JOHN S. AUSTIN

(Of N. M. Read & Co., Millers, Granville).

Mr. Austin bought an interest in the Granville mill in 1865, and

has since been identified with it as one of its owners and proprietors

and active operators. This is an excellent mill of two run of buhrs,

with ample machinery of a good quality and pattern, and does firstclass

custom work. It is run by steam power and is one of the valuable

pieces of mill property in the north-western part of the county.

Mr. Austin is an experienced miller and, besides, a polite, accommodating

man, and thus not only does good work but knows how to

treat the public so as to keep up the enviable reputation both be and

his mill enjoy. Mr. Austin was born in Marion county, October 14,

1838. His father, John F. Austin, came to this State from Kentucky

as early as 1830, and was married to his second wife, subsequently

the mother of John S., whose maiden name was Miss S. J. Wilson,

soon after coming to the State. He died in Marion county in 1849

and the same year John S., then 11 years of age, came over into

Monroe county, where he has since lived. He was reared on a farm

in this county, but whilst still young apprenticed himself to the carpenter's

trade, under his uncle, Wesley Wilson, at Paris, with whom

he worked until he had mastered the business. He then worked for

others or on his own account at his trade in Paris up to 1861, when,

having married several years before, he settled on a farm, and followed

farming for two or three years. Becoming dissatisfied, however,

in 1865 he came to Granville and bought an interest in the' mill,

as stated above. October 14, 1858, Mr. Austin was married to Miss

Nannie E. Kipper, a daughter of John and Jane Kipper, of this

county, but formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have seven

children: Adda E., wife of J. Wesley McGee; Jennie S., Anna May,

Marcus B., Frank W., Belle and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. A. and all

their family, except the two youngest children, are members of the

Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Granville

and of the Chapter at Paris.

HON. MARCUS D. BLAKEY

(Ex-Representative, and Farmer and Fine Stock-raiser, Post-office, Granville).

Among the leading citizens and prominent and successful farmers

and stock-raisers of the county, the subject of the present sketch has

long occupied an enviable position. He came to the county when the

whole country around him was in its primitive condition, unfenced

and untouched by the husbandman. He purchased 700 acres of fine

land and improved a handsome farm, having under fence nearly the

whole of his tract. His farm is one of the best improved in his part

of the county, having a large two-story residence, commodious barns,

other out-buildings of every needed kind, substantial fences, large

fields and pastures, a good orchard, etc., etc. In fact, it is one of the

choice places of the county. Mr. Blakey makes a specialty of raising

fine stock, and has a herd of some 25 as fine thoroughbred short-horns

as are to be met with in Monroe county, besides having sold off a

number of fine cattle, for he raises them to sell principally as breeders,

and has done a great deal in this way for the improvement of the

grade of cattle raised in the county. He also makes a specialty of

raising Poland-China hogs, of which he has a large number. One of

the progressive-minded, enterprising farmers of the county, he is at

the same time one of its most public-spirited and popular citizens.

Favored in early life with an advanced education, and having afterwards

followed mercantile pursuits with success for a number of years,

his education and experience in affairs are such as to entitle him to

the enviable position he has so long held. Mr. Blakey is a native of

the Old Dominion, born in Madison county March 28, 1822. On both

sides he came of old and respected Virginia families, the Blakeys and

the Ruckers, and his father, James Blakey, was in comfortable circumstances.

His mother, formerly Miss -Margaret Rucker, was a

daughter of Angus Rucker, a well-to-do and influential citizen of

Madison county. She is still living, at the advanced age of 91. Marcus

D. was educated in his native county, and besides studying the

other higher branches took a course in advanced mathematics, including

trigonometry, and also a course in Latin and Greek. He then

taught school in Virginia with success for three years. In 1844 he

came to Missouri and located at Clinton, in Monroe county, where he

engaged in merchandising. From there he removed to Paris and

continued merchandising up to 1854. Meanwhile he had purchased

the tract of land on which he now resides, and he then moved on to it

and opened a farm. November 3, 1847, he was married to Miss Patsey

J. Buckner, a daughter of Madison Buckner, a pioneer settler of this

county from Virginia, and related to the prominent Buckner family of

that State, Kentucky and Missouri. Mr. Blakey's first wife died on

the third of November, 1871, leaving him six children, who are now

grown up and married: Ellen M., wife of Benjamin F. Harvey; Mary

A., wife of T. T. Rodes; Frederick G., Angus R., Julia B. and

Katie M. Mr. Blakey was married to his present wife November 23,

1872. She was Mrs. R. A. Weedin, widow of Mr. Weedin, deceased,

and a daughter of Dr. Sylvester Hagin, of this county, but formerly

of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Blakey have one son, Harry, nine years

of age. Mr. Blakey has always been identified with the Democratic

party, taking an active interest in its success and the triumph of Democratic

principles. Away back in 1856 he was assessor, and has held

other positions of consideration. In 1878 he was nominated for the

Legislature and was elected by a large majority, receiving nearly as

many votes as both the candidates who ran against him. He acquitted

himself with great credit in the Legislature and occupied a position of

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 441

more than ordinary influence in that body. Personally, he is a man

of pleasant, agreeable manners, and readily wins the good opinion of

all with whom he comes in contact. No man in the vicinity is more

highly esteemed as a neighbor and friend than he.

JOHN S. CROW

(Farmer and Fine Stock Breeder, Post-office, Paris).

In the early days of this county, for a number of years Dr. Samuel

,Crow, the father of the subject of this sketch, and Dr. Bower, were

the physicians of the county, that is, if they were not the only practitioners

here they were the leading ones, and did by far the principal

part of the practice. Dr. Crow was a Kentuckian, and early came to

Missouri with his family, his wife having been a Miss Catherine Smith,

of Kentucky. He first located in Cole county, where John S., the

,son, was born November 10, 1828. Whilst the latter was still in

infancy Dr. Crow removed to Monroe county with his family and

settled in the neighborhood in which John S. now resides, or rather in

this vicinity, there being little or no " neighborhood" here for want

of neighbors, inasmuch as the county was then nearly a wilderness.

He practiced medicine in this county over an area of 20 or 30 miles,

being almost constantly in the saddle or at the bedside of the suffering,

until at last he who had healed so many was himself stricken down by

the fatal hand of death. He was a man well known all over the

county, one whose life had been of much value to the people, and his

loss was greatly deplored. He had accumulated a handsome fortune

for those days, and at his death was the owner of 3,000 acres of

choice lands. He died in 1852. John S. Crow was principally reared

in this county, and received a good general English education by

private instruction and in the subscription schools of the vicinity;

indeed, most of his time was spent in study, for he was generally in

delicate health during his adolescence. In 1853 he made a visit to

Kentucky,,and there met and was married to Miss Catherine Kerr, a

daughter of Enos Kerr, a leading citizen of Louisville. Mrs. Crow is

a lady of superior education and rare intelligence, one of the estimable

and excellent ladies of the county. Returning to Missouri with his

fair young wife, Mr. Crow engaged in farming on the old family

homestead, where he resided for about three years. He then bought

raw land and improved a place of his own, where he has since continued

to reside. He has a handsome farm of 330 acres, which is

improved with good fences, buildings, etc., meadows, pastures, and

the like, a fine orchard and small fruits, and everything is in excellent

shape. Mr. Crow, besides farming and raising stock in a general

way, is making a specialty of fine cattle, and has a fine Palangus,

Gregis, two years of age. Mr. Crow is a man of sterling character,

superior intelligence, and one of the substantial, highly esteemed

citizens of Clay township. Hospitable about his home and unassuminog

in manners and conversation, as a neighbor he is highly prized

by all around him. Mr. and Mrs. Crow have reared a family of seven

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 442

children: Lavenia, wife of Charles Burk; Cora, wife of Angus

Blakey: Laura, wife of Andy Bassett; Charles D., Enos R., Frank

and Smith.

HENRY CURTRIGHT,

(Farmer, Post-office, Granville).

Mr. and Mrs. Curtright are members of the Christian Church, at

Granville, believing that the views held by that church are nearest in

accord with the true teachings of the Scriptures. They have been

members of the church for years, and by their lives endeavor to illustrate,

as nearly as the weakness of flesh and contiguous conditions will

allow, the great principles of faith and hope and good works which

they profess. Mr. Curtright, as was his wife, was brought up by

Christian parents, and had instilled into his youthful mind the lessons

of piety, charity and religious truth, which he has never forgotten. He

was born in Bourbon county, Ky., December 21, 1843. His father

was Hezekiah M. Curtright, named after that great and good king of

Judah, who suppressed idolatry in Jerusalem and re-established the true

religion. He also cleansed and repaired the temple and held a solemn

passover. A more extended account of his life appears in Isaiah

xxxvi. Mr. Curtright's mother, a good and most excellent lady, was

formerly Miss Cynthia A. Stipp, and both the father and mother were

native Kentuckians. In 1844 the family removed to Missouri and

located in Monroe county. Here the iather bought the farm where

the son now lives, which was partly improved, and the improvement

of which he completed. Besides being a man greatly interested in the

church, he was deeply concerned for the public good, and took a leading

part in opening roads throughout this part of the county. He was

for a number of years road overseer and made nearly all the roads of

Clay township. He died in February, 1866. His wife died in 1871.

Henry, after he grew up, served in the Southern army under Col.

Porter for a while and was In the battle at Kirksville, where he was

wounded in the side, under the arm. He was taken prisoner and confined

at St. Louis and Alton for about 18 months. He then took

the oath and was released, and came back to the home place.

December 26, 1867, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Clay, a daughter

of C. S. Clay, of this county, whose sketch appears on another page

of this volume, one of the sterling, good men of the county, a pioneer

settler here from Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Curtright continued

on the home place for two years. He then rented land and

farmed until 1871, when he rented the home place and lived on it for

two years afterwards. After his mother's death he bought the other

children's interests as they became of age, and now owns the old

homestead. He has 140 acres in this farm, all under fence, an

excellent homestead, substantially and comfortably improved. He

has just built a new dwelling and is constantly adding to the value of

the place. Mr. and Mrs. Curtright have six children: Leonard E.,

Hezekiah, Charles M. and Maggie L., twins, and Travis L. and

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 443

Martha A. Mr. Curtright is a man of great personal worth and is

held in high respect by his neighbors and all who know himn.

JAMES DYE

(Farmer, Post-office, Granville).

Before Monroe county had " a habitation or a name," away back in

the wilderness-days of the country, the Dye family came to Missouri.

This was long before the subject of the present sketch was born,, he

having been born in Ralls county, December 20, 1829. His parents,

Fauntleroy and Elizabeth (Young) Dye, were from Kentucky to this

State, but his mother was originally from North Carolina. When

the territory, now in half a dozen counties, was known as Rails

county, theii an almost uninhabitable wild, with a settler here and

there, a day's journey apart or more, they came to Ralls county and

located in that part of it which is still included in the original county

of that name. James Dye was born after his parents had been living

there a number of years, and the following year they moved to what

is now known as Monroe county. There they located on Big Indian

creek, now in Indian Creek township, where they entered land in the

timber, for no one thought the prairies were fit for cultivation then,

where they opened a farm and lived some ten years. Selling out,

however, in 1840, they crossed over into Shelby county, where they

improved another farm and lived until their death. The father died

November 28, 1870, at an advanced age._ James Dye was principally

reared in Shelby county, and when twenty-one years of age went to

Texas, in 1851, then an al'most terra incognita to the civilized

world, where he spent about a year engaged in trade, and also taught

school in a neighiborhood of settlers who went there with the AEneas

Italice of the Lone Star State, Col. Sam. Houston. Returning to

Missouri, he resumed farming, and on September 1, 1853, was married

to Miss Anna Bozarth, a daughter of Elias Bozarth, of Monroe

county, but formerly of Kentucky. After his marriage he returned

to Texas, but remained only a short time, coming back in 1855 and

settling in Shelby county, where he improved a farm, and resided in

Shelby county, engaged in farming, until 1864, when he removed to

Monroe county and located about four miles south of Paris, in Jackson

township. Mr. Dye lived in Jackson township for nearly 20

years, but something over a year ago sold his place there and bought

the farm where he now resides, at Greenville, to which he at once

removed. Here he has a place of 125 acres, on which he has good

homestead improvements, including besides the buildings, fences, etc.,

a good ice-house and an orchard of about 100 bearing trees. August

21, 1862, he had the misfortune to lose his first wife, who left him three

sons: Fauntleroy, Elias and Jacob D., who have grown up to manhood,

and the two oldest are married and have four children in the

aggregate. They and their wives are members of the Christian

Church. To his present wife he was married in 1863. Her maiden

name was Miss Mary Woods, and she was a daughter of John Woods, of

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 444

this county, but formerly of Kentucky. They have reared a daughter,

Mary E., now the wife of William J. Glascock. Mrs. Glascock has

an infant child, Bessie Lee. Mr. Dye and wife and daughter are

members of the Granville Christian Church.

'SQUIRE WILSON T. FIELDS

(Farmer and Raiser and Shipper of Stock, Post-office, Granville).

'Squire Fields, who served as judicial magistrate of Clay township

for 16 years consecutively, subsequent to 1860, and who is one of the

substantial property holders and leading, influential men of this township,

comes of the Maryland branch of the Fields family, a family

that has given to the country some of its ablest and purest men in

public life, and a number of distinguished characters in other departments

of activity, including the professions and the arts and sciences.

The 'Squire's father, John Fields, was in tender years when the latter's

parents became pioneer settlers in Kentucky from Maryland. He

grew up in the future famous Blue Grass State, and was married there

to Miss Elizabeth Wiseheart, of Nelson county. The 'Squire was born

in Washington county, January 21, 1827, and the family continued to

reside there until after he had attained his majority and married. He

married Miss Caroline Bell, a daughter of Col. William Bell, of

Washington county, and a most estimable and intelligent lady, December

22, 1853. Reared a farmer, he pursued that occupation in Kentucky

for some five years after his marriage, when he with his family,

in company with his father's family, removed to Missouri, and settled

on the land where he now resides, which he had previously bought.

It was raw land and he went to work here and improved a good farm.

The father died June 6, 1865. Previous to this 'Squire Fields had

lost his wife, May 17, 1863. She left him four children, namely:

Letitia, wife of James E. Brengle; John H., Logan M. and Elizabeth,.

wife of R. D. Phillips. 'Squire Fields was married to his present wife

April 14, 1864. She was formerly Miss Mary B. Wilson, a daughter

of William H. and Maria B.(Hoge) Wilson, originally of Virginia. The

'Squire is blessed with six children by this union: Washington, Oscar,

Maude, Lillie, Robert and Burr. 'Squire Fields has been a large landholder

in the township, but has given to his children and sold off until

he now has less than a half section, over a quarter of a section ot

which is improved. He has a good homestead, and is a hospitable,

plain, frank old gentleman whom it is always a pleasure to meet, particularly

at his own home. His life has been one of industry and

strict uprightness, and he therefore meets every honest man with an

open countenance and a hearty, generous greeting. He was elected

magistrate in 1860, and held the office as long as he would accept it,

for 16 years. He could have had other positions, but never had any

desire for public life, always preferring the quiet and comforts of home

and the society of his neighbors and friends to the worry and annoyance

and empty parade of prominent official station. The 'Squire

ships annually about four car loads of stock, two of cattle and two of

445 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

hogs. He and wife and five eldest children are all members of the

Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a prominent member of the

Masonic order.

JACOB H. FORD

(Farmer, Post-Office, Granville).

Mr. Ford, now 63 years of age, is a native of Monroe county, born

August 21, 1821, and is thought to have been the first white male

child born in the limits of the county. His father, Pleasant Ford,

was a pioneer settler in Missouri, coming to this State as early as

1818, and was the first sheriff ever elected in this county. Mr. Ford's

mother was a Miss Ellen Harris before her marriage. The family

first located in Howard county, but in 1820 removed to Monroe county

and settled at Middle Grove, where Jacob H. was born. His father

served two terms as sheriff, and in 1825 returned to Howard county,

but came back to Monroe five years afterwards and settled near Paris.

He resided here until his death, which occurred in 1844. Jacob H.

was reared in the county and when 22 years of age, January 17, 1844,

was married to Miss Mary W. Abernathy, a daughter of James R.

Abernathy, formerly of Kentucky and the first treasurer of Monroe

county. After his marriage Mr. Ford lived on his father's farm one

year and then removed to Boone county, but soon came back and

bought a farm three miles north of Paris. He lived there until the

spring of 1861, when he moved to a place which he had bought

adjoining the one on which he now resides, where he lived for twelve

years. He then sold that place and bought his present homestead.

This contains 260 acres of land, and is well improved. He devotes

most of his land to meadow, finding it to be a paying crop. He also

has another tract of land in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have

reared six children: D. Ella, wife of C. S. Wood; William H., also

married; Arzelia, wife of Joseph Brierly; Tirey L., Zerelda, wife of

L. M. Webb, and Hugh W. Mr. and Mrs. Ford and all their family

except one son, who has not yet joined, are members of the Granville

Christian Church.

TIREY FORD

(Farmer, Post-Office, Granville).

Mr. Ford is a brother to Jacob H. Ford, whose sketch precedes

this, being three years the latter's junior, and was in infancy when his

parents came to Missouri, having been born in Madison county,

January 21, 1818. His father was from Virginia, but was brought

out to Kentucky by the latter's parents when he was but six years of

age, the family being pioneer settlers in Madison county of the Blue

Grass State. Pleasant Ford was married, after he grew up, to Miss

Ellen Harris, originally of South Carolina, but whose parents were

also pioneers in Kentucky. After their marriage they came to Missouri,

as stated in the sketch of Jacob H. They came to this county

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 446

in the spring of 1821. In 1832 the father was elected sheriff of the

county and re-elected in 1834, serving in all four years. He died here

in 1844. He was in well-to-do circumstances considering the times

and the opportunities to make money, and gave his children as good

school advantages as could be had here at that time. Tirey Ford had

instruction in the higher branches, including algebra and surveying,

and became a successful and popular school teacher. He taught

school for about 10 years, including one term in Paris. May 1,'1845,

he was married to Miss Elizabeth Collins, a daughter of James Collins,

formerly of Kentucky. After his marriage he located on a farm near

Greenwood, and the following season bought a part of the land where

he now resides, where he improved a farm. He subsequently added

to this until he had a large place. He has sold off considerable land,

however, but still has nearly 300 acres; 240 acres of his place are in

cultivation, pasturage and meadow. His place is comfortably improved.

In 1854 Mr. Ford was elected justice of the peace and has served

three terms in that office with great satisfaction to the public and

entire efficiency in the discharge of his duties as a magistrate. 'Squire

and Mrs. Ford have four children: Pleasant T., who is married and

resides on the home place; Elgie, wife of D. Kippen, of Granville;

Pierce and Joseph C. They have lost two, Sarah E., wife of David

Hollingsworth, who died in 1881 leaving four children, and Bessie,

who died in 1877 at the age of 21. 'Squire and Mrs. Ford are

members of the Christian Church. The 'Squire is one of the substantial

men of Clay township, and is highly respected by all.

JOHN R. HANGER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Shelbina).

Mr. Hanger, partly reared in Monroe county, was 24 years of age

when the war broke out. A native of Virginia, not unworthy of the

historic State that gave him birth, he promptly identified himself

with the cause of his country -the South. During the first months

of the war he enlisted in the. State service, and then at the re-organization

became a regular Confederate soldier in the Second Missouri

Infantry, under Col. Frank M. Cockerill, now United States Senator

from this State. He served under Col. Cockerill, afterwards Gen.

Cockerill, until the close of the war, and contributed his full share to

the services of that command which gave its commander such a name

and reputation as a soldier that he was afterwards elected to the

United States Senate, a command that bore a gallant and conspicuous

part in many of the hardest fought battles of the war.

"Fortune's wheel is on the turn,

And some go up and some go down."

The South went down in defeat and many of her bravest sons now

sleep beneath her sod. Nor did Mr. Hanger make anything by the

447 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

war-indeed, he lost all he had, and had to commence life anew,

penniless and broken in health. But

"Except wind stands as never it stood,

It is an ill wind turns none to good. "

The private soldiers who did the fighting and the starving and underwent

all the hardships and dangers of the war, received none of the

credits or rewards of the struggle, where credits and rewards were to

be distributed, but all went to the officers. Such seems to be the

order of things in general in this majestic world. A life-seat in the

Senate at $6,000 a year for the services which others performed, is but

another illustration of this apparently inevitable law of merits and

rewards. Mr. Hanger participated in the battles of Lexington, Elk

Horn, Champion's Hill, Baker's Creek, Blackwater, the siege of

Vicksburg, Altoona, Franklin and other engagements. At Franklin,

Tenn., he was disabled by a wound in the leg and taken prisoner. He

was held at Camp Douglas for about two months and then paroled.

In June, 1865, he returned home and obtained a situation in a.store

at Shelbina. After this he engaged in farming, and in 1870 was married

to Mrs. Fannie Barry, widow of William C. Barry, who was

killed while in the Confederate army. After his marriage Mr.

Hanger located on the old Hanger homestead in Monroe county,

where he has since resided. He has a good place of 160 acres, where

he has long been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and with

excellent success. A man of good business qualifications and popular

address, as well as of unimpeachable character, and a life-long Democrat,

in 1876 he was nominated by the Democrats for assessor and

was duly elected to that office, which he held for three years. He

aquitted himself of the duties of his office with efficiency an-d to the

general satisfaction of the public, making one of the best assessors the

county ever had. Mr. and Mrs. Hanger have two children: Lucy B.

and Carrie R., and two are deceased, Charlie B. and an infant. Mrs.

Hanger is a member of the M. E. Church South. Mr. Hanger is a

hospitable, social gentleman and is quite popular with all who know

him. He was a son of Robinson and Virginia T. (Kennerly) Hanger,

formerly of Virginia, and was born in Augusta county, that State,

December 18, 1836. The family removed to Missouri in 1851, and

settled in Monroe county, where they now reside.

ALJOURNAL HANGER

(Farmer, Post-office, Granville).

It was when Aljournal was 10 years of age, in 1857, that his

parents, Peter and Elizabeth A. (Bear) Hanger, turned the front of

the immigrant wagon towards Missouri, where they expected to make

their future home. Their ancestors had long been settled in Virginia,

and it was the State of their fathers that they were leaving. Aljournal

was born there (in Augustacounty) April 6, 1847. They all landed

448 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

safe and sound in Monroe county in the fall of 1857, and settled on

the land on which Aljournal now resides. Here they made an excellent

farm, a comfortable home, and here the father lived out the

remainder of a useful and blameless life. He died May 31, 1873,

deplored by all who knew him, for he was a man of many friends and

no known enemies. Aljournal grew up on the farm, as most boys

in the country do who are raised on farms, assisting in work on the

place and attending the neighborhood schools. In obedience to one

of the great fundamental laws of humanity, a law that is as natural as

that the fruit shall fall when it is over-ripe, he was married after he

attained his manhood. This happy event was celebrated, as in such

cases made and provided, on the 20th of September, 1876. It was

then that Mrs. Lizzie A. Beller, relict of William Beller, and a most

estimable and excellent lady, became his wife. She was a daughter

of James D. Maupin, one of the honored old pioneers of this county

from Virginia, and she had one child by her first marriage, Willie

Mary. Already Mr. Hanger had been actively engaged in farming for

himself, and by his industry and good management had laid the foundation

for a competency. He continued his farming operations with

unabated vigor and enterprise, and has long held a position as one of

'the substantial farmers of Clay township. He has nearly 200 acres

of land, over half of which is well improved. His place has a good

two-story residence and other buildings and improvements to correspond.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanger have three children : Robert Lee, Alma

F. and John Marshall. Mrs. H. is a worthy member of the M. E.

Church South.

ISAAC S. HEATHMAN

(Farmer, Post-office, Granville).

Mr. Heathman's father, Martin Heathman, was for many years

before his death, as the son now is, one of the thorough-going

farmers and worthy, respected citizens of Monroe county. The

father was from Kentucky, where he married Miss Nancy Stipp,

and came to Missouri with his family in 1839. He entered and

bought land here and improved a good farm, on which he resided until

his death, in 1878. Isaac S. was born in this county, October 16,

1841. He was brought up to farm work and received a fair common

school education. January 29, 1868, he was married to Miss Margaret

Heathman, a cousin, and daughter of Elias Heathman, also

formerly of Kentucky. Her father died here in 1859. After his

marriage Mr. Heathman farmed with his father for four years and

then located on his present place. He has 180 acres. His idea of

farming is that one should turn everything on his place to the best

advantage and whatever else he does he should lose no time unnecessarily

through the cropping and harvesting seasons. He is an

energetic man and entirely successful as a farmer, as he would be in

any business where industry and good rpanagement are the conditions

for success. Mr. and Mrs. Heathman have five children: Frederick

449 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

G., Virginia, W. Lewis, J. Tippie and Alonzo T. He and wife, believing

that the Christian Church more nearly than any other represents

the true teachings of the Bible, after mature reflection, joined

that church and have ever since continued worthy members.

THOMAS B. LOYD, M.D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Granville).

Among the prominent physicians of Monroe county, the subject of

the present sketch occupies an enviable position. He is a practitioner

of thorough general and professional education and of long and successful

experience. Dr. Loyd has been engaged in the practice in

Monroe county for over 20 years; and since the summer of 1865 he

has been located at Granville. It is almost supererogation to say that

with his skill and ability as a physician and his high character and

popular manners as a man and citizen, he has succeeded in building

up a large practice and has made a career of more than ordinary

success in his profession, considering the field in which he has worked.

Dr. Loyd is a native of Alabama, born in Jackson county, September

1, 1839. He was a son of Martin H. and Nancy (Garrison) Loyd,

his father a native of Virginia, and his mother from Kentucky.

When he was 12 years of age his parents removed to Greene county,

Mo., where the father died in 1857. The family were in comparatively

easy circumstances considering the condition of the country

and the people. Thomas B. had the best school advantages the

country afforded. After preparatory instruction he matriculated at

the State University, where he completed his education. Meanwhile,

he had been engaged in teaching to a considerable extent, and from

first to last taught some five winter terms of school. He began the

study of medicine: under Dr. A. S. Clinton, a leading physician of

Greene county. In due time he entered the Missouri Medical College

of St. Louis, from which he graduated with distinction in 1861.

During the intervals of his terms at medical school he had practiced

with his preceptor, Dr. Clinton, and now after his graduation he

entered regularly into the practice in Greene county. In a short time,

however, he removed to Cedar county, and two years later came to

Monroe county, where he has since lived. In 1867-68 Dr. Loyd took

a supplementary course at the Missouri Medical College, and three

years after locating at Granville, November 3, 1868, he was married

to Miss Belle Crutcher, a daughter of William and America Crutcher,

of this county, but formerly of Kentucky. Dr. Loyd is a prominent

member of the Masonic order and his wife is a member of the Christian

Church.

CHARLES A. McKINNIE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Holliday).

Twice during the war Mr. McKinnie was severely wounded while

bravely doing battle for the preservation of the Union. He was first

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 450

wounded at Drury's Bluff, Va., being shot through the left side, and

for eight months was unable for service. Resuming his place again in

the ranks after his recovery, he was wounded the second time at Fort

Gregg, where he was shot through the right shoulder. After his

recovery from this wound, still undeterred from the performance of

his duty, he again resumed his place in the ranks and bravely kept

step to the music of the Union, in march and bivouac and on the field

of battle, until at last the old flag floated in triumph over a reunited

country, from the lakes to the gulf, and from the Atlantic to the

Pacific. He went out at the first call of his country for volunteers

and came back only after the last cloud of war had floated away and

the whole land was again radiant with the sunshine of peace. To the

service of such men as this brave soldier, we owe the preservation of

this magnificent republic, the heritage bought by the blood of our

fathers and consecrated by the heroes of the Union during the late

war, a heritage made doubly sacred to us, to preserve and defend.

Mr. McKinnie enlisted in Co. I, Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, in

1861, and was honorably discharged in the spring of 1865. After

his discharge from the army he returned home to McLean county,

Ill., where he had been born and reared, and resumed farming,

the occupation to which he had been brought up. He was married

in that county September 6, 1866, when Miss Mary E. Land, a

daughter of John S. Land, formerly of Kentucky, became his wife.

Mr. McKinnie continued farming in McLean county with good success

until 1873, when he removed to Missouri, and settled where he now

resides. Here he bought his present farm, and has continued farming

with steadily increasing success. Reared in Illinois, he learned

those methods of farming which have made that State the greatest

agricultural Commonwealth, population considered, on the globe. In

short, Mr. McKinnie is a first-class Illinois farmer, and conducts his

place on thorough-going,, business-like principles. He has a good

two-story residence, a large barn, a handsome young orchard and

other improvements to correspond, and his place contains 220 acres

of fine land. Mr. McKinnie has a herd of 22 young steers to be fattened

for the markets, and he makes something of a specialty of

handling stock. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church and

he is a member of the Granville Lodge, A. F. and A. M. Mr. and

Mrs. McKinnie have four children: Rebecca, Nettie, William T. and

Jessie. Mr. McKinnie was a son of Andrew and Martha McKinnie,

originally of Kentucky, but who removed to Illinois as early as 1824.

They first settled in Sangamon county, where his father helped to

build the first court-house at Springfield. He lived in Sangamon

county for 27 years and removed to McLean county in 1851, where

he died four years afterwards. Charles A. McKinnie was born in the

latter county, March 8, 1837.

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 451

JUDGE PRESLEY MOORE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Granville).

Judge Moore, whose life has been one of more than ordinary

activity, not unattended with substantial results in the matter of the

goods of this world, is a worthy representative of one of the pioneer

families of Central Missouri, his father, Judge Robert Moore, having

come to this State as early as 1819. Judge Moore, pere, was a native

of North Carolina, but his parents, while he was yet in tender years,

were early settlers of Kentucky. He was therefore reared in the

latter State, and after he grew up, was married to Miss Mary Powell,

of another pioneer family. Prior to his marriage, however, in 1819,

he had been to Missouri, and had determined to make this State his

future home. He, therefore, brought his wife out to Missouri and

located in that part of Cole county now included in Moniteau county.

There he entered a large body of land and improved an extensive

stock farm. Entirely successful as a farmer, and a man of strong

character and fine intelligence, he became a leading citizen of Moniteau

county. Amono other positions of public trust, he served as

county judge, a position that his son, the subject of this sketch, afterwards

held, and also represented the county in the State Legislature.

He is still living, a venerable old gentleman of dignified bearing and

marked presence, but has retired from all the activities of life, and

now spends his time with his children at their respective home, where

his presence and society is greatly prized. His good wife was called

to her final rest some ten years aoo. Judge Presley Moore was born

in Cole (now Moniteau) county, December 26, 1826. He was reared

on his father's farm in that county. Early displaying a taste for the

mechanic art, he was permitted to gratify his inclination in that direction,

and went to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he acquired in

due time, and also wagon making. In 1852 he was married to Miss

Nancy G. Clay, a daughter of Green Clay, related to the eminent

Kentucky family by that name. She survived her marriage, however,

only a short time, leaving him a daughter at her death, Nancy E..

who is now the wife of Thomas Davis, of Linn county. Judge Moore,

fils, was greatly depressed by the loss of his wife, and sought relief as

best he could in travel. He spent about three years in the West and

South, principally in Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, the Indian Territory

and Kansas. He worked at his trade during most of the time of

his absence from home. Returning with the determination to begin

life anew and to put everything of the past behind him, but the memory

of the loved and lost, which he still cherished as a, sweet dream, he

now engaged in farming in Moniteau county and followed it with

steadily increasing success in that county until he removed to Linn

county in 1864. Meanwhile, on the 11th of March, 1856, he was

married to Miss Lydia A. Boggs, a daughter of Owen Boggs, :

prominent citizen of Boone county. Judge Moore resided in Linl

452 HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.

county for 18 years and became one of the leading men of that county.

He was frequently honored by the people with positions of public

trust, and held nearly every office in county affairs from constable up

to judge of the county court. In 1882, however, he sold his farm in

Linn county and removed to Nevada City, in Vernon county. But

not liking town life, the following spring he came to Monroe county

and bought his present farm. Here he has since resided and will make

his permanent home. His place contains 240 acres and is comfortably

improved. Judge Moore is a man of high character, sterling

intelligence, good business qualifications and popular manners, and

although personally he has had all the public service he desires, it is

not improbable that the citizens of Monroe county may decide to ask

him to give them the benefit of his experience in public life in some

position worthy of his name and high standing. Judge and Mrs.

Moore have five children: Robert 0., Golbert N., S. Jackson, Mary

J. and Henry Clay. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church,

and he is also a member of the Masonic order.

WILLIAM POWELL

(Farmer, Raiser of and Dealer in Stock, Post-office, Shelbina).

In the work of sketching the lives of the citizens of Monroe county,

there is of course much similarity in the facts given, particularly

among farmers. But occasionally one is met with whose life varies

not a little from those of the generality of men around him. Here is

a case of that kind. Mr. Powell lives in a community composed

almost exclusively either of Missourians by nativity, or Kentuckians or

Virginians. But he is a Pennsylvanian by birth, a Northern man by

nativity and bringing up. In harmony with the characteristics of

Northern farmers generally, we find in him a man of conspicuous

industry and enterprise and of superior intelligence - one more than

ordinarily successful as an agriculturist. Such men are of great

advantage to a community and their presence is greatly to be coveted.

They build up a country, develop its resources, advance it along the

onward march of civilization, contribute greatly to make it rich and

prosperous. Mr. Powell was born in Fayette county, Pa., October

10, 1827, and was a son of James Powell of Delaware, and Susan

nee Beckett, of North Carolina. They made their permanent home

in the Keystone State. William Powell was reared in Fayette county,

and in 1864 came West to Illinois, settling in La Salle county. Of

course, raised in the North, he learned the successful methods of

farming of that section of the country, and he followed farming with

success in La Salle county until 1869, when he came to Missouri.

Meanwhile he had accumulated considerable means and on coming to

Monroe county bought 300 acres of fine land. This he went to work

with energy and resolution to improve, and in a few years had the

satisfaction of seeing that he had one of the best farms in the township.

Not satisfied with raising grain and hay alone, he went to raising

stock and to feeding stock for the wholesale markets, and buying

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 453

and shipping them. He gave his attention principally to hogs and

sheep, as being upon the whole the most profitable lines of his stock

business. These he has continued to handle and to good profit. He

feeds and ships annually about 100 head of hogs and sheep each, but

sometimes as high as 600 or 700 head. He has about 200 head of

sheep and 80 head of hogs, besides considerable other stock. February

6, 1851, Mr. Powell was married to Miss Nancy Poundstone, a

daughter of John Poundstone, of Fayette county, Pa. Mr. Powell

and wife have three children: Allen, married; F. M., John T., J.

Ewing, married, and Mollie E. They have lost two in their infancy,

and Elvira in 1868, at the age of 17. Mrs. Powell is a member of

the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Powell is highly esteemed

in Clay township and wherever known. He has served as clerk of

school district No. 10 for a number of years.

DAVID A. SPRINKLE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Granville).

Mr. Sprinkle's parents, Charles and Mary (Barclay) Sprinkle, were

early settlers in Missouri, coming to this State away back in 1820, in

the territorial days of the country. The father was from Virginia,

but the mother was of Tennessee, where they met and married, coming

thence to Missouri. They first stopped near old Franklin, but in

1821 located in what is now Columbia, being one of the first three

families that settled there. They subsequently improved a farm, three

miles from Columbia, where they lived until their deaths, and where

David A. was reared. At the age of nineteen he learned the plasterer's

trade, and four years afterwards, in 1844, went to Hannibal,

where he worked for some years. He was there married to Miss Jane

Church, formerly of Ohio, but she survived only a few years, leaving

him a son at her death, William C., now a prominent physician of this

county. From Hannibal he went to Madisonville, and was engaged

in merchandising there until about 1852. Returning to Hannibal, he

lived at that place from first to last, about twelve years and built three

houses while there. He now removed to Monroe county and settled

on the farm where he has ever since resided. In 1856 he was married

to Miss Fannie J. Bartley, of Boone county, a daughter of Major John

Bartley, formerly of Kentucky, but a pioneer settler of Boone county.

She presided over his home for nearly a quarter of a century, a good

and true woman and a wife and mother who was devotedly loved by

husband and children. She died in 1880, leaving him six children:

George L., and Robert L., both of Montana; Charles E., J. Leslie,

Linnie May and Eddie B. Mr. Sprinkle was married to his present

wife, whose maiden name was Mollie E. Bartley, January 25, 1882.

She was a sister to his first wife. He and wife are members of the

M. E. Church South at Granville. As a farmer Mr. Sprinkle's life

has been one of untiring industry and satisfactory success. He has,

as the fruits of his toil, besides having reared in comfort a worthy

family of children, all of whom he has helped more or less to start

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 454

themselves in the world, a fine homestead of nearly 400 acres of land,,

all fenced and excellently improved, including a good two story-residence

and other buildings and improvements to correspond. Above

all he has so lived that no tarnish of reproach has fallen upon his good

name.

THOMAS E. STEELE

(Farmer and Fine Stock-raiser, Post-office, Granville).

Mr. Steele's parents, David and Jane (Jordon) Steele, were early

settlers in Howard county, removing there from Kentucky in 1822.

The father was a stone mason by trade, and followed that occupation

at Fayette for about 10 years. He then removed to Monroe county

and entered land about four miles from Paris, where he improved a

farm and resided until his death, in 1850. Thomas E. was the youngest

in histher fer family of three sons and a daughter, and was born

in Monroe county December 9, 1825. He was, therefore, principally

reared on a farm near Paris. His tastes always having been for farm

pursuits, he adopted farming as his permanent calling. However, in

1849, he went overland to California, during the general rush of gold

seekers to the Pacific coast. He was engaged in gold mining out there

for nearly three years with varying success, sometimes good and sometimes

bad. He returned by way of the Isthmus and New Orleans,

and having been away from the fair sex so long they had become the

constant angels of his dreams, he of course married soon after coming

back. The 6th of January, 1853, he was married to Mrs. Susan

J. Austin, a young widow lady, a daughter of Sanford Wilson, formerly

of Kentucky. He at once bought land in Monroe county and

improved a farm, where he lived for two years. However, during this

time, he made a second trip to California, taking a drove of stock, but

returned right away, coming again by water. In 1855 he bought the

place where he now resides. Here he has 160 acres of good land,

which is well improved, and is one of the choice homesteads of the

township. Mr. Steele makes a specialty of raising fine cattle, and has

an imported Palangus taurus at the head of his herd. In 1863 Mr.

Steele had the misfortune to lose his first wife. She died in August

of that year, leaving him two children, both of whom are grown up:

Henry A. and Mary E., the wife of W. C. Ridgeway. June 22, 1865,

he was married to Mrs. S. E. Parrish, relict of T. C. Parrish, of Owensville,

Ky., and daughter of Enos Kerr, of Louisville. Mrs. Steele is

a lady of fine mind and mental culture, a regular graduate of Clover

Port Institute. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

NATHANIEL M. THRELKELD

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Shelbina).

Mr. Threlkeld, whose homestead includes 260 acres of land, in

addition to farming in a general way, as other farmers do, makes a

specialty of feeding cattle and hogs for the wholesale markets. He

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 455

has found this a profitable pursuit, and feeds annually about 75 head

of cattle and some 200 head of hogs. Mr. Threlkeld is one of those

stirring, enterprising men who make a success of anything to which

they give their time and attention, where industry and good management

are the conditions to success. He has made a success of farming,

and would have made a success equally as decided of any other

practicable calling. Like many of our best farmers, he is a native of

Kentucky, born in Henry county, December 30, 1831. His parents

lived until their death in that county. Nathaniel M. was married in

his native county, in the fall of 1854, to Miss Sarah Ford, a daughter

of Jeremiah Ford, of that county. Two years after his marriage

he removed to Missouri, and located near Granville, in Clay

township. He followed farming there with good success until 1863,

when he came to his present place. Mr. Threlkeld has been the

architect of his fortune, and has achieved his success in life by his

own exertions. Mrs. Threlkeld, his first wife, died April 25, 1864.

Two children survive her, Alonzo and Edwin. September 2, 1867,

Mr. Threlkeld was married to Mrs. Tabitha Hanger, relict of David

Hanger, and daughter of James Maupin, an early settler of this

county, from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Threlkeld have seven children:

Emma, Jennie, Cattie, Mary L., Frank, Cap and Clarence. Mr. T.

is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the M. E. South

denomination. Mr. Threlkeld lost two children of his first wife; Elijah,

a young man of bright promise, died at Oxford, Ky., in 1881, at

the age of 22, and Anna, a daughter, 15 years of age, greatly beloved

by all who knew her for her many estimable, qualities, died during

the fall of the same year, 1881. These were heavy afflictions to Mr.

Threlkeld, and but for the sustaining power of faith and of trust in

the merciful and loving Redeemer, they would have seemed too hard

to bear. But he is ever reminded that the Lord giveth and the Lord

taketh away, all in his own good wisdom, and for the best of all both

here and hereafter. What a blessed thing is such a faith !

SAMUEL D. WALLACE

(Farmer, Post-office, Granville).

Mr. Wallace was born in Monroe county, Mo., April 27, 1835, and

was reared on a farm, to that free and independent life which has been

considered from time out of mind as most conducive to the development

of true sterling manhood, both physically and mentally. Coming

up in the country, removed from the temptations and vices of town

and city life, and used from boyhood to the labors of the field and the

duties of attending the flocks and herds of his father, he naturally

formed that taste for agricultural life, which, when he came to start

out in the world for himself, influenced him to adopt the pursuit of

the tiller of the soil as his permanent occupation. At the aoe of

22 however, in order to fix more enduringly in his mind the instruction

he had received in the schools and his services being sought

after as a teacher, he concluded that it would not be time misspent

24

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY. 456

which should be devoted to instilling into the youthful mind, as had

been instilled into his, lessons from the books of practical utility for

after-life. He accordingly engaged in teaching, which he followed

for some time. He then went to Illinois, but returned later along to

Monroe county, where he has since resided. He followed farming

while there for a period of five years, preceding 1870. Since then he

has been one of the thorough-going farmers of Clay township. His

place contains 120 acres, a neat homestead. October 8, 1863, Mr.

Wallace was married to Miss Aquila Boyd, a daughter of Robert Boyd,

and Nancy, nee Mays, of McDonough county, I1., originally of

Washington county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace have had seven

children: JohnB., James S., William W., Thomas D., Allen, deceased,

Anna B. and Alta D. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are members of the

Christian Church. He was a son of Walker P. and Emiline (Wills)

Wallace, early settlers of this county. While he resided in Illinois

Mr. Wallace was assessor of Hancock county for one term. His

father, Walker P., lives on the old homestead, his mother being

deceased.

GEORGE W. WEBB

(Justice of the Peace, and Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office Granville).

In 1878 Mr. Webb was elected to his present office, magistrate of

Clay township, and, after serving four years, his administration was so

satisfactory to the public that in 1882 he was re-elected, and is now

serving his second term. 'Squire Webb has been known to the people

of Clay township from boyhood, and considering his early opportunities

to fit himself for the business activities of life, it is a result of no

ordinary credit that he has risen to his present enviable position as a

successful farmer and prominent citizen of the township, as well as

that he should by common consent be picked out as the most available

man for the office of magistrate. He was reared in this county,

and, as good schools were not the common thing then, his school

opportunities were limited to a single grammar term of three months,

and this after he was nearly grown. But notwithstanding, having the

qualities that develop intelligent and useful citizenship, he applied

himself at home as closely as at school to study, and succeeded in

acquiring an ample knowledge of books for all practical purposes.

A man of an inquiring mind and improving all his leisure time by reading,

he has become more than ordinarily well posted on most subjects

that generally engage attention, such as politics, affairs in court, general

principles of law, business transactions, agriculture, etc. In a

word, he is justly regarded as one of the leading men of the township,

whilst as a magistrate all respect his opinions and have absolute

confidence in his unswerving integrity. He will probably hold the

office of justice of the peace as long as he will consent to serve.

'Squire Webb is a native of Virginia, and a son of Bird S. and Mary

E. (Beard) Webb, subsequently for many years esteemed residents of

John Wood, another brother, came to Monroe county in about 1831,

but died a few years afterwards, leaving a widow and a large family

of children. Thomas Wood came in 1833 and lived in this county

until 1840, when he went to Sullivan county, where he died over 20

years afterwards. Nancy (Wood), the wife of John Arysmith, came

in 1830 and settled adjoining to her brothers. Sarah, the wife of

Henry Ashcraft, came out in 1834. She died in Paris in 1870.

Fannie, the wife of Stephen Miller, came in about 1837, but subsequently

moved to Shelby county. Nearly all of these are now deceased.

Fielder Wood, the father of the subject of the present sketch, on coming

to the county, entered 160 acres of land, where he improved a

farm. He lived here a successful farmer and well respected citizen

until his death, which occurred in 1871. His wife died in 1833. They

reared a family of seven children: Martha, now the widow of the late

John L. Wood, a minister of the M. E. Church South, of the State

of Oregon; James, also in Oregon ; Caleb, the subject of this sketch;

Rachel, now the wife of George A. Forralin, of Oregon; John, residing

near his brother Caleb; Louisa, who died whilst the wife of Charles

Fondler, and Julia A., who died whilst the wife of William T. Arvsmith

in Sullivan county, Mo. Caleb Wood, the subject of this sketch,

was born in Bourbon county, Ky., January 6, 1824. After he grew

up he and his brother John ran the old homestead farm until the latter

married, and then Caleb bought out the interest of the other heirs in

the place and has since owned it. The farm contains 280 acres and

here he has followed farming and stock-raising. On the 16th of October,

1851, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Fowler, a daughter of

Jesse and Anna (Rickards) Fowler, formerly of Delaware. Her father

was an early settler of Shelby county, and there he died. Her

mother died in Delaware when Mrs. Wood was an infant. Mr. and

Mrs. Wood have had nine children: Joseph A., now of Crawford

county, Kan.; Martha J., now Mrs. W. D. Brown, of Clarence; May

E., now Mrs. M. F. Bastian; James F., Edward F., Charles R., who

died at the age of thirteen in 1868 ; Henry T., John W., and Minnie

M. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the M. E. Church South.

He has served as justice of the peace several years, a number of years

ago, however. His uncle, Caleb Wood, had four children, all now in

Oregon. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years and

was judge of the county court at the time of his death, which occurred