Easton, Missouri

J-etired, Easton, is of Irish descent, and was born in Howard County, Missouri, January 5, 1820. His father came there from North Carolina in 1817, and subsequently removed to Johnson County, where Elijah was princjpally raised. In 1837 he settled in the Platte Purchase, being -among the first settlers to come into Andrew County after it was given up by the Indians. In 1844 he moved to Rochester and engaged in Arming, and in 185 1 came to Marion Township, Buchanan County, pur- chasing four hundred acres of land,'on a part of which now stands the town of Easton. This was laid out by him in 1854. He was engaged extensively in merchandising there and at neighboring villages untiE retiring from an active business life. He has been identified with theinterests of Easton from the commencement of the growth of the place. Mr. McCrary was married in 1849 to Miss Nancy J. Martin, a native of Kentucky, born in 1829. They have six children living, L. M., Benjamin, E. D., Nancy J. (now Mrs. J. M. Gibson), Emma (now M.rs. S. D. Chandler), and Albina. Four are deceased. Mr. McCrary is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in which he has held the position of deacon.

Passage source: The History of Buchanan County, Missouri : Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., Biographical Sketches of Its Citizens, Buchanan County in the Late War, General and Local Statisics, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, History of Missouri, Map of Buchanan County, Etc., Etc, published 1881.

During the late war he enlisted May 2, 1861, and served for twenty months, taking part in the battles of Cheek Mountain, Kernstown, McDowell, and the seven days' fight around Richmond. Then turned his attention to railroading. He came to Missouri in 1867 and has since Ijeen engaged in the railroad business. He owns 240 acres of fine land .adjoining the town of Easton. This is one of the finest stock farms in the county, and also has a handsome residence in the village. In principle, as well as in purse, Mr. B. is one of the solid men of the county. He was married July 3, 1863, to Miss Mary A. Leftwich, a native of Vir- .;ginia, born in 1844. They have a family of four children, Mary L., -Georgia, Dolman, and Jessie ; lost, three. Mrs. R. is a member of the 'Christian Church. Mr. R. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has held the position of Master of Easton Lodge, No. lor, for four years, farmer, section 32, postofifice Easton, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in 18 17. He had but very slender educational advantages. He -emigrated to Missouri in 1844, locating in Platte County, whence he removed to Buchanan County in 1851. He was married in 1844 to Miss Elizabeth Minor, a native of Kentucky. They have had six children, two of whom are dead. When Mr. Shortridge came to Missouri, in 1840, there was no one in these parts except Robidoux and a few age,nts. St. Joseph was a wheat-field at that time, and where the wheat then grew is now the bed of the river. He sustained losses by the war of -over four thousand dollars, principally in corn and bacon, of which he was robbed. He was arrested and put in prison at St. Joseph, where he was fed by friends. He got nothing from any other source, and was taken out twice to be hung. Through his own intercession he was ;saved, with about forty others. He was called out at home and threatened to be shot, made no' concealment of his politics, but said he was trying to attend to his own business. He has all through life donated liberally to churches and school houses. He is a Mason and member of the Christian Church. Mr. Shortridge and his son, W. P., Jr., are perfecting a new grain drill which will be far superior to anything on the market. They challenge the world with the Shortridge drill. It is a -complete combination of wheat drill, corn marker, wheat roller and -cultivator.

Passage source: The History of Buchanan County, Missouri : Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., Biographical Sketches of Its Citizens, Buchanan County in the Late War, General and Local Statisics, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, History of Missouri, Map of Buchanan County, Etc., Etc, published 1881.

States when abouttwelve years of age. They settled in Mercer County, Ohio, and here he was principally reared, receiving his education at St. Mary's of Dayton, Ohio. After completing his schooling he engaged in teaching in that vicinity for eight years. He emigrated west in the spring of 1878 a;nd arrived in this county in April of that year. Started his present business in the winter of 1880. He owns one acre of land and has a neat store and also a residence. He has won a large patronage and has been influential in securing a post office at this place and appointed postmaster. He has quite a musical talent and gives lessons to a choir in Easton. He was married September 14, 1875, to Miss Catharine Droxler, a native of Ohio, born November 25, 1857. They have two children, Catharine M. and Peter P. Himself and wife are active members of St. Mary's Church of this township.

Passage source: The History of Buchanan County, Missouri : Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc., Biographical Sketches of Its Citizens, Buchanan County in the Late War, General and Local Statisics, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, History of Missouri, Map of Buchanan County, Etc., Etc, published 1881.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Marion Township - it names this place 20 more 20 times.