Simpson Township

Simpson Township

" Now at this day comes Andrew Kirkpatrick, G. P. Aingell, et al., cit¬ izens and legal voters of Grover township, in this county, and file in the court here their petition, praying this court to divide the said Grover township at the range line between ranges number twenty-four (24) and twenty -five (25); and to constitute and form a new township, to be known and designated as Simpson township, with the following metes and bounds to-wit: Commencing at the southwest corner of section number thirty-one (31), in township forty-seven (47), of range number twenty-five (25), and running thence east along the township line, between townships number forty-seven (47) and forty-six (46), a distance of six (6) miles,, more or less, to the southeast corner of section number thirty-six (36), in township number forty-seven (47), of range number twenty-five (25), and running thence north upon the range line between ranges number twentyfour (24) and twenty-five (25), a distance of eight (8) miles, more or less, to the northeast corner of section number twenty-five (25), in township number forty-eight (48), of range number twenty-five (25), at the Lafay¬ ette and Johnson county lines, and running thence west along and upon said county line for a distance of six (6) miles, more or less, to the northwest corner of section thirty (30), in township number forty-eight (48), ''of range number twenty-five (25), and running thence south along the range line between ranges number twenty-five (25) and twenty-six (26), a distance of eight (8) miles, more or less, to the place of beginning, and containing forty-eight (48) square miles, be the same, more or less. Which said petition, having been seen and examined by the court, it is ordered that the prayer of the petitioners be granted, and that a new municipal township, to be known and designated as Simpson township, be and the same is hereby made and created in this county of Johnson, with the metes and bounds and boundaries as described above in the petition aforesaid. Ordered January 23, 1875."

The foregoing orders of court organizing the different municipal town¬ ships were the first in relation to the same, many of them, since having been subjected to several changes in their boundaries and area of terri¬ tory. As the different sections of the county settled up, other townships were formed, principally for the purpose of having more convenient voting places, and smaller sections to facilitate the levy and collection of taxes, the organization of school and road districts, and certain limits for the exercise of the duties of justices of the peace, constables and other officers of small political division. As at present constituted their boun¬ daries are as follows:

Hazel Hill , north by Lafayette county, east by Simpson township, south by Warrensburg and Centerview townships and west by Columbus township and Lafayette county.

Columbus , north by Lafayette county, east by Hazel Hill and Centerview townships, south by Centerview and Madison townships and west by Jackson township.

Madison , north by Jackson and Columbus townships, east by Centerview, south by Chilhowee and Rose Hill townships, and west by Kings¬ ville township.

Centerview , north by Columbus and Hazel Hill townships, east by Warrensburg and Chilhowee townships, south by Chilhowee and west by Madison and Columbus townships.

Washington , north by Simpson and Grover townships, east by Pettis county, south by Jefferson and Post Oak townships and west by Warrens burg.

Post Oak, north by Warrensburg and Washington townships, east by Jefferson township, south by Henry county and west by Chilhowee town¬ ship.

Chilhowee, north by Madison, Centerview and Warrensburg townships, east by Post Oak, south by Henry county and west by Rose Hill town¬ ship.

A further and more minute description of the different townships will be found hereinafter in this volume, under the head of History of Town¬ ships.

The county court composed of Amos Horn, Uriel Murry, and Robert W. Rankin, as has been stated, met for the first time April 13, 1835, at the house of Mrs. Rachel Houx, and the second time, May 4, 1835, at the same place. At the latter named session W. E. Cocke was appointed constable of Jackson township, and W. H. Anderson constable of Wash¬ ington township. S. Whitsitt was appointed surveyor, being the first to hold that office in Johnson county. Of the first election held in Jackson township, August, 1835, Jester Cocke, Jonathan Fine, and Robert Craig were judges, appointed May 5, 1835. Moses Pinkston, Samuel Wilson, and S. Rowdon were appointed justices of the peace.

Robert Graham, Joseph Harrison, and Joseph Hobson were appointed as judges of election, for Washington township, and George McMahon and Joseph Robertson, justices of the peace.

William Flannery, James Harris, and Benjamin Snelling were appointed judges of elections in Jefferson township; Moses Owsley, Benjamin Snell¬ ing, and James Harris, justices of the peace, and James McWilliams, con¬ stable.

Timothy Dunham, James Strange, and Hiram Helm were appointed judges of elections in Madison township; Wm. Conway and Hiram Helm, justices of the peace, and Nicholas Turner, constable..

The first sheriff' of Johnson county, Joseph Cockrell, was appointed June 1, A. D. 1835. Strong drink, it will appear from the following, occupied the minds of the people and the attention of the courts, even in the infancy of the county - O, perverse man!

" Slate of Missouri, Johnson county : This day, Prince L. Hudgins deposited in the clerk's office of the county court, of Johnson county, the sum of five dollars, in order to obtain at the next county court a grocers' license, for the purpose of retailing spirituous liquors in said county.

The first regular petition to the county court was brought by J. B. Mor row, praying for the organization of township 47, range 27, into school districts, in the following language:

" On this day, John B. Morrow, presented a petition to the county court of Johnson, now in session, on behalf of the householders, inhabitants of township 47, range 27, praying said court to organize said township into a school district, for the establishment of schools, and for the government and regulation thereof, whereupon the court being satisfied that at least two-thirds of the householders, inhabitants of said township, signed said petition, and that the prayer of the petition is otherwise reasonable, do hereby declare said township be incorporated, and that it be known by the name and style of the Franklin school district, and its number, one. The county court of Johnson, do hereby appoint Robert Craig, Samuel B. Ramsey, Samuel Wilson, William M. Kincaid, and Caswitt Daviss trustees for the Franklin school district, in said county. July 16, 1835." The names of C. Davis and S. B. Ramsey were afterwards striken out.

August 4, 1835, a petition for P. L. Hudgens, the commissioner of school lands for the county, to sell the 16th section in township 47, and range 26, was granted.

On September 12, 1835, James Warren was appointed clerk of Johnson county court, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of John H. Townsend.

On November 2, 1835, James McWilliams resigned his office of con¬ stable of Jefferson township, and the vacancy was filled by the appoint¬ ment of William Flannery, and James Carmichael was allowed pay as assessor, for thirty-two days' work, at one dollar and fifty cents per day- At the same term of court, Richard Handcock, the collector for the county, presented his delinquent list, amounting to $16.10.

The first road overseer in the county was Joseph Dixon, appointed Decem¬ ber, 1835. Following his appointment were those of William Flannery ? William K. Leeves, James Bothick, and J. H. Evans.

The first petition for a road was presented, December 20, 1835, by Wil¬ liam M. Kincaid. The foregoing is a synopsis of the business of the county court during the first year of the county's organization.

The county seat was located in 1836, and named Warrensburg, in honor of Martin Warren. The commissioners were Henderson Young and Daniel McDowell, of Lafayette county, and Daniel Morgan Boone, of Jackson county. Martin Warren came, in an early day, from Kentucky, and settled in Lafayette county, this state. He purchased a quarter sec¬ tion of land where most of the present town bearing his name is now situ¬ ated. His cabin was built on the open prairie, near the site of Mrs. Lutitia D. Grover's present residence, in Warrensburg. He lived to a ripe old age, and died there.

The first general election in the county occurred in August, 1836, when there was an election of governor, lieutenant-governor, legislators, mem¬ bers of congress, sheriff, and coroner.

Judges of election, in the different townships, were as follows: Wash¬ ington township, George Gallaher, Joel Walker, and Stephen Blevin; Jackson township, Richard Bradley, Lynch Brooks, and Pleasant Rice; Madison township, Hiram Helm, James Strange, and Isaac Hanna.

The chief tribunal of the county continued to meet at the residence of Mrs. Rachel Houx, until the close of the August term, 1836, when it was ordered to meet at Warrensburg, the new county seat.

Amos Horn, one of the first three justices of the county, came from Tennessee, and was one of the first settlers of the county, coming in the year 1832. He lived in the northeast part of Hazel Hill township, about twelve miles from Warrensburg. He died in the year 1878 or 1879, at a very advanced age, being about eighty years old. He was buried at Oak Grove cemetery, near his residence. He was,. for a time, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, and afterward became a Missionary Baptist minis¬ ter, and occasionally preached in the country, in churches and school houses, where services were needed. He was an active Christian, gener¬ ous neighbor, and an exemplary man.

Uriel Murry was also a Tennesseean, but came to this county as early as 1830. He settled fourteen miles west of Warrensburg, and continued a long time justice of the county court. He accumulated a good compe¬ tence, and lived on his farm till his death, which occurred twenty years ago. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and demeaned himself as a careful, sedate, and exemplary man, highly respected by all who knew him.

Robert W. Rankin was a Kentuckian, and came to this county some time before its organization. He was educated as a physician, but gave more of his attention to farming than to the practice of his profession. He lived in Johnson county till the civil war, and then removed across the Missouri river, where he died, about fifteen years ago. Dr. Rankin was an elder in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and was held in high estimation by his neighbors and those who knew him. He took a great interest in the cause of education in the county. The three men who con¬ stituted the first countjr court were of high character and business integ¬ rity.

At the October term 1836, Prince L. Hudgins and George Gallaher presented their commissions from governor Dunklin as justices of the county court, taking the places vacated by Robert Rankin and Amos Horn. During the same session of court, Wm. Smith entered upon his duties as sheriff. The following is a list of those appointed in 1836 to view roads: Joseph Cockrell, Uriel Jackson, Jester Cocke, William

Cheek, Samuel Graham, Thomas C. Warren, Henry Hays, John Stewart, James Kincaid, Caswell C. Davis, Henry Colbern, Pleasant Rice, John Windsor and John Ferguson. The road commissioners for the next year were: Isaac Coy, John Robinson, William Thornton, John Adams, Jacob Perman and William Fletcher.

Robert Graham was elected assessor in 1837, and the December term of the court was changed to the house of Y. E. W. Berry. In 1839 the following received commissions as justices of the peace: James S. Jones, Jerome B. Greer, Jacob Knaus and Shelly Harte. In 1840 the following received commissions for the same office: James W. Jones, Charles Win¬ field, E. B. Skidmore, David W. White, Y. E. W. Berry, Shelly Harte, William Trapp, Robert Thompson, J. C. Strange, Isaac Hanna, Samuel E. Rowden and J. C. Francis.

The first circuit court met at the residence of Rachel Houx, August 6, 1835, Hon. J. F. Ryland, judge; Joseph Cockrell, sheriff, and J. H. Townsend, clerk, who was also appointed county clerk fro tern. The offices of county and circuit clerks were held by one and the same person from the organi¬ zation of the county to the year 1860. The grand jury consisted of Rob¬ ert Graham, foreman; Wesley Pinkston, Elmore Douglass, William Davis, John Windsor, Jester Cocke, Wm. H. Tombs, Joseph Harrison, Nathan¬ iel Lowry, Samuel Brown, Isaac Anderson, John M. Harris, Levi Whitsett, Jesse Harrison, Henry Colbern, John Eppler, John Grant, Caswell Davis, Jesse Grant, J. C. Strange, and Jesse Marr. The jury assembled under a tree and gravely listened to some minor cases brought before them for consideration, they reported to the court that it was not worth a while to " kick up a fuss over such trivial matters," and accordingly found no indictment.

The next court was held December 10, 1835, J. F. Ryland, judge; James D. Warren, Clerk, and Joseph Cockrell, sheriff. The following were selected as the grand jury: Wm. Thornton, foreman; DavidS. Praffett, Stephen Blevins, Thomas Goings, James B. Wood, Thomas Drummond, James B. Tomlin, James H. Bradley, William Davidson, William Bigham, sr., Wm. Bigham, jr., Samuel G. Brigham, John Kitchen, Thomas Evans, Abram Adams, John Stewart, James B. Harris, Joseph Dixon and Solo¬ mon Dixon.

Except the years between 1873 and 1877, the county and township organizations have been maintained substantially in the same manner from the organization of the county to the present time. During the time in which the township system was in force in Johnson county - from 1873 to 1877 - much of the business which is now transacted at the county seat by officers elected by the whole county, was then transacted in the respective townships, where such business most naturally originated.

The names and events which most naturally belong to this chapter on organization, as opening up one feature of the county's past history, have been given, and we now proceed to the consideration of other themes, fer¬ vently hoping that future generations may maintain the honor due the memory of their fathers.

Joseph Albin

P. O. Warrensburg. It was in Guernsey county, Ohio, where Joseph Albin first beheld the light of day. It was there also that he had attended the common schools and received his education. His ancestors came from Virginia. Early in the fall of 1857, he moved to Effingham county, Illi¬ nois, where he commenced life's struggles for himself, and the succeeding year, 1858, he married Miss Margaret Gillmore, a native of Illinois. Here he lived, farming until 1868, when he again emigrated west, his destination being Dodge county, Missouri, where he purchased a farm and lived until the time he located in Johnson county, Missouri, which occurred in 1879, where he now lives on one of the prettiest farms in Johnson county. During his life he has reared a family of eight children, only one of whom is married. The soil of Mr. Albin's farm is of the richest quality, which characterizes the township of which it is a part: also the yard surroundinghis residence presents an appearence, fully in keeping up with the other surroundings, and shows what pluck and industry can attain.

John Bowman

P. O. Aullville, is a farmer, and lives on section 29, range 25, and was born in Brooks county, Virginia, January 3, 1812. When he was about fourteen years of age, he moved with his parents to Ohio and settled in Tuscarawus county, Ohio. Henry Bowman, his father, was a native of Vir¬ ginia, and was a farmer. His grandfather settled in Virginia in an early day, and bought his first farm of the King of England, in whose dominion he was born and raised. Henry Bowman, the father of John, turned his attention to milling for a few j^ears, before he left Virginia; after coming to Ohio, he followed farming for a livlihood. Again he moved to New Cumberland, in same county, where he remained until his death. John's mother was a native of Virginia, whose name was Phebe Weeks, and who died soon after in the same county, on March 3, 1842. John Bow- man remained on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, then he returned to Virginia, where he was married to Miss Mariam Brown, daughter of Andrew Brown, a native of Pennsylvania, and a prominent farmer. Mr. Bowman then moved to Missouri in 1844, and stopped a short time in Lafayette county. He then built his cabin and moved on to his present farm in Johnson county, which contains 159 acres, which is well improved with good substantial buildings. Raising wheat and ocher grain has been his main object. During the late war he suffered largely- One season soon after he had stacked a fine crop of wheat, several men came and threshed it out and hauled it away. While they were threshing it, he was compelled to feed them, which he says was the worst of all. His crop of wheat was 800 bushels, which was all taken. They have raised five daughters, all living and named as follows: Margarette J., Phebe M., Alwilda V., Elnora S. and Bertha P.; another died at the age of five years. His education was obtained only at the district schools. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman and family are all members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

Dr. Z. Case

was born in Carlisle, Illinois, in 1847. His father was born in Kentucky, and his mother was a native of Ohio. His father was a member of the legal fraternity, and while in the state of Illinois held several prominent county offices in the county of Clinton, Carlisle being the county seat of that county. Dr. Case had the advantages of a college course, and after graduating was employed as book-keeper in a large mercantile house in St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained for some time in this position. In the course of time, however, he made up his mind to study medicine, and immediately entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he graduated in medicine, March 12, 1875. The following month he visited his parents in his old home in Carlisle. In the fall of 1875 he came to Johnson county, Missouri, where he has made rapid strides in the profession of his choice, and to-day has a large and growing practice, and is known throughout Johnson county, as a careful and conscientious gentleman.

Alexander Greer

deceased, was among the old settlers of Johnson county, and resided in Simpson township, where he was long known as one of the most success¬ ful farmers and stock feeders of the county. He was born in Berkley county, Virginia, August 25, 1810, and departed this life, as will be noticed under the head of " Pioneers of Simpson Township," in the winter of 1881. He was partially educated in Frederick county, Virginia. His father, Johnson Greer, died when Alexander was only four years of age. His father was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to Ameiica and settled in Virginia in a very early day, and was counted among the F. F. V.'s in the " Old Dominion.'* Alexander's education was somewhat limited on account of his mother being a widow. He was brought up on the farm, and always loved to stick to the farm. In 1837 he married Miss Louisa Clary, daughter of Gerard Clary, who at that time kept a tannery at the foot of the Alleghany mountains, in Alleghany countv, Maryland, now the city of Cumberland. Soon after his marriage Mr. Greer emigrated to Missouri, in 1838, and settled at what is now known as Kirkpatrick's Mill, on Black Water, where he and his brother, Jerome, B. Greer, estab¬ lished a country store, which they kept about three years. When he left the store he entered about 200 acres of government land, and began to improve a farm, which is now known as the Fitz Patrick farm. In 1842 he disposed of this place and purchased the present excellent farm, which is the old homestead. At his death his landed estate numbered 3,200 acres of land. Soon after he settled the old homestead he commenced to engage largely in farming, raising stock and dealing extensively in ship¬ ping stock to St. Louis. Prior to the railroad facilities he drove stock to the St. Louis market. During the late war (1861-5) he lost heavily, esti¬ mated about $30,000. He has always been an enterprising farmer of indomitable courage and energy. Commencing with nothing but a will¬ ingness to work, he rose step by step to his enviable prominence. Mrs. Greer has always been a true wife and most dutiful mother. Her wise plans and vigilant care over her children will never be forgotten by them. Fourteen children have been brought up, all liberally educated to busi¬ ness. During the trying times and struggles for a good share of this world's goods, Mr. Greer never neglected the paternal care of his family. Having a healthful wife and children, not one has been lost, and the fam¬ ily has formed but little acquaintance with physicians. The children are as follows: Mary R., now Mrs. James D. Dyer; Laura A., now Mrs. George W. Colbern; Rovilla M., now Mrs. R. M. Morrison; Sarah J., now Mrs. E. T. Smarr; Robert L., who married Miss Majors; Josephine V., now Mrs. George W. Collins; Jerome B., who married Miss Virginia L. Thornton; Ella L., now Mrs. Grove Youngs, of Lafayette county; Lillie L., now Mrs. George Youngs. The following are yet single: Wm. A., James A., John P., Minnie A. and Mattie J. The girls, Minnie and Mattie, are now students at the Central Methodist Female College, of Lexington, Missouri. A brief sketch of Wm. A. appears elsewhere. In politics Mr. Greer was an unswerving democrat, yet a prudent and wise thinker all his life.

Jerome B. Greer, Esq

a farmer and stock raiser, was born in Johnson county, Missouri, Febru¬ ary, 1851. Reared and educated in his native county, and at the State University, located at Columbia. Commenced business for himself in

1875, engaging in farming and stock raising. The latter he has found to be the most lucrative. His large farm of 768 acres of choice land, lying m Simpson township, Johnson county, is nearly all covered with blue grass. His fine residence, standing on a high elevation, from which nearly every acre of his beautiful farm can be seen. From his house a large portion of eastern Johnson county can be seen. The house is sub¬ stantial and two stories. Mr. Greer is a gentleman of fine business habits? moral, honest and accommodating. His eye is ever open to business, and his heart for suffering humanity. He raises cattle, mules and hogs, and does a large business in the way of shipping stock. Although a young man, he is favorably known in all the stock markets of the west as an honorable, upright and practical dealer. Mr. Greer was married Sep¬ tember 27, 1881, to Miss Virginia L. Thornton, of Grover township, the daughter of Wm. Thornton, Esq.She is a worthy and accomplished lady, fine taste and domestic habits. Mr. Greer is an influential member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Postoffice address, Aullville, Missouri.

William A. Greer

P. O. Fayetteville, is among the straight forward business young men of Simpson township. He was born in Johnson county, Missouri, near where he now resides, December 13, 1856, and received his early edu¬ cation at the common schools of his neighborhood. He attended the State University at Columbia, one session, which, with what knowledge he had already received in the common schools, eminently fitted him foi business transactions and agricultural pursuits. When only eighteen years of jage, he took charge of his father s farm, which he controlled while his father was living. His father died during the winter of 1881. His present landed estate numbers 230 acres of excellent agricultural land, all well improved, except thirty acres of timber. The farming land is in a high state of cultivation and produces excellent crops of corn, wheat and grass. At present he is erecting one of the most substantial residences in the township. He is of a good family, being the third son q£ Alexander and Louisa Greer, who are known ovei the noitheastein part of the county. Wm. A. in polities, is a democrat. He is a prominent stock dealer of the township, and takes delight in the improvement of the farm and stock enterprise. He is yet a young man, who has not chosen a wife, and since the death of his fathei he has been very dutiful towards his aged mother. The biographical sketch of Alexandei Gieei, his father, will be found elsewhere, and also an elaborate notice under the head of the pioneers of Simpson township. The subject of this sketch is a young man of steady business habits, tempei ate and i efined. He uses neither ardent spirits nor tobacco, and is one of those whom the public may rely upon as having a bright and prosperous future before him.

section 24, P. O. Knobnoster; farmer and stock raiser. The subject of this sketch was born July 15, 1841, in Morgan county, Illinois, where he was educated. When the dark cloud hovered over our country, Mr. Lazenby enlisted in company K, 27th Illinois infantry, and was in some of the most severe battles of the war: Belmont, Union City, seige of Corinth, Stone River, Chattanooga, Mission^Ridge, and several others. He was wounded at the battle of Chattanooga, shot through the hips, and he has not been a perfect man since that date. He was honorably discharged September, 1864. He then returned to his home in Illinois, and was married Decem¬ ber 7, 1864, to Miss M. Lacey, and from this union have six children living: Varazill A., Harvey, Ida A., Arthur, Charles W. and Clara; hav¬ ing lost two: Isabelle and George W. In 1866 he moved to Van Buren county, Iowa, where he lived for about five years. He then moved to Johnson county, Missouri, in 1871, locating where he now lives, where he owns a fine farm of 340 acres, with good buildings. He is a member of the M. E. church.

Robert M. Maxwell

farmer and stock raiser; P. O. Montserrat. Born in Madison county, Kentucky, April 6, 1821. His father, Thomas J. Maxwell, was a native of Virginia; born in 1777, and emigrated to Kentucky in an early day. In 1818 he made a trip to Missouri to see the country, and in 1826 moved here with his family, settling in Howard county, and died the following year. Robert's mother was also from Virginia; she continued to live in Howard county, Mo., after the death of her husband, till the; spring of 1834, went to Cooper county, remaining two years; then in the spring of 1837, came to Johnson county, settling near Knobnoster; several years thereafter she went to live with her children in Howard county, and in 1857 she returned to Johnson; and in 1859 she died, at the age of eightyone years. Robert M., the youngest of fourteen children, was married to Louisiana J. Tebbs, daughter of George Tebbs, in 1841. She died in 1857, leaving six children: Lucinda J., George T., Sarah E., James M.* William T. and Robert F. George T. died January, 1862, and James died August 5, 1866. He married for his second wife, in 1857, Mrs. Mary A. Lyle, a native of Kentucky. She was born September 20, 1833, and when she married Mr. M., had four children: John L., George T., Charles S. L. and Joshua L. By this union they had nine children, (two of whom died in infancy:) Mary S., Isaac, Amanda C., Jefferson C., Anna, Lucy and Ernest. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Cumberland Presby¬ terian church. Mr. M. has held important offices in his township, among which were constable and justice of the peace.

Jacob L. Neff

P. O. Fayetteville; was born in Alleghany county, Maryland, May 15, 1822. His father, John Neff, was a native of Maryland, and was an exten¬ sive coal dealer, and resided in his native state until his death, in 1879. Jacob remained in his native state until .1843, when he came to Missouri, and purchased land, in what is now known as Simpson township, and then returned to Maryland, and was married to Miss A. Koontz, who died in 1851, leaving three children: John H., Harriet and Charles A. Mr. Neff was again married to Miss Catherine Atherton. By this union they have five children: George M., Sarah E., Elmore P., Emma A. and Girtie B. Mr. N. owns a farm, which contains 420 acres, 300 in cultivation, with a good, substantial residence. He is one of the largest wheat growers of the township. Mr. and Mrs Nell are both members of the M. E. church, South.

Wm. A. Pollock

P. O. Fayetteville. Was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, February 25, 1818 His father was a cotton spinner by trade, and a native of Ire¬ land. At the age of twenty-seven, W. A. Pollock was married to Miss Margaret J. Davis, and reared a family consisting of five boys and four girls. He resided in Lincoln county, near Stanford, the county seat, until the fall of 1867, when he removed to Johnson county, Missouri, where he has since remained. His farm contains 327 acres of land, with 125 acres in cultivation. My. Pollock took no part in the civil war, but remained on his farm, pursuing his rustic occupation. The travelers who by chance stop under his hospitable roof, are entertained in a pleasant and lively manner by his reminiscences of his early days in old Kentucky. His high character for honesty and generosity are widely known.

Salathiel H. Taggart

Warrensburg, Mo. Born on the 8th day of Apiil, 1822, in North Caro¬ lina. His father Jessie R. Taggart, and mother Rachel Davidson, were natives of the state of Maryland, and were of English extraction. His father died when the Captain was eighteen years of age, and his mother three years after. About one year and a half after the death of his fathei , the family moved to Missouri, and settled in Lafayette county, where the Captain remained for twenty years engaged in farming. For a few years after coming to Missouri, he worked out at very low wages. Being pos¬ sessed of more than ordinary energy and perseverence, he in three years time, secured at first eighty-five acres of native soil, and in a shoit time his farm contained 155 acres. At the age of twenty-seven he was married The fruit of this marriage was two daughters and one son, all of whom have been taken away by death. The son died in infancy, one daughtei at the age of two years, and the other daughter at the age of twenty-one. The Captain sold out in Lafayette county, and moved into Johnson county in 1865, purchased 247 acres of good land, where he now resides. He has increased his farm to 320 acres, and has bought other farms, so that now Capt. Taggart is the lawful owner of 1027 acres of good prairie and timber land, and the valuation of his real and personal property amounts to nearly $35,000. Starting in life without anything, no help but a strong constitution and an indomitable will power, and without speculation of any kind, he has accumulated all in about thirty-five years. hlrs. Taggart the mother, and his three children have all died, leaving him without heirs. In a short time he married Miss Deborah Day, the daughter of Richard and Sarah Day, who are living in Johnson county. They had five child¬ ren named as follows: Ameda R., who died in her third year, Geo. W., James A., Sammie D., (the next, not named, died very young,) Bessie S. and Frances W. Mr. Taggart was appointed the Captain of a company of the militia of the state, hence the title of Captain.

Richard H. Wood

farmer, Simpson township. Was born in Johnson county, in February, 1841. He was married in Dec., 1867, to Sarah D. Pemberton, daughter of Thomas H. Pemberton, ot Saline county, an early and prominent settler of that county. By this union they have five children living: Edward, Sarah, Richard, Tommie, and James M. The oldest died while young. Mr! Wood served three years in the Confederate army under Joe Shelby, and was in thirty engagements, and did not receive a scratch. He was also in Price's raid in 1864. He owns a magnificent farm of 200 acres, with a good substantial residence, and a fine barn. He has lived most of the time on the old homestead, and has been very successful. He is a sober, moral, hard-working, energetic man, and a scientific farmer. He is a hospitable and kind neighbor, never seeking notoriety.