the Christian University at Canton, Missouri, where he was a student in 1892 and 1893. He is a son of Joseph H. and Fannie (Reid) Hickman, the former a native of Alabama and the latter of Shelby county. A brief account of their lives will be found elsewhere in this volume. After leaving school the son entered the employ of W. Stoddard, a railway contractor of St. Paul, Minnesota, with whom he worked until 1905. He then passed one year in Chicago, and since that time has been continuously connected with the contracting firm of C. H. Sharp & Co. Construction work has engaged his attention from the dawn of his manhood until the present time except for two years, when he was engaged in farming in the Indian Territory. It will be easily inferred from the story of his life as outlined above that he has had a great variety of experiences and has mingled with men under vastly differing circumstances. His opportunities of observation have been extensive and have presented a wide expanse in phases of human life. He has profited by them to his own advantage and that of the community in which he has so long lived and labored, and in consequence his services to the city and its people have been of a high order of excellence and fruitful for their good. He has studied conditions and requirements iinder many circumstances and is able to deduct the right measure of good from all for any particular necessity at home. And being engaged in construction work, he has also been in touch with the genius of improvement and learned just how men feel toward it in any given case. He has therefore been able to apply his own energy and capacity in this regard intelligently and by it lead up to good results. He is regarded as one of the best and most useful citizens of Hunnewell, for he is always alert to its substantial and enduring welfare and eager in his efforts to promote it.

In political faith Mr. Hicfkman is a firm Kepublican, standing by the principles of his party with unquestioning loyalty and supporting its candidates with all his |iower under all circumstances. In local affairs, however, his first consideration is the welfare of the community, whether the interests involved be those of the city or the county, and for their good he works incessantly without regard to jiartisan or personal claims. In fraternal life he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United AVorkmen and Masons. In these organizations he finds latitude for the exercise of his public spirit, and he gives it free rein in them to the end that the people around him derive the benefit of his activity. His religious aflRliafinn is with the Christian church, and in that also he has long been active and efTective as a worker and wise and judicious as a counselor. He is a stockholder in the Farmers & Merchants' Bank of Hunnewell and connected with other institutions of value in promoting the enduring welfare of Hunnewell and Shelby county, of which he is recognized as one of the leading and most influential citizens.

The Commeecial Bank Of Shelbina, Missouri

This bank, which is one of the historic financial institutions of Shelby count}', was foimded on October 28, 1888, with a capital stock of $30,000, all of which was paid in at once before the bank was opened for business. The officers at the beginning were: President, William H. Warren; vice-president, C. H. Lasley; cashier, John J. Bragg; directors, William H. AYarren, C. H. Lasley, John J. Bragg, John J. Ellis, J. AV. Thompson, S. G. Parsons, John T. Frederick, F. D. Crow and Thomas M. Sparks.

Mr. AVarreu served as president until July, 1890, when he was succeeded by S. G. Parsons, who served until February, 1894. John R. Lyell was then elected president, but in September, 1895, he resigned and was chosen cashier, J. W. Thompson succeeding him as president and serving as such until his death in 1898. Soon after the death of Mr. Thomjison the bank went into liquidation. A reorganization was had in 1898, with J. William Towson as ])resident. Mr. Towson retired in 1900 and J. R. Lyell, the present incumbent of the presidency, was chosen to succeed him.

but a short time and then gave way to J. W. Thompson, who held the office imtil 1895. B. F. Dobyus was also vicepresident for a short time. He was succeeded by T. M. Sparks, wlio filled the office until his death in 1S96. Then Martin S. Buckman was elected and he is still rendering valued service as vicepresident.

The next cashier after Mr. Bragg was Alonzo "\V. Combs, who resigned soon after his election and was followed by John R. Lyell. The present cashier, Arthur E. Jones, began his term of service in 1900, and has filled the position continuouslj' evei' since. The officers of the bank at the time of this writing are : President, John R. Lyell ; vice-president, Martin S. Biickman; cashier, Arthur E. Jones; directors, in addition to the above, J. R. Morgan, W. A. Maupin, W. B. Kendrick and Charles B. Martin. In 1908 the institution imdferwent another reorganization, raising its capital stock to $40,000 in the new arrangement.

Joseph H. Hickman

This venerable citizen of Shelby county, who has his home in Hunnewell, was born in the county on November 20, 1840, his life beginning in what is now Jackson towusliip, and before the county was organized as a separate municipality in the state. It is easy to infer tluit if he came into being before Shelby county was organized his life began amidst the constant liazards, continual jirivations and ]uir(Lsliii)s and arduous rcciuircments of pioneer existence and liis luibits were formed and his faculties developed in accordance with the requirements of such a state of life. In fact, he has shown throughout his long and useful career the qualities of self reliance, resourcefulness and readiness for any emergency that is born of the frontier, and his early training has been of the greatest service to him under circumstances far removed from the requirements of the pioneer life.

Mr. Hickmau is a worthy scion of a family of military renown, his grandfather, William A. Hickman, having taken part in the War of 1812 and fought valiantly under General Jackson in the decisive contest against the flower of the British army at New Orleans, which quieted all objection to the dominion of the United States over the territory they had purchased from Prance, and convinced all beholders of the power of this nation to defend with the sword every domain it might acquire by diplomacy or ]uirchase. The grandfather was a native of Alabama and became a resident of Missouri early in the 30 's, locating in Marion county, where he passed the remainder of his days in farming and raising live stock.

Joseph H. Hickman is a sou of David and Sinah (Davis) Hickman, the former born in Alabama in 1S08, and the latter a native of Kentucky. They were married in 1828 and moved to Missouri in 1829, making their first home in this state in what is now ]\Iarion county. In 1830 the father bought a farm of 160 acres within the present limits of Shelby county, but long before the county was organized, lie and liis young wife were among the first settlers of this portion of the state and shared with the few other hardy adventurers who started its redemption from the -svilderness all the hardships and privations, the perils and inconveniences of its frontier period, steadiljworking their way onward to independence and substantial comfort. They engaged actively in farming and raising stock until the death of the father on the farm he had made from the untrodden wilds, which occurred on Augiist 17, 1844. On this farm also their nine children passed their early lives, taking their places in the work of building a home and risking the dangers through which their efforts had to pass to success. Of the nine children born on this farm only three are now living. They are: Hansford B., of Barry county, Missouri ; Jesse H., of Huuuewell, an account of whose life will be found in this work ; and the immediate siibject of this brief memoir. In ]iolitics the father was a '\^'^lig and in religion a Baptist.

His son, Joseph H. Hickman, was reared on the homestead and educated in the primtive frontier schools of his boyhood and youth. They did not offer much in the extent of variety of their course of instruction, and their appliances were of the crudest character. The school houses were built of logs fashioned according to the only availa1)le model of the time and furnished with slab benches of the coarsest and most unfinished kind. The schools therefore provided neither much sustenance for the mind nor comfort for the body. But such as they were, Mr. Hickman made the best possible use of them, and thus laid the foundations for the fund of general information which he now possesses, and which has been ripened and developed \u the stern school of experience which he has subsequently attended. He remained on the farm with his mother until 1867, when he moved to Hannibal and took employment as a day laborer in a lumber yard. In 1870 he returned to Shelby county and again entered upon the occupation to which he had been reared, that of tilling the soil and raising live stock, in wliich he has ever since been actively and successfully engaged, except for a short time during which he was merchandising in Keokuk, Iowa, in sewing machines and musical instruments and supplies. He has also owned and operated in connection with his farming operations a saw mill at Huunewell.

In politics Mr. Hickman has been a Repulilican from the organization of the party, and for many years he has been a consistent and zealous member of the Christian chui'ch, being now one of the elders of the congregation in which he holds memlicrship, and at all times rendering helpful .service in all its worthy undertakings. He is also active in the service of his political party, supportingits principles and candidates loyally, although he has never himself sought or desired a political office of any kind. On iMarch 11, 1867, he was married to Miss Fannie Reed, a native of Clark county, Missouri. All of the four children born to them are living: Homer C. and Charles A., of Huunewell (see sketch of Charles A. in this volume) ; Mamie, wife of R. L. Yancy, of this county; and Anna, wife of Ennis D. Noland, of Chillicotlie, Illinois. Having lost his father when the son was but four years old, ]\rr. Hickman has been obliged to make his own wav in the world from an early age, and he has so conducted his affairs that he has been successful in business, and in addition has won the lasting regard of all who know him. He is accounted one of the most sterling and worthy citizens of the county.

Jesse H. Hickman

This esteemed farmer had been living retired from active pursuits for a number of years in Hunnewell, after having passed the heat and burden of an active life of arduous labor in cultivating the soil, rendering good service to his country in the Civil war and in other lines of etfort. He was a son of David and Sinah (Davis) Hickman, whose life story will be found recorded at some length in a sketch of his brother, Joseph H. Hickman, also a resident of Hramewell, which appears on another page of this work.

Mr. Hickman was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, Missouri, on March 11, 1838. His father died when the son was but six years old, and the care of the family then devolved on the mother. She was a resolute woman of the frontier, inured to its hardships and privations and familiar with its dangers from attacks of savage beasts and wild Indians, by whom the plains and forests of the un])eoj)led West were still claimed as their rightful domain, and the early settlers were considered as legitimate prey to satisfy the hunger of the one or glut the fury of the other. She knew the difficulties and the mag-nitude of the duty before her, but she entered ujion it with real heroism and performed it with ability and fidelity.

The son grew to maturity on the parental homestead, remaining at home and assisting in the labors on the farm until 1863. He then felt it his duty to offer his life in behalf of the integrity of the Union and become a part of the army iighting in its defense. In April of the year last mentioned he enlisted for the remainder of the war in the Federal army, Company Gr, One Hundred and Eleventh Missouri Cavalry, in which he continued to serve until he was honorably discharged in 1865. His service was rendered in Arkansas, at Duvall's Bluff, Grand Prairie and Cross Roads, under the command of Col. William D. Wood. After the war Mr. Hickman returned to the farm and remained on it with the rest of the family until 1867. On December 6 of that year he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Hubbard, a resident at the time of Marion county, in this state, but a native of Ohio.

Mr. Hickman then took a farm of his own and for many years thereafter passed the greater part of his time on it, pushing with all his enterprise his dual occupation of farming and raising live stock. He was successful in his undertakings and became one of the prosperous and substantial citizens of Jackson township, Shelby county, in which his operations were conducted. As time passed and he began to feel the weight of years upon him he determined to give up active work and enjoy for the remainder of his days a rest which he felt that he had richly deserved. He accordingly sold his farm and all that belonged to it and took up his residence in Hunnewell, where his death occurred April 15, six children, tlu'ee of wliom are living: George H.. of Edna, Missouri, and a twin son and daughter - Edward, who now lives in Manila, Philippine Islands, and Effie, the wife of H. M. Gould, of Hunnewell. In politics Mr. Hickman was a loyal and determined Republican, and as he did not hesitate to enforce his convictions on the field of carnage during the Civil war, so he never hid them in political affairs. He was always earnest and effective in the service of his party and his efforts in its behalf were highly appreciated by its leaders. He kept alive the memories of his military service by active and ardent membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. For many years he was a faithful and zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and took a leading part in its works of benevolence. He was also energetic in promoting the welfare of the community around him and was esteemed as one of its best and most useful and representative citizens.

James A. Spalding

Although born of a martial strain whose family name has been written in enduring phrase on the military annals of our country, James A. Spalding, of Hunnewell, has passed his life in the pursuits of peaceful and productive industry, depending wholly on himself for his advancement and on his own merit to win the regard and good will of his fellow men, without counting on any family record or heroic traditions to help him in the effort. By steady adherence to his chosen lines of endeavor and by fidelitv to everv duty he has succeeded admirably in both, and now stands among the people who have witnessed his long years of effort and his upright and useful life a veritable patriarch of more than four-score years, venerated and beloved by all who Icnow him.

Mr. Spalding was born in Marion county, Kentucky, on October 17, 1828, and is a son of James A. and Sarah (Green) Spalding, natives of Maryland and early settlers in Kentucky, going to that then distant region while it was yet under the dominion of barbarism, with the wild denizens of the forest roaming freely over its wide domain and exacting tribute from the invading race that was to exterminate them and call the waste they had so long used fruitlessly from its sleep of ages and make it minister to the general welfare of mankind. The father was a son of John Aaron Spalding, who served in the Revolutionary war and rendered his name immortal by being one of the captors of Major Andre, the unfortunate tool of our historic traitor, Benedict Arnold. He came into being in 1788 and moved to Kentucky while yet a mere youth. There he engaged in farming and blacksmithing until his death on March 4, 1833, except for a short period during which he rendered his country valiant service as a soldier in the Black Hawk Indian war. He was married in 1820 to Miss Sarah Green, who, like himself, migrated fi'om the cultivated society and comfortable civilization of her native state at an early age, and found a new home with all its trials and privations in the wilds of the "West, locating in what is now Marion county, Kentucky, where the marriage occurred. They became the parents of eight chil- dreu, all but two of whom have passed over to the activities that know no weariness, those living- being the venerable subject of this memoir and his sister, Sarah E., who is now the widow of A. B. Thiehoff, of Hunnewell. The father was a Democrat in political faith and a Catholic in religion, and was faithful and constant in his devotion to both his political party and his church.

James A. Spalding was reared in his native county and educated mainly in private schools there. He also attended St. Mary's College in that county. In the spring of 1850, taking his parents' example as his guide and inspiration, he sought his fortune on his own hook and also in the farther wake of the settingsun. He came to Missouri and located in Ealls count}', where he started an enterprise in blacksmithing, having learned the trade under the instruction of his father and others. He also followed farming in connection with working at his trade. In 1859 he moved to Shelby county and opened a blacksmithing establishment at Hunnewell. This he conducted until 1861, when he bought a farm about a half mile from Hunnewell, and on this he has ever since lived. He is now eighty-two years of age, but still manages his farm of 240 acres with vigor and progressiveness, although he has some of the land rented. But his activity remains despite his weight of years, and his faculties seem to be as keen and his enterprise as great as when he was a much younger man. It is given to few men to accomplish as much as Mr. Sjialding has, even with his length of life, and to still fewer to retain health and strength at his advanced age. It is probable that the toughening of tissue he received in his early years of outdoor toil has been one source of his long continued vigor and uniform good health. And it is certain that the self reliance and need of readiness for emergencies, which began with him in his youth, have been of great benefit in all his subsequent undertakings, both to himself and to those who have shared in the fruits of his industry, frugality and prudence.

Mr. Spalding was married on September 21, 1858, to Miss Mary Tsabelle Leake, of Monroe county, ^Missouri. They became the parents of fourteen children, .seven of whom are living: William B., of Monroe City; Martin J., of Venetia, Oklahoma; Sarah J., who is living at home ; John A., of Chelcia, Oklahoma ; Alice A., who is still a member of the parental household; Eva M., who is devoting her life to religious work and is now Sister Mary Crescentia of the Loretta Order; and Rose, at Sapulpa, Oklahoma. Charles Albert died in Montana in 1909 and Joseph L. died at Sapulpa, Oklahoma, March, 1910.

In political faith the father has been a lifelong Democrat, true and faithful to his convictions and strong and sedulous in the support of his party. In religion he is a devout and consistent Catholic, earnest for the welfare of his church and with an abiding reliance on its teachings. He has passed half a centuiy of usefulness in Shelby county, contributing to its development and improvement by his useful labors and helping to give its fiscal and political affairs ]iroper ti'end and guidance. No man among this people is more highly esteemed by them, and none has better deserved their regard, confi-

Petee J. Eeaedon

In the life of this highly useful and esteemed citizen of Jackson township, Shelby county, the pathetic is mingled with the sentimental, and eminent success has followed heavy trials, exacting privations and arduous industry. He came to this country when he was a young man, with no capital but his own energy, capacity and indomitable spirit. He confronted the difficulties of his situation with calm Init determined courr age, met its requirements with intelligence and fidelity and compelled reluctant Fortune to give him tribute of her bounty by the persistency and skill with which he wooed her favor.

Mr. Eeardon was born and reared in Ii'eland, where his ancestors for many generations lived and lal)ored and in the soil of which the mortal remains of his father, Eugene Eeardon, and his grandfather, John Eeardon, were laid to rest amid scenes of private grief and public lamentation, which he witnessed. On the death t)f his father the care of the family devolved upon the sorrowing mother, whose maiden name was Julia Curtis. She performed her duty to her offspring faithfully, meeting all difficulties with a resolute determination to yield to none, and giving the members of her household an excellent example as well as good counsel. She was the mother of eiglit children, of whom but two are living, her sons, Peter J., of Shelby county, and Daniel, now a resident of Kansas Citv,

^lissouri. Feeling that this country offered her better opportunities for comfort and further success in life, she came over in 1882, following her son Peter, who emigrated from his native land to this state in 1881. She took up her residence in Shelby county, and here she passed the remainder of her days, dying in 190G respected and lamented by all who knew her.

Peter J. Eeardon grew to manhood in his inhospitable native land and realized full)' that, while its inhospitality was not due to either the character or the habits of its own peoi)le, but to outside influences, it was, nevertheless, cruel and oppressive to the toiling millions and prevented the business success and social standing to which many of them felt that they might properly aspire. He therefore determined as soon as manhood "darkened on his downy cheek" to gratify a longing which had long stirred within him and seek his fortunes in the New AVorld, which seemed to beckon him to its shores with open hands and golden promises. Accordingly, in 1881, he dared the heaving bosom of the stormy Atlantic and soon afterward landed in the United States. He came at once to Missouri and found a new home in Eandolph county, where he engaged in telegraph construction work for four years. Following that occupation he served as foreman of a section gang on tlie Hannibal & St. Joseph railroad, which is now a part of the Burlington system, for eighteen years.

r^fr. Eeardon had received but a limited education in his native land, but he had aspirations to better things than his service for the railroad company af- orded liim aud lie determined to go after them. In 1904 be bought what was known as the "Jerome Worlaud farm," which was one of tlie lirst cultivated farms in Shelby county. To the cultivation of his laud he has since then diligently devoted himself, farming it with intelligence and spirit and improving it from time to time in accordance with the geuius of development of the section in which it is located. He now owns 370 acres of land and has about 215 acres under skillful and productive cultivation. The place is improved with a good dwelling, barns and other necessary structures, and is regarded as one of the best farms in this part of the state.

In January, 1890, Mr. Reardon was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Markin, who was born and reared in Marion county, Missouri. They have had seven children, six of whom are living: Daniel, Julia, Joseph, Katie, Agnes and John, all yet under the parental rooftree and assisting in the work of cultivating and improving the farm. The father is a Republican in politics and a Catholic in religion. He is earnestly devoted to the institutions of the land of his adoption and does his utmost to promote their welfare. His state and country have given him opportunity ; his own capacity, industry and good judgment have given him success ; and he returns the one and .iustifies the other by loyal devotion and service to both state and nation, showing his feelings in the matter by manly and effective efforts in l)ehalf of every worthy interest or undertaking of either. In local affairs he has been a potent influence in building U]i his township and county and developing toward their highest power all the intellectual, moral and material forces at work for their betterment. His friends and neighbors liold him in cordial regard and the whole people admire his manhood and res])ect the elevated character of his citizenship.

Roy Janes

Mr. Janes was for some years an estimable citizen of Lakenan and is one of the enterprising merchants of Shelby county and has shown grit beyond his years and spirit worthy of a Spartan. He has been tried by several forms of disaster, among them the ordeal of fire, and has not flinched in the presence of any.

He was born in Shelby county on February 18, 1888, and is a son of Joseph W. and Elizabeth (Montgomery) Janes, both, like himself, born and reared in Shelby county. The father's life began in 1862, and after reaching his maturity he followed farming profitably and also conducted a threshing outfit until his death, on March 25, 1908, at Lakenan, where he was then living. He was married in 1886 and by his marriage became the father of four children - Roy, Walter, Bernice and Weldon - three of whom are living at home with their mother. In politics the father was a Republican, in fraternal life a Modern Woodman of America and in religious connection a member of the Baptist church. He was highly respected and his untimely death in the full vigor of his manhood and when ho seemed to have many years of usefulness remaining for him was univovsally deplored.

Histoey Of Shelby Couxty

death of his father when he was twenty years of age and was obliged to at once begin the battle of life for himself. His preparation for the struggle was in part a common school education obtained in the district schools of Shelby county, and in part the companionship and example of his father, with whom he worked three j^ears after leaving school on the farm from which he had drawn his stature and his strength. He was then employed for a time as a section hand and timekeeper in the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. He did not regard his sphere as too humble or his work as unworthy of him, for he had been imbued with the conviction that all useful labor is dignified and honorable. But he felt that there was a destiny of more extensive opportunity before him and that he could employ his faculties, to better advantage than the occupation in which he was engaged afforded.

Yielding to this feeling, on June 1, 1908, Mr. Janes entered into partnership with John McGlasson in a general merchandising enterprise, the success of which from the start gave him high hopes of rapidly increasing material acquisitions. But on November 7, following the opening of the store, it and all its contents were totally destroyed by fire, and this ended the partnership with the busi ness. ]\rr. Janes was not dismayed by his disaster. He at once began to look about him for a new connection with a view to undertaking a new enterprise. He formed another partnership, this time with C. W. Mcintosh, of Lentner, and on February 1. 1909, they opened their new store. Mr. Janes continued in this firm until the summer of 1910, when he disposed of his interest in the business and removed to Kansas City, Mo., where he is now employed.

John E. Lyell

.John E. Lyell, the president and controlling spirit of the Commercial Bank of Shelbina, the man who directs its policy and looks closely and intelligently after all its alfairs, is a native of Shelby county, where he was born on November 14, 186C. He is a son of Thomas P. and Sarah E. (Jones) Lyell, the former of whom was born and reared in Virginia and the latter in Missouri. The father came to this state at an early age and located in Marion county. Some time afterward he moved to Shelby county and took up his residence north of Hunnewell. There he became possessed of a tract of wild land which had never yet responded to the persuasive hand of systematic cultivation, but lay buried in the sleep of ages waiting for the voice of its master to call it forth to frnitfulness and beauty. Mr. Lyell broke up the tract and improved it, making of it one of the best and most jiroductive farms in the county, and finally ending his days on it amid the monuments to his enterprise and progressiveness which he had reared around him. His widow survived him a few years, passing away at Shelbina. They have three sons and one daughter living, and all contributing actively and ]iractically to the welfare of the commmiitios in which they have their homes. The family is of Scotch ancestiy.

John R. Lyell

Shelbina schools and Collegiate Institute. He began life for himself as a clerk and salesman in a grocery store, and during the short time he served the requirements of his position with industry and fidelity. But he felt within him an urgent call to fields of higher endeavor and wider opportunity. Accordingly he engaged in the real estate, loan and insurance business, which he followed until he became president of the bank. Since then he has given the affairs of the bank his close personal attention, looking into all the details of its business with intelligent scrutiny and an earnest determination to secure the best possible results in every respect for its promoters and patrons. In addition he owns and operates a large farm.

In political faith Mr. Lyell is allied with the Democratic party, but, although he is active in the support of its principles and candidates, he has never sought or consented to accept an office for himself except in the government of the town. Among the many fraternal and benevolent societies existent and active in the country he has- allied himself with but two, the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias. In the former he holds the rank of Knight Templar. In religious affiliations he belongs to the M. E. Church, South, and is president of the board of stewards of the congregation in which he has his membership. On June 28, 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Idress Stephens, of Macon, Missouri. No man stands higher in the community than Ml-. Lyell, and none better deserves the esteem in which he is held. To every interest of the town and county

Thomas Janes

The interesting subject of this writing, who is one of the venerable and venerated citizens of Shelby county and now has his home in Lakenau, was born in Washington county, Kentucky, on November 2, 1832, and is a son of John H. and Henrietta (Gibbs) Janes, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter born and reared in the same state. The father was born in 1800 and became a resident of Missouri in 1851. He took up land in Marion county, which he cultivated and improved, and on which he was extensively engaged in raising live stock, until 1865. In that year he retired from active work and moved to Shelby county, making his home with his son-in-law, Benjamin Green. He died in 1866. In 1819 he was married to Miss Henrietta Gibbs, and by this marriage became the father of eleven children, six of whom are living: James L. G., who has his home in Monroe county; Thomas, who is the theme of these paragraphs; John H., a resident of Nebraska; William P., of Ilunnewell; Kittie, the wife of Benjamin Green, now living in Monroe county; and Rebecca Ann, the widow of George Ruberson, deceased. In polities the father was a pronounced Democrat and in religion a firm and faithful Catholic.

Thomas Janes lived to the age of nineteen in his native state and was educated in the district schools near his home, supplementing their course of instruc- tion as a student at St. Rosey Intinnary for a few terms. He came to Missouri with bis parents in 1851 and remained with them on the new farm they were cultivating in this state until 1853. His father then gave him fifty acres of land in Marion county, and to the development and improvement of this tract he devoted himself with skill and iudustrj^ until 1862. The storm of the Civil war having by that time developed into a hurricane of disaster, he felt it his duty to give his services to his state in the endeavor to save it to the Union and defend it against armed invasion. He therefore enlisted in the state military service and was connected with it until 1864, when he joined the Federal army as first lieutenant of Company G, Thirtyninth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Colonel Kutzner. He was present at the battles of Centralia and Jefferson City and rendered excellent service in helping to break up tlie numerous bands of guerrillas and bushwhackers whose predatory warfare terrorized the state. Mr. Janes was mustered out of the army on July 19, 1865, and at once located in Shelby county, where he has been living ever since, except for one year, during which lie lived in Phelps county for the benefit of his health, and for another, when he was farming and raising stock in St. Louis county. He continued farming and raising live stock until 1885, when he retired, a little later moving to Lakenan, where he has passed all his subsequent years, enjojang the comforts of the estate he has wrung from the soil by industry and thrift, and the rest his long and trying labors entitle him to.

Two marriages have been the lot of Mr. Janes, his first wife being Miss Hulda Buzzard, whom he married in July, 1852. The fruits of this union were five children, three of whom are living: Mary Frances, widow of "William H. Howe, now living in Hunnewell; Sarah Katharine, the wife of Frank Hudson, of Morrill, Michigan; and John L., deceased. The second marriage was with Miss Lucretia A. Mayes, of Shelby county, and resulted in two children, Joseph W. and James T. Their mother is still living, revered by all who know her, as is Mr. James himself, who is well and favorably known all over the county, and is everj-where esteemed as an upright and lorogressive man and a high-toned and admirable citizen. In politics he is a Republican and in religion a Baptist.

One of the honored and distinguished representatives of the medical profession in Shelb}' county and a scion of one of the well known pioneer families of this section of the state. Dr. Wood has here maintained his home from the time of his childhood, and for many years he has been engaged in the successful practice of his profession in Shelby county. For more than thirty years he has been a resident of the thriving little city of Leutner, and he is recognized as one of its most prominent and influential citizens. He has various capitalistic interests of importance and is one of the principal stockholders of the Bank of Lentner, of which he has been president from the time of its inception, in 1906. A brief record conceruing this solid and popular financial institution is entered on other pages of this work, so that detailed reference to the same is not demanded' in this personal sketch of its president.

Dr. Wood has the distinction of being a native of San Diego, Cuba, where he was born on the 18th of March, 1831, and the lineage of the family is traced back to staunch English stock. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Wood, came from England to America prior to the war of the Revolution, was loyal to the patriot cause and continued liis residence in this country until his death. Dr. Adoli)hus E. Wood, father of him whose name initiates this sketch, was born in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 1805, and he received liberal educational advantages, becoming a skilled physician and surgeon according to the standard of his time. He was engaged in the practice of his profession in San Diego, Cuba, for a period of about four years, and in 1834 he came to Missouri and located at Hannibal, which was then a mere village. There he followed the work of his profession about six months, at the expiration of which he came to Shelby county. He purchased a tract of 200 acres of land on Salt river, in this county, and leased the same, whereupon he established his home in the village of Oakdale, where he was engaged in the successful practice of his profession until his death, which occurred on the 20th of November, 1856. He was the first physician to make permanent location in Shelby county, and the history of this section of the state bears record of his able and faithful service iii the cause of suffering humanity - service rendered often at great personal discomfort and demanding the utmost self-abnegation. He was a man of fine intellectuality and of exalted character, so that he was well equipped for leadership in public thought and action in the pioneer community with whose interests he so thoroughly identified himself. He was a member of the first court convened in Shelby county, and he contributed generously to the civic and material development and progress of this now favored section of the state. He was a staunch Democrat in his political allegiance. The names of both he and wife merit an enduringplace on the roll of the honored pioneers of Shelby county.

In the year 1828 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Adolphus E. Wood to Miss Anna C. Florette, who was born in France and whose death occurred in the year 1894. They became the parents of ten children, of whom seven are now living, namely: Charles S., who is a representative citizen of Shelbyville, this county; Dr. Adolphus G., who is the immediate subject of this sketch; Matilda T., who is the widow of Anothy Gooch and who now maintains her home in Quincy, Illinois; Benjamin 0., who is a resident of Monroe City, Missouri; Arabella, who is the wife of John E. Davis, of Hunnewell, this state; Henry M., who still resides in Oakdale, Shelby county; and Mary E., whose home is in the city of Shelbyville, this county.

ents took up their abode at Oakdale, this county, and there he was reared to years of maturity, being afforded the advantages of the best schools of the locality, and also having the beneficent influences afforded by a home of distinctive culture and refinement. He began the study of medicine under the able preceptorship of his honored father and after making definite progress in his technical study he was finally matriculated in the medical department of the University of Iowa, which department of the state institution was maintained in the city of Keokuk. He entered this medical school in 1856 and there completed the prescribed course, being graduated as a member of the class of 1859 and duly receiving his well earned degree of Doctor of Medicine.

After his graduation Dr. Wood assumed the practice of his father in Oakdale, where he maintained his professional headquarters until 1857, when he located at Walkers\-ille, this county, where he added much to the professional prestige of the name which he bears, haxing been most successful in his labors during the many years of his service as a physician and sui-geon, and having continued a close and appreciative student, so that he has kept in instant touch with the advances made in both branches of his profession. He was engaged in practice at "Walkersville until 1876, when he removed to Lentner, where he has continued in the active work of his profession during the long intervening period of more than thirty years, and where he has an immutable hold upon popular confidence and esteem, both as a physician and as a loyal and generous citizen. He is a member of the vVmerican Medical Association and is also identified with the Missouri State Medical Society and the Shelby Coimty ^ledical Society.

In politics Dr. Wood is aligned as a staunch advocate of the generic principles for which the Democratic party has ever stood sponsor, but he has never desired public ofiice, though frequently importuned to accept nomination for positions of distinctive trust. He has done much to further the civic and industrial progress of his home city and county and is one of the most iniiuential citizens of this section. He was one of the organizers of the Bank of Lentner, in 1906, and, as already stated, has been its president from the time of its incorporation.

On the 20th of January, 1863, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. "Wood to Miss Mary L. Mitchell, who was born in the state of Kentucky, whence her father, the late Thomas Mitchell, removed with his family to Missouri when she was a cliild. Dr. and Mrs. Wood became the parents of twelve children, and in conclusion of this brief sketch is entered the names of the nine children who are now living: Fernando is engaged in business at Houston, Texas; Ella M. is the wife of Henry EheinheLmer, of Butler, Missouri; Amanda P., Anna Clunette, Gertrude and Zelma remain at the parental home; Adolphus M. is engaged in the practice of medicine at Lentner; Lamar M. is a resident of Monroe City ; Irene is the wife of Arthur Smith, of Shelbina, this coimtj-. The family has been prominent in the best social life of" the community and the attractive home is a center of cordial hospitality.

Bank Of Lentnek

There is no one factor that so well determines and designates the status and stability of a community as the extent and character of its banking institutions, and in this regard the financial and commercial prestige of Shelby county has been maintained by bans of ample capital, reinforced by duly conservative management. The wdse policy that has dominated the management of the Bank of Lentner from the time of its founding to the present has made it one of the substantial and essentially representative financial institutions of the county, and as such it is consonant that brief record concerning it be entered in this publication.

The Bank of Lentner, incorporated under the laws of the state, received its charter on the 24th of September, 1906, and on the 22d of the following month it began practical operations by opening the doors of its well equipped banking rooms and inviting public patronage. The bank is incorporated with a capital stock of twelve thousand dollars, and said stock is represented in one hundred and twenty shares of a par value of one hundred dollars each. The original board of directors of the bank was as follows: Dr. Adolphus G. Wood, William Kraft, Henry Arnold, James H. Melsor, Hugo Boling, Robert T. Jackson, and Judge- John Byrum. At the meeting of the stockholders the following executive officers wei'e chosen: President, Dr. Adolphus G. Wood; Judge John T. Perry, cashier; and James H. IMelson, secretary of the board of directors.

Dr. Wood has continued incimibent of the presidency of the institution from its initiation, and the other officers at the time of this writing, at the opening of the year 1910, are as here noted: Henry M. Eaton, vice-president; Thomas W. Xoel, cashier; and James H. Melson, secretary of the board of directors. The directorate is composed of the following well known and honored citizens : James H. Melson, Henry M. Eaton, George W. Stalays, Dr. A. G. Wood, Theodore Hinze, Harmon Van Thun, and Henry Arnold. The bank has met with most gratifying popular support, based upon public confidence in those who have its affairs in charge, and it is today one of the substantial and ably conducted financial institutions of Shelby county, with a support of essentially representative order.

James H. Melson

Mr. Melson is one of the representative citizens of his native county, with whose business interests he has been long and prominently identified, and he served for a term of fully fifteen years as postmaster in Lentner, where he still maintains his home and where he is now engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock, with which line of enterprise he has been concerned for a decade and a half.

James H. Melson was born on a farm in Shelby county, Missouri, on the 6th of February, 1860, and is a son of Benjamin N. and Mary J. (Carman) Melson, the former of whom was born in the state of Maryland, on the 6th of Januarv, 182.3, and the latter of whom was born and reared in Marion county, Missouri, where her parents took up their abode in the pioneer days. The Melson family was founded in America in the colonial era and Elijah Melson, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Maryland, when he came to Missouri in 1837, settling in Shelby coimty, where he passed the remainder of his life, the major portion of his active career having been one of close identification with the great basic industry of agriculture.

Benjamin N. Melson passed his boyhood and early youth in his native state and was about fourteen years of age at the time of the family removal to Missouri. He was reared to manhood in Shelby county, this state, and he eventually became the owner of a well improved farm near the village of Clarence, this country. Much of the land was reclaimed by him and he became one of the substantial farmers and honored citizens of the county, where he continued to be actively engaged in diversified farming and stock-growing until his death, which occurred in August, 1905. His widow still resides in the old homestead, and of their eight children five are living. Concerning them the following brief data are entered: Emily A. is the wife of William Taylor, a prosperous farmer of Shelby county; James H. is the immediate subject of this sketch; Mollie J. is the wife of David E. Gray, who is engaged in farming in this county; Charles B. is a resident of Butte, Montana; and George A. is engaged in farming in Shelby county. In politics the father was a staunch Republican.

home farm and early began to contribute his quota to its work. His early educational training was secured in the public schools of Clarence and Shelbina, and in 1880 he went to Colorado, where he was identified with mining operations for two years, at the expiration of which he returned to his native county and took up his residence in the village of Lentner, where he purchased a general store, which he successfully conducted for the ensuing seven years, building up a substantial trade and gaining a strong hold upon the confidence and esteem of the community. After his retirement from this line of enterprise he jjassed one year as traveling representative for a wholesale commission house in the city of St. Louis, and he then returned to Lentner, where, in 1886, he was appointed postmaster, of which office he continued incumbent until October 1, of 1908. In the meanwhile he had built up a large and prosperous business as a buyer and shipper of live stock, with which important line of industrial enterprise he has been actively concerned for the past fifteen years, and through his operations he has done much to further the commercial pros]">erity of the county and village in which he has maintained his home during practically his entire life thus far. He was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Bank of Lentner, of which popular and substantial institution ho continued a stockholder and director, and he is the owner of thirty-five acres of land in his home village, besides a number of buildings of substantial order. He takes a deep interest in all that tends to enhance the civic and material prosperity of the community, is essentiall.v progressive and liberal as a citizen, and, tlioug'li he has never desired the honors or emoluments of political office, he is a stalwart advocate of the principles and i)olicies of the Republican party. He is affiliated with the local organizations of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America.

On the 6th of January, 1887, Mr. Melson was united in marriage to Miss Amanda J. Livingston, who was born and reared in Shelby county, and who is a daughter of James D. Livingston, a I'epresentative farmer of this favored section of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Melson became the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living, namely: May Pearl, who is now serving as postmistress at Lentner, in which office she succeeded her father ; and Raymond Shelby, Claude M., Beulah, Lew, Pauline, Theodore Eldon, and Mark.

Harrison Eaton

One of the venerable and highly honored native sons of Shelby county, with whose history the family name has been identified since the early pioneer days, before the organization of the county, is now living virtually retired in the attractive little city of Shelbina. He has contributed his quota to the civic and industrial development and progress of the coimty, as did also his honored father, and here he was long and prominently identified with farming and stock-growing, in connection with which lines of industry he gained distinctive success, so that he is today able to enjoy the generous comforts and the gracious environment which are the just recompense for former years of earnest toil and endeavor. Mr. Eaton is one of the well known citizens of the county and to him is given the unreserved confidence and esteem of the community in which he has passed his entire life thus far. He is a representative of the third generation of the family in America, as his grandfather, Jacob Eaton, was a native of England, whence he came to America when a young man, becoming an early settler of Kentucky, and later coming to Missouri, where he passed the closing years of his life.

Harrison Eaton was born on the homestead farm, in what is now Salt River township, Shelby county, Missouri, on the 4th of April, 1838, and is a son of George and Rebecca (Anderson) Eaton, both of whom were born and reared in Kentucky, where their marriage was solemnized in the year 1829. The father was born on the 3d of May, 1803, and his death occurred in February, 1871. His wife survived him by several years. They became the parents of ten children, of whom five are living, all being residents of Shelby county. Of the number the subject of this review is the eldest; George W. is a successful farmer in Salt River township ; Martha A. is the wife of Ernest Harding ; Sarah E. is the wife of William Cochran; and Nancy E. is the wife of James R. Baker. In politics the father was a staunch Democrat and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Bajitist church.

George Eaton was reared and educated in Kentucky and upon coming to Missouri he numbered himself among the pioneers of Shelby county, where he settled before the county had been or- ganized as such. He secured 160 acres of land aud set to himself the task of reclaiming the same to cultivation. He labored with all of energy and ambition aud was not denied a due reward, as he became one of the representative farmers and stock-growers of the county and here accumulated a valuable landed estate of about 500 acres, which he devised to his children in his will. He continued to reside on his old homestead farm uutil his death, which occurred iu 1871, as has ahead}' been noted in this article. His cherished and devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal about 1880, and the names of both should be permanently recorded on the roll of the honored pioneers of Shelby county, to whose social and material development they contributed to the full measure of their powers and opportunities.

Harrison Eaton, M^iose name initiates this sketch, was reared to maturity on the old home fai-m, and he continued to be actively associated in its work and management until he had attained to the age of thirty-two years. His educational advantages were such as were atTorded in the common schools of the locality and period, aud his discipline in this line was completed iu the village schools of Shelbyville, the county seat. He later am- ])lified his fund of scholarship and general information through ]>rivate study and well directed reading, and while a young man he was ordained to the ministry of the Baptist church. He gave zealous and devoted service in the work of this church during a period of about twenty years, and in the meanwhile continued his active identification with agricultural pursuits. In 1870 he retired from the work of the ministry, aud thereafter he gave his undivided attention to farming and stock-growing, iu which he is still interested, though he has lived essentially retired in the village of Shelbina since 1895. He has about twentyfive acres of land within the limits of this attractive town, and retains the ownership of his well improved farm of 220 acres in Shelby county, to which he gives a general supervision. He is one of the substantial men and honored citizens of his native county, and here he has ever held the unqualified confidence and high regard of all who know him. Generous and tolerant and imbued with a kindly interest in his fellow men, he has made his life count for good in all its relations, and he has been one of those earnest and loyal citizens who have witnessed and contributed to the upbuilding of the county as one of the most favored sections of the state of Missouri. In polities Mr. Eaton has been arrayed as a staunch supporter of the cause of the Republican party from practically the time of its inception, and both he and his wife have been most zealous in the work of the Baptist church, in whose ministry he served with much of consecrated zeal and devotion.

When the dark cloud of civil war cast its gruesome pall over the national horizon, iMr. Eaton was loyal to the cause of the Union, and he was among the first in Missouri to tender his services as a soldier in the federal ranks. In January, 18fi], he enlisted in the com]iany commanded by Capt. John F. Benjamin, and this company became an integral part of the Missouri Volunteer Infantry. He continued in service with this com- mand until April, 1863, when lie received his honorable discharge, by reason of physical disability. His certificate of disability was signed by Dr. Gilroay Post, who was surgeon of the federal hospital at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Mr. Eaton took part in the engagements at Kirksville and Cape (Tirardeau, was present at the capture of the famous guerilla, Joseph Shelby, and took part in many skirmishes and other minor engagements. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is also affiliated with the Masonic fraternity.

On October 25, 1870, Mr. Eaton was united in marriage to Miss Mary Aun Stalcup, who was born and reared in Shelliy county, where her father, the late "William Stalcup, was an early settler. The three children of this union are: George W., who is a resident of Idabel, Oklahoma ; Aima M., who is the wife of Chester E. O'Neal, also of Idabel, Oklahoma; and Ethel E., who is the wife of Thomas ]\I. Wood, a successful farmer of Shelby county.

Theodore P. Manuel

The honored president of the Citizens' Bank of Clarence is a native son of Shelby county, a member of one of its sterling pioneer families and a representative citizen and business man of this favored section of the state. Mr. Manuel was born on the old homestead farm of his father, in Taylor township, this county, and the date of his nativity was January 19, 1859. His father, the late Preston flannel, was born in Kentucky on the fith of March, 1820, and was twelve years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Missouri, in 1832. Here he was reared to manhood and received such advantages as were afforded in the somewhat primitive pioneer schools, and he eventually became one of the extensive farmers and stock growers and essentially influential citizens of Shelby county, where he continued to be actively identified with the great basic art of agriculture until his death, which occurred on the old homestead which was his original place of settlement, having been summoned to the life eternal on the 23d of September, 1876. He was first married to Miss Hulda McAfee, who died one year later, and his second union was with Miss Adaline McAfee, a sister of his first wife. She was born in the state of Kentucky and her parents were numbered among the worthy pioneers of Shelby county. She was summoned to the life eternal on the 28th of April, 1865, and of her four children three are now living - Oscar A., who is a representative farmer of Shelby county; Theodore P., who is the immediate subject of this review, and Warren E., who is engaged in farming in this county. In December, 1868, Preston Manuel contracted a third marriage, having been then united to Mrs. Delilah J. Garnett, whose maiden name was Delilah J. Wright, and who survives him, as do also their three daughters, all of whom reside in the city of Clarence. Mary E. remains with her widowed mother, Cora B. is now Mrs. Bart Holljonan and Lula P. resides at the maternal home. In politics the father was a staunch adherent of the Democratic party, taking a loyal interest in public affairs and being known as a citizen of sterling character, so that he commanded a secure place in popular confidence and esteem. He was a member of the Christian church and exemplified his faith in his daily life.

Theodore P. Manuel, whose name initiates this article, secured his early educational training- in the district schools of his native township and later sujjplemented this discipline by a course of six months in Oaklawn College, at Novelty, Knox county, Missouri. Thereafter he put his scholastic acquirements to practical test and utilization by engaging as a teacher in the schools of his home county. He continued to follow the pedagogic profession, teaching principally during the winter terms, for a period of five years, and in the meanwhile he did not sever his association with agricultural pursuits, under whose beneficent influences he had been reared.

In 1883 Mr. Manuel purchased a general store at Leonard, Shelby county, where he continued in successful business for the ensuing sixteen years, in the meanwhile becoming the owner of a fine landed estate of 700 acres in Shelby county and devoting the same to general agriculture and the raising of high-grade live stock. In 1899 he disposed of his store and business at Leonard and thereafter he devoted his entire attention to his farming interests until August, 1901, when he sold his live stock and removed to the city of Clarence. He still retains possession of a fine farm estate comprising 500 acres, and is also the owner of valuable realty in the city of Clarence. U]>on his removal to this city ^fr. Manuel entered into partnershi]i with Rufus E. Dale, under the firm name of Dale & Manuel, and they built up an extensive business in the handling of real estate. This alliance continued until December, 190-1, when the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. In the meanwhile Mr. Manuel had also become interested in the Clarence Limiber Company, of which he was president and manager for one year. Upon the dissolution of the partnership mentioned he purchased a considerable block of the stock of the Citizens' Bank of Clarence, of which he became cashier, retaining this position until January, 1909, when he was elected president of the institution, an office of which he is now the able and popular incumbent. A brief sketch concerning this substantial banking concern is given on other pages of this work.

^Ir. Manuel has ever been known as a loyal, progressive and public-spirited citizen, and he has so ordered his course as to retain the inviolable confidence and esteem of the people of the county in which his entire life thus far has been passed. In politics he gives an unqualified allegiance to the Democratic party, and he served as postmaster in the village of Leonard for four years, under the administration of President Cleveland. He also held the office of notary public under commission from six different governors of the state, retaining this office for a period of twenty-four years. Both he and his wife are zealous and devoted members of the Christian church, in which he has held official position continuously since he was seventeen years of age and in which he has served as Sunday school superintendent for nearly a quarter of a century.

Miss Eicliard Ella Harrison, who was born in Kentucky, whence her parents, Richard H. and Laura W. (Magruder) Harrison, removed to Missouri when she was a child, the family settling in Shelby county, where her parents passed the residue of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Manuel have one child, Mona M., who remains at the parental home, and who is one of the popular young women in the social life of the community.

James L. 0 'Bryan

This enterprising and popular business man of Shelby county is proprietor of a well appointed general merchandise store in the village of Lentner and is a native son of Missouri. He is a son of George W. O 'Bryan, who is now a resident of Lentner, where he is engaged in farming.

James L. 0 'Bryan was born on the parental homestead farm, in Monroe comity, Missouri, July 12, 1883, and his educational training was secured in the district schools of Monroe and Shelby counties, Missouri, and the high school at Santa Ana, California. After leaving school he was associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm, near Lentner, Shelby county, and in 1907 he associated himself with Dee Botkins in the general merchandise business in Lentner, the enterprise being conducted under the firm name of Botkin & 0 'Bryan until July, 1908, when Mr. 0 'Bryan purchased his partner's interest. Since that time he has individually conducted the business, in the management of which he has brought to bear the most progressive and up-to-date methods, keeping his establishment well stocked in all departments and offering to his large and appreciative patronage the most desirable bargains, while his genial personality and strict integrity in all his dealings have gained him the unqualified confidence and regard of the community. He is one of the popular and successful young business men of this section, and as a citizen shows a loyal interest in all that makes for the well-being of the community. In politics Mr. 0 'Bryan is found enlisted as a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America.

On February 9, 1908, Mr. 0 'Bryan was united in marriage to Miss May Robinson, daughter of Joseph Robinson, of Clarence, Shelby county, and they have a winsome little daughter, Naoma Eloise.

Henry M. Eaton

Mr. Eaton is a representative of one of the sterling i^ioneer families of Shelbj' county and is himself one of its representative and honored citizens. He is now living virtually retired from active business, in the attractive little village of Lentner, and is vice-president of the Bank of Lentner.

Mr. Eaton was boru on a farm in what is now Salt River township, Shelby county, Missouri, February 8, 1842, and is a son of James M. and Caroline (Tobin) Eaton, the former of whom was born in Kentucky, September 30, 1816, and the latter of whom was liorn in the state of Virginia: their marriage was solemnized in Kentucky, April 2, 1840.

James M. Eaton was reared and educated in his native state and was a young man at the time of his removal to Missouri. He settled in Shelby county, where he secured a tract of land, practically unimproved, and here he continued to give his attention to farming and stock-raising until his death, which occurred April 16, 1853, on his old homestead farm. He was a man of prominence and influence in the county in the early days, having served as county clerk and also as justice of the peace. He was a successful farmer and sterling citizen, and he was an influential factor in public affairs of a local order, having been one of the leaders in the ranks of the Democratic party in Shelby county. He enlisted for service in the Mexican war, and went to the front with a Missouri regiment. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. She was summoned to the life eternal in 1843, at which time she was about twenty-five years of age. They became the parents of two children, of whom the suljject of this sketch is the younger, and Ann E. died at the age of fifty-five years. Henry M. Eaton was born and lived on the old homestead farm of which mention has been made, until the death of his honored father, and was a lad of about ten years at the time. He ]iassed the ensuing four years in the home of his maternal grandfather and in the meanwhile continued his school work as o])i)ortunity afforded. After leaving schoiil lie continued to be actively identified with agricultural pursuits, princi- ))ally in the employ of others, for several years, and in 1862, loyal to the institutions under which he had been reared, he tendered his services in defense of the cause of the Confederacy, enlisting in the regiment commanded by General Price and taking active part in a number of spirited .skirmishes and other minor engagements, including those at Shelbina, Silver Creek and Pea Ridge. He was mustered out and given an honorable discharge in the summer of 1863, and he then located upon a farm in Salt River township, this county, where ho engaged in fanning and stockgrowing, and made a specialty of the handling of mules. In 1869 he removed to Monroe county and located in Holliday, where he conducted a drug store and where he also had large farming interests. He continued liis residence in that county for a period of sixteen years, at the expiration of which he returned to Shelby county. Here he is still the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres, in Lentner township, besides a nice residence ])roperty in the village of Lentner, where he has lived essentially retired since the year 1906. He was one of the incorporators of the Bank of Lentner, of which he i^ vice-president, and he has been a valued member of its board of directors from the time of its inception. Though never a seeker of public office he is aligned as a staimch advocate of the princijiles of the Democratic party, and both he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church. South.

On February 12, 1867, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Eaton to Miss Elizabeth L. ]\[itchell, who was born in Kentucky and who was a child at the time of her ]iaronts' removal to ^lonroe county, Missouri, where they became pioneer settlers and where she was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton became the parents of seven children, and in conclusion of this brief sketch is entered record concerning the five who are living: James M. is a resident of Meade county, Kansas; Charles H. is a resident of McAllister, Oklahoma ; Lillie is the wife of Peter 0. Schofield, station agent of the Chicago & Rock Island railroad at Pleasant Hill, Missoui'i; Thomas T. is a successful farmer of Shelby county; and Birdie AV. is the wife of John Harris, of Guthrie, Oklahoma.

Hardin Douglass

Now li\'ing retired in the village of Lakenan, Shelby county, is to be found this venerable and honored citizen, who is a member of one of the sterling pioneer families of Missouri, which has been his home from the time of his nativity, and who gained definite success through his long association with the great basic art of agriculture. He has been a resident of Shelby county for nearly half a century, and has so ordered his life as to merit and receive the unqualified confidence and regard of his fellow men. He was loyal to the cause of the Confederacy in the Civil war and served for a time as a valiant soldier in a Missouri regiment.

Hardin Douglass was born in Howard county, this state, October 25, 1832, and is a son of Edward and Dysie (Green) Douglass, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Madison county, Kentucky, where their marriage was solemnized. Edward Douglass took up his residence in Missouri in the year

1820, settling first in Boone county, whence he later removed to Howard coimty, where he became one of the pioneers. He secured a tract of wild land and effected its reclamation, becoming one of the prosperous farmers and influential citizens of that section, and continuing to maintain his home on the farm until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he removed to the village of Palmyra, where he lived retired until his death, which occurred in tlie year 1876. His wife passed away in 1880, both having been zealous members of the Methodist Ejiiscopal church, South. Of their eleven children onlj^ three are now living, and of the number the subject of this sketch is the eldest; Lula is the wife of Henry Green, of Monroe county, this state; and Joel A. maintains his home in Boone county.

Hardin Douglass was reared to the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the farm and was aflforded the advantages of the common schools of the pioneer days in Howard county. After attaining years of maturity he continued to be identified with the great basic art of agriculture and remained a resident of his native county until the climacteric period of the Civil war. In 1863 he tendered his aid in defense of the Confederate cause, enlisting as a private in Company I, Missouri Infantry, which became a part of the command of General Clark. Mr. Douglass participated in engagements at Kansas City and Little Blue, Missouri, besides a number of skirmishes, and then proceeded with his regiment into the Indian Nation, where the regiment disbanded after he had been in service about eight months. He returned to his home in Howard county, but in the year 1864- he removed to Shelby county. He became the owner of a good farm in Jackson township and devoted his attention to diversified agriculture and stock-growing until 1874, when he disposed of his farming interests and took up his residence in Lakenan, in which village he is now living. For the past few years he has lived virtuallj' retired from active business, and, now venerable in years, he is able to enjoy the generous rewards of former years of earnest toil and endeavor, the while he has the gratifying associations implied in the companionship of old and loyal friends and the high regard of the entire community which has so long represented his home. He has ever been a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Democratic party and has taken an intelligent and loj-al interest in the issues and questions of the hour and in all that has tended to conserve the material and civic progress of his home county and state. Both he and his wife have long been consistent and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South.

In September, 1854, Mr. Douglass was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Andrews, whose death occurred in 1869. They became the parents of five children, all of whom are living, namely: Calvin, who is a representative farmer of Shelby coimty; Rhoda, who is the wife of Peter Chapman, of ^Monroe county; Isabelle, who is the wife of Alonzo Bobbins, of Monroe county; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles Kobbius, of Shelby county; and IMinerva, who is the wife of John McClosky, of Monroe county.

In December, 1870, Mr. Douglass contracted a second marriage, being then united to Miss Anna E. Andrews, of Howard county, and of their four children two are living. Flavins, who is engaged in farming in Shelby county, and Jason, who is a successful business man of the village of Lakenan, this county.

James F. Harrison

It is most consonant that in this publication be entered a brief review of the career of Mr. Harrison, who has been prominently identified with the agricultural industry and other productive lines of enterprise in this section of Missouri, which state has represented his home from the time of his birth, and who is not only a member of one of the old and honored families of this fine commonwealth of the Union, but is also one of the popular and influential citizens of Shelby county. He is still actively concerned with farming and stock-growing in this county, but maintains his home in the thriving and attractive little city of Shelbina, where he is the owner of valuable real estate, including his fine residence property.

Mr. Harrison was born on the parental homestead farm in Monroe county, Missoiiri, seven miles southeast of Shelbina, April 18, 1856. His father, Francis M. Harrison, was a native of Kentucky, where he was born June 8, 1827, and in 1830, when he was about three years of age, his parents removed from the Bluegrass state to Missouri and settled near the town of Old Clinton, Monroe county, where lie was reared to manhood and given such scholastic ad- vantages as were offered in the somewliat primitive common schools of the pioneer days. He continued to be concerned witli farming interests in Monroe county until 1857, when he removed to Shelby county, where he operated a good farm in Salt River township. He was a man of broad and mature judgment, distinctive energy and good business ability, and thus he gained a success worthy of the name, while he ever held as his own the inviolable confidence and esteem of the people of this section of the state. He was long one of the representative farmers and stock-growers of Shelby county, and he also gained a wide reputation as an auctioneer, in which capacity his services were much in requisition. In 1876 he was elected sheriff and tax collector of Shelby county, in which dual office he served for two consecutive terms, and in which his administration met with unqualified popular aj^proval. His death occurred March 9, 1908. He had the elements of character that ever beget popular trust and esteem, and no citizen of Shelby county had a wider circle of friends than did he. He was a most zealous worker in behalf of the cause of the Democratic jiarty and was recognized as one of its leaders in this section of the state. He was a charter member of the Methodist Episcojjal church, South, in Shelbina, and both he and his wife were devoted workers in the various departments of its service.

In 1848 was solemnized the marriage of Francis M. Harrison to Miss Nancy M. Collins, who was born and reared in Monroe county, this state, and whose father, the late James Collins, was one of the honored pioneers of this section of the state. Mrs. Harrison survives her husband and maintains her home in the city of Shelbina. Of their seven children four are living, namely: Josephine, who is the wife of Robert V. Taylor, of Marshall, Missouri; Charles J., who is a prosperous business man of Clayton, this state; James F., who is the immediate subject of this sketch; and Norah, who is the wife of Albert S. Arnold, of East St. Louis, Illinois.