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GENCH, George
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
GEORGE GENCH, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Hudson township, is one of Bates county's best citizens. Mr. Gench was born in McLean county, Illinois, on January 9, 1860, a son of Frederick and Mary (Brauer) Gench, both of whom were born in Saxony, Germany. Frederick Gench located in the state of Illinois, when he was a young man, and there resided ten or twelve years when he came thence to Bates county, Missouri, and settled in Prairie township on a tract of land purchased from the Bradley brothers for ten dollars an acre, one hundred twenty acres of prairie land. He split the rails with which to fence his farm and built a rude house of two rooms constructed of roughly-hewed timber. Later, Mr. Gench built a comfortable frame residence on his place. Pleasant Hill was the nearest railroad center at that time. Frederick Gench was deeply interested in educational matters and for many years served as a member of the school board in his district. To Frederick and Mary Gench were born the following children: John, of the firm of Gench Brothers of Rich Hill, Missouri; Mary Ann, the wife of Edward Keller, of Appleton City, Missouri; George, the subject of this review; Lizzie, the wife of Henry Grob, of the state of Washington; Lon and Frank, twins, the former, in the hardware business at Butler, Missouri, and the latter, in the Peoples Bank at Butler, Missouri; and Carl, who is engaged in fruit and truck growing in the state of Florida. The father died in 1884 and the mother joined him in death in 1907. In the early history of Bates county, the name Gench stood as it stands today, the synonym of honor and no citizens were held in higher regard than were Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Gench. In the public schools, the "cipher" schools, and the mission schools of Bates county, Missouri, George Gench obtained his education. Upon leaving school, he engaged in farming on the home place until he was eighteen years of age. He then left Missouri and went to Kansas, where he located in Leavenworth county for two years. Returning to Bates county, Missouri, he again engaged in agricultural pursuits and in 1887 purchased his present country place, a farm comprising eighty acres of land partly improved at the time of his purchase. All the improvements now on the place have been placed there by Mr. Gench, including a residence, a house of eight rooms built in 1905; a barn, 48 x 60 feet in dimensions and sixteen feet to square, used for stock and feed; a silo, having a capacity of one hundred ten tons; and other necessary farm buildings needed to facilitate the handling of stock and grain. Mr. Gench raises brown Swiss dairy cattle, the herd headed by a registered male, and at the time of this writing in 1918 he has twelve milch cows. He is also interested in Duroc Jersey hogs, but has only a few on the place at this time. The marriage of George Gench and Caroline Hammer was solemnized November 27, 1884. Caroline (Hammer) Gench is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Hammer. Mrs. Gench's mother died when the former was an infant and the little girl was reared by her step-mother, Mary (Grob) Hammer. Anton Hammer first married a sister of Mrs. Gench's mother and to the first union was born a son, Fred, who resides in Pleasant Gap township. The other children of Anton Hammer are as follow: Emma, the wife of Gottlieb Hirschi, of Rockville, Missouri; Louisa, the wife of Fred Drawe, of Rockville, Missouri; Louis, of Olds, Alberta, Canada; Willie, a truck farmer in Florida; and John, of Rockville, Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. George Gench are the parents of eight children: Lewis, a well-to-do farmer and stockman of Hudson township, Bates county, Missouri; Agnes, the wife of Eldo Hirni, of Visalia, California; Gertie, the wife of Albert Hirni, of Rockville, Missouri; Martha, the wife of Carl Bartz, of Pleasant Gap township, Bates county, Missouri; Frances, Edith, Eva, and Orville, at home with their parents. Mr. Gench affiliates with the Republican party and for the past eight years he has been the justice of peace of Hudson township. He is a quiet, unobtrusive citizen, yet a man long considered one of the substantial, progressive agriculturists of the county.
GEPFORD, D. A.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
D.A. GEPFORD, progressive farmer of Shawnee township, evidently believes thoroughly in the use of modern labor-saving devices on his splendid farm of two hundred forty acres, as the place is well equipped with every device and the latest agricultural machinery to enable him to perform the farm work quickly and inexpensively. In these times of scarcity of farm labor it would seem that a farmer as well equipped as Mr. Gepford would not need to worry a great deal about securing farm labor. The Gepford place is located six and a half miles east of Adrian and it boasts two sets of improvements. The farm has a nice six-room residence, two barns, a scale house, and sheds to facilitate the care of livestock and protection of the harvested crops. The oldest barn on the place was built in 1897, and the splendid, new barn was recently erected in 1917. The main buildings are erected on section 9, while the west "eighty" which is the home of R.H. Gepford, son of D.A. Gepford, is also well equipped, the barn and feed shed being 32 x 40 feet in dimensions. Mr. Gepford has built an implement shed and a blacksmith shop since coming to this place. The scale house is enclosed as is the corn shelter, fanning mill, and the pumping machinery, all of which are operated by an upright engine. Mr. Gepford does custom work, such as grinding, etc., for his neighbors and has all the work which he cares to do. This farm has an International tractor, a twenty by thirty-six Case separator, which has a capacity for 2,000 bushels of oats or 1,000 bushels of wheat per day's run. Mr. Gepford can plow seven to ten acres per day with his tractor plow outfit which is fitted with three fourteen-inch plows. He is thus enabled to plow as deeply as is desired. Only recently he has purchased a two-row cultivator with motor attachment. D.A. Gepford was born in Macon county, Illinois, near the city of Decatur, in 1859. He is the son of George and Letitia (Shepherd) Gepford, both of whom are deceased, the former dying in 1888 and the latter in 1911. Mr. Gepford's parents lived practically all of their days in Illinois and were honest, hard-working, industrious citizens who taught their children the value of industry and honesty. D.A. Gepford was reared and educated in Macon county, Illinois, and lived in his native county until 1894. In that year he moved to Andrew county, Missouri, and resided there until 1900 and then came to Bates county. He purchased his farm in Shawnee township from Zib White, who had bought it from William Lee and the Reeder heirs. In 1883, Mr. Gepford was united in marriage with Josephine Stickler, a native of Illinois, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stickler, of Macon county, Illinois. To this marriage have been born children as follow: Ettie L., at home with her parents; Irvin, deceased; R.H., operates his father's farm in section 9 and also assists in cultivating the home farm; J.A., at home with his parents. While the Gepfords are not "old settlers" of Bates county, they have taken their place among the representative families of this county who are doing things for the good of the county and are ably demonstrating what can be accomplished on Bates county soil. They have a host of good and warm friends in their neighborhood and Mr. Gepford ranks high among the truly progressive and successful farmers of this county.
GIBBS, W. B.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Osage Township, Bates Co, MO
W. B. GIBBS, a member of the well known contracting and building firm of Gibbs, Hodges & Co., was born in Coles County, Illinois, August 9, 1844, but was reared and educated in Moultrie, the adjoining county. His father was a carpenter by trade and W. B. also learned that occupation, which he followed till the beginning of the war. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, 126th Illinois Infantry, and was transferred to the commissary department under Comstock, retaining that position for three years and three months. Then he returned to Illinois, and thence went to Iowa, where he worked at his trade for a period of time, and in 1870 he located in Coffeyville, Kansas. There he was engaged in contracting and building. In December 1880, he came to Rich Hill. Mr. Gibbs was married, March 25, 1879, to Miss Cora Godfrey, a native of Michigan. They have two children: Laura and William B.
GILBERT, David
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Spruce Township, Bates Co, MO
DAVID GILBERT, an influential farmer and stock dealer, on section 1, is a native of England, and was born August 7, 1829. His parents, David and Harriet Gilbert, nee Tilden, were also born in England. The former came to the United States in 1840, or 1841, and located first in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in working in the iron mines. In 1848 he moved to St. Louis and labored in the coal mines for four years, and in the spring of 1852, in company with his brother and others, made a trip overland to California, spending one year in the mines. In April 1853, he returned and located in Missouri, first in Cooper County, where he was married October 13, 1853, to Miss Eliza Ellen Weedin, a daughter of Benjamin Weedin, who was one of the pioneers of that county. There they had settled in an early day and lived in the fort during the early Indian troubles. In the fall of 1854 Mr. G. moved to Pettis County and bought land near Smithton, being one of the early settlers of that county. In the spring of 1857 he came to Bates County, entered land and improved his present farm. He now has 1,238 acres, with 560 acres in his home place, all well improved, upon which is a good house, large barn and convenient out buildings. He also has a mill room, in which there has recently been placed a fifteen horse power engine, with a large corn sheller and crusher, for grinding feed for his cattle; he has one set of patent burrs for grinding meal, and all of this machinery he put in position himself He is quite extensively engaged in feeding and handling cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have six children: Sallie J. (wife of Timothy Austin) Benjamin, Alonzo C., Dora, William T., and Riley. They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
GILBERT, Josiah F.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Mingo Township, Bates Co, MO
JOSIAH F. GILBERT, farmer, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born October 24, 1828, his parents being Henry and Mary (Grosh) Gilbert, both born in the Keystone State. Josiah is the eldest of a family of nine children. When he was but three years old the family removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, remaining there until he was in his thirteenth year, when he went to Dayton. There he entered a drug store, and in four years he moved to Cincinnati, and clerked in a drug store at that place ten years. In 1854 he concluded to try farm life, and for two years lived on a farm with an uncle in Indiana. Then he located on land on the Illinois Central Railroad, on which he continued to reside for eight years. In the meantime he was married, August 14, 1862, to Miss Jane Hemblin, a native of Indiana. In 1864, he returned to Ohio and took charge of a drug store at Tippecanoe, but in two years he came to Bates County, after having spent a season in Randolph County, Indiana. He then settled on section 17, of this township, and has since been engaged in farming. His farm consists of 120 acres of good land, well improved, and he is giving special attention to the growth and manufacture of sorghum. Mr. G. is connected with the Lutheran Church, his wife being a member of the Christian Church. They have ten children: William H., John E., Polly G., George H., Mary F., Emma D., Charles F., Mertie May, Ruth and an infant. They have also lost one child, Nora.
GILBREATH, J. W.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
J.W. GILBREATH, of Hudson township, is one of the oldest native-born pioneer settlers of Bates county. Seventy years have passed since he first saw the light of day in his father's cabin on the prairies of Hudson township. His boyhood days were spent amid surroundings most primitive and his home was a log cabin built on the banks of Panther creek, the said cabin later becoming the first school house in Hudson township. The nearest trading posts and the only trading points in those days were at old Papinsville and Johnstown, to which centers the goods needed by the settlers had to be hauled from long distances in the forties and fifties from the nearest landing places on the Missouri river. There were many Indians in the vicinity of the Gilbreath home in those days, the Indians of the plains making a custom of coming in from the western plains to spend the winter in their village near Papinsville. When here they spent their time in hunting and were never bothersome to the settlers if treated rightly. The old Harmony Mission was Indian headquarters for a number of years. J.W. Gilbreath was born in Hudson township, December 19, 1847, and is a son of William and Rilla (Evans) Gilbreath who came to Bates county from Illinois as early as 1844 and were among the earliest of the Bates county pioneers. William Gilbreath was born in Washington county, Illinois, and was a son of John Gilbreath, a native of Buncombe county, North Carolina. When a young man, John Gilbreath moved to Illinois in 1804. William Gilbreath entered several hundred acres of free government land in Hudson township, and built his first home three miles west and a mile south of the present site of Appleton City. After the war he removed to the home now owned by his son, J.W. Gilbreath, and for a period of twenty-five years was an extensive dealer in mules and livestock. J.W. Gilbreath, subject of this review, was the only son of his parents. He attended school in a log school house on Panther creek, which was the only school in Hudson township for a number of years. He has followed farming during his entire life and has fed cattle for the past thirty-five years with considerable success. His fine farm consisting of four hundred thirty acres is located seven miles southwest of Appleton City and seven miles northwest of Rockville. This farm has been created from wild prairie land and the whole of it is under cultivation, there not being an acre of waste land in the entire tract. Two sets of farm improvements are located thereon and the farm residence consists of eight rooms and other buildings of a substantial nature. December 24, 1876, J.W. Gilbreath was married to Miss Anna E. Nearhoff, who was born February 8, 1841 and departed this life on March 21, 1898. Two children were born to this marriage: Nellie May, wife of William Zimmerman; and William Edward Gilbreath. Mr. Zimmerman is deceased and Mrs. Zimmerman resides with her father. She has three children: Verree, Cleo, and Leota. Verree married Orveil Young and has one child: Orveil, Jr., born January 28, 1918. William Edward Gilbreath was born March 31, 1879 and was reared and educated in Hudson township. On November 20, 1915 he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Frances Schott, a daughter of George H. and Mary Louise Schott of Calhoun, Missouri. To this marriage has been born a son, William Warren Gilbreath. E.W. Gilbreath is owner of one hundred sixty acres of good land and is actively engaged in farming and stock raising. He has a fine herd of Hereford cattle to the number of forty-seven head. He is a well educated citizen, having attended the schools of Appleton City, and the Central Business College at Sedalia, Missouri. Mrs. Gilbreath also studied at Hill's Business College in Sedalia. Mr. Gilbreath's farm is well equipped with good buildings, including a seven room residence, a large barn 36 x 48 feet, sixteen feet to the square, another barn 20 x 60 feet with a sixteen foot shed, a granary 20 x 14 feet with a concrete floor and foundation of the same material, a hen house 10 x 30 feet in size. Mr. Gilbreath was elected assessor of Hudson township in April of 1917 and is now filling the duties of this office satisfactorily to the people of the township.
GILBREATH, Simeon
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Hudson Township, Bates Co, MO
SIMEON GILBREATH. Among the substantial farmers and stock feeders of Bates County is the subject of this sketch. He is a native of Illinois, and was born in Washington County, November 5, 1820. John Gilbreath, his father, originally from North Carolina, was born in Buncombe County, while his mother (formerly Patsy Saddler) was born in Missouri. The former moved to Illinois when a young man in 1804, and was among the pioneers of the state. Simeon spent his youth in his native county on a farm. He came to Missouri in 1841, and located first in Dade County with his parents, but in one year moved to Bates County, and was one of the first settlers of this locality. He entered the land and improved his present farm, and ten years after coming to the state he was married, in March 1851, to Miss Margaret Huffman, a daughter of Yost Huffman. She was born in Warren County, Illinois. Since his marriage Mr. Gilbreath has resided on his farm. He has 1,325 acres of land, with about 700 acres fenced and 100 in tame meadow. This place is in a good state of cultivation, and upon it are three fair houses. His residence is a large frame building, and his bearing orchard of apple, peaches, cherries, pears and plums, contains 400 trees, and is located in section 10. He is extensively engaged in raising and feeding stock for the market. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbreath have six children: John A., attorney at Appleton City; Charles W., Edward C, Rex E., Clay W. and Octavia May. Mr. G. served in the militia in Captain Newberry's cavalry company one year during the war. He is one of the largest farmers and taxpayers of Hudson Township.
GILMORE, A. L.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
A.L. GILMORE, proprietor of the "A.L. Gilmore Stock Farm" of Deepwater township, was born in Portage county, Ohio on December 31, 1864. He is a son of Henry W. and Cornelia C. (Loomis) Gilmore, natives of Portage county, Ohio. Henry W. Gilmore came to Bates county, Missouri in 1873, locating in Old Hudson. He bought forty acres of the Newkirk farm, where he resided until his death in 1894. His wife died in December, 1910 and both parents are buried in Myers cemetery in Bates county. Two brothers of Henry W. Gilmore, Samuel and Charles, were veterans of the Civil War, and Samuel Gilmore for a few years conducted a shoe shop at Butler. Henry W. Gilmore and Mrs. Gilmore were the parents of six children: Mrs. Laura E. Graham, Falls City, Oregon; Mrs. Mary A. Mabry, St. Clair county, Missouri; Mrs. Mittie Keene, Spruce, Missouri; Mrs. Rilla Radford, Butler, Missouri; Mrs. Lulu Keene, Indianapolis, Indiana; and A.L., the subject of this review. A.L. Gilmore attended school in Oak Grove district and later was a student at Butler Academy. After leaving school, he went to western Kansas and proved a government claim. A short time afterward, he landed in the state of California and at that time had just thirty cents in his pocket. He made the trip in two days from Marysville, California to Laporte, a distance of eighty-seven miles. He went to work for the Sierra Lumber Company and was sent out with surveying parties up in the mountains. He was out on the trip three and one-half months. Food and supplies were taken to them on pack mules. He killed several deer on the trip and brought some of the deer horns back to Missouri, and has them yet. They were snowbound on their way home and had to crawl over the summit for a short distance on their hands and knees. They were at the foot of Lassen peak at one time on their trip. Mr. Gilmore entered the employ of the Sierra Lumber Company in California and remained with them for four years, the company offering him an increase in wages to remain with them longer, but Mr. Gilmore still dreamed of Bates county and believed that opportunities were still here and he was soon back again among his old friends. He located on a portion of the Captain Newberry farm, one mile southeast of Spruce, and built his present residence, a house of seven rooms, in 1912 and a commodious barn, 48 x 60 feet in dimensions, in 1908. All the improvements now on the place have been placed there by Mr. Gilmore and the clearing of the brush for farming operations on the soil has also been done by him. The "A.L. Gilmore Stock Farm" comprises two hundred forty acres of land and Mr. Gilmore is making an excellent success with both cattle and hogs. Mr. Gilmore was first married January 14, 1892 to Jessie E. Newberry, a daughter of Captain Newberry, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. Jessie E. (Newberry) Gilmore died in August, 1893. A.L. Gilmore and Edna E. Lawson were united in marriage on March 6, 1902. Edna E. (Lawson) Gilmore is a native of Deepwater township, Bates county, Missouri, a daughter of Isaac M. and Cordelia M. Lawson, honored and respected pioneers of Deepwater township. Mr. Lawson died in 1911 and his widow still resides at the Lawson homestead. Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Gilmore have four children: Edna I., Arthur L., Homer H., and Paul L. Fraternally, A.L. Gilmore is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Neighbors of America, and the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Gilmore takes a most commendable interest in public and political affairs and he was elected assessor of Bates county in 1906 and was deputy assessor prior to that time. He has filled satisfactorily the offices of assessor and clerk of Deepwater township and, at the time of this writing in 1918, he is filling his second term in the office of township trustee, having been elected in April, 1915 and re-elected in April, 1917. A.L. Gilmore is a good, honest, conscientious official, attending as carefully to the interests of his township and county as to his own. He is a thorough, intelligent, and progressive agriculturist and stockman. Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore stand high among the estimable and valuable citizens of Bates county.
GILMORE, E. E.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Deer Creek Township, Bates Co, MO
E. E. GILMORE, physician and surgeon, was born in Warren County, Kentucky, August 19, 1839. His father, Samuel Gilmore, was a farmer by occupation, and a native of Kentucky. E. E. was the third child in a family of five sons and three daughters. He was reared on the home farm, receiving his education at the Transylvania University at Lexington. In 1855, while on the farm, he began the study of medicine and attended one course of lectures at the Lexington University. In 1859 he removed to Missouri, and in 1860 was elected to the the office of county school commissioner, which position he held until 1861. In April of that year he enlisted in Company F, Ninth Division Missouri State Guards and was first lieutenant. He resigned before the battle of Wilson's Creek, but in November, 1863, enlisted in the United States Army, where he performed the duties of assistant surgeon until March 1865, when he was discharged. After this he practiced medicine in Pettis, Johnson and Barton Counties, Missouri. In 1867 he visited Washington County, Kansas, remained there a short time, returning the same year to Missouri, when he settled at Coleville, Bates County, Missouri. In 1881 he came to Adrian. In 1877-8 Dr. Gilmore attended medical lectures at Kansas City, practicing there in March, 1878. He is a member of Crescent Hill Lodge No. 368, A.F. and A.M., and of Miami Royal Arch Chapter, Bayard Commandery and Austin Lodge of the I.O.O.F. February 7, 1861, the doctor was married to Miss Mary Duckett, a native of Kentucky. They have two children living: William R. and James P. They have lost two: Samuel R. and Elvira R.
GIRD, Edward K.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Hudson Township, Bates Co, MO
EDWARD K. GIRD owes his nativity to Louisiana, where he was born January 18, 1835. His parents were Henry H. and Sarah A. (Kunsley) Gird, the former born in New Jersey in 1804, and his mother a native of West Point, New York. Henry H. Gird early moved to New York with his parents, where he grew to manhood. After learning the printer's trade he attended the West Point Military School and graduated there, and upon finishing his studies he was employed as a tutor, residing for twelve years at this place. Subsequently he had charge of some troops and was stationed in Louisiana and superintended the construction of a fort. While in that state he was elected president of a college at Jackson. He was also a professor of mathematics in the same college for a number of years. He afterwards gave up his position on account of ill health and moved to Illinois, where he died in May 1846. Edward K. Gird spent his youth until he was nine years old at school in Massachusetts, and from nine to seventeen years in Illinois on a farm. In 1853, when seventeen years of age, he accompanied an older brother to California, and was engaged in stock trading and ranching in Sacramento County for about five years. In January 1858, he returned to Illinois by way of the Isthmus, Havana and New Orleans, and soon began farming and the stock business in Clinton County, Illinois, near St. Louis, which he followed there until 1868. In June of this year Mr. Gird came to Bates County, Missouri, and purchased the farm where he now resides. He has 350 acres of land, all fenced and in cultivation and forty acres in meadow. His good orchard contains about 500 apple trees, also peach, cherry, etc. He is quite extensively interested in bee culture and has an apiary of about seventy-five stands. He has been in this business for about twenty years and is making a success of the enterprise. He is also handling some cotswold and merino sheep. Mr. G. was married in Clinton County, Illinois, in November 1858, to Miss Lucy D. Lewis, a daughter of William and Mary Lewis. She was raised and educated in Jacksonville, Illinois. They have three children: Mary E., Edward C. and Ella May. They have lost three sons, who died in childhood. Mr. G., his wife and two oldest children are members of the Presbyterian Church. Edward C. is a teacher in the public schools of Bates County. E. K. Gird is identified with the Republican party and has filled numerous local offices.
GOODRICK, W. W.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Grand River Township, Bates Co, MO
W. W. GOODRICK, farmer and stock raiser, was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, January 21, 1837. His father, Daniel Goodrick, was a Virginian by birth, and early moved to Kentucky; he married Miss Cassandra Kennedy, who was also born in that state. They were the parents of four boys and one girl. The subject of this sketch was the second child, and when he was some seven years of age the family removed to Indiana, where he grew to manhood and acquired a fair common school education. When eighteen years old he came to Cass County, Missouri, residing there nearly two years, when he went still farther toward the setting sun, and lived in Kansas until 1866. In that year, when Bates County was just recovering from the effects of four years of civil war, he, with his young wife, found a home within its boundaries. His wife was formerly Miss Sarah A. Montgomery, a native of Missouri. They were married in March, 1865, and had but just begun to live comfortably when death entered their little home, and on January 16, 1867, Mrs. Goodrick died, leaving a little girl, Minnie E. Mr. Goodrick married the second time in October, 1868, Miss Ruth A. Kerr, of Ohio. They now live on section 23, and have a farm of 640 acres, under fence and well improved. Their house was built in 1873, at a cost of $1,400; the barn is much better than those in general use, and cost $600. Mr. Goodrick handles about seventy-five head of cattle, sixty head of hogs, and about fifteen horses and mules. During General Price's raid in 1864, he joined the Kansas Militia, and served a few weeks. He is interested in matters of education, and is usually elected to the position of school director. He is a member of Altona Lodge, A.F. and A.M. Mr. and Mrs. G. have an interesting family of four children living: Charles, Nora, Ella Ann, and William W. Miss Minnie E. Goodrick, the daughter by the first marriage, is a charming young lady of seventeen years.
GORDON, James R.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
JAMES R. GORDON, a well-known young agriculturist of Bates county, was born August 5, 1884, on his father's plantation in Fleming county, Kentucky, located near Flemingsburg, a son of J.W. and Victoria Gordon, the former, a native of Kentucky and the latter, of Virginia. J.W. Gordon was a son of James and Betsy (Wallingford) Gordon. James Gordon, grandfather of James R., the subject of this review, was a native of Ireland. He had emigrated from his native land in early manhood and had come to the United States, where he settled in Kentucky and was united in marriage with Betsy Wallingford, a member of a prominent colonial family, of Wallingford, Kentucky. J.W. Gordon was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War and he served three years with John T. Morgan's regiment. Mr. Gordon died in 1915 and his remains were interred in the cemetery near his home in Fleming county, Kentucky. His widow still survives him and at present is making her home at Penfield in Champaign county, Illinois. J.W. and Victoria Gordon were the parents of the following children: Mary Alice, deceased; John William, deceased; George W., Wallingford, Kentucky; James R., the subject of this review; Anna, the wife of Cleveland Wycoff, of Champaign county, Illinois; Eugene, of Champaign county, Illinois; and Eunice, the wife of Claud Mart, of Wallingford, Kentucky, who are twins. In the public schools of Fleming county, Kentucky, James R. Gordon received his education. Prior to coming to Missouri, Mr. Gordon was engaged in tobacco growing in Kentucky and since he came to Bates county in 1912 and purchased the lease to the land on which he now resides he has followed the pursuits of farming and stock raising. Mr. Gordon's farm comprises one hundred sixty acres of the Angela Scully lands. James R. Gordon and Mary Connor, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Connor, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, were united in marriage in 1912 at Butler, Missouri. Mrs. Gordon was born November 11, 1892, in Champaign county, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have been born three children: John William, Mary Agnes, and James Robert, Jr. The Gordons are highly respected in their community.
GORRELL, J. T.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Osage Township, Bates Co, MO
CAPTAIN J. T. GORRELL is connected with the firm of Gorrell & Scott, proprietors of the mammoth livery barn at Rich Hill, who are also engaged in the transfer business. Mr. G. was born in Todd County, Kentucky, September 25, 1840. When he was eight years old he moved with his parents, John B. and Mary H. Gorrell, to Pettis County, Missouri, where he was reared and educated. There he was occupied in farming and dealing in stock, till June 1880, when he came to Rich Hill, Missouri. In 1863 he enlisted in Company B, 40th E.M.M., of the Federal service, and at the expiration of two years he was captain of the company. December 19, 1867, Captain G. was married to Miss Mary L. Philips, a native of Saline County, Missouri. She died September 1878, leaving three children: Lettie, Carrie and Lizzie. He was married for the second time October 6, 1881, to Miss Cella Powell, also originally from Pettis County, Missouri. Messrs. Gorrell & Scott have the largest barn in this place, and are enjoying a patronage which justifies them in keeping such a complete stock.
GOSLIN, James A.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Grand River Township, Bates Co, MO
JAMES A. GOSLIN, physician and surgeon at Altona, was born in Boone County, Missouri, May 1. 1840, and is the fourth in a family of thirteen children. His father, Sylvester Goslin, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, formerly Abigail Turner, came originally from Kentucky. The early days of James A. were spent on a farm, and he received his education at the State University at Columbia. In 1861 he entered the office of John W. Roberts, M.D., of Boone County, with whom he read medicine for one year, when he entered the St. Louis Medical College, graduating from that institution in March 1866. He soon began the practice of his profession in Cooper County, where he remained five years, and in 1870 he attended the Bellevue College Hospital, after which he practiced in Kansas City until 1874. Then he located at Altona, and now has a constantly increasing and satisfactory practice. He is a member of the firm of Goslin & Wright, dealers in drugs, groceries, hardware, notions, etc., who are doing a business of $8,000 per year. Dr. Goslin is the postmaster of this place, and has been such for two years. He was married October 21, 1873, to Miss Amanda Waskey, daughter of Alexander Waskey. She is a native of Iowa, born in November, 1849. They have two children: Walter, born February 17, 1875, and Stella, born February 6, 1879. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
GOSNEY,John W.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - East Boone Township, Bates Co, MO
JOHN W. GOSNEY, farmer and blacksmith, was born in Louisville, Kentucky, April 28, 1831, his parents being Alfred and Lucy (Haws) Gosney, both natives of Kentucky. John W. is the sixth of ten children, all of whom are now living. One sister, Catherine Wilson, is in Kansas City; Mary Foster, in Carondelet; Martha Shelton, near Fort Scott; one sister and three brothers in Indiana, and two sisters in Kentucky, with whom his mother still lives. In 1840 Mr. Gosney came to Jefferson County, Missouri, where he remained about three years or until 1843, then returning to Kentucky. In 1852 he went to Indiana and worked at his trade of blacksmith. He was married at Indianapolis, October 12, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Cornelius, a native of Marion County, Indiana, born December 3, 1836. She was the daughter of Benson and Deborah Cornelius, nee Vickars. Mr. Gosney enlisted August 1, 1862, in the Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry, under General Crittenden. At Atlanta he was commissioned a first lieutenant and was discharged June 7, 1865. In 1872 he came to Missouri, and resided one year at Everett, after which in 1873, he settled in Bates County, where he now lives. He has five children: Richard Bion, Rosa Etwell (wife of Lewis Reynolds, of Belton, Cass County Missouri), Lillie May, Harry Atwood and Lucy Sarah. Mr. Gosney and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is democratic.
GOTSHALL, John
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Grand River Township, Bates Co, MO
JOHN GOTSHALL, merchant, Altona, was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1824, and is the second of a family of seven boys and two girls. His parents, Peter and Anne (Wooling) Gotshall, were both natives of the Keystone state. When John was a boy of eleven years the family removed to Indiana where he grew to manhood, receiving as good an education as the common schools could afford. When he was twenty-two years old he engaged in farming but at the expiration of two years entered the livery business and dealt quite extensively in horses. This business he continued in Logansport, Indiana, until 1858, when he came to Missouri and followed the same calling in Kansas City until 1864, then going to Cass County, near Austin. He gave his attention to farming at which he worked for nine years and still runs the farm consisting of 120 acres well improved. In 1873 he went to Saline County and embarked in the mercantile business at Miami for two years, then returning to Cass he sold goods in Austin until 1878 when he came to Altona where he now owns a good store building, carries a general stock and does an increasing business. Mr. Gotshall was married June 21, 1863, to Mrs. Sarah Spurgeon, a daughter of L. B. Huff and a native of Indiana. They have two children: Oscar M. and Ada B. Mrs. Gotshall is a member of the Baptist Church.
GRAHAM, Jacob
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Deer Creek Township, Bates Co, MO
JACOB GRAHAM, farmer, section 23, was born in Cass County, Missouri, August 23, 1847. His father, Aquilla Graham, a native of Tennessee, came to Cass County when a boy, and there married Miss May Wheeler, a Virginian by birth. Jacob was reared a farmer and was educated in the common schools. He made his home on the farm until twenty-two years of age, when he taught penmanship in Cass and Bates Counties for five years. In 1872 he removed to Bates County and engaged in farming. His estate now contains sixty acres, all in cultivation and well improved. He also owns a pasture of fifty acres on Grand River. November 16, 1871, Mr. Graham married Miss Alice Talbot. She was born in Cass County, Missouri, January 3, 1853. They have two children living, Ella F. and Bird. Three are deceased: Laura, William M. and an infant.
GRAHAM, R. S.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - West Point Township, Bates Co, MO
R. S. GRAHAM, though a recent settler in Bates County, is one of the most enterprising farmers of West Point Township, and is worthy of more than a passing mention in this work. He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1834. His parents, Robert and Sarah (Mitchell) Graham, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and in 1839 moved to the new prairies of Illinois, settling in Sangamon County, where they both died; the father in 1840 and his widow in 1881. The younger days of R. S. were spent on a farm in the wilds of central Illinois, and when twenty-two years of age he was married to Miss Adeline Megredy, a native of Cecil County, Maryland. He continued to reside in Illinois until quite recently, coming to Bates County in the fall of 1881. He secured a tract of rich land and has upon it good improvements, having erected a comfortable residence, etc. He will soon engage in stock raising and feeding. Mr. Graham has a family of five children: Alice, William P., John Charles, Sarah E., and James Oliver.
GRANT, E. G.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
E.G. GRANT, proprietor of the "Grant Stock Farm" in Summit township, is one of the enterprising farmers and stockmen of Bates county. Mr. Grant is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, born in 1887, the only son of Charles and Ann (Hazlett) Grant, the former, a native of England and the latter, of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Grant have been born two children: Nellie, who makes her home with her father at Butler; and E.G., the subject of this review. Charles Grant purchased the farm, which is the home of his son, E.G., about 1890 from Thomas Bushear, who died at Kansas City, Missouri, in 1916, and the Grants resided at their country place until the autumn of 1909. Mr. Grant is now making his home at Butler, Missouri. In the district schools of Bates county, E.G. Grant obtained his elementary education. He later attended the Butler High School for two years. Mr. Grant has resided on the farm, which is now his home, practically all his life, as he was a little child, three years of age, when his father brought the family to this county to make their home. The "Grant Stock Farm" comprises one hundred ninety acres of land, most of which is "bottom land" drained by Willow branch, and was formerly known as the Glass farm. Major Glass used to be the owner of the place and the cemetery, which occupies one acre of the farm, was in the days gone by named in his honor. His wife and child were the first two persons interred in the burial ground. This is one of the fine stock farms of Summit township and Mr. Grant is successfully raising white-face cattle and Poland China hogs, keeping registered males at the head of each herd, and Barred Plymouth Rock chickens. Since acquiring the ownership of the farm, Mr. Grant has built a barn, 48 x 48 feet in dimensions, installed a wind-mill and scales, put up hog-tight wire fencing in all the pastures, and remodeled the residence. The marriage of E.G. Grant and Susan Tyler was solemnized in 1909. Susan (Tyler) Grant is a daughter of W.B. and Rachel (Moore) Tyler. W.B. Tyler, a Confederate veteran of the Civil War, was born in Kentucky. Mrs. Tyler is a native of Missouri, as is also her daughter, Mrs. Grant. Mr. Tyler enlisted in the Civil War when he was a very young man and served throughout the struggle. He is a descendant of Charles Tyler, an honored pioneer of Bates county, Missouri, who settled on a tract of land near old Johnstown, in the earliest days of the settlement of this part of Missouri. Grandfather Tyler and Grandfather Moore were both brave, old pioneers and wealthy slaveowners of Bates county in the days before the War. Mr. Moore died near Lamonte, Missouri, during the Civil War, when his clothing and bedding were taken from him by the Federals, his death coming as the result of exposure. To E.G. and Susan Grant have been born two children: William and Charles. As a public-spirited, progressive citizen, there is no more highly valued man in Bates county than Mr. Grant.
GRAVES, W. W.
The Old Settlers' History of Bates County, 1900
JUDGE W. W. GRAVES, the subject of this sketch, was born in Lafayette County, Mo., December 17, 1860; was educated in the public schools and State University. He was appointed School Commissioner of Bates County by Governor Marmaduke and was elected for a full term. The only other public office he has held was city attorney for the city of Butler. He was nominateil for Circuit Judge by the Democratic convention in 1898, after a protracted struggle, and was triumphantly elected at the following election. Judge Graves has now been on the bench about one year, and he has established a reputation for judicial acumen and fairness, and is undoubtedly one of the ablest circuit judges in Missouri, as well as one of the youngest. He has had a phenomenal career at the bar since he abandoned the teacher's birch and the editorial tripod in a country village. Hard work and close application has earned for him deserved success in the profession, and a bright future is before him.
GRAVES, Waller Washington
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
WALLER WASHINGTON GRAVES, member of the supreme court of Missouri since April, 1906, his term to continue until 1918, was born in Lafayette county, this state, December 17, 1860. His father, Abram L. Graves, was a prosperous farmer of that county and subsequently became a resident of Bates county. He had been left an orphan at an early age and was reared by his grandfather, Abram Larsh, one of the earliest settlers of Lafayette county, the Larsh family having come from Maryland, where representatives of the name had resided from a period antedating the Revolution. The Graves family were mostly from North Carolina, where they owned and cultivated large cotton plantations prior to the Civil War. Abram L. Graves was born in Palmyra, Missouri, and has made farming his life work. He wedded Martha E. Pollard, a native of Kentucky, whose girlhood, however, was largely passed in this state. She came of an old Virginia family. Her mother was a Waller and her ancestors were nearly all people who were among the colonists of this country. Several of the family took part in the struggle for American independence. Mrs. Graves passed away in 1910. At the usual age, Waller W. Graves became a public-school pupil in his native county and later had the advantage of training in the State University until 1881. He took up the profession of teaching, but regarded that merely as an initial step to other professional labor. He read law in the office of Parkinson & Abernathy, two of the prominent attorneys in his section of the state, and was admitted to practice by the circuit court at Butler in 1885. That his former preceptor, Judge Parkinson, had entertained high regard for the young law student is indicated in the fact that he admitted him at once to a partnership that was maintained until 1893, when it was dissolved by reason of Judge Parkinson's removal to Kansas City. Mr. Graves was then joined by Harvey C. Clark under the style of Graves & Clark and they soon gained a place among the prominent representatives of the bar of southwestern Missouri. Various positions of trust have been accorded Mr. Graves who through appointment of Governor Marmaduke became school commissioner of Bates county to fill a vacancy, and at the close of the term he was reelected by a handsome majority. He undertook many reform steps and largely improved the condition and raised the standard of the schools. Ever in sympathy with the cause of higher education, his fine executive talent was brought to the discharge of his duties and his efforts were highly satisfactorily effective. He was also city attorney of Butler from 1890 until 1892. He there continued in the practice of law as a member of the firm of Graves & Clark until 1899, when he was elected circuit judge, serving upon the circuit bench for a term of six years. He then resumed law practice, but in April, 1906, was again called to a judicial position in his appointment to succeed Judge Marshall of the state supreme court, who had resigned. Later in the same year he was elected for a short term of two years and in 1908 was reelected for the full term of ten years. On the 30th of June, 1892, Mr. Graves was married, in Butler, to Miss Alice M. Ludwick, a lady of innate culture and refinement, daughter of John L. and Mary (Fletcher) Ludwick, both of whom are now deceased. Her father was one of the first settlers of Bates county, and a splendid representative of the German American element. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have three children: Ludwick, attending the William Jewell College; Waller W., a graduate of the Jefferson City High School; and John L., aged twelve, attending the public schools. Some years ago a contemporary biographer wrote: "Mr. Graves is one of Butler's most patriotic and enterprising citizens. Seldom is any plan instituted for the benefit of his town with which he is not identified. His progressiveness follows a course of the widest civic patriotism, in which there is no alloy of special self-interest, as is too often true of enterprises intended to benefit the community. The same distinction applies to his connection with politics, in which he engages solely because of his interests in and desire of good government. Although a life-long and ardent Democrat, he lets is be known that he is not an office seeker, and the only ambition cherished by him is that of ranking high as a lawyer. He is a leader of his party and is always willing to give his services to the cause on the stump or in the council. "Those who know him do not wonder that he is so thoroughly en rapport with the work of his profession, for he has been eminently fitted therefor both by nature and training. Tall and large, handsome, of commanding presence, with a rich, full and strong voice which has been highly cultivated, ready of speech and with an ample fund of words on which to draw, it is no exaggeration to state that he is one of the most pleasing, logical and convincing speakers among the lawyers of Missouri. In presenting a case to court or jury his arguments are always strong, forcible and clear, abounding in concise statements and logical reasoning. As a counselor his judgment may always be depended upon and he is noted for his ready tact in the trial of a case. One of his strongest points is his thorough preparation in all cases that he undertakes and as a result he knows the strength and weakness of both sides of the contention and thus he is always ready for any eventuality. In the trial of a case he never takes extensive notes, but is possessed of the rare faculty of remembering the evidence in detail of all witnesses, their bearing on the stand, etc. and months afterward can readily call it to mind. This alone makes him formidable, as always being ready to take advantage of any discrepancies of conflicting statements. He is an expert technician and abounds with ready references, precedents and decisions; in fact, he treats his profession as a technical science. The case that is so poor that it has to depend upon the ability of the lawyer rather than evidence is fortunate if Mr. Graves appears in its behalf." Judge Graves ranks today with the ablest jurists of Missouri and there are many who predict that still higher professional honors will come to him. In his conduct and relations he is a gentleman of the old school. In his profession he stands as a representative of that progress which has characterized the profession, being in close touch with the work of the courts in later years as well as the old time legal principles which constitute the foundation of the law. Judge Graves was offered the appointment to the United States senate by Governor Gardner to succeed the late Senator Stone at the death of Senator Stone, but he declined to accept.
GREEN, Lucien
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
LUCIEN GREEN, a son of Stephen W. and Lucy Green, was born in Athens county, Ohio, July 10, 1844. He was a private in Company A, One Hundred Twenty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in July, 1863 and was mustered out with the regiment at the expiration of his term of enlistment in March, 1864. He was married to Polly Smith in August, 1868. In January, 1874, he with wife and son, A.C. Green, came to Bates county, Missouri, and for a few years resided on a farm near Butler. In January, 1882, he with his family moved to Hudson township, where he now resides. Mr. Green is a Republican in politics and in 1894 was candidate for county recorder.
GREGG, John H.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Howard Township, Bates Co, MO
JOHN H. GREGG, farmer and cattle feeder, section 10, is recognized as a substantial citizen of this township. He owes his nativity to Loudoun County, Virginia, having been born there August 16, 1843. His parents, Joseph G. and Martha A. (Sheppard) Gregg, who were also born in the same county, are now residents of Pettis County, Missouri. John H., the second of a family of six children, was educated at Central College, of Howard County, Missouri, and graduated at the Commercial College at St. Louis. During 1869-70, he was engaged in mercantile trade at Sedalia, Missouri, and afterwards was in the lumber business at La Mont. Finally, he turned his attention to the stock business. After settling in Bates County, Mr. Gregg was married, December 19, 1872, to Miss Lucinda Okey, who was born February 20, 1852, in Morrow County, Ohio, and daughter of John and Maria Okey nee Williams, natives of Ohio, who moved to Pettis County, Missouri, in 1867. In 1876, Mr. G. located on his present farm, containing 160 acres of cultivated land. He and his wife have three children: Ada, Okey and an infant. They are both members of the M. E. Church South.
GREGG, Joseph J.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Howard Township, Bates Co, MO
JOSEPH. J. GREGG, farmer and stock feeder, is owner of a fine farm in section 9, embracing 160 acres, the improvements on which have been made since 1880. He was born in Pettis County, Missouri, January 1, 1853, and is the son of Joseph G. and Martha A. Gregg, nee Sheppard, both originally from Loudoun County, Virginia, but now residents of Pettis County, Missouri. Joseph J. was brought up in the county of his birth, and received his education at Warrensburg. When eighteen years of age he commenced life as a farmer, and his efforts in this direction have not been without good results, as is shown by his present possessions. February 7, 1877, he married Miss Sattie Cox, a native of Livingston County, Illinois, born February 19, 1858. Her parents were D. and Grace Cox, who early settled in Pettis County, where their daughter was raised and educated. Mr. and Mrs. G. now have one child, Mable. They are both connected with the M. E. Church, South.
GROVES, M. L.
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - Mt. Pleasant Township, Bates Co, MO
M. L. GROVES, carpenter and contractor, is the pioneer mechanic of Butler, having resided in this city since March 28, 1868. His parents were Lyman M. and Minerva (Bradley) Groves, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Vermont. He himself was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, March 28, 1834. In 1847, the family moved to Summit County, Ohio, and in 1850, to Lorain County, where he grew to manhood. He was educated in the common schools of Ohio, and learned the carpenter's trade at Oberlin, of that state. In the spring of 1857, he went to Iowa, locating in Dubuque County, having also worked in Chicago and at other points. He resided in Dubuque County until coming to Butler. Mr. Groves was married January 27, 1866, to Miss Josephine McCants, a native of Dubuque County, Iowa, and a daughter of Elias and Mary (Whitesides) McCants. Mr. G. has living two children: Lucy J. and Mary.
GROVES, William
History of Cass & Bates Co, MO, 1883 - West Boone Township, Bates Co, MO
WILLIAM GROVES was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, October 6, 1820, his parents being Joseph and Catherine (Staley) Groves, and of German descent. When twelve years of age, William came to Springfield, Illinois, and in the following year went to the mountains in the employ of the Hudson Bay Fur Company. He has passed the greater part of his time in the West, having gone to California in 1849, and to Colorado in 1864, and spending from one to four years at each period. In 1868 he came to Missouri and purchased land where he now lives. He was married, in 1845, to Miss Sarah C. Smith, a native of Virginia. They have seven children: Frances, Matilda, Margaret, Rebecca, Catherine, and Samuel. His eldest daughter, Frances, was married February 2, 1862 to Gilbert L. Sayles, a native of Hillsdale County, Michigan, born February 1, 1838. He has since lived in Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. He is a carpenter by trade, and has worked at his trade in nearly all of these states. They have six children: Minerva E. (wife of David McBride, and living in Miami County, Kansas); Margaret Ethel, Sarah Lavina, Minnie Lee, William Jesse, George Eli (died when two years old), Cora Ettie. Mr. Sayles has a snug little farm of 140 acres, lying adjacent to that of his father-in-law.
GUTRIDGE, George H.
History of Bates County, Missouri, W. O. Atkeson, 1918
GEORGE H. GUTRIDGE of Deepwater township, was born in a log cabin, on the farm which he now owns, April 27, 1863, and has the distinction of being the only "old settler" living in Bates county who was born nearest the time of the issuance of Order Number 11 by Gen. Thomas Ewing in 1863. He is the son of Peter Gutridge, a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, who was born in 1822 and made a settlement in Deepwater township as early as 1845. He was married in Henry county, Missouri, in 1849, to Angelina Dickison, who was born in Licking county, Ohio. During the Civil War period, Peter Gutridge returned to Ohio and was in that state when Order Number Eleven was issued. Mrs. Gutridge took her children and returned to her old home in Henry county, remaining there until after the close of the war. When the family returned to the cabin, the live stock had disappeared and the house had been looted of its contents and it was necessary for them to make a new start. Peter Gutridge died on his homestead in 1877. Mrs. Gutridge died in 1898, and the remains of both are interred in Dickison cemetery. They were parents of children as follow: Joanna, wife of Samuel S. Stapleton, deceased; Minerva, wife of Jonathan Jackson, Deepwater township; Samuel W., living at Bliss, Idaho; Susan A., wife of William Fletcher, Oregon; Lewis, deceased; George H., subject of this review; Mary M., wife of Grant Thornberg, Oregon; John and Jefferson, died in infancy. George H. Gutridge was educated in the district schools and Butler Academy and also pursued a course of study in Bucks County College located in Muskingum county, Ohio. Mr. Gutridge has spent twenty-four years of his life in Oregon. He first went to that state in 1887 and remained for seven years employed in placer mining. In 1893, he washed out six thousand, two hundred thirty-six dollars in gold dust from his mines. He returned home and lived on the home place and engaged in mercantile business in Spruce until 1899 and again went to Oregon, this time remaining in the mining country of that state for eight years. On his first trip he became owner of or part owner of a gold mine and operated it on his own account. After a return trip home he journeyed a third time to the mining region and remained for only one year in Baker county on a ranch. His first home was located two and one-fourth miles from Spruce, a farm which he owned for some years, and he eventually became owner of the Gutridge home place consisting of one hundred and nine acres, partly through inheritance and partly by purchase of the interests of the other heirs. Mr. Gutridge remodeled his residence in 1909 and has done considerable improving about his property. He keeps good grades of cattle, hogs and horses, and is thrifty, and industrious. Mr. Gutridge was married in 1893 to Miss Lydia M. Durrett, of Bates county, a daughter of Henry M. and Susan Caroline Durrett, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter a native of Kentucky. The Durretts came to Missouri and first located in Cass county. After a residence of some years in that county they came to Bates county, and are now residing near Johnstown. Mr. and Mrs. Gutridge have an adopted daughter, Ermine, born July 9, 1911. During the Civil War a company of soldiers who were a part of the command of General Price were passing through the country, camping in the Spruce neighborhood, and stopped to gather apples from the Gutridge orchard. As they were stripping the trees, Peter Gutridge objected and warned them to desist as he did want his fruit crop ruined. The soldiers continued to damage and strip the trees of their fruit, and seizing his gun, he fired over their heads with the intention of showing that he meant to defend his property. A small shot happened to hit a soldier in the heel. Whereupon, Mr. Gutridge's ordered and he was taken to Balltown, Vernon county, but shortly afterwards turned loose and returned to his home. The first trading post of the Gutridges was at Johnstown and later at old Papinsville, the first county seat. The elder Gutridge broke the prairie sod with ox-teams and the early life of the family in the rude log cabin which he erected upon his farm was lived amid primitive surroundings and the accompanying hardships of the pioneer era of settlement. In the autumn of 1916, George H. Gutridge was awarded a lap robe as a prize, being the winner of a contest promoted in Butler to ascertain which old settler in the county was born on the date nearest to the time when Order Number Eleven was issued.
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