Dresden Township

Dresden Township

Dresden was laid out in the spring of 1863, by Agee and Thos. J. Lester. It comprises an eight3--acre lot, and was evenly divided between the two gentlemen, each taking forty acres. It is situated on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section twenty-one, and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section twenty-two, township number forty-six, range twenty-two. Mr. Agee came from Kentucky and Mr. Lester from Virginia. The former now lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the latter still resides in the village which he founded. The town is situated on the main line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and has considerable importance as a shipping and trading point. In the midst of a fertile agricultural and stock-raising region, it has but one drawback, that of being so near Sedalia, whose overshadowing business influence reaches into the country that should be tributary to this village, and draws the greater portion of the trade to herself. While Dresden was the terminus of the railroad it was a business point of considerable importance, but when the railroad was extended, its business push and enterprise went with it to a lar^e extent. The Missouri Pacific Railway was finished to the town in 1863, and it remained the terminus for nearly a year. In its young days it enjoyed the reputation of being one of the largest shipping points on the road, but since it has been left behind by the larger towns arQund it, it has lost its prestige, and now ranks only third or fourth in point of shipping and trade in the county, and from a village of five hundred inhabitants, it has dwindled to 300. But at this it steadily holds its own. It is losing nothing, and as the country grows richer around it its business cannot fail to improve. At the time of its best days, some of the strongest firms that have done business in the county were interested here. Among them were Nussburg, Clony & Crawford, Sanfelter, and others. Bard & Miller also built a business house here, but did not move their stock, displaying their good judgment in putting their trust in Sedalia.

The town was incorporated about 1866, and the first Board of Trustees were Dr. T. P. McCluney, D. D. Armes, now of Sedalia, and Wm. Barrett, also a resident of Sedalia at this time. The city government was run about two years, when some parties resisted the taxes. A law -suit was the result, and the town government was, in consequence, abandoned. The following is a copy of a receipt for poll tax given under the government as it was organized:

This is to certify that T. P. McCluney has paid in cash road-tax in the town of Dresden, "'Mo., for the year 1868, and is entitled to a credit in poll tax, $1.50, this day of February 11, 1868. D. D. Armes,

Schools. - It is a proud feature of the village of Dresden that it has a good school and able teachers. It can be made far more effective by an enthusiastic working together of both Board of Education and teachers. Either, without the co-operation of the other, will always be ineffective, and to secure the best results neither labor nor money should be spared.

The first school building was a frame one, and was erected by John and W. Agee, about 1860, before any town of Dresden had been located. The same building is now used for school purposes, but it has been enlarged to accommodate the increasing demands made upon it. William Warren was an able teacher of the place, and he now resides at lona, in this county. James M. Bigby, a Mr. Summers and wife were also among the early teachers. The building now used is a one-story house with two departments. Some of the recent teachers were Prof. A. A. Neal and wife. Prof. Neal was formerly principal of the Georgetown Academy, and now resides on his farm at Lincoln, Benton County. Also, of late years, there have been employed Mr. Ross, Mrs. T. P. McCluney and Mrs. J. M. Lee. The last year (1881-2) the school has been under the supervision of Miss Olive Wharton, of Sedalia, and Mrs. J. H. Cook, of Dresden.

There are in all five schools in the township, all in a flourishing condition, paying from thirty-five to forty-five dollars per month wages, and holding school from four to seven months in the year. The school houses are frame and comfortably furnished.

Churches. - In the township there are six church organizations. Df these, perhaps the oldest organized one is that of the Christian denomination, which has had a continuous organization for thirty-three years.

The Christian Church of Dresden was organized in 1849, by Elder John De Jarnett, about three miles southeast of the place where Dresden now stands. After the late war the church was moved to the town of Dresden, and for a number of years the congregation held worship in the school house. In 1880 they erected a commodious frame house of worship on the corner of Agee and Third streets, at a cost of $1,000. In 1881 it was dediacted by S. K. Hallam, of Windsor, Missouri. The building is twenty-five by fort}'' feet, with fifteen foot ceiling, and has seats so arranged as to comfortably contain about 400 persons. The aisles and pulpit are carpeted. The pastors who have had charge of the congregation are. Elders John De Jarnett, George W. Longan, Thomas Handcock, O. Spencer, J. B. Wright, Banjamin Stephens, W. J. Frost, S. K. Hallam, E. M. Berry and George Plattenburg. The original members were, A. Haggard and wife, A. Shobe and wife, J. C. Donahue and wife, H. P. Gray and wife, A. J. Courtney and wife, Henry Anderson and wife, Thos. Parks and wife, Mrs. Combs, Peter Courtney and wife, B. McVoy and wife, Mrs. S. B. Hass, Wm. Agee and wife, Wm. Dodson and wife and Mrs. Carringtoh. The present membership is seventy-five, and they support a flourishing Sunday School, of which Peter Courtney is Superintendent and Miss Mollie B. Oppertt is Secretary. There have been large additions to the church since it was first organized, many, however, going into new organizations as the country settled up.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Dresden was organized in January, 1866, by William R. McKee, and in 1869 the congregation had grown sufficient!}^ strong to erect a house of worship in connection with the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. The building was dedicated by L. M. Vernon. In this building the congregation continued to worship until 1879, when it was partially destroyed by a storm, and was taken down, the Presbyterians taking their share of the material and the Methodists theirs, the latter purchasing the former's interest in the lot, and proceeded to erect thereon their present commodious church, which was finished in 1879, and dedicated on November 9th of that year by Benjamin St. James Fry, D. D., Editor of the Central (Jhristian Advocate., at St. Louis. Rev. L. M. Vernon, who dedicated the first building, is now Superintendent of Missions at Rome, Italy. The present house of worship is finished on the inside in Gothic style, is comfortably seated and lighted, and has a good organ. The building was erected under the supervision of Rev. J. K. Tuttle, and is a frame, costing $1,200. It is twenty-five by forty-two feet, with seventeen-foot ceiling. The pastors who have filled its pulpit are, Revs. Wm. R. McKee, W. W. Powell, Jas. K. Sassen, S. Ing, A. P. Colton, J. H. Leese, J. F. Corrington, Wm. Stephens, Wm. Demott, C.J. W.Jones, F. Oechsli, R. H. Hanson, and at present J. K. Tuttle. The original members were John Shriver, Nancy Shriver, Libbie Shriver, Wm. M. Shriver, James H. Conner and T. P. McCluney. The present membership of the church is fifty, and in connection they have an interesting Sunday School numbering over sixty scholars, under the supervision of T. P. McCheney, and of which J. H. Cook is Secretary. The church is now' in a flourishing condition, and has had a steady grow^th from the time of its organization, although at times the opposition seemed about to succeed, yet they have never succumbed for a single Sabbath, and the congregation is on a better footing now than it has been since it was organized.

The Baptist Church of Dresden was organized by J. Letts, J. Q. Bridges, D. P. Morris, S. Bradbury, E. H. Burchfield, John Kingston, }. H. Denton, with the following original members : L. W. Whipple, John M. Agee; R. E. Walker, M. F. Whipple, Mrs. Agee, Mrs. Thompson. The congregation in 1871-72 erected a commodious frame house of worship, at a cost of $1,671.26, which was dedicated May 4, 1872, by Rev. G. J. Johnson. The pastors who have occupied the pulpit have been, Revs. L. W. Whipple, E. T. Brown, J. Gott, B. T. Thomas, Rev. Webb, J. Box and J. K. Godby. The present membership numbers thirt3^-eight. The church membership has fluctuated considerably, owing to the fact that many members have not been permanently located in the vicinity. They have had some very interesting revivals, and the ministers have been men always zealous in the cause of Christ.

Prairie Chapel Church is located about four miles northwest of the village of Dresden, and the congregaion was organized in 1876, by Rev. W. W. Brawnin. In 1877 the present house of worship was erected at a cost of $850.00, and was dedicated in 1878 by Rev. J. Longan. The church is of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. The pastors who have occupied the pulpit are Revs. James Longan and G. W. Matthias. The original members of the church were E. E. and Louisa J. Shacklett, Lucy J. Shacklett, Wm. A. Kells, Robert Kells, Ann J. Kells, Julia Kells, James Winningar, Catharine Winningar, Robert Armstrong, Nancy Armstrong and Lorenzo Starkey. The present membership is thirty-two. In connection there is a live Sunday-School with forty-two scholars. J. R. Shacklett is Superiniendent. The elders of the church are J. R. Shacklett and M. F. Shacklett. Wm. A. Kells, Clerk.

The Railroad Business. - Dresden derives its principal business importance from it being the shipping point of a rich agricultural and stock-raising region. Its average annual shipments by car loads are : Cattle forty-five, hogs twenty-two, horses one, wheat twenty-five, oats seven, corn forty-two, rye one, flax seed two, fence posts one, walnut logs one. Total 147. Average receipts per year of freight in tons, fifty. Cash receipts, $8,250.00. The agents who have been stationed here are, Mr. Smith, W. Morrow, Mr. Levins, W. Longan, Thos. Mitchum, F. Winters, E. Johnson, Mr. Barney, J. O. Jones, Geo. Imhoft', W. D. Wade, R. A. S. Wade.

Potteries. - Of these there are two in the town and they are the most important manufacturing industry of the village. Thomas Ebey established the first one in 1866 and has run it continuously since. Cook & Lane established about three years ago and by the quality of ware they produce are building up a nice trade. They each produce about the same amount ot stoneware, 20,000 gallons per annum, and ship it to Sedalia and to the west. The clay is found on what is known as the Richmond farm, three miles north of Dresden. It is first-class stoneware clay, and the ware finds a ready sale. Mr. Ebey also manufactures a superior article of drain tile which ranks in the market superior to the St. Louis article.

J. T. Arnold

The subject of this sketch was born in Howard County, Mo., in 1836. His grand-father. Price Arnold, came to Howard County, Mo., from Kentucky in ISll. He had to cut his way through the wilderness from St. Charles to where he laid his claim in the eastern part of Howard County. He returned to Kentucky and brought his family out, and cleared eleven acres that fall. His family consisted of his wife and three children. His wife was Elizabeth Pipes, and the children John, Mark and Polly. He died when about fifty-five years of age. Mr. Arnold, the subject of this sketch, had an old family Bible, containing the record of the family, but had the misfortune to lose his house by fire, and the Bible was destroyed. Therefore, it is impossible to get the dates exactly. John, the father of J. T. Arnold, was born in Kentucky, three miles from Danville, on Christmas day, 1796, and came to Missouri with his family in the fall before he was fifteen years old. In the suramer time the family had to live in the fort on account of the Indians. They garrisoned at Fort Hemstead, and they could only muster thirty men, and when they were gone the women and the old men had to guard the fort. He lived on the farm where his father settled until his death, which occurred January 30, 1870. He married Katie Head, of Howard Count}^, daughter of John Head, who also came from Kentucky. She died about 1840, leaving nine children, Matthew, Mark, Milton, Wm., Finis S., John, Price, J. T. and Annie E. He was married in 1842 to Mrs. Marc^aret Head. They had one child, Jesse H. Mr. Arnold's second wife is still alive, and is living with her son Jesse in California. Four of the brothers are dead, Matthew, Milton, Wm. and John. There was at one time in the Arnold family persons named after the four writers of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Luke was the son of a colored woman, owned by the famil}'. J. T. Arnold, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of the boys by his father's first wife. He went to Linn County in 185!) and lived about a year. He then came to Pettis County, being at that time twenty-four years of age. He was married on the 5th of January, 1861, to Miss Sarah E. Donnohue, of Pettis County, daughter of J. C. and Ellen Donnohue. She was born on Christmas day 1840, and died Dec. 27, 1880. There are seven children, three boys and four girls, Mary Ella, Wm. F., John H., Sarah Ada, Joseph D., Emma K. and Lulu Gertrude. Mar\' Ella was married in Jan., 1881, to James L. Brown. The rest of the children live at home, except Lulu Gertrude, who died in infancy. Mr. Arnold has 185 acres of fine limestone land, 150 acres in cultivation, lying south of Big Muddy, and six miles west of Sedalia. His post-office is Dresden. Mr. Arnold is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife was also a member of the same church.

Dr. David F. Brown

He was born in Davidson County, N. C, Oct. 22, 1845, and at the age of fourteen left his native county, and with his parents lived in different parts of the country. In 1865 he came to Missouri, and after one year's residence, returned to his native State, where he remained till 1870, when he returned to Missouri and settled in the beautiful little town of Dresden, and engaged in business with his brother. Dr. J. A. C. Brown, now of Sedalia. The subject of this sketch attended medical lectures at St. Louis and graduated in the spring of 1873, commencing the practice of his profession at Dresden, where he has since received a large partronage. He was married in 1874 to Virginia E. Shultz, daughter of R. A. Shultz, Esq. She is a native of North Carolina, though principally raised in this State. The Doctor engaged in the mercantile business in 1874 with Jacob Thomas, and continued till 1879, when Mr. Brown opened a general store for himself. He also owns a farm of 320 acres, dealing quite extensively in stock, and growing corn and wheat. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are worthy members of the M. E. Church, South.

James Brown

Was born in Clark County, Indiana, on the 26th day of December, 1823. He was the son of John D. Brown and Eleanor Brown. His father was born in New York, and his mother was a native of Kentucky'. When

James was about sixteen years of ag^ehis parents moved to Howard County, Indiana, where they lived until their death. His mother died at the age of eiojhtv-three years. His father was killed many years before by a team running away with him. James Brown was married on the 10th of April, 185U, to Miss Phoebe Odell, of Carroll County, Indiana. She was born, Nov. 26, 1826, and was the daughter of Wm. Odell and Mary Odell. Mr. Odell was a native of North Carolina, and Mrs. Odell was born in Virginia. In 1856 Mr. Brown moved to Minnesota and settled in that State. He lived there until 1865, when he moved to Missouri and bought a farm five miles west of Sedalia. He lived on this farm until his death, which occurred on the 1st day of May, 1880. His widow sti 1 lives on the farm. Her youngest son, Milo H. Brown, is still at home, and is managing the farm. He was born, March 19, 1856. The other children, four in number, w^ere born as follows: John D., Dec. 25, 1846. He is living in Sedalia. Richard, July 17, 1848. He Hves in Lyon County, Kansas. Wm. Henry, Feb. 19, 1852. He died while the family were moving to Minnesota. James L. Brown, June 11, 185-4. He lives near Green Ridge, in this county. John D. and Richard are the children of Mr. Brown's first wife, Mrs. Sarah Brown. All the children are married. Milo, who lives on the old homestead was married on the 26th day December, 1878, to Miss Mollie Quisenberry, of this county. They have two children, Walter and Rav. Mr. Brown w-as a member of the Christian Church for tw^enty years before his death. His widow is a member of the same church.

Peter Courtney

He was born in Shelby County, Ky., June 25, 1836, son of Peter Courtney, an early settler of that State. He married Miss Rhoda Quisenberry, whose father emigrated to Missouri in the fall of 1839. In the spring of 1840 he moved near Independence, Jackson County. In the spring of 1849, he and two sons started for California, on which trip he contracted a disease and died shortly after reaching California. A portion of the time the subject of this sketch lived in Jackson County, making a trip to New Mexico in 1854. In the fall of 1855 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Bracht. In 1864 he took a trip to Oregon and Idaho. He assisted in laying out the town of Dresden. Since that time he has been engaged in farming, dealing in stock and grain. He has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres, of which ninet}- acres are under cultivation. He has a family of nine children living: J. W., now in business in Sedalia; L. P., Thomas L., Carrie S., Mary C. (deceased), H. Hugh, Elizabeth N., Ennis, H. C. and Katie, Mr. and Mrs. Courtney have been worthy members of the Christian Church since 1855.

Was born Sept. 25, 1830, in Washington County, Penn., and is the son of x\braham and Nancy E. Elliott. His mother's maiden name was Blakeway. They were both natives of Pennsylvania. John M., the subject of this sketch, was educated in his native county, attending Prosperity High School for two years, and for two years more pursued his studies under private tutors. In 1851 he engaged in teaching, which he continued to the beginning of the war. x^t the call for men to defend the government he enlisted in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was known throughout the Army of the Cumberland as the " Anderson Cavalry," so called from its Colonel, John William Anderson. He served until 1864 when his health failed him, and he was discharged by reason of this disabilitv. Before entering the army he had begun the study of medicine, and after coming home he continued i-eading with Dr. D. W. Braden, of Wavnesburg, Greene County, Pa. He attended lectures at Cleveland Medical College, Cleveland, O., and began practicing in 186G, in Marshall County, West Virginia. He remained in this county six years, and then moved back to his native county, where he continued in active practice until Sept. 18, 1881. Leaving his large and lucrative practice in Pennsylvania he came to Missouri and engaged in farming. Mr. Elliott has been twice married, the tirst time on Dec. 1, 1864, to Rachel C. Braden, who died, Oct. 1, 1869. B}^ this union they had three children, only one of whom is living, Charles Norton, aged fourteen years. On March 4, 1871, Dr. Elliott married his present wife. Her maiden name was Nancy E. Steele. They have had three children, two of whom are living, Walter L., aged ten, and John M., aged five years. Mr. Elliott is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has held the office of N. G. and Past Worthy Patriarch. He is at present a member of Hopewell Lodge, No. 504, of Claysville, Washington County, Pa. In September, 1881, Dr. Elliott came to Pettis County, Mo., and in connection with his nephew, D. W. Elliott, also a native of Pennsylvania, purchased the beautiful two hundred and six acre farm just southwest of Dresden, where they now reside. Mr. Elliott is a true type of the enterprising eastern farmer and business man, and in his new home is fast winning friends among his neighbors.

William Y. Evans

He is a native of Tennessee, born in Sumner County, May 16, 1825. His father, Wm. Evans, was a native of North Carolina, and was one of the original proprietors of Leesburg. He removed to Tennesse and then to Missouri in 1841, and settled in Hickor}' County, near Warsaw, where he continued to reside till he came to his son's present farm. His mother died Oct. 20, 185S. Youthful Wm. Y. spent his days on the farm-

He was married to Miss Ellen S. Nance, of St. Clair County, Mo., daughter of Edmund Nance. She died Jan. 31, 1881. Their daughter, Mary Ardella, born Nov. 21, 1852, married James M. Agee, 1868, and died Feb. 6, 1876.

Joel B. Gentry

The subject of this sketch was born in Pettis County, Mo., April 8, 1855. His father. Major Wm. Gentry, was a native of Howard County, Mo., born April 14, 1818, and settled about five miles north of the present site of Sedalia in 1824. In 1840 Major Gentry was married to Miss Anna R. Major, daughter of Lewis R. Major, of Pettis County. In 1846 he purchased and settled upon the farm where he now resides, two miles northwest of Sedalia. By this union there were eight children, of which Joel B. is the fifth. His early boyhood was spent upon his father's farm and attending school, the principal time at Georgetown Academy, then the leading school in the county. His education was finished at Prof. Kemper's school at Boonville, where he graduated from the Scientific Department in 1873, standing high in a class of forty. After leaving school he returned to his father's farm, where he remained until 1875, when he took charge of his present home, "Locust Grove Farm." This consists of 1,143 acres, of which 1,000 acres is in splendid grass pasture. When Mr. Gentry took charge of the property it was littte more than a wild prairie, but under his careful management it has risen to one of the finest estates in the county, with convenient and substantial barns and outbuildings for the housing of fine stock raised on the farm ; pasture laid off in eighty and one hundred acre lots and divided bv neat board fences and growing hedges, and supplied by wells of living water and ponds fed b}^ living springs. On this farm he keeps one of the finest herds of cattle in the county, consisting of twenty-five full-blood Short-horns and Rose of Sharons, to which "Burnheart," a two year-old thoroughbred, was added this season at a cost of $500; a stud of fine saddle and harness horses, of which Denmark Chief stands at the head, and pure blood Berkshire hogs. He annuall}^ feeds and ships from 300 to 400 head of stock cattle, leases 800 acres of land, on which he grows 500 acres of corn, 200 acres of wheat, and fifty acres each of rye and oats. To farm this land he keeps over forty head of work horses and mules, and men enough to run them. Mr. Gentry unites with his natural adaptation to farming, his experience of having been raised on the farm, his thorough education, his advanced views and ideas, and these have enabled him to make the business not only pleasant but profitable. He is associated in the stock business with his father, Major William Gentry, and T. J. Wallace, under the firm name of Joel B. Gentry & Co. Locust Grove Farm is located eight miles northwest of Sedalia. Mr. Gentry is one of the most enterprising young men of the county. He is unmarried, but entertains his friends at his beautiful home in a truly royal manner. A native of Missouri, he is proud of his birth-place, and as the years roll on there is a grand field for future usefulness spread out before him.

Joshua Gentry

Farmer; post-office, Dresden, Mo. Was born in Marion County, Mo., May 21, 1830. He is the son of Joshua Gentry, Sr., and grandson of Richard Gentry, of Madison County, Kentucky. His mother's maiden name was Miss Adaline Henry, a native of North Carolina. Joshua Gentry, Sr., died in February, 1863, aged sixty-seven years. He was a man of indomitable will and great energy, and figured as one of the leading men in building the Hannibal and St. Joe Railroad across the State, being President of the Board of Directors of the company for a number of years. Above all others, he was the instrument that pushed the road through to its completion. When the line was graded a few miles at each end the company failed, and Mr. Gentry recognizing the vast value that it would be to the State, determined not to let the project die out. In accordance with his plans, he made two or three trips to Boston, got eastern capitalists interested, was largely instrumental in securingaid from the State, and pushed the road through. For nearly twenty years he represented his county in the General Assembly of the State. He was the first Sheriff of Marion County, being appointed when the State was admitted, by the Governor. A man of wonderful business foresight and capacity, he built for himself a fortune. He resided from 1817, until the time of his death, on his farm near Hannibal, where his wife still resides. The subject of this sketch was educated in the schools of Palmyra, Mo., principally at the Baptist College. When he left school he came to Pettis County, Mo., in 1855, and purchased a small tract of land just east and adjoining where Dresden now stands, and he has added to it until he now has 600 acres, all enclosed and in cultivation and pastures. He has been married twice, the first time in 1855 to Amanda Haggard, who died in 1870. By this union they had six children: three boys and three girls, named respectivel)^ Clay, Andrew, William, Anna, Bina and Amanda. Clay and William are in Colorado, Anna married Thomas Glasscock, and now lives in Ralls County, this State; Bina lives with her grandmother in this county. Two are at home, Andrew and Amanda. Aug. 1, 1871, he was again married to Miss Olive Shaw, of Pettis County. This marriage has been blessed with one child, Richard, a bright boy of eight years. Mr. Gentry served during the war in the State Militia, and during a great part of the time was engaged on special duty, rendering very important seryrice on several occasions. He takes an active interest in the progress of farming in this county, keeps on his place 500 fine Merino sheep, and has an elegant home, surrounded with all the comforts of life. A view of his elegant home appears on page 909 this volume.

James L. Hull

Post-office, Dresden. Mr. Hull was born in Franklin County, Mo., in 1851. He is the son of J. C. and Mahala Hull. Mr. Hull's parents moved to Johnson County, Mo., when he was about five years old, and settled near Columbus. After living there about twelve years they moved to Morgan County, Mo., and are now living ten miles east of Versailles. Mr. Hull was married on the 23d day of December, 1880, to Mrs. Dotie Gentry of Pettis County, and has lived here since that time. They have one child, Lillie Lee Hull. Mr. Hull is engaged in farming and stock raising. He is a worthy member of Ionia Lodge, Morgan County, Missouri. Mrs. Hull is the daughter of Andrew and Mary

B. Mr. Gentry was born in Marion County, Mo., in 1843. He was the son of Col. Joshua and Adaline Gentry. Col. Gentry was at one time president of the Plannibal & St. Joe Railroad. J. C. Gentry came to Pettis County in 1866, and settled five miles west of Sedalia. He spent most of his time on the farm and raising stock. He was four years in the army during the war. He was in Company E, 3d Missouri Volunteers. His death occurred July Id, 1878.

James M. Lee

Farmer; one-half mile west of Dresden. Was born in Canada, Oct. 28, 1843. His parents were John and Mary A. Lee, both natives of Canada. With his parents he came to Indiana and settled in La Porte County, in 1862. The subject of this sketch was principally educated in the common schools of Canada and Indiana. He came to Missouri in March, 1872, and purchased the place where he now resides, which contains 178 acres, nearly all in cultivation. Mr. Lee was married April 14, 1871, to Miss Eunice M. Clark, of La Porte County, Ind. They have one child, Kingsley C, aged six years. Mr. Lee is a member of Lamonte Lodge, No. 296. He is an enterprising farmer and has one of the best arranged and carefully managed farms in the county, and is a pleasant, sociable gentleman.

Stephen T. Lupe

Post-office, Lamonte. Mr. Lupe was born in Louisville, Ky., April 23, 1848, and is the son of James H. and Annie E. Lupe. They moved to -St. Louis when the subject of thi^ sketch was about ten years of age, where his father still lives. Mr. Lupe was married on Oct. 13, 1869, to

Miss Mary S. Hood of St. Louis, a most estimable lady. Through this union they have six children, viz.: Annie, James, Lizzie L., Maud, Margaret and Cleo. Mr. Lupe came to Pettis County in March, 1870, and has lived here since that time. He has a magnificent farm of seven hundred and fifty-one acres of land, lying half way between Dresden and Lamonte. It is one of the finest and best improved farms in Pettis County. He is also an extensive stock-raiser and stock -dealer, and has a fine flock of pure Merino sheep. He also has a large lot of sheep near Garnett, Kansas. Among the illustrations in this work is a view of "'Fair View," Mr. Lupe's fine residence, which is a large two story frame building situated on a level tract and surrounded by trees and shrubbery. Through the center of the house there is a large hallway, with convenienth' arranged rooms on either side. The square portion of the house was built by Robert Saterwhite in 1850. It was planned and framed in Louisville, Ky.,^ and brought to St. Louis by boat, then up the Missouri River to Arrow Rock, also by boat, then by ox-team to this site. The eastern portion of the house was built by Mr. Lupe in 1871. Mr. Lupe purchased his farm of Wm. P. Paff in March, 187<>. Mr. Lupe is one of the most enterprising and successful farmers of the county. His warm heart and genial social nature is a marked characteristic; not only to friends and neighbors is his open-handed generosity extended, but also to strangers he exhibits those qualities which raises man so high among his fellows. A view of his residence appears on page 459.

The subject of this sketch was born in Wellsburg, Brooke County, West Virginia, Jan. 25, 188(3. His father, John P. McCluney, is a native of Pennsylvania, but went to Virginia when sixteen years of age. The Doctor's mother was born and lived in Wellsburg. They emigrated to Missouri in 1843, first settling in Hazel Hill township, Johnson County, where his father resided till his death, which occurred in September, 1865. In 1878 the mother, who is still living, removed to this county. He studied medicine, taking a course of lectures at St. Louis, where he graduated in the spring of 18()<>. He then settled in Pettis County eight miles north of Windsor, after which he came to the neighborhood of Dresden, and when Dresden was laid out he moved to the town, where he has since been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine. He was married to Miss Mary M. McClung in ISOO. She died in 1873, leaving two children, viz.: Mary L. and Maud E. In 1874 he married his present wife, Mrs. Mary C. Smalley, daughter of Rev. J. K. Tuttle, a prominent minister of the M. E. Church. Dr. McClune}^ is a man of literary and cultivated taste, taking a lively interest in social and religious circles.

Wm. H. Morris

Merchant, Dresden. Was born in Philadelphia, Penn., August 30, 1831, and is the son of Andrew M. and Jane Morris, both natives of Lancashire, England, who came to this county in 1829. Jane Morris' maiden name was Hampson. When five years of age, the subject of this sketch came with his parents to Ohio, and settled in Noble Count}^ where he attended the public schools and assisted his father on the farm until his twenty-first year, when he engaged in selling goods for his uncle, Wm. Morris, a woolen goods manufacturer at Steubenville, Ohio, for six years. After this he taught school in Noble County for a time. In 1859 he engaged in mercantile business at Crooked Tree, Noble County, for four years, and then moved to Crumtown, the same county, where he entered into partnership with his brother John. They sold goods and purchased tobacco for one year. They then sold their stock and engaged in sawmilling and drilling oil mills in Washington County, Ohio. In 1866 Wm. Morris moved to Missouri and settled in Pettis County, one and one-half miles from Dresden, where he engaged in farming for four years. He then sold his place and moved to this town, where he engaged in mercantile business until 1876. During this time he purchased a flouring mill and moved it to Boonville, where he went to attend to this business and left his Dresden store in charge of a clerk. In the fall of 1881 Mr. Morris returned to Dresden, having rented his Boonville property, where he now resides and carries on his business as merchant. Mr. Morris has been twice married; the lirst time to Miss Hanna Lock of Steubenville, Ohio, on Sept. 9, 18.56. Mrs. Morris died about fifteen months after their marriage. They had one son, Edwin, who died in infancy. On May 8, 1859, Mr. Morris married Miss Martha J. Smithson of Washington County, Ohio. This marriage has been blessed with nine children, seven of whom are living, viz.: Mary E., born May 8, 1860; Sadie, born Aug. 26, 1861; Richard N., born Aug. 16, 1863; Carrie, born Feb. 12, 1868; Mattie, born Aug. 29, 1870; Walter H. and Alice Gertrude, born June 21, 1877; John and William died in infancy. Mr. Morris was postmaster of Dresden from 1870 until 1876, has also been Justice of the Peace and a member of the school board for a number of 3^ears. He is a Master Mason and has held tiie office of Secretary of this Lodge a number of terms. In politics he has been a life-long Republican.

Elias J. Payn

Post-office, Dresden. Mr. Payn was born on the Island of Jersey, where his famil}^ has lived continually' on the family farm, since the Norman Conquest. He was born, June 24, 1840. His father, Elias Payn, is still living in London, England. He i.s a contractor. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Le Boutillier. She died in England, Decern- ber 9, 1860. Mr. Payn's grandfather, Philip Payn, died three years ago on the Island of Jersey, in his eighty-eighth year. The family have held all the different offices of the State from time immemorial. Mr. Payn, the subject of this sketch, was married, December 26, 1871, to Miss Asanath Bacheldor, the daughter of Samuel and T. Maria Bacheldor. They were married at Junction City, Kansas. Mr. Bacheldor was born in New York, and died at Leonidas, Michigan, in 1862. Mrs. Bacheldor, whose maiden name was Osgood, was a native of Massachusetts. She died at Leonidas, Michigan. Mr. Bacheldor was born in 181S, and Mrs. Bacheldor in ISltt. They were married at Parma, Monroe Countv, New York. Mr. Payn, the subject of this sketch, came to America in June, 1863, and has been in the United States ever since. He has been a superintendent and contractor all his life. He has been nearly all the time on public buildings and railroads. The last contract he had was putting up buildings and snowsheds on the Gunnison line of the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. Mr. Payn lived in Jersey until 1853. He then went with his parents to the Island of Alderney, where his father was a contractor on the British forts. In 1859, they moved to England. * Mr. Payn bought the farm where he now resides in 1876. There are two hundred acres, all under fence. It is half a mile south of the village of Dresden, on the M. P.R. R. Mr. Payn intends to make this farm his home, and to use it exclusively as a stock farm. It is well supplied with living springs, and the land is tine mulatto soil, peculiarly adapted to blue grass. In politics Mr. Payn is a Republican.

Agent and operator of the M. P. R. R. Co., at Dresden, is a native of Virginia, born in Highland County, Jan. 8, 1848. He came with his parents to Missouri in 1859, stopping in Cooper County until 1865, when they came to Pettis County. He received his education principally in the schools of Pettis County, and for fifteen months attended the State University at Columbia in 1873 and 1874, after which he returned to this county and for seven years taught school in this and Johnson Counties. He learned the art of telegraphy at Lamonte, in this county, under the instruction of his brother, J. R. Wade, at that time operator at that place. He was then put in charge of the Company's office at Houstonia, and afterwards transferred to Greenwood, then to Knob Noster, and from thence to Dresden, which office he took charge of March 1st, 1881. Mr. Wade is an accomplished gentleman in his business, a pleasant and affable acquaintance, and a man who will make for himself friends, wherever he goes.

Post-ofRce, Hughes ville. Mr. Witcher was born in Pettis County, Mo.^ in 1854. His father, W. A. Witcher, was a native of Virginia, being born in Pittsylvania County. Mrs. Witcher, the mother of C. V. Witcher, was born in Kentucky, near Lexington. W, A. Witcher came to Pettis County in 1848, and located at Georgetown. He came all the way from Virginia on horse-back. He is an attorne3^ At one time he edited a paper at Liberty, Mo. He was married to Miss Major, the daughter of R. and Elvira Major, of Pettis County, Mo. She is now the wife of Major Gentry, of this county. C. V. Witcher was married on the 26th of May, 1880, to Miss Lillian M. Rucker, of Pettis County. She is the daughter of J. G. and Z. B. Rucker. They have lost their only child. They live seven miles northwest of Sedalia. Mr. Witcher has spent all his life on a farm, except two years that he lived in Sedalia ; a part of that time he was in the general office of the M. K. & T. R. R.; the rest of the time he was in the grocery business. He is an enterprising and exemplary farmer, taking pride and satisfaction in his chosen pursuit.

Albion Wood

Farmer and stock dealer. He owns a farm of 338 acres of good land, all in cultivation. His residence is a large two-story building, situated upon a high and elevated spot, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. Mr. Wood is a native of Pettis County; born in July, 1844. His father, Clifton Wood, was a native of Virginia. His mother was from Kentucky. They emigrated to Missouri in a very early dav, and settled at a point called Pin Hook Mills, where he was engaged in selling goods, after which he moved to Georgetown, then the county seat of Pettis County, where he remained for several years; then moved to Sedalia, and became the president of the Citizens National Bank, which position he held at the time of his death in 1878. Mr. A. Wood's mother died in this county in 1845. Albion, the subject of our sketch, was principally reared and educated at Georgetown. He was engaged in selling goods in Sedalia for several years. In 1868 Mr. Wood moved to his present farm, situated in the corner of three townships, since which time he has been actively engaged in farming and dealing largely in stock, and is one of the successful stock men of his neighborhood. In 1868 he was married to Miss M. B. Lightfoot, of Sedalia, and the daughter of Wm. Lightfoot, Esq. The happy result of this union has been five children: Mary, Alma, Hortense, Linn and Dora. Mrs. Wood is a member of the Presbyterian Church.