McDonald Township

Mcdonald Township

on Spring River. As early as 1831, John K. Gibson located jnst across the line in Lawrence county. A few others came and settled during this time, but the above are the principal ones. The first marriage of which we liave anything like definite information was performed in 1839, the contracting parties being Mr. John Roach and Miss M. J. Duncan. R. W. Fishburn, although probably not the first white child born in the township, was ushered into this world in 1837, his father, John Fishburn, being one of the earliest settlers. The first resident minister in the township was, doubtless, Rev. Thos. Cunningham. The first physician was J. Q. Stemmons, who located three miles northeast of Avilla, on a wide expanse of prairie. The first school-house was erected on White Oak, one and a half miles southeast of Avilla. It was a rudely constructed log building with its characteristic wooden benches without backs, etc. The first teacher was, probably, a Mr. Kelse}'. The first church edifice erected was the present M. E. Church of Avilla. The first post-office was established at Avilla about the year 1858. Concerning the schools little need be said, except that the township is well provided with good substantial school-houses, and that the citizens have, by employing only wide-awake and competent teachers, not only shown more than ordinary interest, but raised the schools to a high grade of scholarship and set prominently forth superior educational advantages. Agriculture, horticulture, and stock-raising are the principal employments.

Avilla. - The pleasant little rural village of Avilla is located in the eastern portion of Jasper county, about four miles west of the Lawrence county line. It stands in one of the finest agricultural regions of southwest Mis- souri and has been, and is destined to be, a place of considerable importance. Close to the south is the timber skirting White Oak Creek, and towards the north and west stretch fertile prairies and rich and beautiful fields. The first merchant was D. S. Holman, who was also the first postmaster. Shortly after Messrs. Geo. and John Jones opened up the second store. The first hotel, the Avilla House, was erected by Justice Hall about the year 1868. The first physician was Dr. Young, who came here previous to the war and engaged in practice. There are now two general stores carrying an excellent stock of dry goods, clothing, etc.; two grocery stores, one notion store, one drug store, two boot and shoe stores, one livery and feed stable, one good hotel, three churches, and two secret societies. School advantages are quite good, the citizens taking great interest in the education of the youth. A new school-house will soon be erected.

Avilla was platted and laid out for public use July 23, 1858, by David S. Holman and Andrew L. Love, proprietors of the land on which the site was taken. The town was located on the southeast quarter of section 30, of township 29, range 29, and on the northeast quarter of section 31 in township 29, range 29. Benjamin Binney's addition to the town of Avilla was made June 11, 1868. Joseph S. Tam's addition was made June 18, 1873. Avilla Post-office. - The Avilla post-ofiice was established about the year 1858. The first postmaster was D. S. Holman. Those succeeding are wanting up to 1866; since, the following gentlemen have had charge: J. M. Berry, Josephus Kelley, T. S. Haughawont, N. H. Roberts, and J. E.. Spencer. Mr. Spencer took charge of the ofiice in April 1873 and received his commission on December 18, following. At that time it was a salaried office at $10 per month. Reports for quarter ending March 31, 1882: Commission allowed, ^69.57; amount of stamps, etc., sold, $110.85; box rent, $9.20; waste paper, $1.25; amount forwarded department, $52.23. Reports for quarter ending March 31, 1883: Commission allowed $76.89; stamps sold, $115.75; box rents, $9.85; waste paper, $2.60; registered letters sold in 1882, 485; number received, 81

Avilla Lodge No. 278, A. F. & A. M., was organized March 28,1868, under dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and b}' Allen McDowell, D. D. G. M. Charter received Oct. 16, 1868. The first officers were IS'oah Myerp, W. M.; Chas. Marquis, S. W.; J. H. Ulmer, J. W.; Joseph Kelley, treasurer; D. B. Riever, secretary; Joseph Melugin, S. D.; S.Long, J. D.; Thomas Kelley, tyler. First met in the hall over the rooms now occupied by Messrs. Horton & Longstreth, druggists. In 1869 the lodge erected their present hall, but afterwards sold the store rooms below to Stemmons & Whitsett. The hall is creditably furnished. Present member-

M. E. Church. - Thirteen years ago Rev. J. C. Willoughby, then stationed at Carthage, traveled over Jasper county preaching in the private houses and organizing little bands of Methodists into classes. One of these classes was organized at Avilla, then a thriving town. Among those who met in these early official meetings are the names of D. H. Budloug, J. K. Glassford, J. JS". Renfro, D. S. DeWitt, James Haygard, W. B, Hamelton, D. B. Reaves, Dr. Stemmons, and others. This territory now comprises seven charges, all self-supporting, maintaining their Sunday-schools and other church institutions. The Avilla charge, as it is now, has been under the following pastors: Revs, J. C. Willoughby, Eli Wills, A. M. Stephens, Isaac Er.twhistle, John Garner, E. Hopkins, A. Barber, Jasper A. Smith, and J. J, Martin, who is present pastor. The society is now building, and arranging to build, three new church-houses within the charge; one in the country, one at Jasper, and one at Chambersville. At Avilla there is a Sunday-school, with John J. Stemmons as superintendent, with an average of fifty in attendance. The church has a membership of 196.

Christian Church. - This^church was organized in November, 1876, by Elder L. Z. Burr. The original members were R. C. Bowman and wife, Alex. Argo and wife, H. C. Elliott and wife, Abraham Miller and wife, Barbara Wood, T. W. Horton and wife, W. T. Council and wife, Lewis

Frank and wife, John F. Botts and wife, Harriet Horton, and Sarah Willimont. The church edilice is a good substantial frame building, thirty-eight feet long by twenty-eight feet wide, is well furnished, and was erected in 1876 at a cost of about $800. The pastors who have had charge are: Frank Harmon, J. M. Jenkins, and J. F. Tout. At present they have no regular pastor. The present membership is forty-nine. The present church officers are: Elder, I. Wilhite; deacons, H. C. Elliott and Lewis Frank. The society is in a reasonably prosperous condition.

Baptist Church. - This church was organized sometime before the war. The names of the original members are wanting. The church edifice is a good substantial frame building fifty feet long by thirty wide, well seated etc. The present pastor is Rev. I. M. Wheeler. Present membership forty. The society is now in a very flattering condition, there being every evidence of great interest on the part of the members. The present church oflicers are: Deacons, T. S. Jones, S. G. Hankins, and I. M. Call; trustees Geo. Rush, J. S. Jones, S. G. Hankins, and S. C. Bolton.

AviLLA Cemetery is situated about one half mile north of the villaore on an eminence overlooking the surrounding country. It is well fenced and evidently well cared for in every other respect.

MRS. MARY ARTHUR has resided for many years in Jasper county, and is well known to the old settlers of Spring River; was born in Tennessee, Feb. 25, 1825. She was married in 184:3 to Willis Shaw and came to Jasper county, Mo., in 1850. Her husband died four years later, leaving three children, since deceased. She was again married Aug. 19, 1855, to Dr. L. L. Arthur, a native of Virginia. He was well known in Jasper and adjoining counties where he practiced medicine for several years. Though not a graduate of any medical instute, he evinced much skill in practice and was quite successful. He died Jan. 1, 1871, leaving six children; four are now living: S. A., Jeannette, now Mrs. Thos Rickner; Thos. E., Ellen F., now Mrs. A. Melugin, and Hattie A. The Doctor was also father of ten children by a former marriage. Since the death of the Doctor, Mrs. Arthur has managed the farm and been prosperous. She gave to each of the heirs at their marriage a portion of the property. The farm consists of 240 acres.

BEISJAMIN L. BALDWIN, farmer and stock-raiser, post-oflice Avilla. The subject of this brief sketch is a native of the Buckeye State, born in Miami county. May 22, 1818. When a child in arms his parents moved to their old home in Kentucky, and four years later to Indiana. They came to Missouri in 1838, and settled in Holt county. He moved around considerable until 1867, when he became a resident of Jasper county. Mo. His farm consists of 160 acres of good soil, 120 acres well improved. He was married Nov. 12, 1840, to Miss Martha Hughes, a native of Illinois. They are the parents of seven children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Davis; Irene, now Mrs. Kenyon; Mary A., now Mrs. Kouden; David li., Benjamin L., Jr., John B., and Serilda, now Mrs. J. Potts. During the civil war Mr. Baldwin served in Company E of the Second Regiment of Nebraska Volunteer Cavalry, in campaigns against the hostile Sioux and Cheyenne. He has been a pioneer all his life.

JOHN M. BERRY, farmer, post-office Avilla. He is a native of Indiana, born in Grant county, March 30, 1834. When a child of four years of age his parents came to Jasper county. Mo., locating near where Burch's mill now stands, where his father, Thomas Berry, died in 1842 or 1843. In 1848 the family returned to Indiana. Our subject, then in his fourteenth year, engaged at farming. He was married March 14, 1856, to Miss Sarah Olliver, a native of Indiana. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Berry was a member of Company I, One Hundred and Forty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, attached to the army of the Cumberland. He was mustered out in Jrly, 1865, and the same year came to Missouri, staid one winter in Livingston county and came to Avilla in the spring of 1866. The country at that time was in a sad state of demoralization occasioned by the war. Mr. Berry, in company with Benj. Binney, engaged at merchandising, and continued in the business two years. He then bought an improved farm in section 12, McDonald township. He moved to Lawrence county in 1870 and purchased a farm on which he lived three years. Returning to Avilla he engaged in the drug business two years. He bought a farm in Lincoln township which he worked four years; returning to Avilla he sold goods in the store of Stemmons and Whitsett two and one-half years. He then engaged at merchandising undei the firm name of Tanehill & Berry; sold out his business in 1881. Mr. Berry is known as an energetic, thorough-going business man, and has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He was postmaster at Avilla in 1866, and has also held the office of tax collector; he has been a staunch Republican until the organization of the Liberal party in 1872, when he became identified with that movement. He is now a well known Greenbacker. His wife died Nov. 27, 1876, at Tom Thumb Springs, Ark., whither she had gone for treatment, leaving six children: Albert L., Angeline, Mrs. Chas. Myers; Laura J., Mrs. Geo. Longe; Ann, Clara, and Fred. He was married at Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1878, to Miss Rose Wallard. They have one child, Lee. Mr. B. is a member of the I. O. O. F. Himself and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

father, Leroy Wilson, moved to Indiana, and there she married Edgeman Blake, June 30, 1839, and started the same year for southwest Missouri, arriving at Spring River in October. Her husband died July 22, 1855. During life he was a hard working industrious man, kind hearted and generous. He was for many years a member of the Methodist Church South. During the civil war Mrs. Blake was subject to all the horrors of that horrifying time; her grown sons having taken sides with the contending parties, one south and one north. The one that went into the Confederate army she did not hear from for three years. He returned at the close of the war hale and hearty. The one on the side of the Union was killed near Carthage, in July, 1864. Since the war she has been getting along very well. Her family consists of two sons now living, Asberry J., and Leroy. Her son, John K., killed near Carthage in July, 1864, was eighteen years of age. Rosanna A., wife of Robert Toler, died Aug. 25, 1861; and three others died in childhood. The homestead consists of 200 acres.

A. J. BLAKE was born in Sarcoxie township, Jasper county. Mo., May 23, 1844, where he has spent his entire life except the war period. At the age of seventeen he joined the Fifth Missouri Battalion State Guards and was engaged at Pea Ridge. Then he joined the First Missouri Battalion Light Artillery, C. S. A., and participated in the battles of Cotton Plant, Mansfield, Louisiana; and Jenkins's Ferry. He returned to his home in July, 1865, and engaged at farming. He was married Sept. 29, 1869, to Miss Mary L. Duncan, also a native of Jasper county. They are the parents of three children: Moses E., Evaline R., and Minerva A. His farm consists of 205 acres.

DANIEL H. DeBOARD, farmer and btock-raiaer, section 28, post-office Avilla, was born in Indiana, Oct. 4, 1846. When an infant his parents moved to Illinois, and eight years after moved to Marion county, Iowa. Our subject served his country during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in November, 1862. in Company K, Third Iowa Cavalry, and though but sixteen years old at his enlistment, stood campaigning like a veteran, never being off duty a single day during his service. He participated in the Guntown raid, the battles of Ripley, Jackson, again at Gun town, Shiloh, Memphis, White Station, the campaign through Arkansas aud Missouri, under A. J. Smith. He went from St. Louis to Louisville, Ky., where the regiment wintered. Campaigned through Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and into South Carolina, and was under fire nearly every day during these raids aud forced marches. He was at Macon, Ga., when the news of the armistice reached them, and was mastered out at Atlanta. Ga., in April, 1865, but was not discharged until the August fol- lowing, the governiuent thereby getting some months' service out of the boys without pay. Returning to his home in Iowa, he doffed the Union bhie and donned the jeans of a farmer. He came to Missouri in 1868; staid a few months in Barton county, and from there went to Texas, where he staid one year. He became a resident of Jasper county, Mo., in 1870. He was married Nov. 26, 1874, to Miss Emma Black, a native of Macoupin county, 111. They have one child, Mamie D., born June 5, 1876. Mr. De- Board purchased the farm where he now lives in 1879, which consists of 200 acres, 130 acres under cultivation. He commenced without means, and has bj^ persevering industry and hard knocks accumulated a nice property. He is known in the community as an honest, hard-working, and good citizen.

MAETIN BROWN, farmer and stock-raiser, section 29, post-office Avilla, is a native of Germany, born in Prussia, Julj' 19, 1818. He received his education in his native country, and learned the trade of machinist. He immigrated to the United States in 1849, locating at St. Louis, Mo., where he worked several years in a locomotive shop. He was married in that city, May 1, 1856, to Miss Matilda Lender, also a native of Germany. They are the parents of six children: John, born Jan. 26, 1857; Louis, born Nov. 27, 1860; Sigel, born Jan. 26, 1862; Matilda, born Nov. 18,1868; Frank, born July 8, 1871; and Etta, born Jan. 8, 1873. Mr. Brown became a resident of Jasper county in 1858; was here during the dark days of the civil war, and of course suffered the privations and depredations incident to these trying times. He was repeatedly raided and deprived of his property, horses, and goods. The last year of the war he went to Kansas, returning to the farm at the cessation of hostilities, since which time he has been quite prosperous. The farm consists of 280 acres, 130 acres well improved, with good substantial farm buildings, orchard, etc.; also owns a 160 acre farm in Dade county, Mo. Mr. Brown is much respected in the community; has ever favored the union of states, and entertains a profound respect for American institutions.

CALYARY CHAPMAN, section 20, post-office Avilla, is a native of West Yirginia, born in Kanawha county, Oct. 30, 1825, and was there reared to manhood and learned the cooper's trade in his father's shop. He was married in his native county, July 12, 1848, to Miss Mary J. Payne, and the following year immigrated to Ohio, and carried on a c-ioper-shop at Proctorville, in that state, until 1855, when he moved to Des Moines county, Iowa, where he remained two years, when he became a citizen of Jasper county, Mo., locating where he now lives. At the breaking out of the civil war Mr. Chapman espoused the cause of the Union, and volunteered in the Seventy-sixth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, going into active service.

His family remaining at home, subject to all the dangers and indignities of these trying times, were repeatedly raided by bushwhackers and deprWed of everything movable. Their horses being driven off early in the struggle, forced the family to remain, and the hardships endured by them would fill a volume. Their daughter, then a young girl of fifteen, was forced to take ofl'her shoes and give them to a party of raiders. At one time Mr. Chapman came home and went with his wife and several neighbors to Fort Scott to purchase supplies, and on their return were met b}' a party and everything taken from them; the shawl taken from his wife and coat and hat from himself. In this condition they had to return to their home by a long night's ride, with oxen - a cold night in October. After the cessation of hostilities Mr. Chapman, with the poor facilities left him, again commenced improving his land, and has been quite prosperous. His farm consists of 200 acres of improved land, also forty acres of timber. His wife died Dec. 17, 1876, leaving a family of six children: Elizabeth J., wife of J. L. Striker; Sarah F,, wife of L. Van Tarter; Charles W., Morris D., Mary S., and Harriet. He married for his second wife, Mrs. Caledonia Wilson, daughter of John C. Batton, Oct. 28, 1880. Of this union there is one child, Abner D.

WILLIAM CHAPPELL, farmer, post-office A villa, was born in Devonshire, England, Aug. 28, 1827, and immigrated with his parents to America in 1836, and located near East Bethany, Genesee county, N. Y., where the family lived six years, when they removed to Jackson county, Mich., and purchased a farm, where our subject resided until recently. At the death of Ins father, in 1851, he bought out the heirs and occupied the homestead. He was married in Dec, 1853, to Mis« Emeline Tucker, a native of New- York State, who died in 1864, leaving a family of three children: Emma F., now the wife of Albert O. Bridenstiene of Springport, Mich.; Arthur D., and Lilian, deceased. He was again married March 30, 1865, to Miss Ann Eliza Price, a native of Lockport, N. Y., daughter of John K. and Clarissa Price, natives of Kew York State. Her parents removed to Calhoun county, Mich., when she was but seven years of age, where she received a good English education. Three sons and one daughter have blessed this union: William W., born Nov. 25, 1867; Samuel B., born Nov. 19, 1871; Perry B., born April 12, 1874; and Florence, born April 8,1877. Mr. Chappell became a resident of Jasper county. Mo., in 1881, and purchased a fine farm of 188 acres, nicely situated within one mile of Avilla. There are 148 acres in a good state of cultivation; a good house, barn, and orchard. Mr. Chappell is well pleased with Missouri, and especially Jasper county, and will, doubtless, make this his future home.

county, Penn., March 16, 1837, and received a good education at the Jesuit College of Buft'alo, N. T. In 1852 he traveled overland to Colorado, from there to Oregon, and from there to Vancouver's Island. While in the far West he engaged at mining and lumbering, and returned to Pennsylvania in 1859 and engaged at fanning in Clarion county. He enlisted in the Union army in Company G, Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in 1861, and was called into active service shortly after the inauguration of President Lincoln, and was among the very first troops at Washington City, and participated at the first battle of Bull Run, and was mustered out immediately after, their time having previously expired. He re-enlisted in July, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers (Zouaves), and was attached to the Zouave Brigade of the Fifth Army Corps, and participated in all the great battles of Virginia. He was wounded several times, once very severly at Gettysburg; was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and mustered out June 8, 1865. Returning to Pennsylvania he engaged in oil speculations, and was at one time wealthy, but unfortunately met with many reverses. Mr. Edinger has held many prominent positions in civic societies; viz., Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the United States, A. O. U. W. He was married in 1869 to Miss Maria Alt, a native of Switzerland, who died the following year, leaving one child, John G. He was married again April 21, 18^4, to Miss Kate Umstead, a native of Pennsylvania, from which union there is one child. Alma Grace, born Feb. 1, 1875. Mr. Edinger became a resident of Jasper county. Mo., in 1880.

VALENTINE F. FAGG, farmer and stock-raiser, section 36, post-office Avilla, was born in Franklin county, Tenn., March 5, 1841. When he was fifteen years old his parents removed to Missouri, and settled in Boone county. He was reared on a farm, which business he has always followed. He was married Oct. 25, 1860, to Miss Nancy E. Fagg, daughter of W. B. and M. G. Fagg of Alabama. They have six children, five sons and one daughter: Thos. P., born Dec. 9, 1865; Nancy A., born April 17, 1868; R. L., born April 11, 1870; C. A., born March 2, 1872; E. A., born Aug. 1, 1874, and G. C, born Aug. 19, 1879. Mr. Fagg became a resident of Jasper county in 1877, and purchased the farm upon which he now lives. The farm consists of 160 acres, 130 acres in good cultivation, well- watered, also a fine orchard of 150 apple trees, with numerous peach, pear, and cherry trees of different varieties, all in good bearing, and of excellent quality. Mr. Fagg has held various townsliip offices of trust with satisfaction.

tained his manhood and obtained a limited education at the pioneer school, being prior to the days of district or free schools. He spent his early life as youths usually did at that period. During the war of the Rebellion he espoused the Union cause, and became a member of the Seventy-sixth Regiment, E. M. M., in Sept., 1862, serving in that command in Jasper and Lawrence counties until March, 1863, when the regiment was re-formed into the Seventh JProvisional Regiment, E. M. M., and in Nov., 1863, mustered as the Fifteenth Missouri Yolunteer Cavalry. Mr. Fishburn participated in all the experiences of that command, and was discliarged June 30, 1865, when he returned to his home and resumed the more peaceful avocation of farming. He was married Jan. v?6, 1865, to Miss Harriett C. Graham, a native of Arkansas, and daugiiter of Allen (Iraham, one of the pioneer settlers of southwest Missouri. She obtained a good English education at the Newton College, Newtonia, Mo., and taught school in Newton and Jasper counties previous to her marriage. They are the parents of four children: Minnie A., born April 27, 1871; Tilman W., born Sept. 6. 1873; Juliett F., born Oct. 22, 1876, and an infant born Sept. 7, 1882. The farm consists of 149 acres, 118 acres of which is in a high state of cultivation, also a good commodious farm-house, and other good improvements. Mr. Fishburn has always been enterprising and industrious, and is now reaping the reward which industry and close attention to business is sure to accomplish. REUBEN W. FISHBURN, farmer and stock-raiser, section 33, postofRce Avilla, has the distinction of being the first white child born within the limits of what is novv McDonald township, which event occurred June 21, 1837, in a pioneer cabin on White Oak Creek and within a few rods of his present residence. His father, John Fishburn, was a native of Kentucky, and settled on White Oak Creek in 1836. He was married Oct. 18, 1832, to Miss Faitha Roark, a native of Tennessee. They were the parents of three children: Reuben W., Sarah, now Mrs. A. M. Blucher, and Peter. He died at the Fishburn horaesread, Jan. 13, 1876. His wife followed him to the better land, Jan. 12, 1880. Our subject during his youth, from the age of ten, had nearly or quite the entire responsibility and work of the farm, being the eldest, and his father becoming crippled by an accident, consequently his education was of necessity limited. He was married Aug. 31, 1859, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Nathan and Mary Austin, well-known old settlers of Jasper county, now of Mt. Yernon, Mo. He was a strong Union man during the civil war, and suffered many indignities and severe losses in consequence at the hands of bushwhackers. Was a member of Captain Stemmons's company of the Seventy-sixth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, and was engaged in several skirmishes and taken prisoner by Bark's band. Since the war he has been quite prosperous. His farm consists of 115 acres, seventy acres in cultivation, good bouse, barn, orchard, etc., well fenced, and watered by Whire Oak Creek. His family consists of four children: Mary A. E., born Nov. 15, 1860; Kebecca H., born March 16, 1867; John IST., born Jan. 18, 1871; and Moses P., born Dec. 27, 1874. Mr. Fishburn has spent his entire life in Jasper county as boy and man, and has witnessed its progress and development. Is well and favorably known throughout the county as one of its substantial citizens.

DR. J. R. FREED, physician and surgeon, Avilla, Mo. The subject of this sketch is a native of the Hoosier State, born in Lawrence county, Sept. 5, 1842, and there grew to manhood and acquired a fair education. When the tocsin of war sounded he was among the first to respond to the call of President Lincoln for three years' troops, enlisting in August, 1861, as a private in Company A, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, serving in the Army of the Cumberland, in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. He was discharged for disability in December, 1862, returning to his home in Indiana, where he remained until the May following. When he had sufficiently recovered his health to again take the field he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was commissioned second lieutenant, and one month later was promoted to first lieutenant, in which capacity he served, participating at the battles of Clinch River, Mount Gap, Bean Station, and Strawberry Plains. He was mustered out with the regiment in February, 1864, and in June of the same year he recruited a company for the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, in which he mustered as captain and served until October, 1864, when the regiment was mustered out. In February, 1865, he again "sought glory at the cannon's mouth," enlisting in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Indiana Veteran Volunteers, and was attached to Hancock's Veteran Reserve Corps, serving in the Shenandoah Valley, Va. He received his final discharge from the service in August, 1865, returning to his home in the Hoosier State. He adopted the study of medicine, read two years, and took a medical course at the Medical College at Louisville, Ky.; also, a course of lectures in the medical department of the Ur.iversity of Louisville, Ky., from which institution he received his diploma. His first practice was with his preceptor. Dr. E. M. Berry, at Saltilloville, Ind.; next in Wabash county, 111. From there he moved to Benton county, Mo., where he lived ten years, and enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He represented the county in the General Assembly of the State of Missouri trom 1878 to 1880; was elected on the straight Democratic ticket by a majority of 375, overcoming a Republican majority of 250, showing beyond question his popularity and fitness. He disposed of his practice there and returned to his old home in Indiana in 1880, remaining there until 1882, when he became a citizen of Jasper county, Mo., locating at Avilla, where he succeeded Dr. Forester, and, without ostentation, is building up a good practice and making many friends. Tlie Doctor was married at Saltilloville, Ind. April 15, 1868, to Miss M. J. Robertson, a native of Indiana. Of this union there are three children: Nora E., Lulu M., and Florence E.

JOHN K. GIBSON, farmer and stock-raiser. One of the most prominent of the old settlers of southwest Missouri is the subject of this brief sketch; born in Giles county, Tenn. Oct., 7, 1823. In 1831 his jjarents came to southwest Missouri and settled at the head of Spring River. The country was then filled with Indians, hunting parties from the reservations. The cabin of Mr. Gibson was then on the very outskirts of civilization. Three other families settled about the same time, but nearer the rising sun. Their names were James M. White, now of Yerona; Daniel Beal, deceased; and Thomas Horn, deceased. The father of our subject, George M. Gibson, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, but settled in Giles county, Tenn., at an early day; had been a pioneer all his life and died in Lawrence county, Mo., Dec. 28, 1845. During his life was a benevolent and kind hearted man, as many of the early settlers of the great Southwest can testify. He was ever willing to spend days, or even weeks, guiding the new arrivals to suitable locations for homes and farms. Many a fine farm that now boasts a princely residence was pointed out to the weary immigrant, and he assisted in staking his claim and erecting the primitive cabin, by the elder Gibson. All of these characteristics are strikingly developed in his son John K., who inherits the magnificent physique and great good heart of his father. Our subject was married Aug. 18, 1853, to Miss Arranatta White, also a native of Giles county, Tenn. She died Nov. 12, 1871, aged thirty-seven, leaving a family of four sons and three daughters. Their names are George Moore, Archie Neal, Samuel Holmes, Dora Belle, Fanny L., John K , Jr., and Mary R. Mr. Gibson became a resident of Jasper county in 1853. During the civil war his sympathies were naturally with the South, as he had ever been a believer in the sovereign rights of. the states; however, he observed a strict neutrality. His losses in property during these times were very severe, and at the hands of both parties. At one time the Federals took thirty-three head of horses and mules off" his place, for which he never recieved any remuneration. He has for thirty years engaged extensively in dealing and raising mules and stock; he drives annually from 150 to 175 mules to the Southern markets, and is well known from Missouri to Louisiana. His entire possessions consist of 3,200 acres of as good land as tlie state contains, and with the exception of about $1,500 inherited, he has by his own energy accumulated this fine estiate. The homestead consists of 606 acres. Married for his second wife Mrs. Gillie E. Rives, a native of Virginia, Aug. 20, 1872. She is the mother of three children by former marriage: Annie J., wife of T. J. Stemmons; Ella N., wife of P. E. Lisenbee; and Lulie J., wife of Archie M. Gibson. Mr. Gibson has traveled very extensively and would not exchange Jasper county for any in the world.

JUSTUS HALL, deceased. He was born in Orange county, Vt., July 7, 1811. When a child of three years his parents left that locality and lived a few years in New York State, and from there he moved to Washington county, Ohio, where our subject grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's trade. He lived at the parternal home until he was twenty-one years old, when he launched out on his own account. He first engaged as drover, taking cattle to the Detroit market. In 1834 he went to Indiana and engaged at milling near Lima. He was married three years later to Miss Electa Caswell, a native of New York. In 1839 he moved to Illinois and purchased a large farm in Bureau county, where he lived, pursuing the avocation of a farmer until the gold excitement on the Pacific slope. This caused him to go overland to the gold fields of California in 1850, where he remained until 1853, when he returned to his farm and family in Illinois. Two years later they moved to Bremer county Iowa, where he kept a hotel and managed a 300 acre farm until 1860, when he became a citizen of Jasper county. Mo. He located at Avilla where he erected the first hotel ever kept in that village, acting as host of that hostelry four years, in the meantime improving a tract of land south of Avilla, which he purchased shortly after his coming to the county. He moved upon his land in 1876, thereafter devoting his time to farniing and stock-raising until his death, which occurred Feb. 10, 1883. He was buried with Masonic rites, to which order he was much attached during life. His widow, three sons and three daughters, survive him. The names of his children are Lavina, wife of H. Lees; Fidelia, wife of J. J. Stemmons; Alice, wife of William Somers; George W., William W,, and Frederick U. During life Mr. Hall was a man of extraordinary energy and physical force. Though of limited education, he possessed a remarkable business talent and leaves to his heirs a fine property as the result of his enterprise and ability.

JOSEPH HARPER, farmer and stock-raiser; proprietor of Spring River distillery, section 3, post-office Bower's Mills. He is a native of southwest Missouri, born in Lawrence county, Nov. 11, 1843. He was there reared to the age of eighteen. His education was acquired at the pioneer schools. His father, J. Harper, was a native of North Carolina, and was a strong ad- vocate of state sovereignty, and at the breaking out of the civil war took up arms under the Confederate banner and was commissioned captain in Geu. Price's command. He died at his home in Lawrence county, in Feb., 1862. Our subject also did good service for the "lost cause," serving under Price. He was engaged forty-three different times; got his first smell of powder and first sight of armed Yankees at Dug Springs, being one of one hundred and fifty men comprising the advance guard of Price, which made the attack on the Federal troops at that place just preceding Wilson's Creek, where he was also etigaged. He took part at the battle of Lexington, Newtonia, Cane Hill, Prairie Grove, Springfield, Hartsville, Cape Girardeau, Chalk Bluff", Helena, Ark.; and several engagements about Little Rock, Marshfield Macks Hill, and Prairie deHand; from Spoon River to Camden, fighting every day; Saline River, Price's raid through Missouri, Independence, Westport, at the Moniteau River, Kan., and again at Newtonia, Mo., where he was wounded three times, the only wounds he received through all his services. He was in many other engagements of minor importance, and 'ihough he passed near his home on several occasions, and for months it was very evident their cause was hopeless, such was his fealty and his sense of honor that he staid with his command until they disbanded near Dallas, Tex., in May, 1865. Returning to Lawrence county he was married May 9, 1866, to Mrs. Matilda (Barrett) Caldwell, widow of John C. Caldwell, a native of Yirginia, who was a captain in General Shelby's command, C. S. A., and was killed May 5, 1863. Mrs. Har])er is a native of Tennessee; her maiden name was Barrett; her mother was aBrice, granddaughter of Castleton Killcannon, the famous pioneer and Indian fighter of east Tennessee. The farm now occupied by herself and husband is the Caldwell homestead, and comprises 250 acres. Since coming on the place Mr. Harper has added to it quite materially. It now consists of 400 acres, 160 acres in cultivation and the rest in woodland and pasture. They have one child, Waldo Hugh, born Nov. 25, 1868. Mr. Harper has established the Spring River distillery the present year, machinery and all complete for making forty gallons of spirits per day His farm was the first clearing made and first orchard planted in the county, by one Wm. Brown. Mr. Harper is an enterprising business man and a man of good sound sense and judgment.

T. W. HORTON, M. D., physician and surgeon, Avilla, Mo. Of the many successful practitioners of Jasper county, none are more worthy of special mention than the subject of this sketch. He is a native of the Empire State, born in Cayuga county, Jan. 22, 1837; immigrated with his parents to Schuyler county. Mo., in 1852. Entered the Iowa Medical L^niversity at the age of twenty, and graduated from that institution in the school of regular practice in 1864. He first hung out his shingle and engaged at the practice of his professional Stylesville, Davis county, Iowa, where he enjoyed a good and lucrative practice until 1868, when he became a resident of Jasper county, Mo., locating at Avilla, where his skill in medicine and surgery has been and is duly appreciated, and coupled with his genial pleasant manners and hearty social disposition has endeared him to patrons and public, and secures him a very extensive and successful practice. The Dr. is one of your big hearted souls whose mission seems to be to do good by all men, and he has never yet failed to respond to the call of suffering humanity in season or out of season, in storm or sunshine, and not stopping to enquire whether the applicant was " prince or peasant," millionaire or beggar. He was married in Davis county, Iowa, June 22, 1859, to Miss Nancy J. Wright, daughter of Levy and Nancy Wright, natives of Kentucky and pioneer settlers of Greencastle, Ind. Of this union there are Lilly J., born Dec. 1, 1860, now wife of D. A. Spencer; Hattie N., born Feb. 1, 1867; Willie F., born Aug. 1, 1873.

H. L. ISHEKWOOD, M. D., physician and surgeon, Avilla, was born in Mt. Yernon, Linn county, Iowa, Aug. 1, 1850. His father, T. G. Isherwood, was a native of Pennsylvania, and a minister of the gospel, and preached for many years in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio. Our subject spent his youth in acquiring an education; entered the Cornell College at Mt. Yernon, Iowa, in 1870; graduated from that institution and received his degree of B. S. in 1876. Being determined to adopt the medical profession, he entered the Rush Medical College at Chicago, 111., and received his diploma from the school of regular practice, in the class of 1878. He commenced practice at Clarksville, Iowa, where he remained until 1880, when he became a resident of Jasper county. Mo., where he previously held a real estate interest. He has not given his entire attention to his profession until the present year. Is now permanently located at Avilla, where he enjoys a good and increasing practice. Though a man of very thorough education, scientific and medical, is remarkably modest and unassuming in manners and deportment. He is well skilled in medicine and surgery, having the advantages of experience in the latter branch, as surgeon for the B., C. R. & N. R. R., during his stay in the Hawkeye State. He owns 160 acres of improved land* joining the town of Avilla.

THOMAS SPICER JONES, farmer and stock-raiser, section 13, postoffice Avilla, is a native of Tennessee, born Sept. 7, 1827. When yet a child his parents moved to Kentucky, and located in Hickman county, where he grew to manhood. His youth was spent in assisting in the farm duties. Schools in those days were not plenty in the Kentucky backwoods, consequently his education was limited. He was married Nov. 12, 1846 to Miss Nancy Autrj, a native of Tennessee. In 1858 be came overland to southwest Missouri, and located where he now lives. He started in with a hearty good will improving his claim, and at the breaking out of the civil war had nearly eighty acres in cultivation. At first in the struggle Mr- Jones undertook to remain neutral, but finding that impracticable he joined Captain Fisher's Company of the Seventy-sixth Kegiment E. M. M., and many were the dangers he underwent in these trying times. He was one of the squad of twenty attacked by bushwhackers near Carthage in July 1864, but he fortunately was some distance from the rest of them, lying in the grass when the enemy rode up, passing within fifteen yards of him, killing seven men. He escaped by crawling through the grass to some bushes where he remained until they left. During all these trials his wife and family were at home exposed to all the dangers and privations incident to war times in countries where hostile parties meet. His family consists of six children living: William Henry, born Feb. 2, 1849; James F., born Oct. 6, 1852; Amanda J., born Aug. 10, 1855, wife of Wm. L. Giilick; Jarvis A., born Dec. 31, 1857; John R., born March 19, 1861; Francis M., born March 23, 1865, and Sarah E., born Oct. 18, 1869, also four deceased. Since the return of peace Mr. Jones has been quite prosperous. His farm consists of 280 acres of well improved land, also 66 acres of timber. He is a bluff, hearty, well preserved gentleman. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

JOB KELLER, farmer, post-office Maple Grove, was born in Pendleton county, Ya., March 22, 1850, and was there reared as a farmer's son. During the war, though very young, he was strong for the Union, and during the last days of the struggle was a member of Captain Snyder's company of guards, known as the Swamp Dragoons, and was in active service ten months. He came to Missouri in 1865; staid in Crawford county three years, and from there came to Jasper county. He owned and farmed land in different parts of the county, and bought the farm he now owns and occupies in 1881, being well improved with good fences, orchard, etc. He was married July 4, 1873, to Miss E. J., daughter of Reese and Louisa Williams, of Lincoln township, Jasper county. Of this union there are two children: Mary, born Jan. 27, 1875, and William H., born Feb. 15, 1878. Mr. Keller is a hard-working, industrious citizen.

JACOB LAIR, farmer and stock-raiser, section 35, post-office Avilla, is a native of the Empire State, born in Livingston county, Oct. 4, 1819. When he was fourteen years old his parents immigrated to Michigan, and settled in Lancaster county. He was married in Cass county, Mich., Dec.

3, 1846, to Miss Lois B. Davis, a native of Erie county, N". Y. In 1857 they moved to Illinois, locating in Shelby county, and purchased a farm of 200 acres, near Shelbyville, where they lived until 1863, when he sold out and returned to Michigan, living upon the old family homestead ten years. He became a resident of Jasper county in 1873, and purchased a farm of 280 acres of good soil, well improved and nicely situated, two miles south from Avilla and nine miles from Carthage. Markets annually about 1,000 bushels of wheat, produces 500 to 700 bushels of oats, 600 bushels of corn, and 100 acres in meadow and pasture. He has recently purchased a fine steam-power thresher, and with it does a very successful business. The family consists of Preston E.., born in Michigan, Jan. 14, 1857, and Ella May, born in Michigan, April 21, 1866. Mr. Lair became identified with the Kepublican party at its first organization, since which time he has been a strict and consistent party man. Himself and wife have been active members of the New School Presbyterian Church for many years.

CLAY LEAMING, farmer and stock-raiser, section 11, post-office Avilla, is a native of Indiana, born in Tippecanoe county, Sept. 2, 1840, and was there reared to manhood and received a thorough English education. He commenced a collegiate course at the Stockwell Collegiate Institute in 1860. During the excitement incident to raising troops for the Union army, his patriotism took precedence of all other interests, consequently he laid classics aside for the time being, and enlisted as a private in Company B, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, May 7, 1861, the first regiment of three years' men to leave the state. Participated in the battles of Elk Water, West Va., and Green Briar, Sliiloh, Miss., and from there followed the fortunes of General Buel in all the well-known experiences of that officer up to the time of his relief by General Rosecrans. In January, 1863, the regiment was mounted, and their subsequent service was as mounted infantry. Engaged in scouting, raids, and skirmishes innumerable, in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. Fought dismounted at the battle of Chickamauga, and was in several cavalry fights with the rebel General Wheeler, some of them very spirited; viz., Shelbyville and Farmington, Tenn. Was musteied out as sergeant, in which capacity he had served about one year, June 24, 1864, and in September of the same year he entered the Iron City Commercial College, at Pittsburgh, Penn., from which institution he graduated. Moved to Iowa county, Iowa, in the spring of 1865, and engaged at farming and remained there four seasons. Became a citizen of Jasper county. Mo., in 1869, purchasing eighty acres of land, wheie his residence is now located, to which he has added by subsequent purchase, until bis farm now consists of 240 acres, well improved, good bouse, two good substantial barns, and is well fenced; about two and a half miles in osage orange hedge. He is engaged quite extensively in stock-raising, and markets from 50 to 75 head of cattle and from 40 to 50 head of swine annually. He has been prosperous beyond the lot of most men, owing in great part to his correct business knowledge, strict attention to and thorough management of his farm and affairs. His father and the rest of the family came to Jasper county in 1869, and died here in 1879. Mr. Learning is well and favorably known throughout the county, and recorded as one of Jasper county's solid citizens. He has never married. His mother, a lady of seventy-two years, presides over his home. A younger sister is also a member of his household.

CYKUS LEAMING, blacksmith, Avilla, is a native of Indiana, born in Tippecanoe county, in Sept., 1835, and there reared to manhood; received his education and learned the blacksmith's trade. Served his country during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting Aug. 1, 1862, in Company K, Ninetieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers; participated at the battles of Knoxville, Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, and many skirmishes and battles of minor importance; was discharged in June, 1865. He then returned to his home in the Hoosier State, where he resumed work at his trade. Was married in 1857, to Miss D. A. Bramble, also a native of Indiana. They are the parents of five children living: Jennie B., wife of Luther Allen of Chattanooga, Tenn.; Edna R,, Kittie L., Karl L., and Frank M. Became a citizen of Jasper county, Mo., in 1874; lived three years at Carthage; came to Avilla in 1877. Bought the shop he now so successfully operates, ready and willing at all times to accommodate his patrons for a moderate remuneration. Has a nice comfortable home and ae:reeable family, esteemed and respected in the communitj'.

GEORGE W. LEWIS, farmer and stock-raiser, section 36, post-office Carthage, a native of the Empire State, born in Onondaga county, N. Y., Nov. 26, 1834. Received a good common school education and a finishing course at the Pompey Hill Academy. His father was a farmer and after completing his academic course our subject returned to the farm for one year, then took a course of commercial studies and fancy penmanship under Prof. H. A. Warner, of Binghamton, N. Y. Then taught school six terms in different places. Became a resident of Jasper count}'. Mo., in the spring of 1867; settled upon a tract of land previously purchased hj his father, Hartland Lewis, who died here June 5, 1882, in the seventy-first year of his age. He was born in Onondaga county, New York, August 19, 1811. His father was one of the pioneers of central New York, and for many years after their settlement the country was little more than a wild wilderness. Our subject now owns a fine farm nicely situated one raile west of Avilla. Mr. Lewis was married at Skaneateles, N. Y., June 6, 1857, to Miss Harriet Wheeler, also a native of Onondaga county, 'N. Y., born March 18, 1836, and educated at the Monroe Institute, Elbridge, New York. They are the parents of one daughter, Sarah L., wife of Isaac Koontz; and one son, William H., who, by the way, is somewhat of a hunter. Has killed five deer near Spring liiver the past hunting season.

GEORGE C. MOOSE, farmer, post-office Avilla, is a native of North Carolina, born April 30, 1840. He was there reared to man's estate, and acquired a common school education. After the presidential campaign in 1860 political feeling run to such heat that our subject and all his relatives, being strongly in favor of the perpetuity of the union of the states, left the old North State and came to Jasper county, Mo,, locating on the White Oak in McDonald township, since which time he has been a citizen of the county as a soldier and a civilian. At the organization of the state troops he joined Captain Stemmons's company of the Seventy-sixth Regiment E. M. M. He served in that command in all their experience in southwest Missouri. In Jan., 1864, he enlisted in Battery 1, Second Missouri Light Artillery, going into active service, and participated in the battles of Pilot Knob, Franklin, and Nashville. He was promoted to the rank of corporal and mustered out Aug. 5, 1865. He returned to Jasper county and on Oct. 28th of the following year was married to Miss Gerdenna Petty, a native of Missouri. She died July 1, 1871, leaving one child, Mattie A. He was again married April 12, 1872, to Miss Mary Jane Fishburn, a native of Missouri. Mr. Moose is well and favorably known to many of the residents of Jasper and adjoining counties. He has been a farmer his entire life, and takes quite an interest in handling stock. He is at present engaged as overseer on the stock farm of Captain T. J. Stemmons.

CLAYBURN OSBORN (deceased), was one among the first settlers of the county. He was born in North Carolina Nov. 5, 1818. When an infant his parents moved to Tennessee, where he was reared and received a common school education. He came to Jasper county, Mo., in the fall of 1837, and settled on the north fork of Spring River, twelve miles west of Carthage. He was here at the organization of the county, and was deputy under the first sherifi" of the count}', his brother, P. Osborn. Was of Union principles during the war of the Rebellion and sufiered severe loss of property in consequence; in fact everything but his land. In 1863 he moved to Lawrence county for protection, where he remained three years. He was quite a speculative man and owned farms in different parts of the county. He moved into Sarcoxie in 1866, where he died Feb, 9, 1879. During his life he was an energetic business man and a public spirited citizen. He was married Oct. 19, 1843, to Miss Isabel L., daughter of Josiah and Jane Boyd, natives of Nortli Carolina, but lived and were married in Kentucky, where Mrs. Osborn was born April 15, 1825. He came to Jasper countj^, Mo., with his parents in 1837, and settled on Center Creek, two and one-half miles west of Sarcoxie, where they spent the remainder of their lives. His father died in the spring of 1867 and his mother in the fall of 1872. Her father held the office of justice of the peace for many years, and was judge of the county court two terms previous to the war. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Osborn has managed her aifairs with ability and profit, and has made some important real estate transactions. Her farm now consists of 200 acres. Of her family there are three sons and four daughters: James L., Martha A., wife of G. B. Moore; Margaret I., widow of J. M. Willbanks; Miriam A., wife of T. J. Hammer; John B., Mary A., wife of J. W. Filler; and George P. Mrs. Osborn has witnessed the improvement of Jasper county as maid and matron, and remembers many interesting remini.«ceuces.

MILES OVERTON, farmer and stock-raiser, section 15, post-office Avilla. He was one of the first settlers of Jasper county, born in Wayne county, Tenn., April 1, 1827. When very young his parents moved to Arkansas, and after a stay of two or three years came to southwest Missouri and settled in McDonald township, Jasper county, in 1840. When his father died in JMovember, 1849, our subject spent his youth in assisting in the farm duties. He acquired a limited education by the irregular means adopted by the early settlers. He was married Jan. 29, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Stockton, a native of Kentucky. In 1854 he located a farm on White Oak, which he cleared up and improved, now owned by James Poole. During the civil war Mr. Overton had a varied and exciting experience. He was from the first a st.iunch Union man, and became identified with the Union forces as guide and scout. His losses in property were quite severe, and in the privations and dangers of these times he bore more than an equal share. He was frequently sought for by parties of rebel scouts and bushwhackers with dire intent. His family were left entirely destitute by their depredations. One party took him prisoner and intended to hang him, but by a disagreement among themselves he was released. On another occasion a rebel squad came to take him, but being away from home for the purpose of warning a neighbor of impending danger, he evaded them. His brother and a neighbor being at his house and not noticing their coming in time to beat a retreat, were obliged to give them a fight, severely wounding one rebel and succeeded in driving off the rest. Mr. Overton's daughter, Mariette, then a child of eight years of age, was shot through the shoulder in the melee, and quite seriously wounded. He enlisted in 1863, in Company G, Seventy-sixth Kegiment E. M. M. Much of his service was in the capacity of scout, and the many daring enterprises and hairbreadth escapes that he experienced show that he was under the protection of some special providence. He was present with several others at the house of Dr. Stemmons when the attack was made upon his residence, when Dr. Stemmons and Lathan Duncan were killed and the house burned. In July, 1864, he and P. Dyer were the only ones to escape from the squad of twenty men of Captain Steramons's company which surrendered near Carthage to a superior force, where eight men were killed and the others taken prisoners, striped, and paroled. In September following he was returning from the funeral of his own child, which had sickened and died, in company with a son of Captain Fisher; they came face to face with some three hundred rebels. Poor Fisher was instantly killed and Mr. Overton taken prisoner. Seeing they intended taking his life, he seized hold of one of them and dexteriously swinging hira around several times to prevent their shooting, and letting him go with a powerful swing, made one grand break for life and liberty. In the discharge that followed he received two very severe wounds through the left arm and the right thigh. Still he pressed on and how he managed to escape from three hundred well armed and well mounted men is indeed a mystery. Lying in the brush during the day, when night came, though weak from fatigue and loss of blood, he managid to crawl to the house of the widow Blake, some one hundred and fifty yards distant, but it took hira nearly three hours to accomplish it. Miss Jane Fishburn, now Mrs. J. C. Moose, stopping at the house of the widow Blake, assisted him to a place of safety in the brush, where he remained secreted ten days without any attendance whatever. At the end of that time he was sought out by his own command and brought to Mto Yernon where he was placed in the hospital. Not liking the confinement he was removed to a private house, but long before his wounds were healed he was trundled around in a baggage wagon and moved with the rest of the command. The war leaving him bare and penniless, at the cessation of hostilities he started in with renewed energy and accumulated a nice property. The homestead consists of 120 acres; he also owns 40 acres four miles from Carthage, on Spring River, and other property in other parts of the county. He has reared a family of five children: Mariette, now Mrs. Musgrove; Sarah Jane, wife of Ellis Done; Nancy A. C, Eliza J., and John J. His wife died Oct. 21, 1878, under very sorrowful circumstances.

y. F. EICHAKDSON, insurance agent, Avilla, Mo. He is a native of Jasper county, Mo. , born April 22, 1851. His father, B. W. W. Eichardson, came to the county from Loudoun county, Ya., in 1838. He located at Bower's Mills, and entered the store of one Brown, as a salesman, at a salary of six dollars per month, but by strict attention to business he gradually accumulated means, and in after years owned an establishment himself at the same place, continuing in business until during the war times, when he was obliged to abscond. Our subject being the oldest of the family, the care and responsibility of caring for his mother and the younger children devolved upon him, consequently he became very precocious, so that at the age of fifteen he was known as a sharp trader, and he shipped stock to St. Louis and Chicago before becoming of age. He was married April 2, 1874, to Allena Horton, sister of Doctor Horton, of Avilla. Of this union there are three children: Chester, born Sept. 8, 1875; Plezzie, born Jan. 31, 1880; and Fred, born Oct. 23, 1882. Mr. Richardson went into the insurance business in 1879. He represents several of the most substantial companies doing business in the state, and has the reputation of being one of the liveliest insurance solicitors in southwest Missouri.

GEOKGE RUSH farmer, post-office Avilla, is a native of Darke county, Ohio, born May 22,1812, in a frontier fort, one of the Miami defenses. His father, James Rush, was a volunteer in the American army during the war with Great Britain. After the close of hostilities the fort was used by the family as a farm-house, where our subject spent his youth and early manhood assisting his father in clearing and making a farm. He emigrated with his parents to Cass county, Ind., in 1832, where he married Miss Mary A. Kelley, also a native of Ohio, Feb. 23, 1840. He was engaged for three years on a government survey; afterwards cleared and improved a farm of 160 acres, and run a saw-mill four years. He was again taken with the pioneer fever in 1854, coming to southwest Missouri and locating in McDonald township, where he commenced improving a farm, and was happy and prosperous when interrupted by the breaking out of the civil war and obliged to leave his farm and growing crops on account of border ruffians, going to Brown county, Kan., in 1862, where he remained four years. Returning to his home in Jasper county, much reduced in circumstances, his first experience was the payment of a $500 security debt which was at that time very embarrassing. His farm now consists of eighty acres of improved land and forty acres of timber. Mr. Rush has been a good and useful citizen; has been a frontiersman nearly all his life; and has reared and educated a family of seven children: M. P., now of Brown county Kansas; James M., Sarah E., deceased April 6, 1867, aged 18;

William H., died July 14, 1878, aged 26; Mary A. E., wife of Jacob Sherrel, of Lawrence county, Mo.; and Elmer E. E. Mr. Rush has held the office of civil magistrate, both in this state and in Kansas. He was, in his younger days, an old time Whig but a staunch Republican since the organization of that party, in which he has ever taken an active interest, and though well known to the enemy during the war as an active Union man, for his integrity and generosity in former years his buildings were not disturbed during his absence. He has always taken an active interest in establishing schools and churches, himself and wife being members of the Baptist Church for forty years; assisted in organizing the first school in the district; and was prominent in the building of the Baptist Church of Avilla.

JOHN J. SEYMOUR, farmer, Avilla, is a native of Jasper county, Mo., born Jan. 29, 1860. His father, Robert Seymour, was a native of Kentucky and was among the early settlers of the county. He owned and operated a farm in McDonald township for some years. During the war of the Rebellion he was a member of Captain Stemmons's Company of the Seventysixth Regiment E. M. M., and was killed in the line of duty near Carthage, Mo., July 20, 1864, by Rusk's band of rebel bushwhackers. Our subject obtained his education at the schools of the county and spent the greater part of his life in his native town. He went to Texas in 1875, with the intention of locating, but returned the following year and engaged in the mercantile business at Avilla in 1882. Being dissatisfied with the business he sold out his interest, and hereafter intends devoting his time and energy to the tilling of the soil.

J. R. SPENCER, merchant and postmaster, Avilla, Mo., is a native of Missouri, born in Sullivan county, April 11, 1845. His father, Jacob Spencer, being one of the pioneer settlers of that county, coming from Lee county, Ya., at an early day. Our subject served under the stars and stripes during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting at the age of sixteen in the Sixty-sixth Regiment M. S. M., serving in that command eighteen months; was subsequently *a member of the Forty-fourth Missouri Yolunteer Infantry, and held the rank of first sergeant of Company E; participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., and the campaign against Hood under General " Pap " Thomas; was mustered out at St. Louis, Mo., in Aug., 1865; returned to the home of his boyhood, where he remained but a short time, coming to Jasper county in 1866, and engaged at farming. He entered the mercantile field at Avilla, in 1871, and was appointed postmaster the following year, since which time he has been a faithful and efficient officer, and to his energy and efforts are the present conveniences mainly due.

He was elected trustee of the township fund in 1874, and during the administration of that office caused the fund to be deposited in the Myers & Mohr Bank, of Carthage, and by the suspension of that concern was obliged to refund to the people a considerable sum of money, which gave him quite a backset. However, lie has been in the main prosperous, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of the public. He carries a good stock of groceries and notions, books, stationery, and musical instruments. He also handles farm machinery and sewing machines. Our subject was married Dec. 24, 1868, to Miss Sarah J, Horton, daughter of Cyrus Horton, of Joplin. Mo. Of this union there are five children living: Edward B., Perly T., Elnora, Albert R., and Millie J.

CAPT. T. J. STEMMONS, extensive farmer and stock dealer, McDonald township, Avilla post-office. His father, Jaquillin M. Stemnions, was a native of Virginia, born in 1804, and was a practicing physician for many years in Logan count}', Kentucky, whither with his parents he had come while an infant. He was married in Logan count}', to Miss Harriet Allen, a native of the same county, born in 1814. Dr. Stemmons came to Jasper county. Mo., in 1853, and located near Avilla, where in connection with farming and stock-raising he practiced his profession. At the breaking out of the civil war, though a slave owner, he espoused the cause of the Union and organized one of the first military companies in southwest Missouri, and although never in active service was earnest in advocating methods for the preservation of the Union. His house was attacked by bushwhackers at night, and burned to the ground, and himself shot dead, his body falling outside the burning home. Mrs. Dr. Stemmons died in the year 1857. Mr. T. J. Stemmons the subject of this sketch was married Aug. 5, 1866, to Miss Anna J. Rives, a native of Missouri, born in 1850, daughter of D. B. Rives, a native of Virginia. Their family consists of four children: Minnie B., born Dec. 31, 1873; Lulu M., born Feb. 13, 1877; Pearl H., born Oct. 9, 1879 ; and Hattie A., born Nov. 6, 1881; three deceased, Willie R., born Sept. 26, 1867, died Aug. 9, 1868; Eddie J., born Feb. 1*2, 1869, died Aug. 12, 1870; and May Etta, born Jan. 30, 1871, died Aug. 12, 1872. Mr. Rives was a prominent man of this county, and known as a thorough business man. Mr. Rives and our subject opened the first business house in Avilla after the war, where he died in 1870. His widow subsequently married John K. Gibson, an early settler, prominent farmer, and stock-dealer. Captain Stemmons has a farm of 1,900 acres, 200 acres of which is in tijnber, 1,160 acres in plow-land, 480 acres in pasture, and all unsurpassed in the Southwest for fertility and productiveness. He has fine stock cattle, mules, and bogs, and one of the finest barns in the state, a view of wbicb is given herewitb. The spring of never failing water which is onlj a few rods

Stock Farm And Barn Of T. J. Stemmons, Avilla

BENJAMIN TOUT, farmer, A villa, was born in Fleming county, Ky., May 14,1819. When but two years old his parents moved to Brown county, Ohio, where they died and are buried. At the age of seventeen he went to Hendricks county, Ind., where several relations resided, and was married there Jan, 14, 1840, to Miss Abigail M. McKee, a native of Ohio. There were born to them twelve children, five of whom are now living: Mary E., wife of Isaiah Willhite; America J., wife of Frank Chambers; John F., Delanua A., wife of A. G. Hayworth, and Delphinna M., wife of Albert East. Two of his sons died while in the service of their country during the war of the Eebellion. Wm. H. was a member of Company H, Seventy-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and died at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 16, 1863, aged twenty-one years. Geo. W. was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Yolunteers, and died at Knoxville, Tenn., Nov. 7, 1863, aged seventeen. Mr. T. also served his country during the civil war. He enlisted in Aug., 1862, in Company H, Seventy-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and participated at the battle of Ferrysville,

Kj., and was mustered out the same year for disability. He became a citizen of Jasper county, Mo., in March, 1881. His farm consists of 240 acres, well improved. Mr. Tout has been in hearty sympathy with the Republican party since its organization. In his youth he was a schoolmate of the great U. S. Grant.

EEV. J. A. WHITELEY, farmer and minister, post-office Avilla, is a native of Kentucky, born in Pulaski county, April 4, 1818. When seven years old his parents moved to Tennessee, where they remained three years; then to Indiana, wliere they lived one year; thence to Clay county, 111., where the family lived during the Black Hawk War, and three of his brothers were volunteers. At the age of twenty he pre-empted forty acres of land, which he improved, and afterwards purchased eighty-one acres. He was married there, Jan. 10, 1839, to Miss Caroline Walters, a native of Illinois, born in Sangamon county, March 16, 1823. He moved to Iowa in 1852, locating in Marion county, and purchased 120 acres of land, upon which he lived two years; then moved to Wayne county, where he lived twelve years; thence back to Marion county, and from there to Barry county. Mo. Became a resident of Jasper county in 1877, and purchased a farm of ninety acres near Avilla. Bought the farm upon which he now lives in 1882, consisting of ninety acres, sixty-five under cultivation, with good buildings, orchard, etc. Mr. Whiteley entered the ministry and commenced preaching the gospel according to the tenets of the Primitive Baptist Church in 1854, since which time he has been an earnest worker in the Lord's vineyard. He was the only preacher to hold regular meetings in Wayne county, Iowa, during the war. Has always observed the injunction of the Saviour, and takes " neither money nor scrip,*' but preaches the gospel for humanity and salvation's sake, and wins his bread and has supported his family "by the sweat of his face" and the occupation of a husbandman. Is self-made, self-educated, and self-reliant, and has never received but seven months schooling in his life. At this writing he has pastoral charge of three churches, and is also moderator of the Center Creek Association. He has reared a famil}^ of seven: Mary E., wife of John Root; Naomi C, wife of Isaac Porter; Christiana J., wife of Abel Still; Rebecca H., wife of William Kenyon; John W.; Elmira, wife of P. F. Jones; and James H.

J. P. WILLIAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, section 6, post-office Avilla, is a native of Tennessee, born in Murray county, June 21, 1829. In 1831 his parents moved to southwest Missouri, locating two and a half miles southwest of Mount Vernon. His father, Samuel S. Williams, erected the first cabin and made the first improvements west of Springfield, Mo. He was a man of remarkable force and energy, in fact, a Daniel Boone sort of man, and was known as a mighty hunter during the early settlement of southwest Missouri. He died March 5, 1875, and was buried on the old homestead, where his widow still lives. He was the father of twelve children, six sons and six daughters, ten of his offspring now living. Our subject spent his youth in assisting on the farm and acquiring an education at the pioneer schools, almost his only diversion being a deer or turkey hunt, which game at that time was very abundant. He was married Nov. 22, 1850, to Miss Mary Cherry, a native of Tennessee, daughter of James and Rachel Cherry, well-known old settlers of Lawrence county. Mo. Her father died June 10, 1874, and her mother still lives on the old homestead. Our subject, though reared up to strict pro-slavery ideas, his father being a slave-owner, was always a Union man, and was enrolled early in 1861, in Company B, Seventy-sixth Regiment Enrolled Missouri Militia, and went into active service in 1862, participating in all the experiences of that command. At the cessation of hostilities he returned to his avocation on the farm. Became a resident of Jasper county in the spring of 1866. His farm consists of 200 acres, 140 being in cultivation, the soil of remarkable fertility and productiveness, romantically situated on White Oak Creek, and natural groves of fine timber on three sides of the buildings afford shade and protection. They have reared and educated two sons and two daughters: James T., born Sept. 10, 1851, now a resident of McDonald county; Rachel E., born April 2, 1853, now wife of James Warthen; William H., born May 27, 1857; and Sarah J., born Dec. 17, 1863.