Vernon County, Missouri - The whole text, 1911 (part 4 of 14)

On one occasion, in 1863, General Blair sent a note to Jack Beard to have himself and hounds ready the following morning, when a party of officers and soldiers would be over from the Fort to take a hunt in the Marmaton bottoms. Jack knew that four miles down the stream, in a thick grove of water oaks, Bill Marchbanks and his band of bushwhackers were encamped, and that if a warning were not given the Federals might start up a species of game they had not counted upon. Beard sent his boy through the darkness to give the alarm, and to request that the guerillas would get out of the country and stay out until the hunt was over. And this Captain Marchbanks actually consented to do and did do. The obliging guerilla leader crossed his force to the south side of the Marmaton, and again settled down in another basky thicket, where the Federals could not see him and the hounds could not track him. Here he remained within hear¬ ing of the turmoil of the hunt until it was over, and allowed General Blair and his party to return to Ft. Scott unmolested.

There was plenty of game in the township until after the Civil War, when the country began to settle and the land to be enclosed and improved. The deer and turkeys have long since passed away. A few slinking coyotes yet linger in the slough grass along the bottoms, but practically the occupation of old Jack Beard's dogs is gone.

Upon the first settlement there was much sickness in the township ; in 1853 there were many fatal cases of typhoid fever, in spite of the strongest efforts of the best physicians, and for some years chills and fever were generally prevalent. Latterly, with the cultivation of the country, the township is healthy enough.

Richards, with its pretty homes, handsome white-spired churches, substantial business houses, well-kept lawns and clean streets, is a beautiful little city of some 400 population.

Populated, as it is, with a God-fearing people, thrifty and prosperous, surrounded by a rich agricultural district, far from the ceaseless strife of the over-crowded city, no more ideal place to live could be found.

The town was laid out in 1891, but was not incorporated until 1901. It is situated on a high rolling prairie in Richland township and in the midst of vast acres of fertile prairie lands that reach as far as the eve can see. Its railroad facilities are unexcelled, being located on the Kansas City Southern and the Missouri Pacific, making shipping and travel convenient. The commercial interests are varied and extensive. The schools, the churches and society are matters of local pride. The municipal government is, and always has been, the best. The present of¬ ficials of Richards are: G. W. Hamlett, mayor; J. G. Poyner, G. W. Palmer, Roland Hughes and Dr. W. T. Adams, associate members of the board; J. A. Young, clerk; L. D. Hufiaker, treasurer.

Richards has more good sidewalks than any town of its size in Missouri, being made from both flagstone and concrete. The people take great pride in keeping the walks in the best possible condition.

Richland township either gets its name from Richland county, Ohio, or for its rich farm lands ; probably the latter, as it is con¬ ceded that there is no better land west of the Mississippi. "Wil¬ liam Busch was the first white settler, coming here in 1845. Nicholas Ganther soon followed, but later sold his holdings to the late E. S. Weyand, who was the first permanent settler. Farming, stock and poultry raising and fruit culture are the principal industries. Some coal is found in the township, but not of sufficient thickness to make mining extensive. Richland township has the best dirt roads in the county, and perhaps in the state.

A Town In The Hay

Richland township and this section of southwestern Missouri probably produces more timothy, clover and prairie hay than any other portion of the state. Richards stands among the fore¬ most hay shipping points in the country.

The magnitude of the hay crop in this section can hardly be estimated. An average of 800 cars are shipped from this station each year. This hay is handled, in the most part at least, by three shippers. The bulk of the local hay crop goes South.

Hay means much to Richards. It gives employment to many at harvest time, to say nothing of the money that it puts into the hands of the farmers.

Organization Of Roads In Richland

In 1898 the people of Vernon county adopted a county or¬ ganization, electing officers in March, 1899. The county court refused to give the townships any part of the levy for that year.

The people assembled in mass meeting and authorized the township board to levy 10c on every $100 valua¬ tion. This authority was given by signing an article that they, the signers, would pay that amount on the valuation of their property, so as to get something for the roads. This furnished $200. The county court later on appropriated 4c on every $100 valuation. This added about $110, making a total of $310, which was spent on the roads. The board made no charges for their services for that year.

There are sixty-eight miles of laid-out roads in Richland township. It can be readily seen how little can be accomplished with so small an amount - less than $5 per mile and the poll tax. At that time very little grading had been done. No rock arches had been built. Now the main traveled roads are well graded and there are seventeen stone arches, of which there are one twelve-foot, four eight-foot and also several township bridges. If the supreme court had not decided the 15c road and bridge tax unconstitutional, which decision deprived us of reve¬ nue for the last three years, we would have had every road graded and each branch either bridged or a good stone culvert across the same.

The Rinehart Hotel. "Just like home" is the Rinehart Hotel, which has been conducted by Mrs. M. A. Rinehart, at the corner of Fourth and Wall streets, for the past six years.

In all these years Mrs. Rinehart has endeavored to make this hostelry as near home-like as possible to those who stopped with her. She has succeeded, as anyone will vouch who has been entertained there. The Rinehart Hotel, with its comfortable rooms, well supplied table, good cooking and modern conveni¬ ences, enjoys a large patronage. The house is popular with tran¬ sient guests as well as the home people.

Mrs. Rinehart, the proprietress, is an estimable lady, who knows how to conduct a good hotel and does. She has many friends, not only at home but among the traveling public. This has had its share in making the Rinehart Hotel popular.

The Richards Telephone Exchange

Unsurpassed is the service of the Richards Telephone Ex¬ change, and it is a matter of local pride that it is such. The first telephones were installed here August 17, 1004, when five were placed in commission. , Prior to that time the only tele¬ phone in this vicinity was the toll station of the Bell Telephone Company at the Hotel Richards. Then there were no farmers' lines, but now this is principally a farmers' exchange.

The Public Schools

The school system of Richards is as thorough as any town of twice its size in Missouri. All grades up to and including the tenth are taught here.

The school building is an elegant two-story brick structure, which has recently been remodeled and repaired. The rooms of the building are well lighted and ventilated and the sanitary conditions are first-class. Large play and recreation grounds surround the building.

The secret society world is well represented in Richards. There are three orders, which, with their ladies' auxiliaries, make a total of six. The lodges are all composed of the best people in town. They are substantial and the meetings always interesting and well attended. The Masonic and Order of East¬ ern Star, Odd Fellows and Rebekahs and Modern Woodmen of America and Royal Neighbors are the organizations represented in this city. All of the societies meet in an elegant lodge room in the Wall building.

The Hotel Richards. A home for the traveling public is the Hotel Richards, on South Main street, which is so ably man¬ aged by Mrs. N. C. Comstock.

The late Albert Comstock first opened a hotel in the old Beard building in 1900, but built the present house and occupied it a year later. Three years ago he died and since that time Mrs. Comstock has successfully conducted the business.

Far and wide has the good reputation of this hotel extended. Cleanliness and comfort abide here, which, with good cooking and a bounteous table, brings a nice home patronage as well as many transients to the place. Mrs. Comstock is well liked by all. Her knowledge of what her guests like best has made the Hotel Richards popular.

The Richards "Progress," published weekly by M. S. Brady, is an unusually bright, newsy paper, and from the large amount of advertising matter, shows the liberal patronage of the mer¬ chants, which, in turn, shows that the surrounding country is rich and prosperous. In this vicinity are many breeders and raisers of fine stock who make a specialty of thoroughbred horses, cattle and hogs. Among these may be mentioned the P. H. and J. Richards Company, J. II. Duncan, J. F. Cole, J. R. Young, M. S. Brady, Dr. AY. T. Adams, J. M. Turley and many oiners.

Among the mercantile establishments may be mentioned Donald Koontz, hardware ; The Richards Hay & Grain Co., The Koontz Mercantile Co., J. M. Newland, meat market; Tipton & Co., tanners: Herbert Cox, druggist; Kelley & Co., cash store, and Preston & Warner, milliners.

The Methodist Church. The Methodist Episcopal congrega¬ tion of Richards occupies a handsome church at the corner of Third street and Royce avenue, which is known as the Richards M. E. Church, South.

Only since 1906 has this house of worship been located here. The church was erected in 1880 at Enoch. It was a part of the Nevada circuit of the Neosho district of the southwest Missouri conference. It was called Weyand 's Chapel up to the time the building was removed to its present site. W. C. Montgomery was presiding elder and J. C. Coss pastor. The building com¬ mittee was composed of E. S. Weyand, Sr., Henry White and L. B. White. R. A. Dores and L. L. Alexander built the church. The first board of trustees was made up of E. S. Weyand, Sr., Henry White, R. F. Benedict, L. B. White and W. P. Weyand.

The late Rev. John A. Swift delivered the first sermon in 1881, when the church was dedicated by Rev. R. S. Hunter. W. P. Weyand was superintendent of the first Sunday school or¬ ganized by the congregation.

With many a heartache, January, 1906. saw the passing of the chapel, when the building was moved on its present site and became the home of the Richards M. E. Church, South. E. II. Orear was the pastor in charge, with Messrs. T. E. Dixon, W. P. Weyand, Frank Ilass, J. P. Stuart and the late Samuel Austin as trustees.

tlie Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., of Richards, was formerly a Cumberland organization, organized by the Rev. E. E. Baker, now of El Paso, Texas, at what is now known as the Wall school house, one and one-half miles east of town. The organization took place in 1871, with the following members: Mr. and Mrs. Morris Mann, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Koontz, Mr. and Mrs. R. T. Wall, and Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Baker. Mrs. R. T. Wall and Mrs. A. M. Koontz are still members of the organization.

V orship was conducted in the school house continually up until 1883, when a neat frame building was erected near the present Richland cemetery. In 1891 the building was removed to Richards, refinished, a vestibute and belfry added and re¬ dedicated in July, 1905. During the last year the building has received splendid improvements. The seating capacity has been increased by an additional room, 20x32 feet, and when properly occupied the church will seat an audience of 450.

In 1906, by a unanimous vote, the congregation accepted the union proposition, is now incorporated and a part of the Presby¬ terian Church, U. S. A.

Anrgil township is composed of congressional township 35, range 29, and was named for Virgil City, the little village in the southeast corner. Its eastern line is a portion of the line be¬ tween Cedar and AYrnon counties.

Clear creek runs diagonally, from southwest to west of north¬ east through this township, its course being generally tortuous and irregular. This stream is sometimes called by the old In¬ dian name, "Peshaw\" It was a noted water course among the Indians. On either side was a considerable body of thick tim¬ ber, which sheltered flocks of turkeys, herds of deer and other game, and was often resorted to by them as a hunting ground. The land on either side of Clear creek is generally broken and stony.

On Clear creek, about the center of the township (se. sw. see. 16), are two fine sulphur springs. The stream bubbles up from a dark gray sand and is very strong. A slialy bed containing iron pyrites (sulphur mingled with iron), occurs below the spring, but Prof. Norwood doubts that this has anything to do with the properties of the water. The springs afford a great deal of the water, which is pleasant to the taste.

Judge James Overstreet was the best known old settler of Virgil township, although he did not come until about 1844, having previously lived in Badger township and Cedar county. He changed his location frequently, but finally located on sec¬ tion 13 and at the sulphur springs. He was a Virginian and went South in 1861.

It may that Dr. Elisha Smith was the first settler in the town¬ ship. In the year 1840 he came from Indiana to the southern part of the township (section 35) and settled near Mulberry creek. The next fall half a dozen families settled on Horse creek. Dr. Smith practiced his profession through the country for a number of years. In 1853 he went to California and finally died in Oregon.

In about 1842, Capt. Andrew Girard came to the southwest part of the township (section 30) and located on Clear creek, at the point since known as the Girard ford. The captain was from Ashtabula county, Ohio. He was a Catholic and in 1846 and afterwards Fathers Bax and Sehoeppenhorst, the Jesuit mission¬ aries among the Osages, came from the mission in Kansas and attended the spiritual wants of his family. Perhaps they said mass at his house, for there were a few other Catholics in the country. Captain Girard removed to California in about 1852.

It is quite difficult to trace and establish the few other pio¬ neer settlers here. There were but few of them, however, and they changed their locations in a short time, and had but little influence in the development of the county.

early day by Rev. Arbuckle, of the Christian denomination. Hon. Robert Jordan, of Cedar, was one of the first school teachers. A man named Callison was another pioneer teacher who la¬ bored in the southern part of the township. A Mr. Reed was an early instructor and a good one.

A sad case of drowning, in about 1850, is remembered. Charlie Overstreet, a promising young man, and the son of Judge 0\ erstreet, attempted to swim his horse across Clear creek at the Girard ford. The stream was high; the horse and its rider were swept away and both were drowned. The casualty occurred on Sunday, and the following Thursday Charlie was to be mar¬ ried to Tempie McKnight, the daughter of the old pioneer, Abram McKnight. The poor girl was well nigh heart-broken at the fate of her betrothed, and received the deepest sympathy of everybody. Judge Overstreet gave her all of Charlie's per¬ sonal effects and the portion he had intended for him, saying, You are in effect Charlie's widow, and entitled to what be¬ longs to him and what I intended for him."

The Nottingham murder in this township occurred in 1854, and Dr. Nottingham was hung in November, 1855. The name of Mrs. Nottingham 's first husband was David Duncan.

Dr. Badger asserted that the oldest hunter that ever lived in this country was John Skidmore, who lived on the site of Virgil City for many years and died about 1850, at the age of 85. He came to Missouri with Daniel Boone, and assisted in the con¬ struction of one of the first forts in the Howard county settle¬ ments. For some years after Mr. Skidmore settled here he was visited annually by Col. Nathan Boone, son of Daniel Boone, and an officer in the regular army for a considerable time; he died in Greene county in 18o6. Colonel Boone had great respect for Mr. Skidmore, because of his former association with his (Boone's) father, the noted pioneer and explorer.

Mr. Skidmore informed Dr. Badger, with whom he was very intimate, that he had trapped for beaver on the Arkansas and Red rivers prior to the year 1800 ; that he had been the father of twenty-one children, twenty of whom were twins, and all by one mother; that he had outlived most of them, and that he had accumulated in all of his wanderings and experiences only about $800, on the interest from which, together with what he could raise on a few acres of ground near Virgil, he contrived to sub- sist. In bis last days he lived alone in a small cabin near the present site of Virgil, in the borders of Cedar; he had two sons in that county.

Of the first elections in what was then Clear Creek township, Bates county, Dr. Badger said they were held at Judge Over¬ street's sulphur springs, then about the center of the district. A short piece of board, or puncheon, for the table, a sheet of foolscap paper and a pen, placed under a thick shade near the spring (elections then were in August), pointed out the place of voting. The judges and clerks were always within hail¬ ing distance at a pony race, shooting match, or perhaps listen¬ ing to an anecdote related by some candidate between drinks. Yet there was never any tampering with returns.

The voting was done on the plain old courageous viva voce plan. Each voter walked up, called out the name of the candi¬ date for whom he wished to vote, and the clerks made a "tally mark" accordingly. When the polls closed the result was easily ascertained, and it was a matter of record ever after for whom every voter had expressed his preference. Matters were fre¬ quently simplified by the announcement of the voter in this wise : "I vote the Democratic ticket, state and county, straight;" or "I vote the Whig ticket straight." When an ancient mugwump wished to "scratch" a particular candidate he called out: "I vote the Democratic (or Whig) ticket straight, except John Smith for sheriff; I vote for Thomas Brown," etc. The viva voce method was abolished and voting by ballot substituted during the Civil War, and the first election in Missouri where ballots were exclusively used was in November, 1863.

Some of the old-time voters at Overstreet's were Overstreet himself, old "Black Hawk" (A. M. Markham), Muke Box, Dunnagan, Swanson, Jarrell, Welch, Smith, Rose, Collins, Ray, Mas¬ sey and Martin. Of these old Muke Box was a Howard county pioneer, who in 1812-15 was an inmate of Fort Hempstead, in the Missouri river bottom, in that county.

In 1850 a store and blacksmith shop were established on Clear creek (section 31) in the southwest corner of the town¬ ship. Here, in about 1855, Ceorge Pope stabbed Wooliver in a fight at the blacksmith shop. Pope was a cripple, lame in one

A man named Martin built a mill on Clear creek, on the Faulkner place (section 21), at a very early day. Dr. Badger said it was running when he came to the country, in 1844. It was but a 4 ' corn-cracker " and the dam was made of brush. Kindred Pearson bought the mill.

During The War

In the early fall of 1862 fiv6 men on their way to the Con¬ federate army were killed at the old Butler ford, now called the Smith ford, on Clear creek, in the southwest corner of the township. It is said that the time was the day after John Camp and others were killed near Montevallo. Two of the men, Hornsinger and Kennedy, were from this county; the others were from Bates. It is said that these men were captured by Frank Wvrick, James Moore. Bob Kane, Jim Millender and thirteen other men from this section, who were in the Federal service, never buried ; even after the war the bleached bones lay scat¬ tered about on the ground. A very probable version of this in¬ cident is that there were but three men and that they were captured at the ford and taken nearly two miles northeast, in the vicinity of the Baptist Church, and killed, and that Wyrick and his men were watching the ford with a view of intercepting recruits who were going to Coffee. Still another version says the killing was done by Bacon Montgomery 's men.

Valentine Mashaney, who had come to this township from St. Charles, was murdered by the Federals; some say by the Third Wisconsin, for harboring bushwhackers, while others as¬ sert that the killing was by Wvrick 's men and was for money; Mashaney was a potter and a few days previously had sold

In the fall of 1862, Air. Faulkner, an old and prominent cit¬ izen, was brutally murdered at his home by some Kansas troops. He was shot down in his barnyard. The charge against him was "feeding bushwhackers." The facts were that some irregular parties had encamped on his place from time to time, but of course he was powerless to prevent them.

Frank Wyrick lived in the extreme western part of the town¬ ship, nearly a mile east of Greene's Springs. Ilis father-in-law, Janies Moore, lived near by. Before the war Wyrick was a quiet, peaceable citizen and generally respected. When the troubles came on he was a Union man, but announced that if Missouri seceded he would go with his state. As Missouri did not secede, he remained loyal to the Federal Government. His former neigh¬ bor, Mr. James Lancaster, says Wyrick was offered a lieutenant's commission if he would enter the rebel service, but he refused. When Price's army came into the county just before the Drywood fight, Wyrick and other Union men were made prisoners and taken out to the camp. Here he escaped the night after the fight during the thunder storm. The next day he was searched for. As he lay in the tall prairie grass, his neighbor's son, Jim Millender, saw him but consideratelv looked the other way and did not betray him. Wyrick made good his escape and at once went on the war-path. He alleged that he was badly treated while a prisoner, threatened with hanging, and that had he not escaped he would have met the fate of Chronic, who was hung in the border of Barton county. lie raised a squad of men in this and Cedar county and it is said he killed fourteen Confederates before he left the country in the fall of 1863, when he and Moore removed to California. One of his men was Jim Millender, who saved his life on Dry wood, and who deserted Price's army to join him.

Mt. Hebron Baptist. This church was organized in 1868 by Rev. G. M. Lamkins. P. R. Encell and wife, William Brvant and wife, Lucinda Lancaster, S. L. Lancaster, E. F. Lancaster, Mr. Quisenbury and wife, and Henry Siebler and wife were among the first members. A frame church building costing $750 was constructed in the same year as the organization. This is said to have been the first Baptist church building erected in the county.

Sulphur Springs Baptist. The organization of this church was effected in July, 1867. The original members were Alfred Ryan and wife, Moses Busby and wife, Richard R. Hargrave and

Virgil City

The village of Virgil City is located in the southeastern cor¬ ner of the township, on the county line, a part of the village being in Cedar. That portion of the town in Vernon was laid out on the land of Andrew Ingraham; in Cedar, on the land of James Henderson.

The town was laid out in September, 1866, by Virgil W. Kimball and Andrew Ingraham, and Mr. Kimball, the real founder, gave it his Christian name. John S. Lewis, of Cedar county, built the first house, which was used as a store building. Other business houses were put up soon afterwards by Murphy & Carroll, William A. Ackason and Johnson & Wallace. Drs. Alfred Barter and J. W. Cochran were the first physicians. Cap¬ tain Hubbell established a hotel, which he conducted for many years. Some years afterward Mr. Kimball built a large brick residence.

For a year or two after its establishment Virgil City grew quite rapidly. In 1869 more business was transacted here than at Nevada, and the town had a population of 400 or 500. Its business men were enterprising and it promised to become an important point. A daily line of stage coaches ran through from Sedalia to Carthage and hundreds of travelers, investors, and home-seekers visited it. Parker, in his " Missouri As It Is," (1867), mentions it as an example of the rapid growth of towns in the West. The site is on the old road from Boonville to the Granby lead mines, a well-known thoroughfare before the war. On petition of John D. Reed and others the village was incor¬ porated September 5, 1867.

In 1867 a Masonic lodge (Hesperian, No. 286,) was established. An Odd Fellows' lodge was organized here at an early day. The Presbyterians had an organization here at an early day and held meetings in a building originally constructed for a store¬ house. Subsequently the Christian denomination built a good church.

Walker comprises congressional township 37, range 30. It is almost exclusively a prairie township. The only timber is in the extreme southern part, where there is a narrow strip along the north branch of Clear creek. The soil is generally very excel¬ lent and there are some fine farms. The existence of so much prairie had much to do in the past in retarding the settlement of this township, but the same cause eventually proved its best for¬ tune. It contains some of the best farms in southwest Missouri.

Walker township is almost entirely underlaid with coal at a shallow depth from the surface, in most places at from two to four feet. The vein is generally three feet in thickness, and reached by "stripping. "

The first actual settler within the confines of what is now Walker township, was Dr. J. N. B. Dodson, who came from Camden county in 1855, and located near the Dodson mounds, having entered several tracts of land in sections, 5, 7, 8 and 17.

After Dr. Dodson came Maj. Hillery W. Corker, to section 9, and Joshua Hightower to section 5, both in 1855. Corker came from only four miles away, but Hightower was from Camden and Moniteau counties. Then came George W. Bolton, C. D. Smith, Pat Maxey, and B. J. Clinton to various portions of the township, all before the Civil War. Indeed, Walker township did not exist as a separate municipality until after the building of the M., K. & T. railroad and after the town of Walker had been laid out.

There were but a few houses in the township, or in what is now the township, at the close of the war, and not until some years after did the real development begin. When the railroad was built settlers came from every quarter and filled up the country quite rapidly. It was not long until the district was well settled.

Town Of Walker

The town of Walker is situated in the central portion of the township (n. Vn se. and se. ne. sec. 16, and s. % nw. and n. % sw. sec. 15), on the M., K. & T. The site is in the midst of a fine

The town was laid out in December, 1870, by the Walker Town Company, of which J. R. Barrett, of Sedalia, was presi¬ dent ; IT. L. Marvin was the surveyor. Hiram F. Walker, an old and prominent resident, for whom the town was named, and William Leslie, were the original owners of the land. Maj. B. J. Clinton, who located here a few years before the war, was per¬ haps the first settler in the vicinity.

Like many another town, Walker owes its origin to the building of the railroad. It was platted soon after the line was constructed to Fort Scott and grew apace.

Walker at this time has a population of 480 people, and in addition to its being the market for the usual crops of corn, wheat and oats raised in that vicinity, it is a prominent ship¬ ping point for live stock and hay. In an ordinary year from 250 to 300 car loads of live stock being shipped, and from 800 to 1,000 car loads of hay.

The town was incorporated as a city of the fourth class in 1886, and has an excellent graded school organized in 1883, caring for pupils up to the eighth grade, with an enrollment of 100 at present. The principal is Miss Phenia Floyd, assisted by Miss Blanche Gass and Mrs. Thomas Cannon. There are five organized churches, Christian, Baptist, Presbyterian, Church of the Latter-Day Saints, Methodist Episcopal.

The Walker ''Herald" was established in the summer of 1882 by S. J. Preston wTio, since that time, has been continuously recording the births, deaths, joys and sorrows, together with the expectations and realizations of nearly two generations of the people who have made Walker and vicinity their home.

The Farmers' Bank of Walker, with a capital stock of $10,000.00, is a safe and reliable institution, of which E. T. Letton is president and R. K. Palmer cashier.

The secret and fraternal orders are represented by the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America, Rebekahs and the Royal Neighbors.

The I. 0. 0. F. of Walker own a fine two-story building, the lower story being used for stores, while the upper story is a large and well-appointed hall, which is used by them and the other lodges in the town as a lodge room.

The health of the community is looked after by Drs. C. B. Davis and L. II. Moore. Logan & Moore sell lumber and build¬ ing material ; Dale & Son, hardware and implements ; Henry Boyer & Son carry on a general store; John A. Buck sells furni¬ ture and groceries; A. Cherry runs the livery stable; J. H. Higley operates a feed mill; Jim True, the harness-maker; Ed. Prichard runs a restaurant, and Otis Ferguson looks after the tonsorial parlor.

L. D. S. Church at Walker. The first preaching done in Walker by ministers of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was by Elder Alfred White, about 1891. He was soon followed by others, among whom were W. S. Macrae, I. N. White, Corner Wells, A. J. and F. C. Keck.

Several were baptized in 1892-94 and united with the Veve branch, but February 10, 1897, were organized into the Walker branch. For several years they rented a hall for services, but in 1906 they bought a store building, moved it onto a nice lot and remodeled it into a neat chapel.

Christian Church, Walker

Unfortunately this church lias no preserved records previous to 1883. The church house was built in the year of 1883 at a cost of about $1,600, and was dedicated October 28, 1883, by M. M. Davis. The elders elected were J. B. Rains, M. C. Darr and J. V. Cowan. Deacons elected were J. S. Rains, Caleb Embree, I). H. Clinton and J. W. Martin. Preachers employed to serve as pastor of the church were William Birge, W. W. Blaylock. W. II. Bryan, J. M. Clavpool, J. M. Rudy, J. II. Jones, O. II. Ishamel, Slaid, Ben F. Hill, McGee, Cook, J. D. Pontino and J. P. Adcock. Elders at this time were J. V. Cole, J. M. Compton and Charles Canon; deacons, E. F. True, S. T. Prewitt, James Forman, W. T. Prewitt and G. II. Boyer.

The Marmaton river runs through the western portion of the township from south to north, and Foland's branch and Old Town branch flow in the same direction through the eastern part. Along these streams there is considerable timber. As to the origin of the names of these water courses it may be here stated that the word "Marmaton" is absolutely meaningless. It has a French sound, however, and is doubtless a corruption of the French word Marmite, signifying a pot or cooking kettle. From the circumstances of finding a kettle, or losing a kettle, or some incident connected with a kettle in some way, it is quite proba¬ ble that the first French voyagers called the stream "Marmite," pronounced Marmita, or Marmeta, and by the old settlers "Marmetaw," or "Mommetaw," accent on the first syllable al¬ ways. Wetmore's Gazette of Missouri for 1837 spells it "Marmeta." The word Marmiton, as it is sometimes written, means a kitchen scullion or pot-scourer. Doubtless the true English name of the stream is Kettle creek; but if the French term is employed it should be written Marmite, and pronounced as indicated above. Old Town branch is so named because near its mouth, in Osage township, the old town of the Osage Indians was located at one time. Foland's branch is named for Jacob Foland.

The surface of the country is somewhat diversified. Asylum No. 3 is located in the extreme southern part of the township on a beautiful site, and there are other fine expanses of coun¬ try; but much of the country is broken. There are many ex¬ posures of sandstone in the southern part. There is a good quarry in the northeastern part and there is some limestone along the Marmaton, in the south'ern part. Coal has been dug in some places.

It is claimed that Augustine DeVille made a temporary set¬ tlement on the east side of the Marmaton, in section 9, in about 1835, but this may be doubted, as his settlement was nearer Timbered Hill. Abraham McKnight was probably the first set¬ tler. In the employ of M. Letiembre, it is said he opened a farm in the northern part of the township, a little east of the Marrnaton (sw. sec. 4) in about 1838. McKnight came to own the land and sold it to Jesse Lowe, who did not live on it, but in turn sold to Lawson Carter, who lived here until his death, in

Joseph Douglas came to the country with his brother, Col. George Douglas, in 1834. In about 1837 he made a settlement .in the northwestern part of this township (se. 14 sec. 7), north of the Marmaton, and near the branch which still bears his name. Here he opened a fine farm, which became eventually one of the best in the country. He owned a number of slaves and em¬ ployed other help in the management of his plantation, and be¬ came in time quite wealthy.

Mr. Douglas was a most excellent citizen and an honorable gentleman. Hospitable, generous, and charitable, he was a whit peculiar. Ilis uniform price for corn was 35 cents per bushel - never a cent more, under any circumstances, and when the mar¬ ket price was half that amount, or less than his standard, he gave his corn away, rather than abate his rule. He had a reason¬ able price for everything he had to sell, and no amount of .jew¬ ing would induce him to abate it.

In religious belief, Mr. Douglas was a Universalist ; he said he believed in God and therefore did not fear him. His life was one of inoralitv and strict rectitude and when he died, in the summer of 1860, his death was universally deplored.

Noah Caton came in 1839 to section 20, in the southwestern quarter of the township. It was at his house where the first term of the Vernon county court was held. Mr. Caton died in March, 1862. Samuel Son settled on section 29, near the site of the Union school house, in 1840. James B. Logan settled near the sulphur springs, four miles north of Nevada, in February, 1842.

A man named Swearingen settled on the Asylum grounds in 1840, but in a year or more sold his claim to Henry and John Heriford, and removed to Big Drywood.

After 1850 and before the war some of the first settlers were P. A. Logan, Hugh Logan, William Groom, William Ellis, Willis Ellis, J. I. Moore, Elias Deane, Thomas Deane, and Murray.

Dr. White, who lived in the southwest part of the township, was an early settler. Alfred and Willis Clinton located in sec¬ tions 10 and 11 in 1856, coining from Camden county. Elias Deane located in the southwestern portion of the township. Dr. Callaway was an early settler in this township. It is claimed that William AValdo's trading post or store was on the Marmaton, in this township, at the crossing of the Nevada and Balltown road (nw. *4 sec. 17), hut the weight of testimony is to the effect that it was at the Cephas ford, in Osage.

The first school house in the township was built on section 9. It was a frame, and the lumber used in its construction was brought from Pleasant Hill. The first teacher was Phil Henson.

Washington township experienced a few foraging raids dur¬ ing the war, but did not suffer materially or especially. It did not settle up as rapidly after 1865 as some other portions of the county, but in time it has become well occupied and developed, and now contains a thrifty and prosperous community.

The Pleasant Hill, Nevada and Joplin branch of the Mis¬ souri Pacific railroad runs across the township north and south, with a shipping point at Wales.

Chapter Xl Biographical

Frank Albright, who is justly ranked among the progressive citizens of Coal township, Vernon county, Missouri, is a native of Niagara county, New York. Born August 11, 1851, to William and Mary E. Albright, both natives of the Empire state. The father, who was a carpenter by trade, was also a farmer. He lived for a time in Michigan and in 1868 moved from that state with his wife and two children to Vernon county and settled on a small farm of forty acres in section 32, Coal township. While living here he worked at his trade and constructed many of the substantial farm houses and other buildings in the township. He was a man of decided opinions and in his religious convic¬ tions was known as a freethinker. He died April 19, 1900, and his decease was followed by that of his widow on April 28, 1905.

Our subject grew up in his father's home and acquired com¬ mon school education and had the experiences common to the Western country boy. He left school at the age of fifteen.

Before he was twenty years old, on April 7, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Profett, of Coal township, Vernon county. Mr. Albright purchased his farm of 120 acres, situated in sections 29 and 30 in 1881 and has there given his attention to systematic farming with gratifying results and is well known as one of the progressive, up-to-date farmers of the community. He is a Democrat in his political opinions, but takes no active part in political affairs, more than to perform his duties as a good citizen.

There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Albright seven chil¬ dren, of whom three are deceased. The names and dates of birth of those surviving are Fred C., born April 6, 1878; Royal W., born September 17, 1886; Charles W., born July 6, 1888, and Edith, who was born September 7, 1890.

Frank P. Anderson is by no means the least prominent of those to whom reference has been made within the present work. On the contrary, few men have manifested the energy and de¬ termination or brought to successful accomplishment affairs with which they have been connected that Mr. Anderson has. The following outline of his life will serve to show something of what he has done during his eventful career. Born near Jefferson City, Cole county, Missouri, March 21, 1836, he commenced his life at the age of fifteen as a school teacher, having been favored with fair educational facilities in his youth. This he continued in connection with bookkeeping until 1859, when he came to Nevada, and at once entered upon an active and what was des¬ tined to be an important career. At first he taught a three months' term of school and then was employed in the office of the circuit and county clerk, and subsequently was appointed to assess the county in 1860, and after performing this duty he served in the county clerk's office as deputy until the outbreak of the war. In the winter of 1861-62, as elsewhere stated, Colonel Hunter came up and took the county records to Arkansas. Mr. Anderson now turned his attention to the stock business, trading in horses and mules, etc. ; the winter of 1864 he passed in Illinois. In November, 1865, he returned to Nevada, soon embarking in the mercantile business, and after the reorganization of the county he was appointed its treasurer, but refused to qualify. In 1866 he was elected to that office, and again in 1868, serving through two terms. In 1869 he engaged in the real estate business with Maj. W. W. Prewitt, but hi 1870 discontinued this to embark in railroad contracting, a calling for which he seemed to be peculiarly fitted. In 1873 he went to Utah territory and followed freighting during that and the two succeeding years. In 1875 and 1876 his time was not as fully occupied as previously, but during 1877-78-79 he was made collector of this county, receiv¬ ing an appointment from the county court. In 1880 he resumed again the contracting business, remained thus occupied until 1883, during which time he built the Lexington and Southern division of the Missouri Pacific railroad, from Kich Hill, Mo., to Joplin, Mo., an enterprise which has proven to be of incalculable benefit to Nevada and Vernon county in general, and to which Nevada owes largely her past and present prosperity. It was owing to Mr. Anderson's untiring energy and never ceasing watchfulness that this great North and South thoroughfare was secured to Nevada instead of being diverted to Fort Scott, a rival town in Kansas. In 1883 he engaged in coal mining at Rich Hill; lie continued this during that and also the following year. In 1885 Air. Anderson succeeded in prevailing upon the management of the Missouri Pacific railway to build the Ne¬ vada and Minden railroad, from Nevada, Mo., to Chetopa, Kans., an enterprise which he originated himself and on which he spent much time and a large amount of money during its embryo stage. For these two important lines of railroad Nevada owes much to Mr. Anderson, as the building of them has brought Nevada promi¬ nently to the front aS the first city of commercial importance in southwest Missouri. In 1886 he took the contract for building the St. Louis, Kansas City and Colorado railroad through Frank¬ lin county, which contract he finished in July, 1887. He invested a large amount of money in the West Eldorado Townsite Com¬ pany in the fall of 1887 and took the contract to build the El¬ dorado railroad, in which he invested a large amount of money. Ilis time for four years was given to this enterprise up to 1891. The townsite and railroad company failed and he lost every dol¬ lar invested in the townsite and railroad company in four years' time, which broke him. During this time he did under contract the grading for the building of the lake and driveway around it at Artesian lake and built the district sewerage in Nevada, and put down the present sidewalk on Cherry street in front of the high school block. These tiling blocks he shipped from the factory at Washington, Franklin county7, Missouri.

In 1892 he was chosen chairman of the Democratic committee in Vernon county and took an active part in politics, state and county7, for three or four years, with fairly good success in behalf of others, but disastrous to his own interests.

In 1895-96 he served as steward of the Nevada Lunatic Asylum No. 3. In the spring of 1897 he moved to Joplin, Mo., and engaged in mining, with varying success, and also took a contract to build a railroad in the Creek Nation, Indian Territory. This company failed and left him in the lurch again. In 1901 he closed out his mining interests in Jasper county and went to Port Ar¬ thur, Texas, to look into the business of rice culture. He was pleased with it and took an option on a 500-aerc rice farm and canal and pumping plant for irrigating the land at the price of

$20,000, including all stock and machinery on the farm. A few days before he had succeeded in making the financial arrange¬ ment to swing the deal they struck oil at Beaumont on Spindle Hill. His option expired about the same time and ten days later the farm sold for $50,000 cash. He then went to Henyetta, Creek Nation, Indian Territory, and opened up a coal mine for the Kansas & Texas Coal Company. In 1902 he spent most of the year in securing coal leases in the Creek Nation. In 1903 he moved his family from Joplin to the Indian Territory and engaged in coal mining.

In 1904 the great oil strike was made at what is known as the Glenn Pool near Tulsa, Okla. ; also the numerous gas strikes in Kansas and Oklahoma. These two fuels coming into general use south and west, where they expected territory for selling coal, put the coal men in that vicinity out of business. Conse¬ quently the coal mining business proved a failure. In 1909 he moved his family, wife and daughter, back to Joplin, where they are now living. Since returning to Joplin he has not en¬ gaged in any business, but is now working to get a number of mineral leases in Maniteau, Cooper, Morgan and Cole counties. Should be succeed in getting them he expects to dispose of them to eastern parties, but may conclude to develop some of them himself in connection with other parties.

January 2, 1867, Mr. A. was married to Miss Julia R. Nelson, of Vernon county, a native of North Carolina. They have four children : Prince, Fountain, William Nelson, Minnie Scales and Charles Bruce. It seems almost superfluous to attempt any empty words of comment to this plain statement of facts as here given. That Mr. Anderson has labored under some disadvantages, phys¬ ically, is known to all, for since ten years of age he has been under the necessity of using a crutch, having been afflicted with white swelling at that age. Notwithstanding this he has accom¬ plished what many would have given up, and as a result stands today among the leading citizens of his county.

James T. Armstrong, a prominent citizen of Osage township, Vernon county, Missouri, is a native of Sangamon county, Illi¬ nois, and was born February 10, 1842.' He is the second of a family of six boys and three girls born to William and Statariah (Fieklin) Armstrong, the former born in Orange county, North

Biographical

Carolina, in 1806, and the latter in Bath countjr, Kentucky, in 1813. They were married in Sangamon county, Illinois, whither the father moved from Tennessee about 1839 and where the mother settled with her parents about 1836. They passed their lives on a farm in Sangamon county, his death occurring in the fall of 1884 and hers in 1886. Our subject's paternal grand¬ parents moved from Orange county, North Carolina, to William¬ son county, Tennessee, in 1812, and here William Armstrong grew to manhood on his father's farm.

James T. attended the public schools and a Methodist academy in his native place and remained on the home farm with his parents till after the opening of the Civil War. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Seventy-third Regiment, Illinois Vol¬ unteers Infantry. This was known as the "Preacher Regiment" from the fact that most of its officers were preachers; it is also a matter of note that more than 600 men in this regiment were church members. Young Armstrong took part in numerous bat¬ tles, among others that of Missionary Ridge, Franklin, Tennessee, Nashville, Murfreesboro and others, in which the army of the Cumberland was engaged. At the battle of Murfreesboro he was wounded by a twelve-pound cannon ball which struck the ground and bounding, hit and broke his right leg just below the knee. He entered the service as a private and was promoted to the rank of sergeant and served till the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge June 24, 1865, at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Ill. Returning home, he turned his attention to farming on a tract of 130 acres, given him by his father (who owned two sections of land in Christian county), and continued there till early in 1884, when he traded his farm for 270 acres in sections 7 and 8, also 17 and 18, Osage township, Vernon county, whither he came in February of that year and where he has ever since made his home, engaged in farming operations. Mr. Armstrong is especially known as a breeder of high grade cattle, having brought with him on coming to Missouri a car¬ load of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle. Ilis present farm con¬ sists of a quarter section, he having sold the remainder of his original farm to his sons. Air. Armstrong is a stanch Republican, a member of Post McGregor, Grand Army of the Republic, at Metz, and also belongs to the Masonic order. He united with the

On December 29, 1869, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Miss Ella Rollins, who was born in Poplarplains, Ky., in November, 1842, and who passed away in 1899, leaving besides her husband six sons, viz. : William P. Armstrong, of Joplin, Mo.; Arthur R. Armstrong, of Pittsburgh, Kans. ; Thomas W. Arm¬ strong, of Osage township ; James A. Armstrong, of Kansas City, Mo. ; Russell N. Armstrong, who is cashier of a bank in Stone¬ wall, Okla, and Warren Blaine Armstrong, of Osage township.

On September 23, 1900. Mr. Armstrong married Miss Edna B. Williams, who was born in Adams county, Iowa, June 6, 1882, the daughter of Fred P. and Alice (Vance) Williams, who are natives of Illinois and Kentucky, respectively, and who settled in Osage township in 1896.

Dr. T. L. Ashbaugh, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, May 13, 1844, is one of a family of thirteen children born to John M. and Mary C. (Artz) Ashbaugh. His paternal grand¬ father, John Ashbaugh, immigrated from Amsterdam. Holland, accompanied by two brothers, Armenius and Cyrus. His mater¬ nal grandfather, John Artz, was a soldier in the War of 1812. The father, John M. Ashbaugh, a potter by trade, lived in Dela¬ ware county, Ohio, till 1849, and then moved to Mercer county, Illinois, where his father-in-law, John Artz, bought a saw and grist mill near Millersburgh, which he operated till 1868. He then came to Moundville, Vernon county, where he bought 640 acres of land in section 4, Moundville township, and engaged in farming till his decease in 1881. T. L. lived in his native place and attended the public schools till 1862, when he ran away from home and enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Second Regiment, Illinois Volunteers Infantry, and entered the Union army. At the battle of Resaca he was severely wounded by a shell hitting him on the head, but recovered and served through the war and was with Sherman in his famous "march to the sea" and took part in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Chicago, June 5, 1865. In the army he studied medicine and in 1866 was graduated from Burlington Medical College and also attended Rush Medical College at Chicago. Dr. Ashbaugh began his medical practice at Pre Emption in Mercer county, Illinois, in 1867, and in the spring of 1868 settled at Moundville, Vernon county, Missouri, where he resided eleven years, in the meantime completing his course at Rush Medical Col¬ lege, where he was graduated with the class of 1876. lie also was graduated from the Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary at Chicago Going to Central City, Colo., he practiced his profes¬ sion several years there, when he removed with his family to As¬ pen, Colo., returning to Moundville in 1896. lie was united in marriage at Pre Emption, Ill., with Miss Pauline Hardy, who was born in Tazewell county, that state. Their only child, Flor Ashbaugh, is an alumnus of the law department of Michigan University and has served as county and district judge in Colo¬ rado for some twelve years. Dr. Ashbaugh served as coroner of Pitkin county, Colorado, practically during his entire residence in Colorado. After his return from Colorado Dr. Ashbaugh set¬ tled on the family homestead, which he had purchased from his father. This home, with its handsome and commodious residence, surrounded by spacious lawns and adorned with massive trees, choice shrubbery, an artificial lake and other beautiful an. I home¬ like improvements, and situated in the midst of charming environ¬ ments, presents a picture of rural beauty, unsurpassed, and is admired by all as one of the beauty spots of Vernon county. Dr. Ashbaugh has practically retired from professional work and with his wife lives a life of comparative ease and enjoys the fruits of his busy life.

He is a stanch Republican in his political opinions and takes a commendable interest in the local affairs of his party and for several years served as postmaster at Moundville, his appoint¬ ment dating from January 8, 1870.

Dr. Ashbaugh is an active man of affairs. lie belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is identified with the Patriotic Sons of America, the Foresters, the Knights of Macabees and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Charles R. Ashmead, the popular proprietor of Ashmead's Cafe of Nevada, is the eldest of a family of four children, who were left orphans when he was but eleven years of age. Tie is a native of Warrensburg, Johnson county, Missouri, and was born April 16, 1865, to Charles Hamilton and Sarah (Collins) Ashmead, natives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively.

The father was a soldier in the Civil War of 1861-5, and after his return home bought a tract of land and moved to Cedar county, Missouri, near Virgil City. He was a wagonmaker by trade and also a stock dealer. He moved to Nevada, Vernon county, in the fall of 1873 and followed his trade till his decease on September 10, 1876, at the age of fifty-four years, his death having been preceded by that of his wife, who passed away May 13 of the same year, when she was forty-two years of age. Their other children are Jacob Ashmead, William Ashmead and Eliza, who is married to Mr. S. N. Yates, of Emmett, Idaho.

Charles R. was reared on a farm in Washington township by Mr. James A. Wilson, with whom he lived till he was twenty years of age, when he started to learn the baker's trade in Perry's bakery at Nevada. A little later, associated with his foster father, Mr. J. A. Wilson, they together bought this business and it was carried on under the firm name of Wilson & Co. some three years and then sold, Mr. Ashmead going to Lamar, Mo., and working at his trade there several years. Returning to Ne¬ vada, he took a position as baker at the State Asylum No. 3 in February, 1890, and continued to fill it til April, 1896. During the next four years till December, 1896, Mr. Ashmead turned his attention to dairying and stock raising, making a specialty of high grade pedigree hogs and fancy blooded chickens, and since February 1, 1911, has been proprietor of the popular cafe that is now conducted under his name.

Mr. Ashmead has always devoted himself closely to his busi¬ ness affairs and has found little time for other matters. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

Mr. Ashmead sold out his cafe August 14, 1911, at a good profit and is now engaged in improving a farm about six and onehalf miles just north of the city, where he intends to make his ' home.

Biographical 6S7

would be complete without mention of the name of Thomas H. Austin, for his connection with its affairs dates back to a period which only a few can remember, when Vernon county was a wil¬ derness and its inhabitants few and far between. lie came orig¬ inally from East Tennessee, Anderson county, where he was born July 28, 1818, the oldest of eight children, four boys and four girls, which blessed the union of Daniel and Nancy Austin, nee Edwards. The latter was born in Maryland. Daniel Austin was a native of Green county, Kentucky, though he afterwards lived in Alabama, and finally moved to Putnam county, Indiana, from whence in 1835 he came to Missouri, settling in what was then Pulaski but is now Miller county. This was his home until going to Buchanan county, and some five years later, or in 1846, he came to Vernon county, continuing to live here until his death. Ilis wife also passed away in this county. Thomas H. Austin was brought up on the old homestead and very naturally acquired a knowledge of agricultural pursuits. His educational advantages, however, were somewhat limited, owing to the scarcity of schools in that early day. He accompanied his father on the various moves made by that person, as already enumerated, and finally in 1846 took up his residence in this county. Upon his location here he entered 240 acres of land and forty acres of this tract were afterwards taken for the site upon which Nevada stands Some little idea can therefore be formed of the part which Mr. Austin had taken in the upbuilding and growth of Vernon county. In 1869 he moved to a place on Osage river, known as Belvoir, and for ten years conducted a ferry across the river at that point. In 1879 he moved into Nevada. He was the first postmaster of the place then called "ITaletown," and for some years filled the position of justice of the peace, also serving as coroner of Bates county for two years. Though not a political aspirant he was never found wanting in the discharge of the duties of those positions to which he was called. In April, 1841, Mr. Austin was married to Miss Louisa Blevans, a native of Ala¬ bama, and daughter of Stephen A. Blevans. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. His death occurred in October, 1895.

this esteemed pioneer citizen, a man whose personal acquaintance and popularity contributed only less than his long residence in the county, giving him an enviable reputation wherever his name was known. Dr. Albert Badger was born in Windham county, Connecticut, in 1820, the oldest of three children in the family of his parents, Albert and Asenath (Crosby) Badger. The former was born in 1797 and died in 1825; he was a son of Edmund Badger, who for many years kept a hostelry in Philadelphia, a favorite resort for well-known Whigs, among whom were Clay, Webster and others, he died in 1849. Mrs. Asenath Badger was born in 1798 in Hadlyme, Conn., and died in Yernon county, Missouri, in 1864, at the age of sixty-six years. She was a con¬ sistent member of the Congregational Church. During the Revo¬ lutionary War her parents were living at New London, Conn., and in common with many others suffered many hardships and were obliged to undergo many privations; the father's death occurred in 1816, but his wife reached the advanced age of ninety-six, having lived a life somewhat remarkable in its nature. Young Albert Badger, the subject of this sketch, deprived of the watchful guidance and care of his father when about four and a half years old, was reared by an uncle until the age of fifteen, his home being in Hadlyme, Conn., where he attended school during the winter months and worked on the farm in summer seasons. Subsequently, and up to the fall of 1839, he lived with his grand¬ father at Philadelphia, Pa., and there completed an excellent education. Going to Port Hudson, La., in 1839, he commenced the study of medicine and later on was graduated from the New Orleans Medical College, thoroughly fitted to enter at once upon a professional career. In 1844 Dr. Badger left Louisiana and journeyed up the Mississippi, Missouri and Osage rivers as far as Osceola, St. Clair county, Missouri, from which point he rode overland to his location, purchasing his claim from an old settler for $30. Since that time this county continued to be his home. His was the first "modern" house in the community, for it was hewed both outside and inside and had glass windows and a "nailed-on" roof. Immediately after his settlement here he com¬ menced the practice of medicine and soon met with a ready pat¬ ronage, for professional men were not numerous in that early day. The only physicians besides himself in this county then were Drs. Leonard Dodge and James White. Dr. Badger con¬ tinued his extensive practice in connection with farming; he was a large land-holder, owning 2,200 acres at the commence¬ ment of the war. At the outbreak of the Kansas troubles he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel and ordered to defend the Missouri border, and early in the Civil War his company was ordered by Governor Jackson to accompany him to the Arkansas line. Before this was reached, however, the battles of Wilson's Creek and Carthage were fought, and at the latter the Doctor was wounded, necessitating his return home, though not until after he had been placed in charge of a hospital ward where there were Federal soldiers. After receiving surgical treatment and convalescing at a St. Louis hospital he was employed as chief clerk in the Naval Ordnance Department, a position he continued to fill for eighteen months. At the close of the war he returned to his home, but only to find that during his absence $10,000 worth of property, including money, chattels, etc., had been stolen. But not disheartened, the Doctor set about repairing his impaired possessions. In 1853 he was married to Miss Sarah E. Ilalley, of this county, who was born in Charleston, Va., in Au¬ gust, 1827 ; her father, a man of superior educational attainments, settled in Blue Mound township, this county, in 1839. Mrs. Badger died February 19, 1885, in the full triumph of a Chris¬ tian faith. She was the mother of two boys and six girls: Henry L., born in 1855; Albert H., born in 1866; Emily A., born in 1854; Mary J., born in 1857 ; Rebecca P., born in 1859; Eliza¬ beth, born in 1861 ; Agnes W. L., born in 1868, and Lulu, born in 1870. The Doctor was a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1843, and also assisted in organizing the first Grange in Badger township. He was justice of the peace for many years and for four years served as probate judge of the county, the first to be elected to that position. Politically he was a Democrat. One of the Doctor's brothers, Commodore Badger, entered the United States Navy in 1840 and fired the first shot into Fort Sumter after the Confederates had captured it. His sister, Emily D., the widow of Dr. Joseph N. M. Harding, is a lady of rare intellectual accomplishments. She was educated at Mt. Holyoke Seminary. Dr. Badger was intimately associated with all the improvements of the day. ne died March 14, 1911.

Jabe W. Bailey, is one of the prominent and prosperous farm¬ ers of Harrison township, Vernon county, Missouri. He was born in Columbia county, Wisconsin, March 16, 1855, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Spaulding) Bailey, both natives of New York. The father was a civil engineer, served four years in the Civil War, entering the service as captain of a company in the Fourth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Cavalry, and by successive pro¬ motions attained to the rank of colonel and brigadier-general. On October 23, 1864, as an appreciation of his skill and work, performing a difficult engineering feat, constructing a dam across the Red river, Admiral Porter presented him with a gold sword and massive silver punch bowl. After the war he moved with his family to Vernon county, Missouri, and settled on 400 acres of land in section 19, Harrison township. While in the discharge of his duty as sheriff of Vernon county (to which office he was appointed), in attempting to arrest two noted criminals, on March 26, 1867, he was brutally murdered. His widow survived till March 22, 1891.

During his boyhood our subject attended one of the common schools until he was fourteen years old. He then entered the school of Fort Scott, Kan. When he was twenty-seven, on Janu¬ ary 31, 1882, he was united in marriage, at Sterling, Kan., with Miss Ella Stratton, and bought a tract of 130 acres of land in Bourbon county, Kansas. His present farm is in section 19, Har¬ rison township, Vernon county, and comprises 265 acres of fer¬ tile land, highly cultivated and splendidly improved with a fine class of buildings and all the accompaniments of a model, modern farm. There are on the place two thrifty orchards and the hand¬ some residence, set in the midst of massive shade trees, presents, with other environments, a scene of entrancing rural beauty.

Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bailey, the two now living are Ruey, who was born December 27, 1884, and Lois, who was born May 30, 1893.

Morris C. Baker, the father of 'Zach. H. and James S. Baker, was born in Ashe county, North Carolina, and there was reared to manhood. He married Miss Matilda Stamper, after which they removed to Tennessee, living there until 1849. Following this, Mr. Baker made his home in Arkansas one year, coming thence to Lawrence county, Missouri, and in 1854 to Vernon county, and settling in the eastern part of the county; but in 1856 he moved his family from that locality to section 31, of Drvwood township, later going across the line into Barton county. This continued to be his home until his death in 1878 - an event sincerely mourned by many who had known him during life. Baker's Grove, in that county, bears his name. Besides his widow, Mr. Baker left a family of seven children: Sarah, Mrs. Long; Zach., James S., Lamenda, Mrs. Dougherty, and Andy J. lie was a man of sterling integrity and honor and commanded unbounded respect from all who were favored with his acquaint¬ ance. For many years he was postmaster at Baker's Grove, and in 1857 took the contract for carrying the mail from Carthage to Little Osage, receiving for this service $450 annually, the round trip being made once a week. During the years 1858-59-60 the mail was carried on horseback by the two boys, Zach. and James, but at the outbreak of the war the route was abandoned.

Zach. II. Baker was born in Tennessee, March 10, 1839. In 1864 he married Miss Nancy Gillmore, of Osage county, Missouri, and they have five children : Amanda, Andrew, Eva, William and Morris. He is a member of Sheldon Lodge, No. 371, A. F. and A. M.

James S. Baker has had an experience in some points not unlike that of his brother. His birth occurred in Tennessee, No¬ vember 25, 1845. In 1881 Mr. Baker moved to Sheldon, being among the first business men to open out in the town, the store which he started and afterwards conducted for some time being a hardware establishment. In 1871 Mrs. Misclie Taylor, nee Hill, became his wife, she being a native of Pettis county, Missouri. Mrs. Baker had two children by a former marriage: William and Ida (who married F. B. Shelton).

Wilfred T. Ballagh is a popular and prominent druggist of Nevada, Mo. He was born in Canada in 1870 and acquired his education in his native country. Since settling in Nevada Mr. Ballagh has taken an active part in business, civic, social and fraternal affairs and is rightly counted among her wide-awake and enterprising citizens. He is identified with the Knights of Pythias and all branches of the Masonic bodies, belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, subordant and camp of the Modern Woodmen of America, past-exalted ruler of Elks and first charter member, and the National Association of Retail Druggists. He was president of the Nevada School Board and a director of the Farm and Home Loan and Savings Association and the only member of the American Pharmaceutical Associa¬ tion in the city. He is also captain of " Troop A," the only cavalry troop in the state, and is noted as a breeder of registered Jersey cattle and fancy pure-bred poultry, being one of the organizers of the Southwest Missouri Poultry Association. But that to which Mr. Ballagh gives his chief attention is his model drug store at the corner of Cedar and Cherry streets, where every facility is provided for the convenience and comfort of patrons. In the carefully selected stock is to be found complete lines of drugs, chemicals, rubber goods, toilet articles, postcards, im¬ ported and domestic cigars and smokers' supplies, while special attention is given to filling physicians' prescriptions by graduate pharmacists. Mr. Ballagh lias also installed one of the finest soda fountains to be found in this section of the country and has fitted up a suite of recreation parlors in a manner that leaves nothing undone looking to the comfort and convenience of those seeking a refreshing glass of non-alcoholic beverage or a dish of delicious ice cream or sherbert and other refreshing and cooling viands. This business, which was established in 1900, has in¬ creased, keeping pace with the growth and development of the city, and in all its branches and details shows the efficient work¬ ing of the master mind that has brought it to its present standing among the best in its line in southwestern Missouri.

Mary D. Baze, who is supposed to be the oldest native resident of Vernon county, Missouri, was born December 1, 1835, one and a half miles southeast of the site of the present town of Metz, and is one of three survivors of a family of eleven children born to Jesse J. Summers, who moved from Wayne county, Kentucky, to Warren county, Missouri, about 1820, and who settled in Metz township in 1829. The other two children are Mrs. Jane Morris Bachelor, of North Dakota, and Mr. Jesse Summers, of Montevallo, Mo. Mrs. Baze has the distinction of having spent her active life time within two miles of her birth place, except six months while visiting in Wright county, Missouri, and three months in Colorado. She attended the first school in the county, the school house being situated on the site of the present Sum-

In February, 1861, she was united in marriage with Mr. Squire J. Baze, and there were born to them six children, of whom the four survivors are Leslie M. Baze, W. J. Baze, Mrs. Delien Blake and Mrs. Lillie M. Williams, all of Metz. Mr. Baze, the father, died November 19, 1893.

Both Mrs. Baze and her husband were charter members of the Rinehart Christian Church, which was organized in 1872, and for years prior to that had attended services held at Double Branches, thinking little of having to travel seven and eight miles to church.

Mr. Baze was a blacksmith, and they lived on the old home place, a half-mile north of Old Metz, where he worked at his trade till his decease. Since then Mrs. Baze has resided with her chil¬ dren, and now makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. J. D. Williams, in Metz.

Ransom H. Beagles, who has resided in Vernon county, Mis¬ souri, since 1882, was born in Crawford county, Missouri, October 22, 1842, the sixth of a family of seven children born to Edwin and Minerva (Medlock) Beagles, both natives of Tennessee. The mother died in 1845 and the father married again and had seven children by the second marriage. He settled in Crawford county in the early days and went thence to Cass county, Arkansas, thence he went to Van Buren county, Arkansas, settling near Fort Smith, where he passed away in 1872. lie was a prosperous farmer, a man of commanding influence in his community and an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Ransom II. lived at home and attended the common schools till he was fourteen years old. At the age of sixteen he drove a team of six yoke of cattle across the plains to Salt Lake City, Utah, traveling at the rate of ten miles per day and taking six months for the journey. Mr. Beagles served six months under General Cooper in Oklahoma among the Indians, in 1862. In 1861 Mr. Beagles enlisted and served in the Confederate army till the end of the war, in 1865. He was with Generals Price and Shelby in the campaigns of Missouri, Arkansas and Texas and among other hard fought engagements took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove and Springfield, Mo., Helena and Little

Rock, Ark., and many desperate skirmishes. At Westport, in Price's raid, he was shot through the lungs and captured and sent to St. Louis, where he was tried by a military court for "bushwhacking" and acquitted. He afterwards joined the Con¬ federate army in Richmond, Va., and served until the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox. Returning to Missouri, Mr. Beagles, on March 21, 1867, was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Baker, in Johnson county, and lived there till his settle¬ ment, in 1882, in Harrison township, Vernon county, on a tract of 240% acres in section 6, where he has since made his home. Mr. Beagles is a thorough farmer, and has been eminently success¬ ful in his operations, making somewhat of a specialty in breed¬ ing and raising high-grade horses and mules, owning several thoroughbred imported jacks and stallions. In political opinions and actions he is a staunch Democrat.

There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beagles six children, of whom two sons and one daughter are now, 1911, living, viz., Charles B. Beagles, who was born June 2, 1869 ; Rose, who was born April 9, 1870, and Ransom, who was horn September 14, 1873. Mrs. Beagles passed away October 4, 1894.

Jack Hardin Bean was born August 27, 1874, at Paris, Mo., the son of James Monroe and Francis Virginia Bean. The former was born in Frederick county, Virginia, and the latter at Wash¬ ington, D. C. They both came to Missouri in early life and located at Paris, where they made their home, and it was here that he established the "Paris Mercury," which he conducted during his lifetime, and at the time of his death was the senior editor. Dur¬ ing the Civil War the Union army made a raid on his town and burned the office of the paper, but the elder Bean soon recon¬ structed the building and re-established the paper. He was a close political and personal friend of ex-Governor Charles Hardin, for whom J. H. Bean was named. Mr. Bean served two terms in the Missouri State Senate, and it was while serving his second term that he passed to his great reward, deeply mourned and respected by all who knew him. He was married in 1849, to Frances Virginia Runkle, and the subject of this sketch was the youngest child born to this union.

ment was as printers' devil in the office of the "Paris Appeal," edited by J. H. Blanton, and in this office he learned to set type, feed presses and to carry coal and water for the first steam engine which furnished power to run the presses in that office, and which replaced the old negro who had been the power in use for many years. Mr. Bean continued in the office for several months and received the customary salary of $1 a week, and when he left was given a good recommendation. lie located at Nevada in the spring of 1894, and worked as a typesetter on the "Post," and about two years later worked in the job printing department of the "Mail," and later was tendered the position as manager of circulation of the "Daily Mail," which he held for two years, and then accepted the position as city editor, which place he filled for more than twelve years. Associated with W. L. Earp, on April 1, 1910, he purchased the "Daily Mail" and the "Southwest Mail," which were established in 1882.

Mr. Bean takes an active interest in the affairs of the county and is a strong supporter of the good roads movement, and the Democratic party receives his best efforts. He cast his first vote for William Jennings Brj^an and always supports the straight ticket.

On November 21, 1899, he was united in marriage with Pearl McNeil, granddaughter of Col. Robert McNeil, a pioneer of Ver¬ non county. To Mr. and Mrs. Bean has been born one daughter, Mary Virginia, aged eight years.

G. B. Beeny, a native of Peoria county, Illinois, was born October 18, 1865, and is the eldest of a family of seven children, of whom five are living, born to Henry and Sophia (Rock) Beeny, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. The father immigrated from Germany when he was thirteen years old, with his parents, who settled in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, where they passed their lives. Henry Beeny went to Peoria county, Illinois when he was seventeen years old and worked as a farm laborer till he attained his majority, and after his marriage cultivated a leased farm till 1878. He then moved with his family to Bates county, Missouri, and thence two years later to Barton county, where he lived till 1906. He then sold all his property there and settled at Sheldon, in Vernon county, where he now lives, retired from active work, being seventy-six years of age. Onr subject received a common school education in Barton county, Missouri, and lived at home till he was of age, and then engaged in farming on his own account. In 1891 he settled at Sheldon, in Vernon county, and established himself in business, buying, baling and shipping hay, and in 1891 also bought and sold grain. This grain business began in a modest way, with an elevator capacity of 3,000 bushels and shipments of one to two carloads per week, gradu¬ ally growing until at the present time, 1911, his elevators have a capacity of 15,000 bushels, while the shipments of grain range from one to three carloads per day. His warehouses for storing hay have a capacity of 2,500 tons and from 50 to 100 tons per day are handled. At the time he began buying and selling grain Mr. Beeny also began dealing in farm implements and machinery, and the annual sales in this department have increased from $500 the first year to more than $20,000 at the present date. Mr. Beeny also carries on a fine establishment and employs three expert workmen in the manufacture of high-class harness, and also a large blacksmith shop, thoroughly equipped with modern facilities, machinery, trip hammers, etc., for turning out the best class of work in that line. For the accommodation of his extensive business operations Mr. Beeny occupies an immense building and salesrooms extending the length of an entire block, the whole having grown, under his careful and enterprising management, addition to his other enterprises Mr. Beeny owns and conducts a splendid farm of 160 acres in Drywood township, fully equipped with modern machinery and stocked with high-grade cattle and hogs, which he feeds for the market, and producing annually 7,000 bushels of corn and 2,000 tons of hay, besides other prod¬ ucts. Mr. Beeny takes an active interest in public affairs and has served two terms as mayor of Sheldon and several years as alderman. In politics he is a Democrat and adheres to the poli¬ cies advocated by William Jennings Bryan. He is active in fraternal organizations, being a member of the Sheldon Lodge No. 371, Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights Templar, Sheldon Lodge No. 438, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order United Workmen.

Benedict Brothers. In 1868 two brothers of the name of Benedict came to Missouri from the East and located in Richland township, Vernon county, where they at once entered upon an agricultural career that has been both honorable and successful. These brothers are Robert F. and Walter H. Benedict. The senior brother, Robert F. Benedict, was born on Long Island, in Suffolk county, Massachusetts, January 24, 1844, the birth of Walter II. also occurring there, July 27, 1847. Their parents were Asher M. and Huldah F. (Ilallock) Benedict, both of Con¬ necticut nativity, the father being a miller and manufacturer by occupation. Three sons besides the two mentioned were in the family: John F., Frank E. and Fred II. Robert and Walter were reared on Long Island as fishermen and farmers. At the breaking out of the war the former enlisted in the 127th New York volunteer infantry, and took part in the battle of Honey Hill, S. C., where he was wounded, after which a return home was necessary, and he was confined in David's Island Hospital for some eight months. In 1868, as stated, he came to this county. In 1874 Mr. Benedict was married to Miss Ida Martin, originally from Boone county, Missouri. Three children are in their family: Asher M., Carrie R. and Eleanor R. Mr. Walter Benedict's mar¬ riage occurred in 1875, at which time Miss Alice S. Thomas, of Bates county, Missouri, became his wife. They have two chil¬ dren : Edwin and Frank. The Messrs. Benedict have in all 310 acres of valuable land, 200 acres of which are devoted to the raising of fruit; and of this tract three-fourths is in apples of the Ben Davis variety.

John H. Berghauser is one of the enterprising business men of Nevada, Mo., and a leading factor in one of her prominent indus¬ tries. He is a native Missourian and was born in Calloway county, April 12, 1868. He settled in Nevada in 1887, when he was nineteen years of age, and was first employed at the Missouri State Hos¬ pital for the Insane No. 5, then in course of construction. He was variously employed in his line of work for some years, and in June, 1894, as a co-partner with Mr. W. B. Looney, opened a general tin and repair shop, which was carried on by the firm until November, 1898, when he sold his interest to his partner. Early in 1899 Mr. Bergliauser associated with Mr. W. F. Norman, under the firm name of W. F. Norman & Co., and was a prime mover in establishing the first sheet metal works at Nevada, The business, occupying a small building, was started in a modest way, but under careful and wise management rapidly outgrew its cramped quarters, necessitating a radical change. In January, 1905. with an increased capital, the business was incorporated as the V . F. Norman Sheet Metal Manufacturing Company, with Mr. W. F. Norman as president and treasurer and Mr. J. H. Berghauser vice-president and secretary, and the board of directors included, besides Messrs. Norman and Berghauser, Mr. C. C. Norman. To meet the requirements of this change a new location was secured and the plant was moved to its present site and greatly enlarged. The new impetus thus given to the busi¬ ness of the concern was followed by four years of prosperity and growth such as it had not known before, and the future looked bright and promising, when, on November 5, 1909, the entire plant was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of more than $100,000, besides that caused by several months' interruption of the business. But the men at the head of this enterprise were undaunted. With the same cool-lieadedness with which they enjoyed their prosperity they now met and found their mis¬ fortune and at once set themselves to the task of retrieving their losses and re-establishing the business on even firmer foundations and broader lines. Within an almost incredibly short time a new plant was erected and equipped and within a few months was in full operation, with improved and increased facilities for supply¬ ing the needs and demands of their patrons and the trade. The present plant covers two-thirds of an entire city block, bounded on the north by Hunter street and extending from Cedar to Wash¬ ington streets east and west. It employs a large force of work¬ men, varying at different seasons and ranging from 50 to 100 in number. Twelve traveling salesmen are kept constantly on the road, selling the products of the plant throughout the vast territory of Iowa on the north to Texas on the south, and west¬ ward through Colorado and other distant points.

The plant manufactures galvanized corrugated roofing and ever y variety of sheet metal work and represents the largest manufacturing industry in Nevada, and the fact that the volume of business has doubled each succeeding year since the start speaks more eloquently than any words of commendation for the wise management and business ability of the men who have directed the affairs of the concern.

John T. Birdseye, a native of Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, was born July 5, 1886, and was the fourth of a family of eight children born to Gould P. and Mary A. (Lane) Birdseye, both of whom were natives of Huntington, Conn. The father was a successful farmer and trader and died in Ohio in 1885 and was survived b}r his widow, who continued to live there. Our subject made good use of his educational privileges and through¬ out his life were shown the results of his early training. He re¬ mained on his father's farm until he attained his majority; but afterwards turned his attention to the law, and after a course of legal studies was admitted to the bar in 1858. On the open¬ ing of the Civil War in 1861 he responded to the call of Presi¬ dent Lincoln for three months' men and enlisted in the Thirtyfifth Regiment Ohio Volunteers Infantry. He afterwards at¬ tained the rank of first lieutenant in the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Regiment of the Twenty-third Army Corps, par¬ ticipating in many battles and being with General Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. After an experience to which he often referred with pride he was honorably discharged from the serv¬ ice, and coming to Vernon county, Missouri, settled at Nevada and erected the first house that was completed there after the war. Possessed of little save his native talents and upright, manly character, Mr. Birdseye began at the bottom and grad¬ ually worked his way up to a place of commanding influence in the community. Turning his attention to the law. real estate, loans and insurance, his transactions and dealings were always characterized by keen foresight and good judgment and won him the confidence and respect of all, so that he came to be justly counted among the successful, progressive and substantial citizens of his city. Soon after the incorporation of Nevada as a city he was elected its mayor and gave himself with earnest and unselfish devotion to the welfare and development of tin* city and community. As a member of the firm of Birdseve and Ha rris he was a strong factor in the development of the busi¬ ness interests of the city and came to be prominently identified with various interests whose influence extended throughout Ver¬ non county. For some years prior to his decease, which occurred in 1906, he had associated with him in his business his son, Henry F., under the firm name of Birdseye & Son.

On January 4, 1866, Mr. Birdseye married Miss Mary U. Manahan, a woman of high intellectual attainments, and they had a family of five children, named respectively, Mary P., Henry Fred, Violetta, Emma and Natalie.

Henry Fred Birdseye, the only son, was horn June 20, 1880, in Vernon county. After closing his studies in the public schools of Nevada in 1898, he entered the law department of the Uni¬ versity of Missouri, where he was graduated with the class of 1902 with the degree of bachelor of laws. Soon after his grad¬ uation he succeeded Mr. J. B. Harris as a partner with his father in his extensive and constantly growing business, to which he succeeded after his father's death and which he still carries on under the name of Birdseye & Son, it being the oldest business in its line in Nevada. Mr. Birdseye is not only an earnest, wide¬ awake and thorough business man. but also is active in numer¬ ous fraternal, social, civic and military affairs. He is identi¬ fied with the Knights of Pythias, the Order of Elks and Modern "Woodmen of America. During 1907-8 he served as captain in command of Company H. Second Regiment of Missouri National Guards Infantry, and in 1909 was appointed to Gen. H. C. Clark's staff and still holds that position.

Horace H. Blanton was born in what is now Washburne, Barry county, Missouri, April 20, 1860, and came of Southern ante¬ cedents on the side of his father, William H. Blanton. The latter was a native of Alabama, an attorney by profession, who came to this state and county in 1855, and subsequently he became a prominent and influential citizen, representing the county in the legislature in 1857 and 1858. He died at Nevada in 1872. The mother of Horace, whose maiden name was Martha J. Harbin, was born in Barry county, Missouri. The five children born of their marriage were: Horace H., Willie, Mattie, Mrs. Charles H. Prewitt, of this place; Mary, Etta and James W. Horace H. Blanton passed the greater part of his youth within the limits of this county, and. while not one of her native-born residents,

Vernon is entitled to him as one whose career has been so closely connected with the affairs of the community. The principal part of his education was received at the State University, Columbia, Mo., after leaving which he began the study of law under the preceptorship of lion. C. G. Burton. May 2, 1881, he was ad¬ mitted to the bar and immediately embarked in practice, and before long he was made city attorney, serving in that capacity four years. In 1884 he was selected as the nominee of the Democratic party for prosecuting attorney over some of the mostprominent attorneys in the county, and in November following was elected. His subsequent career is familiar to all readers of this volume. Miss Florence Mims became Mr. Blanton's wife December 2, 1885; she was a daughter of John Mims, and was born in London, England.

Edward C. Bobbett, an enterprising and wide-awake business man of Nevada, Mo., was born at Fairfield, Ill., March 29, 1868, and is a son of Dr. N. and Harriet E. (Bing) Bobbett, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. The father went from Ken¬ tucky to Illinois at an early day and entered from the govern¬ ment land that forms part of the site of the present city of Champaign, and lived there till 1881. Removing then to Mis¬ souri with his family, he settled first in Richland township, Ver¬ non county, but in 1886 moved into Nevada, where he died in 1894. The mother passed away in 1889.

Edward C. acquired his education in Nevada public schools, and in 1889 began clerking in the clothing store of Mr. J. J. Abell, with whom he spent nine years in faithful service. The store and business then changed owners, Mr. W. E. Clark becoming its pro¬ prietor, and Mr. Bobbett continued his services for the new owner till February, 1909, when he joined Mr. Robert B. Moore and organizing the Moore-Bobbett Clothing Company, they purchased the stock and business from Mr. Clark, under this new concern, Mr. Moore being president and Mr. Bobbett secretary. The busi¬ ness lias taken on new life and ranks among the progressive and up-to-date mercantile establishments of tbe city.

Mr. Bobbett is interested in fraternal organizations and for sixteen years has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is decidedly a man of affairs and takes a com-

On August 12, 1896, Mr. Bobbett was united in marriage with Miss Carrie E. Kohler, of Nevada. Of two children born to them, viz., Edward Clark and Brooksey, the last named died in 1904.

James E. Boughan, a prosperous farmer of Osage township, Vernon county, Missouri, was born in Essex county, Virginia, October 21, 1857, and comes of Scotch lineage on the paternal side. His grandfather, Henry Boughan, who was descended from an ancient Scotch family, was an extensive slave owner and planter in Virginia. He was a devout member of the Baptist denomination and died while kneeling in prayer in church.