Cedar Township (part 1 of 3)

Position And Description Organization

Cedar, which is by far the largest municipal township in the county, embraces all that portion of the county lying south of Columbia township and east of the Roche Perche. Its northern boundary is the same as the line north of congressional township 47, while it is bounded on the east by Cedar creek (the Callaway county line) as far down as the southeastern corner of section 12, of congressional township 45, range 12, from which point south to the Missouri river the boundary is the range line on the east of said congressional township. The Missouri river forms the southern and southwestern boundary, flowing in an almost regular outward curve from the mouth of the Koche Perche to the Callaway line. Cedar may be properly said to embrace almost a little kingdom within itself, with the capital at Ashland, so great is its area and so independent the character of its citizens. The township as now bounded is the same original township established by order of the county court at the May session of 1821. The record as quoted from Book A. of the first county court, gives the following : ' ' The court then proceeded to lay ofi* the county into townships, and to establish the following as the several and respective boundaries thereof, viz. : 1st Township, beginning at the mouth of the Perche creek, thence up to where it crosses township line between township 47 and 48, thence east with the township line to the eastern boundary of the county, thence southward with the said boundary line to the Missouri river, thence up said river to the place of beginning, which said township is denominated Cedar township." The court held its session at Smithton, and was presided over by Peter Wright, Lazarus Wilcox and Anderson Woods as justices. The same court at the same session established four other townships, and appointed constables for each, Thomas S. Tuttle being appointed the first constable of Cedar township.

Cedar contains two entire, and six fractional congressional townships, and has about 182 whole sections and 40 fractional sections of land. Estimating the 40 fractional sections at an average of 20 whole ones, gives 202 square miles of 640 acres each. This gives an entire area of about 129,280 acres.

Topography, Natural Features, Etc

Along the eastern side of Cedar township, the Two-mile Prairie extends for some distance, entering it from the north and running parallel with Cedar creek and extending down nearly opposite Ashland on the east. Most of the country around Ashland is rolling, with sufficient drainage to carry off all surplus water. Farther to the east along Cedar creek, the country is rough and broken, and in some places afi'ords magnificent scenery. At Duly's mill, on Cedar creek, where the stream makes a great bend of a mile or more, and returns within about 50 feet of itself, a tunnel was cut through the solid limestone to the same stream opposite, giving a fall of about fifteen feet and saving the building of a dam. Little Bonne Femme creek rises in the southern part of Columbia township and flows southwest and thence southeast in a kind of curve through the western part of Cedar into the Missouri river. The face of the country along this stream is rough in the vicinity of Rockbridge mills. West of this are Perche creek and Missouri river bottoms. Of course, the bluff districts along the Missouri are rough and broken as they are everywhere on that great stream. The finest farming country is in the central and northern portions, and the Two-mile Prairie.

Eemarkable Natural Features The Cave And Natural Bridge At Rockbridge Mills

This natural feature is located a quarter of a mile east of the natural bridge, on the farm of Mr. D. M. Emmitt. The entire country in that locality is honeycombed with " sink-holes," and the cave whose opening fronts east, is entered b}' going down into one of these sinkholes. The entrance is large enouoh for a man to ride in on horseback, though there is no evidence that anyone ever accomplished that feat. The opening is about ten feet high by fifteen feet wide, and though it has been explored to some distance, no terminus has ever been discovered. Inside is a stream called Cave creek, that flows wholly under ground from northeast to southwest. A distance of some 200 yards can be penetrated on terra fii'Tna, when it then becomes necessary to proceed in a boat, the stream in some places being ten or fifteen feet deep. It has its stalagmites and its stalactites, its compartments, rooms and passages, all that goes to constitute a cave of real interest. The largest apartment known is about 200 yards from the mouth, and is entered by a passage some fifteen feet high, which opens out into a room about twenty-five feet high by 150x75 feet in length and width. One gentleman, who explored it to the distance of nearly a mile, pronounces the passage irregular, but not difllcult. Other parties claim to have gone in far enough to exhaust four miles of guide string without finding any terminus.

creek bed, and the mouth is large enough for a man to walk in erect, being nine feet high by five feet wide. It penetrates the bluff from where it opens on the west, running back east to a distance of about 300 yards. It has several compartments, the largest of which is the main cavern, dimensions about 15x25x80 feet in height, width and length. It terminates in a small room at the eastern extremity, and has running through it, from a spring in the interior, a stream of very cold water which flows from the opening into the creek below. This place is quite famous as a neighborhood picnic resort.

On the farm of J. B. Quillan there is a peculiar cave utilized by him as a cellar. The location of the cave is near Mr. Quillan's residence. It is reached by descending a stairway about 100 feet in length. The floor of the cave is perhaps forty feet from the surface. When the temperature outside is 100 degrees it is only 50 degrees in the interior of the cave. Mr. Quillan makes considerable quantities of butter and stores his milk in the cool recej)tacle so nicely provided by nature.

Cave On Lick Creek

There is also a cave on Lick creek, in the southeast quarter of section 18, township 46, range 11, which is somewhat peculiar. The aperture is cylindrical in form, is about five feet in diameter, and has the appearance of a hole bored with a huge auger. At the entrance the whole surface of the walls is of solid rock, but further inward the floor is of gravel. It has never been fully explored. Its depth or extent is unknown. Foxes have been chased into this cave, pursued by dogs, and after a considerable time the dogs would reappear, but without their game.

Miscellaneous

On the southwest quarter of section 16, township 45, range 12, there lies a huge boulder. It is about 125 feet in leno-th, 12 feet his^h, and its greatest width is about 30 feet. It is supposed to have fallen trom the blufi* or ledge near by, and has lain in its present position for many years.

In February, 1882, Mr. Benjamin Wren found a petrifaction very much resembling a bufialo horn, sawed off" at the base. Tlie interior presents a flinty appearance, while the outside resembles limestone. Specimens of fossil corals, resembling honeycomb, mistaken by many

Along the Missouri river are scattered many mounds of the sepulchral class, built by the Mound Builders centuries ago. One of these mounds was opened some years since, and in the interior were found fragments of human bones, charred wood, ashes, and a fine pottery pipe, the latter well and handsomely made, and in a perfect state of preservation . The archseology of this township is well worth study and investio-ation, althouo-h to this date not much attention has been o;iven to it.

In digging a well near Stonesport, about the year 1860, when the w^orkmen had reached a depth of some twenty-two feet some pieces of ribs belonging to a prehistoric animal, resembling a mastodon, were found. They were about 24 inches in length by about three in width.

The Rockbridge mills, situated on section 7, township 47, range 12, six miles straight south of Coliniibia, take the name from a natural bridge spanning the Little Bonne Femme creek at the place where the mills are located. The creek sinks into the ground on the farm of Alexander Bradford, about three miles above the bridge, and emerges from a cave about fifty feet above the mill. Here it passes under the natural bridge of rock about 100 feet wide. It is seventy feet from the ground to the top of the bridge, the arch of which is fifteen feet high and forty feet wide. In 1876, Mr. Emmitt, the present owner, built a stone wall across the side of the rock farthest from the mill. The mill was built by S. Tuttle, in 1822, and was among the first in the county. Tuttle had associated with him other gentlemen. It was built of logs, and the next year broke down aiid was washed away. It was rebuilt by-Keyser c5; Co , partly of logs and partly framed, and stood thus till sold to James McConathy, in 1840. He made additions to it, and changed the power from water to steam, and added a distillery. About the close of the war it passed into the hands of Mr. James Emmitt, of Ohio, who still owns the property, which is occupied by his son, David M. Emmitt.

Chimney Rock

A short distance above the residence of Mr. Allen Burnett stands a column of stone known in the locality as the " chimney rock." It is about forty feet in height, is nearly cylindrical in form, with a ditimeter of about ten feet. It is composed of what seem to be a number of small stones cemented together, but it is really one rock, the small stones being air-slacked fragments thereof. The column stands almost perpendicular, and on the whole is well worth seeing.

Miscellaneous. - On the farm of Mr. Murphy (s. w. 1-45-13), there is a very large cottonwood tree, measuring at the base 39 feet and four inches in circumference.

On the farm of Mr. Crenshaw (s. w. 17-45-12), there are two largesized elm trees, whose bases are near together, and one of which, at an angle of 45°, enters the other at a height of about ten feet from the ground, and thus the two form one trunk. The bases are about twelve feet apart.

On the same farm there is a large circular sink hole, some thirty or forty yards in diameter and ten or twelve feet deep. There is another sink-hole of a similar dimension on the farm of S. B. Bryant, adjoining.

Not far north of Wilton the Missouri river has recently made a break into the Bonne Femme creek. There are really two of these breaks, which are some distance apart. The Bonne Femme now empties into the river, and a short distance below the river runs into Bonne Femme again. Large quantities of earth have fallen into the river lately in the neighborhood of Providence and down the river, and considerable injury to land has resulted.

No paying mines of any kind have as yet been opened in Cedar township. The biggest excitement of this kind is one of recent de- Telopment. Mr. Robin Parker, of Colorado, who was spending the winter of 1881-82 in Boone county, began prospecting for the precious metals in Cedar township. He claims to have discovered both gold and silver on the farm of W. A. Barton, near Wilton. A company was formed, called the Boone County Gold Mining Company, which began operations on Monday, May 8, 1882. They however discovered more lead than either of the precious metals, and altered their operations accordingly, and there is a prospect of obtaining lead in paying quantities. They claim, however, to have found gold, and a fine quality of dust was exhibited at Columbia, said to have come from the Cedar mine.

Mr. L. L. Lindsay is also sinking a lead shaft on his place, and the indications are good. No coal banks have as yet been developed, but the indications are good on the east side of the township.

On the farm of Wm. M. Jones, that gentleman has frequently picked up, after a heavy washing rain, a great numl)er of pieces of lead, which some have thought indicate that the locality was once the. site of a battle-field ; but as there is no record, or even tradition of a battle in this section in which bullets were used, it is l^elieved by others that the pieces found indicate the presence of lead in considerable quantities beneath the surface.

Early Settlers

It is not always possible to get at the facts pertaining to earliest settlement, especially where different parties claim the priority. As far as can be correctly ascertained the following will give the principal pioneer settlements : David Rice came from Kentucky to Boone county in 1818, and settled on Bonne Femme creek, six miles northwest of where Ashland now stands. He moved over on the river in 1835, where he has since resided. Tyre Martin and the Nichols brothers also came at an early day and settled mostly in Cedar township. Martin drove the fii'st covered wagon that crossed the river at St. Charles. John Nichols had twenty-two children, and thus became the progenitor of a numerous stock, all of whom are said to be prolific. Earlier still, in 1817, it is claimed that Ira P. Nash, James Adams, Samuel Buckalew, William Ramsey, Hiram Bryant, Thomas Brooks and John Herald came to Boone county and settled in several neighborhoods in Cedar township. Two years later Daniel Hubbard and G. B. Sappington settled in Cedar, all of whom were there prior to the admission of the State and, of course, before Cedar was laid off into a township.

Peter Ellis came in 1818, and brought the second, if not indeed the Jirst, keel-boat that came up the Missouri. After the Ellises, came the Basses, and these in turn were followed by others from the grand old States of Virginia and Kentucky, till soon after Missouri's admission into the Union Cedar township had a population of considerable numbers.

In the general history department of this volume, Col. Switzler has handled the pioneer history so completely that further mention of first comers is here unnecessary.

Rev. Dr. David Doyle was also a pioneer, and was the first resident physician who practiced in Cedar township. [See biograplw.] It is uncertain whether he or Berryman Wren preached the first sermon, as they were cotemporaneous, and the honoris claimed for each. Thos& who claim the priority in ministerial labors for Rev. Wren, locate the first service at Goshen, while by others it is held that Dr. Doyle's service, held at the house of Anderson Woods, was the first, the dates in each case being indefinite. But, however that may be, they were both worthy men, and all honor is due them for their God-fearing, man-loving zeal.

Rev. Berry man Wren was born in Rutherford county, N. C, in 1796. He came to Boone county in 1819, and was licensed to preach in 1821. He was noted as a very earnest and zealous minister of the gospel, and " died in the harness " September 19th, 1867, after a brief illness. His wife, Tabitha, is still living, at the age of 87.

James Beazley came from Virginia to Boone county in 1828, and settled on section 30, township 48, range Id, where he lived till his death, in 1854. Henry Jefierson, the father-in-law of Beazley, was also a Virginian, and came to Boone in 1827. He located on the southeast quarter of section 16, township 47, range 13. Louis Hume came from Madison county, Ky., in 1823, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 5, township 47, range 13.

Near Claysville were Robert P. Carter, who came from Virginia originally, and from Kentucky to Missouri directly, in the year 1829, and settled where the town of Claysville now stands. Capt. Wm. Ramsey made his advent into the county in about 1825, locating a mile and a quarter west of Claysville. The captain was probably never commissioned to his office, but won his spurs, as it were, by being a great and successful Indian fighter. Job Murray, a Tennesseean, settled one mile east of Claysville, in 1835 or 1836. Greenberry Blevins was an early settler, and made his claim on the Clardy farm.

The first marriages in this neighborhood, now remembered, were those of John Marley to Maria Toombs, 1827, and Mark Sappington to Euphy Ramsey, in 1828. As early as 1830 Dr. David Doyle practiced his profession as a physician in the community and preached the gospel on Sabbath days whenever convenient. It is said that when on his way to preaching or to see a patient he would always carry a gun with him for fear of Indians. Probably the first relioious services were conducted by Dr. Doyle, although Rev. James Suckett, an old Baptist minister from Kentucky, preached here in 1838 and a claim is made that Rev. Berryman Wren, who began his labors in the vineyard in 1830, was the first minister in the community.

the Callaway line, on section 25, township 45, range 12. A man named Hayden taught the first school the same year the house was built. He had twenty or more scholars and was paid $2 per month per scholar for his services. Mr. Hayden is reported to have died " up in the prairie somewhere."

P. H. Mellon claims to have put up the first store in Claysville, in 1845 or 1846. He was probably the first postmaster. Claysville has for a long time been a steamboat landing, and a great deal of freight has been received and shipped from time to time. Robt. P. Carter, a native of Culpepper county, Ya., who came to Boone in 1829, first settled where Claysville now is, and kept a wood-yard for a number of years. The town was named for Henry Clay.

Incidents, Reminiscences, Etc

When Peter Ellis, Sr., lived in Cedar in early times, seven Indians came to his house either on a plundering, begging or stealing expedition, one or all being given to whichever of the above weaknesses that circumstances most favored. " Boys," said Mr. Ellis to his sons, "go to the smoke-house, corn-crib and tobacco-house, and don't let 'em in." Abe went to the meat-house, and posted himself inside. A squaw tried to force her way in, tempted by the thouofht of the well-cured hams hano^ino; within. Abe tried to "hold her out," but she pushed him in and entered. He pushed her out and she fell backwards over the door-sill, which made all the other Indians laugh. They went ofi" without doing any damage.

Peter Ellis was a very determined old man, and had no notion of having his "truck" carried oif by loafing Indians. Abe would have been rougher in keeping out the squaw, but was afraid of the Indians, thinking every minute his father might do or say something that would awaken their veno-eance,

Jones The Joker

Joseph G. Jones is a historic character, in the sense of being the "boss joker" of Boone. It is related of him that once, when a neighbor came to his house and ground some sausage, Jones told him, while there, of a panther that had been prowling around, and cautioned him to be on his guard. After he was fully away from the house, returning through the woods, Jones took a near cut, headed him off" in the woods, and set up a mock-panther scream that caused the hair to rise on his scared neighbor's head, who dropped his bucket of sausage and ran for his life. Jones took the sausage home, and, to complete the joke, brought back the bucket, scratched up as though the "varmint" had eaten up the sausage and left the bucket in the woods.

Oil another occasion he caught a pony belonging to his father and painted it up. The old gentleman thought he discovered a stray animal on his place, and set the dogs on it to get rid of it. But the pony came back, and it was not till the process of dogging was repeated and the poor brute chased nearly to death that the delusion was discovered.

One of Jones' neighboi's had been enterprising enough to erect a lightning rod on his premises. Jones was not to be outdone ; so, procuring some paw-paw poles, he fastened them together and set them up by his chimney. He then went to the house of his friend who had the " sure-enough'"' rod on his house, and told him he had put up one on 1x18 place. Fearing it was not properly adjusted, he urged the neighbor to go over and examine it. He consented, but when they arrived and he saw how he was sold, it is said he came near taking satisfaction out of Jones' hide.

A favorite prank of the joker was to palm off on people not well posted some buzzard eggs, and induce them to hatch them out as the eggs of a fowl of very fine breed.

Tragedies Of The Civil War

Killing of James Harrington. - September 3, 1864, a company for tlie Confederate service was being recruited in this township ; Information of the fact was conveyed to the Federal military post at Fayette, and Captain Rives Leonard, of the 9thCavah-y, M. S. M., was sent out with a detachment to capture or disperse the Confederates. At Columbia he was joined by a detachment of Captain Carey's company of the 3d M. S. M. Making his way into the township, Captain Leonard reached Rockbridge mills. Here some of his men broke into McConathy's distillery and got drunk. From the mills the command marched to the residence of Mrs. Edwards, near Nashville church. On the road from the mills to Mrs. Edwards' Leonard's men overtook Mr. James Harrington, a citizen of the township, and shot and killed him. The Federals claimed that as soon as Mr. Harrington saw them he ran and refused to obey the command to halt ; that he was chased some distance and fired at several times, but would not stop, and at last received the fatal bullet. Captain Leonard further represented that he took Mr. Harrington and some others of his neighbors with whom he was in company to be a portion of the Confederate command he was expecting every minute to encounter, and that their conduct in precipitately retreating confirmed him in his belief. The truth was, Mr. Harrington, although a strong Southerly man, was not a Confederate. He was a very exemplary gentleman and a universally respected citizen. Whether killed by accident or design, his death was greatly to be deplored. Leonard's men committed serious outrages on this raid. They caught Mr. Wra. Grooms, who was riding along the road, and, taking him for a bushwhacker, as they said, hung him up to a tree, but he was rescued before he was seriously injured. At Mrs. Edwards' several citizens were attending a public sale. Of these Samuel Olds, Benjamin F. Orear, Bradford Lanhorn, and J. S. B. Douglass were made prisoners and cruelly maltreated, being beaten over the head with muskets and knocked about with great brutality. The prisoners were not carried away.

Afterward Captain Leonard came upon the Confederates and had a short but sharp skirmish w^ith them. Some men were wounded on both sides, but nobody killed. The Confederates, being mdifferently armed, and generally without experience, were soon completely routed and driven away in great confusion. After the skirmish the Federals returned to Fayette by way of Columbia.

In 1863 a company of Federal cavalry from Jefierson City raided the lower portion of this township. They were commanded by an officer remembered as Capt. White. This company visited the residence of Wm. T. Nevin, a returned Confederate soldier, near Burlino-ton. Nevin was taken out and shot, his house burned, and many articles of his personal property carried away. His father was made prisoner, as was Mr. John Sappington. ^ Other^citizens of the neighborhood were also arrested. The Federals claimed that Nevin was a notorious bushwhacker, and that his house was a rendezvous for bushwhackers, guerillas, thieves, and robbers.

In 1863, near the northeast corner of the township, in Callaway county, but near the Boone line, and near the Columbia line also, John Trio-o- was shot by some of the Ninth M. S. M. He was in a camp of Confederates that were routed that morning by the militia, who were led by Gen. Guitar. The skirmish is noted elsewhere.

izen and a reputable man, was shot b}^ a soldier belonging to Ciipt. Carey's company of Federals.^ The killing was done by the roadside, and, so far as known, was wholly unprovoked and unextenuated.

Other tragic episodes during tlie war were the shooting of Tilman Vaughn, a Union man, by the bushwhackers, and the killing of a robber who attempted to rob P. H. Mellon, Esq. The latter shot the miscreant and killed him instantly.

About the 1st of September,- 1864, Mr. Franklin Harris was returning home from Providence, when, in a secluded place on the road, he was halted and fired on from the brush, a ball taking effect in his neck and making a dangerous wound.

8kirmish at Stonesport, Ceda?' Township. - About 10 o'clock on the night of May 22, 1862, information was received at Claysville by Col. Guitar, near which place he was then camped, with a detachment of his regiment, that a party of Confederates were crossing the river near the mouth of Bonne Femme creek. Preparations were at once made to circumvent and capture them. Three squads, one led by Capt. Leonard, one by Lieut. McKinsey, and a third by Col. Guitar in person, accompanied by Lieuts. Ross and Kemper, marched by different routes to the objective point. About daylight the Confederate oamp was surprised, and the men fled in every direction, throwing away blankets, guns, and what else might impede their flight. In the skirmish Col. Guitar and his men captured eight men and nine horses. Among the captured was D. B. Cunningham, who was armed with a carbine.

The first brick building in Cedar township was put up by Perry Spencer in 1839, on the southwest quarter of section 26, township 46, range 13. It is still standing, and is occupied by his son. A fine stone dwelling house was put up by P. H. Mellon, Esq., about half a mile below Claysville, some time between 1855 and 1860. It is a fine structure, and cost several thousand dollars.

Relics. - Mr. Whitfield (s.e. 2-46-12) has in his possession a watch which bears evidence of having been manufactured in the year 1616. Mrs. Tabitha Wren, widow of the pioneer preacher, Berryman Wren, has a primer which she purchased in 1804, and several other interesting relics. Mrs. S. A. Carter (s. e. 14-45-12) has a queensware pepperbox over one hundred years old. It has a hole in the bottom in which to put the pepper, and this hole is stopped with a cork. The top i& not removable, but perforations are made therein through which the pepper is sifted as wanted.

When Dr. Robert Martin had iust returned from a medical coUesfe with his " sheepskin," a waggish farmer sent for him in great haste to come and set " a broken leg." Arriving at the farmer's house, the doctor found that the broken limb belonged to a deer-hound. Not disconcerted, he set to work, reduced the fracture, did a good job, and the animal was soon well again. The farmer laughed right heartily at the young doctor for a time, but a few days thereafter Dr. Martin presented and collected his bill for his services, amounting to $50. Then the doctor laughed !

The first steamboat that came up the Missouri with a steam whistle attached blew its loudest, most discordant notes at a point opposite the lower part of Cedar township. An old pioneer who heard the fearful noise called out to his wife : "' Old woman, hurry up and wash and dress the children - quick/ That was sartinly old Gabriel, tootin' his horn ! Git ready - git ready ! "

About ten years ago a small dog, belonging to L. P. Jones, was accidentally shut up in Mt. Pleasant church, where it remained without food or drink for one month, lacking two days. Upon being released,, it was fed, and soon after died.

In early days the Cedar township small boys, now old men, bearded and o-ray, frequently indulged in the sport of rolling rocks from the top of the blufi's down into the river. Sometimes a sharp-pointed rock would strike a tree, and the point would be broken off in the tree. In process of time the fragments would be overgrown, and it is said that there is many a tree along the foot of the bluffs with a stone imbeddedin it.

Remarhahle Men. - Mr. Loyd Austin, who resides on section 10, township 47, range 13, is doubtless the oldest living person born in Cedar township. Mr, Austin is sixty-three years of age, having been oorn in 1819. Jonathan Nichols (n. e. 14-46-12) is reported as possessing two peculiarities. He is an old bachelor, and is always to be found at home, although a stout, active old man. Living less than two miles from Ashland, he has not been to that town for twelve years, and he never saw a railroad in his life. Mr. Leopard, of Claysville, exhibits wonderful skill as a wood-carver. He is a native of Boone county, and a shoemaker by trade. Quite a number of canes made and carved by him are to be found throughout the county. Eev. Samuel Ott, who came to Boone county with his father in 1826, has been married four times, and is the father of seventeen children. His last marriage was in March, 1882. Mr. Ott is sixty-five years of age. As ndicated, he is a minister of the gospel, and obeys literally the command to " multiply and replenish."

While the representative of the publishers of this volume was at his work of collecting historical facts for the history of this township, he frequently stopped and consulted a township map which he carried with him. In the neighborhood southeast of Ashland he was observed to have frequent recourse to his map, and was seen poring over it in divers odd places. A report was current that " the man with the map " was none other than Frank James, the noted bandit, figuring and mapping out a predatory campaign ! The same representative sought a second interview with S. W. Warren, to re-obtain some information which had been lost, but, owing to certain pi'essing business engagements of Mr. Warren, an interview was wholly impracticaable at the time.

Dr. J. T. Rothw^ell, now of Ashland, claims to have been the first merchant at Burlington. He occupied the store-room now owned and used by J. W. Taggart.

Suicides. - Among those who deemed life a burden too grievous to be borne, and who have disregarded the canon of the Almighty against self-slaughter, may be mentioned Samuel Walkup, who hung himself near Burlington, in the year 1879, and Mrs. Anna Perkins, wife of Michael Perkins, who threw herself into Bonne Femme creek, a year so after Walkup died, and was drowned. It is alleged that slanderous reports, circulated by her neighbors against her character, worked upon Mrs. Perkins' feelings and so aff'ected her mind that she became distracted, and, while in this condition, she took her own . life.

Country Churches Nashville Baptist Church

The local name and denomination is the " United Baptist Church of Nashville," and it is situated in section 26, township 47, range 13. More exact dates of this church have been secured than of most any other. It was organized April 22d, 1834, and the first church building was erected in 1845, and was a log edifice, which answered the congregation for a meeting-house for several years. The charter members of this church were : James Cunningham and Susan, his wife ; John H. and Lydia Baker ; Willis Baker ; Kobert and Catherine Bar- nett ; Gilpin and Sarah Tuttle ; Stephen and Winna Jackson ; James and Margaret Dunn ; Catherine A. Dunn (now wife of Israel Winfrey, and the only surviving original member) ; Jacob and Frances Kuykendall, and Maria, a negro slave of James Cunningham. In 1871, the present house was built, a frame structure, which cost $1,500. Elder H. Wright preached the first sermon, and the following have served the church as pastors : John Grunhalds, W^m. H. Duvall, S. H. Ford, P. H. Steinberger, John M. Black, George D. Todd, J. M. Robinson, J. T. M. Johnston, J. M. Robinson (again from '63 to '65), W. J. Patrick, J, M. Robinson (again in '67), William Clark, Jas. C. Woody, John M. Willis, Wm. R. Wigginton and John Palmer, the latter being the present pastor in charge. This church has a flourishing membership of about 160 communicants. After the organization, and prior to the erection of a church house, the members and pastors met for worship at private houses, the neighbors being always ready and willing, and alwaj'-s felt honored when ' ' meetin' ' ' was held at their house. From such a nucleus has sprung the now prosperous and successful church of Nashville. [See history of defunct village of Nashville.]

The exact date of organization has not been obtained, but it was sometime in the semi-decade of 1845 to 1850, J. H. Griffin, Rebecca Griffin, Alex. Grindstaif and wife, Thomas Britt, Mary Britt, David Coonrod and wife, James Beel and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Vandiver, Mrs. Sarah Vandiver and Sam Couts were among the original members. The first church-house used by this congregation was a frame building erected in 1855, near Burlington, at a cost of between $400 and $500. The present building was built in Burlington (section 2, township 45, range 13), and cost $1,000. It is a framed house, but ample for the requirements of a house of God, seating and sheltering comfortably all who come there to worship. The present membership numbers about 90. Among the worthy names of God-fearing men, who have preached to this congregation and served Richland Church as pastors, are the following : George Rich, A. P. Linn, Rev. Cope, B. F. Johnson, William Penn, Joseph Dines, John Bell, WiUiam Jordan, Thompson Penu, Robert Jordan, Thomas De Moss, William Sartor, D. N. Epperson, J. F. Monroe, L. A. Smith, Robert White, W. T. Ellington, C. W. CoUett, S. L. Woody, J. F. Shores and H. D. Graves. Many have been the " protracted meetings " held at this church, and

This church represents a body of Old School Baptists, and is situate on section 26, township 46, range 13, in the municipal precinct of Cedar. As nearly as has been ascertained, it was organized in about 1830, with Berry Wren and wife, Isaac Wilcoxen and wife. Perry Spencer and wife, Richard Fulkerson and wife, Samuel Wilcoxen and original members. The first church-house was built the same year of its organization, but of what material, or at what cost, has not been ascertained. The present structure was built in 1874-75, and cost about $1,600. Berry Wren served here as preacher in charge till his

Martin Doty, Howard Jackson, and G. M. Thompson followed in turn till the present. This church belongs to the Bonne Femme Association, and claims a round membership of 110 communicants. The number of her members is good evidence of the fact that this, too, is a prospeiuus church, and is doubtless bearing the colors of Emanuel valiantly in this mundane struggle for celestial felicity.

Is located on section 1, township 47, range 13, on the road from Columbia to Providence. The organization is now about 27 years old, the date of its organization being May 9th, 1855. The original members were J. T. M. Johnston, Minerva T. Johnston, J. S. Johnston, Pauline Johnston, J. M. Willis, Electa Willis, Eliza K. Johnston, Mary A. Boatright, Wm. Harrington, Elizabeth Harrington, Lycurgus P. Hickam, Cornelia A. Hickam, Thomas Rucker and 14 or 15 others. The present church-house is the one first built and was erected in October, 1857, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. J. M. Robinson was the minister who dedicated the church to the service of God. The names of pastors, that have served the church, are the following: Rev. H. H. Buckner, in 1856; J. T. M. Johnston, 1857-8-9-60 ;j\ T. Williams, 1862-3 ; J. M. Robinson, 1864-5; J. T. M. Johnston, 1866-7-8; Nathan Ay ers, 1869-70; J. T. M. Johnston, 1871 ; J. S. Dingle, 1872-3; E. S. Dulin, 1874; W. R. Wigginton, 1875-6 ; G. L. Black, 1877-8 ; J. M. McGuire, 1879- 80-1-2. The o-round on which this church stands was donated for that purpose by the Rev. J. T. M. Johnston who served the congregation there for so many years. Rev. David Doyle was chosen moderator in the constitution on the day on which it was adopted and established. Meetings are held every third Saturday and Sunday in each month. At this writing the membership is thirty-six, and the church is in good working condition.

New Salem Baptist Church

A detailed history of this church, containing biographical mention of many of its members and pastors, has already been written by Dr. F. G. Sitton, and published complete in the Ashland Bugle. The history alluded to is much fuller and more complete than can be given space in this volume ; but from the sketch kindly furnished by Dr. Sitton, the historian condenses, and gives the following facts :

" The Baptist church of Jesus Christ, at New Salem, was organized on the 2d Saturday in November, 1828, at the house of Tyre Martin, by a Presbytery composed of Elders Greenlaugh and David Doyle. The members had a joint letter of dismissal from Little Bonne Femme church for that purpose. The following named persons entered into the organization : Shadrach Wren, Mosias Jones, Isaac Bates, Robert Nichols, Jesse Nichols, Foster Sappington, Joseph Green, Tyre Martin, S. B. Sappington, Joseph Peak, Green B. Sappington, Samuel Wilcoxen, Squire Burnam, Foster Martin, Robert Jones, Isaac Wilcoxen. Perry Spencer, Jane Bates, Elizabeth Wreu, Isabel Nichols, Elizabeth Peak, Susan Nichols, Elizabeth Sappington, Rachel Martin, Nancy Sappington, Mary Burnam, Rebecca Sappington, Elizabeth Jones, Malinda Nichols, Milly Wilcoxen, Rebecca Wilcoxen, Jane Griggs, Mary Green, Mourning Martin, Elvira Sappington, and Mary Wilcox."

Dr. David Doyle was chosen first pastor in December, 1828, and served the church faithfully many years, assisted, after becoming old and infirm, by Eld. M. M. Modiset. In 1852, Rev. B. B. Black was called to the ministerial labors of this congregation and served one year. He had been preceded by a gentleman of the same name. Rev. John M. Black, who served the church in 1849-50. Other pastors who have served this church were W. H. Burnham, S. H. Ford and Noah Flood.

The first church was finished late in 1830, and was erected on land obtained from Peter Bass, northeast quarter of section 3, township 46, rano-e 12, west. The original edifice was a small brick building, and cost $335.29, besides labor and materials donated by the brethren. This was enlarged in 1848 to snit the demands for room occasioned by the growth of the congregation in numbers. It was done by taking down the side walls and making it wider. This answered till 1877, when the present building, a large and elegant frame, was finished at a total cost of $1,860;85, and dedicated by the Rev. Pope Yeaman, D.D. Twenty-two members were granted a joint letter of dismissal in September, 1858, for the purpose of forming the Mount Pleasant church, and in March, 1879, thirty-five were granted the same to form the Ashland church. [See history of those churches]. Prior to the war, New Salem had a number of colored members, who were always nnprofitable, and more so after emancipation. In 1866, the church took action on the case under a series of resolutions introduced by George Hubbard, and set them off into a separate congregation called the African church of New Salem.

New Salem church has been called the " mother of preachers," having sent five young preachers into the ministry and ordained three. The aggregate membership is approximately one thousand. The greatest attained at any one time was in 1859, when the church roll showed a membership of 470. Since then there has been a decrease, by death, removal, dismissal and forming new congregations, New Salem being the mother of churches as well as of preachers. With this succinct outline this sketch must be closed, though material is at hand for one much fuller did the nature of this publication permit.

Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church

Is located in the southern part of section 3, township 47, range 12 (Cedar Township), and is one of the oldest churches in the State, having been organized in December, 1820, before Missouri was a State. A detail of the lono- and useful existence of this church and all the incidents connected with so remarkable an institution can not be given here ; but a more condensed sketch will have to sufiice. The original members were David Doyle, Anderson Woods, Elizabeth Woods, James Harris, Mourning Harris, Polly Harris, Elizabeth Kennon, John Maupin, Elias Elston, Matthew Haley, John Tuttle, Lazarus Wilcox, Lucy Wilcox, James Wiseman, Thomas S. and Nancy Tuttle. The first house was, of course, a log building, and was built in 1819, before there was a formal organization of the church. The present structure, is a substantial brick house, and was erected in 1843 at a -cost of about two thousand dollars. The names of pastors that have served the body of worshippers at Little Bonne Femme are David Dojle, Anderson Woods, Kobert 8. Thomas, James Suggett, S. H. Ford, Noah Flood, M. Modiset, T. C. Harris, J. M. Kobinson, John T. Williams, J. T. M. Johnston, (i. L. Black, J. M. McGuire, N. S. Johnston. The present membership is given at 80 souls, though, of course, that number is subject to constant increase or diminution. The church, so far as can be learned, is in fine working order and represents an harmonious brotherhood, all working with an eye single to the glory of the Master.

Was first organized on the first Saturday in June, 1858, by the Rev. P. H. Steamberger, who also became its first pastor. The original members were Mosias Jones, Sr., Mosias Jones, Jr., Joseph Jones, Tyre Jones, Isabelle Slate, Euphamy Sappington, and other members, numbering twenty-three in all. They erected their church, which still serves as a place of meeting, in 1861. It is a frame building and cost about $800 besides labor and material donated by members. There was never any formal dedication services held, but by mutual consent was devoted, when finished, entirely to the service of the Lord. P. H. Steamberger, James H. Tuttle, J. T. M. Johnston, William Clark, A. H. Wright, G. L. Black, T. B. Nunelly, and J. S. Parmer have served the church as pastors.

Is located in the town of Burlington, and was organized in 1873, with Thomas Tuttle and wife, James Roddy and wife, Mrs. Sallie Porter, Mrs. G. W. Coonce, and Fayette Shull. It is a frame church, and cost between $700 and $800. It was dedicated by Rev. J. S. Parmer, Hampton Wright and William Clark having served it as pastors - the first mentioned being the present preacher in charge. The membership was never very large, numbering at this writing not exceeding fifteen. They have services the first Saturday and Sunday of each month.

Some School Houses

Christian School House is situated on the southwest quarter of section 27, township 46, range 12. The site was donated by David Christian. The first house was of logs, and was built by the citizens about 1846. The present building is a frame, and was built three or four years ago, at a cost of

Clardy ScJiool House is located on the northwest quarter of section 12, township 45, range 12. It is a log building, and was erected in 1869, being built by contributions from the citizens in labor and material. An average of six months of school is taught ; teacher's wages, $35 per month; average attendance per diem, 20.

Jones School House was built about twelve years ago by the citizens. School is taught half the year, the average daily attendance beino[ about 30.

Town Of Ashland

This beautiful little inland city is located in one of the finest agricultural sections of Boone county, or even the State of Missouri, for that matter. Its immediate situation is on the line between sections 10 and 15, of township 46, range 12, the forest lying on the north, west and south, the Two-Mile Prairie stretching up to the town limits on the east. The country round is beautifully undulating, and no stranger can visit Ashland without being impressed with the fact that it would be a good place to live. The first house in the town was built by Peter Nichols, on the lot .now occupied by the residence of Mr. Christian. D. M. and A. M. Burnam erected the first store-house in January, 1853, on what is now known as " Farmers' Corner." The Burnams occupied the building on its completion, placing therein a general merchandise stock. In the fall of the same year a business house was built by P. E. and VVm. A. Nichols, on the site where Keen's restaurant now stands. Other houses were soon added, and the place began to take on the appearance of a village. For some years it continued to grow and flourish, the fine farming country adjacent demanding just such a market as Ashland afi'orded. It was not till May, 1877, however, that the town was incorporated as a city of the fourth chiss. The first board of trustees were Eli Penter, J. W. Grannis, W. T. Nichols, John G. Wiseman, A. G. Payne - Wiseman being the chairman. R. C. Bowman had the honor of being the first city marshal. The first sidewalk in the town was built in 1880. A large mill was erected in 1877, with " five run of stone " and a grinding capacity of one hundred barrels per day, the flour being made by patent process. These mills are owned by the Ashland Mill Company, and cost over $20,000. The Farmers' Bank was incorporated and commenced business August 3d, 1881. The directors were Abner Martin, J. W. Johnston, R. E. Sappington, H. T.Wright, Peter Ellis,

The school building, a two-story frame edifice, was erected in 1859 by a company incorporated as the Ashland High School Association. It was purchased by the district in 1871, and devoted to public school purposes. They employ two teachers, the principal at this writing being Prof. Buckmaster. The town also has a colored school, with an attendance of about tifty pupils. The town now has a population of about five hundred, as it has grown since the census was taken in 1880.

Ashland has two hotels, a livery, feed and sale stable, and several restaurants, thus securing entertainment and comfort for man and beast. The situation of the town generally, and on the gravel road from Columbia to Claysville specially, gives it a commercial prestige enjoyed by few inland towns of its size. Her shops and stores are therefore thrifty, and her citizens of a hardy class, most of her business men having come from the agricultural element originally, and possessed of that sturdiness that usually characterizes such a class. Her professional men, numbering two lawyers' and several physicians, are as enterprising and successful as her merchants. The various churches and lodges, of which Ashland has several, are historically outlined in the sketches given hereafter. One of the chief enterprises of this enterprising town is the well-known and iar-famed

Ashland Stock Sales

A term used to signify a periodical convocation of live stock dealers at Ashland, to bu}^ and sell and " trade" horses, mules, cattle, etc. These stock sales had their origin and conception in the fertile brains of W. H. Bass and J. W. Johnston, who may properly be said to father the enterprise. In the fall of 1881, a company, called the "Boone County Stock Sales Company," was formed, with W. H. Bass as superintendent and J. W. Johnston, secretary. The other meml)ers of the board of directors were O. B. Thomas, George M. Nichols, George Arnold, Peter Ellis, W. H. Thompson, Alex. Brad- ford, W. S. Burnett, Thomas L. Bass and W. S. Maupin, with E,. S. Martin as treasurer. The first notices of sales were issued for No- Tember 5, 1881, and have taken place regularly once a month suice that time. The sale lots are located just north of the buildings on the north side of the principal street, and are so systematically arranged as to be a model of convenience in handling stock before and after selling. Mr. W. H. Bass, one of the originators of this scheme, was so kind as to take the historian all through these yards and explain their utility and convenience. Buyers and sellers come from other counties in Central Missouri to attend these sales, and much valuable property of the kind changes hands at every sale. The selling is done principally by auction or outcry, Col. Worley, of Columbia, being the official auctioneer.

Ashland Bugle

The only paper published in the place is a Democratic weekly, called the Ashland Bugle^ edited by James L. Wilcox, who has issued it as a weekly since April 13, 1877. It was originally a monthly,- founded by Eli Penter and J. W. Johnston, who began its publication chiefly as an advertising medium, in 1875. [See biography of J. L. Wilcox.]

Ashland Riot

One of the historic reminiscences of the usually peaceable town of Ashland is what is known as the " Ashland riot," which occurred there on election day, November the 4th, 1878. About four o'clock p. M., the streets were filled with negroes, many of whom were noisy and turbulent, from having imbibed too freely of bad liquor that always flows too freely on election days. The deputy marshal ordered them to keep quiet, when one of the " nigs " replied with a most insulting epithet, which naturally raised the anger of the officer, who, of course, seemed inclined to resent. Both negroes and whites became involved in the quarrel from this, and both sides armed themselves (most of them probably already supplied), in anticipation of trouble. The conflict soon became general, and a negro named Harris is said to have fired the first shot, though the confusion was so great and the excitement so intense that it is not certain as to who burnt the first powder. But it is certainly known that, for a short space of time, the air was filled with flying rocks and whistling bullets ; and, strauge as it may seem, no one killed or indeed very seriously hurt, though several casualties of a minor sort occurred. The Ashland

Bugle, in its next issue, makes mention of the following : Jim Harris (colored) was shot in hip, and also received a scalp wound. Alex. Bass (colored), wounded in breast by pistol shot. Lowson Grey (colored, and reported to be one of the leaders of the riot), shot through the hand and in the back. A stray shot grazed the cheek of a daughter of Dr. R. S. Martin, who was standing in her father's yard, listening to the band when the riot began.

Secret Orders Masonic Lodge

Ashland lodge, No. 156, A. F. and A. M., Avas instituted May 1st, 1858, the dispensation bearing date of May 28th, 1859. F. G. Sitton was the first master, and the other charter members were P. J. Ruffner, E. M. Bass, J. S. Strode, Wm. H. Harris, John Grant, J. S. Winterbower, D. L. Sitton, R. S. Martin, H. Mr Strode, Theo. Brooks and J. B. Patten. The present officers are H. T. Wright, W. M. ; A. P. Nichols, S. W. ; John W. Sterne, J. W. ; E. Penter, treasurer; W. P. Boqua, secretary; H. S. Baxter, S. D. ; William Crane, J. D. The present membership numbers ninety-three and is increased from time to time by acquisitions of new members, the lodge being in a growing condition. They have a neat frame hall that cost $800, and the affairs of the order are in good shape.

Ancient Order United Workmen Patrons Of Husbandry

Cordell, district deputy, and the date of their dispensation was July 30, 1873, their charter being dated Decenber 23, 1873. A. G. Payne, Miles Forbis, James W. Edwards, R. V. Burnett, Milton Forbis, E. M. Bass, J. G. Jones, A. G. Martin, R. T. Bass, R. E. Sappington, J. C. Wilcox, Mrs. Mary J. Martin, Mrs. Julia M. Bass and ten others were the original and charter members. The first officers were as follows : Master, A. G. Payne ; overseer, J. G. Jones ; chaplain, W. T. Waters ; steAvard, J. H. Sappington ; assistant steward, R. T. Bass ; treasurer, James Edwards ; secretary, R. E. Sappington ; lecturer, E. M. Bass ; gate keeper, J, C, Wilcox. The present officers are : Master, J. G. Jones; overseer, S. H. Whitfield; lecturer, R. V.Burnett; steward, J. H. Sappington ; assistant steward, Eli Winterbower ; chaplain, William Coons ; treasurer, T. Christian; secretary, G. D. Sappington ; gate keeper, J. H. Nichols ; Pomona, Mary B. Sappington ; Ceres, Susan E. Bager ; lady assistant steward, Celestine Guilloze. The grange at this writing numbers a membership of fifty. They use a rented hall, having never built a room in which to meet.

Ashland Baptist Church

As indicated by its name, this church is situated in the town of Ashland, its immediate location being lot No. 1 of block No. 2 Broadway Street. The date of its organization was April 19, 1879, about forty members being named on its charter roll. The church, which is a neat and commodious frame building, was erected in 1880, at a cost of about twenty-five hundred dollars. It was dedicated by the Rev. Joseph C. Maple, in November, 1881. The names of the pastors are Jonathan M. McGuire, who served the church a short time after it was constituted, and Rev. E. D. Isbell, D. D., who succeeded Rev. McGuire, and is still the preacher in charge at this writing. The present membership numbers seventy, and the church bids fair to be a power for good in the community.

Was organized in 1854, the names of original members being James Roberts, Sr., Thomas H. Roberts, Lawrence Bass, Edwin Bass, Eli M. Bass, W. C. Maupin, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Maupin, George W. Dennis, Lewis Percell, Jacob Morris, Mrs. G. W. Dennis, Mrs. Lewis Percell, Whitley Madden, Mary F. Martin, and William T. Elliott. The first church building was a frame structure erected the same year after the church was organized. The present building was finished in 1875, and is also a frame, the cost of which was fifteen; hundred dollars. It was dedicated in 1876 by John D. Vincil, D. D. The present pastor is Kev. H. D. Groves. George W. Rich, A. P. Linn, William Penn and Samuel W. Cope were connected with the oro:anization of this church. The historian was not furnished with sufficient statistics from which to make out a complete history of the church, but has done the best he could with the matter at hand.

Christian Church

This church was organized April 20, 1881. The elegant new church house is a frame structure erected in January, 1882, at a cost of twentyfive hundred dollars, and was dedicated the same month by Rev. C. H. Hardin, of Mexico, Missouri. Rev. O. A. Carr, the present preacher in charge, is the first and only pastor the church has yet had. The particular aim of Elder Carr and his congregation is the restoration of Apostolic Christianity in faith and practice, with no creed but that " Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God," and the Bible as the only rule of faith and guide of action. The present membership numbers fifty-two. Nothing is required as a test of fellowship but what the New Testament enjoins as necessary to pardon.

This village, which is situated on the Missouri, in section 20, of township 47, range 13, now contains several buildings, though, of course, is unincorporated. The first building erected there is the house now occupied by Dr. Riggs, and was built in 1844, by John Parker, who put it up for a residence. The next house was a store, built and occupied by Dr. Riggs, the same year, on the site now occupied by Tuttle & Connelly. It was destroyed by fire, and replaced by the present building. James Wood next erected a stone store, and then came a saloon, on the site of the present one. Other buildings soon followed, and Providence became a village and post-office. G. S. Tuttle served as postmaster many years, and doled out the mail to the good people of Providence. At this time the place boasts of two general merchandise (Tuttle & Conley and R. A. Roddy & Co.), one drug store (R. A. R. & Co.), and one grocery and liquor house (Frank Austeel). Bradford Lanham is the general mechanic and undertaker, and Robert Nivens plies the " art of Vulcan."

One among the first towns projected within the present limits of Boone comity was laid out in 1819, just below the present site of Providence on a tract of land owned by Ira P. Nash, an eccentric genius, who lived in that vicinity for many years, from whom it was named " Nashville." In 1820 Nashville contained a tobacco warehouse, kept by James Harris and Abraham J. Williams, a post-office and several other buildings. It at that time promised to be one of the largest shipping points on the Missouri, and grew to be a place of some enterprise, when the treacherous river swept it away.

Old Ira P. Nash was indeed an eccentric genius, as stated. He was quite wealthy, and it is said did many a generous deed. He was pugnacious and would fight on small provocations. "At an early day he was tried in the Boone County Circuit Court for fighting a duel. He was convicted and fined $100. He was among the very first slaye owners in Boone County to manumit certain of his slaves. (See also general history, pp. 147, 148).

Stone Spoet

This is another of the defunct villages that once had " great expectations." Its site is a little over a mile above Claysville, on the Missouri river, and it was laid out in 1836, by Asa Stone and William Ramse}?", Peter Wright doing the surveying. Mr. Mark Sappington is authority for the statement that Mat West was the first merchant at Stonesport, and was there in 1830. At one time Stonesport stood a good show of being selected as the capital of the great State of Missouri, but the committee chose Jeff'erson instead.

Francis Austeel

Joseph Austeel, father of Francis, was a native of Canada, and of French origin. His mother, Mary Grindstafi", was a native of Kentucky, but a resident of Boone county, Missouri, at the time of her marriage. The subject of this sketch was born near Burlington, in Cedar township, July 31, 1840. He is the oldest of a family of six sons and five daughters, of whom three sons and four daughters are living, all in Boone county. Mr. Austeel was reared in Boone county, with the exception of a few years spent in Saline county, Missouri. In 1866 he went into business at Providence, a small village on the Missouri river, situated in the upper corner of Cedar township, dealino- in a^roceries and liquors, in which business he is still eno;ao;ed. Part of the time he has conducted a farm in connection with his other business. He was married in Boone county, December 29, 1867, to Miss Fannie E., daughter of David Tooley, native of Illinois, but more recently of Cooper county, Missouri. They have had three sons and two daughters. Two of their sons are dead. In 1864 he enlisted in Captain Webb's company, of Colonel R. C. Bradshaw's regiment, the 44th Missouri Infantry. He took part in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, and was at Nashville, Spanish Fort and Mobile. He served until the close of the war. He was corporal of Company E, during this campaign.

William Baldridge

Robert Baldridge, the father of William, was a native of Kentucky, but left that state Avith his parents when but five years old. They came to St. Charles county in 1795. The father of William was married in 1809 to Miss Margaret Eybalt, a native of Kentucky. Robert Baldridge was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died December 3d, 1865. Mrs. Baldridge died in Boone county. May 16th, 1878. William was the sixth son and eighth child of a family of seven boys and five girls, of whom three sons and two daughters are now living. One sister, Mrs. O'Neil, lives in Boone county. William Baldridge was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, February 26th, 1827. He remained on his father's farm until he was eighteen years old, when he came to Boone county. He farmed for two years, then entered the shop of John Batterton, where he learned the carpenter's trade. After three years' apprenticeship, he commenced work for himself, and continued the business until 1854. In 1855 he bought a farm on Dry Ridge, which he cultivated until 1865. He sold the place in 1868 and removed to the farm where he now lives, seven miles northwest of Ashland. Mr. Baldridge was married, November oOth, 1854, to Miss Louisa J. Dickey, a native of Kentucky, but a resident of Boone county. They have five sons and four daughters, all of whom, except one son, are living. In the winter of 1862, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the Confederate service, but did not go South until the summer iof 1863. He was a member of Capt. Twist's company, Dorsey's battalion and Hindman's division. On the retreat from the Prairie Grove battle, Mr. Baldridge was captured by the enemy and taken to Spriiig- :field and from there to Gratiot street prison, St. Louis. He was afterwards sent to City Point, Virginia, for exchange, which was effected June 7th, 1863. Mr. Baldridge at once reported to his battalion at Arkadelphia. He was detailed to remain at this post with the sick. Having been transferred to Young's battalion, he was sent b}'^ Gen. Shelby to Boone county, for the purpose of recruiting a company. He afterwards joined Mitchell's brigade, becoming a member of Searcy's battalion of sharp-shooters. He remained with this command until the close of the war. He is a member of the Nashville Baptist church, also of the Nashville grange.

John Gasper Barger

Henry Brown Barger, the father of John, was born near Sparta, West Tennessee, June 12, 1803, and came to Boone county, Missouri, in 1819. He was married, February 26, 1826, to Phoebe Wilfley. He died January, 1872. The subject of this sketch was born October 2, 1828. Moved from Callaway county, Missouri, to Atchison county in 1858, where he lived for seven years, moving next to Moniteau county where he staid for two years, then to Boone where he has lived ever since. He was raised on the farm, but learned the carpenter's trade. Farming is now his chief occupation. Was married, December 25, 1855, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Philip and Sarah Barger. One child was born of this marriage, Sarah Jane, now dead. Was married the second time, March 28, 1858, to Miss P. A. Eoads, daughter of Thomas and Nancy Roads. She died April 23, 1864. Three children were born of this marriage, two of whom are now living, Harriet Ann, and John William. Mr. Barger was married the third time, March 11, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth S., daughter of Jesse and Jane (Wilfley) Nichols. They have no children by this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Barger are both members of the Baptist church at Mt. Pleasant. They are also members of the grange, of which he was master for two years. Mr. Barger is a member of the Masonic lodge at Ashland. He makes a specialty of growing all kinds of fruits. He was first to introduce the English gooseberry, and has paid as high as three dollars for a single pear tree. He has about two hundred apple trees, and four hundred peach trees, and small fruits almost without number. His farm is situated in the northeast quarter sec- tion 33, township 46, range 12. He possesses a relic of the last century, a die and bolt for cutting wooden screws, which his father brought from Tennessee in 1819.

Elias Barnes

The subject of this sketch is the son of Benjamin Barnes, a native of Kentuclcy, and, with one exception, the only citizen of Boone, now living, who came to this county in 1817. He is now eighty-five years old. The mother of Elias Barnes was Lucretia Simms, who came to Missouri when a child. Elias was born June 15, 1839. He was the seventh son and tenth child of his father's family. He was raised on the farm entered by his father soon after his arrival in Boone county, and was educated at the common schools of his neighborhood. He remained with his father until 1864 when he enlisted in the Confederate army, joining Captain Strode's company, of Searcy's regiment, in which he served until the close of the war. He was in Price's raid and took part in all the battles fought on the retreat from Independence to Cane Hill. After the close of the war he Was a member of the home guard at Columbia for several months. In the fall of 1865 he went to work on the farm owned by Mrs. K. Fortney. July 29, 1867, he was married to Miss Lou, daughter of Mrs. K. Fortney, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. In the winter of 1870 he came to the farm where he now lives, in sections 6 and 7, township 47, range 12. He has always followed the occupation of a farmer. They have one daughter, Cannabel.

Lawrence Bass

The subject of this biographical sketch is the son of George P. and Susan (Wiseman) Bass. He was born on the old Wiseman place, January 22, 1830. He is one of a family of eleven children - nine sons and two daughters - of whom five sons and two daughters are now living. When a small boy his parents removed from the old home, in the vicinity of Ashland, to a farm in Howard county, where Lawrence lived and labored until seventeen years of age. The next three years were spent in learning the saddlery business, but not liking the trade, he has never followed it. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Bass started for California by the overland route, reaching his destination in the month of July following. He remained in California and Nevada until 1875, making several business trips East, at one time bringing with him from Colorado a herd of 2,000 cattle. Wliile in the West he was actively engaged in freighting, mining, and trading in stock. In the spring of 1876 he moved to the A. E. Ellis farm, where he now resides. He is a member of the firm of Bass, Johnston, Brooks & Harris, Ashland. The firm is known as the Trade Centre. They have a branch store at Guthrie, in Callaway county. Mr. Bass is also a member of the Ashland Mill Company ; also a stockholder in the Ashland Bank, and one of the directors. He was one of the originators of the Boone county stock sales. He has been an extensive sheep-raiser, having large flocks in Texas. His experience in business is of wider range perhaps than that of any other capitalist or trader in his locality.' Mr. Bass was married November 17, 1870, to Miss Sallie Ellis, only daughter of A. E. Ellis, of Boone county. They have had three children - two sons and one daughter - of whom only one, the youngest son, is living. Mr. Bass has had many adventures during his extensive travels, the most thrilling of which perhaps was a shipwreck off the coast of British Cohimbia in 1858. The vessel was a total wreck. Mr. Bass and several others escaped in an open boat. He is an affable gentleman, kind and courteous in his manners, and is justly honored and esteemed by all who know him.

Elijah Boothe

Elijah Boothe is the son of Elijah and Sarah (Woods) Boothe, and was born about 1839, near Lexington, Kentucky. His parents came to Missouri and settled near Harrisburg, Boone county, Missouri, when Elijah was about one year old. His mother died in 1847, and his father in 1849. When Elijah was twelve or thirteen years of age he started with two mules, one to ride and one for a pack animal, for California, and with the exception of a few days made, the trip alone. He had two brothers there and went out in search of them. He worked in the mines and freio;hted o^oods from Los Ano-eles to Texas. He was poisoned while working in the mines by striking a spring containing corrosive sublimate. His hair came out three times, and the last time it grew it was perfectly white. He appears to be at least sixty years of age, but is young yet and vigorous. When out in the " diggings " he says he only saw a white man once a 3^ear, during his long stay in the West. He took passage on a vessel for some island belonging to some English colonists, and prospected for about six months. Then he went to Australia and was there for about four months, being gone, in all, a little over a year. He states that when he first reached Sacramento he was so small that he could not procure work, and almost starved to death. At last, after a four years' search, he found his brothers. He came home about five years ago, and stopped a short time near Kocheport. His oldest brother, David H. Boothe, was a fiirmer in the Western part of Boone county, and died recently. One brother, -William, is living in Columbia. Elijah came iDack to Missouri over the old overland stage route with five horses. He has had a world of ups and downs in life, and his descriptions of places and things he has seen is truly wonderful. He has a chair factory and blacksmith shop on the southwest quarter of section 20, township 45 and range - , established in 1879. He makes good, substantial chairs, which he sells to all the neighboring towns. He is an Odd Fellow, but is not at present connected with any lodge. He was a charter member of five lodges in California.

D. A. Bradford

Daniel Alexander Bradford is the son of Austin Bradford, a native Virginia, who came to Boone county in 1836, and to the farm upon which Alexander now lives in 1837. His mother was Lavinia Hume, also a native of Virginia. The elder Bradford was married in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was born on the farm upon which he now resides, April 21st, 1842. He is the third son and seventh child of a family of three boys and five girls, all of whom are living. With the exception of a few years he has spent his life on the old home place. He was educated at Bonne Femme Academy and at the State University. He is a farmer, and is largely interested in the breeding of thoroughbred cattle. He was married in Boone county, November 24th, 1863, to Miss Harriet E., daughter .of Eollin Lyman. They have had two sons and four daughters, all living except one daughter. Mr. Bradford is a member of the Columbia lodge of I. O. O. F.

Major Wm. W. Bryan

The venerable subject of this sketch is a native of Bryan's Station, Kentucky, and was brought by his widowed mother from that State to Missouri in the fidl of 1827, and has lived in Boone county most of his life. In early times he attended school at the now defunct, but then famous "Bonne Femme" Academy. In 1832 he was sent by Capt. Hickman on a business trl^D to Northwest Missouii, on which he was gone six months. When not engaged in handling stock. Major Bryan worked on the farm, and in his time has done much of that of invigorating labor. His title was acquired during the Mormon war, he being a Major in Col. Gilmore's regiment in the campaign against the " Latter-day Saints." In 1848 Major Bryan was clerk in Lamme & Bryan's store at Nashville. He also did business for John H. Bryan & Co.'s paper-mill, distillery and pork packing establishments throughout the Southern States. He became captain of the steamer "Warsaw" in '41, and in '47 was principal clerk in D. S. Lamme's commission house, on Water street, St. Louis. He became agent for the United States bank in 1849, attending to the affairs of that concern in three States, being constantly immersed in a sea of business for twenty years, during which he obtained one judgment for the bank of $369,000. The manuscript of the concern was sold to the paper-mill when its affairs were wound up, and weighed eightyfour tons. He has spent five winters on his land in Dallas, Texas. At this writing he resides on the Peter Bass mill tract, in Cedar township. He is quite robust in health, and even yet can do any kind of hard labor. During the civil war, he was a Washington Union man» but never a Lincoln man. Major Bryan was never married. He has never asked an office of the people, never engaged in a lawsuit of his own, and all throug-h his useful and eventful life never asked anvthing but even-handed justice from any man, nor would he ever have less. He has done a great deal of business for others, and his record is one of which he is not ashamed, but on the contrary, is as justly proud as are his many friends.

Edward Camplin Burnett was born in Boone county, October loth, 1838. He is the son of Dabney and Elizabeth (Ramsey) Burnett, natives of Kentucky. Mrs. Burnett was the daughter of Capt. Ramsey, an associate of Daniel Boone's in the early settling of Kentucky. The parents of Edward Burnett first settled in St. Charles county. In 1825 they came to Boone and settled on a farm one and one-half miles north of Ashland, where the elder Burnett died in 1845. On this farm the subject of this sketch was born. He was the fourth son and ninth child of a family of seven boys and four girls. Was educated at the district schools of his otvn neighborhood. In the spring of 1859 went to Colorado, and the year following to New Mexico, remaining three months in Santa Fe. He remained in the West until the fall of 1868^ visiting Montana, Arizona, Utah, Idaho and Oregon. Returned to the old farm, where he has since lived, except during the year 1871, which was spent on another farm. He is an official member of the New Sa- lem Baptist church, also of the Ashland Lodge of A. F. & A. M. He was married October 13th, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. Eice, a native of Boone county, the daughter of David Rice, who emigrated from Kentucky to this county in 1819. They have had four children, one son and three daughters, of whom only the three daughters are living.

Robert V. Burnett is the son of Joseph Burnett, a native of Virginia. He removed to Kentucky and from thence to Ohio, finally coming to Missouri in 1820. He settled first in Howard county, but soon removed to the place known as Burnett's ford, on Cedar creek, where he remained until his death in 1853. His wife was Mary Ann Leopard, a native of Kentucky and pioneer settler of Missouri. He built one of the first mills ever erected in Boone county. Robert V. was born December 6, 1837. He was the second son and second child of a family of four boys and one girl, of whom only Robert and one brother are now living. He remained on the farm until the spring of 1854, when he commenced working at his trade, that of stone mason. He entered the Confederate service August 14, 1861, under Captain John M. Robinson. In December, 1861, he was transferred to a company of 1st Missouri Infantry under Colonel Burbridge. Was re-organized a,nd put under Colonel Cockerill as the 2nd regiment after battle of Shiloh. Mr, Burnett belonged to this command until he left the service, January 2, 1865. He took part in the battles of Lexington, Baker's Creek, Champion Hills, Big Black River and Vicksburg. During the siege he threw a thirty-two pound shell among a party of Federal soldiers who were underminino-the Confederate works, beins: the first man to throw b}^ hand a shell with lighted fuse attached. After the surrender and while on the way to the place where they were to be paroled, he left the line to get som-ething to eat and was captured by the enemy and held a prisoner of war. Was kept two weeks at St. Louis and from there sent to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, where he remained until near the close of the war when he was released and allowed to return home. In the fall of 1873 he bought and moved to the farm upon which he now lives, one-half mile north of Ashland. He was married in Boone county, April 25, 1865, to Miss Martha Martin, daughter of John P. Martin. Has had four sons and two daughters, of whom the three oldest, two sons and one daughter, died within the space of fifteen days of diphtheria. Mr. Burnett is a

James William Conley was born in Cedar township, Boone county, Missouri, March 18, 1848. He is the son of Benjamin Conley, a pioneer settler and one of the largest land holders in the county. His mother was a native of Kentucky. He is the youngest of a family of five sons and five daughters, of whom three of each sex are living, all in Boone county. He lived on the farm upon which he was born until the fall of 1875, when he removed to the place upon which he now resides. His farm consists of 800 acres of excellent land finely improved. It is situated three and*^one-half miles northeast of Ashland and fifteen miles southeast of Columbia. He is largely engaged in stock raising and has some very fine thoroughbred cattle. He was married in St. Louis, April 29, 1878, to Miss Abbie S. Terry, daughter of Thomas J. Terry, of the firm of Terry, Hodson & Co. Has had one son and one dauofhter. The son, alone, is living.

William Henry Cdrtright

The subject of this sketch is a son of Henry and Elizabeth Curtright, the former of whom was born, lived and died in Kentucky, while the mother was a native of Maryland, though reared in Kentucky. William was born on his father's farm in Bourbon county, Kentucky, July 2d, 1825. He was the third son and fifth child of a family of five boys and three girls, and was reared and educated i)i his native State. He came to this State ^.nd county in 1852, and located on the farm where Bonne Femme church now stands, and has resided there ever since. Mr. Curtwright has been an extensive stock trader, and his operations in this particular have been in difiierent parts of the land. He is still an importer and breeder of fine cattle. On October 2, 1857, he was married to Miss Catherine Jenkins, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of Theodore Jenkins, of Boone county. They have had two sons and one daughter, the latter of whom died in childhood. Mr. Curtright owns a very fine stock farm of 382 acres, six miles from Columbia, on the gravel road to Ashland. The first owner of this place was Col. McClelland, who settled it and sold to Mr. Theodore Jenkins, from whom Mr. Curtright got the ownership.

Edward L. Dimmitt

Mr. Dimmitt was born at Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, June 3d,. 1849. His father, St. Clair Dimmitt, was a gentleman of French descent, and a native of Virginia, and his wife, Edward's mother, was born in Ohio. Edward L. received the elementary part of his education in the public schools of Liberty, and completed his course at Watson's Seminary in Ashley, Pike county, leaving school for business life in 1867. He then enofaged in the drus; business in the employment of his brothers in St. Louis, remaining with them until 1873. During the first and second years of that time he attended lectures at a school of pharmacy. In 1873, he came to Columbia, in this county, and engaged in the drug business under the firm name of B. & E. L. Dimmitt. In June, 1874, he became a senior partner of the firm of Samuel & Strawn. From January, 1879, until July, 1881, he was book-keeper in the Exchange National Bank. At the latter date he accepted the position of cashier of the Farmers' Bank of Ashland, to which place he removed in September of the same year, and of which he has since been a resident.

September 10, 1872, Mr. Dimmitt was married to Miss Betty R. Samuel, daughter of John M. Samuel, a well-known citizen of thi& county. Five children have been born to them, four of whom, two boys and two girls, are now living.

Mr. D. has been a member of the Presbyterian church since 1865. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., the National Temperance Relief Union, and of the Good Templars. He was a delegate to the Grand Lodge of the latter order at Hannibal, in 1870, and at the session at Columbia, in 1880. He has held all of the offices in the subordinate lodge. In 1875 and 1876 he published The Golden Age, a temperance paper, at Columbia. Theodore Tilton claimed that the name of this journal was an infringement on that of his own of the same name published in New York. Mr. Dimmitt investigated the matter and^ finding that Tilton had no copyright, procured one himself, and then called on the distinguished sentimentalist to discontinue the publication of his New York Golden Age.

Dr. David Doyle

The subject of this sketch was one of the pioneer preachers of the "VYest, uniting within himself the qualifications of a minister and a physician. His opportunities for doing good were varied and exten- sive, and he discharged his whole duty to his fellow-man in the most cheerful and acceptable manner, leaving behind a memory of good works that will ever survive him. He came to Cedar township in 1818, being among the first settlers of that portion of Boone county. He was born in Rutherford county, North Carolina, and it is said that he commenced preaching before he was nineteen years old. He also commenced the practice of medicine at an early age. In the month of December, 1819, he with fifteen others met at the house of Anderson Woods for the purpose of founding a church, and were there and then constituted into what has since been known as the Little Bonne Femme Baptist church. He was pastor of New Salem Baptist church for twenty-nine years, having been chosen December 2d, 1828. He died of typhoid fever, July 29th, 1859. The congregation at New Salem erected a handsome monument over his grave as testimony of their great love for him as a man and their high appreciation of his services as a minister.

Peter Ellis, Deceased

The subject of this sketch was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, April 1, 1778. He went with his father's family to Greenbrier county, and thence to Hawkins county, Tennessee. In 1800 he went to the Scioto Salt Works, and from there to St. Louis, which was then under Spanish rule. He was married on a sand bar near St. Charles, to Miss Eleanor Patterson, a Catholic priest officiating. Mr. Ellis moved to Boone county in 1818, where he lived until his death, January 27, 1849. They had ten children - six sons and four daughters - several of whose biographies appear in this volume.

John Ellis

John Ellis is the oldest son and second child of Peter and Eleanor (Patterson) Ellis. He was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, December 10, 1805, and came with his parents to Boone county in 1818. He was educated at the Bonne Femme Academy, completing his studies in 1828; was married March 17, 1831, to Catharine Doyle, oldest daughter of Dr. David Doyle. He then moved to a farm adjoining his father's, where he lived until 1834. In the fall of that j^ear he bought and moved to the farm he now occupies, consisting of 400 acres on the Two-Mile Prairie, five miles northeast of Ashland and twelve miles southeast of Columbia. He had two sons and three daughters, of whom but one is now living - Mrs. Field, of Denver,

Colorado. In 1860 his son, William P., then in his twenty-seventh year, was burned to death in his store at Providence. He was a graduate of the University, and a young man of bright promise, and his horrible death was universally lamented. In 1837-8 Mr. Ellis commanded a company under Col. Eichard Gentry, in the Florida war. The next year he was commissioned a colonel, and had command of a regiment under marching orders from Governor Boo-o-s. This was during the Mormon insurrection. He was preparing to start with his regiment to the Mexican war, but was prevented by the illness of his wife, who died August 25, 1846. He was one of the first curators of the University. Of his colleagues, all are dead but one. He served as public administrator for ten years ; was justice of the peace from 1844 to 1878. He now holds a commission as notary public. Few men in Boone county have been more active in public affairs, or disposed of more business, and none perhaps have come nearer rendering general satisfaction.

Peter Ellis

Peter Ellis is thej^oungest of ten children, born to Peter and Eleanor Ellis, pioneer settlers, and was born in Boone county, August 19th, 1826, where he was raised and educated. Was married October 12th, 1848, to Miss Sallie Mosely, daughter of William Moseley, who settled in Boone county in 1827. Two sons were born of this marriage, one of whom died in infancy the other when nearly grown. The first wife having died in 1852, Mr. Ellis was married in 1861 to Miss Amanda Moseley, sister of the first wife. By this marriage they have had four sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living. Mr. Ellis has been actively engaged in the mule trade since 1854, and has not failed taking a drove South every year except during the war. He has been a member of New Salem Baptist church since 1842.

Elisha Patterson Ellis, one of the most substantial farmers of Boone county, and a man of superior intelligence and energy, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, September 1 1th, 1817. His parents were Peter and Eleanor (Patterson) Ellis. They left St. Louis county the year after Elisha was born, and settled on the farm now known as the William Bass place, two and one-half miles north of Ashland, Boone county, Missouri. The elder Ellis was successful in life, being able, at his death, to give each of his ten children a farm of 160 acres of excellent land. Elisha Ellis was reared on the home place, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-five years old. He availed himself of every opportunity to procure an education, and when he went forth in the world to work out his own destiny he was well prepared for the duties of life. In 1841 he came in possession of the farm upon which he now lives. Except the dwelling, which he afterwards enlarged, the land was unimproved. Removed to this place in the spring of 1843, having the year previous married Mary Jane Sheley, sister of Judge Sheley, of Independence, Missouri. Mr. Ellis has lived on this farm since settling it, except two years, from the spring of 1873 to 1875, spent in the commission business with the firm of Godlove & Ellis, St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Ellis was married to Mrs. Mary Jacobs, of Holden, Johnson county, Missouri, formerly a native of Clark county, Kentucky. Mr. Ellis was for many years general of militia. Has been a member of New Salem Baptist church for forty years. Since 1840, Gen. Ellis has been steadily engaged in the mule trade, buying work mules and taking them South. His farm consists of 320 acres, situated four miles northeast of Ashland and fifteen miles southeast of Columbia, in one of the richest and most beautiful sections of this country.

James McAllister Ellis is the fifth son and eighth child of Peter and Eleanor Ellis. He was born in Boone county, Missouri, May 27th, 1821, and was educated at the common schools of the county. Grew to manhood on his father's farm. At the age of eighteen commenced trading in mules. Took his first lot of 160 to Mississippi, in 1854, and has been South annually, with the exception of a few years when trade was dull, and during the war, when there was no trade at all. Mr. Ellis has a fine farm of 760 acres nine miles northeast of Ashland and ten miles southeast of Columbia. He was married in Callaway county, December 9th, 1852, to Martha J. Glasgow, daughter of Nathan Glasgow, of Millersburg. By this marriage they had two sons and two daughters, of whom but one daughter is now living. Mr. Ellis is a member of the New Salem Baptist church, also of the Ashland lodge of A. F. & A. M.

Abraham Ellis is the son of Peter Ellis, a native of Virginia, and Eleanor Patterson, a native of North Carolina. The Pattersons and Ellises emio-rated to Missouri about the same time and settled in St.

Louis county, where Peter Ellis and Eleanor Patterson were married. The subject of this sketch was born on his Other's farm, December 5th, 1807. He was the second son and second child of a family of six sons and four daughters. In the fall of 1818 he moved with his parents to Boone county, pitching their tent, on the night of October 1st, just two miles south of where Mr. Ellis now lives. . Commenced business for himself in 1829, but remained with his father several years, conducting business in partnership at home and on a stock ranch in Arkansas. In 1840 commenced farming on the east side of Two-mile Prairie, where he lived until the year 1858, when he moved to the place where he now lives. For twenty-eight years he has been engaged in the mule trade, buying in Missouri and selling in the South, principally at Bastrop, Louisiana. Mr, Ellis' farm is situated nine miles south of Columbia. He has 700 acres in a high state of cultivation. He was married, April 21st, 1836, to Miss Rutha H. Young, daughter of Edward Young, of Cedar township. They have one child, a daughter, who married Lawrence Bass, of this county. He is a member of the New Salem Baptist Church.

William T. Elliott

Smith Elliott, the father of William, came from Garrett county,. Kentucky, in 1825, and settled near Rocheport, in this county. He afterwards removed to the Perche bottom, seven miles east of Eocheport, where he died, in 1846. The subject of this sketch was born in Boone county, March 4th, 1832. His mother's name was Margaret Hutcheson, also a native of Garrett county, Kentucky. Young Elliott was in early life strongly impressed with a desire to travel, and when gold was discovered in California he was among the first to cross the plains, being ninety-six days on the road. Spent two years in California ; then went to Panama, and from there to Cuba ; thence to New York, He then returned home. Having satisfied his curiosity for travelling he was now content to remain at home during the rest of his life. He was first married December 28th, 1853, to Miss Amanda, daughter of John G. and Delina Cochran, who lived near Rocheport, Boone county, Missouri. One child, now dead, was born of this marriage, and named Louvena. Was married the second time, April 6th, 1869, to Mahala, daughter of William and Winnifred Christian. No children were born of this marriage. After the close of the war Mr. Elliott spent one year at Hamrick's Station, Putnam county, Indiana. During his stay at that place was made postmaster, by Presi-

David Martin Emmitt

The father of David M. Emmitt was born in Pennsylvania, but has spent the most of his life in Ohio, where he now lives. His mother, Louisa Martin, was a native of Ohio. David M. was born in Waverly, Ohio, November 10th, 1843. He was the fifth of a family of six sons, four of whom are now living. Except David M., they are all citizens of Ohio. The elder Emmitt is a banker, miller and distiller. The subject of this sketch was reared in Ohio and educated at Delaware Colleo-e, graduating in 1863. After leaving college he commenced business, buying grain for his father, at Circleville, Ohio. In the fall of 1866 he went to Europe with his parents and a younger brother. He remained there one year, pursuing his studies at Frankfort-onthe-Main. In 1867, he returned to the United States, and went into the milling and distilling business with his brother, at Chillicothe, Ohio, under the firm name of Emmitt Brothers, continuing in this business for five years, when he sold out and came to Boone county, Missouri. In 1872 he bought the Eockbridge mill property, consisting of mill, distillery, store and 800 acres of land. He was commissioned a postmaster in 1875, which position he held until 1881, when he resigned. Mr. Emmitt was married at Circleville, Ohio, May 8th, 1867, to Miss Mary L., daughter of Kev. John Wagenhals, who is still living, at Lancaster, Ohio, and is probably the oldest German Lutheran minister in the State. They have had four sons and two daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are living. The eldest son died unnamed. William Henry died in infancy. The living are Edwin, Flora, John and Katie. In 1863 Mr. Emmitt joined the parties in pursuit of John Morgan, in his famous raid through Ohio, and took an active part in the several skirmishes that took place during that exciting campaign. He is now permanently located in Boone county, and thoroughly identified with its interests.