Shelby County, Missouri - Biographical sketches, 1911 (part 5 of 16)

James F. Harrison was an infant at the time of the family removal from Monroe county to Shelby county, and he was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm three miles northeast of Shelbina, in Salt River township. After completing the curriculum of the district scJiools he was enabled to continue his studies in the public schools of the village of Shelbina, and after completing his school work he assisted his father in the operation and management of the home farm and also in the affairs of the office of sheriff and tax collector. Besides having held these offices his father also served for some time as constable of Salt River township. From his youth to the present time Mr. Harrison has given his allegiance to the great basic industries of farming and stock-growing, and in this connection he has gained distinctive success and prestige, as had also his honored father, under whose able and kindly instruction he was trained in a most thorough and effective way. He is the owner of a well improved farm of 130 acres, in Salt River township, and gives to the same a general personal supervision, though he has maintained his residence in Shelbina since 1905. For five years he was successfully engaged in business as a Iniyer and shipper of grain, at Clarence, this county, and he still devotes considerable attention to this line of enterprise. Mr. Harrison clings to the political faith in which he was reared and is a staunch advocate of the generic principles for which the Democratic party ever has stood sponsor. Both he and his wife are members of the ]\Ietliodist Episcopal church. South, and he is affiliated with the Shelbina camp of the Modern Woodmen of America.

On April 18, 1878, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Harrison to Miss Laura B. Penn, of Shel])yville, this county, a daughter of Rev. William Penn, who was a prominent and influential minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Of the four children of this union, three are living - Ernest, M'ho is engaged as engineer on the Santa Pe at Marcelene, Missouri; William Penn, a farmer; and Howard, also railroading. The family is one whose members are distinctively popular in the community and the attractive home is a center of gracious hospitality.

John Frederick Burckhardt

John Frederick Burckhardt passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm and early began to assist in its work, in the meanwhile duly availing himself of the advantages of the district school of the neighborhood. Later he continued his studies in the public schools of the village of Leonard. He left school at the age of nineteen years and thereafter he continued to be identified willi the work and management of liis father's farm until 1902, when he purchased sixty acres of land in section 17 of his native township and initiated independent operations as a farmer and stock-grower. His early experience and consequent intimate knowledge of these two basic lines of industry enabled him to direct his energies with marked discrimination, and the result has been that his success has been of pronounced order. To his original tract he has added until he now has a well improved farm estate of two hundred and ten acres, of which one hundred and eighty acres are maintained under effective cultivation. His homestead has excellent buildings and the able management that he gives to his farm is well shown in its general air of thrift and prosjierity. Mr. Burckhardt was reared in the faith of the Republican l)arty and has never deviated therefrom since attaining to the right of franchise. Like his jiarents he is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in the same both he and his wife are zealous workers. They have a wide circle of friends in tlieir home county and their home is one of gracious hosjntality and refined atmosphere. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bethel, this county.

On the 19th of Ai)ril, 1902, was recorded the marriage of John Frederick Burckhardt to Miss Minnie E. Baker, who was born in Washington county, Ohio, on the 30th of October, 1879, and who came with her parents to Shelby coimty. Missouri, when a child. She is a daughter of Leander and Su.sana (Mc- Cammon) Baker, the former of whom was born in Peuusylvauia and the latter in Ireland. They are now residents of Shelby county, where Mr. Baker is a successful farmer. Mr and Mrs. Burckhardt have one child, Burdett Frederick, who was born in December, 1904.

Richard Collier

The subject of this sketch is one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of his native county and city, and is at the present time incumbent of the position of postmaster of Shelbyville, of which city he was formerly mayor and in which he has held other olKces of trust, betokening the high regard of the people of the community in which practically his entire life has been passed. He is a member of one of the old and honored pioneer families of this section of the state, and thus there are many elements which render consistent a review of his personal career and genealogical data in this publication.

Richard Collier was born in Shelbyville, Missouri, November 25, 1849, and is a sou of James M. and Catherine B. (Gooch) Collier, both of whom were born in the state of Kentucky, whence their respective parents moved to Missouri in an early day. AVilliam Collier, grandfather of the subject of this review, was likewise a native of Kentucky, and he passed the closing years of his life in Grandy county, Missouri, where he developed a farm and was a well known pioneer. James M. Collier was reared to maturity in Missouri, where he received a common-school education and where he learned iri his youth the trade of brickmason, which he followed for some time, later becoming a successful contractor in connection with his trade. Just before the inception of the Civil war he settled on a farm near Oakdale, Shelby county, where the family home was maintained for several years. He finally took up his residence in Shelbyville, where he built up a successful contracting business in the erection o f lu-ick buildings and other structures, and he was among the early incumbents of the office of sheriff of Shelby county. He was one of the argonauts who made their way to California during the memorable gold excitement of 1849 and succeeding years, and he made a very successful venture in taking mules across the plains to the mining districts, where he disposed of the animals at a large profit. He was identified with gold mining in California about four years and was very successful in his operations.

James Collier manifested unqualified loyalty to the Union at the time of the Civil war. He enlisted in 1861, in response to President Lincoln's first call for volunteers, becoming a member of a Missouri regiment and continuing in active service during practically the entire period of the great internecine conflict, within which he partici]iated in a large numl)er of the im]iortant battles on the sanguinary fields of the South. He was made captain of his company, and his regiment was commanded l)y Col. B. F. Benjamin. He continued throughout life to manifest a deep interest in his old comrades, though forgetting the animosities engendered of the great war between the states, and he was a popular and honored member of the Grand Army of the Reiniblic. In politics lie was aligued as a stauueh supporter of the cause of the Republican party from the time of its organization until his death, and he held membership also in the Masonic fraternity. He was a man of exalted integritj' of character, was a devout and zealous worker in connection with religious activities and was one of the pillars of the Christian church in Shelbyville, of which he was a charter member and in which he served as an elder for many years prior to his death, which occurred in the year 1899, his devoted wife having preceded him to the life eternal by more than a decade. He was the foremost factor in connection with the founding of the church mentioned and was active in all departments of its work. He ordered his life upon the highest plane of honor and fidelity, and held the fullest measure of popular confidence and regard. He was a successful business man and was a stockholder of the Citizens' Bank of Shelbyville at the time of his demise. Of his ten children, five are now living, namely: Susan, who is the wife of Henry G. Miller, of Shelby county ; Sarah, who is the wife of Oliver P. Robinson, of Quincy, Illinois; Laura, who is the wife of M. E. likewise of Quincy, Illinois; Richard, who is the immediate subject of this sketch; and Edwin E., who is a representative farmer of Shelby county. Richard Collier is indebted to the schools of Shelbyville for his early educational discipline, and after leaving school he was associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm for two years. He then served a %artual apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, in which be became a skilled workman, and he followed the work of his trade, doing a general contracting business, for a period of about six years, after which he conducted a meat market in Shelbyville for about five years. Upon retiring from this line of enterprise he established himself in the furniture business in this city, continuing the same imtil September, 1902, when he became a carrier on one of the rural free mail delivery routes from Shelbyville, continuing to be thus engaged for five years, at the expiration of which, in February, 1908, under the administration of President Roosevelt, he received his commission as postmaster of Shelbyville, of which office he has since continued incumbent. He has done much to improve the service of this office and his administration of its affairs has met with marked popular commendation. Mr. Collier has long been influential in public affairs of a local order and is known as a loyal and progressive citizen. He served some years as a member of the board of aldermen of Shelbj'- ville, was city treasurer for four years, and in 1896 was elected mayor, remaining in tenure of this chief executive office of the munici]ial govei-nment for two terms. His political proclivities are indicated in the staimch allegiance which he accords to the Republican party, and he has been an active worker in its cause. He and his wife are zealous members of the Christian church and he is affiliated with the Shelbyville lodge of the Indei^endent Order of Odd Fellows.

On November 24, 1879, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Collier to Miss Martha Bigelow, who was born in the state of Indiana and who was a child at the time of the family removal to Missouri. She is a daughter of the late AVilliam Bigelow, who was a successful farmer of Shelby county. Mr. and Mrs. Collier became the parents of nine children, all of whom are living except two, one who died at the age of thirteen years and the other an infant. Edwin W. is now a resident of Washington; Earl Sheldon is engaged in merchandising in Shelby county ; Morte maintains his home in the mining city of Anaconda, Montana ; and Gleeta, IMaude, Jeanette and Clara remain at the parental home.

Peince Dimmitt

The adaptability of the American mind to various pursuits and different lines of thought and action is well illustrated in the career of Prince Dimmitt, of Shelbyville. He has been successively a farmer, business man and banker, and has been masterful in each undertaking, compelling Fortune to wait upon his will and minister to his triumphs by the force of his character, his business acimien and his comprehensive breadth and readiness of view. He has been quick to see and alert to seize opportunities for his advancement, and has had the ability and the industry to make the most of them when he has embraced them.

Mr. Uimmitt was born in Cooper coimty, Missouri, on July .30, 1860, and was brought to Shelby county when he was but six months old. his parents becoming residents of this county at that time. He is a son of Dr. Dimmitt, now deceased, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume. Destined for an exalted place in the financial and business circles of the county, Mr. Dimmitt grew to manhood among its people and was edxicated in the public schools of Shelbyville, completing the high school course and being graduated from the high school in that city.

After leaving school he turned his attention to farming, although he had a leaning to business pursuits. But he lost nothing by the venture, as he applied his business instincts to his farming operations and made them highly successful. Tn 1878 he entered into partnership with his older brother Frank in the management of an extensive farm, and they conducted its operations together until 1881. He then bought his brother's interest in the property, and from that time until 1898 farmed alone. He made his farm one of the best in the county and reaped the reward of his enterprise and industry in doing this when he came to sell the place a few months ago, receiving $112.50 an acre for it, the highest price ever paid for farm land in the part of the county in which it is located.

In 1893 he was chosen vice-president of the Bank of Shelbyville, and five years later gave up farming and removed to Shelbw\'ille. where he has ever since resided. In 1902 he rose by the choice of the directors to the presidency of the bank, and he has ably and ]irogressively filled that position until the present time (1911). Under his vigorous and enterprising management the institution has made great progress, adding considerably to the volume of its business and the number and consequence of its patrons. It is known as one of the soundest and best managed financial institutions in this part of the state and has a high rank in banking- circles in all parts of many neiglil)oriug- states. Conducting a general banking business embracing all the desirable features of present-day banking, it seeks to meet all requirements in the way of accommodation to the community and its people and aid in every way available to it in the progress and development of the coimty. And that it is succeeding in these endeavors is shown by the extent of its operations and the high regard in which it is held by all classes of the people.

Mr. Dimmitt was married on March 17, 1881, to Miss Cora E. Schotield, a daughter of Ellis and Elizabeth (Baxter) Schofield, of Palmyra, Missouri. The seven children that have blessed their union and brightened their household are all living. They are: Nora L., the wife of Wallace Quinsenberry, of Moberly, Missouri; Edith B., a teacher in the public schools in the state of Utah; Cora L., the wife of Robert Maupin, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Eula S., William P. E., Prince H., Jr.. and Fannie Agee, all of whom are still members of the parental family circle.

With a broad enduring interest in the welfare of the masses of the ])eople, and l)elieving firmly in their right to a controlling voice in the public affairs of the country, Mr. Dimmitt has been a lifelong Democrat, zealous and etfective in the service of his party and holding high rank in its councils in the county. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and he takes an active and serviceable interest in its affairs, being one of the trustees of the congregation to which he belongs and a teacher in its Sundav school. Well esteemed as a man and social companion, standing high as a citizen, and exhibiting on all occasions a deep and practical interest in the welfare of the whole coimty and all its people, he is one of its most worthy, popular and representative men.

John J. Hewitt

The president of the Citizens' Bank of Shelbyville has been a resident of Shelby county from the time of his nativity, is a member of one of the honored pioneer families of this favored section of the state, and in both business and civic affairs he has ever stood exponent of the highest type of citizenship, the while he has commanded to the fullest extent the high regard of the ])eople of the community which has ever represented his home.

John J. Hewitt was born on the old homestead farm in Bethel t o w n sh i p, Shelby county, Missouri, February 24, 184-9, and is a son of Samuel M. and Caroline (Morgan) Hewitt, both natives of Kentucky, where the former was born in the year 1800 and the latter in 1810. The father was reared and educated in his native state, where he continued to reside until 1836, when he removed to Missouri and took up his abode in Marion county. In the following year he came to Shelby county, where he secured a tract of land, upon which practically no improvements had been made, and there instituted the work of developing a farm. He became eventually one of the leading farmers of the county, where he accumulated a fine landed estate of 260 acres in Bethel township, and he continued to reside on his homestead until his death, iu 1871. He was a man of promiueuce and influence iu his community, was a staunch Democrat in his political adherencj', and he was a worthy and zealous member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Their marriage was solemnized in the state of Kentucky. Mrs. Hewitt was summoned to the life eternal in the year 1894. They became the parents of ten children, and concerning the seven now living the following brief data are given: Eussell is a resident of Guthrie, Oklahoma, where he is engaged in business; Samuel M. is a successful farmer of Shelby county; Luther G. is engaged in the real estate business in Shelbyville; Missouri is the wife of Jacob Curry and they reside in the eastern part of the state of Colorado ; John J. is the immediate subject of this review ; Isabelle is the widow of Frank M. Magruder and maintains her home in Shelby county; and Virginia is the wife of John W. Howe, of this county.

John J. Hewitt was reared on the old home farm, in whose work he early began to lend his aid, and his rudimentary education was secured in the country schools,, after which he continued his studies in the high school of Shelbyville. He made good use of his opportunities and proved himself eligible for pedagogic honors, as he had devoted no little time to the study of the higher branches in a private wax. He was known as a successful and popular teacher in the public schools during a jieriod of ten years, and during the last two years of this interval he was princi]inl of the village schools of Newark, Knox county, jMissouri.

In 1880 Mr. Hewitt engaged iu the general merchandise business in Shelbyville, where he built up a large and substantial trade, becoming one of the leading merchants of this thriving little city, where he continued operations in . this line for a period of nine years, or until 1894, when he became one of the organizers and incorporators of the Citizens' Bank of Shelbyville, of which he has since been president and to whose upbuilding his personal popularity and able services have been largely contributory. A brief record concerning this well ordered and successful financial institution is given on other pages of this work. Mr. Hewitt now devotes himself largely to the active supervision of the executive affairs of the bank, and he is a citizen who manifests at all times a deep and helpful interest in all measures that tend to advance the welfare and progress of his home city and county.

In politics Mr. Hewitt is a staunch su]iporter of the cause of the Democratic party, and he has been called upon to serve in various positions of distinctive public trust. He was elected county school commissioner in 1890 and retained this incumbency for two years, within which he was most zealous and efficient in furthering educational interests in his jurisdiction. In 1892 he was elected county treasurer, of which office he remained in tenure for four years and in which he gave an admirable and ]iopular administration of the fiscal affairs of the county. He also served four years as mavor of Shellivville after a regime marked by the strictest business methods and the most progressive policies. He has been active in the work of his political party in his native county, and is well fortified in his convictions as to matters of public polity. He is afiBliated with the Masonic fraternity, in which he is identified with the lodge and chapter in Shelbyville, and both he and his wife are devoted and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church. South. In the Shelbyville church of Ibis denomination he has held tJie position of Sundayschool superintendent for thirty years, and he is also actively concerned in all other departments of the church work.

On May .31, 1881, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hewitt to Miss Lillian Turner, who was born and reared in Shelby comity, where her father, the late Halman Turner, was a successful farmer and honored and influential citizen. Mr. and IMrs. Hewitt have four children, namel}': Esta, who is the wife of Roy L. Dimmitt, of Birmingham, Alabama, where he is superintendent of manual training in the public schools. Mrs. Dimmitt is a graduate of the Howard Payne College of Missouri. John Vance, who is attending the law department of Columbia University of New York; Floyd, who is now attending the State University of ^rissouri, and Cresap, who remain at the parental home.

The Citizens' Bank Of

There is no one factor that determines with so much of jxtsitive emphasis the status of the business and general prosperity of a community as the extent and character of its banking institutions, and in this regard the financial interests of Shelby county are reposed in banks of ample capital and wise and conservative management, as well as by the enlistment of the support of citizens of the highest character and most thoroughly representative influence.

The Citizens ' Bank of S h e 1 b y v i 1 1 e holds prestige as one of the substantial and ably directed financial institutions of the county, and though its age is comparatively represented by al)out half a decade, its effective policy and the personnel of its executive coi-ps have gained to it an impi'egnable standing in the confidence and support of the community. The charter of the bank was granted in April, 1894, and it opened its doors for business on the 1st of the following month. It is incorporated with a capital stock of $20,000 and the oi'iginal board of directors comprised the following named citizens : John J. Hewitt, Alonzo Cooper, James T. Lloyd, James L. Feely, James Edelen, William A. Hughes aufl James M. Gentry. The personnel of the executive corps at the initiation of business was as follows : John J. Hewitt, president; James T. Lloyd, vice-president ; and William W. Mitchell, cashier. Mr. Hewitt has retained the presidency to the present time and ]\Ir. ]\ritchell served twelve years and was succeeded by James ^I. Pickett, besides being secretary of the board of directors, which now includes, besides these two officers, the following named citizens: Alonzo Cooper, who is now vice-president; John W. Frye, Theo. B. Damrell and Mrs. Nanie Terrell.

John T. Perry

Judge Perry is another of the honored citizens contributed to Shelby county by the fine old Blueg-rass state, whence have come many whose names have been prominently identified with the annals of Missouri history. Judge Perry has followed various lines of activity and has ever stood representative of the most loyal and useful citizenship. He served on the bench of the County court for six years, has held the office of county clerk for twelve years, and is at the present time (1909) representative of Shelby county in the state legislature, to which he was elected in the autumn of 1908. As a lawyer, judge, teacher in the public schools and business man he has acquitted himself well, and the diversity of his services bears evidence of his versatility and also stands as voucher of the trust reposed in him in the county which has represented his home for more than thirty-eight years. He is now living virtually retired in the city of Shelbyville.

Judge Perry is a native of Anderson county, Kentucky, where he was bovu on July 22, 1850, and he is a scion of a family early founded in Virginia, the fine Old Dominion that cradled so much of our national history. In that state was born his grandfather, William Perry, who was a youth at the time of the family removal to Kentucky, with whose pioneer history the name became intimately identified. The .iudge is a son of Berry and Polly (Searcy) Perry, both of whom were born and reared in Kentucky, where their marriage was solemnized in the year 1849. The father was born on June 7, 182fi, and is still living, maintaining his home with his son Alfred on the old farmstead which he secured nearly forty years ago and which has since continued as his place of aliode. He has attained to the venerable age of nearly eighty-four years and is admirably preserved in both his mental and physical faculties, while he has the respect and esteem that have been gained by righteousness of life and that are the grateful concomitants of worthy old age. His cherished and devoted wife died in September 1898. Berry Perry devoted practically his entire active career to the great basic industry of agriculture, with the allied enterprise of stockgrowing. He came to Missouri in the year 1871 and purchased a farm in Jackson township, Shelby county, where he continued to be successfully engaged in general farming and stock-growing until 1895, when lie sold his farm to his son Alfred, who now operates the same. He, himself, continued to reside on the homestead, as already noted. He is an honored veteran of the Mexican war, in whicli he served in the command of Gen. Zachary Taylor, and in the company of which John H. McBrier was captain. This Kentucky regiment saw much active service and he continued with the same imtil the battle of Buena Vista, in which he was so sevei-ely woimded as to inea]iacitate him for further service, whereupon he was granted his honorable discharge. During the Civil war his sympathies were with the cause of tiie South. He is one of the now comparatively few Mexican war veterans still living in Missouri. Tn politics lie has ('V(>r rendered a staunch allegiance to the Democratic pai'ty, and he has long been a consistent member of the Baptist church, of which his wife also was a devout adherent. They became the i^arents of twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest of the six now living: George W., now deceased, was a resident of Hunnewell, this state ; Alfred resides on the old homestead, as already stated; William is a resident of Eneho, Oldahoma; Sarah Belle is the wife of Wesley Barker, of Shelby county; Charles is now a resident of Oakdale; and Nannie G. is the wife of William F. Kincheloe, of Shelby county, Missouri. John T. Perry, the immediate subject of this review, received his educational discipline in the public schools of his native county, including a course in the special school of higher academic order maintained in the Camden district. That he did not neglect the advantages thus afforded him is evidenced in the fact that he became a successful teacher, having been employed as such in the common schools of his native state from 1867 until 1872, in which latter year he joined his parents in Missouri. Thereafter he taught in the schools of Shelby and Monroe counties at intervals until 1884, becoming one of the successful and popular ex]ionents of the pedagogic profession in this section of the state. In the meanwhile he had taken up his residence on a farm in the vicinity of Hunnewell, Shelby county, and he continued to be identified with agricultural pursuits in this county for many years, having sold his farm in Jackson township in 1904. In 1880 he was elected judge of the County court, retaining this incumbency for six years and giving an admirable adiiiiiiisti'ation. Tn tiio meanwhile he also taught school and gave a general supervision to his farm. In 1880) he was elected county clerk, in which office he served for three successive terms, within which he did much to systematize the work of the office and bring it up to a high standard of efficiency. During his tenure of this position he devoted careful attention to the study of law and he was admitted to the bar in 1898, after which he was engaged in the general practice of his profession in Shell-n^dlle for a period of five years, controlling a successful business and having a representative clientele. Upon his retirement from practice he engaged in the hardware business in this city in partnership with his son John 0.. with whom he was thus associated until 1906, when they sold the business. He was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Bank of Lentner, in the village of Lentner, this county, and served as its cashier for several months. In 1908 he was elected representative of Shelby county in the state legislature, and he has proved an able, conscientious and discriminating legislator. He has given loyal service in behalf of the cause of the Democratic party and is an able exponent of its principles and policies. Judge Perry and his wife are zealous members of the Baptist church in their home city and he is affiliated with St. iVndrews Lodge, No. 96, Free and Accepted ]\rasons, and with the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

On September 4. 1873, was solemnized the marriage of Judge Perry to Miss Eosa A. Snider, who was born and reared in Shelbv countv and who is a daughter of the late John S. Snider, who was a representative merchant and farmer of the coimty. To Judge and Mrs. Perry were born seven children, of whom five are living, namely: Mary M., who is the wife of Prof. Ira Eichardson, a member of the faculty of the Missouri State Normal School at Springfield; IMargaret M., who remains at the parental home; John O., who is engaged in fanning at Epworth; Myrtle, who is the wife of H. G. Kellogg, of Kirksville, this state; and Clarence, who remains with his parents and is attending the public schools.

This well known and highly esteemed citizen of Shelb^-^'ille is a native son of Shelby county, with whose annals the name has been identified for more than three-quarters of a century, implying that the family was here founded in the pioneer days. He is known as one of the aggressive, energetic and successful business men and loyal and progressive citizens of the county, and is now engaged in the jewelry business in Shelbyville, of which city he served as postmaster for more than a decade. Such is his standing in the community that a work of this nature most consistently may give brief record of his career, thus paying a slight tribute to a worthy citizen who has contributed generously to the industrial, commercial and civic progress of his home city and county.

James M. Freeman was born on the homestead farm of his parents, in Black Creek township, Shelby county, Missouri, on March 19, 18r)2, and is a son of James

M. and Nannie (Blackford) Freeman, the former of whom was born in the state of Kentucky, in 1832, and the latter of whom was born in Shelby county, Missouri, in 1838, being a daughter of Hardin Blackford, an honored pioneer of this section of the state. In 1844, when James M. Freeman, Sr., was a lad of about twelve years, his parents removed from Kentucky to Missouri and took up their residence in Marion county, where his father secured a tract of wild land and engaged in general agricultural pursuits. About four years later, in the memorable year 1849, young James M. Freeman, who was then seventeen years of age, joined the hegira to California, whither so many ambitious and intrepid argonauts were wending their way in search of gold. Mr. Freeman made the long, tedious and perilous trip across the plains and passed four years in California, where he did a successful teaming business among the various mining camps and where he also met with no little success in his own mining operations. After his return to Missouri he was associated in the work and management of his father's farm, in Marion county, until the time of his marriage in 1854, when he removed to Shelby county and purchased a farm in Black Creek township, where he passed the residue of his long and useful life, becoming one of the representative agriculturists and stock-growers of the coimty and a citizen whose influence was always exerted in support of all that makes for the best in social and material affairs. He became the owner of a landed estate of 1,000 acres, and the fine old homestead bears todav unmistakable evidences of his thrift and well directed industry. He was summoned to his reward on May 8, 1891. His wife is still living. In 23olitics he was a staunch and intelligent supporter of the principles and policies for which the Eepuhlican party stands sponsor. During the Civil war his sympathies and support were given to the cause of the Union. Of the ten children of James M. and Nannie (Blackford) Freeman five are now living, and concerning them the following brief data are consistently incorporated for perpetuation in this sketch: John is engaged in business in the city of Spokane, Washington; Kate is the wife of John 'SI. Peacher, of Shelby county; James M. is the immediate subject of this sketch ; Thomas is a prosperous farmer of Shelby coimty; and Cora is the wife of Thomas Turner, of this county.

James M. Freeman. Jr., whose name introduces this article, was reared to the study and invigorating discipline of the home faiTU, in whose work he early began to lend his quota of aid, while he was also afforded the advantages of the district schools, so that he waxed strong in both mind and body, and later he was for two years a student in the Novelty High School, a well conducted institution of iiigh academic order, in Knox county. After the completion of his school work he returned to the home farm, in the operation and management of which he was associated with his honored father until the death of the latter. In 1895 he removed to Shelbyville, though he still continued to give a general supervision to the farm and dealt somewhat extensivelv in live stock.

On June 6, 1896, under the administration of President McKinley, ^Ir. Freeman was appointed postmaster of Shelbj"A'iIle, and his service in this position was one marked by care, discrimination and marked executive ability. The public appreciation of his labors in the office was shown in his long retention of the same, for he continued incumbent during the remainder of the administration of the lamented and martyred president and also the two terms of his successor. President Eoosevelt, having retired from the office in Februari*. 1908. He soon afterward sold his interest in the old home farm and made a number of judicious investments in real estate in Shelbyville, where he erected a number of substantial business buildings, which he still owns, together with other realty in the city. In the year of 1909 he engaged in the jewelry business in Shelln'Aille, where he now has an attractive and well-stocked establishment and caters to a substantial and representative trade. He is essentially progressive and public-spirited as a citizen, has been a leader in the local ranks of the Republican party for a number of years, and he has done much to further the civic and material upbuilding and advancement of his home city and native county, where he is well known and held in unequivocal confidence and esteem. He was one of the charter members of the Shelby County Eailway Company and is still a stockholder of the same. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

M. Stuart, of Slielbyville, who was bom and reared in this county, and who is a daughter of J. G. Stuart, a successful merchant of Shelbyville.

Adolphus E. Singleton

A native son of Shelby county, where he has maintoiined his home from the time of his birth, Judge Singleton has here been a prominent factor in connection with industrial and business affairs and has also l)een influential in connection with matters of public import. He is the owner of a fine farm estate in the county and is at the pi'esent time successfully engaged in the handling of coal, grain and feed in the thriving little city of Shelbyville, where he is associated with his brother in this important line of enterprise, under the firm name of Singleton Brothers. He has served as county judge and has ever shown a lively interest in all that has concerned the progress and prosperity of his native county and its people. As a thoroughly representative and highly esteemed citizen of Shelby county he is most consistently accorded recognition in this publication.

The Singleton family was early founded in the Old Dominion commonwealth of Virginia, that cradle of so much of our national history, and the lineage is traced back to staunch English origin. In that state was born jNIinor Singleton, who was the paternal grandfather of the subject of this review and who there passed his entire life, devoting his active career jarincipally to agricultural pursuits, with -uliich basic line of industry the name has lieen identifiod prominently in succeeding generations. AVilliam Singleton, the honored fatlier of him whose name initiates this article, was born in Virginia in the year 1818, and was there reared to maturity, receiving a common school education. In 18.34, when sixteen years of age, he came to Missouri, first taking up his a1)ode in Marion county, whence he later removed to Lewis county, where he remained until 1854, when he removed witli his family to Shelby county, where he became the owner of a large tract of land in Taylor township, and where he developed a fine farm, passing the residue of his long and i;seful life on this old homestead, which is still in the possession of the family. He was a man of exemplary character, leal and loyal in all the relations of life, zealous and earnest in the furtherance of his business affairs and successful in his well directed endeavors. He wielded much influence in his community and none could have held a more secure place in popular confidence and esteem. In politics he was a staunch adherent of the Democratic party and his religious faith was that of the Baptist church. His wife is a devoted member of the M. E. church. South. He died on January 1, 1894, at the age of seventy-five years, and his widow still remains on the old homestead, having attained to the venerable ' age of eighty-seven years (1910) and being admirably preserved in both mental and physical faculties. She is one of the revered pioneer women of the county, being held in affectionate regard by all who know her. Her maiden name was Susan Vandiver and she was born in Virginia, where her marriage to Mr. Singleton was solemnized in the vear

1848. Of the eleven children of this union five are now living: Benjamin II. is associated with the subject of this .sketch in business at Shelbj"snlle; Adolphus H. is the next in order of birth; Jacol) II. is a farmer of Shelby county; Ella is still at the old home in this county; and Carj' remains with her mother on the old home farm.

Adolphus E. Singleton was reared under the beneficent influences of the home farm, to whose work he early began to coutril:)ute his quota, so that he learned the lessons of practical industry while he was also availing himself of the advantages of the public schools of the locality and period. He continued to be actively and successfully identified with diversified farming and stock-growing until August, 1905, when he left the fann and took up his i-esidence in Shelbyville, where he is now engaged in business, as already noted. His elder son now operates the farm on shares and thus Judge Singleton himself still continues to exercise a general supervision of the fine old homestead which so long represented his abiding place and which gives evidence of his able and progressive management, being one of the model farms of the county. The place comprises 240 acres of most productive land, all being available for cultivation, and the permanent improvements are of excellent order, so that everything bears unmistakable evidence of thrift and prosperity. The farm is located in Taylor township, about fourteen miles distant from Shelbyville, the county seat.

worker in its local ranks. He has held various minor offices of public trust and in 1898 he was elected county judge, of which position he continued incumbent for one term, or four years, and in which he gave an able and acceptable administration of the affairs assigned to him for adjudication. His wife holds membership in the Baptist church and they are liberal and zealous in the support of the various departments of its work.

On Feln-uary 20, 1879. was solemnized the marriage of Judge Singleton to Miss Alice Magruder, who was bom and reared in Shelby county and who is a daughter of the late Thomas Gr. Magruder, long a representative farmer of this county. Judge and Mrs. Singleton have four children : Walter T., who had charge of the home farm, married Miss Edna Moore and they have no children ; Susan E., Ellen M. and Benjamin A. remain at the parental home in Shelbj^s'ille.

Charles H. Lasley

For nearly foi'ty years the subject of this brief memoir has been connected with the mercantile interests of that section of Missouri in which he now lives, and during the whole of that period he has given to the world around him a fine example of uprightness in private life and sterling integrity in business. Born, reared, educated and married in this state, and having made his excellent record among its people, whatever he is he is all Missouri's own, her product in every particular and her representative

Mr. Lasley is a native of Monroe county, in this state, where his life began on September 17, 1853. He is a son of William M. and Margaret A. (Gillispie) Lasley, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. The father came to this state and located in Paris when he was but a young man. For a numlier of years he clerked for Mr. Parsons, one of the leading dry goods merchants of Paris, and after acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business started a store of his own in partnership with Marquis D. Blakey, under the firm name of Blakey & Lasley, the store being conducted at Clinton, in Monroe count}^ of this state.

The establishment was engaged in general merchandising and continued in operation for a number of years. Then Mr. Lasley 's health failed and he retired to a farm in Monroe county, on which he died a few years later. His wife was Miss Margaret Gillispie before her marriage. She was born in Kentucky and became a resident of jMissouri at an early age. They became the parents of two children, one of whom, a daughter (Virginia J.), has died, leaving Charles H. at this time the only survivor of his father's household. In politics the father was a pronounced and unyielding Democrat, but he was never an office seeker or desirous of public distinction of any kind. He lived for his home and his community, and gave his best energies at all times to promote the welfare of both. He was very successful in business and enjoyed a wide and well-founded popularity among the people.

boyhood and youth on his father's farm, acquiring strength of sinew and flexibility of function in its exacting but vigorous labors. Through this steady commimion with nature he also gained breadth of view, and like all farmers' sons who profit by the lessons of their homes, became a self-reliant and resourceful man. He was educated mainly in private schools, completing his academic training in a more advanced institution of learning at Palmyra. "When lie reached the age of seventeen he began the battle of life for himself by entering a dry goods store at Shelbina as a clerk and salesman. He remained in this store four years, giving his employer service that was entirely satisfactory, and acquiring a thorough knowledge of the business, for he was studious and attentive and allowed no opportunity to gain useful knowledge to escape him imused.

In 1875 Mr. Lasley formed a partnership with Mr. Cotton to conduct the dry goods business under the name and style of Cotton & Laslej^ He was now fairly launched on the uncertain sea of mercantile life, and his career in business, engineered and captained by himself, was begun. The jiartnership with Mr. Cotton lasted six years, being dissolved in 1881. In September of that year Mr. Lasley formed a new business connection, his associate in this being Mr. Thompson, and the business which occiipied their faculties being the dry goods and clothing trade. The partnership continued and the enterprise flourished until the death of Mr. Thompson in 1886. Mr. Lasley then entered into partnership with Mr. IMillion and started a store devoted exclusively to the clothing trade, the firm uame being Lasley & Million. In 1873 Mr. Lasley purchased Mr. Million's interest in the business and took his brother in as a partner, the firm being known as that of C. H. Lasley & Bro. Three years later he bought his brother's interest and gave two of his sous a half share in the undertaking, changing the style of the house to C. H. Lasley & Co., under which name it is still doing an extensive and profitable business.

Mr. Lasley has been very successful in all his operations and his success is the logical result of his excellent business capacity, superior judgment and close attention to all the details of what he has had in hand. He is a stockholder and director of the Old Bank of Shelbiua and is connected in a leading way with other commercial and financial enterprises. In the affairs of the community he has always taken an ardent and helpful interest, being among the foremost in all worthy projects for its improvement. In political faith he is a Democrat who su])ports his party wisely and loyally without seeking any of its honors or emoluments for himself. On June 18, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Downing, a native of this state. They have five children, Roy D., Henry R., Roland R., Bessie and "William Kenneth, all of whom are still living at home and adding brightness and charm to the parental fireside. The scion of an old Virginia family, the father has well sustained the virtues and traditions of his ancestry and exemplified on the new soil of Missouri the sterling manhood which has so long dignified and adorned that of the "Old Dominion." He is one of Shelbv

Benjamin H. Singleton

The fine old state of Missouri has represented the home of this well known and popular citizen of Shelby\'ille from the time of his birth and he has here found adequate opj^ortunities for the gaining of definite success. He was long identified with agricultural pursuits but is now Avell established in the coal, grain and feed business in Shelb.vville as junior member of the firm of Singleton Brothers, in which his associate is his brother. Judge Adolphus Singleton, of whom individual mention is made on other pages of this work, together with adequate data concerning the family history, so that further reference to the same is not demanded in the present article.

Benjamin H. Singleton was born in Marion county, Missouri, February 6, 1850, and when he was but four years of ago his parents removed to Shelby county, where he was reared to maturity on the home farm and where he had such educational advantages as were afforded by the common schools of the locality and period. He eventually initiated his independent career as a farmer and stock-grower and became the owner of a valuable farm of 240 acres in Monroe county, where he continued to be engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of excellent grades of live stock from 1881 until 190(), in which latter year he sold his farm and removed to Shelbyville, where he has since been engaged in successful business with his brother.

as has already been noted in tliis con-' text. He is a progressive business man and public-spirited citizen, is a staunch advocate of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, is a charter member of the local organization of the Court of Honor, and his wife is a member of the Baptist church.

On January 29, 1879, Mr. Singleton was imited in marriage to Miss Florida Fields, who was born in Kentucky, and who was a child at the time of her parents' removal to Missouri. Her father, Henry H. Fields, settled in Monroe county, this state, where he passed the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Singleton became the parents of five children, of whom three are living : Martha, who remains at tlie parental home; Dennis E., of Fulton, Missouri; and Benjamin Clay, of Shelbj'\'ine.

Though a native of West Virginia and a scion of one of the sterling families early founded in the historic Old Dominion, this well known and honored citizen of Shelbyville has been a resident of this county from his boyhood days and has here risen to a position of prominence and influence as a citizen of utmost loyalty and public spirit, and as one who has ably contributed to the industrial and civic development and progress of this attractive and favored section of the .state. He was long identified in an active way with agriculture and stock-growing and still retains his fine landed estate of 220 acres in Black Creek township, the same constituting one of the best improved and most valuable farms of the county. He is now living virtually retired in the thriving little city of Shelbyville, where he is the owner of a considerable amount of real estate and has various capitalistic interests of importance.

Mr. Frye was born in Hardin county, West Virginia, May 22, 1856, and in that commonwealth also were born his grandfather, Westfall Frye, and his father, Benjamin F. Frye, the date of the latter's nativity having been November 18, 1829, at which time the state was still an integral part of Virginia. There the grandfather passed his entire life and his active career was devoted principally to agricultural pursuits, in which connection he was the owner of a good plantation. Benjamin F. Frye was reared and educated in his native state, where he continued to reside until 1852, when, at the age of about twenty-three years, he came to Missouri for the purpose of investigating conditions with a view to permanent location. He passed about two years in Shelby county and then returned to West Virginia, where, in 1855, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Eliza Clagett, who likewise was born in Hardin county, that state. They continued their residence there until 1857, when they came to Missouri and established their home on a farm in Black Creek township, where the father was actively engaged in diversified farming and stock-growing, in connection with extensive dealing in live stock, until 1895, when he retired, removing to Shelbyville, where he passed the closing years of his life in the home of his son, John W., subject of this review. He was summoned to the life eternal July 30, 1902, at the venerable age of seventytwo years, eight mouths and twelve days, his loved and devoted wife having passed away in December, 1905. He was a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, was affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, and both he and his wife were worthy members of the Baptist church. He was a citizen who ever commanded the unqualified confidence and high regard of his fellow men, and his life was one of signal usefulness and honor. He attained definite success in his various business operations, was a charter member of both banking institutions in Shelbyville and was a stockholder of the Citizens' Bank at the time of his demise. Of the three children in the family, one daughter died in early childhood, and of the two surviving, John W., of this sketch, is the elder; Chester C. is now a resident of Fresno, California.

John W. Frye was reared to maturity on the home farm and after availing himself of the advantages of the district schools he continued his studies for three years in the Shelbyville high school. During his active career he never found it expedient nor did he desire to sever his allegiance to the great basic industry of agriculture, and through his association therewith, he achieved a high degree of success, becoming one of the representative farmers and stock-raisers of the county and accumulating a fine estate of 220 acres, eligibly located about one mile northeast of Shelbyville. He made the best of improvements on his farm, which bears every evidence of thrift and ]irosperity and is considered one of the model places of the county. He still gives a general supervision to the farm but has lived essentially retired in Shelbyville since 1908, enjoying the just reward of former years of earnest toil and endeavor. He is a stockholder and director of the Citizens' Bank of Shelbyville, was a charter member of the Shelby County Railroad Company, is the owner of a considerable amount of valuable realty in his home citj% including his attractive residence pi-operty, and is known as one of the substantial citizens of the county which has represented his home during practically his entire life thus far. He has so ordered his course as to retain at all times the unqualified esteem of those with whom he has come in contact in business and social relations and he stands representative of loyal and liberal citizenship. Though never an aspirant for ofiBce and never specially active in the domain of l^ractical politics, he takes a deep interest in all that concerns the general welfare of the community and gives his support to the cause of the Democratic party. He is affiliated with the Shelbyville lodge of Free & Accepted Masons and both he and his wife are zealous members of the ^lethodist Episcopal Church, South. Has served for several years as a member of the school board.

On the 2r)th of March, 1885, Mr. Frye was united in marriage to Miss Ella Vannort, daughter of Cyrus W. Vannort, an honored citizen of Shelbyville, and of the five children of this union three are now living, - Elmer R., Grover F. and Mary S., all of whom remain at the parental home.

Alonzo Cooper

Ou other pages of this work is entered a memoir to that honored and influential citizen, the late John T. Cooper, who was long and prominently identitied with the agricultural industry and other important business interests in Shelby county and who was a citizen altogether worthy of the unqualified confidence and esteem in which he was held. He was the father of him whose name initiates this paragraph, and in view of the fact that such review of his career is incorporated in this publication it is not necessary to offer the data again in the article at hand, as ready reference may be made from tlife biographical index to the sketch in question.

Alonzo Cooper, who is well upholding the high prestige of the name which he bears and who is now living virtually retired in the attractive little city of Shell)yville, was born in this same city on July 4r, 1850, and his civic loyalty and patriotism in mature life have justified his "involuntary choice" of a natal day, which, as a boy, he was doubtless able to celebrate with double enthusiasm. He gained his early educational training in the public schools of Shelbyville and after completing the curriculum of the high school he was associated with his father in his business affairs in Shelbyville until 1871, when the family removed to the fine old homestead farm, in Black Creek township, where he turned his attention vigorously and enthusiastically to the divers duties and o])erations incidental to the proper prosecution of the great basic industry of agriculture, with it.s allied branch of stock growing. He was twenty-one years of age at tlie time of the removal to the farm and he continued to be actively concerned in its work and management for more than twenty years, within which he gained prestige as one of the wide-awake, progressive and successful farmers of his native county. For two years he and his father were largely interested in raising, buying and shipping mules, handling from 125 to 150 annually. In 1893, upon the death of his honored father, who had in the meanwhile returned to Shelbyville and engaged in handling of harness and vehicles of various descriptions, Mr. Cooper likewise removed from the farm to this city, where he resumed charge of his father's business and became administrator of the estate, whose large and varied interests he has managed with consummate fidelity and ability. He finally closed out the business conducted by his father in Shelbyville, and since that time he has lived virtually retired, though he finds ample demands ui)on his time and attention in the supervision of his various capitalistic interests and in directing the general policy of operating the fine old farm of 500 acres, which he still owns and which is recognized as one of the best improved, most effectively handled and most valuable of the many admirable farms in this county. Mr. Cooper is the owner of a considerable amount of real estate in Shelbyville and elsewhere, and he has done considerable Imsiness in the buying and selling of realty in late years, having also improved many of his ])roperties. Since his removal to Shelbyville he has rented his farm. Mr. Cooper is vice-president of the Citizens' Bank of Shelbvville, of wliiob he was one of the organizers and incorporators, and he was also one of those identified with the organization of the Shelby County Railroad Company, of which he was a charter member and in which he is still a stockholder. He takes much interest in the progress of his native city and county and is ever ready to lend his influence and tangible aid in support of measures and enterprises tending to advance the material and civic welfare of the conmiunity. Though never ambitious for the honors or emoluments of i)ublic office Mr. Cooper is found arrayed as a staunch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party and he has given effective support to its cause in both local and general campaigns. He is affiliated with Shelbyville Lodge, No. 33, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and both he and his wife are earnest members of the Christian church, taking active interest in the various departments of its work. They are held in high regard in the county that has ever represented their home and their circle of friends is limited only by that of their acquaintances.

On October 22, 1876, Mr. Cooper" was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Perry, who was born and reared in this county, where her father, the late Joseph Perry, was a successful and influential farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have two children - Fannie, who is the wife of Benjamin F. Gw^Tin, of Shelbyville, and Roy B. Cooper, who is engaged in farming in Shelby county.

John D. Dale

Mr. Dale is a representative member of the l)ar of his native county, being established in the successful practice of his profession in Shelbyville, the judicial center of the county, and by reason of his prestige in his profession as well as on account of his being a scion of a family whose name has been identified with the annals of Shelby county for more than half a century, ever standing as a synonym of integrity and honor in all the relations of life. The Dale family was early founded in the state of Maryland, where Isaac Mitchell Dale, grandfather of the subject of this review, passed his entire life. There also was born Isaac Dale, the son, the year of whose nativity was 1818. He was reared to manhood in his native commonwealth, where he received a good common-school education and where he continued to reside until 1854, when he came to Missouri and took up his residence on a farm near the present city of Shelbj^ille, Shelby county, and in 1861 moved to a farm near Florence. There he devoted his attention to diversified agxieulture and the raising of excellent grades of live stock until 1862, when he removed with his family to the village of Clarence, where, after disposing of his farm property, he engaged in the general merchandise business, in which he continued until his death, which occurred on August 26, 1878. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Dennis, was likewise a native of the state of Maryland, and she was summoned to the life eternal on September 1, 1876. The mother had been a member of the M. E. Church, South. Of their nine children five are now living, namely: "William J., who is a resident of Mancos, Colorado; Jesse T., who is engaged in business at Shel- bina, Missouri ; Bel)eeoa, who is tlie wife of John H. Haiuliue, of Bloomington, Illinois; Rufus E., who is a representative business man of Colorado Springs, Colorado ; and John D., who is the immediate subject of this review.

John D. Dale is indebted to the i)ublic schools of the village of Clarence, this county, for his early educational discipline, which was supplemented by attendance in the Methodist Academy in Shelbyville, in which well conducted institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1878. Thereafter he took up the study of law, and was favored in securing as his preceptor Senator Cyrus S. Brown, of Clarence, one of the able members of the bar of the county and for several terms a member of the state senate. He continued his technical reading under the direction of his preceptor until 1883, when he was elected circuit clerk and county recorder, of which dual office he remained incumbent for two terms, giving an administration that met with popular approval and was marked by scrupulous care in the handling of the various details of the office work. In the meanwhile Mr. Dale had continued his legal studies, and on October 24, 1890, he was duly admitted to the bar of his native county and state. He retired from the office of county recorder in the following December, and since that time he has been engaged in active general practice as an attorney and counselor at law, with residence and x^rofessional headquarters in the thriving little city of Shelbyville. In 1896 he entered into a professional partnership with Ho]ikins B. Shain, with whom he was associated until 1898, when the alliance was dissolved by mutual consent, and since that time Mr. Dale has conducted an individual professional business, in connection with which he has appeared in much iml)ortant litigation and retained a substantial and representative clientage. He is recognized as an able and versatile trial lawyer and as a counselor well int'oimed in the minutiae of the science of jurisprudence. He was official reporter of the house of representatives in the forty-second general assembly of the Missouri legislature and in this connection formed the acquaintanceship of many of the representative men in public and professional life in the state. Mr. Dale is a staunch advocate of the principles and policies for which the Democratic party stands sponsor, and he has rendered yeoman service in behalf of the party cause. Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and are zealous in the work of the church in Shelbyville.

On May 15, 1883, Mr. Dale was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Priest, of Shelbyville, and of their five children two are living - Mildred and Celeste B., both of whom remain at the pai-ental home.

Dr. William Carson

Representing the second generation of his family that has been energetic and serviceable in developing the resources of Missouri, which before their advent in the state, and that of those who came hither about the same time, had lain for ages almost in their state of primeval wildness untouched by the quickening hand of systematic industry, Di-. "Wil- liam Carson, of Sbelbyville, is entitled to credit in bis ancestry and bimself as one of tbe fruitful sources of power and enterprise in tbe great commonwealth wbich be bas seen born into tbe world of civilization and grow from infancy to its present standing in tbe political and civil, tbe mental and moral and tbe industrial and commercial forces of tbe coimtry.

Dr. Car son was born in Marion county, Missouri, on ^May 5, 1846, and is a son of AVilliam and Eletbea (Seeley) Carson, tbe fonner born in Frederick comity, Virginia, in 1798, and tbe latter a native of St. Cbarles county, Missouri. Tliey were married on October 2, 1823, and tbey became tbe parents of ten cbildren, four of whom are living - Martha, tbe wife of J. S. Green, of Palmyra, Missouri; Maria L., the wife of Eev. J. T. Williams, Baptist clergj-man of tbe same city ; Dr. "William, tbe immediate subject of this memoir; and SamueUa, the widow of the late J. W. Paul, of Nevada, Missouri.

Tbe father, who was a son of Simon C. Carson, a A'irginia planter, came to Missouri in 1819 alone. He lived for a time in St. Charles and Ralls counties, then settled in Marion county, where be followed general farming until 1860. In that year he was appointed assistant land agent of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Kailroad and moved to Palmyra. He was afterward assistant cashier of the old State Bank of Palmyra. He was a man of considerable ability, earnestly alive to the develojmient of the region in which he lived and at all times ready to do all in his power to promote it. For a continuous period of foiirteen years be represented the county of his home in tbe state legislature, serving three consecutive terms in the bouse of representatives and two in tbe senate. He was very successful in business and prominent in public life, and as be was one of the fathers of this part of tbe state and proved himself a very intelligent, progressive and stimulating parent, so he is revered by the people as one of tbe most useful citizens of the earlier days of northeastern Missouri and one of its best in later years. He died in 1870. In politics he was first a Whig, during the Civil war a conservative and later a Democrat. His religious affiliation was with the Baptist sect and he took a very active part in church work.

Dr. William Carson began his scholastic training in tbe public schools of Marion county, continued it at Bethel and St. Paul colleges, in Palmyra, and completed it at tbe University of Virginia. In 1866 he matriculated at St. Louis Medical College, and from that institution be was graduated with tbe degree of ^I. D. in ^Tarch, 1868. He began the practice of his profession at AVest Ely, in Marion county, where he remained three years. From there he moved to Sbelbina, in this county, and there, also, he remained three years. His next location was at Oakdale, and there be lived and practiced thirteen years, coming to Sbelbyville in 1887. Here he bas lived ever since and carried on an extensive, very active and widespread and remunerative practice. He is, and long has been, one of the leading physicians of Shelby county, and also enjoys an excellent reputation for bis ability, extensive and accurate knowledge of the medi-

Vernon L. Drain

Dr. Carson keeps posted in all phases of progress in his profession and is abreast with its most advanced thougLi and discover}'. He is still a diligent stiident of its literature and is also an active and valued member of the American Medical Association and the Missouri and Shelby county medical societies. He takes an active part in public ati'airs as a zealous working Democrat, and in the fraternal life of the commijnity as a Freemason and an Odd Fellow. In religion he gives his allegiance to the Baptist creed and is a working member of the Mission church of that sect. Locally he has given the people excellent service as an alderman, a school director and the county coroner. He is now the road commissioner of Shelby county. In all these positions he has won commendation for his directness, attention to duty and knowledge of the requii"ements of the county and city.

Three times has the little god of sentiment made the doctor his target, and each time his arrow has found its mark. He was first married in 1868 to Miss Mary Caldwell, a daughter of W. D. Caldwell. They had one child, who died at the age of six months. The mother died in 1870. His second marriage occurred on June 29, 1872, and was with Miss Lucy M. Caldwell, a daughter of Larkin B. Caldwell, of Shelby county. They became the parents of six children, all of whom are living - William G., of Kansas City, Missouri; Claud W., of Sheridan, Wyoming; Harry B., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Mary A., the wife of Dimmitt Wainwright, of Monett, Missouri; Larkin E., of Shelbyville, and James I., also of Sheridan, Wyoming. Their mother died in 1904. The doctor's third marriage was with Miss Martha Wilson, of Shelbyville, and occurred in 1908.

Successful as a practicing lawyer and prominent and intluential as a citizen far beyond the measure his modesty would allow him to admit, Vernon L. Drain, of Shelbyville, is justly accounted one of the leading and most useful citizens of Shelby county, and he is also well and favorably known in all of the adjoining counties. Wherever he is known he is esteemed for his worth, held in high regard for his elevated character and admired for the ([ualities of head aud heart which have won him success in his profession and ]irominence among the people of IMissouri.

Mr. Drain was born in Shelby county, Missouri, on January 21, 1864. He is the only child of Stanford and Mary M. (Lyell) Drain, the former a native of Sussex county, Delaware, where he was born in 1811, and the latter a product of Westmoi'eland county, Virginia. The father i)assed the first quarter century of his life in his native county and obtained his education there. In 1836 he moved to Missouri and was employed for a time in Hannibal. He then located in Shelby county and during a short period followed farming with success. But he tired of this occupation and took up his residence in Shelbyville, where he worked for a number of years at the car- ])onter trade, which he had learned in his native state. He then again took up farming as his leading employment and adhered to this until his death, which occurred in 1892. Twice he yielded to the dominion of the tender passion, being first married on March 21, 1833, to ^liss Sarah W. Parker. They had.one child, who is still living, their daughter ^lary, who is now the widow of John W. Jacobs, of Clarence, in this county. Her mother died September 8, 1850, and on January 5, 1857, the father married a second time, choosing Miss ]\Iary M. Lyell as his partner on this occasion. One child was born of this union, Vernon L., the immediate subject of this brief review. Stanford Drain died November 20, 1892.

Vernon L. Drain attended the public schools of Shelbj-A-ille and studied a great deal at home. After leaving school he worked on his father's farm for a few years, then passed some time as a clerk and salesman in a store. But feeling within him a call to higher duties than those of a salesman, however necessary and worthy they may be, he began the study of law under the direction of the present representative of this district in the congress of the United States, Hon. James T. Lloyd, of Shelbyville. In 1891 he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his profession in Shelbj^^dlle, and here he has been actively and successfully engaged in it ever since. He has risen to very good standing in his profession and influence among the people on merit which his whole record has made manifest, and in social life he is in the front rank.

Mr. Drain has taken an active part in the affairs of the county as a citizen deeply interested in its welfare and zealous in promoting its advancement, and as a Democrat in politics eager to secure the best interests of the country by the application qf proper principles and theories in the administration of its government. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Shelby county in 1892 and served two terms in that office. His religious connection is with the Southern Methodist church. On February 17, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Nellie E. Turner, of ^laryville. Nodaway county, ^lissouri. .The three children born of their union are all living and at home with their parents. They are : Benjamin Stanford, Katherine V. and Vernon L. Xo family in the county stands higher in the estimation of the people and none is more deserving of a high rank.

Eugene M. Cadwell

One of the well known and distinctively popular officials of Shelby county is he whose names initiates this article. Mr. Cadwell is incumlient of the office of circuit clerk, in which position he has served, with marked efficiency, since January 1, 1907, prior to which he has been one of the representative business men of the thriving little village of Shelbina, from which he transferred his residence to Shelbyville, the county seat, when preparing to assume the duties of his present official position.

Mr. Cadwell is a native son of Shelby coimty and is a member of one of its honored ])ioneer families. His paternal grandfather was Closes Cadwell, who was a native of North Carolina, whence he removed to Kentucky in the ])ioneer days of the latter commonwealth, in wbicli he continued to reside until his removal to Shelby county, Mo., where Ids deatli occurred. Mr. Cadwell was born on the homestead farm, in Salt Eiver township, this county, on May 7, 1877, and is a son of William M. and Elizabeth (Quigley) Cadwell, the former of whom was born in Kentucky, in 1844, and the latter of whom was born in Shelby county in the year 1854. Their marriage was solemnized in Shelby county, in 1875. and here they continue to maintain their home.

William M. Cadwell was about nine years old at the time of his parents' immigration from Kentucky to Missouri, and the family home was estal)lished in Shelby county, this state, in the year 1853. Here he was reared to maturity and here his entire active and indei^endent career has been one of close and successful identification with agriculture and stock-growing. He is the owner of a fine farm of 240 acres, in Salt River and Black Creek townships, and the place is equipped with the best of improvements of a permanent order, so that on all sides are abundant evidences of thrift and prosperitj^ During the Civil war he served under Colonel Porter, taking part in many skirmishes marking the conflict between the opposing forces in Missouri, and having participated in tlie engagements at Kirksville and Edina. In politics he is a staunch supporter of the cause of the Democratic party and he has wielded not a little influence in public affairs in his community. Both he and his wife are zealous members of the Christian church, taking a deep interest in the various departments of its work, and both are held in unqualified esteem in the county that has so long been their home. They became the parents of seven children, all of whom still reside in Shelby count}'^, their names being here entered in the respective order of birth : Eugene M., Frank M., James V., Laura B., Willard T., Ethel M., and Ruth.

Eugene M. Cadwell passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm, to whose work he early began to contribute his quota, and after completing the curriculum of the district schools he continued his studies in the high school at Shelbina, where he also completed a course in a business college. After leaving school he was employed for several years as clerk in general and hardware stores in Marshall and Shelbina. after which he was engaged for six years as traveling salesman in the south. At the expiration of the period noted Mr. Cadwell returned to Shelbina, where he became associated with his brother, James v., in the grain and feed business, under the firm name of Cadwell Brothers. They built up a successful enterprise, and the subject of this review continued to be actively identified therewith until October, 1905, when the firm sold the business and he entered the campaign to secure nomination, on the Democratic ticket, for the office of circuit clerk. He received the nomination at the county convention of the party on January 17, 1906, and in the election of the following November he received a gratifying majority at the polls. In the preceding April he had removed to Shelby\'ille, and there he served as deputy county recorder until January 1, 1907, when he assumed the office of circuit clerk, of which he has since continued in tenure and in which his administration has met with unequivocal commendation. Mr. Cadwell has rendered yeoman service in behalf of the cause of the Democratic party and is one of its valued workers in the local field. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern "Woodmen of America, and is a citizen whose unqualified personal popularity in his native county stands as adequate voucher for his sterling attributes of character.

On January 1, 1905, Mr. Cadwell was united in marriage to Miss Goldie G. Walker, of Shelbina, who was born and reared in this county and who is a daughter of Enocli TT. "Walker, a well known and honored citizen of the county. Of the two children of this union one died in infancy and the survivor, William G., was born on November 12, 1908.

Edwin M. Damrell

Among the native sons of Missouri who have here attained success and prestige of no uncertain order is the present able and popular recorder of Shelby county, where he has maintained Ms home from his childhood days and where he has not only been identified with important business interests, but where he has also been called upon to serve in various positions of distinctive public trust, a fact that shows the estimate placed upon him in the county where he is best known. In the review of the career of his elder brother, Theodore B. Damrell, appearing on other pages of this work, is given sufficient information concerning his parents and the family histoiy to make it unnecessary to repeat the data in the present sketch. It may be noted, however, that he is a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of this section of the state, with whose history the name has been long and worthily identified, in both Monroe and Shelby counties.

Edwin M. Damrell was l)orn on a fai-m in Jefferson township, Monroe county, Missouri, on March 9, 1869, and in 1877, shortly after the death of his honoi-ed father, the family removed from Monroe county to Shelby county, locating on an excellent farm which the father had purchased in Salt River township. There the subject of this sketch was reared to maturity, being afforded the advantages of the public schools of the locality and continuing to be identified with the work of the farm until he had attained to the age of eighteen years, when he took up his abode in Shelbyville, the county seat, where he became a clerk in the grocery store of Dussair & Levan, with which firm he continued in this capacity for several years, at the expiration of which, in 1893, he became associated with his brother, Theodore B., in purchasing the stock and business, which they thereafter conducted under the firm name of Damrell Bros, for a period of five years.

In 1898 Mr. Damrell was elected clerk of the circuit court for Shelby county, for a tei-m of four years, and the best evidence of the popular appreciation of his services was that given in his being chosen as his own successor in the election of 1902. He continued incumbent of the office for a second term of four years, at the expiration of which he was marked for further official honors, as he was elected county recorder in 1906, giving a most able admiuisti'atiou and beingre-elected in 1910, so that he is iuciunbent of the office at the time of this writing, being one of the faithful, efficient and valued officials of the county and commanding the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, in official, business and social life. He is one of the interested principals in the Shelby County Abstract & Loan Company, whose facilities and functions are of the best order, and he has ever manifested a loyal interest in all that has touched the progress and material and civic prosperity of his home county and state, while he is recognized as one of the representative citizens of Shelbyville, one of the thriving little cities of Missouri.

In i^olitics Mr. Damrell has ever been aligned as a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, in whose cause he has given most effective service, having been an active factor in campaign work and being one of the leaders of the party in Shelby county. He has held other offices of public order aside from those already mentioned and he is at the present time president of the city council. Prior to his election to county office he has served six years as city collector of Shelbyville. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the local organizations of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the ^loderu Woodmen of America and he holds membership in the Christian church. His wife is Noble Grand of the Rebecca Lodge and a member of the M. E. Church, South.

On December 25, 1895, Mr. Damrell was united in marriage to Miss Elwyna Evans, who was born and reared in Shelby county, and who was the daughter of John and Mary Evans, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Shelby county, Missouri. Mrs. Damrell was summoned to the life eternal on February 28, 1901. No children were born of this union. On September 13, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Damrell to Miss Etta P. Foreman, who was born and reared in Shelbyville and who is a daughter of Aaron B. and Martha V. Foreman, who still reside in this city, Mr. Foreman being a native of Shelby county and his wife of Winchester, Virginia. The Foreman family was one of the earliest to become identified with the pioneer settlement of Shelby county, where Aaron Foreman, from whom Aaron B. Foreman is a lineal descendant, took up his abode in 1817, having come here in company with Edward Wbaley and three other men. Mr. and Mrs. Damrell have no children.

Eugene M. Terrill

The able and popular incumbent of the office of county clerk of Shelby county has passed his entire life in this section of Missouri, and he was for many years actively identified with agricultural pursuits.

Eugene M. Terrill was born on the old homestead farm, in Marion county, Missouri, on November 11, 1856, and is the younger of the two children of Oliver T. and Susan M. (McCullough) Terrill, l)oth of whom were born in Kentucky, their marriage having l)een solemnized in Marion county, Missouri. Samuel, the elder of their two sons, died when about fourteen years of age. Oliver T. Terrill was one of the valiant argonauts who made their way across the plains to California after the memorable discovery of gold in that state, where he remained two years, having engaged in teaming from Sacramento to the various miningcamps and later having been identified with the operation of a ferry. He returned to the East by way of Cape Horn. Upon coming to Missouri he first located in Marion county, where he continued to reside until 1858, when he removed with his family to Shelby county, where he purchased a tract of land in Black Creek township, developing the same into one of the excellent farms of the county and was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1879, when he received from the governor of the state appointment to the office of presiding judge of the county court to fill out an unexpired teiTH. At the ensuing election he was elected by jiopular vote for a full term, and he gave an admirable and acceptable administration on the bench. After his retirement from office he lived virtually retired, in Shelbyville, imtil his death, which occurred in 1889. His devoted wife survived him by a decade, being summoned to eternal rest in August, 1902. Both were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and they ever held the high regard of all who knew them. In politics Judge Terrill was a staunch supporter of the cause of the .Democratic party.

reared to maturity on the home farm, early becoming familiar with the practical details of its work and in the meanwhile duly profiting by the advantages afforded in the district school. He later was enabled to continue his studies in the high school in Shelbyville, and thereafter he was associated in the work and management of the home farm until the death of his honored father, who left to him 120 acres of valuable land, which continued to constitute the scene of his well directed individual enterprise as a fai-mer and stock grower until 1898, when he removed to Shelbyville and became a clerk in the office of the county recorder. This position he held until the spring of the following year, when he was appointed deputy county clerk under Charles Ennis. In this capacity he rendered efficient service for the ensuing eight years, at the expiration of which there came fitting recognition of his eligibility and faithful service in his election, in 1906, to the office of county clerk, of which he has since continued inciunbent. His previous experience and his natural aptitude for the facile handling of detail work has made him a specially efficient executive, and his administration will pass on record as one of the best in the history of the office of clerk of the county.

In ])()litics Mr. Terrill gives an unqualified allegiance to the Democratic partj% and its cause has found in him a staunch advocate and one well fortified in his convictions as to matters of public policy. As a citizen his viewjioint is liberal and public spirited, and he shows a lively interest in all measures and onterjjrises that tend to conserve the welfare of his home city and county. He is a stockholder of the Shelby County Railroad Company, having become a charter member of the same. In Slielbyville he owns and occupies an attractive modern residence. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Court of Honor.

In June, 1879, Mr. Terrill was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta Speight, who was born in Indiana and reared in Shelby county, and who is a daughter of James Speight, who was for many years engaged in farming in this county. Of the six children of this union four are living, namely: Lida, who is the wife of Carl Ennis, of Slielbyville ; Oliver J., Samuel M. and Nannie, who remain beneath the parental rooftree.

Frederick M. Farr

A scion of one of the pioneer families of Missouri and known as one of the substantial and representative citizens of Shelby county, Mr. Farr is now living a retired life in the city of Shelb^^nlle, where he is enjoying the generous comfort and repose that are the just reward for former years of earnest and fruitful endeavor. He was long actively identified with agricultural pursuits in this county and still owns a valuable farm of IfiO acres, in Taylor township.

Frederick M. Farr was born in Marion county, Missouri, on January 28, 1843, and is a son of William and Violet (Forsythe) Farr. His father was born in Virginia, whence he came to Missouri in an early day, becoming one of the pioneers of Marion county, where he was engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1849, when he joined the exodus of gold seekers who wei'e making their way across the plains to the new Eldorado in California. He never returned to his former home and passed the closing years of his life in Austin county, Texas, where he died in 1864. The maiden name of his first wife was VanVactor and for his second wife he married i\Iiss Violet Forsythe, who was boni in the state of Kentucky and whose death occurred in 1890. Of the six children only two are now living and of these the subject of this sketch is the elder; Frances is the wife of Charles Newman, of San Antonio, Texas.

Frederick M. Farr was reared to maturity in his native county, where his educational advantages were limited to the district schools. For several years he found employment at farm work and also cultivated rented land, and in 1868 he took up his permanent residence in Shelby county, where he eventually became the owner of a fine landed estate of two hundred acres, making the best of improvements on the same and developing one of the model farms of this section of the state. He started in life without financial resources and won success and independence through his own well directed energy and assiduous application. He placed true valuation on men and things, and has ever maintained the most wholesome appreciation of honest toil and endeavor, while his life has been guided and governed by the strictest principles of integrity and honor, so that he has not been denied the confidence and high regard of his fellow men. In 1909 he disposed of the live stock on his farm and he and his wife now reside in the home of liis son, Dr. George E. Farr, in Shelbyville. He rents his farm and continues to give to the same a general supervision in the matter of regulating its operation and keeping everything up to the customary high standard. He was one of the charter memljers of the Shelby County Eailroad Company, giving both his influence and tangible aid in support of the enter- IDrise. In politics he is a stauncli advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Baptist church.

In January, 1867, Mr. Farr was united in marriage to Miss Frances Ann Turner, of Shelby county, where she was born and reared and where her parents were pioneer settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Farr became the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living. Concerning them the following brief data is consistently entered : Thomas F. is a prosperous farmer of this coimty; William A. is a resident of Miltonvale, Kansas; ]\Iary Alma is the wife of Charles P. i\Ic- Cracken, of Knox county, Missouri; Frances E. is the wife of Henry M. Turner, of Cherry Box, Missouri; Dr. George E., of Shelbyville, is the subject of an individual sketch on other pages of this work; Zilpha is the wife of Otis Mc- Cully, of Cherry Box, this state; Martha is the wife of Lon P. Wright, of Cherry Box, this county; and Prudy T. is now Mrs. Notley Keith, of Cherry Box.

Dr. Farr is one of the representative younger members of the medical profession in his native county and is engaged in active practice in Shelbyville. He is recognized as an able iihysieiau and surgeon, well fortified in both the theoretical and practical branches of his exacting profession, and he has gained a representative support since estal)]is]iing his home and headquarters in tJie thriving little city of Shelbyville. He is a son of Frederick ^f. Farr, a review of whose career appears on other pages of this volume, so that further reference to the family history is not demanded in the article at hand.

Dr. Farr was born at Leonard, Shelby coimty, Missouri, on October 31, 1878, and his early educational discipline was secured in the district schools, after which he was a student in Leonard Academy for a period of nine months. Later he completed a course in Oaklawn College, at Novelty, this state, in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898. Thereafter he was a successful teacher in the schools of Shelby and Knox counties until 1900, in the fall of which year he was matriculated in the University Medical College of Kansas City, Missouri, in which he was graduated in 1906, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He initiated the active work of his profession by locating at Cherry Box, Shelby county, where he remained eleven months, and for the ensuing eighteen months he was engaged in practice at Novelty, this state. On January 8, 1909, he located in Shelbyville, where he purchased the practice of Dr. Bob. Maupin, and where he has gained a secure hold upon popular confidence and esteem, both as a physician and as a citizen. He is a member of the