Vernon County, Missouri - The whole text, 1911 (part 5 of 14)

Our subject's father, Edward R. Boughan, was born in Vir¬ ginia and reared on his father's plantation and acquired a good college education. After leaving college he was employed as auditor by a large mercantile company, having charge of the books and accounts of its three stores at Springfield, Osceola and Booneville, Mo., and traveling on horseback from one place to the other. After five years thus employed he returned to Vir¬ ginia and married Miss Sarah E. Croxton and settled on a planta¬ tion, given to his wife by her father, and lived there till the opening of the Civil War. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate army under Colonel Rice, for whose staff he served as bookkeeper till the surrender of the Confederate forces at Appomattox, and then returned to his plantation, where he passed the remainder of his life, his death being followed by that of his widow, three years afterward. They were both Baptists in religious faith and fellowship. Of three children born to them, one son besides our subject survives, viz. : Henry E. Boughan, a farmer of Mount Zion, Va.

James E. acquired his education in the public and "sub¬ scription" schools of his native place, and remained on the plantation with his parents till December, 1878, when he came to Carbon Center, in Osage township, Vernon county, where for twenty-one years he managed a ranch of 1,800 acres owned by his uncle, Col. Richard A. Boughan, who settled in Vernon county in 1844. In the spring of 1900 Mr. Boughan leased 265 acres of the "Falor" farm in Osage township, where he has ever since carried on general farming, giving special attention to buying, feeding and selling cattle, horses and hogs. He has taken an active interest in the affairs of the Democratic party, but has never cared for official position for himself. He is a member of Osage Lodge, No. 69, Knights of Pythias, at Rich Hill, and also belongs to Pine Camp, No. 34, Woodmen of the World, of the same place, and is affiliated with the Christian church at Carbon Center.

On June 22, 1876, Mr. Boughan was united in marriage with Miss Myrtle H. Harford, who was born in Montrose, Westmore¬ land county, Virginia, October 25, 1858, the eldest of four chil¬ dren born to Henry and Marian (Sisson) Harford, who were born and passed their lives in that county. The father, a mer¬ chant, served four years as a private in the Confederate army.

Of six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Boughan, Bertha Lee, born June 5, 1877, is the wife of Mr. Walter Madding, of Kansas City, Mo. ; Lena M., born October 5, 1884, is married to Mr. Harry Kelso, and lives at Novinger, Mo.; Estelle and Lorelle, twins, born March 1, 1888, both live in Kansas City, Mo., the former being the wife of Mr. Earl Williams; and Henry Edward, born May 3, 1891, and Muriel Harvey, born August 20, 1893, both live at home with their parents.

Richard A. Boughan. Among the highly esteemed and re¬ spected citizens of Vernon county, Col. R. A. Boughan justly held an enviable position, for besides being a man of marked intelli¬ gence and culture, he was an active business man and one of the county's public-spirited, useful citizens. Born in Essex county, Virginia, December 13, 1822, he was the son of Henry II. and Julia (Wood) Boughan, both of whom were Virginians by birth, where their lives were passed until death. Richard A., the eldest son and second child of the family of five children, was brought up to the occupation followed by his father, that of farming, becoming thoroughly familiar with all its details. In November, 1844, he went to Alabama and up to the time of his removal to Cooper county, Missouri, in the winter of 1845, his home was in Demopolis, Marengo county. After leaving Cooper county Mr. B. resided in Osceola, St. Clair county, until the fall of 1846, following which he lived at Harmony Mission, Bates county, and from there he went to Papinville in 1848. Going thence to Balltown in 1850, he became associated in a general business with Col. R. W. McNeil and S. H. Loring, under the firm name of R. W. McNeil & Co., the trade which they then car¬ ried on probably being unexcelled at the time. Mr. Loring sub¬ sequently disposed of his interest in the concern to Mr. Boughan, who in turn afterward sold out to Colonel McNeil in 1855. From that time until the breaking out of the war he gave his atten¬ tion to farming. When the noise of war was first sounded he enlisted in the cause of the Confederacy and became lieutenantcolonel of the Vernon county battalion, which took part in the battle of Carthage. Upon the reorganization of this command it was joined to Hunter's regiment and Mr. B. received the ap¬ pointment of lieutenant-colonel; at Corinth, Miss., they were joined to General Price's army and from there Colonel Boughan. together with Col. Waldo P. Johnson, R. W. Musser and A. W. Slay back, received orders from Price to proceed to Arkansas to meet Missouri recruits and form them into a regiment. The regiment was formed by Colonel Johnson and Colonel Boughan was made quartermaster, serving as such until Jackman's bri¬ gade was formed, when he was appointed brigade inspector. In this capacity he served until the close of the war, taking part in numerous severe battles. After the war closed Colonel Boughan was engaged for two years in the real estate business at St. Louis, but in 1867 he embarked in milling at Belvoir, Vernon county, continuing to be so occupied until his election to the position of county clerk in 1872. He filled this position for two terms and for one term was presiding judge of the county court, discharging his official duties in a most satisfactory manner. May 31, 1850, Colonel Boughan was married to Miss Rosalie Carter, of Kentucky, and they had three children : Ella, who married J. H. Maus, of Schell City; Mollie and Farley. In 1850 Colonel B. took the census of this county and Bates and at that time knew every man within their borders. Colonel Boughan died September 15, 1898.

William M. Bowker is a substantial citizen and successful lawyer of Nevada, Mo. He is a native of Carthage, Ill., and was born May 2, 1865, to M. L. and Fannie (Desher) Bowker, who moved from New York, their native state, to Illinois more than half a century ago, and thence moved to Barton county, Missouri, and settled on a farm, where they still reside _ 1911.

William M. attended the public schools in his native place and supplemented his preliminary education with courses of study at a Lutheran college and Craddock College, of Quincy, Ill. lie then turned his attention to the study of law, becoming a student and clerk in the office of Judge Scofield, of Carthage, Ill., and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of that state. Mr. Bowker settled in Nevada in 1889 and began his professional career, which has been eminently successful and satisfactory. Since 1905 he has been associated with Mr. Levi* L. Scott under the firm name of Scott & Bowker, which ranks among the leading law firms of Vernon county.

Mr. Bowker, while devoted to his profession, also is inter¬ ested in other things; he is a director of the Bank of Nevada. He takes an active part in fraternal orders, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Dr. James L. Brand, a successful physician and farmer, is now living in retirement, enjoying the well earned fruits of his labors. He was born in Monongalia county, West Virginia, October 8, 1822, of Scotch-English ancestry. His grandfather and his father, both named James, were soldiers in the Revolutionary and the War of 1812 respectively. The doctor's mother was Sarah Bur¬ rows Brand, and, like her husband, was a native of Virginia. They located in this county in 1870, and engaged in farming until the death of the father in 1883, the mother having died in 1880. The doctor was the fourth in a family of seven children, and after spending the first twenty-three years of his life in farming and acquiring a preliminary education, he commenced his medical studies under the tutelage of Dr. Ellis, then entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pa., where he com¬ pleted an exhaustive course, after which he located in Marion county, Virginia, in partnership with Dr. Campbell, and continued in successful practice for over twenty years. In 1869 he removed to Vernon county, Missouri, and after one year's practice turned his entire time and attention to the management of his farms. The doctor has taken great interest in the development of the natural resources of Vernon county, especially the gas and oil,

In 1852 Dr. Brand was married to Miss Delia M. Furbee, of Marion county, Virginia, who died on August 26, 1878, leaving a family of eight children. Socially the doctor is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow orders.

Fred Brandt, a sturdy son of Denmark, was horn there May 30, 1842, to Peter and Sophia (Fitzcare) Brandt, both natives of that country. He left his native land in 1859 and came to this country, settling first in Iron Mountain, Mo., and going thence in 1860 to Greenville, in Mountcalm county, Michigan, where he was employed as a clerk in the store owned by Mr. Joseph Sherr. In 1862 young Brandt enlisted in Company F, Twenty-first Regiment Michigan Volunteers Infantry, and en¬ tered the Union army. He fought in numerous battles, among others, Perry ville, Stone River and Chickamauga and was with Sherman on the famous "march to the sea." He served till the close of the war and never received a wound, but was taken prisoner in North Carolina. After the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox and his honorable discharge he returned to Michi¬ gan, but soon afterwards went to New Mexico and there was engaged in the cattle business till 1884. Coming thence to Ver¬ non county, Missouri, Mr. Brandt bought 160 acres of land in section 36, Walker township, established a home and has since given his attention to general farming with marked success, ranking with the prosperous farmers of the township.

hood learned the tailor's trade, working four years with his father and then taking a three years' special course, for which his father paid $25, and receiving a medal, giving him the rank of journeyman tailor. After spending some time at Hanover as a journeyman, he returned home at Christmas time, 1869, and on April 24, 1870, left the homeland for America, reaching New York on May 11 ; thence he went to Philadelphia, where a former school friend was living, and worked at his trade there till No¬ vember 10, 1878, and then went to Parsons, Kan. Here he con¬ ducted a tailor shop one year and then purchased from Adolph "Wunderlich the Hotel Germania and conducted it four years. Selling that, he next became proprietor of the Centropolis Hotel and carried it on till November 1886, when he sold out his in¬ terests in Parsons, on account of the prohibition laws then in force in Kansas and removed to Nevada, where he has since made his home. While at Parsons, Mr. Broeker acted as agent for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Company, and after his settlement at Nevada he resumed that relation and so has been in the em¬ ploy of the company continuously since 1878. On coming to Nevada he purchased the business formerly conducted by Messrs. Sherman Bros, at No. 105 West Cherry street, which soon became cpiite popular on account of "Bob's" fine Dutch lunches and famous hamburg steaks prepared by him for lunches. This re¬ tail business he sold out to Arthur McConel in 1890, but he still carries on his business as a wholesale beer dealer, and is also the wholesale agent of the so-called "Tony Faust" Dutch lunches. In addition to his regular business Mr. Broeker, assisted by his wife and family, has, since 1900, given much time to raising fancy poultry and registered Jersey cows.

In August, 1873, at Philadelphia, Mr. Broeker was united in marriage with Miss Christina Sachs, a native of Hessen Cassel, Germany, and they have a family of eight children, viz.: Rein¬ hart, who lives in Oelwein, Iowa; Clara, who lives in Nevada; Edward, who resides in Montana; Adolph, of Bartlesville, Okla., and August, Lena, Eugenia and Elsie, all of whom live at home.

Mr. Broeker is a Democrat in political sentiment and action, is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in religious fellowship is connected with the Episcopal church.

land, is a native of "Washington county, Ohio.. He was born De¬ cember 7, 1836, and is a son of Benjamin and Marietta (Gifford) Brokaw; the father was born and passed bis life in Ohio, his death occurring in 1839, when our subject was three years of age. The mother survived till 1899 and passed away in Vernon county, Missouri, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. They had a family of ten children, our subject being the fourth in or¬ der of birth. He lived in his native state till he was thirty years of age, and in 1866 moved from Morgan county to Vernon county, "Wisconsin, where he spent thirty years as a farmer and wagonmaker. In 1896, with a ready capital of several thousand dol¬ lars, accumulated in working at his trade, he moved to Vernon county, Missouri, and bought and settled with his family on a cpiarter section of land in section 12, Center town¬ ship. A year and a half later he purchased 160 acres in section 24 and moved his home thither. This farm is beautifully located in the eastern part of the township, and with the fine improve¬ ments made by its thrifty owner, is thoroughly up-to-date and one of the beauty spots of the county. Mr. Brokaw is a man of progressive ideas, who keeps abreast of the times and who takes a commendable interest in public affairs. He is a Bepublican in political principle and somewhat active in the local affairs of his party. On April 12, 1860, Mr. Brokaw married Miss Mary M. Hoopes, of Morgan county, Ohio, who was born April 4, 1842. They have a family of six children, viz. : Joseph C., born March 1. 1861; Clark, born June 2, 1863; Ella, born November 16, 1865; Carson, born August 4, 1868; Caroline, born April 3, 1871, and Julia, born August 23, 1873, all of whom are prosperous, thrifty and well to do.

Charles B. Brooks, who was for many years a successful farmer of Vernon county, Missouri, and who since 1909 has con¬ ducted a restaurant in Nevada, is a native of Illinois. He was born in Litchfield, September 6, 1856, and is the youngest of a family of eight children born to Benjamin and Debv (Hatfield) Brooks, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. They settled in the thirties, in Morgan county, Illinois, being among the early settlers, and passed their lives there. Charles B. had but limited advantages in the way of schooling in his early life, and as a boy worked in the coal banks in Montgomery county, Illinois, and also in trapping, being thus employed some ten years. He was also employed in the lead mines eighteen years. In 1886 he removed to Vernon county, Missouri, and bought a farm in Center township, which he improved and culti¬ vated till his removal to the city of Nevada in 1904. In 1909 Mr. Brooks purchased the restaurant business, formerly owned and conducted by Messrs. Smith and Getz, situated on the east side of the public square, and has since carried on a successful trade, making it one of the popular places in its line in the city. Mr. Brooks takes an active interest in fraternal orders, being identi¬ fied with the 'Woodmen of the World and also being a charter member of the local body of Modern Woodmen of America.

On December 25, 1890, Mr. Brooks was united in marriage with Miss Addie A. Woods, a daughter of Mr. George W. Woods, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work.

Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have a beautiful modern home, recently built, on South Cedar street, Nevada, and live in the enjoyment of the well-earned fruits of their labors. They have two children, named, respectively, Charles Herbert and Cora.

J. F. Brooks was born in Washington county, Maryland, in 1838. His father, Joseph Brooks, was a native of England, though he came to America when young, and afterwards worked at his trade (that of gunsmith) for the government at Harper's F«rry. He married Miss Catharine Miller, of Maryland, subse¬ quent to which he moved with his family to St. Louis county, Missouri, in 1844. Eight children were born to himself and wife. Of these, J. F., the sixth child, was brought up in St. Louis county, living there until the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted in the Tenth Missouri infantry, taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena and others. He was captured during his term of service, and for eight months was confined at Alton, Ill., later spending a year in prison at Fort Delaware. After the war was over he returned to St. Louis in May, 1865, but four years later, or in 1869, he took up a location in this county. In 1876 Mr. Brooks was married to Miss Sarah Finch, a native of Buchanan county, Missouri, and an estimable lady.

child of a family of eight children born to John and Ellen (Ryan) Brophy. The parents were natives of Thurles, Ireland, and came to the United States about 1845, and in 1858 settled in Pike county, Missouri, where they both died, he at the age of seventythree and she at the age of sixty-two. He was a stonemason by trade. Their other children are: Anna, who is married to Mr. C. C. Kling, of Nevada; James Brophy, of Nevada, and Mary, the wife of Mr. John De Groodt, of Pike county, Missouri.

Patrick F. attended the public schools at Louisiana, Mo., and early learned the cigarmakers' trade, which he followed till 1888, when he settled in Nevada. Here, he purchased an interest in the marble and granite business of C. C. Kling, which was thereafter conducted under the firm name of Kling & Brophy, some fifteen years. In 1903 Mr. Brophy purchased his partner's interest, and has since carried on the business under the name of the Nevada Marble Works. This business occupies a new modern building, sixty by twenty-seven feet in dimension and two stories at No. 129 South Main street, with well-equipped workrooms and offices, and is known as the headquarters in Nevada and vicinity for the manufacture and installing of fine monuments, corner¬ stones and every variety and class of marble and granite work. Improved machinery and appliances for careful execution of work in accordance with designs which are furnished at moderate prices have been installed in the workrooms, and all work turned out is wrought in the highest style known to the craft by com¬ petent and experienced ivorkmen.

J. Robert Buchanan ranks among the leading physicians in Nevada, Vernon county, Missouri, where he has practiced his pro¬ fession since the fall of 1881. A native of Kentucky, he was born May 12, 1845, and is the youngest of a family of eight children born to Evan and Lucinda (Bryan) Buchanan, both natives of Kentucky. His paternal ancestors came originally from Scotland, whence three brothers immigrated to this country, settling, one in Mississippi, one in Tennessee and the other, our subject's grand¬ father, in Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Robert Buchanan, in his early manhood, moved to Kentucky and was an active par¬ ticipant in the stirring events of the early history of that state.

lie moved from Kentucky to Columbus, Ind., in 1865 and died there. Evan Buchanan, our subject's father, moved from Ken¬ tucky in 1850 and settled in Montgomery county, Missouri. 1 1 is maternal grandfather, William Bryan, was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, March 12, 1762; was the father of five daughters and eight sons, five of whom were physicians; was a farmer by occupation, and an early settler of Jefferson county, Kentucky. Dr. Buchanan has one surviving sister, Emma, who is married to Mr. Samuel Mabry and lives in Lincoln county, Missouri. lie received a good preliminary education in the public schools and supplemented this with a course of study in the Northwestern Christian University, now Butler University, at Indianapolis, Ind. He then taught district schools three years, studying medicine in the meantime, and after that attended the St. Louis Medical Col¬ lege, now the medical department of Washington University, where he was graduated with the class of 1872. Dr. Buchanan began his practice at Clarksville, in Pike county, Missouri, and continued there with good success till his removal to Nevada in 1881. Since settling in Nevada Dr. Buchanan has held a leading place in his profession and is a man of influence, not only as a physician but also in civic affairs. lie holds membership in vari¬ ous national, state and county medical organizations, and for a number of years past has been councilor for the sixteenth district, comprised of Bates, Barton and Vernon counties. He is an active member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and in religious faith and fellowship is identified with the Christian church.

In 1876 Dr. Buchanan married Miss Ella V. Hicks, a native of Tennessee and a daughter of Judge William Hicks, of Memphis, Tenn. Mrs. Buchanan passed away in 1880 at the age of twentyeight years, and on October 10, 1884, Dr. Buchanan married Miss Emma L. Ritchey, of Winchester, Ill., who died October 7, 1909, at the age of forty-five years. Dr. Buchanan has one daughter by his second wife, Mary Gwendolyn, who is married to Air. T. B. Ilatten, of Nevada. On June 1, 1911, Dr. Buchanan, accompanied by his daughter and her husband, removed to Twin Falls, Idaho, where they now reside.

Charles G. Burton, one of the foremost men of southwest Missouri, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, April 4, 1846. He is the youngest and only surviving child of a family of five children born to Leonard and Laura (Wilson) Burton, both natives of Ohio. The father was a moulder by trade and before finishing his studies in the public schools Charles 0. enlisted in the nineteenth regiment, Ohio infantry and entered the army and took part in the battle of Pittsburgh Landing and the skirmishes before Corinth. After returning from the war he resumed his studies and having decided to fit himself for the legal profession, took up the study of law with Messrs. Hutchings and Forest, prominent lawyers of Warren, Ohio, and completed his legal course with Messrs. Hutchings and Glidden, and in 1867 was admitted to the bar. He then served a short time as clerk of the court of common pleas, but in 1868 went to Virgil City, Mo., and there, except for a short time spent in Kansas, practised his profession with success some three years. In 18/1 Mr. Burton settled in Nevada and the following year was elected circuit attorney and filled the position till that office was abolished. In the legislature of 1879 he had the unanimous sup¬ port of the Republican members for United States senator, but failed of an election. In 1880 he was elected judge of the twentyfifth judicial circuit and served six years to the satisfaction of all parties. In 1894 Judge Burton was a congressional candidate on the Republican ticket, and although the district is one of the most strongly Democratic in the state, he was elected by a majority of 2,500 votes. As a lawyer Judge Burton ranks among the fore¬ most in his section, being a thorough student and deeply rooted in the principles of legal lore. He was at one time and for many years vice-president of the Thornton Banking Company, a sub¬ stantial financial institution of Nevada.

In 1907, without his knowledge and to his great surprise, Judge Burton was appointed by President Roosevelt internal revenue collector at Kansas City, and desiring a respite from the exacting duties of his profession he accepted the appointment and removed thither, although he still has property interests at Nevada and claims the city as his home. Judge Burton is a man of vigorous physique, a strong, clear, thoroughly trained and cultivated mind, a pleasing personality, and is counted among the best citizens of his community. He stands high in Masonic cir¬ cles, being a Knight Templar and also is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

They have had three children, viz., Pansy, who is an alumnae of Monticello Seminary, Godfrey, 111., is married to Mr. Ralph A. Coan and lives at Portland, Ore. ; a son, who died in infancy, and a daughter, who passed away when five years of age.

Theodore Douglas Bush is a leading farmer and stock raiser of Washington township, Vernon county, Missouri. lie was born in Hancock county, Illinois, February 1, 1859, and is the second of a family of three children born to George and Nancy (Dormi'orth) Bush, the former a native of West Virginia and the latter of Indiana. The father acquired a good education in his native state and taught school there. lie studied in Hancock county, Illinois, in the early days, and there followed his profession as a teacher some eight years, and for a number of years served as justice of the peace. In 1869 he moved with his family to Vernon county, Missouri, and settled on a half section of land four miles north of Nevada, in Washington township. He was a man of local prominence, who used his influence in favor of good schools, and kept himself in touch with the trend of current events. He was an ardent Democrat in politics and served as treasurer and clerk of his township and as a member of the school board. In religious faith he was identified with the Advent Christian de¬ nomination and was a deacon in the local church. Ilis death occurred in 1878.

Our subject lived at home until he attained his majority and received a good common school education. When he started out for himself he had eighty acres of land which he inherited from his father's estate. He has been eminently successful in his farming operations and as a stock raiser, and has added to his landed possessions from time to time, and now owns 720 acres in Washington township, located in sections 4, 14, 15 and 22.

Mr. Bush is one of the leading citizens of his community and a man of wide influence. He takes a commendable interest in the local affairs of the Democratic party, and is an elder in the Antioch Church of the Advent Christian denomination and an earnest worker in the Sunday-school, where he has served ten years as superintendent.

Logan, who was born in Vernon county in 1861 and is a daughter of the late Pryor Logan, a pioneer citizen of Vernon county who died in 1900. His widow died in 1911. Mr. and Mrs. Bush have two children: Bert W., born July 10, 1881, and George A., born April 19, 1883.

W. E. Butts is a prosperous farmer of Washington township, Vernon county, Missouri. He was born in Mercer county, Ken¬ tucky, February 5, 1872, and is the third child of a family of five children born to James W. and Sarah (Burrns) Butts, both natives of Missouri. They were married in Mercer county, Ken¬ tucky, November 20, 1866. Of their other children Anna Tate Butts died December 1, 1887, and S. F. Butts was born in Ken¬ tucky.

The father was a man of high educational attainments, a careful student and a man who kept in touch with the trend of events. He was graduated from Liberty College, Missouri, in 1860 and in his early life taught school in his native state and in Iowa. Later he moved to Mercer county, Kentucky, and taught there till the opening of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Confederate army and served in the regiment commanded by Colonel Price, who afterwards rose to the rank of general and became famous as an able and brave leader. He remained in the service till near the close of the war, and on returning to Mercer county resumed teaching. In 1882 he moved with his family to Vernon county, Missouri, and during the first year lived on a rented farm a short distance southwest from Walker. He then bought a quarter section of land in Washington town¬ ship, which he afterwards sold, and purchased eighty acres in section 34, same township, where he made his home till his decease, which occurred November 13, 1908. He distinguished himself for bravery as a soldier, served twelve years as justice of the peace in Washington township and was a man of com¬ manding influence in his community. He was a Democrat in poli¬ tics and a leader in the local affairs of his party. In religious faith he was affiliated with the Baptist denomination. Our sub¬ ject passed his boyhood and youth in Mercer county, Kentucky, acquiring his education in the common schools in Missouri, hav¬ ing accompanied his family to Vernon county, and has ever since lived on the home farm, and has never married. Mr. Butts takes an active interest in the local councils of the Democratic party, and in 1902 was elected township clerk and assessor and re¬ elected in 1904, 1906, 1908, 1910 and 1911, which term expires March 1, 1913. He is identified with the Modern 'Woodmen of America and in religious faith is a Baptist.

Dr. Larkin Callaway was born in this county and grew up here, and naturally gained a wide and respected acquaintance among those who have known him from boyhood. His birthoccurred June 23, 1855. His father, Dr. James B. Callaway, was a physician of extensive prominence. He was born in Warren county, Missouri, in 1818, where he was reared, first learning the mercantile business, after which, forming a taste for the practice of medicine, he prepared himself for that profession and com¬ menced the practice of medicine in his native county. Later on he went to Montgomery county, there opened a store and attended to his medical practice for a number of years. In 1855 Vernon county attracted his attention, and after coming here he devoted himself to both farming and professional duties. In 1852 he married Miss Letitia Logan, of Montgomery county. It is a fact worthy of mention that Dr. Callaway's mother was a greatgranddaughter of the famous pioneer, Daniel Boone. May 8, 1883, after a career of successful and meritorious practice, Dr. Callaway was called away from earth, leaving a family of six children: Larkin II.; Sarah, now Mrs. G. R. Godfrey; Hugh; Frank; Ella, wife of Eugene Parrish; and William. The subject of this sketch, as has been intimated, was reared here, growing up first to an agricultural experience, following which he com¬ menced the study of medicine under the guidance of his father and Dr. J. II. Blake. He attended the American Medical College of St. Louis, and was graduated in the class of 1875, and soon afterwards he commenced practicing in the western part of this county, from whence he came to Nevada in 1876. In 1886 he attended the New York Polyclinic of New York, a school for practitioners of medicine, and was graduated from the Beaumont Hospital Medical College in St. Louis in the class of 1887. July 26, 1883, Dr. Callaway was united in marriage with Miss Julia C. Gordon, of Columbia, Mo., daughter of lion. David Gordon. The doctor is a Knight Templar in the Masonic Order.

farmers of Vernon county, Missouri, was born in Illinois January 7, 1875, to John M. and Emma Campbell, both now deceased, the father dying in Kansas City, Mo., March 25, 1908, and the mother passing away August 23, 1898, at Council Bluffs, Iowa.

After leaving the public schools our subject attended and was graduated from the military school at Faribault, Minn., with the class of 1896. He also attended Grinnell College, Iowa, one year, also took a special course in chemistry at the University of Michi¬ gan and at Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, where he received the degree of Ph. D. He is a licensed pharmacist of the state of Iowa, and for eight years was in the drug business at Council Bluffs. On June 10, 1908, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage, at South Bend, Ind., with Miss Ada Helen Beitner, whose father, John 0. Beitner, a pioneer merchant of St. Joseph county, Indiana, was a native of Germany.

Mr. Campbell bought 600 acres of land in sections 20 and 21, Harrison township, Vernon county, in 1905, and is engaged in farming on an extensive scale, happy in his work, optimistic and hopeful, and interested in the growth and development of Vernon county , Mr. Campbell stands high in Masonic circles and is a member of the Mystic Shrine, and also is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Charles L. Carter, the popular and wide-awake proprietor of a prosperous livery business in Nevada, Mo., was a native of Boyle county, Kentucky. He was the second child of a family of five children born to John H. and Mary E. (Armstrong) Carter, who moved from Kentucky, their native state, about 1880 and settled on a farm in Washington township, Vernon county, Missouri, where the father died, and where the mother is now living - 1911.

Charles L. was reared on his father's farm and acquired a common school education and until his removal into Nevada was engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1904 he purchased the livery business formerly owned and conducted by Mr. W. A. Mason in Nevada, then sold it to Messrs. Crockett and Gose, and in 1905 repurchased it, and since that time carried on a success¬ ful livery and sales stable business at Nos. 114-16 South Main street. Mr. Carter also owned a fine farm in Center township, where he bred and dealt extensively in cattle, hogs, etc., and car¬ ried on farming operations.

Mr. Carter was a thorough man of affairs and was interested in fraternal and benevolent organizations, being a member of the Masonic order and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

After suffering with Bright's disease for about a year Mr. Carter suddenly succumbed and died on August 31, 1911, mourned by the general community.

Hugh M. Caton, deceased, was the son of Noah Caton, who was born in North Carolina, and when about four years old accompanied his parents to Kentucky, from whence they subse¬ quently came to AVarren county, Missouri. After attaining man¬ hood he married Miss Fanny MeDermid, who was a Kentuckian by birth, her father also being an early settler of Warren county, this state. Up to the age of seventeen years, Hugh M. lived at home in Warren county, then moving with his family to Carroll county in 1834, where he resided until 1837. While a resident of that locality, and during the season of 1837, he and his mother made a trip on horseback to Little Osage, in Vernon county, and became so favorably impressed with the locality that it was not a great while until their permanent settlement here. Previous to this time two sisters of Mrs. Caton had become residents of this county, one having married Moses Summers and the other Jesse Summers, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. January 1, 1839, Mr. Caton decided to remove to this section, which he did in March following, the father locating north of Nevada. Of his large family of children, ten grew to maturity: Christopher P. ; Hugh M. ; Jesse II., who went to Oregon in 1842; William S. ; Elizabeth; Susan, wife of Thomas Myers; Roselle, who married first Isaac Jones, and after his death Sylvester Fuller; Nelson B. ; Caroline, Mrs. John Wray; and Hester, wife of James Moore. After remaining here two years our subject returned to Carroll county, but in 1854 again came back. August 22, 1842, he was married to Miss Nancy A. Harvey, a native of Alabama, daughter of Ebenaezer and Sarah Harvey. Mr. and Mrs. Caton had a family of six children : Frances, wife of A. J. Longacre; Charles; Theresa, Mrs. William P. Barnett; John W. ;

James H. Caton* is a prominent citizen of Washington town¬ ship, Vernon county, Missouri, where he was born October 11, 1859. He is the fourth child of a family of five children (one of whom is deceased) born to Nelson and Mary (Griggs) Caton. The father was born in Carroll county, Missouri, in 1832, and moved thence to Vernon county in 1839, and died there in 1862. After his decease his widow purchased and settled on a farm in Virgil township, and our subject lived there with her till he was twenty-two years of age. The mother died in 1902, at his home. He owns a fine farm of 120 acres in section seventeen, Washington township, well improved and equipped with modern appliances, and carries on a prosperous dairy business, having a herd of twenty-five Jersey cows, and supplying milk and cream to the Hospital for the Insane at Nevada.

Mr. Caton has always been more or less interested and active in public affairs in the community. In politics he adheres to Democratic principles, and is serving as one of the county judges of Vernon county, to which office he was elected in November, 1910. He has also served years as tax collector, and is now a member of the school board of Washington township.

He has been twice married. His first wife, Sarah Bush, daugh¬ ter of Mr. F. M. Bush, whom he married May 18, 1880, died February 13, 1887, and on October 9, 1900, he married Miss Kate Bush, of Vernon county.

Dr. Albert Churchell was born in Susquehanna county, Penn¬ sylvania, March 17, 1836. Amos Churchell, his father, was a native of Connecticut and came of good old Revolutionary stock. While a young man he married Miss Nabbie Holley, of New York state, the daughter of a brave soldier of the War of 1812. Five children constituted their family. Albert, the third child and second son, was deprived of a father's watchful care and guid¬ ance when fourteen years old, and at that early age he started out in life on his own account. A few years were passed upon a farm to secure means for an education. He entered upon a course of study under the preceptorship of Dr. John Roe, and obtained a thorough knowledge of that calling, finally attending lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, and commenced active practice in 1859; in 1857, however, he changed his place of residence to Louisiana. This he continued with satisfactory results until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted as a private in the Confed¬ erate army, serving throughout the entire service, participating in many severe engagements. At the close of the war, Dr. Churchell went to Texas and devoted himself without interrup¬ tion to the practice of his chosen profession until the fall of 1866. Early in 1867 he came to Nevada and made his residence, rising to a position of recognized merit among his professional asso¬ ciates. The doctor was a large property holder, and in various ways was identified with the growth and development of the county. March 31, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary A. Guthrie, who was born at Carthage, Jasper county, Missouri. This union has been blessed with seven children: May; Belle, wife of W. F. Norman; Mary Alice; Ella Louise; Lula Viola; William Albert ; Edwin Ross, and Frank Lee. Dr. Churchell wras a member of the A. F. and A. M.

James M. Clack is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen of Nevada, Mo., whose efficiency in various public offices has gained for him an enviable name in his city and county as a man of unusual ability and genuine worth. A native of Mis¬ souri, he was born October 7, 1873, in Ray county, and is a son of William S. and Relda (Baber) Clack. The parents, who are natives of Missouri, settled in Nevada in 1875, and still reside there. The father was engaged in mercantile trade twenty-five years, but in 1900 retired from active business.

James M. is the third child of a family of four children, the others being Belle, the wife of Mr. William Graham, of Pueblo, Colo.; Anna, a teacher in the Nevada high school, and John W., also of Nevada.

Our subject attended the public schools of Nevada and after his graduation from the high school with the class of 1890, he took a course of study at the Missouri State University, and after closing his studies there spent three years as a clerk for Messrs. Goss & Glenn, of Nevada. In 1896 Mr. Clack was elected city collector of Nevada and served in that office two terms, till 1900. In 1901 he was elected county surveyor, and is now serving his third term which expires in 1912. lie was also in

1901 appointed city engineer, and in that office is now serving his sixth term, which will expire in 1912. He also filled the office of county engineer for the term of 1908-10 and is now serving his third term, which will expire in 1912.

Mr. Clack has been for many years actively identified with various fraternal and benevolent organizations and is past master of Osage Lodge, No. 303, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, past high priest of the Nevada Royal Arch Chapter, past com¬ mander of O'Sullivan Commandery, Knights Templar, and past exalted ruler of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Harvey C. Clark was born on a farm in Cooper county, Mis¬ souri, September 17, 1869, from which place his parents removed to Butler, in Bates county, early in 1870. He enjoyed excep¬ tional educational advantages. After graduating from the public schools and Butler Academy, he attended Wentworth Military Academy and the Scarritt Collegiate Institute, from which latter institution he graduated in 1891 as valedictorian of his class, with the degree of A. B. After completing his college course he was admitted to the bar in 1893 by Judge James H. Lay, pass¬ ing an examination upon which he received the highest com¬ pliment of the court. Upon being admitted to practice of the law he entered into a partnership with Judge W. W. Graves, now presiding justice of division one of the Supreme Court of Mis¬ souri, the firm name being Graves & Clark. This firm was recog¬ nized as one of the strongest in southwest Missouri and was engaged in some of the most important cases, both civil and criminal, in the history of the state. This partnership continued until dissolved by the elevation of Judge Graves to the supreme bench. In 1896 Mr. Clark was elected prosecuting attorney of Bates county by the largest majority ever given a candidate for public office in that county, and at the end of his term he was re-elected by an increased majority. It is said that his record of convictions is without a parallel, only one man having escaped conviction on trial in a court of record during his administra¬ tion. One of the cases he prosecuted, and which attracted wide attention both on account of the brutal nature of the crime and the seeming absence of a clue as to the perpetrator, was that of

Noah McGinnis, the murderer of an old German farmer near Rockville. Through his efforts the guilty man was traced, cap¬ tured, convicted and executed upon purely circumstantial evi¬ dence. A little later, after his term of office had expired, he was employed by the County Court to prosecute Dr. James L. Gartrell, of Kansas City, for a brutal murder committed in Bates county. After a trial which attracted much attention on account of the personality of the defendant and the remarkable circum¬ stances surrounding the crime, Dr. Gartrell was convicted and hanged. But perhaps the most noted criminal case in which Mr. Clark has appeared as counsel was that of the State of Missouri vs. Charles Kratz, the St. Louis councilman, charged with bribery, and who was extradited from Mexico, to which country he had fled, through the personal efforts of President Roosevelt. lie was the alleged leader of the combine in the municipal council of St. Louis, and every power of the state was invoked to convict him. After a legal battle lasting more than a week, in which the state was represented by Governor Folk, then circuit attorney of St. Louis, and the defendant by Mr. Clark as senior counsel, the jury returned a verdict acquitting the defendant. But while Kir. Clark has participated as counsel in many noted criminal cases, he has always preferred the civil practice. Perhaps one of the most noted cases in which he has participated was that to test the constitutionality of the act of the legislature requiring the governor to appoint election commissioners for the great cities from lists furnished by committees of the two parties. To¬ gether with Judge Williams, of Booneville, he represented the defendant Washburn, who had been appointed in defiance of the statute, and against whom ouster proceedings had been instituted by Attorney General Crow. The Supreme Court, in an opinion which attracted great interest by reason of the importance of the question involved, sustained the position taken by Mr. Clark and Judge Williams.

Mr. Clark had been elected an officer in the National Guard soon after leaving college, and when war was declared between the United States and Spain, in 1898, he was commissioned lieuten¬ ant-colonel of the Sixth Missouri Volunteers, which regiment he organized and commanded. ITis command was attached to Gen. Fitzhugh Lee's corps, and was stationed at Panama, Fla., Savan¬ nah, Ga., and went to Cuba as part of the American army of occupation. At the close of the Spanish- American war the gov¬ ernor asked Colonel Clark to re-organize the National Guard, and appointed him brigadier general commanding the same, which position he has since continued to hold. He wrote that part of the Revised Statutes of Missouri relating to the military forces.

The business, social and political relations of Bates and Ver¬ non counties have always been very close, and General Clark's practice extended over both counties, so that when he was ap¬ pointed district attorney for the Kansas City Southern Railway Company in 1908, he embraced the opportunity to extend his practice by locating in Nevada, the larger and more promising field. While representing this company in its litigation in the county seats of the western tier of counties, and having as clients also the Lexington branch of the Missouri Pacific and the Mis¬ souri Pacific Coal companies, he is not precluded from taking cases against other railroad companies, and finds time for the general practice of his profession, in which he is very successful both as a trial lawyer and in the appellate courts. In politics he is a Democrat, and his wide acquaintance, recognized ability and reputation as a public speaker give him a prominence through¬ out the state achieved by few men of his years. As a lawyer his unswerving integrity and fidelity to the interests of his clients, together with his legal acumen and oratorical ability, have given him front rank in his profession.

General Clark is married, his wife being a daughter of Dr. N. C. Berry, a prominent physician of West Plains. He is a Mason and also belongs to the Odd Fellows, Elks and Woodmen fraternities.

John W. Cleland was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, June 3, 1843. Arthur Cleland, his father, was of Scotch ancestry, but a native of North Ireland, and by occupation an agriculturist. He emigrated to America when fourteen years of age and after living for some time in Ohio moved to Missouri in 1866, where he subsequently died. His wife's maiden name was Mary Clark, originally from Ohio, and she became the mother of seven chil¬ dren. John W., the third child in the family, was reared in the state of his birth, and during the war he enlisted in the 111th to be thus occupied until he was succeeded by the Home Lumber Company in 1881. In 1865 he married Miss C. J. Hughes, of Wayne county, Ohio, an estimable lady and one devoted to making home happy.

Eli Cleveland, who has resided in Vernon county, Missouri, since 1885, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, December 26, 1845, to Marvin and Martha (Noblitt) Cleveland, the former a native of Kentucky, born in 1810, and the latter born in Vir¬ ginia in 1809. The father died July 26, 1884, and the mother on January 7, 1899.

Our subject acquired a good common school education in his native place and lived at home till he was twenty-three years old. He left his native state at the age of forty in 1885 and moved to Vernon county, Missouri, where he first settled on eighty acres of land, which he bought in section 11, Lake town¬ ship. Selling this at a later date, he bought the homestead farm of 120 acres in section 16 and there has since made his home, giving his attention to general farming operations.

On March 15, 1868, he was united in marriage with Miss Julia A. Kearby, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Kearby. of Indiana. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland, of whom one is deceased. The two surviving are Marvin A., born December 23, 1868, and Margaret Ethel, who w;is born April 19. 1886.

Mr. Cleveland is an enterprising and progressive farmer, care¬ ful, systematic and practical in his methods, and his farm, which is well improved and equipped, is one of the choicest in his section of Vernon county.

Mrs. Maria Cogswell, daughter of the late George Douglas, was born in the Indian Nation. Her father's birth occurred in New Castle, England, in 1798, and he was brought to the United States with his family, growing to manhood at Alexandria, D. C.. and Wheeling, W. Va. When a lad he was apprenticed to learn the stone mason's trade, and soon left, going to Cincinnati and subsequently to St. Louis, where he entered the employ of the American Fur Company. While in their service he went down the Mississippi river and up the Arkansas to Fort Gibson, where he was occupied for two years outfitting trains for the Rocky Mountains, and later was engaged for some time as a government contractor. In 1834 Mr. Douglas came to Vernon county and settled on a farm; after a residence of twenty years he moved to Bates county in 1854, remaining there until the war broke out, when he moved to Texas, where he died April 14, 1865. In the year 1827 he married Miss Eliza Selden, of Hadlynne, Conn., and of this union four children besides Mrs. Cogswell were born: Ralph, Ellen, George S. and Henry W.

Mrs. Cogswell, after coming to Vernon county, remained here until taken to Wheeling, W. Va., when she was ten years old. Her marriage occurred September 5, 1854, when she became the wife of Henry Clay Cogswell, of Paris, Ky., who was born in 1828, and came with his parents to Jackson county, Missouri, when ten years of age, and removed to Vernon county in 1853. He served during the Civil War as first lieutenant in the Con¬ federate army. His death occurred November 26, 1872, leaving Mrs. Cogswell and her four children, Sterling B., George B., John B. and Mary.

Samuel S. Cole* is an honored citizen of Drywood township, Vernon County, Missouri. He was born in Cooper County, Mis¬ souri, March 10, 1841. The father was a native of Albermarle County, Virginia, and came from his native state to Missouri with Daniel Boone and lived in the Fort at Booneville until peace was established with the Indians in the territory. He afterwards set¬ tled on a farm in Cooper County and lived there till his decease,

Samuel S. attended the common schools in his native place, and at the opening of the Civil AVar, in 1861, entered the Con¬ federate Army and served four years and three months in the cavalry regiment known as the " McCullough Regiment," in the brigade commanded by General Parsons. He fought with his regiment in many of the principal engagements of the war. among others Corinth, Iuka, Forrest and Hamburg, Mississippi, and car¬ ried himself throughout as a brave and fearless soldier, fighting for a cause he believed to be right. After his discharge at Grenada, Mississippi, he returned home and gave his attention to farming in Cooper County. Thence he moved to Bates County in 1870 and lived near the town of Hume till his removal to Ver¬ non County. Here he bought eighty acres of land in section thirty-five, Drywood township, to which he afterwards added another eighty-acre tract, and there he has continued to make his home to the present time. Air. Cole has always been known as a man of decided opinions, conscientious in whatever he undertakes, and as ready to fight for what he honestly believes to be just and right. And as a soldier he was loyal to his convictions of what he deemed right, so in his civil life he commands the respect and esteem of all who know him as a loyal, upright citizen. In re¬ ligious faith he is identified with the Baptist denomination.

On October 22, 1868, Air. Cole married Aliss Alollie C. AVilliams, and they have three children, whose respective names and dates of birth are: Sallie J., born October 10, 1869; Ida Elizabeth, born August 17, 1874, and Forrest L., born December 13, 1876.

Harry J. Collier was a native of New York, as was also his wife, whose maiden name was Keziali AIcAYhorter. Six children blessed their union, and of these Harry J., the fourth child, was born in Steuben county, New York, March 4, 1847. He was reared in tin* Empire State until nine years old, going thence to Alercer county, Illinois, where he worked on a farm and in a nursery until the age of fifteen. Subsequently he went to Ohio, where his attention was directed to the carpenter's trade. About this time the war came on, and soon he was a member of the 140th Illinois Infantry, a command with which he participated in numerous engagements until mustered out of service. After this he resided in Michigan four years, from there coming to Mis¬ souri and finally locating in this county. In the spring of 1870 he embarked in the nursery business in Moundville township, con¬ ducting what was known as the Vernon County Nursery. After remaining in this business about eight years he removed into the town of Moundville, where he was engaged in the management of a livery stable for eighteen months ; and following this he had charge of Robinson Bros. ' lumber yard until October, 1886, when he became connected with the construction department of the St. Louis, Kansas City & Colorado Railroad. In 1885 he secured the right of way for the Nevada and Minden Railway from Little Dry V ood to the south line of Vernon county, taking subscrip¬ tions along the line sufficient to pay all damages, thus furnishing it to the company free of cost. In 1871 Mr. Collier married Miss Alice Jay, of Mercer county, Illinois. They have two children, May and Harry. He belongs to the A. 0. U. 5V., the G. A. R. and Masonic Fraternity.

Victor Colin. To attempt to write a reliable history of Vernon county and not give prominent mention to the name of Victor Colin would be something altogether impossible, for as almost a native-born citizen of the county and one of its continual residents for a long period, he has very properly come to be regarded as a part of it. A sketch of the life of his father in this connection is rendered necessary. Peter Colin, a native of France, after leav¬ ing Paris emigrated to the United States and located in St, Louis, where he associated himself with the American Fur Company, under General Ashley. In the society of others a trip was made up the Missouri and Osage rivers to the old trading post of Gireau, where he continued to remain until his death in 1874, at the age of seventy-seven years, one of the oldest settlers in that portion of the country. His wife, Mrs. Mary Colin, survived two years after her husband s death, leaving a family of six children, His birth occurred at the old trading post just referred to. across the Osage in the edge of Bates county, September 21. 1840, and as he grew up he became accustomed to manual labor upon the farm, his education being limited to decidedly inferior schools then in existence. At the age of twenty he enlisted for service in Colonel Hunter s regiment, with which he continued until enlisting in the Confederate army under Colonel McDonald, Company B. 10th

Missouri Cavalry; he was actively engaged until the close of the war, taking part in the battles of Carthage, Drywood, Lexington, Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge, Lone Jack and numerous irregular skirmishes, narrowly escaping injury several times. Returning home Mr. Colin was married to Miss Nannie Warson, daughter of John Warson, formerly of St. Louis county, Missouri. She died October 28, 1864, leaving one child, William. Air. Colin's second wife was formerly Miss Rachel Swafford, daughter of Peter Swafford, of Illinois, and she bore him four children : Cora; Frank, Mary and Lizzie.

Charles H. Compton was born in Clark county, Illinois, June 13, 1868, the eighth of a family of nine children born to John V. and Lucy (Stafford) Compton, natives of West Virginia, the former born October 25, 1822, and the latter June 10, 1824. They were both raised on farms and soon after their marriage about 1843 they traveled overland with an ox team to Bates county, Missouri, where he pre-empted several hundred acres of land near the site of the present town of Butler. A little later he opened a hardware store at Butler, which was burned, with other buildings, during the Civil War. After the war Mr. Compton engaged in general merchandising in Clark county, Missouri, a short time, then moved to Greenup, Ill., and farmed till 1876, after which he went to Knob Noster, Johnson county, Missouri, onto a farm and thence a year later moved onto the "Mount joy Farm," southeast from Nevada, in Vernon county. lie was a carpenter and builder and both in Illinois and after returning to Missouri followed his trade, turning the farm work over to his sons and erected many of the large farm houses in the vicinity of Milo and between there and Nevada, as well as some of the substantial residences in that city, the first being that owned by Jack Dolton, which still stands. In 1878 he went to Bentonville, Ark., and thence in the spring of 1880 moved to Golden City, Mo., whence he came to Vernon county in the fall of 1881 and settled on the Colonel Boughan ranch in Osage township, where he lived till his decease, July 26, 1884. He was a Democrat in politics and about the close of the Civil War served as deputy sheriff under Judge Clem, then sheriff of Bates and Vernon counties. lie was a member of the Masonic order, also of tin* Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious fellowship was identified with the Christian church. His widow passed away in 1890. Of their eight children, besides our subject, the seven now living are: Mrs. Mary J. Kidwell, of Boise City, Idaho; John S., of Boise City, Idaho; Oscar D., of Carbon Cen¬ ter; Mrs. Julia Ford, of Webb City, Mo.; Mrs. Myra Fain, of Bentonville, Ark., and Mrs. Lucy Poulter, of Ava, Douglas county, Missouri.

Charles C. left the district schools at an early age, and when nine years old was put to holding the plow, and at the age of thirteen began to learn the carpenter's trade under his father. He followed his trade until his twenty-third year, then for a year conducted a small grocery store at Schell City, after which he engaged in the same line of trade at Carroll Junction, in Jasper county, about a year. Returning to Carbon Center, he operated a coal mine some three years, then in the spring of

1896 went to Centerton, Ark., where he remained seven years, engaged in general merchandising and also conducting a whole¬ sale fruit and produce store. Besides his own store, which he built, and which was the first store in the town, he built and sold four other store buildings, and four residences as well as two complete fruit evaporating plants. Besides, Mr. Compton bought and planted with fruit trees four or five farms, improved them with good houses, barns and other buildings and sold them to settlers.

In October, 1903, Mr. Compton, with a half carload of mer¬ chandise and a half carload of apples, came to Metz and opened a store, where he has since carried on general merchandising, including hardware, harness, farm implements and vehicles. He has erected two store buildings in Metz and bought and remod¬ eled three dwellings and at one time owned the only brick busi¬ ness block and now has the handsomest residence in the town. Mr. Compton is a thorough man of affairs. He was a stockholder and for three years a director of the Metz Banking Company. He organized the Metz Lodge of Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has passed through all its chairs. He is a Master Mason, belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America; also the American Benevolent Association, and the Modern Brotherhood of America ; also the Rebeccas and Independent Order of Owls. He is a Republican and has served as mayor of Metz and since with Miss Julia A. Lyons, who was born in Champaign county, Illinois, December 25, 1870, to H. Clay and Emily E. (Scott) Lyons, now of Osage township.

P. A. Compton is a thrifty farmer of Washington township, Vernon county, Missouri. A native Missourian, he was born in Miller county, November 13, 1850, and is a son of R. M. and Martha (O'Neal) Compton, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, respectively. The father died in Morgan county, Missouri, in 1902. The mother died June 29, 1911, in Vernon county, Missouri.

Our subject moved onto a farm of 220 acres in Osage town¬ ship, Vernon county, in 1880, but twenty-four years later sold it and bought 220 acres in Washington township, where he now resides, lie is known as one of the substantial men of the community and has devoted himself to his farming operations with satisfactory results. lie takes a commendable interest in political affairs and is known as a progressive Democrat. In religious faith he is affiliated with the Christian denomination. Mr. Compton has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Catherine Hoover, whom he married November 12, 1871, died in 1889, leaving six children, viz.: Cora E., born October 4, 1872; J. W., born November 17, 1874; R. M., born April 20, 1877 ; E. L., born February 17, 1880; Lena M., born January 24, 1884, and II. D., born November 23, 1885.

On January 2, 1890, he married Miss Oetava Agnes Smith, and they have three children, named respectively, B. W., born November 5, 1892; B. P., born March 30, 1895, and A. S., born December 17, 1902.

Mrs. Compton's parents moved from Kentucky, their native state, to Clark county, Missouri, in the early thirties and were married there. The father studied medicine and practiced his profession there till 1874, when he moved to Vernon county and settled on a farm of 160 acres, where he lived until his decease in 1880. lie was a member of the Masonic order, a Democrat in politics and with his wife was affiliated with the Baptist de- nomination. His widow survived till 1899. They had a family of twelve children, nine of whom are now living, and Mrs. Comp¬ ton being the tenth child in order of birth.

Albert Comstock was born in Cedar county, Iowa, October 28, 1847, and is one of a family of ten children born to Isaac A. and Rebecca (Taylor) Comstock, the former born in Sciota county, Ohio, in 1818, and the latter a native of North Carolina. They were married in 1840. Our subject's paternal grandparents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Fox) Comstock, were natives of New York. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. They were married in New Y ork in 1818 and the same year went to Sciota county, Ohio. In 1834 they moved to Indiana and two years later, trav¬ eling with an ox team, went to Iowa, through an Indian infested country. He was a member of the first county court of Musca¬ tine county, Iowa. In 1839 he moved to Cedar county, Iowa, and served as one of its first commissioners. He went on horse¬ back to Dubuque and entered the land for the county seat site and helped to lay out the town of Tipton, where he died July 19, 1864, his decease being preceded by that of his wife, who passed away April 10, 1858.

Our subject's maternal grandparents, Goodwin and Jane Taylor, were natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. They were married in the last named state and removed thence to Indiana, when the daughter Rebecca was four years old. In 183 i they went to Muscatine county, Iowa, thence to Cedar county and afterwards settled in Kansas. Mr. Taylor died in Nebraska in 1881, his wife having passed away in 1879. Isaac A. Com¬ stock, our subject's father, was the eldest of a family of four boys and three girls. He was reared on the frontier in Ohio, Indiana and in Iowa and had but meager schooling. At the age of twenty-one he was elected justice of the peace and filled ^ a m years in Iowa, where, also, he was in the mer¬ cantile business with his father-in-law. In 1850 he went over¬ land to California. He served two years as assessor of Cedar county, Iowa, and lived there till 1871, when he moved with his family to Barton county, Missouri, and bought 800 acres of land and established the family home. He was. a life-long Democrat and in Barton county served two years as county judge. He passed away June 19, 1889.

Our subject attended the district schools in Cedar county, Iowa, till he attained his majority and lived with his parents, engaged in farming and stock raising till he was twenty-three years old.

On September 14. 1870, he was united in marriage in Green county, Iowa, with Miss Ida Sheldon, a daughter of Dr. Edward H. and Harriet Sheldon, natives of New York. They settled in Jones county, Iowa, with a family of three children in 1859 and lived there till 1868, when they moved to Green county.

To Mr. and Mrs. Comstock have been born six children, of whom four are now living. These are George, born March 23, 1874; Charles, born January 13, 1878; Myrtle, born August 28, 1880, and Maggie, who was born March 7, 1887.

In 1870 Mr. Comstock went to Crawford county, Kansas, and bought a quarter section of land and lived there one year. Then in the fall of 1871 he came to Barton county, Missouri, and in 1898 settled on his present farm of 280 acres in sections 2 and 3, Coal township, Vernon county, where he has devoted himself to general farming operations, with gratifying success, giving particular attention to breeding and raising high grade cattle and horses, lie is a Democrat in political opinion and is iden¬ tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

I. W. Conkling, who was a prominent citizen and business man of Nevada for twenty-seven years, died at his home on North Cedar street May 6, 1907. Mr. Conkling was born in the state of New York on May 6, 1837, and therefore was seventy years old to the day at the time of his death.

In February, 1878, he was married to Lue Alice Watson, of Greenville, Mich., and in April, 1880. Mr. Conkling came to Nevada and opened a bank.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, Harry and Will, and one daughter, Mrs. Fred Stanford, of Joplin, all of whom were at his bedside when he passed away.

I. W. Conkling came to Nevada in 1880 and for twenty-seven years was identified with the growth of the city as a citizen and business man. For many years himself and brother, G. F. Conk- ling, did a successful banking business on the south side of the square; but for the last several years was engaged in the real estate business.

Deceased was an honorable Christian gentleman, he having been a member of the Christian church for many years. He was a kind-hearted man, a liberal citizen and belonged to the pioneer class of business men of Nevada who are rapidly passing away.

S. G. Couch, who has resided in Vernon county, Missouri, since 1867, is a native of Guilford county, North Carolina, born Septembei 28, 1846, to I. and Eliza (Gardner) Couch, both of whom were born in that state, where the father died in 1864. The mother passed away in 1888 in North Carolina. On attaining his majority our subject moved from his native state to Vernon county, Missouri, and worked two years as a farm laborer, and then bought and settled on eighty acres of land in section eleven, Harrison township, where he has since made his home, engaged in general farming with good success.

On April 3, 1876, he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet Kenworthy at Fort Scott, Kansas, whose parents were native of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Couch have had five children born to their union, three of whom are now (1911) living, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Bertha, born March 6, 1882;

Both Mr. and Mrs. Couch are devoted members of the Metho¬ dist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican in political opinions and action, and cast his first ballot for James A. Garfield for president.

Eliakim Cox. The subject of this sketch, for many years identified with "V ernon county as one of its progressive, substan¬ tial citizens, owes his nativity to Greene county, Tennessee, where his birth occurred August 8, 1826. His father, Eliakim Cox, and his mother, Mrs. Nancy Graham, nee Long, were natives also of Tennessee ; his maternal grandfather lived to be 101 years old, having taken active part in the Revolutionary War, and his grandmother reached the age of ninety-nine years. It will be seen, therefore, that Air. Cox comes of a family celebrated for their longevity. His mother was twice married, and reared to maturity a family of fourteen children. He grew up in his native state, attending as usual to farm duties, and there remained until 1849, when he came to Missouri, settling in this county, - which has since been his home, and where he has continued to live, save for a short time during the late Civil War, when he was a member of Colonel Hunter's command; he was honorably discharged on account of disability, after having taken part in the battles of Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Dry wood and Lexing¬ ton. Following this, in 1862, he was forced into the Federal army and made to do duty for a few months. Mr. Cox's present pos¬ sessions embrace 800 acres of land. In 1849 he was first married to Miss Sarah Ilale, of Tennessee, who died February 14, 1852, leaving one child, Archie G. Miss Louisa Dickson became his second wife in December, 1853, she having come to this county from Licking county, Ohio, when quite young. Their children are: William II., Nancy C., Enoch A., Alice and Edwin J.

J. J. Cox,* a native Missourian, was born in Cape Girardeau county, January 6, 1838, and is the eldest son of a family of fifteen children, eight of whom are now living (1911), born to Thompson and Nicy (Whitney) Cox, both natives of Missouri. His paternal grandfather settled in Missouri while it was yet a territory and died before our subject was born. His mother was born the year Missouri was admitted into the sisterhood of states. The father, who died in Missouri, was a Baptist in religious faith and in poli¬ tics adhered to the Democratic principles advocated by "Tom" Benton.

Our subject acquired his education in the common schools and lived at home till he was twenty years old. He then went to Waynesville, in Pulaski county, and there learned the black¬ smith's trade and followed it till after the opening of the Civil War. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company E, Fifth Regi¬ ment, Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and entered the army. His regiment was kept in the west much of the time on scouting duty.

He participated in many skirmishes and remained in the service till the close of the war, and was honorably discharged at Benton Barrack, August 13, 1865. Returning to Pulaski county, he re¬ sumed his trade and worked there two years and one year at Little Piney, and in 1869 removed with his family to Vernon county and followed his trade five years in Montevello township. In 1874 he settled at Milo and, resuming his trade there, followed it steadily for eighteen years, then engaged in mercantile business with his son under the firm name of J. J. Cox & Son. A little later the firm 's business was transferred to the zinc mines region, in Jasper county, Missouri, where it is still carried on under the management of the son ; Mr. Cox remained at Milo and worked at his trade till September, 1910, when he opened the only butcher¬ ing establishment and meat market in the town. Mr. Cox by patient, persistent and persevering industry has achieved suc¬ cess. In his special line he as a blacksmith is widely known as a skillful workman and for many years has had a wide reputation as an expert horseshoer. Coming to Vernon county when it was but sparsely settled, he has seen the barren prairies converted into rich and fertile farms ; has watched the growth of strug¬ gling pioneer towns into thrifty and populous villages and cities, and has witnessed the change of desolate plains, where the deer and other game roamed at will, into the happy dwelling places of a thrifty and prosperous people. Mr. Cox is an honored member of the Baptist Church at Milo and treasurer of the church board, and also belongs to Post No. 26, at Moundville, of the Grand Army of the Republic. In politics he is a Republican.

In January, 1861, Mr. Cox married Miss Eveline Williams, of Pulaski county, and they have five children, named, respectively, Arilons, Nicy, Minnie, Lula and Mattie.

Christopher C. Creek, who has passed his life in the place of his birth, in Dover township, Vernon county, Missouri, was born September 6, 1856. He was the fourth child and is one of two survivors of a family of six children born to Nathan H. and Mary J. (Freeman) Creek, the former born near Louisville, Ky., March 10, 1813, and the latter in Hopkins county, Tennessee, March 20, 1817. The paternal grandfather, Milton Creek, moved with his family from Kentucky, his native state, to Clay county, Missouri, in early pioneer days and there the maternal grand- parents settled with their family. Nathan II. and Mary J. were married in 1836 in Clay county and later moved to Vernon county in 1837, where he traded a horse for a claim to a quarter section of land in section 2, Dover township, on which he proved up. He afterwards bought another forty-acre tract in section 11. Here the father and mother established the family home and except three years during the Civil AVar, spent on the Withrow Morris farm, near Nevada, lived till their decease.

He was a Democrat in political opinion and in the early days of the country served seven years as justice of the peace. They were both members of the Missionary Baptist church and were known for the hospitality of their home. It was a common thing for the Indians to visit the farm and trade venison and other game for pork or farm products.

Air. Creek died September 17, 1887, and his wife passed away January 7, 1892. Their other surviving child is Airs. Sarah J., wife of Air. T. D. Haynes, of Dover township.

Christopher C. acquired his education in the district schools and has always lived on the home place, a part of which he inherited on his father's decease and the remainder of which he bought. He has since bought other land and now owns in all 456 acres. Air. Creek is a Democrat in political opinion and in religious faith and fellowship is a Baptist and about the year 1890 was ordained to the ministry. He is a member of Alissionary Baptist church and has deeded to that body two acres of ground for a building site on which a house of worship has been erected and two acres for a cemetery.

On January 25, 1885, Air. Creek was united in marriage with AI iss Mary A. AVolfe, who was born in Howard county, Indiana, April 25, 1866, a daughter of Aloses A. and Lucinda J. (Collins) AVolfe, who moved from Indiana, their native state, to Vernon county, Alissouri, in 1869. They settled first in Clear Creek township, thence went to Alontevallo township and there bought forty acres of land. Air. AVolfe, after a course of study at Will¬ iam Jewel College, Liberty, AIo., was ordained a minister of the Baptist denomination and lived in various places in Vernon county, and in 1909 settled in Nevada, where he passed away in July, 1910, and where his widow now makes her home.

William F. Crigler, the junior member of the firm of Neff & Crigler, publishers and proprietors of the Nevada Herald, is a native of Benton county, Missouri, and was born October 3, 1865, to John N. and Mary J. (Short) Crigler, who moved from Vir¬ ginia to Barton county, Missouri, prior to the Civil War. The father served in the Union Army and returned to farming when the war was over. He moved with his family to Johnstown, in Bates county, in 1866, and there was engaged in general mer¬ chandising, and also served as postmaster. He afterwards re¬ sumed farming, and in 1899 departed this life at the age of sev¬ enty-one years. His widow still survives (1911).

The Crigler family is of German origin, and the ancestors of this branch were early settlers of Virginia. Our subject's ma¬ ternal ancestors were of Scotch-Irish lineage. The grandfather, John Short, late of Butler, Missouri, died there at the age of ninety years, and his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Short, still survives at the age of ninety-seven years.

Our subject was reared on his father's farm and acquired his education in the common schools. After attaining his majority he spent two years in the employ of Mr. Oliver Duck, a stock dealer, at Schell City, then spent a year at Nevada, after which he returned to Schell City and remained there till in 1893, when he took up his permanent abode in Nevada. It was at this time he turned his attention to the printer 's trade, entering the office of the Evening Post. Following that he was connected with the Southwestern Mail, and then was with Mr. J. W. McAnulty on the Republican.

In the early part of J 897 Mr. Crigler associated with Mr. 0. W. Neff, leased the Republican and published it one year. Then, on February 1, 1898, they purchased the paper and plant, and chang¬ ing the name to The Nevada Herald, have since published it as the leading Republican journal in the county, both as a newspaper and as a moulder of public opinion along party lines.

Mr. Crigler is active in fraternal orders, being identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern AVoodmen of America and The Tribe of Ben Hur.

Miss Bessie Schroeder, a daughter of the Rev. William and Kath¬ erine Schroeder, who lived in Nevada at that time, the father then being pastor of the Nevada Methodist Episcopal church - south.

Woods S. Creel, a native Missourian, is one of the substantial citizens of Nevada, where he has lived since 1890. He was born - in Carroll county May 21, 1849, and is the fourth child of a fam¬ ily of seven children born to W. R. and Margaret (Woods) Creel, natives of Hart county, Kentucky, and Howard county, Missouri, respectively. Of their other children J. C. was killed at Altoona, Ga., in 1864 while serving in the Confederate army; Lizzie is de¬ ceased; Helen is married to Mr. J. W. Ilaliday, of Walkandaw, Mo.; Maggie was married to Judge O. J. Hale, of Carroll county, and died in 1908; W. R. is in the mercantile business at Carroll¬ ton, Mo., and Lou is the widow of Mr. John Yates and lives in Eldorado Springs, Mo.

The Creel family is traced to England, whence its first rep¬ resentative in this country came, settling in Virginia; thence they went to Kentuckv, to Illinois and finallv to Missouri. Sasliel Woods, our subject's maternal grandfather, was a native of Hart county, Kentucky. lie was among the pioneer settlers of Carroll county, Missouri, in 1837, and a farmer by occupation. He Avent to California at the time of the gold craze in 1849 and it was to him that Colonel Hinkle, the Mormon chief, surren¬ dered, delivering his sword which is preserved among other his¬ torical relics in Carroll county. Our subject's father, W. R. Creel, served two terms as sheriff and also two terms as public administrator, and was twice elected to the legislature from Carroll county, and died there in 1900 at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, our subject's maternal grandmother, died in 1861, when she was thirty-three years old.

Woods S. passed his boyhood in Carroll county and there attended the public schools and has always been interested in agricultural pursuits, stock raising and buying and selling horses and mules. In 1872 he moved to a farm in Moundville township, Vernon eounty, and lived there eighteen years, and then, in 1890, settled in Nevada. Here he purchased from Messrs. Sonslev

Bros, their livery and sales stables and business, which increased under his good management and became the largest in its line in Vernon county.

Mr. Creel has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs and in 1907 was elected county judge for the southern district of Vernon county and in November, 1910, was re-elected for a second term. He is known as a man of clear discernment and sound judgment, and in the administration of high office he has the confidence and esteem of all. In religious faith Judge Creel is affiliated with the Christian denomination and for thirty-eight years he has served as an elder in that body.

In February, 1871, he married Miss Minerva J., a daughter of Dr. E. J. Atchinson, of Nevada. Of five children born to them, Fannie is married to D. C. Grinnell, of Kankakee, Illinois; Cora is the wife of Mr. Alva Forney, timekeeper for the Missouri Pacific railway at Nevada; Joel is the wife of Mr. Burnie J. Har¬ ris, of Nevada, while Edwin R., Sidney M. and Carrie A., who was married to W. L. Samuel, of Nevada, are deceased, Mrs. Samuel dying in 1901.

William R. Crockett was the son of Dr. Samuel B. Crockett, a physician of recognized prominence and merit in Frankfort, Franklin county, Kentucky, where he lived until his death in 1850. For a number of years he had held the office of postmaster at that place. His wife, formerly Anna Instone, was a native of Frankfort; her death occurred in 1874. 'William R., the eighth child and fourth son of a family of eleven children, was born at Frankfort, Franklin county, Kentucky, February 13, 1836. In 1860 Cooper county, Missouri, became his home, and there he remained until 1861, when he enlisted under General Price and served throughout the war, gaining for himself an honorable record as a soldier. Among the engagements in which he par¬ ticipated might be mentioned those of Corinth, Iuka, Pea Ridge, Helena and others of less importance, though almost as severe in their results. After an active military career of some four years Mr. Crockett returned to Howard and Cooper counties and lived there until coming to Vernon county in 1870. In 1872 he pur¬ chased an interest in the Democrat. In February, 1886, Mr. Crockett took charge of the postoffice at Nevada, his appoint¬ ment to the position having been an able recognition of the services which he has rendered the Democratic party, in which he was ever an active and effective worker. March 17, 1870, he was married to Miss Mollie A. Trueman, who came to the state in 1860, her native place being in Franklin county, Kentucky. They had four children, W. V., Hallie B., Eugene B. and Owen V. Mr. Crockett was a member of the Masonic fraternitv.

G. H. Croly, a prosperous farmer of Harrison township, Ver¬ non county, Missouri, was born August 30, 1862, and has always lived there. He is a son of Absolom and Caroline (Rosenbaum) Croly, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Kentucky. The father lived in Vernon county from the time he was ten years old till his decease in 1900. He was a successful farmer and owned at the time of his decease 193 acres of land, and made a specialty of breeding and raising cattle and horses. He was a member of the Masonic order and a Democrat in politics. He was twice married, but had no children by the first wife. To the second union six children were born, of whom four are now - 1911 - living, our subject being the second child in order of birth. The mother passed away in 1902.

Our subject attended the district schools till he was seven¬ teen years of age and grew up on the home farm, having the experiences common to the farmer boy. He remained with his parents till his twenty-fifth year, then, after working a rented farm a year, bought 160 acres in Harrison township which he improved and where he made his home and lived nineteen years. Selling this, he bought his father's homestead of 185 acres in sections 4 and 5 and now makes his home there, carrying on general farming with good success.

In politics Mr. Croly adheres to the principles of the Demo¬ cratic party as advocated by William Jennings Bryan, but has never sought or cared for political office. Mr. Croly is a bachelor.

Alfred Cummins, a native Missourian, was born in Camden county', February 11, 1836, the youngest of five children in the family of his parents, James and Ruth (Clinton) Cummins. The former came originally from South Carolina, but for some time resided in Kentucky, and in 1832 moved to Missouri, his death occurring in Laclede county in 1852. Mrs. Cummins died in Camden county in 1844; she was a Kentuckian by birth. In early life young Alfred became thoroughly familiar with all the details connected with a farm experience, the most of his time up to 1849 being passed in the county of his birth. When some thirteen 3rears old he accompanied his father to Texas, from whence, after living there until 1854, he returned to Camden county, Missouri, and resumed his former occupation. In 1859 he settled in Vernon county and for about two years was engaged in teaching, but at the outbreak of the war, determined to sup¬ port the principles which he believed were right, he enlisted in Hunter's regiment of the C. S. A. (in June, 1861), and served until March, 1862, when, at the battle of Pea Ridge, he suffered the loss of an arm, this necessitating his return home. He only remained home a year, however, before accepting a position again in the commissary department, his term of service lasting until the close of the war. During his military career he took part in the battles of Carthage, Wilson's Creek and Drywood, and, as mentioned, the engagement of Pea Ridge. After recovering from the effects of the devastation wrought by that terrible internecine strife, Mr. Cummins followed farming and also handled stock to some extent until 1869, when he removed to Nevada. It was not long until his natural qualification for positions of political preferment became recognized and for two years he assessed the county, and in 1872 was called to serve as county collector, the duties of which office he discharged two years. Following this he served as treasurer for the same length of time, and was then elected county clerk of Vernon county, his term of service having extended over a period of four years. August 7, 1859, Mr. Cum¬ mins was married to Miss Susan A. Maxey, a native of Cooper county, whose father, Patrick L. Maxey, came to this county in 1857. She died March 5, 1879, leaving four children: Dora, wife of Joseph Davis; Nannie, Mrs. J. W. Talbott; James M., and Nellie. September 6, 1881, Miss Lizzie Snell became his wife, and they had two children, George and Mary. Mrs. Cummins was born in Monroe county, Missouri.

Marshall C. Cummins is one of the active, wide-awake and progressive young men of Nevada, Mo. A native Missourian, he was born in Badger township. Vernon county, March 7, 1879, and is the youngest of a family of three children born to James and Mourning (Baugh) Cummins, who are natives of Kentucky and

Missouri, respectively. The father settled in Vernon county when a boy and has always carried on farming there. The other chil¬ dren are Ella, who is married to C. E. McDaniels, of Chickasha, Okla., and Warren, who lives in Nevada.

Marshall C. acquired his education in the district schools and grew up and lived on the home farm till he was twenty-four years old. On leaving the farm he settled in Nevada, where he was for a time employed as assistant deputy sheriff. Mr. Cum¬ mins has been somewhat active in public and political affairs and has a large circle of friends. At the election held in the fall of 1910 he was chosen clerk of the circuit court, receiving an unusually large majority of the votes cast, and on January 3, 1911 assumed the duties of his office as successor to Mr. J. E. Huff.

George P. Currie, one of the substantial citizens of Richland township, Vernon county, Missouri, was born near Madison, in Jefferson county, Indiana, April 11, 1852, the second of three children and the only son born to George and Mary A. (Mc¬ Millan) Currie, the former born in Rock Bridge county, Vir¬ ginia, in December, 1797, and the latter born in 1818 in Jefferson county, Indiana, whither her family moved in 1812, settling on a parcel of land in the dense forest, which they cleared and im¬ proved. The father, George Currie, our subject's father, was the youngest of a family of four children, and after his father's death, which occurred when he was twelve years old, he lived with his mother till her decease. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, enlisting in a company of rangers in 1814 and serving till the war ended.

He was twice married, but had no children by his first wife. TIis marriage to Mary A. McMillan occurred in 1845, in Indiana, where they lived on land which he entered from the government, owning besides a quarter section in Jasper county, Illinois, which he secured as a veteran of the War of 1812, and also 160 acres in the same county, purchased from his brother, Robert Currie, who also was a veteran of that war. Both he and his wife passed their lives on the farm in Indiana, where he died in 3868 and she in 1892.

George P. was educated in the public schools of his native place and at the Presbyterian College, Hanover, Ind., and remained on the home farm with his mother after his father's decease till 1880, when he engaged in the dairy business at Han¬ over, serving also two terms as township assessor. In the spring of 1882 he went to Sumner county, Kansas, whence in the fol¬ lowing autumn he came to Richland township, Vernon county. At that time Mrs. Isabell Smock, widow of David Smock, who died of fever in the Civil War, was living with her two children, Clara and Albert Smock, on a quarter section of land in section 15, Richland township, which her husband had bought, and on which they settled in the spring of 1882, coming from Jefferson county, Indiana.

Mr. Currie was united in marriage with Miss Clara Smock on coming to Richland township and they settled on eighty acres of this quarter section which came to Mrs. Currie from her , father's estate. Here Mr. and Mrs. Currie have made their home since their marriage, he having bought another twenty-acre tract in section 16 and eighty acres in section 21. In connection with his general farming operations Mr. Currie gives special attention to breeding and raising horses, mules and swine, and is part owner of the noted imported Percheron stallion "Voltigeur," which he keeps on his farm.

He is a Republican in political sentiment, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is a trustee and elder in the Presbyterian church at Richards.

Mr. and Mrs. Currie have one child, Lottie E., who was born September 9, 1883, and is married to Mr. Edwin R. Benedict, of Rockville, Mo., and has one child, named Frances Aline Benedict.

Jasper Curtis, who ranks among the substantial farmers of Vernon county, was born in Lynn county, Missouri, November 7, 1858, to John C. and Hester Ann (Moore) Curtis, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. Soon after the Civil War the father moved, with his wife and their family of six sons and two daughters to Lynn County, Missouri, where he acquired a quarter section of land, besides 120 acres in Cedar county, Missouri. When our subject was twelve years of age the family moved to Vernon county, where the father died in 1889. He was a fairly well-educated man, a thorough and successful