Vernon County, Missouri - The whole text, 1911 (part 7 of 14)

His maternal grandparents were George Haynes Gordon and Martha (Boyd) Gordon, who were born in Hawkins county and Davidson county, Tennessee, respectively, the former March 27, 1796, the latter February 25, 1799. They settled in Missouri near Lexington in 1832. There they both died, the husband November 10, 1844, and the wife August 23, 1858. The maternal great grand¬ father, Joseph Gordon, was born near Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, February 12, 1745, and died in Kentucky February 12, 1815. He was a son of James Gordon, a native of either Virginia or Scotland, and married Nancy Ann Haynes, who was born in Halifax county, North Carolina, about 17 - , and died in Ken¬ tucky. His maternal grandmother, Martha Boyd, was a daughter of Abraham Boyd, of Virginia and Kentucky, and a sister of Lynn Boyd, at one time speaker of the National House of Repre¬ sentatives, and of Alfred Boyd, who was a staff officer with Gen¬ eral Breckenridge. Her mother, Nancy Lynn (Abraham Boyd's wife), was a daughter of Abner Lynn and Sidney (Ewing) Lynn, the last named being a daughter of Robert and Mary (Baker) Ewing. In other words, Sidney Ewing, the great great grand¬ mother on the maternal stem of the family tree, was the daugh¬ ter of the paternal great, great grandfather on the paternal stem.

It is thus noted that this family is closely connected with the Boyd family of Kentucky and the Haynes family of Carolina. The Davidson family of the Carolinas is also closely related to them by lineage. The Ewings of Ohio are a collateral branch of the same family.

The subject of this sketch was graduated from the Nevada High School with the class of 1890, then taught school three years in Vernon county, after which he studied law in the law office of Judge Elijah Robinson, of Kansas City, and was there ad¬ mitted to the bar in 1895. Mr. Ewing remained in Kansas City until 1897, and then accepted a position as assistant claim agent for the Missouri Pacific-Iron Mountain railway companies. He went to Bismarck, Missouri, that year, and in 1898 moved to Little Rock, Arkansas, remaining there until January 1, 1900, when he took up his residence at Sedalia ; in 1902 he was made claim agent for the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company and filled that office, with headquarters at Nevada, until 1906. In 1906 he resigned his position with the railway company, resumed the practice of his profession, and became a candidate for prose¬ cuting attorney of Vernon county at the Democratic primary. He was defeated in the primary, being second of four candidates. At the primary election in 1908 he received the nomination and was elected at the general election following. In 1910 he was renominated at the primary and was re-elected without opposi¬ tion, it being the first time in more than thirty years that a prose¬ cuting attorney was elected in Vernon county without an oppos¬ ing candidate.

In 1897 Mr. Ewing was united in marriage at Kansas City with Miss Edith Moore, who was born and reared in Jackson county. She is the daughter of John Moore and Margaret (Bryant) Moore. They have three children, John Boyd, aged 13 ; Lynn M., aged 8, and Robert L. Ewing, aged 4.

William H. Ewing,* who was born in Mayview, Lafayette county, Missouri, September 2, 1863, is a son of Milton and Lucy B. (Gordon) Ewring, who came to Vernon county, Missouri, with their family in 1867. He grew up in his parents' home and acquired his education in the public schools, and on attaining his majority, in 1884, went to the "Cherokee Strip" and thence to New Mexico, where he was employed on a ranch. Returning to Vernon county about 1888, he soon afterward went to Kansas City and lived there some five years, after which he came back home. From 1899 till 1903 Mr. Ewing served as deputy recorder at Nevada, and then after a short trip into Arkansas, settled at Walker, Vernon county, and took charge of the Ewing farm, which he has since conducted, giving particular attention to raising and feeding stock for the market, in which he has achieved gratifying success. He also conducts a meat market at Walker, which he opened in 1910.

Jacob Faith, one of Vernon county's substantial representa¬ tive citizens, and a man whose influence has been widely felt throughout this community, was born in Germany, May 3, 1836, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Faith, both natives of Ger¬ many. When he was five years old, in 1841, his parents emi¬ grated to the United States and settled in Lee county, Iowa. The father was a farmer and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, which he followed until his death in 1871. He left ten children, of whom Jacob, the eldest, was reared to farm life, also learning the trade of cooper ; he received in youth a good practical educa¬ tion, both in the English and German languages. In 1859 he re¬ moved to Adair county, Missouri, and, having acquired a taste for horticulture, he commenced in 1860 to turn his attention in that direction, and since that time the nursery and fruit growing industry has not only been greatly advanced by his knowledge and experience in this section, but his name is familiar to the readers of all the leading agricultural and horticultural journals of the country; particularly is Coleman's Rural World a recipient of many communications from his pen. In 1875 he came to Ver¬ non county and engaged extensively in his present business. Of 140 acres in his homestead, fifty acres are devoted to an orchard and nursery and the raising of small fruit. In this enterprise he has met with well merited success. Among his stock are found sixty varieties of apples, fifty of plums, thirty of peaches, sev¬ enty-two varieties of strawberries, twenty-six of raspberries, etc., etc. He is a member of the State Horticultural Society and has taken an active interest in promoting the success of its meetings. Mr. Faith possesses to an eminent degree the rare faculty of maintaining his own convictions, even to the discomfiture of his opponents, without exciting their animosity. This accounts for the fact that, although firm in his opinions, fearless, open and able in advocacy of them, he has made during his career but few if any personal enemies, and has surrounded himself with many friends. And after the many years devoted to his adopted call¬ ing he has the satisfaction of knowing that, if not blessed with a large fortune in the way of earthly possessions, he is enviably rich in the esteem of a host of fellow citizens and a consciousness of a character of unimpeachable integrity. He lias for years been an active worker in the Sabbath School and Temperance cause and his influence is always on the side of morality and right.

He was married in 1861 to Miss Mahala Cox, who was born in Illinois in 1839. Their family consists of two sons, George and Frank, and an adopted daughter, Mollie. Mr. Faith has been called on frequently to report the agricultural interests of the county to the State Agricultural Department and these reports are noted for their reliability and conservativeness, underrating rather than overrating the estimated product. Mr. Faith's opinions in regard to fruit and berries are authorities in this sec¬ tion and his name is a synonym of integrity and honor.

Charles Falor is a leading man of Metz township, Vernon county, Missouri; he was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, May 28, 1857, and is one of a family of five children born to Elias and Mary (Akers) Falor, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, and born in 1830, and the latter born near Indianapolis, Indiana, about 1828.

The parents were married in Tazewell county, Illinois, whither their families had moved about 1850, and lived on a farm there till 1869. The father then came to Vernon county, and bought twenty-three hundred acres of prairie land in Osage and Metz townships. This he fenced and broke and planted to corn, which he fed to cattle and hogs, being the first man in the county to feed stock for the market. He visited his home in Illinois twice each year and in 1876 erected a commodious farm house in Metz township and brought hither bis wife and children and estab¬ lished the family home.

In 1880 he built at Rich Hill, in Bates county, what was said to be the first roller flouring mill ever constructed, the ma¬ chinery alone costing $25,000. The business, however, was not satisfactory to his son, our subject, and this fact, coupled with his own impaired health, led to trading the mill for property in Kansas in 1888. He continued raising, feeding and marketing stock and carrying on his farming operations till his decease, March 27, 1896, and left his estate of twenty-three hundred acres of land in entail, during the lives of his children - our subject having a life interest in six hundred and eighty acres, the final division to be made according to value and not acreage.

His widow, our subject's mother, survived till December, 1901. Of their other children, one died in infancy, and the names of the others are Norman Falor, now deceased; Alice, who was mar¬ ried to Mr. John Hogan and passed away April 1, 1880, and Myra, who was born in November, 1859, and is married to Colonel Harry Mitchell, of Nevada, Missouri.

Charles acquired his education in the public schools of his native place, and when but twelve years of age began feeding cattle on his own account in Illinois, and, after coming to Vernon county, continued in that line of business. While yet a boy he shipped the first trainload of cattle east from Sedalia over the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway. Some years prior to his marriage Mr. Falor bought a half section of land in section 29, Metz township, and afterward bought the other half of the section 240 acres in an adjoining section , making 880 acres in one body, only eighty of which has ever been broken with the plow. Mr. Falor assisted his father in his business affairs, after coming to Vernon county, and has also carried on his own extensive opera¬ tions feeding and marketing stock, the present annual average of each, cattle and hogs, being 250 head.

He has added to his landed possessions from time to time and now owns in Metz and Osage townships 1,723 acres, 480 acres being in Bates county, Missouri, all of which is in addition to his 680-acre holding from his father's estate. At the time of his marriage Mr. Falor leased a half section near the family home¬ stead in Metz township and lived there four years, when failing health led him to go to Colorado, where he spent a year and then lived a year at Eldorado Springs. In 1893 he returned to his farm and began the construction of his magnificent residence, one of the few model farmhouses in the district. It is furnished with all modern conveniences, is lighted with gas, and is supplied with hot and cold water, and in all its appointments is arranged with a view to utility, convenience and comfort. The house is situated on an eminence overlooking not only the entire farm but also a vast stretch of country in every direction, so that the place is aptly named "Prairie View," and with its picturesque environments to be seen is to be admired and long remembered.

On December 21, 1887, Mr. Falor was united in marriage with Miss M. Edith Crabb, who was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, January 29, 1861, to Willis and Mary (Forsyth) Crabb. The father was born January 7, 1823, while the family was en route from Ohio to Illinois. The mother was born at Vandalia, Ill., April 9, 1830. They were married in St. Louis February 19, 1848, and for a time made their home in St. Clair county, Illinois, then moved to Tazewell county and lived there till their removal, in 1884, to Bates county, Missouri, where the father had bought 240 acres of land twelve years before. He now - 1911 - owns nearly a thousand acres, but, with his family, lives in Rich Hill. Mr. Falor is the sixth child of eleven children born to them, nine of whom are living. She is a woman of fine attainments, highly edu¬ cated, and before her marriage was a successful teacher in Bates county. Mr. Falor is a Republican in political sentiment and action, but has never sought or held political office, finding in his own line of work more congenial employment.

Norman Falor was a prosperous farmer of Metz township, Vernon county, Missouri, for many years, and his decease on March 27, 1894, was mourned as that of one of the community's most valued citizens. A native of Tazewell countv, Illinois, he was born December 11, 1853, and was a son of Elias and Mary (Akers) Falor, the former a native of Stark county, Ohio, and was born in 1830, and the latter born near Indianapolis, Indiana, about 1828. Lie was educated in the common schools in his native place and grew up there, engaged in farming and raising and marketing cattle. He came to Vernon county, Missouri, in 1871, and a few years later bought a quarter section of land in section twentyfive, Metz township. Here he resumed farming operations, and raising, feeding and marketing stock, and devoted his chief attention to those lines till his decease. He prospered financially and owned at the time of his death two hundred and forty acres of fine land and other property.

He stood high as an upright man of high Christian ideals and was esteemed and beloved by all who knew him. He was a Knight Templar, and carried Masonic insurance for $5,000, which amount was paid his widow immediately after his death.

On October 23, 1879, Mr. Falor was united in marriage with Miss Emma Yeates, a native of Chariton county, Missouri, born February 7, 1857, and a daughter of William H. and Mildred (Medley) Yeates. Of five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Falor, Nellie M., the eldest, lives on the home farm; Archie M. lives in

Emory Farley was born in Berrien county, Michigan, March 19, 1850. Amos A. Farley, his father, was born October 2, 1813, near Montreal, Canada. In 1815 his father moved to Geauga county, Ohio, and in 1830 to Michigan, from an early age fol¬ lowing agricultural pursuits. In 1850 he removed to Illinois, settling in Mercer county, where he made his home for nearly twenty years, coming thence to this county in 1869, and settling on section 30, of Henry township. This homestead embraced 240 acres. Mr. Farley died July 8, 1886. Mrs. Farley, before her marriage, was Miss Ally Ann Moore, also of Ohio nativity. The five children in their familv were named Emory, Edwin, Marion, George AY. and Lucy J. December 29, 1880, Miss Laura B. Lawrence became his wife. Mrs. Farlev was born in Cass countv, Missouri, a daughter of Frank M. Lawrence, of that county.

O. C. Farmer, who has been a resident of Vernon county, Mis¬ souri, since the year 1884, is a native of Knox county, Ohio, and was born January 12, 1852. His parents, Van and Catherine Farmer, were both natives of Ohio, and the father passed his life in Knox county.

Our subject grew to manhood in his native state and was mar¬ ried at Mt. Vernon, in Knox county. He moved from Ohio to Montgomery county, Kansas, and in 1882 removed thence to Vernon county and settled with his family on a farm of eighty acres near Katy. Later he sold the farm and moved into the town of Katy in 1903 and engaged in mercantile business, carrying a general stock of goods and has built up a large and prosperous trade. Mr. Farmer also deals largely in hay and grain and does a thriving business in that line. He is a wide-awake business man and as a citizen is always ready to do his part toward fur¬ thering the best interests of the town and community.

Mr. Farmer is a Democrat in political opinion and holds the views promulgated by William Jennings Bryan, but has never sought or cared for political office. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

On January 1, 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Emma Critchfield, and they have four children, named, respect¬ ively, Lura, who was born December 8, 1880; Verna, born October 15, 1881, and Harold and Herbert, twins, who were born July 27, 1892.

Joseph Fergus. A member of the first family to locate within the boundaries of Clear Creek township. A sketch of his parents and their children will be read with interest by the many t'o whom their name is familiar. James Fergus, Joseph's father, was born October 19, 1813, near Newburn, Virginia, as was also his wife, formerly Jemima Ingrum. She was born November 22, 1813 ; their marriage occurred November 5, 1835, immediately after which they started for Missouri, settling first in St. Clair county, and after a year came to Vernon county, then a part of Bates county. Entering 440 acres of land upon his arrival in the fall of 1837, he at once commenced its improvement, puttingup a cabin, etc., and tasting the bitter experiences of true pioneer life. Here Mr. Fergus finally died October 13, 1859, sincerely mourned. While this was a part of Bates county he was elected sheriff, and in 1859 he was reelected, holding that position when he died. The children of himself and wife, besides Joseph, were Virginia, who was the first child born in the township, born May 19, 1839; James I., born November 26, 1840; Margaret, born January 9, 1843; Elizabeth Ann, born October 20, 1845; Mary J., born October 3, 1848 ; and Edwin, born October 27, 1853. Only an infant when brought to this county, Joseph grew up here and obtained such educational advantages as could be had, and during his father's term as sheriff he acted as deputy. During the war he took part in the fight at Lexington, though physical disability prevented his serving regularly, and owing to the destruction of almost all the property about home he removed the family to a place of safety, first in Cooper and then in Howard county, his mother having previously died March 30, 1862. While in the former county he was captured by the Federal troops and held as a prisoner at Sedalia, for five weeks, also being taken prisoner at Calhoun and robbed of his horse and started out on foot. In the spring of 1864 Mr. Fergus went to Boise City, Idaho, engaged in mining, and in May, 1866, left for Montana, arriving at Helena on July 4, where lie remained two years, part of the time being employed on a ranch and also in a butcher shop, with a very meagre mining experience interspersed. In the summer of 1868 he left for home and finally reached here in October, his mar¬ riage occurring sometime after. Miss Margaret E. Broom then became his wife, her birth having taken place in North Carolina July 25, 1849. Her parents, Noah and Louisa Broom, nee Steigall, who were married in 1846, were also natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Fergus have had two children: Ida May, born September 8, 1871, died March 5, 1875, and Charlie Quantrell, born May 24, 1874.

Benjamin E. Ferry is a native Missourian, his birth having occurred at Boonville, Cooper county, July 9, 1853. His father, Benjamin E. Ferry, was also of Missouri origin, born in St. Charles county, at Fort Dardenne, in 1810. He was a man of good education and above the ordinary in intelligence, having studied law and also acquired considerable prominence as a politician. He edited one of the first papers in Missouri, west of St. Louis, at Fayette, Howard county, and after selecting Cooper county as his permanent home was engaged in the publi¬ cation of a journal at Boonville for some time. For twenty years he filled most acceptably the office of county clerk of that county and was also for eight years its sheriff, besides these posi¬ tions of trust and responsibility representing the county in the state legislature. In 1861 he entered the Confederate army, served faithfully during his term of service, and upon returning from the war practiced his profession until 1868, when he came to Vernon county, here making his home until his death in 1875. He married Miss Harriet T. Thompson, adopted daughter of Major Triggs, of Frankfort, Ky. ; she died at Boonville in 1866, leaving two children living, William T. and Benjamin E. Benjamin was brought up until sixteen years of age in his native town, attending school most of the time. Subsequently, in 1868, he came with his father to this county, and since then has devoted his time to farming and stock raising. March 12, 1878, Mr. Ferry was married to Miss Annie E. Earhart, daughter of Dr. M. Earhart. She was born in Red River county, Texas. Their four children are Michael E., William T., Benjamin E. Jr., and Harriet V.

William J. Finley* has been a resident of Vernon county, Mis¬ souri, more than thirty years, was born in Howard county, Missouri, February 10, 1847, and is the only son, and one of a family of six children, born to Benjamin and Jane (Looney) Finley, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Ten¬ nessee. Of their other children, Mrs. Elizabeth Winn, who lived in Washington, is deceased. Mrs. Polly Hargis resides in Belton, Mo. Mrs. John Burris died in Moberly, Mo. Louisa married Mr. John Vinyard, now deceased, and had one daughter. By a second marriage to Mr. Plez Oglesby, she had two daughters ; Nannie, their fifth daughter, also is deceased. The mother passed away in 1854, and the father in 1862. From the time he was ten till he was fourteen years old, William lived with one of his sis¬ ters, and then lived with his sister, Mrs. Hargis, in Jackson county, some two years. Going then to Moniteau county, he, on October 31, 1873, married Miss Nannie Newkirk, who was born in that county March 20, 1851, to Harrison and Margaret (Renshaw) Newkirk, the former born in Kentucky, and the latter in Cooper county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Newkirk had a family of ten children, viz.: Absolom Newkirk, of Moniteau county. The second child married first, Mr. Ferd Cook, and later Mr. Alexander Ashcraft. Mrs. P. T. Gates, who lives in Montana. W. J. Finley. Laura married Mr. Sellers, and lives in Montana. Mrs. Jennie McClanahan, of St. Louis. Sallie, the wife of Mr. Finley, of Moniteau county. Drake, of Kansas City. Willard, of Moniteau county, and one who died in infancy.

Mr. Finley came to Vernon county in 1880, and cultivated a leased farm in Walker township two years. In 1882 he bought ninety acres of land in section 6, Clear Creek township, and since then has bought other land, owning at present - 1911 - 180 acres in Clear Creek and forty acres in Bacon township. Mr. Finley has been a life-long farmer and stock raiser and dealer, and in his operations has achieved marked success. Pie is a Democrat in political opinion, but has had no desire for office, finding in his regular work enough to fully engage his attention. Both he and Mrs. Finley are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

William E. Fisher was a resident of Michigan when the firing upon Fort Sumter first attracted attention, and on October 14 1861, he enlisted in the Twelfth Michigan Infantry, afterwards serving in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, where he was taken prisoner. For fourteen days he was confined at Tuscaloosa, and for four months and sixteen days at Macon, Ga., and one month and fourteen days at Ealeigh, N. C., after which he was taken to Richmond and paroled. On leaving there he went to Mobile, Ala., and thence to the blockade fleet at the mouth of the Missis¬ sippi. later reaching New York. Detroit was subsequently reached and then St. Louis, thence returning to Detroit, from which place he went to Camp Chase, in Ohio. From this point he ran away and returned home, remaining there until March, 1863, when he went back to Detroit and afterwards to Haines' Bluff, on the Yazoo river, where he joined his regiment after an absence of just one year to a day. Subsequently he participated in the siege of Vicksburg, then being transferred to the Seventh Army Corps, going to Helena, Ark., and with Steele to Little Eock, where he served out his time in the Trans-Mississippi department. After being mustered out Mr. Fisher returned home. In 1865 he came to Vernon county, Missouri Mr. Fisher is a native of Sandusky, 0., born November 23, 1845. Ilif Fisher, his father, of Portage county, Ohio, followed lumber manufac¬ turing as his calling in life ; his wife was of German nativity, formerly Miss Christina Loehinaw. In 1846 the family removed to Michigan and there William was reared, attending to the lumber business and running a saw mill in connection with his father. He (Ilif) died in 1858. May 1, 1868, Mr. Fisher married Miss Sarah -J. Pierce, of Grayson county, Kentucky.

Columbus C. Foland is a prosperous and well-to-do farmer of V ashington township, Vernon county, Missouri, where he was born May 10, 1867. He is the fifth child and one of two sur¬ vivors of a family of seven children born to Jacob and Sarah (Jones) Foland, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father, who was a cabinetmaker, followed his trade all his early thence went to Vernon county, Missouri, in 1857 and settled on a farm in sections 3 and 4, Washington township. He was a pros¬ perous farmer and stock raiser and an active man of affairs, selfeducated and alive to all that pertained to the welfare of the community, and at the time of his decease, in 1898, was the owner of 500 acres of well-improved land. He was an ardent Democrat and especial^ active in the local conventions and councils of his party.

Our subject acquired his education in the public schools of Vernon county and grew to manhood on the home farm, living with his parents till he was twenty-four years of age. As a farmer Mr. Foland is practical, up-to-date and thoroughly abreast of the times in the matter of improved methods, and besides 240 acres of land in Washington township owns six houses and lots in Nevada. He adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, with progressive tendencies, is identified with the Modern Wood¬ men of America and Modern Brotherhood of America, and, with his wife, is affiliated with the Christian Church. On October 23, 1892, Mr. Foland married Miss Minnie Smith, daughter of Mr. -J. E. Smith, of Vernon county. Mr. and Mrs. Foland have six children, viz., Ruby, born February 6, 1894 ; Dee, born February 22, 1896 ; Elbert, born February 22, 1898 ; Fannie, born December 28, 1899 ; Alice, born October 18, 1902, and Daisy Dean, born January 19, 1904, and girl baby born July 27, 1911.

John Fonburg. The following brief facts will serve to give an idea of the manner in which his successful life was spent. He was born November 17, 1836, in Switzerland, the son of Lewis Fonburg (of French origin) and wife, the latter of Swiss birth. John remained in his native country until some 12 years of age, when, with his father, he emigrated to the United States, settling first in Cook county, Illinois, in 1849. In growing up he was made familiar with the details of agricultural life, and this oc¬ cupation he continued to follow for some time, later entering the employ of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, in which he continued four years. The three following years Avere passed in steamboating on the Mississippi, and after this he re¬ sumed farming in Illinois, remaining so engaged for five years in Macoupin county. In 1861 he was married to Miss Francis Genser. originally from Germany, and in 1867 they moved from their

Illinois home to Vernon county, Missouri, where they ever after lived. Mr. Fonburg from that time devoted himself to his chosen calling and became recognized as one of Vernon county's substan¬ tial citizens. He owned a fine farm of 320 acres, well improved, the surroundings of which indicated the good farmer that he was. His convenient, commodious buildings were kept in good repair, as was, indeed, everything about the place. One thing to which he gave no little attention, and one so universally neglected by the average farmer, was the raising of small fruits. He, by his energy and the aid of his estimable wife and worthy family, secured a comfortable competency and desirable home - the abode of taste and refinement. He and his wife were blessed with a family of six children: Charles E., Henry P., Leona, John B., James M. and Frank Albert. Mr. Fonberg died on June 26, 1906.

Pierce Fonburg, one of Vernon county's prosperous farmers, comes of Swiss lineage. He was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, July 8, 1866, to John and Frances (Genser) Fonburg, who immi¬ grated from Switzerland, their native country, to Cook county, Illinois, in 1849. The father there worked for a railroad com¬ pany and later moved to Macoupin county and lived till his removal with his family to Vernon county, Missouri, in 1867. Here he bought and settled on forty acres of land and kept adding to this until he had 560 acres. Three years before his death he moved to Nevada and lived there until his death, which occurred January 26, 1906.

Pierce acquired his education in the district schools of Vernon county, which he attended till he was twenty-two years old, and lived and worked on the home farm till he was twenty-six, when, on June 19, 1892, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Taylor, near Bronaugh. After his marriage Mr. Fonburg culti¬ vated leased land two years and then bought eighty acres in sec¬ tion 29, Harrison township, where he has since made his home with his family, having added another eighty-acre tract to his original purchase. In his farming operations Mr. Fonberg has given particular attention to breeding and raising horses and hogs, and in this, as in all his work, has been eminently successful.

Mr. and Mrs. Fonburg have had four children, of whom the two surviving are: Jessie, who wras born July 8, 1898, and Allen, who was born December 11, 1905.

Judge William F. Ford was born in Shelby county, Ken¬ tucky, September 13, 1816. He was the son of 'William W. Ford, of South Carolina nativity, who, when 12 years of age, accom¬ panied his father to Shelby county, Kentucky, where he remained until his marriage in 1806 to Miss Elizabeth Metcalf. Mr. Ford was a minister of the Baptist denomination, and after a period exceeding thirty years, he served as pastor of the Christiansburg church ; also at various times filling appointments throughout the surrounding country. To himself and wife the following family of children were given : J ames, who died in early youth ; Eliza, James W., Zerilda, William F., Emmarine, Louisa, John M., Nineon M., Elizabeth and Cassandra. William F. received his education in his native county where he graduated when twenty years of age. On December 24, 1835, he married Miss Malinda Powell, the daughter of John and Dorcas Powell, and after this event took up the occupation of farming, in which he met with good success. Upon leaving the Blue Grass state, Mr. Ford moved to Andrew county, Missouri, and during his residence there was elected as judge of the county court, his official duties extending over two terms. Leaving Andrew county, Judge Ford moved to Clay county, in 1864, and in October, 1868, he came to Vernon county. The Judge named his homestead "Pleasant View Farm." He and his wife had the following children: Cassandra P., William F., John PI., James T., Edmund P., Henry C., Minerva A., Elizabeth, Shelby, George M., Emaline B., Lucy A., Sarah C., Yancy B., and Malinda C.

John B. Foster, who for twenty years was an influential and progressive citizen of Nevada, Mo., where he died October 26, 1908, was born at Manchester, Adams county, Ohio, July 6, 1866, and was a son of Jerry Foster, a resident of Nevada, Mo., at the time of his death in 1899. John B. was a practical railroad man, and after coming to Nevada in 1899 was continuously in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railway Company until his decease.

He began as a brakeman and rose to the position of conducted and was known as one of the most faithful, reliable and efficient men in the service of the company. Mr. Foster was prominent and active in fraternal and benevolent organizations and held member¬ ship in the Masonic order, the Knights Templar, the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Mystic Circle, and Modern Woodmen of America, and also belonged to the Order of Railway Conductors. He was a kind-hearted man, of generous impulses, loyal to his friends and true to the highest ideals of manhood, and his passing away was mourned by a wide circle of devoted friends.

On August 22, 1887, he married Miss Mary E. Whaley, a daughter of William H. and Anna (Rowland) Whaley, of Lee Summit, Jackson county, Missouri, and there were born to them three children, named respectively, Marie M., Anna Belle and Alvin Deral Foster.

Mrs. Foster is the eldest of a family of twelve children - eleven daughters and one son - of whom two, viz., Nannie and ah infant unnamed, are deceased. Those living besides Mrs. Foster are Sadie, who is married to Mr. W. S. Dickie and lives in Michi¬ gan ; Narcissis, the wife of Mr. William Erwin, of Kansas City, Mo.; Etta, the wife of Mr. John Owen, of Nevada; Lee, who is married to Mr. John W. Doerle, of Nevada; Anna May Whaley, of Nevada ; Kate, who is married to Mr. Charles D. Essig, of Nevada ; Georgia, the wife of Mr. Harry C. May, of Nevada; Myrtle, the widow of Mr. Robert Grubb, deceased, of Nevada, and William R. Whaley, who lives in Nevada.

William Y. Foster, widely known as a successful educator, is a native of Allentown, St. Louis county, Missouri, and was born May 2, 1877, to George R. and Mattie E. (McCown) Foster, both natives of Kentucky. The Foster family is of English origin. James Foster, our subject's grandfather, was born in Logan county, Kentucky, in 1783, and moved thence, in an earlv dav, to Johnson county, Missouri, where he entered a large tract of government land and became an extensive and successful farmer and stock raiser, owning at one time some 2,000 acres of land and many slaves. His homestead, built in the early thirties, is still standing, wTell preserved. He died here in 1870. Of a family of eleven children which he reared, all except our subject's father, the youngest, passed their lives in Johnson county, wffiere their descendants still reside. Our subject's parents were married in 1859. The father was engaged in mercantile business at Warrens¬ burg, Mo., prior to this time; after the opening of the Civil War in 1860 he and his wife moved to St. Louis county and for twenty years he was employed as a traveling salesman for Mr. Samuel C. Davis. It was here in Allentown, St. Louis county, that his wife, the mother of our subject, died on March 4, 1878. She was buried in the Warrensburg cemetery. In 1884 he removed to Kansas City and until his decease in 1896 traveled in the employ ofthe Shuster-Hinston Company, of St. Joseph, Mo. He died at the age of sixty-two years at Valley City, Mo., and rests beside his wife. Our subject's maternal grandfather, James McCown, was descended from one of three brothers, who came to this country from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1729. During his active career he was one of the most influential and popular men of Johnson countv, where he was honored with the several offices of circuit clerk, county clerk and county recorder. He enlisted in the first regiment organized in Johnson county and entered the Confed¬ erate service as its commander. After the surrender of his regi¬ ment at Mobile, Ala., he returned to YYarrensburg, where he died of fever in 1868. His widow still survives - 1911 - at the age of ninety years. They had a family of eight children, six of whom still survive.

William Y. Foster finished his public school education at Kansas City, Mo., passing through the various grades and after¬ wards pursued his studies in the Warrensburg State Normal. He received his first life certificate from the state superintendent in 1902. In 1908 he was graduated from Springfield State Normal with the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogy. Mr. Foster began teaching in the rural schools of Cedar county in 1896. In 1899 he went to Clear Creek township, Vernon county, and taught there continuously three years. In 1902 he became principal of the graded schools at Walker, in Vernon county, then from 1903 to 1905 had charge of the department of English in the Nevada high school, after which he served as principal of the graded schools at Schell City until the fall of 1907, when he was elected county superintendent of schools of Vernon county, an office to which he was re-elected in 1909 for a second term and again re-elected in 1911 for four years under the new law, which constitutes a term of eight years as county superintendent, being the longest school administration in the history of the county. Mr. Foster is thor¬ oughly progressive in his ideas and work, as is shown by the fol¬ lowing things accomplished under him in the last four years, viz. : Rural graduation introduced ; 550 pupils graduated from the eighth grade and presented diplomas; thirty-one township com¬ mencements organized and conducted; rural schools and high schools articulated; agriculture introduced into the country schools ; literature introduced into the county schools ; corn grow¬ ing association organized for country boys; uniform system of classification and words introduced ; county spelling contest orig¬ inated and introduced ; thorough visitation of all the schools in the county each term ; rural schools rally day originated and introduced ; the office of county superintendent made the actual core of the school work of the county. Mr. Foster is a member of the State Teachers' Association and of the Southwestern Teach¬ ers' Association, and is serving his first term as president of the county superintendents' organization. Mr. Foster is active in fraternal and benevolent societies, being identified with the Inde¬ pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Wood¬ men of America and Woodmen of the World. He is a Democrat in politics and in religious faith is affiliated with the Christian denomination.

William H. Fowler is one of the substantial farmers of Drywood township, Vernon county, Missouri, who has made his way from obscurity by the force of a strong character and hard work. He was horn in Newton county, Missouri, March 29, 1850, and is the fourth of a family of five children born to Ezra and Mary (Been) Fowler. The father, a native of Indiana, was a farmer and moved from his native state in 1846 to Newton county, where he died in 1855. The mother was born in North Carolina and survived till April 12, 1910.

William H. had but meager educational privileges in early life, and beginning a poor hoy, made his own way in the world, laying the foundation of future success and acquiring by his own efforts a good education. He has always been a great reader and a close observer of men and affairs, keeping himself in touch with the trend of current events. Prior to his marriage he worked as a farm laborer and by hard work acquired considerable land in Atchison county, Missouri, where he on December 28, 1872, lived till 1895. Selling his interests there, he came to Vernon county and bought 675 acres of fertile land in sections 13, 14, 31 and 34, Drywood township. He has since bought other lands and now owns 1,040 acres in that township. Mr. Fowler has his home just outside the limits of the village of Sheldon, where he owns a handsome residence, a commodious and substantial barn and convenient outhouses. Besides, he has placed a fine class of improvements on all his land, comprising every needed facility and convenience of the modern model farm.

He is a thoroughly practical, systematic and progressive farmer and gives particular attention to the fertilization of his land, the rotation of crops and other means of deriving the best results from his farm operations. He raises immense quantities of corn and derives a large income from his shipments of cattle and hogs, which he raises and feeds in large numbers.

Mr. Fowler stands high in Masonic circles and belongs to the Blue Lodge and also is a Knight Templar. In political opinions he is a Republican and active in the local affairs of his party. Of seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Fowler the four now surviving are Mary Bell, who was born March 28, 1878; Edward G., born March 11, 1880 ; Nancy, born January 21, 1883, and Ely B., who was born January 27, 1887.

Joseph A. Fryer is one of the wideawake and prosperous busi¬ ness men of Nevada, Mo., and active in the welfare and develop¬ ment of the city. He was born in Kentucky, September 11, 1861, and is a son of Beverly M. and Martha (Richards) Fryer, both natives of that state, where his mother died when he was nine years of age. He is the eldest of a family of five children, of whom two are deceased, the other survivors being Addie, who is married to Mr. Thomas W. Patterson, of Kansas City, and Lloyd R. Fryer, a real estate dealer at Kenefee, Okla. The fa¬ ther, a farmer by occupation, moved from Kentucky to Nevada, Vernon county, Missouri, in 1875. Joseph A. was educated in the public schools of his native place and in Cedar county, Mis¬ souri, where he lived before settling in Nevada. He was reared on a farm and followed farming till he started in business on Cherry street, Nevada, in 1887. In 1902 he became proprietor of the Crown Bottling Works, one of the prosperous industries of Nevada. He also holds a half interest in the Crystal lee Plant at Nevada, and besides owns considerable other property. Since living in Nevada he has been somewhat active in municipal and civic affairs and has served as city commissioner. In politics he has always adhered to the principles of the Democratic party. He is known as a public-spirited citizen and is a man of much influence in the east end of the city.

Mr. Fryer is actively identified with fraternal organizations, being a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Eagles, and the Woodmen of the World.

On September 1, 1887, he married Miss Minnie L. Hutchins, of Johnson county, Missouri, and they have one child, named Bernice E., who was born October 13, 1892.

Sylvester Fuller, whose birth occurred in Lawrence county, Ohio, February 10, 1818, was the third child of fourteen children born of the marriage of Sylvester and Sarah E. (Maginnis) Fuller. His father was a native of Providence, R. I., and his grandfather, whose name was also Sylvester, served as a captain in the Revo¬ lutionary War under Washington. In May, 1853, Mr. Fuller moved to Carroll county, Missouri, and entered a large tract of land, but during the following eight years he carried on a lum¬ ber business. Upon being burned out by the militia in 1862 he decided to locate in Vernon county, and this was later his home. He has been married four times. December 1, 1847, Miss Eliza¬ beth Payne became his wife, but she died October 8, 1852, leav¬ ing three children: Cornelia, wife of Willis Ellis, and Oliver B. March 4, 1853, Mr. Fuller married Sarah H. Fuller, and some time after her death, which occurred June 17, 1854, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Frances R. Jones, daughter of Noah Caton. At her death, November 7, 1873, she left the followingfamily of children : Jasper A., dead ; Chester C., Ella P., wife of Robert C. Craig; George N., Emma R. March 17, 1875. Mr. Fuller married Mrs. Celia Summers, daughter of Jesse Summers, one of the very old settlers in Vernon county. Politically, Mr. Fuller was a Democrat and as such held numerous positions of honor and trust. He was justice of the peace several years in Carroll county and after coming here was elected one of the county judges.

Jacob Funderburk was born in Tennessee November 9, 1807. and was the son of Henry and Polly (Rape) Funderburk, both native of Pennsylvania. In the original family there were four¬ teen children, of whom Jacob was the third child. When eight years old he accompanied his parents to Sangamon county, Illi¬ nois, and it was there that he first really commenced to obtain a thorough knowledge of agricultural life. In 1867 he left that section and settled in this county - a change which proved most satisfactory in subsequent years. August 20, 1828, Mr. Funder¬ burk was married to Miss Ruth Simpson, a Kentuckian by birth, and they had two sons and five daughters: William H., James K. Polk, Frances, married Charles Strifes ; Millie, married Silas Lard; Jane, married a Mr. Bartlett; Y. Voss, Amanda, who mar¬ ried Samuel Downs, and Orleans, who married George Shivers.

Stephen N. Garlock, who has resided in Vernon countj", Mis¬ souri, since 1902, was born in Montgomery county, New York, May 21, 1835, to George S. and Elizabeth (Nellis) Garlock. In 1857 he left New York and came to Scott county, Iowa, and in 1881 went to Adair county, Iowa.

Our subject lived in Iowa till 1902, when he came to Vernon county and settled with his family in Coal township, where he has since made his home. He owns a farm of 320 acres in sections 23 and 14, and is recognized as one of the progressive men of the community. As a farmer he is thoroughly systematic and up-to-date in his methods and his finely improved, well-kept farm ranks among the best in the township.

Mr. Garlock is a Republican in his political opinions and while in Adair county, Iowa, served four years as justice of the peace and three years as county supervisor and was connected with the school board a number of years, nearly always as president.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Garlock. The first born, Charles, born May 3, 1862, is now deceased. Those surviving are Nellie, who was born June 16, 1865; Elbert, born June 25, 1878, and Libbie, who was born January 18, 1875.

James E. Gehrean, a member of the bar of Nevada, Mo., comes of Irish-English lineage. He was born at Pleasant Hill, Mo., March 13, 1882, and is the third child of a family of five children born to James A. and Ellen (Joy) Gehrean. The other children are William P., who was born in 1877 ; Charles A., born in 1880 ; Fannie F., born in 1885, and Nellie T., who was born in 1888. The parents are natives of Rensselaer county, New York, and after their marriage removed thence to Pleasant Hill, Mo., where the father was engaged in railroading till 1888, when the family settled in Nevada. Our subject's grandfather, Patrick Gehrean, came from Ireland, his native land, and settled in Albany, N. Y., whence he afterwards moved to Hoosick Falls and engaged in mercantile business. He died when he was forty years old, but was survived by his widow, who still lives - 1911 - at Hoosick Falls. On his mother's side our subject traces his ancestry back through four generations to England, whence Stewart Joy came in 1760 and settled at Queenstown, N. Y. His son, Martin Joy. who passed his life in New York state, was the father of Abram Joy, our subject's grandfather. Abram Joy was born in Ren¬ sselaer county, New York, in 1818, and was engaged in mercan¬ tile trade there a number of years and removed thence to Ne¬ vada, Mo., in 1888. His wife's maiden name was Mary O'Con¬ nor. They are both deceased.

James E. acquired his education in the public schools of Nevada and after deciding to prepare himself for the legal pro¬ fession, became a student and clerk in the law office of Mr. J. B. Johnson in 1901, and on March 25, 1905, passed his examination and was admitted to the Yernon county bar.

Mr. Gehrean at once began the practice of his profession at Nevada and has since continued with gratifying success. He is actively identified with the Knights of Columbus.

Frank Byron George. The principal of the shorthand and court reporting departments of the Nevada Business College, Prof. Frank Byron George has been a resident of Nevada for twentv-three vears. His first shorthand work was in 1874 in

New York City, where he studied the art and wrote and taught it for several years. He was in New York when the first type¬ writer was exhibited in that city, stenographers then taking off their work in longhand. Mr. George is an official court reporter.

He reported the twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth judicial circuits for many years and has a record of twenty-seven years of practical shorthand and business college work.

He is ably assisted in the shorthand, typewriting and other departments by his daughter, Miss Louise George, principal of the typewriting department. Miss George is also a penman of ability^, especially in the art of sketching. She took first pre¬ mium at the Missouri state fair at Sedalia.

Mr. George was born November 23, 1848, in Olney, Richland county, Illinois. Oliver George, his father, was a physician and native of Pennsylvania, and his mother a native of Vermont. His father was related to Henry George, the author of "The Single Tax," and his mother was an own cousin of Hiram Powers, the celebrated sculptor, author of "The Greek Slave," the masterpiece in "statuary." Mr. George had two brothers, Charles L. George and William Albert George; the former a lawyer, resident of Iowa, the latter a graduate in shorthand, law and medicine, having graduated at Bellevue Medical College, NeAV York City, with honorable mention. He phono graphically reported the American Medical Association at Louisville, Ky., unassisted, in 1877 ; wrork now done by a corps of reporters. Laterlie took up newspaper editorial work and was connected with the "New York Economist" and other New York papers. Will¬ iam A. George died June 3, 1899, in his forty-seventh year, hav¬ ing been born January 6, 1853.

Prof. F. B. George came to Nevada September 24, 1888. His first work in Nevada was on the "Southwest Daily" and "Weekly Mail" newspapers, in getting out a large trade edition, Mr. George looking after the write-ups and advertising, he being also a newspaper man of experience and ability. In 1889 he was appointed official court reporter of the twenty-fifth judicial circuit, later reported the twenty-sixth circuit for several years. He reported the first court in the new courthouse at Eldorado Springs. He began a shorthand school in Duck block in 1894; later he became associated with W. E. Stewart in business col¬ lege work, later conducted the college as sole owner until recently he associated with him Prof. C. A. Dillman. Mr. George was married in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1884, to Miss Virginia Lee Mitchell, daughter of Dr. Robert P. Mitchell, of Scotland county, Mis¬ souri. He has two daughters, Mabel and Louise, both good stenographers and vocal and instrumental musicians. Mrs. George's grandfather was Col. Robert Mitchell, one of the early residents of Clark county and a large landholder.

Charles E. Gilbert, who ranks among the successful lawyers of Nevada, Mo., has attained his standing by persevering and conscientious effort in the line of his chosen profession. lie is a native of Virginia and was born September 28, 1861, the son of Armstead Calvin and Judith A. (Davis) Gilbert, both of whom passed their lives in Virginia, their native state. The Gilbert family came originally from England, three of its representa¬ tives coming hither and settling, one in Virginia - our subject's branch - one in Illinois, and the other in Texas. The Davis family ancestors for many generations back were of Virginia.

Our subject passed his boyhood in his native state and acquired his education there. After leaving the common and high schools he attended the state college of Virginia, where he was graduated with the class of 1883. He then pursued a post¬ graduate course in the same institution and in 1884 received the degree of bachelor of arts. During the five years next follow¬ ing this Mr. Gilbert devoted himself to teaching in the state of Texas and during that period served for a time as superintend¬ ent of the city schools of Henderson, Rusk county, that state. Coming thence to Missouri, he turned his attention to the study of law, becoming a student, first in the law office of Mr. G. W. Barnett at Seclalia and afterward continuing his studies with Messrs. Burton & Wight at Nevada. He passed his examina¬ tion and was admitted to the Vernon county bar in 1889 and at once opened an office at Nevada and began the practice of his profession. Mr. Gilbert is known as a thorough lawyer and from the first has devoted himself to his professional work, never seeking or caring for political honors, though he did accept the office of police judge and served in that capacity one term.

Mr. Gilbert takes an interest in all matters relating to the welfare and development of his city and county and stands well in social and fraternal circles. He is a Mason and is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and also be¬ longs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

Stuart W. Gilmore, prior to his removal to Nevada in Novem¬ ber, 1910, was for forty years one of the thrifty farmers and a leading man in Vernon county, Missouri, where he settled in 1870 on a quarter section of land, which he purchased, in section twenty-one, Deerfield township. His has been an active life and financially successful, and during his residence on the farm he acquired, all told, nearly 500 acres of land, most of which, how¬ ever, he has disposed of. He now lives with his wife in a com¬ fortable home in the city of Nevada, retired from active busi¬ ness and enjoying the well-earned fruits of his busy life. Mr. Gilmore's grandfather served as a soldier in the War of 1812; his father was a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and lived to the advanced age of 82 years. Our subject Avas born in Bath county, Virginia, on the 12th day of October, 1830, and Avas mar¬ ried to Alice A. Johns on the 17tli of November, 1855, who Avas also a native of Bath county. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore have tAVO children lhfing, named respecti\Tely, Mary Virginia, Avho is married to Mr. S. G. Welborn, of Calhoun, Mo., and has tAvo children, and Sallie, who is married to Mr. Louis Miller, who has tAvo children by a former AAfife and lives at Nevada, Mo. Mr. Gilmore has ahvays been a man of progressive ideas, ready to lend a hand and help along any worthy cause and in hearty sympathy with whatever pertained to the betterment of his com¬ munity and the Avelfare of his fellowmen. He has always been an earnest advocate of temperance and in his early life Avas an active member of the Sons of Temperance. He has been affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, more than sixty years, and many years served as superintendent of the Sunday School, and has been a liberal contributor in the building of nearly all the churches in Vernon countj^. He has ahvays been a man of commanding influence in his community and Avhile living in Deerfield township filled, at Amrious times, all the minor toAAm offices, and assisted financially in building the first school house there. He also served one term as judge of the county court.

He has ahvays been an advocate and lover of peace, and during the years that he held the office of Justice of the Peace, he discouraged litigation and Avhene\rer possible induced those

As a farmer he was thoroughly up-to-date in his ideas and methods, and made somewhat of a specialty in breeding and selling fine cattle, hogs and sheep.

French H. Glenn, one of the progressive business men of Nevada, Mo., has attained his present high standing by years of patient and persevering work. He is a native of Monroe county, Missouri, and was born February 2, 1856, to John M. and America (Craig) Glenn, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, re¬ spectively. His paternal great-grandfather, a Scotch Presbyte¬ rian, immigrated to this country from the north of Ireland in 1740 and settled in the valley of Virginia, where he secured a tract of land and built a log house. This was replaced in 1800 by a brick farm house, which is still standing in a good state of preservation. Here Hugh Glenn, our subject's grand¬ father, was reared and became a prominent farmer and a man of influence in the community. Here, also, in the valley of Vir¬ ginia, near Harper's Ferry, was born our subject's father, John M. Glenn, who, in 1834, made the trip to Monroe county, Mis¬ souri, with ox team and wagon, and settled on a section of government land. He was a man of high character and became widely known as a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, at the same time being honored with various local offices, among others that of judge of the county court. He spent the remainder of his days in Monroe county and passed away in 1876 at the age of sixty-six years, universally honored and beloved. Our sub¬ ject's mother belonged to the Craig family that moved from Harrison county, Kentucky to Missouri in 1837, where they lived near neighbors to the Glenns. She survived her husband till 1900 and died at the age of seventy-nine years. French H. spent his boyhood on his father's farm and attended the common schools and later pursued a course of study in the high school at Paris, Mo. On leaving the home farm he went to Hannibal, Mo., and began his business career in the mercantile business. After six years he went to New London, Mo., and in partnership with Mr. W. T. Goss, under the firm name of Goss & Glenn, and opened a clothing store. Three years later, in 1887, Mr. Glenn removed to Nevada, his present home, and established and car¬ ried on a large and growing business with marked success, hav¬ ing branch stores at Eldorado Springs, Columbia and Clinton, Mo., and Perry, Okla. Desiring to lessen his business cares and responsibilities, Mr. Glenn first sold all except his Nevada store and finally retired from the mercantile trade. On March 1, 1907, Mr. Glenn turned his attention to banking, having been a stock¬ holder and director of the First National Bank of Nevada simce 1889, when it was established. On January 1, 1908, he succeeded Mr. Theodore Lacoff as president of the bank and since that time has devoted himself to its interests. The other officers of the bank are Willington Barnes, vice-president; Wooddy Swear¬ ingen, cashier, and W. F. Sterett, assistant cashier. The board of directors includes, besides the officers named, Messrs. M. T. January, W. T. Goss, N. Johannes, W. D. Bailey and J. D. Ingrane. This bank is the strongest monetary institution in Vernon county, having a capital and surplus of $200,000. Its resources and liabilities as shown at the close of business November 10, 1910, were :

This bank has had a phenomenal growth from a small begin¬ ning in small quarters. Since February, 1910, it has occupied its present beautiful and commodious quarters, furnished with every modern convenience and device, the building and equipment rep¬ resenting an outlay of some $50,000.

Mr. Glenn is alive to all that relates to the welfare and bet¬ terment of his community and is rightly counted among the pro¬ gressive citizens of Nevada. He engages heartily in social and civic affairs and is identified with various fraternal and benevo¬ lent organizations.

On October 12, 1886, Mr. Glenn married Miss Lena Biggs, whose father, Judge John D. Biggs, was state senator from Ralls county, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn have three children, named respectively James K., Beryl and Beatrice.

Robert M. Golden, a substantial farmer and land owner in Harrison township, Vernon county, Missouri, was born in Han¬ cock county, Illinois, December 27, 1856. His parents, Mahlon and Sarah (Hornbeck) Golden, were natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively, and moved from Illinois to Lynn county, Kansas, with their family of five children in 1871. They lived there one summer and then came to Vernon county, Missouri, where the father bought forty acres of land in section 6, Harri¬ son township to which he added another 160 acres prior to 1883, and there made the family home and lived till his decease in 1898. He was a man of limited education, but was a successful and prosperous farmer, giving particular attention to raising fine horses and owned at the time of his death a quarter section of land. His widow survived till 1906 and left six children, all now, 1911, living.

Robert M., the second child, attended the common schools in Illinois and Missouri till he was eighteen years of age. With $600 given him by his father he bought forty acres of land, to which he has since added more, and now owns 346 acres in Harrison township. After his father's death in 1898 he engaged in the hardware business at Garland, Kan., but sold that in 1910 and resumed farming on his land, which is situated one mile east of that city. Since his mother's decease in 1906 he and his three sisters have made their home together at Garland, he as the head of the household and one of the sisters super-

Air. Golden is a bachelor, a member of Garland Lodge, No. 603, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also belongs to the Mod¬ ern Woodmen of America. In politics he adheres to the prin¬ ciples of the Democratic party. He is a man of progressive ideas, a good citizen and is highly esteemed for his sterling character and worth.

Walter Mortimer Gordon, widely known as the proprietor of the Nevada Auto and Electric Works, is a native of Lewis county, Missouri, and was born December 8, 1875, to James and Hattie A. (Moffitt) Gordon, both natives of Lewis county, Missouri. Some years ago they moved from Lewis county to Greenville, Tex., then to Walker, Mo., Vernon county, and now reside in Nevada.

Our subject acquired his schooling in the public schools of Vernon county and early turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, but a little later became interested in electrical work. He learned his trade under Mr. James Rilly, at Nevada, and for a time was in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Rail¬ way Company as electrician and was located a while in St. Louis. In 1904, Mr. Gordon opened his business in Nevada, establishing his electrical works on South Alain street, and a little later added thp automobile department. The rapid growth of the business soon necessitated increased facilities and larger space to accom¬ modate the demands of the trade, and he moved into his present commodious quarters at the corner of AValnut and Washington streets. The building, comparatively new, is 42 by 100 feet in dimensions and is equipped with every modern and labor-savingdevice required in an up-to-date auto repair shop and garage. He owns five cars and carries in his establishment a complete line of electrical fixtures and appliances, and besides repair work in the shop, furnishing missing or broken parts for auto¬ mobiles, steam and electrical machinery afid engines, he is pre¬ pared to do, and does, a large amount of contract work, installing plants, wiring business houses, offices and dwellings, having in his employ a large force of expert and skilled workmen.

of distinction. He was for eight years in the state militia, being a sergeant of Company H, Second Missouri Regiment, and during the Spanish- American war was with his regiment at Chickamauga. Lexington, Ky., and Albany, Ga. He holds membership in the Southwestern Automobile Retail Dealers' Association, and in fra¬ ternal orders is identified with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Modern Woodmen of America and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On January 4, 1910, Mr. Gordon married Miss Elsa Linkelmann, of Nevada.

William F. Gordon, one of the leading citizens and prominent men of affairs of Nevada, Vernon county, Missouri, is a native of Lexington, Mo., and was born July 25, 1849, to Linn B. and Catherine (Faulkerson) Gordon, natives of Kentucky and Ten¬ nessee, respectively. The father settled in Missouri in 1832 and died in 1884 at Lexington, where the mother still resides.

Our subject's paternal grandparents were George Haynes and Martha (Boyd) Gordon; the former was a native of Kentucky, born May 27, 1796, and at one time served as county surveyor of Lafayette county, Missouri. He was next to the youngest of a family of twelve children, the names and dates of birth of the others being: Nancy Gordon, born May 28, 1774; John Gordon, born August 29, 1775 ; Polly Gordon, born June 30, 1777 ; James Gordon, born July 2, 1779; Betsey Gordon, born August 12, 1781; Lucy Gordon, born July 13, 1783; Thomas Gordon, born February 24, 1786; William Gordon, born September 30, 1788; Joseph Gordon, born March 25, 1791; Elizabeth Gordon, born October 31, 1793, and Sallie Gordon, born October 25, 1798. Our subject's maternal grandparents, Frederick and Sallie (Bradley) Faulkerson, were natives of Tennessee, whence they moved to Lexington, Mo., and settled on a farm, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

William F. spent his childhood and youth on his father's farm and acquired his education in the public schools and at the Dover high school. When twenty years of age he settled on a farm in Walker township, Vernon county, and for thirty years devoted his attention to farming, stock raising, trading, feeding and shipping becoming one of the largest operators in that line in the country. Removing to Nevada in 1899, he continued his stock business a short time till the pressure of other duties claimed his attention. Mr. Gordon, also during this time, was called to various public trusts, which he discharged with fidelity. In 1882 he was appointed public administrator and two years later was elected to the same office for a second term. Resigning the office in 1886, he was elected county clerk of Vernon county, receiving a handsome majority of the votes cast, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected, serving in all eight years in that capacity. In 1904 he was again elected public administrator and has been re-elected for each succeeding term since, his present term expiring in 1912. Mr. Gordon has also served twelve years continuously as justice of the peace, and is a member of the township board of Center township, and for several years has served as school land commissioner. He has for many years been active as a political worker and holds a prominent place in the local councils of the Democratic party. Mr. Gordon is an active member of the Knights of Pythias.

In 1879 he married Miss Maggie M. Evans, of Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, and there have been born to them four chil¬ dren, to-wit: Ollie May, who is married to Mr. A. B. AVert, of Nevada; Sallie Kate, who lives at home; Mattie B., the wife of Mr. C. V. Dean, of Nevada, and AVilliam F. Gordon, Jr., of Nevada.

William T. Goss- is a successful merchant and prominent man of affairs of Nevada, Vernon county, Missouri. A native Mis¬ sourian, he was born in Monroe county, February 4, 1848, to George AV. and Parmelia (AVinn) Goss, the former a native of Kentucky and a farmer by occupation, and the mother a native of Missouri. Both are now deceased.

AVilliam T. grew up on his father's farm and gained his educa¬ tion in the public schools of his native place. He began his busi¬ ness life soon after attaining his majority, first spending four years as a clerk in a mercantile house at Paris, Mo. Thence he went to Hannibal, Mo., and there spent six years in a similar position, after which he was employed as a clerk in a boot and shoe store at Kansas City.

In 1884, having gained a varied and valuable experience, and having accumulated a sufficient capital, Mr. Goss formed, with Mr. F. II. Glenn, a co-partnership, under the firm name of Goss & Glenn, and opened a clothing store at New London, Mo., which was carried on successfully three years. In September, 1887, the firm established itself at Nevada in the same line of trade, and for nearly a quarter of a century has conducted, with eminent success one of the largest and most prosperous clothing establish¬ ments in southwestern Missouri, having, prior to 1905, branch stores in the towns of Perry, Oklahoma, Eldorado Springs and Columbia, Mo., and also at Clinton, Mo., the store last named being sold in 1907.

Mr. Goss is widely known, not only as a thoroughly up-to-date business man, who has achieved well-earned success by upright and fair dealing, but also as a public-spirited citizen who is in hearty sympathy with and ready to give generous support to any worthy object or cause looking to the welfare and development of his city and community, and wherever known he is honored and esteemed as one whose manly career furnishes an example worthy of emulation.

In 1883 Mr. Goss married Miss Nettie Burnett, of Higginsville, and a native of Monroe county, Missouri. They have four chil¬ dren, of whom three, viz., Virginia, Burnett and Gladys, are liv¬ ing, and one, Carl, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Goss are staunch members of the Christian Church.

John McNeal Graham, a native of Scotland, was born July 16, 1844, and is a son of William Graham, who was born in northern Scotland in 1817, and who in 1852 came to this country with his family in the sailing vessel "The Aberdeen," landing in New York after a tedious passage of seven weeks. He was a miller, and after spending some three years in New York owned and operated a flouring mill at Danville, N. Y ., and another near Buf¬ falo. Going to YArkville, Kalamazoo county, Michigan, in 1856, he there operated the Yrorkville mills and also bought a quarter section of land in Kalamazoo county. He was twice married and by his first wife had, besides our subject, another son, Irwin S. Graham, who enlisted in 1861 at the first call for troops and served through the Civil War as a member of Company B, Elev¬ enth regiment, Michigan volunteer infantry, rising to the rank of second lieutenant. He died without issue. By his second mar¬ riage the father had five children, viz., YVilliam, who died without issue; Phillip, who lives in Yorkville, Mich.; Hugh, who died without issue; Thomas, who lives near Gull Lake, Kalamazoo

After his father's death our subject worked on a farm and continued farming till November 1861, when he enlisted in Com¬ pany F, First Michigan light artillery. The company was sent to Louisville and thence to West Point, Ky., to guard the river. Their first battle was at Henderson, Ky., whence they went to Cumberland Gap and thence to Richmond, Ky. There, during two days' engagement, Mr. Graham, while riding in the lead, had three horses killed under him, and while he escaped the shots he was rendered unconscious by a stroke on the head from one of the wounded horses and lay on the field while a Confederate regi¬ ment passed over him. On regaining consciousness, the fighting forces having passed on, he caught a stray horse and galloped away, followed by Confederate bullets from some soldiers on the field. Nearly all of his company being either killed or captured, he overtook General Nelson and acted as orderly on his staff on the retreat to Louisville. Here the company Avas reorganized and going to Mumfordsville was in several skirmishes with John Morgan's troops. In 1863, crossing Cumberland mountains to relieve Burnside at Lexington, the company was in the battle there, and then going to Strawberry Plains encountered General Longstreet. Returning to Lexington in the spring of 1864, after recruiting, they proceeded toward Atlanta, being under fire dur¬ ing most of the way, and after accompanying Sherman on his famous " march to the sea,'' under command of General Thomas, followed Hood on his retreat and overtook him at Franklin, Tenn., where occurred one of the fiercest fights of the campaign. Break¬ ing through Hood's lines they again encountered him at Nash¬ ville and after a hot contest, lasting two days, routed and cap¬ tured practically his entire army. From Nashville they were ordered to Negley, Tenn., where, in January, 1865, Mr. Graham was honorably discharged after serving three years and three months. Returning to Michigan, Mr. Graham remained there till May, 1867, when he came to Vernon county, where he has since made his home. Until 1873 he gave his attention to farming, but then entered the employ of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, and so continued till 1894. From 1901 till September, 1902, he carried the mail on the "star route" and after that till September 15, 1910, was in the rural delivery service. Since then he has lived in retirement at his home in Walker, enjoying the well-earned fruits of his busy career. Mr. Graham has been active in fraternal affairs and in the fall of 1865 joined Richland Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in Michigan. He was ad¬ mitted to the Walker Lodge on coming thither, and so continued till the lodge surrendered its charter, when he received his demit from the grand lodge.

On July 30, 1870, Mr. Graham was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth C. Clack, who was born in Menard county, Illinois, May 8, 1851, a daughter of Sterling S. and Hannah (Britton) Clack, the former born in Kentucky May 18, 1825, and the latter in Illinois October 6, 1825. Mrs. Graham's paternal grandfather, John Twitt Clack, was a native of Tennessee and married Cas¬ sandra Bell, who was born in Simpson county, Kentucky. Her maternal grandfather, Benjamin Britton, was born in Virginia and married Elizabeth Brunk, who was born in Ohio. Her parents were married in Sangamon county, Illinois, in October, 1848, and besides Mrs. Graham, who was their second child, had four children, viz., Benoni M., who lives in Walker; John Britton, now deceased; William S., of Kansas City, and Joseph A. Clack, of Sheldon, Mo. Mrs. Graham's parents settled in Vernon county in September, 1868, and the father died in Blue Mound township March 18, 1870, but the mother survived till May 5, 1909.

Hampton P. Gray. A number of years passed in sincere and earnest endeavor to thoroughly discharge every duty of the posi¬ tions which he occupied was a marked characteristic of Judge Grav's career in life. He was one of the native-born residents of Missouri, his birth having occurred in Boone county January

27, 1820. His father and mother, John and Sarah (Thompson) Gray, were originally from Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The former became one of the earliest settlers of Boone county, Missouri, and took active part in its development, establishing, among other things, the first ferry at Rocheport, on the Missouri river. In 1839 he removed to Head's Fort, Pettis county, which continued to be his home until called away by death. Mrs. Gray came of Irish parentage. She bore her husband eight children, and of these Hampton was the seventh child and third son. Front an early age he obtained a fair schooling, living in the meantime upon the home farm in either Boone or Howard counties. But finally a cherished desire to follow the legal profession as a call¬ ing led him to commence the study of law, and under that honored and able advocate, Abiel Leonard, he pursued his legal studies for some time. However, he never applied himself to active prac¬ tice but engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he continued up to 1880. During a portion of the war troubles he had removed from his home in southwest Missouri to Monroe county, his wife's health being such as to necessitate her removal from the scenes of turmoil and strife. In 1867 he located at Columbia, Boone county, and remained there until 1869, when he came to Vernon county, where he was numbered among her most respected citi¬ zens. While living in Pettis county Mr. Gray held the position of judge of the county court for eleven years, a fact which needs no additional words of commendation. In 1872 he was chosen to represent this county in the state legislature, and served through both the general and adjourned sessions with credit to himself and his constituents, being a member of the committee on agricul¬ ture and retrenchment and reform. In 1881 Judge Gray was appointed to fill a vacancy in the office of county judge, and in 1882 he was made the probate judge of the county. He was twice married. First, May 2, 1842, to Miss Amanda Snell, a native of Kentucky, who accompanied her parents to Boone county, Mis¬ souri, while only an infant. She died in January, 1865, leavingthree children: Ashby, John C. and Clifton S. In April, 1867, the Judge was married to Mrs. Albina (Snell) Hudson, widow of President Hudson, of the State University. She was a sister to his first wife, and by her previous marriage had two sons, Walter P. and James S. Hudson. Judge Gray was well known and his

William L. Gray is one of the substantial citizens of Vernon county, whose success is the result of his own persistent and perse¬ vering effort. He was born February 24, 1839, in Virginia, to Thomas and Anna Frances (McClelland) Gray, natives of Vir¬ ginia.

When our subject was only two years old he lost his father by death and was reared by his mother, who also is now dead, but who became a resident of Harrison county, Missouri, where William L. lived till 1893 and acquired 500 acres of land. This he then sold and moving to Vernon county he bought and settled on 240 acres in section 15, Deerfield township, and engaged in farming with marked success, giving particular attention to rais¬ ing cattle and hogs.

Mr. Grav has been active in business affairs aside from his farming operations. He is a stockholder in the Harrison County Bank, and helped to organize the Moundsville State Bank, and was elected its president in the year 1910. This bank has a paid up capital stock of $10,000 and a surplus of $300, and under the careful, conservative and wise management of those in charge of its affairs fills an important place among the safe financial institu¬ tions of the county. Mr. Gray has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Martha Taylor, passed away in 1863, and in October, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Marian Cruse. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have four children, named, respectively, William L., George L., Donald T. and Chester H. Gray.

Mr. Gray began his career on a small farm of sixty acres, and from a small beginning has made his way by good management, wise forethought and persistent and persevering hard work to his present place among the leading citizens of Vernon county. In political opinion he adheres to the principles of the Democratic party as propounded by William Jennings Bryan.

Edward N. Green is a native Missourian and was born in Vernon county January 20, 1869. His parents, Mathew and Martha J. (Yeager) Green, were natives of North Carolina and Missouri, respectively. The father settled on a farm in Virgil township, Vernon county, Missouri, in April, 1865, and there established the family homestead, where the mother died in 1892 at the age of forty-eight years. The father lived to be seventyeight years old and died in California October 12, 1910. Our subject's mother was his second wife. They had a family of five children, viz., Edward N. and Edmund L., a twin brother, who lives in Badger township, Vernon county; Minerva C., who is mar¬ ried to Mr. W. L. Powelson, of Lawton, Okla. ; Samuel Edwin, who died June 16, 1900, and Mattie Edna, who was married to Mr. Charles V. Goss, and died in 1903.

Our subject traces his maternal ancestry back some 200 years to Germany, the first representatives of this branch of the Yeager family coming to this country and settling in Virginia more than a century ago. Edward N. grew up on his father's farm and acquired a good common school education in the district schools, and has spent the most of his life in farming pursuits and owns one of the most productive and highly cultivated and best im¬ proved farms in Badger township, where he lived twenty years. While living on his farm Mr. Green served eight years as con¬ stable and for four years was township collector. In the spring of 1909 he retired from the farm and moving into Nevada turned his attention to the real estate business, buying, selling, trading, negotiating loans, etc. Mr. Green is actively identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias. On September 9, 1891, he married Miss Viola O., daughter of Peter and Harriet (Scott) Delp, who came to Missouri from Illinois. They have two children, Robert L., born in 1892, and Harriet M., born in 1895, who are now attending the Nevada high school.

Lon N. Hagood belongs to the younger class of enterprising and wide-awake business men of Nevada, Mo., where he was born December 20, 1880. He is a son of Charles C. and Nettie W. (Shepard) Hagood, the former a native of La Grange and the latter of Glasgow, Mo. They removed to Nevada in 1879 and for several years the father was engaged in mercantile business, but later was connected with the old Citizens' Bank, prior to his retirement from active business in 1896.

spent some six years in newspaper work as reporter and city editor of the "Evening Post." On January 1, 1911, Mr. Hagood, with Mr. John E. Hartsook, became members of the H. R. Stevens Company, a prosperous business house of Nevada, dealing in jewelry, pianos and other merchandise of like character, and Mr. Hagood has entered into his new work with characteristic energy that betokens a successful career.

Mr. Hagood is active in fraternal organizations and is identi¬ fied with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the. Knights of Pythias and the Modern AYoodmen of America.

John J. Hall is a native of Kentucky and was born in Breckenridge county July 27, 1847, to William P. and Rebecca (Board) Hall, both born in Virginia. His grandfather, Richard Hall, was a soldier in the war of 1812. His father enlisted as a private in Company B, Twenty-seventh regiment, Kentucky volunteer infantry, and served a year and a half, till 1863, when he was dis¬ charged for disability. He spent his life in Kentucky and died there in 1893. The mother died when our subject was a young child, and he grew up in his father's home and attended the com¬ mon schools till he was twelve years old. At the age of fourteen, on October 20, 1861, he enlisted as a drummer boy in Company B of his father's regiment, and served three years six months and seventeen days, the regiment operating in Tennessee. He took part in many severe skirmishes and was in the battle of Perrysville, Ky., and later on, after the regiment was mounted and sent to eastern Tennessee, he participated in the siege of Knoxville. His regiment was with General Sherman in the Georgia cam¬ paign until the fall of Atlanta, and afterwards was sent to Nash¬ ville, but before the battle of Nashville he was ordered to Louis¬ ville, Ky., when his term of enlistment expired. After receiving his discharge he, on April 7, 1865, re-enlisted in the Fiftythird Kentucky regiment of mounted infantry, in which he served till his final discharge, when he returned to his home. In 1869 he went to Vernon county, Missouri, and in the fall of 1895 moved to Jasper county, and for two years conducted a general store in Harrison township. Removing thence to Branough he opened the first store in the place, there being then no railroad there. He was a notary public and "was kept busy making and acknowl¬ edging deeds for settlers then locating there," as he states. A little later lie opened a feed stable at Nevada, after which lie was temporarily in other places till, finally, in 1908, he settled at Ellis, in Yernon county, where he has since conducted with marked success the only general store in the place.

Mr. Hall is a public-spirited, progressive citizen, interested in the development of his town and owning several public blocks. Mr. Hall is a Republican and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

On July 14, 1870, Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Miss- Jane Alexander, who died, leaving one child, William R. In 1875 Mr. Hall was married to Dora L. McCormick, of which marriage there are three girls, Ethel M., Alice Y. and Blanche B. In 1893 Mr. Hall married Miss Ida Stark, of Yernon county, and they have six children, viz., Lola B., born July 30, 1894; Eunice, born October 9, 1897; Trixy, born June 3, 1900; Gladys, born February 25, 1903; Yiolet, born July 12, 1906, and Mona, who was born October 10, 1908.

William H. Hallett, a practicing attorney of Nevada, Mo., is a native of Cumberland county, Illinois, and is of French-Scotch lineage. His paternal grandfather, Solomon J. Hallett, moved from Kentucky, his native state, to Illinois about 1848. His wife was Miss Nancy E. Waldrup before her marriage. Both are de¬ ceased. His maternal grandfather, Harrison Jones, settled in Yernon county, Missouri, in 1874, and lived there till his decease in 1894, when he was seventy-three years of age. He had prac¬ ticed law in Illinois, and was successful in mercantile business and also as a farmer. William H. was born September 1, 1867, to George W. and Mary E. (Jones) Hallett, both of whom were born in Cumberland county, Illinois. The father was a farmer in Illinois until 1890, when he removed with his family to Okla¬ homa, where he resided till his decease in 1910, at the age of sixty-eight years. The mother is still living. Our subject attended the public schools of his native town, Jewett, Ill., and afterwards engaged in teaching as principal of the Jewett High School. In 1890 he went to Oklahoma and there taught one year, and in 1892 was appointed county clerk of Roger, Mills county, Oklahoma. During his vacations, while teaching, Mr. Hallett devoted his time and attention to the study of law, with a view of fitting himself for the legal profession, and in 1893 passed the examination and was admitted to the bar. He began his practice at Oklahoma City, but soon afterwards came to Nevada, his present home, and during the next five years he gave his attention to teaching in Vernon county. Mr. Hallett then entered the Kansas City Law School, where he was graduated with the class of 1900, and at once opened an office in Nevada and began practice, in which he has since continued without interruption, with gratifying success. Mr. Hallett shows commendable interest in public affairs and is active in local political matters, being a member of the Republican state committee. He is also treasurer of the Missouri State Hos¬ pital for the Insane at Nevada. Mr. Hallett is active in fraternal and benevolent orders, such as the Knights of Pythias, Inde¬ pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

On March 24, 1898, Mr. Hallett married Miss La Verna, daugh¬ ter of Alonzo and Mary E. Wilson, of Vernon county. Tlie3r have one child. Webster W.

George Ham,, who was born in Oneida county, New York, Au¬ gust 10, 1846. is the first child of a family of eight childen born to John and Christina (Meel) Ham, who immigrated from France, their native land, and settled in Oneida county, New York, in 1832. The father was a mechanic and followed that occupation all his life. He was twice married and had two children by his second wife. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, while our subject's mother, who passed away in 1872, was connected with the Methodist Episcopal church.

When eight years old, George left Oneida county and went first to Toledo, Ohio, and thence to Morgan county, Illinois, where, in 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and First Regiment, Illinois Volunteers Infantry. He was in the serv¬ ice nineteen months and took part in several skirmishes; was at Atlanta, Ga., and in Sherman's " march to the sea." After leaving Savannah he was sent on a scouting expedition in South Carolina and he was taken prisoner and sent to Andersonville, where he was held eighty-eight days, till the close of the war. After his discharge at Springfield, Ill., in 1865, he returned to his home in Illinois and thence came to Vernon county and set¬ tled in Harrison township. For some nine years, till 1874, Mr. Ham cultivated leased land and then bought eighty acres in section 27, Harrison township. He has been very successful in his operations and now owns 224 acres in sections 22, 27 and 33, where he resides, having a fine house and surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences made available by his pros¬ perity and thrift. His farm has been transformed from a tract of wild and barren prairie land to its present state of perfec¬ tion by years of hard work and ranks with the most fertile and productive places in Harrison township. Mr. Ham stands high as an upright and wideawake citizen and has the confidence of all who know him. He is a Republican in political opinion and somewhat active in the local affairs of his party.

Mr. Ham has been married five times. He was united with Miss Mary Ann McKill, who died leaving four children, of whom two are now living, viz. : George R., who was born August 8, 1869, and Frances Christina, born May 30, 1871.

Mr. Ham was married the third time on December 24, 1900, when Mrs. Juriah De Hart became his wife. After her death he married Mrs. Isabella Ellen Harvin and their marriage was celebrated January 6, 1908. Mr. Ham obtained a divorce from this lady and on August 9, 1911, was married to Mrs. May Alpha Duke at Olatha, Kan.

William R. Hamilton,* a resident of Henry township, Y ernon county, Missouri, is a native of Morgan county, Indiana, and was born October 16, 1841. He was the third child, and only son, of a family of four children (two of whom are now living) born to James and Theresa (Dougherty) Hamilton, who were natives of Wayne county, Kentucky, and who were married in 1837. The father, who came of Scotch parentage, was born January 13, 1815, the fourth child of a family of nine children born to John and Nellie (Collett) Hamilton. John Hamilton was a native of Maryland, and in 1825 moved with his family to Morgan county, Indiana, his being the first family to settle in Jackson township. There he and his eldest son each entered eightj^ acres of govern¬ ment land, and he also entered forty acres for each of his other four sons, a part of this land now forming part of the site of the town of Morgan. On leaving Indiana, he sold his land for $800.

Our subject's mother was born in 1818, the daughter of Jesse and Rhoda (Kamp) Doughtery, natives of Virginia and South Carolina, respectively, and both of Irish parentage. They settled in Jackson township, Morgan county, Indiana, in 1827. Immedi¬ ately after their marriage our subject's parents began their family life in a log house, which they built on the husband's forty acres, which was covered with dense woods. The house was built without the use of a nail, the door itself being made from strips split from a log and fastened together with wooden pins and hung on wooden hinges. Working with a will he cleared the land, and added to it other tracts until he had a splendid farm of 210 acres, well improved, where he and his wife reared their family and passed their lives. The mother passed away in 1888, but the father survived till October, 1909. They were both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.