Missouri Township (part 2 of 3)

David C. Barton

Vras born on a farm in Audrain county, Missouri, February 1, 1848, where he continued to reside with his parents until he was twentytwo years old. He then began learning the blacksmith trade with his father, and after working one year, went to Paris, Monroe county, and there did journey work for nearly a year. He worked for other men as a journeyman for some time and in various places, till he finally opened a shop of his own in Perry, Ralls county, Missouri. In 1877, he sold out there and went to Howard county, and started a shop at White's store, where he remained one year and again sold out. Opening out another place in same county, he operated till 1880, when he went to Nevada City, Vernon county, and there carried on blacksmithing till he came to Rocheport, in Boone county, in the fall of 1881. Here he purchased property, but engaged in no special business till 1882, when he was elected city "marshal of Rocheport, which position he holds at this writing. Mr. Barton, Avhen a hoj, witnessed the famous " Centralia massacre," when Anderson and his guerrillas captured and killed a train load of Federals. Before Mr. ^ rton became marshal, Rocheport had been for some time afiiicted with a lawless class of negroes who frequently disturbed the quiet of that staid old place ; but has effectually suppressed that class and has them under thorough control. He was the man who arrested the twelve notorious " nigs " after the " Kocheport riots " in 1882, eight of whom were sent to the penitentiary. (See history of town of Rocheport). Mr. Barton certainly deserves the thanks of the citizens of that place for the effectual way in which he has restored order. He was married, March 6th, 1870, to Miss Maggie Slough, of Cumberland City, Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Barton are Baptists, but not connected with any church. He is very abstemious in his habits, not even using tobacco ; and he has been a " teetotaler " all his life, and a member of the I. O. G. T. for eight years. He has held the position of Worthy Templar for several years, and was for one term lodge deputy, under autliority of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

Ugenus Baldwin

Capt. Ugenus Baldwin was born in Shelby county, Indiana, near Shelbyville, the county seat, February 16th, 1833. When he was four years old his parents removed to Missouri and settled in Boone -county, seven miles southeast of Rocheport, where he was raised, remaining with his parents until he reached manhood. In 1854, when in his twenty-first year, he went to Buchanan county, where he engaged in teaching for one year. Returning home he attended Lathrop Academy for two sessions, afterwards resuming his profession, teaching in Moniteau, Boone, Cooper and Howard counties. He enlisted, August llth, 1861, in the Confederate army, under Capt. James Watson and Col. John B. Clark. He was made second lieutenant and served for six months, part of the time as captain of the company. In 1862 he entered the regular Confederate service. In April of that year he joined Company C, 6th Infantry, and in September following was made third lieutenant, rising by promotion to the office of first lieutenant, which place he held until the close of the war. He was in many battles, the most important being Lexington, Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, Corinth, luka and Port Gibson. His command was captured at Vicksburg and exchanged in the winter of 1863-64, becoming a part of the second and sixth regiments, Missouri Infantry. He held the position of first lieutenant in the re-organization. He next participated in the battles of New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and a series of skirmishes from New Hope Church to Atlanta. From Atlanta he was sent by Gen. Hood Avith one hundred men to operate in the rear of Sherman's army, as the latter was marching on that city. At the battle of Franklin he had command of the infirmary corps, and was employed in burying the dead and removing the wounded from the battle field. In December of that year he was made provost marshal of Cockerell's brigade, which position he held until his command was captured in Alabama, April 9th, 1865. They were kept prisoners until the close of the war. Mr. Baldwin remained in Mississippi for one year after the close of the war, engaged in teaching. He returned to Boone county in 1868 and went to farming, teaching: school of winters. Mr. Baldwin was married in the fall of 1868 to Miss Laura, daughter of William Allen, of Boone county, after which he purchased the farm where he now resides. He farms during the summer and teaches of winters, They have four children : Minnie Lee, Lillie May, Emmett Allen and Mattie Pearl, all of whom are living with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are members of the Mount Nebo Methodist church. He is also a member of the Rocheport lodge of Ancient Order United Workmen. In 1874 he was appointed a magistrate to fill a vacancy, after which he was elected ta the office and has held the position ever since.

Thomas Colter Barnes

Thomas C. Barnes was born in Old Franklin, Howard county, Missouri, May 27th, 1819. He is the son of James and Nancy (Colter) Barnes. His father died when he was but three years old and his mother removed to Boone county, settling on a farm near Columbia. He remained at home with his mother until 1835, when, in his sixteenth year, he went to Columbia to learn the saddler's trade, serving under James Eichardson. He remained in the shop four years and a half. During this time he attended school six months. He afterwards went to school five months at his own expense. In 1840 he began farming as a renter and so continued for five years, when he bought the farm he now occupies, which then contained 160 acres, situated five and one-half miles northwest of Columbia. He has added to this by subsequent purchases, and now owns 240 acres. Mr. Barnes has been twice married. His second wife was Miss Susan Davenport, of Boone county. He has ten children, five by each wife. The children by the first marriage are Margaret U.,wife of John Davenport, of Boone county; James S., a farmer in Audrain county ; Amanda, wife of Richard F. Farthing, of Audrain county ; William H., of Audrain county, and Mary, wife of

Edward Farthing, of Audrain. By his second wife: John G., on the homestead ; Minnie A., wife of Joseph Bennett, of Boone county ; David D., Emma Ellen and Malissa Jane, Mr. Barnes and wife are members of the Oakland Christian church. Previous to changing his membership, he served as elder in the Friendship Christian church, for nine years. During the war he remained neutral. Mr. Barnes has always taken a deep interest in local school matters and has served on the school board of his district for many years, being much of the time chairman of the committee.

Dr. Bramlett was born in the State of Mississippi, near Verona, December 4th, 1854, and grew up in the place of his nativity. His education was acquired partly in the State of his birth, at Mississippi College, in Clinton, and partly at the University of Kentucky, at Lexington. At the age of eighteen he began the study of medicine under Dr. B. H. Whitfield, professor of natural science, in the above first named college. Subsequently he attended the Louisville, Kentucky, Medical College, and graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. in March, 1876. Keturning to Verona, he began the practice of medicine in co-partnership with B. H. Armstrong, at the same time engaging in the drug business in partnership with John A. Armstrong. He remained there till 1879, when, having closed his business and practice in that locality, he came to Boone county, Missouri, and located atRocheport, where he resumed the practice. On April 1st, 1882, he became associated with Dr. M. D. Lewis, under the firm name of Bramlett & Lewis. These o-entlemen, thouoh still young men, are thoroughly educated generally, as well as specially, and are building up an extensive practice in Boone, Howard, Cooper and Moniteau counties.

George Edward Brown

George E. Brown, blacksmith and farmer, was born near Front Eoyal, Warren county, Virginia, February 10, 1830. His father being a blacksmith, he was brought up to that trade. He commenced work in the shop when he was but ten years old. He remained with his father until 1855, when he was twenty-five years old. On leaving home he established a shop of his own at a place called Happy Creek, one mile south of Front Royal. Here he worked at his trade until 1859, when he sold out and came to Missouri. He arrived in Boone county in November, and established his present place of business on the Rocheport and Sturgeon road, four and one-half miles northeast of Rocheport. In 1875 he added forming to his business of blacksmithing, and has labored at both occupations ever since. He has 100 acres of land well adapted to stock raising. He has made farming and the handling of stock quite profitable. Mr. Brown was married January 3, 1856, to Miss Mary Shipe, of Warren county, Virginia. They have eight living children. John William and Charles Edward work in their father's shop. Robert Lee, Carrie Ella, Hattie, Henry, Rebecca and Moses are with their parents. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Methodist church at Locust Grove. Li 1864, Mr. Brown enlisted in the Confederate army, becoming a member of Capt. Davenport's company, Shelby's cavalry. He remained in the army until the close of the war. He is a member of the Rocheport lodge. No. 147, Independent Order of Good Templars.

Henry Jackson Brown

Henry J. Brown, farmer and stock raiser, w^as born near Front Royal, Warren county, Virginia, October 7, 1845, where he lived with his parents until he was seventeen years old, when he entered the Confederate army as a private in Company D, Forty -ninth Virginia infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. He was in many engagements, the most important being Manassas Junction, Seven Pines, Winchester, Sharpsburg, and the battles in the Shenandoah Valley under Stonewall Jackson ; also Chancellorsville, where Jackson was killed. He was wounded four times. His brigade finally surrendered at Appomatox Court House in 1865, when he returned to the old home. He was so disabled by his wounds that he was compelled to go on crutches until 1868, when he began to work as a farm hand. In 1873 he came to Missouri, and stopped in Boone county. For the first eight months he worked on the farm of John W. Harris ; then rented a farm of Fielding W. Smith, which he rented on shares for two seasons. In August, 1876, he purchased the farm upon which he is now living, situated near Walnut Grove church, containing 168 acres. He was married October 7, 1869, to Miss Mary Bell, of Warren county, Virginia. They have three children : Henry Esron, born in Virginia, August 4, 1870; Mary F., born in Virginia, June 8, 1872, and David Elias, born in Boone county, March 4, 1874.

Francis Ellis Carr

This gentleman, cashier of the Eocheport Savings Bank, was born in Cooper county, Missouri, February 8, 1855, his parents, Dr. F. and Ella C. Carr being old residents of that county. He was educated at William Jewell College, a Baptist institution located at Liberty, Missouri. On leaving school at the age of eighteen, in 1873, he entered the Eocheport Bank as clerk and book-keeper, serving four years in that capacity. He then removed to Sturgeon, Boone county, where he was cashier of the Sturgeon Bank for three years, up to 1880. Eeturning then to Eocheport, he became cashier of the above named bank, and still acts in that capacity at this writing. Mr. Carr was married March 13, 1879, to Miss Carrie Harris, of Sturgeon, Missouri. They have one child, a son named Ellis Marshall, The position Mr. Carr has held and still holds, as clerk and cashier of these banks, is fraught with a responsibility, that might be be considered a compliment to a much older man than he, and the bare fact that he has faithfully and honorably discharged the duties, pertaining thereto, stamps him already as a successful business man, while still having the greatest portion and last part of his life before him.

Jeremiah W. Champion

The subject of this sketch, who at this writing is manager of the " Monitor Mills " of Eocheport, was born in Caldwell county, Kentucky, November 17th, 1826. His parents moved to Missouri when he was two years old and settled in Howard county, where Jeremiah was reared. He continued with his parents until attaining his legal majority, when he left home and began life for himself. Purchasing a farm in Howard county, near the Boone line, he owned and lived on it till 1856, excepting two years spent in California. In 1850, he rented his place, and started " across the plains " to the Eldorado of gold seekers. He and his father were together, and they went into the butchering business at Diamond Springs. The father, Drury C. Champion, died there in January, 1852, and Jeremiah started home the same month. Arriving in Missouri, he resumed farming on his place in Howard county, remaining till 1856, when he sold out, and erected a steam saw-mill in partnership with his uncle, Jeremiah Eucker, and his brother, James Champion, He bought out the interest of the others in 1858, and continued to operate the mill in different localities of Howard and Boone counties till June, 1875, Com- ing then to Rocheport, this county, he associated himself with Mr. L. Grossman, and they erected the fine flouring mills, known as the ''Monitor Mills, " of which Mr, Champion is still the manager, having rented Mr. Grossman's interest in 1878. Mr. Champion entered the state of connubial bliss, April 22d, 1848, when he was married to Miss Lucy A. Hill, of Boone county. They have seven living children : Martha Edna, wife of A. J. Turner; Clarissa B., wife of J. T. Suttles (Howard county) ; William Harvey ; George H> Samie D. and Lena. Mr. C. has been a member of the Christian church since he was sixteen, and Mrs. C. since she was fifteen years old. All the children but two belong to the same. He is a member of Rocheport lodge. No. 67, A. F. and A. M., of which he is chaplain. He is also G. W. C. of Rocheport lodge of Good Templars.

Joel Hayden Challes

Though Mr. Challes is now a resident of Howard county, living just across the line, he is a native of Boone countj', and so thoroughly identified with the former history of the county of his birth, as to deserve biographical mention in this work. He was born on a farm near Rocheport, February 7th, 1830, where he grew up and received his education. He continued to make the old homestead his home till he was near thirty years old. His father had died when Joel H. was seventeen years old, and the care of the family and the management of the farm was left to himself and his brother Andrew. In October, 1864, he entered the Confederate service, in the regiment of Col. Perkins, in Price's army, and served till the war closed. He had married, in February, 1861, Miss Sallie W. Forbis, daughter of G. B. Forbis, of Boone county. Soon after his marriage he rented the farm which he now owns and on which he resides, leaving his family there while he was away in the w^ar. Returning home when the troubles were over, he lived as a renter on the place some seven years, and then bought it. There were 103 acres, to which he has added by sub- "sequent purchases till it now numbers 328 acres, all well improved. Seven children still survive to Mr. Challes and wife, named respectively : George W., Sidney, Sallie, John, William R., Nannie and - Jennie. They lost one, Mary, who died at two years old. These were all born on the place where the family now reside, and on which Mr. C. will probably spend the remainder of his days. The subject of this sketch is no aspirant for political honors, but much prefers the quiet of his own home and farm, to the eclat and excitement of official carapaigDiug. He is one of those substantial citizens who has amassed, what property he has by thrift and economy, and takes a supreme pleasure in his family, and his surroundings generally.

John Howard Chambers

Was born at Old Mines, Washington county, Missouri, February 10th, 1824. In 1827, his parents moved to Union, Franklin county, where John H. was reared and educated. During his boyhood, he clerked in his father's store at Union, in the interm of his school terms, and thus continued till he was twenty years old. He then began merchandising at Union, and continued there till 1855. He then came to Kocheport, this county, and associated himself with Clayton Brothers, merchants, under the style of Clayton, Chapabers & Co. They did business thus till they were forced to discontinue, owing to unsettled condition of things, in 1862. Mr. Chambers returned to Franklin county and opened a store in what is now New Haven, where he continued to do business till the war closed. In 1864, he was raided by a portion of Price's Confederates, under Gen. Marmaduke, and relieved of a large amount of supplies such as boots, shoes, clothing, drygoods, etc. Returning to Rocheport, in 1865, he became associated with his old partners, and continued the mercantile business thus till 1868, when they closed out. Mr. Chambers then became connected with J. H. Armstrong and R. S. Miller, as a milling company, and "they built the " Star Mills " of that town. He withdrew from the firm in '73, and again began merchandising. His brother, James A., and his son, George C, became connected with the concern in 1880, the firm being styled Chambers Bros. & Co. Mr. Chambers was married on the 11th of October, 1848, to Miss Judith S. Clayton, of Union, Franklin county. They have two children - Laura, wife of J. E. Miller, of Nevada, Missouri, and George C, junior partner of the above firm. Mr. Chambers and wife both belong to the Christian church, and Mrs. Miller is also a member of the same.

John S. Clayton

The orentleman whose name heads this sketch, one of the leadino; business men of the county, was born in Union, Franklin county, Missouri, June 21st, 1833, and there grew to manhood. His father was a merchant by vocation, and when John S. was eleven years old, he was placed in the store, and did not attend school afterwards till he went to take a commercial course. He acquired his education, chiefly,, in the store, and when seventeen years old, attended Jones' Commercial College, in St. Louis, and, after finishing his course there, was employed as shipping clerk by a St. Louis house, retaining the position until 1852. He then went to Washington, Missouri, and embarked in the mercantile business. He only remained one year, however, when he came to Rocheport, in this county, and engaged in merchandising with his father, Thomas F. Clayton, they doing business under the style of T. F. Clayton & Co. until 1855. The father then retiring from the business, John S. became associated with his brother, J. R. Clayton, and J. H. Chambers, the firm being styled Clayton, Chambers & Co. They continued business till 1862, and were then forced to discontinue because of the war. In January, 1863, he and Capt. W. P. Wilcox ventured in the general merchandising and produce business, and operated till January, 1865. Owing to the disturbed condition of the country, they closed their business in Rocheport and went to Omaha, Nebraska, where they, with William Stephens, organized the firm of Clayton, Stephens & Wilcox, and opened up in the general merchandise line. Mr. Clayton, in the fall of 1865, while still retaining his connection with the Omaha concern, returned to Rocheport, and formed the firm of Clayton, Miller & Co., general merchants and tobacco dealers. They also built the grist mill known now as the " Boone County Star Mills. "At the death of Mr. Miller, in January, 1880, a stock company was formed, of which Mr. Clayton was made superintendent and general manager, and this company still, carries on the business. In addition to this, Mr. Clayton acts as steamboat agent, and also conducts an establishment for the sale of farm machinery and operates as a railroad contractor. On November the 18th, 1857, Mr. Clayton was married to Miss Fannie Chambers, of Union, Missouri. They have three children, named respectively: Howard, Belle, (wife of Jno. T. Mitchell, of Centralia), and " Tom.V Mr. C. is a member of Boone Lodge, No. 121, 1. O. O. F., of Rocheport, and he and his wife both belong to the Christian church.

Marcellus D. Cook

Marcellus D. Cook was born in Hopkins county, Kentucky, near Madisonville, January 20th, 1818, where he lived with his parents until he attained his tenth year, when they came to Missouri and settled on a farm seven miles east of Rocheport, where he resided with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he commenced farming for himself as a renter. He followed this business until 1842, when he purchased a farm on which he now lives. August 27th, 1839, he married Miss Elizabeth Smith, of Boone county, by whom he has seven children : Henry S., of Smithton, Missouri ; William Harrison, of Boone county ; David Willis, of Boone county; Charles M., merchant, of Columbia ; Amanda Ellen, wife of James R. Jacobs, of Boone county, and Jefferson Price and Samuel, at home with their parents. Mr. Cook and his wife are members of the Sugar Creek Baptist church, having united with that denomination in 1835. During the war he was not engaged on either side, but was Southern in sentiment. He suffered severe loss of property, but escaped without bodily harm. The Federal soldiers took from him about six hundred dollars worth of horses, and he was not even spared by his own party.

Samuel Davis Cochran

The subject of this sketch was born on the old John G. Cochran farm, two and one-half miles east of Rocheport, December 11th, 1832. He is the son of John G. and Delina Cochran. His grandfather, William Cochran, emigrated from Scotland before the revolutionary war and settled in Kentucky, removing from that State to Missouri in 1818, settling first at Boone's Lick, in Howard county, coming the following year to Boone county, where he located on a farm four and onehalf miles east of Rocheport. His son, John G., settled the farm, upon which Samuel was born, in 1825. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married, October 16th, 1856, to Miss Amanda Boggs, who died December 22d, 1880. After his marriage Mr. Cochran purchased a farm which he cultivated until the breaking out of the war. In 1864 he joined the Confederate army, enlisting in Company K, 9th regiment, Jackman's brigade, of Shelby's division, with which he served until the close of the war, in 1865, when he returned to Boone county. Soon after his return he sold his farm and bought the place upon which he now resides, five miles east of Rocheport, known as the William Boggs farm, consisting of 160 acres. He has four children : MoUie D., Owen W., Amanda and Eliza B., all of whom are living with their parents. Mr. Cochran is in faith a Cumberland Presbyterian. One son and one daughter, Owen and Amanda, are members of the Baptist church at Sugar Creek. He is a member of the Rocheport lodge of A. F. and A. M.

James Nicholas Darby

James Nicholas Darby, druggist, Rocheport, Missouri, was born near Fayette, Missouri, March 11th, 1855. He was raised and educated in Howard county. He remained with his parents, IraC. and Kittie (nee Long) Darby, for three years after attaining his majority, worl^ing on the farm. He left home in 1879 and came to Rocheport where he applied himself to the task of learning the apothecary's business with J. R. Moss. In 1880 he bought out his employer and established himself in the business. In the fall of 1881 he sold a half interest to Dr. E. H. Chinn, an old school-mate, who was born and reared in the same neighborhood as himself. The business is now conducted under the firm name of Darby & Chinn. Mr. Darby is an energetic business man and has a host of friends, both in Boone and Howard. His partner is a popular young physician who is rapidly building up a large and substantial practice. The firm has the confidence and good-will of the public and their future is bright and promising.

John Samuel Denham

John S. Denham, farmer and stock raiser, was born near the Model Farm, in Boone county, Missouri, June 18th, 1845. His father, Samuel Denham, a native of Kentucky, came to this State in 1830, and settled in Boone county. He lived at intervals in both Boone and Howard, but finally settled permanently in this county, where he died in 1872, at the age of 73. The subject of this sketch was raised in the vicinity of his birthplace, and received his education at private schools in the neighborhood and at Lathrop Academy and Central College, Fayette. In 1863 he attended Jones' Commercial College, takino; a full course. He afterwards taught mathematics in that institution. In 1865 he was employed as book-keeper by the firm of Hume, Park & Co., Columbia, Missouri, remaining with them two years. He kept books for Clayton, Miller & Co., Rocheport, Missouri, from 1867 to 1878. Leaving this firm in 1878, he returned to the old homestead where he farmed for one year. In 1869 he began teaching. He taught one year at Lathrop Academy and three years at Walnut Grove Academy. His father dying in 1872, he was obliged to abandon teaching and take charge of the estate. He was married, October 3d, 1871, to Miss Meribah, daughter of David Isaacs, of Howard county. They have three children : Butler, Mattie Lou and Katy. Mr. Denham and his wife are members of the Walnut

Grove Baptist church, of which he is treasurer. In 1874 he purchased the old homestead of 400 acres, upon which he now lives. He makes cattle and sheep raising a specialty. His cattle are short-horns, and of registered pedigrees. His sheep are thoroughbred Cotswold, imported from Canada in 1876.

Benjamin F. Dimitt

Mr. Dimitt is a Kentuckian, and was born in Bourbon county, that State, January 19th, 1828. He continued to reside in his native county till he was sixteen years old, w^hen he removed with his parents to Howard county, Indiana. In 1847 he came out to Missouri and, at the age of nineteen, began life for himself as a teacher. Subsequently, in 1851, he attended Central College at Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, and was for some time a student of that institution. In 1852 he was employed to teach in the preparatory department of that college, and was there till his coming to Eocheport, this county, the succeeding year. Here, again, he engaged in teaching for a year, aiid then established himself in the drug business in the same town. This was in 1854, and he has continued in the same line ever since. In 1864, when the militia burned part of the town of Rocheport, Mr. Dimitt' s store w:as burned, as, being a Southern sympathizer, he could not, of course, escape that disaster. On the 20th of October, 1852, he married Miss Sarah E. McDonald, of Howard county, Missouri. They have three living children : Emma, wife of Professor Singleton, principal of the Orange College, Texas ; Frank C, clerk in his father's store ; and Dixie L., still living with her father. Mr. Dimitt and wife are both members of the M. E. Church, South, and he also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, with membership in Rocheport lodge. No. 67, A. F. & A. M.

James Monroe Douglass is the youngest son of Henry L. and Susan (Jacobs) Douglass, pioneer settlers of Boone county. He was born on the Douglass homestead, where he now lives, March 9th, 1852. His father bequeathed the home place to him in 1882, a short time previous to his death, in consideration of the latter' s maintenance of his widowed mother and invalid sister. He is a thrifty farmer, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors. His father, Henry L. Douglass, deceased, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, February 15th, 1810, where he lived with his parents until he was ten years old, when they came to Boone county and settled at Locust Grove, now known as Midway, where he was raised. He remained with his parents until his marriage to Miss Susan Jacobs, December 20th, 1832, when he commenced working for himself as a farmer, having purchased a small farm on Perclie Creek, near where the Columbia and Rocheport road crosses that stream. He remained on this farm until 1837, when he purchased the homestead now occupied by his son, James Monroe, containing 480 acres, four miles southeast of Rocbeport, where he lived until his death, March 27th, 1882. Mrs. Douglass survives him. They have six living children : William G. and Joseph A., farmers, of Missouri township ; Virgie, wife of C. M. Boggs, and Lizzie, wife of C. Gr. Boggs, both of Missouri township, and Fannie and James, who are living on the home place. Mr. Douglass had, by rare energy and good management, accumulated considerable property. He was charitable and generous, a kind neighbor and a devoted Christian, being for many years a member of the Locust Grove Methodist Church South. He united with the church in 1837.

John Dodson

Mr, Dodson is a native of Missouri, and was born in Howard county, near New Franklin, September 7th, 1842. He continued to reside with his parents till he was nineteen, receiving his education in the schools of New Franklin, and at Central College, in Fayette. On leaving home, in 1861, he went to Springfield, Illinois, where he was variously employed till 1866, when he returned to Missouri, locating at Rocheport. Here he was employed, in 1868, as a clerk in the store of J. W. Morris, remaining with him till 1870. He was then taken, in by his employer as a partner in the concern, George Calvert also coming in, the style being " Dodson, Calvert & Co." They discontinued the business in 1872, and Mr. Dodson formed a partnership with William M. Ridgeway for the grocery business, in which line they continued at Rocheport till 1876. They then sold out and went into the livery business, in which they are still engaged, running a daily stage line to Columbia. Mr. Dodson was married, December 18th, 1863, to Miss Clara Wheeler, daughter of Henderson Wheeler, one of the oldest settlers of Boone county. They have one child, a daughter, named Annie. Himself and wife are both members of the Christian Church, and he oelongs, also, to the Boone lodge. No. 121, I. O. O. F., of which he has " passed through all the chairs," and is now the treasurer.

Reuben Elliott, Sen., Deceased

The subject of this sketch was one of the pioneer settlers of Boone county. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and at the age of nineteen participated in the battle of New Orleans. In 1818 he was married to Elizabeth White, who, like himself, was a native of Kentucky. The year after their marriage they emigrated to Missouri, settling in Boone county. At first he rented a portion of the land now included in the Model Farm, where he remained until 1828, when he bought a farm on Callaham's creek, where he lived for five years. In 1833 he purchased the old Elliott homestead, containing 217 acres, situated on the Columbia and Rocheport turnpike, two miles east of Rocheport. Here he remained until his death, which occurred September 25th, 1869. At the time of his death he was sixty-four years old. Mr. Elliott was a stone mason, and is said to have built the first stone house ever erected in Boone county. This dwelling was built for Joseph Little, in 1828, and is still standing. He also built, for Dr. George Wilcox, the first brick house in Rocheport. In 1831 he crossed the plains to Mexico with wagons, carrying dry goods and groceries to Santa Fe. He was one of the original members of the Walnut Grove Baptist Church, remaining a faithful member of the congregation up to the day of his death.

Ishmael V. Evans

Ishmael V.. Evans is the son of Willis G. and Jane M. (Vanhorn) Evans, and was born near Rocheport, Missouri, August 3d, 1858. He was reared on the farm, and educated at the common schools of the neighborhood, completing his studies at the Rocheport Academy. He resides on the home place, and supports his widowed mother, his father having died in 1869. Mr. Evans has, by his excellent management of the farm and sincere devotion to his mother, sister and younger brothers, won for himself the esteem and confidence of all who are familiar with his labors. Willis Evans, father of Ishmael V., was born in Madison county, Kentucky, May 28th, 1818. When two years old his parents came to Missouri, and settled on a farm in Howard county, where his father died twp years afterwards. Willis was then taken by his uncle, Stephen G. Evans, with whom he lived until he reached manhood. December 14th, 1842, he married Miss Jane M., daughter of Ishmael and Evaline Vanhorn, of Boone county. After his marriage he settled upon the farm upon which his son, Ish- mael V., now lives, where he spent the remamder of his life, dying January 19th, 1869. He left eight children: Alice, wife of John W. Carlisle, of Columbia; Edward H., a physician of Boonville, Missouri; John G., of Fayette, Missouri; Ella, wife of Fielding W. Angell, of Missouri township, and Ishmael V., who is conducting the farm and caring for his mother, Eva, Luther and Robert, all of whom are living on the home place. At the time of his death Mr. Evans was a member of the Methodist Church South at Locust Grove.

The subject of this sketch is one among the oldest citizens of Boone county. He was born near Lexington, Kentucky, December 28th, 1799. When in his thirteenth year, his parents removed to Kentucky, where he lived until his nineteenth year, when he began to do for himself by teaching school, which he followed continuously for fifteen years. He was married, August 13th, 1835, to Miss Elizabeth Wilcox, sister of the late Dr. George B. Wilcox, of Rocheport. Mrs. Forbis is a lineal descendant of Daniel Boone, the pioneer hero of "the dark and bloody ground." She was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1810, where she lived with her parents, John and Sarah (Boone) Wilcox, until her marriage to Mr. Forbis in 1835. They emigrated to Missouri in 1836, arriving in Rocheport November 19th. Soon after his arrival Mr. Forbis purchased the farm upon which he now resides. It consists of 212 acres and has been cultivated by him continuously ever since it passed into his possession. He has beeu from early manhood a consistent member of the Primitive Baptist church. When he came to Missouri he united with the Missionary Baptist church at Walnut Grove, as there was no congregation of Primitive Baptists then within his reach. In 1871 he withdrew from the Walnut Grove church and together with his wife assisted in the organization of the Zoar Primitive Baptist church in Howard county. He has been clerk of this church ever since its organization. He is an ardent devoted Christian and a firm believer in the Calvinistic tenets of the Old School Baptist denomination. They have eight living children : Sarah, wife of Joel H. Challes ; Mary, relict of the late A. J. Barnett ; Harriet W. ; George W. ; Eliza, wife of George W. Thompson ; Emma ; John E., of Oregon, and William P., who still remains on the homestead :and superintends the farm. George W. was considerably wounded by the bursting of a shell, while serving in the Confederate army at Pea Ridse. He was afterwards taken prisoner at Port Gibson and was incarcerated at Alton until released on parole. Mr. Forbis is a zealous advocate of popular education. He served as school director in his district from 1840 to 1860.

Henry Harrison Garth

Mr. Garth is another citizen who can boast of having been " to the manner born." He is the son of Jefferson and Mary Garth, old residents of the county, and was born in Columbia, May 5th, 1841. He was reared in his native town and educated in the University there. His first business experience was that of clerk for Stone & Son in the dry goods business in Columbia. In May, 1865, he went to Rocheport and engaged in the grocery business, and is still in the same line of business at the same place. On the 9th of October, 1862, he married Miss Rhodie Turner, of which union there has been born one child, a daughter, named Lizzie. Mr. Garth belongs to Boone lodge. No. 121, I. O. O. F., and is an honored citizen of Rocheport.

Leopold Grossman

The subject of this sketch is a son of Francis and Frederica Grossman, and was born in Baden, Germany, November 15th, 1817. His father was proprietor of a mill, and Leopold learned the trade of miller, having been reared to that vocation from early boyhood. At the age of seventeen, he was " turned out " for two years to learn the art of baking, so that at the age of nineteen, he found himself master of two trades - those of a miller and baker. He then began traveling in these vocations, operating as a journeyman worker in first one and then the other of them, traveling in Germany and France for some years. While thus engaged, he operated in Heidleberg, Stuttgart, Vienna, Strasburg, and many other great cities, all of which tended to expand his mind and give him a knowledge of the business world. In 1840, Mr. Grossman came to the United States, arriving in New Orleans on Christmas of that year. He proceeded to Ohio, and was there employed about three months in a grist mill. Then he and his uncle, Albright Breslaw, went to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where they erected a grist and sawmill. Here Mr. G. remained about one year when he left and went to St. Charles, Missouri, where he had relatives from the old country. Renting a farm, he began farming in St. Charles county, and was there married on the 19th of August, 1842> to Miss Melinda Wokely. In the fall following, he rented a sawmill near St. Charles, and followed " lumbering" till 1844, when he was forced to abandon it because of ill health. He came to Rocheport, in this county, in the spring and here engaged in the bakery business on Water street, which he operated successfully till December, 1845, when he sold out and returned to St. Charles, his wife being dissatisfied with Rocheport. There he purchased the sawmill he had formerly rented, and ran it until May, '48. He then sold out and once more returned to Boone county, and has been a citizen here ever since. Again starting his bakery, he continued thus until 1858, when he purchased a farm near Rocheport, and began operating it with slaves, of which he owned a considerable number. He still owns the farm. After one year he returned to town, and began the general merchandise business with William West, firm style of West & Grossman. At this time he had amassed considerable property. But now came the period of reverses, among which was the payment of one security debt to the amount of $4,000. About the same time the war broke out, paralyzing business, and Mr. G. did but little till 1863, when he and Geo. W. Gregory opened up the bakery and grocery business, which they continued successfully till 1871. During this time they built two large store houses, and a warehouse. Mr. Grossman still carries on this business, Gregory having retired from the firm. In 1875, Mr. G. and Mr. Champion built the " Monitor Mills " in Rocheport, which they still own. He has four living children: Houston; Josephine, wife of Dr. Edward Evans, of Boonville ; Eliza, and Annie, wife of Dr. Chinn, of Rocheport. Mr. Grossman has done much to build up and keep up the trade of Rocheport, and to improve the town. He has been a member of the town board for twenty years, about half that time serving as town mayor. He was elected president of the savings bank in 1878, and is still in connection therewith. He belongs to the Rocheport lodge of A. F. & A. M., and is one of the most esteemed citizens of the place.

Gen. Stewart B. Hatton

Gen. Stewart B. Hatton, one of the oldest pioneers of Boone county and a man of distinguished natural ability, popularity and influence, is the tenth son and fourteenth child of Reuben and Joan (Beleau) Hatton. His father was born in 1762, of English parents, being one of the third generation after the removal from England. He was born and raised to the age of nineteen years in Amelia county, Virginia, receiving an excellent common school education. At the breaking out of the revolutionarv war, he entered the American army, being at the time but nineteen years of age. He was at the battles of Guilford Court House and Eutaw Springs, also in the disastrous engagement with Lord Eawdon. The close of the war found him in South Carolina. Being charmed with the country and the climate, he resolved to remain in the south. Having learned the hatter's trade with his father before the war, he applied for a situation, and was employed by a Frenchman named Beleau, a descendant of a Huguenot family, of South Carolina, whose wife was of the same faith and nativity. This proved an important epoch in the life of Eeuben Hatton. He made love to his employer's daughter and was accepted. In the course of time they were married, and the well-matched couple lived happily together as man and wife for over half a century. Their large family, with but two exceptions, lived to old age and left large families of their own. The descendants of Eeuben and Joan Hatton now number over a thousand souls, and are scattered over almost the entire South and West. After his marriasfe, Keuben Hatton remained for several years in South Carolina. His three oldest children were born in that State. Ha vino; heard of Daniel Boone's exploits in Kentucky, he joined one of the bands of emigrants which that daring hunter piloted through the wilderness to one of his settlements on the Kentucky river. They were several months on the road. Eeuben Hatton settled on a fine body of land near what was afterwards known as Foxtown, in Madison county. He built him a good house and a hatter's shop. Several of his sons learned the trade, and they did a good business. Eeal estate having rapidly increased in value, Eeuben Hatton found that he could not settle all of his large family on homes of their own in Madison county, and he resolved to emigrate to Missouri. Two of his sons, Mitchell and William, having volunteered in the war of 1812, and having been sent west to protect the frontier, wrote back to their parents to sell out and remove to Missouri, describing it as the finest country they had ever seen. Eeuben Hatton was pleased with the idea, and, having disposed of his home in Kentucky, removed to St. Louis county, Missouri, in 1814, when the subject of this sketch was but three years old, he having been born in Madison county, Kentucky, February 5th, 1811. They remained in St. Louis county nearly three years, where Mitchell Hatton, the fourth son, was married. His wife was Anna Whitesides, a niece of Gen. Whitesides, under whom he had served during a portion of the war of 1812, and after whom Whitesides county, Illinois, was afterwards named. Mitchell Hatton died on his farm in Boone county, now occupied by his son, Fleming B. Hatton,, March, 1863, aged sixty-seven. He was a justice of the peace for twenty years, and never had but three cases reversed by the circuit court. Seven children were born to him, only three of whom are now living: Mrs. Hester Ann Hatton, Fleming B. and John W. Hatton. Reuben Hatton came to Boone county in 1817, and settled on a farm near Midway. It is claimed for him that he built the first house in the county that was covered with shingles. However doubtful this may be, there cannot be the least shadow of doubt that he established the first nursery of fruit trees, having brought his stock with him from Kentucky to St. Louis, and from St. Louis to Boone county. Gen. Hatton commenced life for himself as a hatter, having a shop near Midway, in Boone county. He afterwards bought the Dixon Avatermill on the Callaham, and removed to the place vacated by Mr. Dixon. He was married, April 5th, 1834, to Alitha Barnes, daughter of Amos Barnes, mentioned elsewhere in this volume. He was married by " old uncle Jimmie Barnes," a pioneer preacher and an uncle of Mrs. Hatton. Three children were born of this marriage, one son and two daughters. The youngest, Mrs. Wilcox, is dead. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Jackson Yeager, is living on a cotton plantation in Arkansas. The oldest child, Rev. William A. Hatton, is pastor of the Baptist church at Memphis, Missouri. The eldest daughter has been twice married. Her first husband was George W. Milhollen, who was killed in Linn county, Missouri, during the late war. From early manhood to middle age, Gen. Hatton was , continually in office, mostly in the militia. He has held every military office from first sergeant to brigadier-general. In 1850 he was elected to the legislature. He served in the Black Hawk and Mormon wars, and took an active part in the late civil war, being commissioned to raise, organize and send forward troops to Price's army. He assisted in organizing the forces that were taken south by Gens. Green and Harris. He was with Gen. Harris at the Fulton fight, and planned the ambuscade by which Harris was enabled to get out of a very close place, after inflicting severe loss on the enemy. Their orders were not to fire a gun if it could be avoided, but it became necessary to strike terror into the hearts of his pursuers. It was through his advice that Jeff. Jones was enabled to dictate his own terms to Gen. Henderson, who had a much larger force. During the troubles in Kansas in 1856, he raised a company of men and went to the assistance of the pro-slavery party, but the difficulty was settled without serious bloodshed. During the latter part of the late war, he was taken prisoner. He was soon released, however, but was agam arrested and kept a close prisoner until near the close of the war. He was severely blamed by some of his own party for not joining the regular army, but in remaining north of the river, he was but obeying positive orders from Gen. Price, who sent couriers through to him every few weeks. Had he not been ordered to remain, he would certainly have gone to the front and remained there. He always advised against fighting on this side of the river, so long as it could be avoided, and in so doing he was but obeying the written instructions received from Gen. Price, and reiterated from time to time. The labors of Gen. Hatton in behalf of the South are not historical, but are none the less sincere and effective on that account. He is a Mason and a member of the Methodist Church. ^

Vv'Illiam Douglass Henderson

William Douglass Henderson, one of the most substantial farmers in the vicinity of Midway, was born at a place called Big Muddy, in Illinois, October 29th, 1817, while his parents were en route from Kentucky to Missouri. In the month of November following his parents reached Florissant, St. Louis county, Missouri, where they remained during the winter. In the spring of 1818 his father came to Boone county, and purchased the land now known as the Henderson homestead, containing 306 acres, situated near Midway. Mr. Henderson was raised on this farm. The opportunities for obtaining an education at this time and place were poor indeed. The subject of this sketch had no other instruction than such as could be obtained by attending subscription schools for a few months of the year, usually in mid-winter. In 1836, his father's health failing, he took control of the farm and managed it until his death, which occurred in 1843. The farm having been willed to Mrs. Henderson, he remained with her until her death, in 1871. Previous to his mother's death, Mr. Henderson had purchased the interest of the other heirs, and so became sole proprietor of the old homestead. During the late civil war, Mr. Henderson was avowedly Southern in sentiment, and suffered financially for his principles, notwithstanding he took no part in the struggle. Mr. Henderson has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Eleanor, daughter of Warren Leonard, of Boone county, Missouri, to whom he was married March 29th, 1845. By this marriage he has five living children. His oldest daughter, Sarah C, is the wife of Charlie Hance, clerk of the Randolph county court. John C. is married and is living on a farm in the neighborhood of Midway. Agnes is the wife of R. P. Jones, of Moberly, Missouri. Nora and Richard are still living at home. Mr. Henderson was again married April 2d, 1868, to Mrs. Arcena Thurston, of Midway. She .died April 7th, 1877. Mr. Henderson has been an active member of the Methodist Church for forty years. He has been class-leader since 1844, and has served as steward and Sunday school superintendent for the same length of time. His house is one of the old landmarks of Boone county. It was the first tavern established on the stage route between Columbia and Fayette, and was the voting place for Missouri township from its organization up to 1840.

Branum Hern

Branum Hern is entitled to the distinction of beinoc one among the first settlers of Boone county. Many came at as early a date, and some were here earlier, but perhaps not one in a thousand of those old pioneers, take the county and State over, are alive to-day. The subject of this sketch was born in Madison county, Kentucky, December 23d, 1812, and when a lad of seven years came with his parents to Missouri, arriving in old Franklin, January 6th, 1819. They did not tarry long at that place, coming to Boone county within the same month of their arrival in Howard - but there was no distinction in those days, all the country of Central Missouri being then known as Howard county. He lived with his parents until he was seventeen, when he began to provide for himself, His father being a mechanic, he became one naturally. He was, even at the age of seventeen, very skillful as a wheel- wright, and found plenty of work, making spinning wheels, and turning bed-posts, for the people in those days depended almost exclusively upon their own mechanics for furniture, and the necessary appliances for spinning and weaving, there being as yet but little communication with the outer world. He worked in the shops until 1833, when he turned his attention exclusively to farming. In 1839 he purchased a tract of laud containing 120 acres, six and onehalf miles northeast of Rocheport, of which he has made the farm upon which he now lives. He has been twice married. His first wife was Emeline, daughter of John Barnes. They were married in January, 1833. His second wife was Lucy, daughter of George Crump. They were married in September, 1859. By the first marriage there are four living children : Mary Ann, relict of the the late John Hunter ;

George Hinton Hill

The subject of this sketch is the son of James A. and Sarah H. Hill, the latter being a daughter of Dr. George B. Wilcox, pioneer physician of Boone county. George was born in Rocheport, September 4th, 1847, and was reared and partially educated in the same town. When fifteen years old, he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with Henderson Wheeler,atRocheport, with whom he worked several years, still making his home with his parents. At the close of his apprenticeship he went to Greencastle, Indiana, where, after working at his trade for a short time, he started in to learn the harness-making. He held on a year, but found that close confinement was impairing his health. For the sake of change he worked on a farm near Greencastle for two years, during which he had the misfortune to have his leg broken by a runaway team. Returning then to Rocheport, on his recovery, in 1870, he made his home with his mother, his father having died during his absence. A year later he moved on a farm near Columbia, which he worked two years, when he returned to Rocheport. After working awhile for his uncle. Judge Hinton, he was engaged by Mr. Wheeler io run his shop in Rocheport. A year later he associated himself with H. F. Williams in blacksmithing. They continued in that business till this writing. Mr. Hill was married on the 24th of March, 1878, to Miss Georgia Crump, of Rocheport. She died September 20th, 1879, having borne one child, a son, named George, born September 18th, 1879. Mr. Hill is a member of the Christian church, and his -wife, at her death, belonged to the Baptist church. He is also a member of Rocheport Lodge No. 147, I. O. G. T., of which he is recording secretary. -

William Hulett

The subject of this sketch is a Kentuckian, and was born in Mercer county, June 15th, 1830. His parents, Edward and Rebecca Hulett, moved to this State in 1832, and settled in Rocheport, Boone county, where William was reared. He began learning the saddler's and harness-maker's trades at the age of sixteen, his "boss "being Mr. Henry Tumy, with whomhe not only mastered the art, but worked for him eight years after he had learned it and become a skilled workman. In 1856, he went to Sturgeon, this county, and opened up in the business for himself, where he remained till 1860. Returning to

Rocheport, he did not again go into business, as the war was upon us,, and no one could tell what the end would be. In 1862, Mr. Hulett enlisted in company A, of Col. Poindexter's regiment of Confederates, and served eighteen months, when he was discharged on account of bad health, and allowed to take his own course. He was out of business till the spring of '66, when he started a shop in Rocheport, and has so continued ever since. In the fall of '78, he established the livery business in connection with his harness shop, and does a substantial business in both lines. Mr. H. has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Zerelda, daughter of William Phillips, of Rocheport, to whom he was married in 1852. She died the following year, and he was again married, in 1855, to Miss Judith Hunt, daughter of L. B. Hunt, an old resident of this county. Mr. Hulett has five children : Effie O., (wife of Ernest Granberry), Daniel E., William B., Pearl and Paul. The first named and her mother belong to the Christian church. Mr. H. belongs to the Rocheport lodge of A. O. U. W. Early in life, Mr. Hulett had the misfortune to contract the habit and love of strong drink ; and though he made money rapidly, he failed to hold it, being fond of jovial companions and the cup that cheers. However, he was fortunate enough to see the folly of such a course of dissipation, and formed a firm resolve to stop it then and there. By the force of a strong will he was enabled to keep his resolution, the result of which was complete reformation. Mr. H. deserves much credit for thus manfully conquering a depraved appetite, which, alas ! so many fail to do ; and the historian records this by permission of Mr. Hulett, in the hope that there are " foot-prints, which perhaps another, seeing, shall take heart again, " Since his change of life, he has prospered exceedingly well. He owns one of the most pleasant residences in Rocheport, and his shop and livery stable are models of thrift and neatness. The rank that Mr. H. now occupies in business and social circles, shows what any man can do who only wills.

Commodore Perry Hultz

The subject of this sketch was born in Delaware county. New York, September the 16th, 1813, and lived there with his parents until he married, which Avas on the 22nd of June, 1837, to Miss Acenith W. Armstrong, of the same county. He came to Missouri in company with his father and on the 19th of July, 1837, reached the watermill upon Perche, at Gillaspy's bridge. He shortly afterwards moved to the farm where he lived the rest of his life. He was without means when he arrived in Boone county, but by hard work and dogged perserverance he soon had a farm of his own. His brother, Hamilton J. Hultz, had come out to Missouri the year before. He is now a prominent physician of Louisville, Kentucky. C. P. Hultz was a great reader and kept his mind well stored with literary " good things. " Though no politician, he was a ready and fluent speaker upon the current topics of the day. He worked his way up from a poor boy and at his death left each of his children a handsome property. He farmed and traded in stock generally. He died November 12th, 1878, and his wife died June 25th, 1876. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist church at Bethel. They left four children none of whom are married and are all living in this county. Marshal J. is living upon the northeast quarter of section thirty-four, township forty-eight and range thirteen ; Manlius E. is living upon the southeast quarter of section nine, township forty-eight and range thirteen. Edgar M. and Virginia S. still live upon the old homestead. Manlius E., our subject, was born in Boone county, December 10th, 1849. He lived upon the old home-place until the spring of 1882, when he moved to his present home. He w^as educated at the University going until he reached the last year of the course, when he went one year to the Medical Department. He has a fine farm of four hundred acres, and is building a handsome residence.

Daniel Webster Hunt

Mr. Hunt was born in Boone county, Missouri, May 16th, 1841, and is the son of Linneeus and Rebecca (Brushwood) Hunt. He received a good common school education, and grew to manhood in his native county. During the war he travelled in New Mexico, Colorado, Nebraska and Iowa. He returned to Boone county when the war closed, and went to farming, and has continued in the business ever since. He was married February 13th, 1879, to Miss Kate, daughter of Solomon and Pernecia (Collett) Stickell. She was born in Troy, Lincoln county, Missouri. Her father was a native of Maryland, and her mother was born and reared in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have two children, both living, Nellie Stickell and Robert. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the Christian Church at Rocheport, and Mr. Hunt is a Mason, holding his membership at Rocheport. He lives on the northwest quarter of section thirty-six, township forty-eight and range fourteen. He is a very clever gentleman, and his house is noted for old-time hospitality.

William Burch Hunt

W. B. Hunt was born in Boone county, Missouri, September 18th, 1831 . He is the son of Linnseus and Rebecca (Brushwood ) Hunt, who were born, reared and married in Fluvanna county, Virginia. They came to Missouri in 1821. Wni. B. was educated at the common schools in his father's neighborhood, and grew to manhood upon the place where he was born. In 1850 he and his father went to California, where his father died in 1851. He was married in 1855, in Boone county, Missouri, to Mary Ann, daughter of Benjamin Conley. By this union they have had six children, five living and one dead. M. Ella married John H. Alsop, of New Franklin, Howard county ; Benjamin B. ; Laura F. married to John F. Wilhite, near Rocheport ; Linnseus L. , Sanford Conley and Wm. B. ( dead) . Mr. Hunt has been engao-ed in farming all his life, save the four years he spent in California in mininof. He has been until recently the largest wheat grower in the county, and in 1882 made the largest yield. He has a splendid farm, handsomely kept, and showing unmistakable signs of thrift and culture. He raises corn, wheat and hogs, making, however, a specialty of wheat. He has sown the same piece of land in wheat for fourteen years, the last crop averaging twenty-seven and one-half bushels to the acre. Mr. Hunt is one of Boone's representative men, and one whom all respect.

Dr. Lewis was born near Glasgow, in Howard county, Missouri, July 24th, 1846. He is the second of three sons of John L. and Mary E. Lewis, who moved to a place near Rocheport, in Boone county, in 1851, and located in Rocheport in 1853. In that town Malcom D. was reared, and acquired the rudiments of his education. His education was completed at the University at Columbia, and he began life for himself by clerking in the dry goods house of Clayton & Wilcox, in Rocheport. In 1865 the firm moved to Omaha, Dr. Lewis going with them. He soon, however, returned to Rocheport on account of ill health. Subsequently he went to St. Louis, and was employed in the notion house of Gill & Murphy. Returning to Boone county in 1867, he clerked for two different houses in Columbia, which was about all the business he did till he began to study for his profession. In 1872, he commenced to read medicine under Dr. A. W. McAlester, Professor of Surgery, etc., in the University. Entering the medical department of that school, he applied himself closely to his studies, and graduated with the degree of M. D., in June, 1875. He first located for the practice at Woodlandville, this county, where he remained till 1880, when he removed to Eocheport and established himself there. In 1882, Dr. E. T. Bramlett became associated with Dr. Lewis, and they have a good and growing practice in several counties whose boundaries approach near Rocheport. Dr. Lewis is a member of Boone lodge. No. 121, I. O. O. F., of Rocheport.

William A. Lientz

Is the son of Montgomery P. Lientz, and is the oldest child and only son. He was born on the old homestead, four miles from Rocheport, Marcli 30th, 1848. He was reared at his birth place, and continued to live with his parents till he was twenty-two years old. The foundations of his education were laid in the country schools, lie attending in early boyhood at Walnut Grove Academy. Subsequently, he attended Union Academy, in Pennsylvania. He completed his course, however at the State University at Columbia, graduating from that institution in the class of 1868. He carried off two honors at that time, having been chosen by his class to deliver the salutatory in Latin, and also winning the Stephens prize-medal as the best orator in the contest for that medal. (See history of the University). In 1869, he began reading law in Columbia, under Col. J. R. Shields,^ but the condition of his health forced him to abandon the law. October 27th, 1870, he married Miss Margaret S., daughter of John L. Hickman, Sr., of Boone county. She had graduated in Stephens college, Columbia, in the class of 1869. Soon after his mariage, Mr. Lientz, thinking an agricultural life would be conducive to his good health, moved on to a farm that he had purchased five miles west of Columbia. He lived on that place till 1880, when he sold out and bought the farm where he resides at this writing, three miles northeast of Rocheport. The place contains two hundred and sixteen acres, and is chiefly devoted to stock raising especially that of sheep. Mr. Lientz has four children, named John M., William A., Jr., Beverly Price, and Roger H. Himself and wife both belong to the Presbyterian church of Columbia.

Montgomery P. Lientz

Mary Lientz, who came to this State and county in November, 1819, and settled four miles northeast of Kocheport, where Montgomery was raised. He continued to reside with his parents after coming of age, and when they became old and infirm, he took the entire management of the farm, and thus eased them of their burden, caring for them till their death like a true and faithful son. The father died in 1849, aged seventy-five and the mother in 1859, at the same advanced ao-e. Mr. Lientz has been three times married. First, in 1844, he married Miss Calphurnia Wetmore, of St. Louis. This lady died in 1849, and two years later, he was wedded to Miss Olivia W. McClure, daughter of Dr. William McClure, of Thrall's prairie. She died in 1856. Mr. Lientz's present wife was a widow lady - Mrs. Ann E. Whittaker, of Virginia. He has four children. William A. Lientz, who graduated from the University of Missouri in the class of 18(i8, is a son of his first wife. Annie O., wife of D. W. McQuitty, is a child of the second marriage. Ella R., wife of Harry McCuUough, of Howard countv, and Blanche S. (unmarried), are the other two. Mr. Lientz was in the Mormon war, and served under Capt. John Ellis. In May, 1846, he enlisted for the Mexican war in Company F, First regiment Missouri volunteers, and served during the war under Capt. Parsons and Col. A. W. Doniphan. Returning home at the close of that war, he continued to pursue the arts of peace, and enjoy pastoral life on the old homestead till 1881, when he moved into Howard county. His father's old home was for many years a stopping place for travellers, and many weary tourists there enjoyed the hospitalities of this genuine Southern family. Among the celebrities who stopped at this place, were Col. Thos. H. Benton, Washington Irving, Gov. John Miller and Supreme Judges M. McGirk and George Tompkins, the latter of whom married into the Lientz family. Mr, L., belongs to the Presbyterian church, and his wife to the Mount Zion Baptist church of Howard county. He is a ruling elder in his church, and labors to advance the cause of Christ's kingdom on earth.

Was born at Rochester, New York, in the month of April, 1817. When he was two years old, his father moved with his family to a farm two miles from Rochester, and Robert was reared to agricultural pursuits. His education was acquired in the common schools and at Monroe High School at Henrietta in Monroe county, New York. He beo-an teaching in the public schools at nineteen years old, and later in life worked at the carpenter's trade, which was his father's vocation, in addition to farming. In 1840 he came to Boone county, Missouri, and began teaching in the public schools, following it for some six or seven years. He was first married December 27, 1842, to Miss Emilia M. Bishop, of Thrall's Prairie. She died at Harrisburg, this county, February 9, 1875, having borne five children. Two of^hese, Alice G., wife of James A. Chambers, of Eocheport, and Robert L., of Marshall, Missouri, still survive. He was a second time married May 9th, 1876, to Mrs. Mary J. Rawlings, of Rocheport. In the spring of 1849, Mr. Lyell went to California, and with four comrades, kept a boarding "ranche," and also worked the mines on Deer Creek, near the forks of Tuba River. On his return from California he settled in Rocheport, where he resided till 1871, w^hen he and family moved to Harrisburg, where he was engaged for some time in merchandising, and was also fortunate. He was twice commissioned a notary public for Boone county by the Governor. In 1877 he moved back to Rocheport, where he resides at this writino-. From 1858 to '79, he occasionally worked at the carpenter's trade and as an undertaker, working at times, after the war, as many as from six to nine men. In May, 1862, Mr. Lyell enlisted in the sixty-first reo-iment E. M. M., Col. Douglass commanding. Soon after he was commissioned quartermaster, with rank of captain, by Gov. Gamble. He served in that capacity till the fall of 1862, when part of his regiment was annexed to parts of other regiments and formpd into the First Provisional Regiment of M. M., in which he served till the officers and men were relieved from duty by order of the Governor, in 1864. In August, 1864, he was commissioned Brigade Q. M., with rank of major, under Gen. J. B. Douglass, and thus continued till his final discharge from service by order of Acting Governor Hall. Mr. Lyell has served as magistrate of Missouri township, both by appointment and election, and is at this writing deputy post-master at Rocheport, having been appointed in 1881, by Mrs. Susan M. Slade, post-mistress.

James Horry Lowrey

The subject of this sketch is the second of three livino- sons of James Simpson and Nancy Lowrey, who came to Missouri in 1819, settling in what was then known as Howard county, near Walnut Grove church, and afterwards permanently on a farm located on the State road between Rocheport and Columbia, five and one-half miles from the latter place. It was on this farm that James H. Lowrey was born, October 14, 1829. He remained with his parents until he attained his majority. In 1850 he made an overland journey to California, where he followed freighting from Stockton to various mines, continuing this business until the spring of 1853, when he returned hon^e by way of Panama and New Orleans. He returned to California the same year, taking a drove of stock to Stockton, which he sold, returning overland to his home in 1854. In the fall of that year he purchased a farm in Johnson county, where he resided until 1861. He was married March 1st, 1855, to Miss Mary J., daughter of John and Jane Maxwell, of Boone county. In 1861 he enlisted in Capt. Harvey McKinney's company and regiment in which he served until 1862, when he returned home and brought his family to Boone county. While here he was arrested by Federal soldiers and imprisoned in Columbia for several months. Havino- taken the oath of alleg-iance and given bond, he was set at liberty and allowed to remain at his home in this county. In 1864 he went to Texas, where he again joined the Confederate army and was made second Lieutenant of Company K, Col. Williams's regiment, Shelby's brigade, remaining with this command until the close of the war, June I6th, 1865, when he returned to Boone county and resumed farming. In 1867 he sold his farm in Johnson county and removed to Boone, buying the farm upon ^hich he now resides containing 430 acres. In 1879 he went to Montana Territory, taking with him a car load of stock which he sold to good advantages. Mr. Lowrey has eleven children, eight daughters and three sons, all of whom are living. He is a member of the Rocheport lodge of A. F. and A. M.

Milton Huff Lowrey

Milton Huff Lowrey, son of Milton and Martha A. (Hurst) Lowrey, was born in Missouri township, near the old Hunt farm, March 11th, 1847. In early life he attended the public schools, finishing his education at the Missouri State University. His father died when he was an infant. He remained on the farm with his mother until he was sixteen years old, when he began to work for himself. He made an overland trip to California where he remained for four years, spending most of the time farming. In 1868 he returned to Boone county and purchased a farm near his birthplace. He worked this place until 1871, when he purchased the farm upon which he now lives, con- taining 160 acres, situated near Midway. May 26th, 1874, he married Miss Luelhi Bedford, of near Midway, by whom he has four sous : Claude, Bedford, Lenious and an infant not yet named.

Francis Marion Lowrey

Hon. Francis Marion Lowrey, farmer and stock-raiser, is the eldest of the three living sons of James S. aud Nancy Lowrey, old pioneer settlers of Boone county, who came to Missouri in 1818 and settled on a farm near Walnut Grove church, in 1819. In 1826 they settled the old Lowrey homestead, five and one-half miles east of Rocheport, on the old Columbia and Rocheport road, where the subject of this sketch was born, October 20th, 1827, There were no public schools in his neighborhood during his minority, hence he was compelled to educate himself by hard study and close application. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, when he commenced working for himself. In 1849 he went to California, where he worked successfully in the mines uutil 1851. In 1853 he returned to that State in company with his brothers, James H. and Benjamin F., taking out a drove of stock which they disposed of at Stockton and San Francisco, where he and his brother Benjamin remained and dealt in stock until 1855, when they returned together and rented the old homestead where they farmed until 1857, when he purchased a stock farm in Johnson county, Missouri, which he cultivated until the breaking out of the war, in 1861. Mr. Lowrey enlisted in McCown's company and regiment. Confederate army, Avhere he served for six months. For the next four months he served in Capt. Branaugh's company. In the spring of 1862 he was elected captain by Company F, of the 16th Regiment of Missouri Infantry, serving until the fall of 1862, when he resigned and returned to Missouri for the purpose of recruiting a cavalry regiment. In the month of December following, while recruiting, he was captured by the Federal soldiers and imprisoned for a few weeks in the State University at Columbia. From there he was taken to St. Louis and placed in the Gratiot Street prison until July, 1863, when he was sent to Alton, Illinois, where he remained a prisoner until the spring of 1865. The Alton prison Avas vacated soon after the assassination of President Lincoln, and he was once more taken to the Gratiot Street prison, St. Louis, where he remained until July, 1865, when he was released on taking the oath. He came home and spent the next year in Boone and Lafayette, going by steamboat and stage to Diamond City, Montana, in 1866. He followed mining until 1870, when he was elected a member of the Montana legislature from Jefferson county. In 1872 he returned to Boone county and purchased the|farm on which he now resides. This farm contains 240 acres. Mr. Lowrey has up to this date (1882) remained a bachelor. He is a member of the Rocheport Lodge, A. r. and A. M., and a member of Columbia Chapter No. 18, R. A. M.

Samuel Wallace Maxwell

Samuel Wallace Maxwell was born in Madison county, Kentucky, May 26th, 1826. He is the son of John and Jane Maxwell, who came to Boone county in 1832 and settled on the farm now owned by F. M. Lowrey, near Midway, where the subject of this sketch was raised and lived until attaining his majority. In 1850 he went overland to California, where he followed mining in several places until 1852. Having been successful in his labors he returned home by way of Panama and New Orleans. He served six months in the Enrolled Missouri Militia, under Captain Tyre Harris, of Col. J. B.Douglass' regiment. He has been married three times. His first wife was Miss Sallie A. Boggs, of Boone county, whom he married, April 22d, 1852. Four children were born of this marriage, James O. and John W., both of Oregon, and Amanda and Charles C, still living at home. He married his second wife. Miss Lucy J. Croswhite, of Boone county, October 30th, 1871. She died October 30th, 1874. He married his third wife, Mrs. Rosa Noe, February 17th, 1876. Himself and wife are members of Sugar Creek Baptist church.

Newman Thomkins Mitchell, Father And Son

Newman T. Mitchell, Sr., is one of the few now living who can of right class themselves among the pioneers of Boone county. He was born near Dumfries, Prince William county, Virginia, March 12th, 1807. His parents removed in 1817 to Madison county, Kentucky, and a few years later to Franklin county. He remained with his parents until he was eighteen years old, attending in the meantime such schools as were within his reach. Wishing to educate him for a profession, his father proposed sending him to college, but the young man having no predilection that way, declined the offer. His father then gave him permission to do for himself in his own way, and he accordingly entered the boot and shoe store of Daniel Bell, of Woodford county, Kentucky. He was employed to keep the books of the -establishment, and remained long enough to learn the trade, when he returned home. He and his brother now took charge of the homestead devotmg their time to farming and trading in stock. In 1827 he went to Frankfort, Kentucky, where he was employed by Frank Blair, Sr., as superintendent or overseer, remaining in this business one year. In the spring of 1828 he came to Missouri with his father and settled in Howard county. On the 4th of September, following, he was married to Miss Priscilla Hughes. He came to Boone county soon after his marriage and settled on a tract of land upon which he now lives. His first wife having died, August 22d, 1856, Mr. Mitchell was again married, December 10th, 1857 to Miss Kitty Slack, of Boone county, by whom he has two children. Pearl and Earnest. By his first wife he had four children : Elizabeth , wife of Sidney Denham, deceased ; Newman Tompkins, Jr. ; Cordelia, wife of S. L. Wilhite, and William J., all of whom are living in Boone county. Mr. Mitchell has been a member of Walnut Grove Baptist church for sixty years, and has served as deacon for forty-five years. His wife has been a member of the same church for twenty-five years. His first wife was one of the original members of Walnut Grove church. .

Newman T. Mitchell, Jr., was born near Rocheport, Boone county, Missouri, September 1st, 1832. He is the son of Newman and Priscilla (Hughes) Mitchell. He was educated at the common schools of the neighborhood, and commenced business for himself at the age of twenty, though still living with his parents. In 1852 his father proposed sending him to the Missouri State University, but he prefered remaining on the farm at a salary. From 1853 to 1857 he worked his father's farm on the shares. He was married, October 6th, 1856, to Miss Hannah, daughter of Porter Jackman, of Howard county, Missouri. The year following he moved to a tract of land given him by his father, which formed the nucleus of the farm he now owns, consisting of four hundred acres. In 1866 he became one of the proprietors of the Columbia and Rocheport rock road. He has seven children. John T. is cashier of the Centralia, Missouri, bank, and Porter J. is a practicing physician, being a graduate of the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis. Newman T., William M., Carter W, , Exie and Orie are living with their parents. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist church at Walnut Grove, of which he has been deacon for twelve years. He has also filled the position of superintendent of Sunday school, at intervals, for fourteen years. During 1879 he was appointed a member of the executive board of State mis- sions by the general association, which position he still holds. He is also one of the curators of Stephens Female College, Columbia, Missouri, having been appointed such by the State association in 1880.

William Jeremiah Mitchell

The subject of this sketch was born in Boone county, Missouri, December 7, 1840. He was raised on a farm, four miles- northeast of Rocheport, and educated at the Walnut Grove school house. He is the son of Newman Mitchell, Sr., one of the pioneer settlers of Boone county. When twenty-one years old he began working on a farm owned by his father. This place was given to him in 1867, and in 1874 he exchanged it for a farm in the same vicinity, and in 1876 exchanged this for the place he now occupies, one and one-half miles east of Walnut Grove church. His farm contains one hundred and thirty acres. He is actively engaged in farming and stock raising. During the years intervening between 1862 and 1872, he travelled extensively in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Colorado. He is a member of the Walnut Grove Baptist church, and has been since 1864.

James H. McGhee, son of Wyatt and Jane E. McGhee, was born in Washington county, Virginia, near Seven Mile Ford, July 4, 1818. In 1824 he came with his parents to Missouri, and settled near what is now known as Walnut Grove church, on the Rocheport and Columbia rock road. He remained with his parents until 1839, when he was married, January 29th, to Mary, daughter of Abram Funk, of Boone county. He then moved on to a farm in the Perche bottom, belonging to his father, situated near his present home, which was given to him by his father. In 1859 Mr. McGhee made a trip to Pike's Peak in quest of gold, reports of rich diggings having reached Missouri from that region. Finding none he returned home, remaining only two weeks in the mountains. In 1838 he was commissioned by the governor an officer in the State militia. The troops were called out to put down the Mormon insurrection, and Mr. McGhee, among others, responded promptly to the callj and remained under arms until the difficulty was settled. In 1836, he assisted the government surveying party, under William Shields, of Boone county, while surveying the southwestern portion of this State. During the late war Mr. Mc- Ghee was an earnest, out-spoken friend of the South, and suffered scAcrely for his advocacy of Southern principles. He was early iden- tified with the South, having been deputized to enroll the militia of Missouri township. In 1863 he was arrested by the United States troops, on the charge of giving aid and comfort to Confederate soldiers. He was first impfrisoned at Columbia, then taken to St. Louis, and finally to Kichmond, Virginia, to be exchanged, but being a citizen he could not be disposed of in this way. He was finally discharged, but as he was returning home he was arrested at St. Louis, and made to give a bond of $2,000 before he was allowed his freedom. He has five children, Mary Jane, wife of James S. Langdon, of Texas ; James W., of Columbia, Mary Ellen, wife of Melvin P. McGhee, of Leadville, Colorado; Hienry A., of Boone; and William Wallace, of Columbia, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. McGhee are members of the Locust Grove Methodist church.

The genial editor and proprietor of the Eocheport Commercial, is the oldest son of Thomas F. and Elizabeth McQuitty, and was born on a farm in Boone county, near Columbia, September 15, 1857. When he was thirteen years old his parents moved to Columbia, and there Willard J. was educated, attending the University till his eighteenth year. He then began learning the printer's trade with Ed. W. Stephens, in the office of the Columbia Herald. Soon mastering the mysteries of the "typo's" profession, he was made foreman of the Herald establishment, which position he held for five years. In April, 1879, Mr. McQuitty and his brother, James E., purchased the Rocheport Co7nmercial, a Democratic paper in the above town, and a few months later Willard J. bought out the brother's interest, making him the sole manager. He has continued to publish that journal ever since, and is the fifth man who has edited it, and, so far, the only one who seems to have made it a success. Mr. McQuitty was married Dec. 25, 1881, to Miss Maggie Hines, daughter of J. H. Hines, of Joplin, Mo. Mr. McQ. has always been a Democrat, and runs his paper in the interest of that great party. He is a member of the Missouri Press Association, and his youth and ambition, combined with education and energy, will certainly place him in the ranks of successful journalists, should he continue that most worthy vocation.

residents of Boone. He continued to live with his parents on the farm till in his twentieth year, and there obtained the rudiments of his education. Subsequently he attended Mount Pleasant College, at Huntsville, Eandolph county, Missouri, and was a student of that school for three years. When ready to begin life for himself, Mr. McQuitty purchased a farm of 240 acres, three and one half miles northeast of Rocheport, which he still owns and operates. In addition to the ordinary routine of farming and stock-raising, Mr. McQ. has made a speciality of line sheep breeding, chiefly the Spanish merino. His object in this was not alone to improve his own stock and derive a profit therefrom, but was actuated by the worthy motive of having his neighbors get the benefit of the same. In the winter of 1882 he imported a flock of the Robinson- Atwood blood from Vermont. These breeders are recorded in the Vermont Stock Register, and their average yield of fleece is, for males 16 lbs., for females 15 lbs. In December, 1873, Mr. McQuitty was united in marriage to Miss Annie O. Lientz, daughter of Montgomery Lientz, Esq. They have two children, Montgomery L., and Harry W. Mr. McQ. is a member of the Walnut Grove Baptist church, and is an exemplary citizen and kind neighbor.

The subject of this sketch was born in Perche township, Boone county, Missouri, December 1, 1830. He is the son of G. W. McQuitty, one of the successful pioneer farmers of Boone county. It was through the enterprise and industry of such men as G. W. McQuitty that Boone county received an impetus which placed it far ahead of all the neighboring counties, a position it still holds in point of stability, refinement and culture, and but for superior railroad facilities possessed by other counties, it would have distanced all its competitors in wealth and enterprise. The father of James A. McQuitty came to Boone county in 1810. The subject of this sketch remained on his father's farm until 1849, when he went to California. He worked in the mines for several years, returning to Boone county in 1853. He was successful in mining, having accumulated sufficient money to purchase the farm upon which he now resides, containing 353 acres. In 1864 he enlisted in Capt. John Maxwell's company, Williams's regiment, Shelby's brigade. Confederate cavalry, remaining with this command until the close of the war, when he returned home and resumed the active duties of life. Mr. McQuitty was married June 13, 1851, to Miss Dicie Emma, daughter of Solomon Barnett, of Howard county. There were seven children by this marriage : Julia A., wife of William Hart, of Centralia, Missouri ; and John L., Lilly, May, Dora|B,, Joel M., James M. and George B., yet remaining at home. Mrs. McQuitty died May 12, 1879. Mr. McQuitty is a member of the]Walnut Grove Baptist church, and has been since 1853. He is also a member of the Rocheport lodge of A. F. and A. M. At the time of her death Mrs. McQuitty was also a member of the Walnut Grove church.

Thomas F. McQuitty was born near Thrall's Prairie, now known as the Model Farm, May 3, 1833, where he lived until he was ten years old, whenjiis parents removed to the farm now owned by James A. McQuitty. Thomas grew to manhood on this farm, attending the common schools and availing himself of every opportunity of procuring an education. He began life for himself as a farmer, renting the land he cultivated. In 1870 he removed to Columbia, where he worked at the carpenter's trade until 1882, when he purchased and removed to the farm upon which he now lives, known as the old Joel White farm, containing 160 acres. Mr. McQuitty was married October 18, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Wilhite, of Boone county. They have eight living children. The oldest son, Willard G., is editor and proprietor of the Rocheport Commercial. The second son, James E., is foreman of the Columbia, Missouri, Herald office. The other children are at home with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. McQuitty, and the four oldest of their children, are members of the Baptist church at Columbia. Mr. Mc- Quitty was deputy marshal of Columbia in 1881. In 1864-5 he was a soldier in the Confederate army, being a member of Capt. John Maxwell's company, Williams's regiment, Shelby's brigade. His command surrendered at Alexandria, Louisiana, in the spring of 1865, when he returned home and resumed the active duties of life. He is a firm, resolute, hard-working man, whose principal aim in life has V>een to raise, educate and prepare his children for the active duties and responsibilities of life.

Alexander Robinson Nichols

Alexander Robinson Nichols was born in Missouri township, on the Rocky Fork, a tributary of the Perche, May 25, 1833. When quite young he removed with his parents to a farm in the vicinity of Colum- bia, where his father died. When ten years old, his mother removed with her family to Buchanan county, Missouri, where they lived and cultivated a farm until 1856. He began to do for himself when fifteen years old, but contributed liberally of his earnings toward the support of his widowed mother and such members of the family as . were too young to provide for their own wants. His mother was ever an object of earnest and tender solicitude up to the day of her death in 1874. From 1856 to 1860 he worked at farming in various places. He finally settled upon the farm he now occupies. Mr. Nichols was married April 12, 1860, to Miss Angeline, daughter of Winston Via, who came to Boone county in 1832, and bought and improved the farm upon which the subject of this sketch now resides, known as the old Winston Via place. They have but one child, Annie, who is still at home with her parents. Mr. Nichols is one of the most substantial farmers in his section of the country. All the affairs of life seem tending towards his prosperity and happiness, and justly, for his has been a busy, enterprising and exemplary life.

Elvin Jefferson Nichols

E. J, Nichols, farmer and stocktrader, was born in Barren county, Kentucky, April 29, 1825. He came to Boone county, Missouri, with his parents, arriving at their destination in the month of December, 1829. They settled five miles northwest of Columbia on a small tributary of the Perche, called the Eocky Fork, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. The little education he received was obtained at subscription schools which were attended at long intervals. The elder Nichols being a carpenter, Elvin was brought up to that trade, and assisted his father in the shop when not working on the farm. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, when he began to work for himself. March 25, 1845, he was married to Miss Polly Ann, daughter of James and Nancy Hawkins, pioneer settlers of Boone county. After his marriage, Mr. Nichols settled on the farm he now occupies, in the northern part of Missouri township, containing 450 acres. In 1850 he made an overland trip to California, where he remained one year working in the mines. He then took passage on a sail vessel for home. While oft" the coast of Lower California, the vessel was caught in a fierce western gale and was blown 1,500 miles to sea, prolonging the voyage sixty-seven days. There were 370 passengers, necessitating a short allowance of food and water for many days. The portion allowed to each Individ- ual finally dwindled to one pint of water and two crackers once in twenty-four hours. The tropical heat was severe and many sickened and died of fever ere they reached port. Arriving at Panama, he and several others attempted to walk to Chagres, but gave out on the way. They were compelled to purchase a mule ere they reached their destination. From Chagres he sailed for New Orleans in a steamer, arriving home in April, 1851. From 1860 to 1872, Mr. Nichols bought and shipped stock to eastern markets, his shipping points being Concordia, Columbia and Sturgeon. In 1873 he bought and fed a herd of cattle in Saline county, and in 1878 he handled over 200,000 pounds of pork which he sold in eastern markets. In 1864 he was drafted as a soldier in the Union army, but hired a substitute. During the same year he was arrested on a charge of giving aid and comfort to Bill Anderson's guerrillas, and was taken to Macon City and put in prison. He soon gave bail and was set at liberty. He has eight children. The oldest son, William Hite, is a Baptist minister, a graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Kentucky ; John J, ; Nancy A., wife of Henry Naylor ; George Martin, a medical student of the State University ; Rhoanna, wife of Samuel Morris ; Eddie E., Robert E. L. and Overton. Mr. Nichols and his wife and their children are members of the Baptist Church.