JUDGE JAMES R. ABERNATHY

(Retired Attorney at Law, Paris). This venerable and honored citizen of Monroe county, now well advanced in his ninetieth year and still bright and active in mind, though not vigorous in health, has been a resident of Missouri from the time of its territorial days, and of Monroe county for over half a century, since prior to its organization as a county. He has, therefore, been a personal witness to the progress of his adopted State and of this county from their infancy, and by no means an inactive or obscure participant in the great work of development that has been accomplished, a work that has placed Missouri among the great and prosperous States of one of the first nations on the globe. Judge Abernathy is a native of the Old Dominion, born in Lunenburgh county, February 25, 1795, though the ancestors of both of his parents had been settled in that State since long prior to the Revolution. In 1797 the family removed to Kentucky, and the father was one of the pioneer settlers of Fayette county, now one of the first counties in the Blue Grass State. James R. was reared in Fayette county and learned the hatter’s trade and in the fall of 1817 came to Missouri, locating at first in Howard county. Having received a good common school education, he taught school for several years in that county and removed to Ralls county in about 1823. Ralls then included the territory now contained in Audrain, Monroe, Shelby, Lewis, Clark, Knox, Schuyler, Scotland and Adair counties. Prior to this, however, Judge Abernathy had been engaged in agricultural pursuits and was at New Madrid at the time the great earthquake occurred in that vicinity, and lost all he had by that unfortunate event. After removing to Ralls county he remained there for a period of about nine years and then came to what is now the site of Paris, which then, however, was almost an unbroken wilderness of forest, being covered principally with white oak timber and hazel brush. Here he started a school for the instruction of the children of the “settlement,” and when not occupied in the schoolroom worked at the carpenter’s trade, or at building chimneys. While teaching school, or rather during all his leisure time, he pursued a course of study for admission to the bar and in due time took an examination for license to practice, which was duly issued, his examination having been highly satisfactory.  He now began the active practice of his profession, rapidly growing into an excellent practice, both in the circuit and Supreme courts. At the bar at that time were many of the most eminent lawyers of the West, with whom Judge Abernathy coped with success in the practice. He rose with rapid strides in his profession and subsequently was elected circuit attorney. His circuit included 12 counties, and to attend to the business in each he made three trips a year, which necessitated a ride of 300 miles each trip, or 900 miles a year. The country was then unsettled except here and there a pioneer and there were scarcely no roads, few stopping places and no bridges at all. The circuit was of course made on horseback, and during the summer season the green-head horse-flies were so bad that the trip had to be made after night, and in the absence of roads the North star sufficed for a guide, and the wolves kept the ride from being lonesome, with an occasional scream from a panther to add additional life and interest to the journey. Judge Abernathy filled the office of circuit attorney with marked ability, and was accounted one of the most successful prosecuting attorneys in the State. Prior to this Judge Abernathy had held various positions of public trust. Before his admission to the bar he was appointed to sell the school lands in Monroe county, the sixteenth section in every township, a trust that he fulfilled to the entire satisfaction of the public. After the organization of the county he was appointed its first treasurer, and held that office for 12 years and until his resignation to accept the office of circuit attorney. He had also held the office of constable and was for about 16 years justice of the peace. Later he ran for judge of the county court, his competitors being John Quarles and Ephraim Poey. He canvassed the entire county and was triumphantly elected. Subsequently he was appointed to the same office by Gov. Thomas C. Fletcher. During the war he was a stanch Union man, and was subjected to many indignities and outrages on account of his loyalty to the Old Flag. He had been a soldier in the War of 1812, and the Union for which he had fought then he could not forsake in the hour of its greater peril in 1861. He now draws a pension from the Government on account of his services in the Canadian War. Judge Abernathy has been married three times. His first wife was a Miss Jennie Winn, to whom he was married in Kentucky. She died October 13, 1822. Her children are all deceased. May 11, 1826, he was married to Miss Rosana Davis, by whom he had nine children. After her death he was married to his present wife, Miss Jane Davis, June 28, 1841, a sister to his first wife. Their three children are also deceased. She is still living and is thoroughly devoted to the comfort and happiness of her husband. Judge Abernathy, although he has had much physical affliction in his time, having been confined to his bed for seven years at one period, is still as bright in mind and conversation as men usually are who are 20 years his junior. He is a man whose life is without reproach and one who has been of much value to those among whom he has lived. No man in the county is more highly venerated and respected.

ANDREW J. ADKISSON

(Dealer in General Merchandise, near Welch). The family of which Mr. Adkisson, one of the popular business men of this part of Monroe county, is a representative, like many of the older and better families of Missouri, took its rise, so far as this country is concerned, in the Old Dominion, the grand old mother of States as well as of Presidents. Mr. Adkisson’s father, John Adkisson, was, as were his ancestors for generations, a native of Virginia. When a young man he came out to Kentucky, where he was subsequently married to Miss Elizabeth Silvey, also originally of Virginia. He lived in Kentucky until 1853, having been an early settler of Mercer county, in that State, and also a gallant soldier in the War of 1812. From Kentucky he immigrated to Missouri with his family and located in Monroe county, where he lived until his death, in 1872, a period of nearly 20 years. Andrew J. Adkisson was born in Mercer county, Ky., July 26, 1828, and was married there September 29, 1849, at the age of 21, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Hiram Noel. Mr. Adkisson came to Missouri with his father’s family, and bought land in Monroe county, where he followed farming and stock-raising until he began business at Welch in the fall of 1882. The following fall he removed to his present place of business, where he has since carried on his store. He carries a good stock of general merchandise, including dry goods, clothing, furnishing goods, hats, caps, boots, shoes, groceries, etc., etc., and has an excellent trade. Thus far his success at this point has been unmistakable, and he is well pleased with the outlook for the future. Mr. Adkisson is a man of plain but genial manners, social and accommodating, and justly popular with all who know him. He and his excellent wife have been blessed with a family of seven children: Elizabeth M., now the wife of R. W.  Evans; John T. (married), both of Boone county; William H. (married), Anna, wife of James Sanker, of Boone county; James H. (married), of Davies county; Sarah B., wife of W. H. Hayes, of Kansas, and Charles L. Mr. and Mrs. Adkisson are members of the Baptist Church.

CICERO ALEXANDER

(Of Alexander & Son, Grocers, Etc., Paris). The Alexanders came originally from the North of Ireland, John Alexander, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, having settled in America from the region of Belfast, Ireland, in about 1775. He first made his home in Pennsylvania, but in an early day removed from that State to Kentucky, settling in Clark county, where he became a substantial and influential citizen, and died in 1841, at the advanced age of 94. John Alexander, Jr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Clark county in 1800, and was reared and married in that county. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth J. Ragland, of another pioneer family of Kentucky. He became a minister of the Christian Church, and also an energetic farmer, and continued to resided in Clark county until the year of his father’s death, shortly after which, in 1841, he removed to Missouri with his family, and settled on a farm five miles south-west of Paris. Elder Alexander survived his removal to this State but three years, dying in 1844. He was engaged in the work of the ministry in this county until his death, and also in farming.  Elder Alexander was a man possessed of the strong character and intelligence for which the stock he represented that sterling people of the North of Ireland are noted. He was also a man of more than ordinary culture and information considering his times and surroundings, a strong and able and deeply earnest minister of the Gospel. He died suddenly of apoplexy, while in the meridian of life and of his usefulness as a minister. His widow is still living, and makes her home with her children at Paris. She, however, after her first husband’s death, became the wife of Col. Thomas Nelson, of this county. He died in 1851. Elder Alexander left a family of five children, namely: Armistead M., a leading lawyer of this section of the State, and at present representative of this district in Congress; Cicero, the subject of this sketch; Sallie F., now the wife of E. A. McLeod, sheriff of Marion county; Mary M., now Mrs. Alex. Milstead, of Macon county, and Eliza J., the wife of T. J. Marsh. Cicero Alexander was born in Clark county, Ky., March 15, 1836, and was, therefore, five years of age when the family removed to Missouri.  Growing up in this county, as early as 1849 he began in mercantile life. Since then he has been continuously engaged in business at Paris, with the exception of a short interval or two, for a period now of 34 years. He began as a clerk, but soon engaged in business on his own account. Mr. Alexander has been moderately successful, and is one of the substantial business men of the county. His son, Eben M., is his present partner in business. They have one of the leading grocery houses of the county. They have a trade of about $25,000 a year. Mr. Alexander was married in the fall of 1857, Miss Eliza McBride, daughter of E. W. McBride, becoming his wife. She died nearly 20 years afterwards, early in 1875. There are three children living of this union, Eben M., Mary and John. To his present wife, formerly Miss Ellen M. Carter, Mr. Alexander was married July 8, 1878. She is a daughter of Levi Carter, of New Hampshire, who is still living, at the advanced age of 97. Mrs. Alexander was a popular and accomplished teacher in the Paris public schools previous to her marriage, and before coming to Paris had taught at Belleville, Ill. She is a graduate of New Hampton Institute, N. H. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander have two children, Carter and Roger G.

JUNIUS J. ARMSTRONG

(Justice of the Peace, Paris). Squire Armstrong comes of two old and respected New England families-the Armstrongs and Boyntons. His father, Ira Armstrong, born at Fletcher, in Franklin county, Vt., where he spent his whole life, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and for a long time was employed by the government as a detective in the secret service to ferret out the frauds of smugglers from Canada. Mr. Armstrong’s mother was a Miss Lucy Boynton, originally from Massachusetts. Her family, settled in New England for generations, can be traced back for nearly nine hundred years in England, and it comes of a historical lineage, a copy of the coat of arms used by the family in that country now being in the possession of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Armstrong was born in Franklin county, Vt., October 30, 1823, and received a good academic education in his native county, becoming well qualified for teaching. When 21 years of age he went to North Carolina and taught school in Wayne and Lenoir counties for about 10 years. He then went to Clinton county, Ia., where he bought land and improved a farm. Squire Armstrong lived in Iowa some 10 years, and until his removal to Missouri. Here he has lived for many years and has throughout his entire residence at Paris been esteemed one of the worthy and valuable citizens of the place. He was for a number of years mayor of Paris, and also president of the school board. He held the latter position when the new public school building was erected, and by his good management contributed very materially to the success of the enterprise. He has always been a warm friend of popular education, and has done much for public schools at this place. Years ago he was elected justice of the peace and such is the confidence the public have in his ability and integrity, that he has been continued in that office, which he still holds. In the fall of 1853, Squire Armstrong was married to Miss Nancy Kinsey. She died seven years afterwards. The Squire has one son by his first marriage, Arthur DeF.,? who is now engaged in the book and stationery business at Paris. In 1863 Mr. Armstrong was married to Miss Elsie A. Wood.

NIMROD ASHCRAFT

(Blacksmith). Mr. Ashcraft was born in Monroe county, September 12, 1831, and was reared on his father’s farm in this county. When 19 years of age he came to Paris to learn the blacksmith’s trade and worked for Mr. A. Crutcher for two years, at $30 a year. The next year he received $50 for his labors, and by three years hard work saved $20 with which to set up for himself. When he came to Paris a complete invoice of his worldly possessions showed that all he had was a new suit of jeans clothes, which his mother had made him, and a five franc piece. After working three years, he took his $20 and invested it in an outfit to carry on business for himself. He established his shop on the same spot where it now stands and has since carried on blacksmithing at this place. From the time he commenced here, in 1850, he has never lost as much as 10 days continuously from work, and has been as faithful to his business as any one who ever wielded a hammer over an anvil. His life has been one of continuous hard work and he has been satisfactorily successful. He now has a good property in Paris, and is comfortably situated. In 1858 he was married to Miss Lucinda Speed, a daughter of Judge James Speed of this county. Three children are the fruits of this union: Belle, Charles and Frank. One, Ella, died in infancy. When Mr. Ashcraft came to what is now Paris, there were but two or three houses in the place, and these were constructed of logs. A log hotel occupied the place where the Glenn House now stands, and all goods were either brought from St. Louis or Hannibal by wagon. He has therefore witnessed the progress of the place from its very cradle up. During the war Mr. Ashcraft suffered severely by depredations from both sides and was virtually stripped of everything he had. His father, Henry Ashcraft, was born in Kentucky, and died in Paris June 4, 1870. His mother, Ella Wood, was a native of Bourbon county, Ky.; she died on May 4, 1872.

E. ASHCRAFT

(Blacksmith and Wagon-maker, Paris). Mr. Ashcraft is an elder brother to Nimrod Ashcraft, being two years the latter’s senior, a sketch of whom, together with an outline of his parental family history, appears just above this biography.  It is therefore unnecessary to repeat any of the facts stated in the former sketch, which was given first because the notes were taken first, and not in the order of the ages of the brother, which, perhaps, would have been better. Mr. Ashcraft, the subject of this sketch, was reared in this county and remained on the farm until he was 17 years of age. He had little or no schooling, and the business education he has acquired has been obtained mainly by his own application and without instruction from others, either school or otherwise. In 1846 he came to Paris and apprenticed himself to the blacksmith trade, at which he worked as an apprentice for three years. He then worked as a journeyman for three years and in 1851 formed a partnership with Mr. Crutcher in a shop at this place. This partnership continued for six years. Then he and his brother formed a partnership which lasted until 1874. By this time hard work had begun to tell seriously on his health and he concluded to change employment. He therefore went to farming and farmed with success for three years. Returning now to Paris, he re-engaged in his old business. Later along he established his present shop, where he receives a large custom? and is doing a flourishing business. In the summer of 1855 Mr. Ashcraft was married to Miss Mary Z. Clapper, formerly of Virginia. They have six children: Sarah F., married, and living in California; Mary C., now a teacher in the high school at Paris; Lulu B., now the wife of E. J. Eubanks; James H., in the shop with his father; Carrie B. and Maggie, the last two attending school. Two others, Katie and Frank, died at tender ages. Mr. and Mrs. Ashcraft are members of the church.

JAMES E. BARKER

(Dealer in General Merchandise, Welch). Mr. Barker engaged in his present business in the spring of 1884, and had built for his special use, as a business house, a good frame building, commodious and tastily constructed and well arranged for carrying on merchandising. He at once laid in a good stock of general merchandise, including dry goods, clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, groceries, hardware, etc., etc.; indeed, everything to be found in a first-class country general store. He is a young man of character and good business qualifications, and having ample means of his own to carry on his business without embarrassment, as well as being located in an excellent business point for general trade, being in the midst of a fine country, well settled by prosperous farmers, he can hardly fail of success. Mr. Barker is a native of Monroe county, and a son of Thomas J. Barker, one of the substantial citizens and prominent stock men of the county. Young Barker was born on his father’s homestead, in this county, October 12, 1860. He was reared to a farm life and at handling stock, but had ample opportunities, which he improved to the best advantage, to obtain an excellent common school education. On the 1^st of March, 1881, he was married to Miss Kate M. Moore, a daughter of John W. Moore, then of this county, but now of Vernon county. After his marriage he engaged in farming and stock-raising, which he continued until the spring of 1884, when he established his present store at Welch. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have one child: Jefferson W. Mr. Barker’s father came from Kentucky, when 16 years of age, with his parents. He grew up in this county and married Miss Sarah C. Dawson, also formerly of Kentucky.  He has since been actively engaged in farming and stock dealing. He now has over 1,000 acres of fine land, and large numbers of stock, having been quite successful in his affairs. James E. is the second in a family of six children, three sons and three daughters.

HON. THOMAS P. BASHAW

(Attorney at Law, Paris). This history of this country is replete with illustrations of the possibilities of true manhood and merit under our institutions, regardless of favorable conditions of birth, early advantages or family influence. The young man of today, of character and courage and brains, becomes the man of prominence of tomorrow, and afterwards, the distinguished citizen. So it has ever been, so it now is, and so, at least as long as free institutions prevail, will it ever be. Civilization pushes westward, or into the wilderness, new States are founded, and each State presents her names of eminent citizens to be inscribed on the roll of the able and distinguished men of the country. Nor is Missouri behind her sister States in this regard. She can point with pride to those of her citizens who have held places, or now hold them, among the foremost in the country - in the halls of legislation, in the professions, and in almost every department of learning and genius and skill. That her future in this particular is not to be in unfavorable contrast with her past and present, is evident to the most casual observer. Here and there and in every section of the State may be seen young men whose characters and attainments, and whose careers, hardly more than yet begun, point with a certainty, impossible to doubt, that they are destined for the highest services in their respective departments of life.

Prominent among the comparatively young men of this State, whose future and personal worth, and whose careers, thus far, give every promise of eminence in the service of the State and of personal distinction, is the subject of the present sketch, Hon. Thomas P. Bashaw. Judge Bashaw, now but little past 40 years of age, is already recognized as one of the leading men of Missouri. A man of sterling integrity of character and of a high order of ability, he has risen to the position he now holds in popular esteem by his own merits, by his own efforts and resolution almost alone, and in the face of great difficulties. Four of the most valuable years of his life for self-improvement, from the age of 17 to his twenty-second year, were spent as a private soldier in the Confederate army, bravely fighting for what he believed to be the right; and after this he had to complete his education as best he could and prepare himself for the bar, the profession to which he had decided to devote himself. Without means, his courage and determination, nevertheless, were unfaltering, and he went to work to carve out his career with that industry, patience and perseverance which, combined with the other sterling qualities of his mind and character, could not fail of success. The result is already partly manifest. One of the best lawyers of North Missouri, he has also served with high honor, three terms consecutively, in the Legislature, having been Speaker of the House during his second term, chairman of the ways and means committee (declining the speakership) during his third, and chairman of several important committees during his first term. Thomas Philip Bashaw was born in Shelby county, Ky., October 31, 1843. His father was Philip T. Bashaw and his mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth. The father was a farmer by occupation and was quite successful, but died when Thomas P. was but three years of age. Thus deprived of the assistance and counsel which only a father can give, young Bashaw’s advantages were afterwards what he himself made them, although his mother was one of the kindest and best of women, and a woman of superior intelligence, profoundly concerned for the welfare of her child. After the father’s death the family remained on the farm, and young Bashaw’s early youth was busily occupied with assisting at farm work and attending the local schools. Of steady, studious habits, he made excellent progress in his studies, and whilst still quite a youth matriculated at the State University, in Lexington, where he was pursuing a regular course of study when the war broke out. Of Southern parentage and sympathies, he promptly enlisted in the service of the South, and for four long years followed the bright-barred, but ill-starred banner of the Confederacy, with unfaltering devotion, until it went down to float no more. He served during most of the war in the commands, respectively, of Gen. Marshall Williams and Gen. John Morgan. He did his duty faithfully and well as a soldier, and at the close of the war returned home with no regrets for the gallant but unobtrusive part he had borne in the struggle. Young Mr. Bashaw now resumed his career where he had left off in 1861, not, however, re-entering the University, for too much time had already passed by to permit him to think of that. Refreshing himself in his studies by close application to his books, he soon felt prepared to be in the regular study of law, which he accordingly entered upon under the preceptorage? of Hon. S. S. Bush, a leading member of the bar at Louisville, Ky. After studying at Louisville for some time, he came to St. Louis, Mo., and in 1867 was admitted to the bar in that city by Judge Rombauer, being examined in open court by Judge Rombauer and Hon. A. W. Slayback. After his admission Mr. Bashaw located at Mexico, in Audrain county, but several prominent citizens of that place, aware of his culture and character, prevailed upon him to take a position as a teacher in a private seminary, which he accepted. He taught for a short time there with excellent success, and then came to Paris, where he also taught for a few months. But impatient to engage in the practice of his profession, he opened a law office at this place, and began his career as a member of the Monroe county bar.

Personally, Judge Bashaw possesses those qualities which go far to win the respect and confidence of men. Plain and unassuming, his honesty is apparent to all, whilst his manners are agreeable, and his conversation, never too voluble, is always pleasant. Personal popularity comes, almost unavoidably, to such men. Added to this is his close attention to business, and he is always remarked for his studious habits. Gifted with a mind of superior natural strength, which he has cultivated with great industry, and having a fine command of language, he soon showed that as an antagonist in a lawsuit he was not to be despised. Preparing himself well in his cases before entering the court-room, and conducting them there with vigilance and with marked skill and ability, his early success was most decided, and as a result he rapidly accumulated a handsome-practice. It is unquestionable, however, that one of the most important factors in.  His success at the bar is the absolute confidence which the court and the public have in his honesty. Judge Bashaw’s progress in the practice of law has been steady and substantial; not pre-eminently a brilliant man, he is yet one of those men of strong minds, possessed of large general powers and, withal, an indefatigable worker. By his industry and strength of mind and constitution, he has come to the front as a lawyer, and his future promises still greater eminence at the bar. He is what may be termed a safe lawyer. He takes no risks, but provides against every contingency. Studying his cases thoroughly, he is rarely, if ever, taken by surprise, whilst he often gains a cause where the opposing counsel are less studious and vigilant than himself. As a speaker, he is generally calm, and always dignified, and addresses himself to the point or points in issue, discussing each question with clearness and force, and striving to secure a favorable decision more through the reason of men than through their passions or feelings. His process of reasoning is that of the closest and most studied logic, and his success in influencing the opinions of court or jury to his views of a difficult or complicated question is often remarkable.  A man of great originality of thought, he is not as much given to relying upon precedent as some, but if a case, according to his belief, has been wrongly decided, he attacks it without hesitation, however high the authority whence it came. He justly believes that the men of the present generation are not less intelligent than were those of the past, being no subscriber to the doctrine that,

“To look at foolish precedent and wink,

 With both eyes is easier than to think.”

Rarely quitting the field of reason and logic in a discussion unless the nature of the subject is such as justly to appeal to the hearts and consciences of men, when he is called upon to address himself to the emotions of a jury, he does so with that earnestness and manifest sincerity that he never fails to make a profound impression, and, often, when fully wrought up by the consideration of some great wrong or some feeling or sentiment of our common humanity, he rises to a high point of eloquence. Judge Bashaw has devoted himself mainly to civil practice, and for a number of years has been identified as attorney with nearly every important civil suit tried in this county, and with a great many throughout the circuit. Judge Bashaw’s services are much sought after in this department of the law. There has hardly been a criminal case tried in this county for a decade with which he has not been connected either for the defense or prosecution, but generally for the former. As has been intimated, Judge Bashaw has frequently been called into the public service. Less than six years after he began the practice at Paris, he was elected to the responsible office of probate judge of the county, a position he filled with ability and to the entire satisfaction of the public until his election to the Legislature in 1878. A higher compliment could hardly be paid a young man than was paid him by his election to the probate bench at the time he was elected, considering his then limited experience at the bar, his age and his brief residence in the county. The office to which he was elevated was one of great trust, having to do with the administration and management of the estates of widows and orphans, people with little or no qualifications to take care of their own interests, and who have to rely almost solely upon the intelligence and integrity of the court. How well he deserved this compliment, however, is shown by his subsequent rapid rise in public life.

In 1878, as has been said, he was elected to represent Monroe county in the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth General Assembly. Judge Bashaw at once took a prominent position in the Legislature. Among the other measures of importance he took a leading part in enacting were the Immigration Act, the General Election Act, the State Treasurer Bond Act, and the Penitentiary Act. He was the author of the first of these bills, and secured its passage as a law of the State mainly by his own earnest, forcible and successful advocacy of it. The first act was designed, and it has had the effect, to encourage immigration to the State. It established a State Board of Immigration and provided for all other necessary steps in bringing Missouri to the attention of the public of this country and of Europe, as a desirable location for settlers. Its results have been of inestimable value to the State. The second act provides for the simplification of our election laws and prevents many former abuses under them, and has proved a most wise and efficient law. The State Treasurer Bond Act, as every intelligent citizen of the State knows, has saved the people of the State thousands of dollars, even admitting that further abuses would not have been practiced under the old law. This act provides for the safe deposit of the funds of the State; provides that ample bonds shall be given by those receiving the deposit, dollar for dollar, according to the amounts so deposited; that the interest of this money shall go to the State, and not to the State Treasurer personally, as was the case under the old law; and also sets up other important safeguards for the protection of the interests of the State. The Penitentiary Act greatly reformed the system of management of the State prison. It prevents the working of convicts outside the prison walls and corrects other abuses that had crept into the management of that institution, so that, from a great public burden which the people were taxed to sustain, it has become self-sustaining, except as to the salaries of the officers, which are an inconsiderable part of its expenditures.

From this brief and incomplete review of his record during his first term in the Legislature, it is seen that his time was not uselessly nor idly spent; but that, on the contrary, he was one of the laborious members of that body and a man who took a broad and statesmanlike view of his duties as a legislator. There was nothing narrow or demagogical in anything he did, but his labors and measures were all for the general good of the State. These laws were among the most important acts passed during his term. Thus, taking so prominent a part in the legislation of the State during his first term of service in the House, it is not surprising that, on his re-election to that body, he was honored with the Speakership. He was elected Speaker of the House of the Thirty-first General Assembly by the unanimous vote of the members of that body of his own party, and with the cordial good wishes of his opponents on the Republican side. It is conceded by all qualified to give an intelligent and impartial opinion that he made one of the best Speakers who have presided over the House since the war. Making a study of parliamentary law, and having already had considerable experience in practical legislation, he shortly became a superior parliamentarian, and possessed of a commanding, dignified presence, of great equanimity of temper and clearness and impartiality of judgment, he so conducted the proceedings of the House that there was the least possible friction or delay and as to win the esteem of every member of that body. In no single instance was a decision of the chair overruled whilst he occupied it, and at the final adjournment he was honored with an unanimous resolution of the House expressing the high confidence and consideration in which he was held by the members of that body.

In the Thirty-second General Assembly Judge Bashaw declined reelection to the Speakership, preferring to be on the floor, where he would have better opportunities for making himself useful in the practical work of legislation. He was, therefore, honored with the chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee, the leading committee of the House. During this term he introduced and secured the passage of the act establishing a State Board of Health, and also an act regulating the practice of medicine and surgery in this State, both of which have proved of great public benefit, but the details of which we have not the space here to present. He also introduced and secured the passage of the act making unusually liberal appropriations for the support and encouragement of the common schools, the State Normal Schools, the State University and other public educational institutions. He also advocated throughout his entire service equal taxation of all classes of property, according to just and equitable valuations, believing that such a system is the only fair manner of taxation and the one least burdensome to the great body of the people. Judge Bashaw’s personal popularity and the influence of his high character attributed not a little to his success as a legislator. His name was always regarded by his colleagues and the public generally as little less than a synonym for honor and integrity, whilst all had and still have confidence in the soundness and clearness of his judgment.  That he supported a measure was sufficient assurance to those who knew him that there was nothing impure in it, and the estimation in which his ability was held always secured the measures he advocated the most respectful and candid consideration. Few men in Missouri, if any, have made a record as a legislator, in so short a time, so credible as his. With such consideration is he regarded throughout the State as an able, upright and statesmanlike public man, that he is now one of the leading men whose nomination for the office of Governor will be advocated before the approaching State Democratic Convention, and his nomination is considered by many an assured fact. However that may be, whether he is nominated this year or not, every one recognizes that he is one of the coming men of the State, and that the highest positions in the gift of the people are not beyond his reasonable hopes and expectations. That he is destined to reach, as he is already approaching, the position of one of the distinguished and eminent public men of Missouri, if he lives and retains his mental and physical vigor, as he has every prospect of doing, no one for a moment doubts.

For five years Judge Bashaw was one of the editors of the Paris Mercury, and while in this capacity the paper took a high rank among the leading interior journals of the State, a rank it still holds. On the 13^th of January, 1868, Judge Bashaw was married to Miss Frances P. Shaw, a young lady of superior culture and refinement. She is a daughter of William A. Shaw, a prominent minister of the Presbyterian Church, in St. Louis, and the Judge and Miss Shaw were married in that city, Rev. James H. Brookes, an eminent Presbyterian divine, officiating. This union has proved a most happy one, and is blessed with four children, namely: Laura, Hallie, Nellie and Thomas P. Judge and Mrs. Bashaw are members of the Presbyterian Church, and the Judge is a member of the Odd Fellows Fraternity. He and wife are honored members of the best society at Paris, and, indeed, wherever they are known.

JOHN BIGGS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Biggs came to the United States from England in 1870, then a young man 25 years of age. One of those sterling, practical Englishmen, energetic and with a clear knowledge of the requisites of success in any calling in which they engage, of the same class who laid the foundation of free institutions in this county and opened the way for the magnificent destiny it was destined to achieve, and has partly already accomplished, he has shown himself to be a worthy representative of his nationality, both as a citizen and a worker in developing the resources of his adopted country. Mr. Biggs was born in Herefordshire, May 20, 1845, and was a son of Daniel Biggs and wife, nee Miss Catherine E. Pember, the ancestors of both of whom had been native to that country time out of mind. Young Biggs received a good general education in the schools of his native county and was brought up to a farm life. Desiring to become a landholder himself and a farmer independent of rents, he decided to come to America where favorable opportunities were to be had, not only of becoming an independent farmer but also of farming with better profit than in England. He followed farming in this country from 1870 to the spring of 1883 in different States in the West, namely, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas, and then located permanently in South Jackson township, of Monroe county, Mo. Here he bought a large farm of 400 acres all under fence and either in cultivation or pasturage, but principally the latter, as he makes a specialty of raising stock. These facts show that Mr. Biggs has been quite successful as a farmer and stock-raiser. Still comparatively a young man, with the start he already has and with his energy and enterprise he can hardly fail of becoming one of the leading agriculturalists and property holders throughout this vicinity of North Missouri. On the 25^th of December, 1875, Mr. Biggs was married to Miss Flora I. Williams, a daughter of Horace P. Williams, a prominent stock man of Cook county, Ill. Mrs. Biggs is a lineal descendant from Rodger Williams, one of the founders of the colony of Rhode Island and president of its counsel, originally from Wales, who was born in 1599, and came to America in 1631. He was in early life a clergyman of the English church, but became a Dissenter and preached at Salem and Plymouth, Mass., until he was banished from that colony by the religious intolerance and bigotry of the Puritans. Speaking of this - the banishment of Rodger Williams and Puritan bigotry and intolerance generally - Hon. S. S. Cox in a speech delivered in New York, January 13, 1863, said: “The same egotistic intolerance is observable in their treatment of Rodger Williams in 1635. His persecutors came to New England with no correct ideas of religious tolerance. Their system tolerated no contradiction and allowed of no dissent. The statutes of uniformity of England they re-enacted here, by church and public sentiment. This was the source of those dissensions which rent their own youthful Republic, and whose intolerant spirit has produced in our time that sectional alienation which deluges the land in blood. The New England Pilgrim drove Rodger Williams into the winter wilderness, as he drove Mrs. Hutchinson and Coddington to the same exile, for differences of opinion in religion. He enacted laws forbidding trade with these outlaws for conscience sake. Savages were more kind than these bigots; for the Indians hospitably received the victims of persecution. Disdaining the Pope as anti-Christ, and hating the prelate, the harsh Pilgrims set up every little vanity of a preacher as their Pope infallible, every village Paul Pry as an inquisitor, and every sister communicant as a spy for the detection of heresy.” Mr. and Mrs. Biggs have one child, Eva E., born October 23, 1881, at Kinsley, Edwards county, Kas. Mrs. Biggs is a member of the M.E. Church.

JOSEPH M. BLADES 

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Blades was the posthumous son of Abraham Blades, formerly of Virginia, by his wife Ruth, whose maiden name was also Blades, and was born in Oldham county, Ky., March 10, 1819. Born after his father’s death, young Blades never knew what it is to have the assistance and encouragement which only a father can give. His mother married a second time and continued to reside in Oldham county, and young Blades was reared in that county. Brought up to a farm life, he naturally chose farming as his calling when he became old enough to start out for himself. On the 2d of July, 1844, he was married to Miss Mary J. Shroeder, a daughter of Philip Shroeder, then of Kentucky, but afterwards of Monroe county, Mo. After his marriage Mr. Blades removed to Jefferson county, Ky., but four years later came to Monroe county, this State, where he has since resided. Here he began in 1852 as a renter, and by industry and good management has succeeded so well as a farmer that he now owns an excellent place of nearly 200 acres, a place on which he has resided and which he has owned for many years. This is a good farm, and is provided with all necessary improvements and conveniences. Mr. and Mrs. Blades have had ten children, five of whom are living:

William T. (married), of Barton county; James M. (married), of this county; Laura A., wife of James Deaver; Henry R. and Erastus G. Those deceased were Matilda, who died at the age of 15; Ruth E., died when in her tenth year; Alfraetta? B., who died when 8 years old ; Susan E., also died at the age of 8, and John V. Wesley, named after the great Methodist preacher, died in infancy. Mrs. Blades is a member of the M.E. Church South.

BENJAMIN F. BLANTON

(Editor and Proprietor of the Monroe County Appeal, Paris).  Mr. Blanton, who in early life had several years’ experience in the newspaper business, bought the office of the Monroe City Appeal in 1873, and changed its name to the Monroe County Appeal, and its place of publication from Monroe City to Paris. Since that time, for a period, now, of 11 years, he has been conducting the Appeal as editor and proprietor, at this place. Sufficient time has elapsed to decide its fate as a journal, whether it was to be a success or a failure. The result has been most gratifying to him and to the people of the county, generally. The Appeal has become thoroughly and firmly established, both as a business enterprise and in popularity and influence. Mr. Blanton is one of those men of strong character, positive convictions and the courage to maintain them, and, withal, full of energy and perseverance. Having begun the publication of the Appeal on a sound footing, in a business point of view, with his qualities of character, failure was hardly in the range of possibility. The policy he adopted upon which to conduct his paper, strict allegiance to the best interests of the people of the county, regardless of all other considerations, political or otherwise, assured its success. In a newspaper, particularly, the public expect to find an advocate, outspoken and fearless, of the common interests; for it is on the patronage of the public that a paper thrives, and if it proves false to the interests of the people, it forfeits its only just claim to support. Recognizing this in its full force, Mr. Blanton has never permitted the Appeal to swerve from its line of duty, as he saw it, from any consideration, or in any circumstances. He has allowed it to become the organ of no man or set of men, or of any cabal of small-fry or other worthy editor ought to politicians, or any party. While it is Democratic, it is as free and quick to denounce fraud or unworthy schemers in its own party as on the opposite side, and its influence in this respect, particularly, is recognized and feared by those who, pretending to be solicitous for the interests of the public, are only seeking their own advancement and aggrandizement. Thus the Appeal has won the respect and admiration of the honest men of all parties and classes, and has been able to establish itself as one of the successful and influential country journals of North Missouri. A good business manager, Mr. Blanton is at the same time a clear, terse and forcible editorial writer, bringing his ideas out in short, pithy sentences that leave a lasting impression on the mind of the reader. Looking to the interests of the people, he writes directly to that point, regardless of whom it hits or don’t hit, and he never stops to see who is making wry faces or smiling at his work. He is perfectly fearless in the expression of his views, as every upright and be. Mr. Blanton is of an old and respected Missouri family. His parents, Thomas and Nancy (McCrary) Blanton, came to this State, back in 1832. They were from Kentucky, where both were born and reared. His father was a blacksmith by trade, but later in life followed farming. He first located at Jefferson City, and while there did a large part of the iron work in the construction of the penitentiary. He made the hinges on which the first door of that building was hung. In 1842, however, he removed to Howard county, where he made his home until his death. He was a man of sterling intelligence and many estimable qualities, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. Benjamin F. was born at Jefferson City, September 20, 1838. He remained at home until he was 13 years of age, when he entered the office of the Glasgow Times, then owned by Clark H. Green, to learn the printer’s trade, where he worked for several years. In 1856 he took part in the “Kansas Troubles” and was in the first fight with the old horse thief martyr and red-handed saint, John Brown. In 1858 Mr. Blanton was married to Miss Harriet Young, a daughter of David Young, a prominent farmer of Howard county. Prior to this he had engaged in farming, and for the next 15 years he devoted himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits. Mr. Blanton was an enterprising farmer and met with substantial success. Mr. and Mrs. Blanton have 10 children: Mattie, Kate, Charley, Lillie, Edgar, Jack, Pearl, Andy, Maggie and Frank. He is a prominent member of the A.O.U.W., K.            of H. and the Masonic order.

ALFRED G. BODINE

(Dealer in Lumber, etc., Paris). Mr. Bodine was a son of Isaac A. Bodine, a substantial citizen of the county and formerly county treasurer, but now deceased. Mr. Bodine’s mother was, before her marriage, a Miss Mary Gore. She is a sister to Dr. A. E. Gore and is still living at Paris. Both the Bodines and Gores were early settlers of Monroe county from Kentucky. Alfred G. was born in Paris, October 30, 1858, and was reared in this county. He was educated in the public schools and since he was 19 years of age has been engaged in business life. In 1877 he engaged in shipping coal from Godfrey, Kans., which he followed for three years. He then located in Saline county, where he was in the grain business for the following year. In January, 1881, he began selling lumber at Lamar, in Barton county, and was there about six months. From Lamar he located at Hannibal and from there returned to Paris, in February, 1883. Here, the same year, he established his present business. He has a good stock of lumber, shingles, lath, lime, etc., etc., and is doing a good business, considering capital invested. Mr. Bodine is a member of the K.P.’s Apollo, No. 25, at Hannibal.

SAMUEL M. BOUNDS

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). The parents of Mr. Bounds, Thomas J. and Henrietta (Dennison) Bounds, are from Kentucky, where they were married in January, 1837. They came to Missouri the following year and settled in Monroe county, eight miles west of Paris. He died there in 1853 and. she, in 1879. Both were members of the Christian Church. They had a family of seven children: George S., John W., Laura Z., Marcellus S., Samuel M., James D. and Rebecca E. Samuel M. Bounds was born on the farm October 26, 1849, where he was reared to manhood. He was not married until he was 30 years of age, when, on the 18^th of December, 1869, he was united according to the forms of law in the ordinances of the Christian Church with Miss Julia F. Smith, an estimable young lady of the county. She was a daughter of John B. and Harriet (Wilcox) Smith, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Bounds have one child, a daughter, Leta B. Mr. Bounds has followed farming from early life, and has a good homestead of 140 acres. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

G. M. BOWER

(Dealer in Lumber, Paris). Mr. Bower carries a full assortment of building materials of every description in the lumber line, and having been in the business for a number of years, he has a large trade and established reputation, the result of fair dealing and the exercise of good judgment as a business man. Mr. Bower is a native of Monroe county and was born in October, 1838. His father, Dr. G. M. Bower, a pioneer physician of this county, was in comparatively comfortable circumstances, and the son, as he grew up, had as good common school advantages as the county afforded. Until he was 21 years of age, most of his time was spent in the schoolroom, so that he acquired a good general education. After reaching his majority he engaged in farming on his own account and later along went to trading in stock. After following this for two years, he established a lumber yard at Paris and has since given his whole attention to this line of business. In 1873 Mr.  Bower was married to a daughter of Maj. James Ragland, then a prominent citizen of this county. His first wife, however, survived her marriage only a short time, when, in 1878, he was married to his present wife, Miss Anna Levering, a daughter of Frank Levering, Esq., of Hannibal. Mr. Bower’s father came to Missouri in 1832 and settled about a mile and a half from the present site of Paris. He had a thrilling experience in the War of 1812. Originally from Virginia, he removed from that State to Georgetown, Ky., where he was residing at the time of his enlistment in the Canadian War. He was captured by the Indians during that struggle and was sold into slavery. For 14 days he was compelled to subsist on roots alone. In one of the terrible border fights which characterized the War of 1812, every surgeon of his command was killed, except himself, and most of the privates were either killed or wounded, so that he was compelled to care for the wounded of the entire command, a duty that he discharged with that humanity and kindness for which he was always remarkable. After the close of the war he continued to reside in Kentucky until his removal to Missouri. He married in Kentucky, his wife, formerly Miss Catherine Long, being a daughter of James Long, of that State. She, however, was his second wife, his first wife having died some years before. It was by his second marriage that he reared the family of children of which the subject of the present sketch was a member. A physician by profession, he practiced medicine in Monroe county until his death, and was a physician of high standing in his profession as well as very successful in the practice. He was also earnest and active in church work, being a member of the Baptist denomination, and often in the absence of a minister filled the latter’s appointment in the pulpit. He was one of the good pioneers of Monroe county whose memory is venerated by all who knew him.

J. WILLIAM BOYD

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). The family of which Mr. Boyd is a worthy representative is one of the old and respected families of the county. His father, Andrew J.  Boyd, came to this county from Fayette county, Ky., away back in the “thirties.” He was a young man then and soon afterwards married here, Miss Mary Shoots becoming his wife. She was also from Fayette county, Ky. They subsequently settled on a farm in Jackson township, where the father lived out a respected and well spent life. He died February 5, 1876. He was a man of sterling worth of character, and died, as is believed, without a known enemy. J. William Boyd was born in Jackson township, June 9, 1839. His father was a man of industry and energy, and the son was brought up to strictly industrious habits. He learned under his father that success in life could be achieved honorably only by honest industry and good management. Such a bringing up was worth more to him than if his father had left him a large estate, without any appreciation of the proper way to accumulate property or the right methods of managing it and saving it when it is obtained. J. William of course became a farmer, and has continued to adhere to his chosen occupation without faltering for a moment. On the 5^th of February, 1863, he was married to Miss Martha J. Stockdale, a daughter of Allen Stockdale, formerly of Washington county, Penn. Mr. Boyd rented land for two years after he was married and afterwards bought a place of his own. He continued to farm there until 1874, when he came to his present farm. Here he has over 160 acres of land, nearly all of which is in an excellent state of improvement. Besides the usual way of farming, Mr. Boyd makes a specialty of raising stock, and has some excellent graded cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have seven children: Francis, Mary L., Virgil E., Amy A., Etta, William C. and Maude. They have lost two, Maggie, who died at the age of 13, and Lizzie, at the age of 11. They died within little more than a month of each other, Maggie September 22, 1882, and Lizzie October 27, following. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Boyd has always been a warm friend of education, and has taken a commendable and active interest in keeping up the schools in his neighborhood. In recognition of his public spirit and especial fitness for the position, away back some 15 years ago he was elected school director, and he has since continued to fill that position by consecutive re-elections.

JUDGE THEODORE BRACE

(Judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit of Missouri, Paris) Illustrating the possibilities of this country for young men without means or influence, but of character and ability, and industrious and determined to succeed, a most striking example is afforded in the life and career of the subject of the present sketch. Judge Brace, barely yet a middle-aged man, occupies an enviable position in the judiciary of the State, being recognized as one of the ablest judges on our circuit bench; whilst, before accepting his present office, he was a lawyer of high standing at the bar, and he had served with distinguished ability in the State Senate, and in other positions of important public trust. He was also an officer of conspicuous gallantry in the Southern army during the war - colonel of the Third Missouri Cavalry, a regiment, one of the first organized in the State, noted for its bravery and discipline, and for the value and intrepidity of its services on the field. With this record in the past, and still but entering upon the meridian of life, and with the years of his greatest usefulness before him, the friends of Judge Brace may well predict for him a future of great honor and distinction. Yet Judge Brace commenced for himself without a dollar, with a very limited elementary education, and at the early age of 15. Since that time he has been the architect and builder of his own fortune, and every stone that has entered into the structure of his character and career has been placed there by his own design and his own hand. Judge Brace is a native of Maryland, born in Alleghany county, June 10, 1835, and was a son of Charles and Delia (White) Brace, both of well-known and highly respected families in the Northern part of Maryland, and his father a well-to-do farmer of Alleghany county. Young Brace’s early youth was spent at home on the farm, assisting at such work as he could do, and attending school. He also had some valuable instruction in the local academy at Cumberland, the county seat of that county. But of an independent, self-reliant disposition, and impatient to do something for himself in life, he quit school at the very early age of 15, and started out on his own responsibility, becoming a clerk in a store at Cumberland. After clerking for some time, he accepted the position of deputy in the circuit clerk’s office in Alleghany county, and remained there for about six months. He must have established an excellent reputation by this time for fidelity and business qualifications, for he was now offered the position of bank clerk at Cumberland, which he accepted, and the duties of which he discharged so acceptably that he was retained for three years. During all this time, since leaving school, he improved every opportunity for gaining knowledge and storing his mind with such material as would enable him after awhile to be of some use to society and honor to his family. Having prepared himself for the study of law as thoroughly as his situation and circumstances would allow, he began study for the bar, and prosecuted his studies with great diligence and energy until 1856, when he was admitted to practice in the courts of Maryland by the circuit court of Alleghany county. With the forecast of mind that is one of his most marked characteristics, he saw even then, young as he was, that the seat of empire in this country was to be in the great West, and that in the upbuilding of this magnificent region, unequaled opportunities would be afforded young men of character and intelligence and enterprise, to establish themselves honorably in life, and perhaps to achieve a name and reputation that would make their careers worthy parts of the history of their States. He accordingly at once cast his fortunes with the great West, and after stopping at Bloomfield, Iowa, for a short time, came thence directly to Paris, Mo., where, early in January, 1857, he made a permanent location. Judge Brace came to Paris a young man just admitted to the bar, 22 years of age, and a stranger without means or known friends; but he was courageous, determined and fully confident that by industry and close attention to his profession he would succeed. A young man of good address as well as bright and quick in his profession, he was not disappointed in his expectations, but soon found himself in the possession of respectable and steadily increasing clientage. His popular manners and manifest personal worth contributed hardly less than his recognized ability as a young lawyer and his almost invariable success at the bar, to the rapid increase of his practice and the advancement of his reputation as a lawyer. A careful and painstaking practitioner and an advocate of singular force and eloquence, he made rapid progress in his profession and, in 1861, when the war broke out, was in the possession of a lucrative practice and occupied a prominent position at the bar of his circuit. Born and reared in the South, and an ardent believer in the great doctrine of State’s rights, a doctrine that will yet hear its Cumi? in this country, when the tocsin of war sounded he bravely went to the front to uphold Southern rights and Southern institutions. Laying aside everything else, he actively engaged in enlisting and organizing a regiment for the service of the South, a work he had little trouble to do, for personally he was more than ordinarily popular, and the gallant men of Monroe county not only had confidence in his ability and patriotism, but were as ardently and devotedly attached to the Southern cause as he himself was. This regiment became, during the early part of the war, one of the best in the service in this State. Mr. Brace was elected colonel of the regiment, a position he filled with distinguished gallantry. The Third Missouri participated in numerous small engagements in North Missouri, and then took a leading part in the battle of Lexington. Col. Brace led his regiment in the final charge that resulted in the capitulation of all of Mulligan’s forces. After the battle of Lexington the Third Missouri figured conspicuously in the campaign of South-west Missouri and in Northern Arkansas, and bore a particularly important and honorable part in the battle of Pea Ridge. Soon after this battle, however, Col. Brace, who had undergone great exposures and hardships, was taken seriously ill, and while in this condition was taken prisoner by the enemy. He was transferred to the Myrtle street prison at St.  Louis, where he lay for a considerable time, but was finally paroled as a prisoner of war. After his release from prison Col. Brace returned to Paris and resumed the practice of law, in which he has since been engaged, except while occupied in the public service. It is unnecessary to take space here for comments upon his continued rise in his profession and as a public man. The facts themselves carry with them their own lessons, and all of credit to the man and of encouragement to young men of ability and ambition who have the spirit to imitate his example. Col. Brace has never asked for a public office, his preference having always been to devote his whole time and attention to his profession; but he has frequently been called into the public service. In 1874 he was elected to the State Senate and served in that body with distinguished ability for four years, becoming recognized all over the State as one of the ablest men, and, without exception, the ablest speaker and debater in the Senate. Immediately following his term of service there he was elected probate judge of Monroe county, the duties of which he entered upon in January, 1878, but the office of circuit judge becoming vacant in 1880, he was elected to the circuit bench without opposition, whereupon he resigned the probate judgeship to accept the circuit judgeship. On the circuit bench Judge Brace has distinguished himself as an able and conscientious judge, and whilst his opinions are almost invariably sound expositions of the law, he is at the same time quick and expeditious in disposing of the business of the court, and receives great commendation from the bar and public generally for the manner in which he keeps his dockets so nearly or quite up to date. In short, it is a remarkable fact in Judge Brace’s career that in whatever position he has been placed, he has won more than ordinary credit and approval. When he was at the bar he was considered one of the best attorneys in North Missouri; in the senate he was a leader in that body; as an officer in the army his gallantry and ability were conspicuous; and on the circuit bench he is considered one of the best judges in point of ability and conscientious and expeditious discharge of duties in the State. Such a record is well worthy to be looked upon with satisfaction, not unmingled with at least a pardonable degree of pride. On the 12^th day of October, 1858, Judge Brace was married to Miss Rosanna C. Penn, a daughter of William N. Penn. Mrs. Brace is a lady of many estimable qualities of head and heart, and is held in the highest esteem by all who know her. She is a lady of rare culture and refinement, and by her presence and brilliant conversation lends an additional charm to the polite and cultured society of Paris. Judge and Mrs. Brace have seven children, namely: Kate, Ned, Jessie Paul, Pauline Penn, Ruth and Theodore; they lost one daughter. Judge Brace has held several local offices, such as city attorney, etc., and was once prominently put forward by his friends for Representative in Congress from this district, but peremptorily, yet kindly, and with proper appreciation of the compliment and honor intended to be conferred, declined to make the race.

JEFFERSON BRIDGFORD

(Farmer and Fine Stock-breeder, Post-office, Paris, Mo.). Mr. Bridgford was one of the earliest, as he was for many years one of the leading breeders of fine short-horn cattle, if not the leading one, in North Missouri. He commenced in life for himself at the age of 22, and for two years worked out at farm labor for the small monthly wages paid away back in the “Forties.” But by industry and the sterling intelligence and enterprise that have characterized his whole life, he soon rose above that. Up to about the time of the war he followed farming and stock-raising as well as dealing in stock in a general way in this county, but soon afterwards turned his attention especially to fine short-horn cattle, in which he has since been chiefly interested. In this branch of industry he gained great prominence and has taken a great many premiums at county, State and Western fairs. Indeed, within three years - 1872, 1873 and 1874 - he has taken premiums amounting to over $10,000. In 1874 he shipped a herd of short-horns to California and, after carrying off the prizes at two of the leading fairs in that State, sold his herd out at a handsome figure. From first to last he has shipped, perhaps, 75,000 head of cattle to the markets. Though not at present engaged so extensively in the stock business as formerly, he still handles large numbers of stock, and exhibits a degree of enterprise and activity in business that would reflect credit on many a younger man in the stock business. He has also improved several of the best farms in the county, and has had considerable success in buying and selling farms. Mr. Bridgford was born in Woodford county, Ky., November 9, 1822, and came to Missouri with his father’s family, who settled in Monroe county in 1836. He had previously taken a course, though not a complete one, in Centre College at Georgetown, Ky., but after the removal of the family to Missouri, had no further advantages for an education. He remained with the family until he was 22 years old and then started out at farm-work, as stated above. In 1848 he was married to Miss Margaret E. Waller, a daughter of John Waller, deceased, formerly of Scott county, Ky. Mr. Bridgford began handling stock about the time of his marriage, and has continued it up to the present time, for a period, now, of over 35 years. He has also been constantly engaged in farming, except while absent in California. In 1850 he crossed the plains to the Pacific coast and was gone something less than two years, returning by way of Panama. He then resumed farming and the stock business, settling about six miles south of Paris, where he improved a fine farm, a place aggregating nearly 800 acres. He lived on that place and shipped stock until 1865 and then he moved to a large farm he owned northeast of Paris, meanwhile selling his first place. Selling his second place in 1877, the following year he moved to a farm near Paris, where he resided until 1884, and then came to his present place. Mr. Bridgford is in easy circumstances, and what is better than that, he has the confidence and esteem of the whole county, for his life has been without a reproach, and one of much value to the county. He has done, perhaps, more than any other man in it to give it the reputation it has for fine stock. Largely through his influence the raising of fine short-horn cattle has become almost universal with the farmers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Bridgford have reared eight children: Eugene A., now a judge of the Superior Court of California; Cornelia, now the wife of George C. Brown, of Paris; Churchel?G., a prominent stock commission man of Chicago; Waller T., of the firm of Brown & Bridgford, at Paris; Charlie B., Bower, Hugh W., and Alma, the last four at home. Mr. Bridgford owns nearly 1,700 acres of fine land, principally in Arkansas and Missouri. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and have been since 1849. He is also an old and prominent member of the A.F. and A.M. Mr. Bridgford’s parents were Richard and Nancy Bridgford, the father born and reared in Virginia, but the mother a native of, and brought up in Kentucky. After coming to Monroe county they resided here for some four years and then removed to Clay county, where the mother died in 1844. The father then went to Hannibal and made his home with a son, James, where he died five years afterwards, in 1849. There were five sons and one daughter in their family who grew to maturity, but James, who resides in Nevada, and Mr. Bridgford, the subject of this sketch, are the only two living, the latter being the youngest of the family.

GEORGE C. BROWN

(Of Brown & Bridgford, Grocers, Paris). Among the influential, highly esteemed and substantial citizens of Monroe county, the subject of the present sketch holds an enviable position. A man of marked intelligence and culture, he is at the same time one of the active business men of the county, and one of its public-spirited, useful citizens. Mr. Brown is a native Missourian, born in Marion county, December 9, 1840. His parents, Lewis S. and Anna M. (Tolle) Brown, came from Virginia in about 1831, and made their home for some time on a farm about eight miles north-east of Palmyra. Afterwards, in about 1843, they removed to Lewis county, where they settled permanently. His father, a respected and well-to-do farmer of that county, died there November 12, 1856. Mrs. Brown, the mother, is still living on the old family homestead in Lewis county. George C.’s youth was spent on the farm in Lewis county. In 1859-60 he took a course at Miami Male Institute, in Saline county, where he attained considerable proficiency in the sciences and in Latin and Greek and in other higher studies. At the conclusion of his course at Miami, young Brown returned to Lewis county and entered upon the profession of teaching, which he followed with steadily increasing success and reputation for some ten years. Up to 1865 he taught country schools in Lewis, Macon, Monroe, Shelby and Marion counties, in Missouri, and in Adams county, in Illinois. He then became principal of Payson’s Seminary, in Illinois, which he conducted with efficiency for some three years. In 1860 Mr. Brown took charge of a select school at Shelbina, and the following year he became principal of the Paris public schools. In 1870 he and Judge Bashaw conducted the Paris Female Seminary, but in November of that year Mr. Brown was elected county school superintendent, and resigned his position in the seminary in order to give his undivided time and attention to the duties of his office. Meanwhile, early in his career as a teacher, he had become a man of family. He was married December 4, 1862, to Miss Mattie A. Gordon, of Marion county. She lived to brighten his home for nearly 20 years, but during much of the latter part of her married life suffered greatly from ill health. In 1872 Mr. Brown resigned his position as county school superintendent, on account of the ill health of his wife, and in order to travel with her in the hope of benefiting her. He went to Texas, hoping that the climate of that State would improve her health, but she obtained no permanent relief. He was absent about 10 months, and after his return he had charge of the Woodlawn school until his election to the office of circuit clerk and recorder of Monroe county, which was in November, 1874. Mr. Brown served in that office for four years, and such was the efficiency with which he discharged his duties that in 1878 he was re-elected, serving a second term of four years. Early in 1883, at the conclusion of his last term of service, he went to Arkansas and engaged in the saw-mill business on Black river. But the following fall he sold his mill and tributary timber lands, amounting to over 1,000 acres, and returned to Paris, where he began his present line of business, the grocery trade. His brother-in-law, W. T. Bridgford, became his partner in business and they have since continued it together. They carry a stock of about $3,500, and have a large and profitable trade. Mr. Brown’s first wife, who, as stated above, had long suffered from ill health, was taken from him by death on the 11^th of April, 1881. She left him a daughter, Lillie, now an accomplished young lady, educated at Lexington Female College, and with her relatives, on her mother’s side, at Payson, Ill. To his present wife Mr. Brown was married November 9, 1882. She was a Miss Nelia Bridgford, a daughter of Jefferson Bridgford, of this county. Mrs. Brown is a lady of superior culture and refinement, a graduate in the class of 1873, of Christian College, of Columbia, Mo. Mr. Brown has long been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and, indeed, was ordained a minister of that church as early as the spring of 1865. Since then he has been engaged more or less desultorily in ministerial work, principally filling vacancies and the appointments of others which they were unable to meet. Mr. Brown is a member of the I.O.O.F., the Masonic order and the Knight Templars, and is an active worker in these orders as well as a leading member. An earnest Democrat, he has also been quite active in local politics for the last 8 or 10 years. In all kinds of enterprises and movements, material, political, social, or otherwise, he is public-spirited and ever zealous and generous in his efforts for the general good. Mrs. Brown is an accomplished musician, a pianist of rare culture and skill, in fact.

JACKSON H.? BRYAN

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Bryan’s parents, Joseph J. and Martha (Bates) Bryan, were early settlers in Monroe county. They came here from Kentucky in 1836, and bought the land on which Jackson N.? now resides, and where they made their permanent home. They had a family of ten children, of whom eight are living, namely: Susan, James, Morgan, now residing in Shelbina; Sallie, Martha, Joseph, who is engaged in the hardware business in Paris; Jackson, John and Amanda. Jackson N.? was born on the homestead in this county, in 1850, and was reared to a farm life. He attended the neighborhood schools as he grew up and thus secured sufficient knowledge of books for all ordinary practical purposes. Reared on a farm, he naturally formed a taste for farm life, which has ever afterwards influenced him to follow this calling as his regular pursuit. He now owns the old family homestead, a good place of 160 acres, all under fence and fairly improved. He devotes his farm both to raising grain and stock, and is having good success. On the 11^th of September, 1853, he was married to Miss Isabella Bedford, a daughter of Franklin and Rachel (Bever) Bedford, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan have three interesting children: Joseph and Frank, twins; and Ada, who is the eldest. Mr. Bryan’s father died in 1869, and his mother in 1871. They were highly respected residents of the community, and worthy members of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Bryan himself is a member of that church, as is also his wife.

ROBERT M. BURGESS

(Farmer and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Burgess, who has long had the reputation, and justly so, of being one of the leading stock-dealers and traders in Monroe county, was a son of that old and highly respected- citizen of the county, Pleasant M. Burgess. The Burgess family came from Virginia to Monroe county; the father, Pleasant M., was born in 1788. He grew up and was married in that State to Miss Rebecca C. Towler in 1820.  She was from Georgia. After their marriage they remained in Virginia until 1842, when they removed to Missouri and settled in Monroe county. He was a farmer by occupation, and made a specialty of raising tobacco. He was one of the leading tobacco raisers of this county, and one of its worthiest and best citizens. He died here in 1857, sincerely and profoundly mourned by all who knew him. There were six in his family of children, namely: William Henry, who died in California in 1879; Lizzie, also deceased; Susan M., now the widow of Marquis Poage, deceased; Mary, the wife of D, M. Dulaney, of Hannibal; Anna, the wife of Wesley Wilson, of California; John C., also of California, and Robert M. The mother lived to the advanced age of 90 years, dying in May, 1884. She was a most estimable, Christian-hearted old lady; and was venerated and loved by all who knew her. Robert M. early showed a preference for handling stock, and when but 14 years of age commenced making trips to St. Louis, driving stock to that market, and acquiring quite a reputation in the county and along the road as the boy stock-trader. The preference of his early life for the stock business has been continued, and he has achieved marked success in this line of business. No man in the county enjoys in a higher degree the confidence of the entire community for fair and honorable dealing. In the fall of 1857 Mr. Burgess was married to Miss Celestia Hodges, formerly of Norfolk, Va. They have eight children: Samuel P., John M., Jennie N., Lizzie B., Nora Mary, Robert M. and Charles Elwood. Mr. Burgess has an excellent farm in section 8 of Jackson township, and is comfortably situated. He is well known over the county and popular with all classes for his sterling worth as a man and his genial, agreeable manners.

JOSEPH BURNETT

(Of Mason & Burnett, Editors and Proprietors of the Paris Mercury). Mr. Burnett is a native of Virginia, born in Harrisonburg, Rockingham county, January 8, 1847. His parents were Charles A. and Jane P. (Dougherty) Burnett, both of old and respected Virginia families. In 1856 the family removed to Kentucky, and located in Boone county, but the year following they pushed out west and made their home at Troy, Ia., for a short time. From Troy they removed to Farmington, Ia., and from there to Huntsville, Mo., in 1859. Joseph, 10 years of age when the family located at Huntsville, soon afterwards entered the office of the Randolph American to learn the printer’s trade. From Huntsville he came to Paris, in 1860, and became a type-setter in the office of the Mercury. He has been with the Mercury ever since, either as employee or partner in the office. In 1873 he bought an interest in the paper, and has since been a partner with Mr. Mason in its ownership and management. The standing of the Mercury and its value as a piece of newspaper property has already been spoken of in the sketch of Mr. Mason. Suffice it here, therefore, to say that, while it is one of the oldest and best established country papers in North Missouri, and with a past career of uninterrupted success, at no time in its history has it held a position of greater influence or been more prosperous as a business enterprise than at the present time, or since these gentlemen have had control of it. Both being practical printers, and themselves energetic and industrious, they are at the same time experienced, successful business men, and, withal, capable, well informed and effective editorial writers; so that they possess all the essential qualifications for carrying their paper on in a career of uninterrupted success and increasing reputation and influence. December 9, 1874, Mr. Burnett was married to Miss Fannie Gore, a daughter of Volney Gore, of Bloomfield, Ky. They have three children living, and two deceased. The living are: Volney G., Jefferson G. and Ella Bodine. The deceased are Hurbert and Horace S., aged, respectively, three and two years at the time of their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Burnett are members of the church. He is a member of the A.F. and A.M. and of the I.O.O.F.

JAMES W. CLARK

(Proprietor of the Paris Livery, Feed and Sales Stables). Prior to engaging in his present business, Mr. Clark had followed farming and stock-raising exclusively, occupations to which he was brought up. He was principally reared in Kentucky, a State the very atmosphere of which seems to make successful agriculturists, particularly in the line of raising and handling stock. Kentuckians are noted the world over for their taste for the stock business and their superior judgment and success in handling stock. They produce the finest horses on the continent, stock that are sought after in the capitals of Europe; whilst the cattle of the Blue Grass Regions are famed from ocean to ocean for their superior excellence. It was a well known saying of Tom Marshal that “Kentuckians take to fine horses and fancy cattle as naturally as a hot dog to a pond of water.” However that may be, certain it is that in this State, and wherever we come upon them, we generally find them handling “a few good stock.” Mr. Clark, in his inclinations in this direction, is no exception to the general rule of Kentuckians. He is a great admirer and, withal, as good a judge of fancy stock as we have in the county. A leading consideration that induced him to engage in the livery business was that he might have better facilities for handling good horses, might constantly be in the market at Paris where he could see the stock of the surrounding country daily, and buy and sell as his judgment dictated, to the best advantage. He of course also expected to make a success of the livery business, in which he has not been disappointed. Coming here in 1881, he supplied himself with a good stock of driving and saddle horses, and a number of buggies and other vehicles, of the best and most stylish makes. By dealing fairly with the public and always showing an obliging and accommodating disposition, as well as never failing to keep his rigs and turnouts in the best possible shape for utility, comfort and style, he has built up a large custom and has placed his stables among the first in this part of the country in popularity and patronage. He is doing an excellent business, which he reports as being steadily on the increase. Mr. Clark was born in Clark county, Ky., January 18, 1837. When he was quite small his parents, James and Eliza (Burris) Clark, removed with their family to Montgomery county, Ky., where they resided for about 15 years. They then immigrated to Missouri, and stopped for a while in Ralls county, where the mother died in the same year, 1852. The father, the following year, crossed over into Monroe county with his family, where he made his permanent home. He died here in 1861. Like most Kentuckians, he was a farmer and stock-raiser, to which his sons were brought up. There were three sons and two daughters in his family, namely: Martin J., Michael B., James W., Jane and Eliza. James W. Clark, the youngest in the family, engaged in farming and stock-raising for himself about the time he reached his majority, and continued in those industries until his removal to Paris. In 1869 he was married to Miss Sallie Cowherd.  They have two children: James M. and Ella M. Mr. Clark was a soldier in the Southern army during the war, his sympathies and principles being with the South. Since his residence at Paris he has become one of the prominent and popular citizens of the place.

WILLIAM LESLIE COMBS

(President of the Missouri Association of Surveyors and Engineers, Paris, Mo). Mr. Combs, a well known and influential citizen of Monroe county, is a representative of the Combs family of which Gen. Leslie Combs, a gallant officer in the War of 1812, was a distinguished member. The Combs family came originally from Wales, Mr. Combs’ great-grandfather and three of the latter’s brothers having emigrated to this country prior to the Revolution. His great-grandfather settled in Virginia where he reared a family of children. One of his sons, Benjamin Combs, became the father of Leslie and Fielding Combs, of Kentucky, both of whom served in the War of 1812, and the latter was the father of the subject of this sketch. They were born and reared in Kentucky, and Fielding Combs was married there to Miss Mary Foreman. Subsequently, in 1818, soon after the close of the Second War with Great Britain, he came to Missouri with his family and settled in Ralls county. That was in 1818, whilst Missouri was still a territory. He entered land and opened a farm in that county, and resided there for a period of 20 years. From Ralls he removed to Monroe county, in 1838, and lived here successfully engaged in farming until his death, for 46 years, in 1878, having reached the advanced age of 83. His wife had preceded him to the grave by only four years. They left a numerous family of children, several of whom are now, themselves, the heads of families, and residents of this and other counties. The father, besides being a farmer, was a carpenter by trade, and occupied his time during the winter months for many years in working at his trade. He built the first house erected in Palmyra, and built many of the better houses throughout the section of country in which he lived. He was quite poor when he came to Missouri, as most of the early settlers were, and, indeed, it is a well-known fact among his descendants that he had but five picayunes in cash when he spread his tent for the first time in Ralls county. His other worldly possessions consisted of his family, a horse, a small wagon, an old flint-lock gun and a powder horn. The picayunes still remain in the family, and are treasured as heirlooms by his descendants. They are now in the possession of one of his children. He became, however, quite well-to-do, for he was a man of great industry and sterling worth.

William Leslie Combs, the subject of this sketch, was born in Ralls county, Mo., June 28, 1828, and was 10 years of age when the family settled in this county on what subsequently became their permanent homestead, situated five miles north of Paris. For the next six years his time was occupied in assisting on the farm and attending the local schools. His health failing, however, from the exposures incident to farm life, it became necessary for him to engage in some indoor pursuit. Of a quick mind and retentive memory, he had acquired a sufficient knowledge of books to qualify him for teaching, and although quite young for such a calling, he engaged, and with success, in that occupation. For a number of years, succeeding, he continued teaching, alternated with attending school himself, and thus persevered until he had acquired a somewhat advanced general English education, together with a knowledge of higher mathematics and an elementary knowledge of the classics. He finally became identified as teacher with the high school at Paris, and taught there with enviable success and increasing reputation for about two years. In the meantime, having become thoroughly conversant with the science of surveying, in his educational course, and being recognized as a young man of high character, as well as possessed of popular manners and address, he was selected by general consent as the proper person to fill the office of surveyor, to which he was accordingly elected. This office Mr. Combs has filled almost continuously since 1855, when he quit the high school to accept it, except during the hiatus in his official terms caused by the war. Soon after the war he was re-elected to this office and has continued to hold it. His continued endorsements for a position so responsible, which has to do with the most important property rights of the people, their real estate holdings and land titles, the settlement of disputes as to boundaries, etc. this unbroken confidence expressed by those who have known him from boyhood, speaks more for his character as a man and his record as a public official than anything that could be said here. Mr. Combs stands without a reproach among his fellow-citizens, and is esteemed by all not only as an officer and man, but for his sterling intelligence, his many estimable, neighborly and social qualities, his wide general information, and his culture and refined sensibility. November 8, 1852, Mr. Combs was married to Miss Nancy B. Smith. They have two children: Leslie Marion and Efl? Estelle. Mr. Combs has always taken a public-spirited interest in the cause of education, and has contributed perhaps as much to the formation of the general sentiment of the county in favor of popular education as any other man in it. He was a member of the first teacher’s institute held in the county and a prominent officer in its organization. He was also active in forwarding teachers organizations for the county for a number of years, and so continued until the cause was so well advanced that its success was assured. He has also taken a commendable interest in the general good and progress of the surveyor’s profession, and was prominently instrumental in establishing the Missouri Association of Surveyors and Engineers. In recognition of his activity and public spirit in this behalf, as well as his conceded ability and high standing as a surveyor, he was at the beginning elected president of that association, and has since been continued at its head by consecutive re-elections.

JOHN S. CONYERS

(Cashier of the First National Bank, Paris, Mo.). Mr. Conyers’ parents, Thomas W. and Eliza (Wall) Conyers, were early settlers of Missouri, and were from Stafford county, near Fredericksburg, Va. His father was in the War of 1812, and the Black Hawk War. He was a friend and comrade of Boone and Callaway in the North-west, and was a major in that expedition. Maj. Conyers settled in Boone county in 1822, and improved the farm on which Maj.  James J. Rollins now resides. After a residence of 14 years in Boone he came to Monroe county and established a store at Paris, placing his son, John S., the subject of this sketch, in charge of it. He continued to reside in this county, engaged either in merchandising or farming, or in both, until his death, or until his retirement in old age from active life. He died January 13, 1879, in his eighty-fourth year. He was often urged to enter public life, but invariably declined to do so, being thoroughly devoted to his private affairs and his family. He was one of the sterling, good men of the county, and lived a life that reflected only credit upon his name and upon the community with which he was for so many years and so worthily identified. John S.  Conyers was born in Stafford county, Va., about seven miles from the City of Fredericksburg, November 27, 1819, and was therefore about 17 years of age when he came to Monroe county. He has since continued to reside at Paris, except for seven years, following 1849, during which he was engaged in merchandising at Middle Grove, Mo. After this, from 1856 to 1861, he was in the mercantile business at Paris, and during the last named year suffered heavy losses, being nearly broken up by the peculations and thievery of a dishonest clerk. In 1865 Mr. Conyers, in partnership with Judge D. H. Moss, formed a savings association in the banking business, which was carried on with success until 1871, when it merged into the First National Bank of Paris, he becoming its cashier. He has since continued identified with the bank, and has contributed very largely by his close attention to business, personal popularity and efficiency as a cashier, as well as by his high character and integrity, to the gratifying success which this institution has achieved. It is generally recognized, both in banking circles and by the public, as one of the sound, safe banking institutions of this section of the State. Back in 1840, on the 10^th of September, Mr. Conyers was married to Miss Pauline T. Moss, a sister to D. H. Moss, his associate in the bank. They reared but one child, a daughter, Lena C., who is now the widow of John W. Irvine. She has two bright little girls, Pauline and Fannie, to whom their grandparents are hardly less attached than their mother. Their father was a prominent young lawyer, and gave every promise of a brilliant future at the bar and in public life, when he was suddenly cut off in the morning of his usefulness by death. Mr. and Mrs. Conyers are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Royal Arch Mason.

DAVID L. COOPER (Deceased)

(Paris). Between the 2d of April, 1818, and the 10^th of September, 1883, the dates, respectively, of the birth and death of the subject of this sketch, was lived a life that was useful and just, and one more than ordinarily successful in the affairs of the world. Commencing for himself when a young man and without a dollar, he succeeded by his own unaided efforts and sterling good sense, even before he was well advanced in middle age, in becoming a man of ample wealth, and by means that brought no reproach for a wrong act upon his name. At his death his estate was valued at over $150,000, all the fruit of his own industry and good management. He was not only a successful man, but a good and useful citizen and a kind and generous neighbor. Public spirited and liberal in all affairs that concerned the public good, his nature was also one of great benevolence and generosity toward those who needed the help he could give them. He reared a large and worthy family of children, and around his own fireside he was more than ordinarily well beloved, for he was a kind and devoted husband, and an affectionate and tender parent. In his character there was no such thing as hypocrisy or anything akin to cant goodness. On the contrary, he was a plain, brave and true-hearted man, without pretense, and always better at heart than those whose pretensions were the loudest. He was an early settler in Monroe county and lived here until his death, near half a century, one of the self-made, successful, useful and highly esteemed citizens of the county. His memory is justly revered as that of one of the best citizens who ever honored and benefited Monroe county by their residence within its borders. David L. Cooper was a native of Kentucky, reared in Fayette county, and afterwards married at Georgetown, in Scott county. His first wife was a Miss Catherine Caplinger before her marriage. They came to Missouri in 1834, and located at Lexington, Mo., and lived there two years and then moved to Paris. He followed the tailor’s trade here for a time, which he had previously learned, and then bought land and engaged in farming and handling stock. He became one of the leading mule traders of this part of the country, and accumulated a large property in this business. He returned from his farm to Paris in 1859, and resided here until his death. He also dealt largely in real estate, and improved considerable property, both farm and town property. He built the Cooper block of this place, and after the fire rebuilt it, in 1870. This is one of the best business blocks in Paris and contains seven store rooms. He also built other property, business and residence, and his own residence property is one of the finest in the county. He also owned several farms in this county and elsewhere. He was a man of untiring energy and thorough-going enterprise, always alive to business and almost invariably successful in all his ventures. His first wife died in 1867 and he was afterwards married to Miss Bettie Gore, who still survives him, a sister to Dr. A. E. Gore.  By his first wife he has eight children, and by his last wife four children.  Most of his family of children are still living, and the older ones are themselves the heads of families. They were given good educations and other advantages, and now rank among the best people of their respective counties. David L., the youngest of his father’s first family of children, and who kindly furnished the data for the present sketch of his father’s life, was educated at the high school of Paris, and afterwards took a business course at the Gem City Commercial College, of Quincy, Ill. A young man now in his twenty-second year, he is a partner with Mr. U. G. Speed in the saddlery and harness business at Paris. They carry a stock of $2,500, and have a large and steadily increasing trade. Young Mr. Cooper is one of the enterprising and thoroughly qualified and reliable young business men of Paris. He is highly respected and justly popular.

FRANCIS C. COOPER

(Farmer and Stock-raiser). Mr. Cooper is the son of David L. and Catherine E. (Caplinger) Cooper, both of Scott county, Ky. They moved to Missouri in 1838 and settled in Lafayette county, but in 1840 went to Paris, where Mr. Cooper took up his trade of tailoring and followed it most profitably for nine years. He then bought a farm just north of the town, where he farmed and raised stock until his death, September 10, 1883. He was very successful and accumulated a nice fortune. He was a member of the Christian Church and was twice married, having six children by his first wife, and two by his second. Francis C. was the second child of the first marriage. He grew up on the farm and attended the common schools. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate service under Col. Brace, of the cavalry, and was a faithful soldier until 1864. He was in the battles of Lexington, Mo., Pea Ridge, Ark., where he was taken prisoner, and held three months at St. Louis, then paroled and exchanged. He next fought at Corinth, first siege of Vicksburg and a great many lesser fights. In 1864 Mr. Cooper went across the plains to California, but soon after returning he married October 23, 1866, Miss Laura E., daughter of Philip Ross, formerly of Kentucky, now deceased. Mrs. Cooper was born in Kentucky and came to Missouri at the age of nine years. After his marriage Mr. Cooper farmed for a year in Saline county, but in the spring of 1868 returned and lived on the home place for five years, then buying his present place. He has 160 acres of land all fenced, 100 acres in meadow and plow land, the balance in timbered pasture. Mr. Cooper’s farm is beautifully situated and well improved, his residence, which is quite new, being one of the most tasteful in the county. There are also in his home ornaments of another description, jewels more rare and precious than those that flash in a monarch’s crown. Five children, bright and blooming, gather round his table and make of his life a symphony of sweetest music. Their names are respectively: Oliver P., Mabel M., Mary E., Josie and Frank L. One charming girl, Daisy C., died when “standing where the brook and river meet” September 12, 1883. Mr. Cooper is a member of Paris Lodge No. 29, I.O.O.F. and both he and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

EDMOND COVEY

(Farmer, Post-office, Welch). On the 15^th of December, 1865, Mr. Covey was honorably discharged from the Union service, after having for more than four long years followed the flag of his country through the hardships and dangers of the Civil War. When he entered the service the life of the Nation was threatened and was in peril, and the stoutest hearts among those who loved their country, almost stood still of fear lest the Government which Washington and their fathers founded, the noblest heritage ever bought with patriotic blood and bequeathed to posterity, should perish from the earth. When he returned from the war this noble fabric of free institutions was secured to the future past all danger, and consecrated to those who are to come after us by blood not less patriotic than that which was spilled at Lexington or stained the ground of Valley Forge. We of the present generation are wont to look with enthusiastic admiration upon the achievements of the illustrious heroes of 1776. But let us not for a moment doubt that the deeds of the Union patriots of the Civil War will go sounding down the ages with as proud and glad acclaim as ever fell upon the ears of men. Mr. Covey enlisted in Co. B, Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, on the 12^th day of August, 1861, and at the expiration of his first term of service enlisted again as a veteran in the same company January 1, 1864. He participated in many of the severest engagements of the war. He was in 12 of the distinct bayonet charges, and escaped from all danger with but a single wound. He was shot through the right forearm with a minie ball, having one of the bones of his arm broken. The ball lodged under the skin on the opposite side of his arm from where it went in, and he still has it in his possession, keeping it as a souvenir of the war. After his discharge he returned to Illinois and engaged in farming in DeWitt county. He was married in that county March 22, 1863, to Miss Kezia Harrold, daughter of Eli Harrold, formerly of North Carolina. He continued to farm in that county until the fall of 1878, when he removed to Monroe county, Mo., and bought the farm where he now resides. He has 160 acres in his homestead and also another tract a short distance from this one. Mr. Covey is an energetic farmer and one of the esteemed citizens of the township. He is a native of Illinois, born in McLean county, July 26, 1840, and a son of Cornelius and Lucy (Johnston) Covey, his father a native of New Jersey, but his mother of Sangamon county, Ill. They are still living in McLean county, his father being now in the seventy-first year of his age.

CHARLES A. CREIGH

(Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder of Deeds, Paris). When the war broke out in 1861,Charley Creigh ,then in his seventeenth year, was at home with his parents in Greenbrier county, Va., and occupied with assisting on the farm and attending school. If there are any people under the sun who will defend their native soil against hostile comers at all times and in all circumstances to the very death, they are the people of Virginia. For this they are famed in history, the world over, and no braver or truer soldier ever kept step to martial music than the genuine Virginian. Young Creigh, when the soil of his native State was invaded by the hostile armies of the North in 1861, showed himself a worthy son of the Old Dominion, and although hardly yet more than a boy, gallantly volunteered as a soldier for the defense of the families and firesides of his people and the rights and institutions of his State. He followed the flag of the South bravely and with unflinching devotion until after he was wounded for the second time. He left an arm on the field as an offering of his patriotism, and now goes with an empty sleeve dangling from his left shoulder as a living witness of the brave part he bore in the gallant struggle of Virginia, for the same principles for which her first great commander and his heroic compatriots fought nearly a century before. After being wounded a second time, which necessitated the amputation of his arm, he retired from the gallant old Fourteenth Virginia, no longer able to do military duty. The next two years were spent in teaching and attending school in Greenbrier and Albemarle counties. In 1867 he came West, to Kansas, and taught school in that State for two years. After this he returned home to Virginia to take charge of his mother’s family and settle up their estate, which was now greatly needing the attention of some one qualified to bring it out of the wreck in which the war had left it. The father had been brutally murdered during the war, or worse than murdered, taken out and deliberately hung by order of one of the most infamous characters the unhappy strife between the sections produced on either side, Gen. David Hunter. So high-handed and outrageous was the conduct of this coarse savage, dressed up in the uniform of a Union officer, that President Lincoln had to repudiate his proceedings in the South by proclamation as President of the United States and general order as Commander-in-Chief of the Union armies. This document is dated May 19, 1862. Hunter, it will be remembered, was the first one to declare martial law in the South, or, rather, in the States of Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, the military district over which, for the time he had control. He was also equally “previous” in issuing an emancipation proclamation which the President had to repudiate, the Union sentiment not yet being ripe for it. But to resume the thread of young Creigh’s career: He settled up the estate as best he could, for his father had been in good circumstances before the war, so as to save a few thousand dollars. With this he came West again, bringing his mother and sisters, and settled them in the eastern part of the county as comfortably as their means would allow, where they still reside. He there bought a tract of land and improved a farm, where he engaged in farming and also in handling stock. He became quite successful as a farmer and stock-raiser, and, being a man of good education and popular address, made many friends in the vicinity of his new home, and wherever he became acquainted. This perhaps was not hard for a one-armed Confederate soldier to do in Monroe county, fighting the battle of life, as he was, “single-handed,” sure enough, and taking care of his widowed mother and his sisters in addition, especially one so genial and clever as an acquaintance and so irreproachable as a man as Charley Creigh was. To make a long story short, his friends in his part of the county rallied around him and ran him for sheriff, and wherever he appeared with his armless sleeve and his brave, genial countenance, he swept the field, but he made little or no effort himself for the office, and for that reason was defeated, for he was not generally acquainted, but was beaten barely by the skin of his opponent’s teeth. He was really doing first-rate on his farm and had little or no desire for the office and, besides, everybody knows that to be elected sheriff, one must be a professional laugher, grin at every stupid joke and kiss every dirty-mouthed baby from the mouth to the head waters of Bitter creek. Mr. Creigh was thoroughly up to kissing, but not to kissing babies, and hence, he was left by a small majority. But when the next election mill-day came around, his friends of the south-eastern part of the county ran him again, but still he had not learned the osculatory art infantilis and his opponent got in this time barely on the principle that “a miss is as good as a mile.” He took little or no personal part in this election but remained at home like a good Agricola, attending his flocks and herds. When the office of circuit clerk became vacant his friends, like Napoleon’s Old Guard, rallied around him again to place him in this position. This time he concluded to try his hand on a trump card or two himself, and he went into the canvass to win, or to know just exactly where he was struck if he got knocked out of time. He had one of the most popular men of the county to contend against, a man backed by wealth and family influence, and, withal, a good man himself. But he started on the circuit around the county and no honest-hearted Methodist circuit rider ever did more earnest work than he did, from precinct to precinct, and he made every schoolhouse almost as familiar with his voice, talking to the good men of Monroe county, as with the music of the horse-hair Aeolian made in the window by the bad boy at playtime. The result was, that everybody became acquainted with Charley Creigh and this time he came triumphantly through with colors flying. His election was a most gratifying victory to his friends (and now everybody seems to be his friend), and all predict for him a long and honorable future in official life. It will evidently be a cold day when Charley Creigh is beaten for circuit clerk in Monroe county. He is faithful to his duties and fully qualified and capable for them, and personally he is so popular that his butcher bills are simply remarkable in magnitude, so common is it for his friends to dine with him when they come to town, and he is in his happiest element when he is helping them to a mutton chop or a good beefsteak and telling them some old war experience.

THOMAS CRUTCHER

(Clerk of the County Court, Paris). In the “History of Monroe County” there is no one more justly entitled to respect and esteem, or who stands higher as a man and citizen in the estimation of all who know him, than the subject of this sketch. Mr. Crutcher has been a resident of this county for over half a century - from early youth - and from the first his life has been one without a stain or the suspicion of a wrong act, and devoted throughout with intelligence, earnestness and unfaltering fidelity to the best interests of those among whom he has lived. Nor has his personal worth and value passed unrecognized by those around him. Time and time again he has been called into the public service, and in no single instance when he was a candidate before the people have they withheld their confidence and support. Mr. Crutcher is a native of Kentucky, born in Lincoln county, July 16, 1818. His father was Charles Crutcher, a native of Virginia, and lived there until nearly 40 years of age and then removed to Kentucky, where he lived until 1831, when he came to Monroe county. His mother’s maiden name was Elizabeth Jones. She was a native of Virginia. Thomas Crutcher, the eleventh of twelve children, was 13 years of age when the family removed to this State. They settled in Monroe county, where the parents lived until their deaths. The father died June 1, 1864, the mother some time previous. They were highly esteemed residents of the county and their memory is cherished by their surviving children and by all who knew them as that of those whose lives were useful and just, and kind and true in every relation, whether in the family or in the community. Charles Crutcher opened a farm here and became comfortably situated. He introduced the raising of wheat in the county and sowed the first wheat ever grown within its borders. Thomas Crutcher, the subject of this sketch, remained on the farm only a short time after the family came to Monroe county. His health being quite delicate, it was thought best for him to engage in some in-door pursuit. He, therefore, came to Paris in 1834, and entered a store here to learn merchandising. His opportunities for an education had been quite limited, but he had picked up a sufficient knowledge of books to understand reading and writing and the elementary rules of arithmetic. This sufficed him to begin with, and practical experience in the store, together with study when not otherwise occupied, soon made him a young man of superior business qualifications. Later along he engaged in merchandising on his own account, and continued it with steadily increasing success for a number of years. Mr. Crutcher possesses to a marked degree many of the qualities that make men popular with those around them. Of a kindly, humane disposition, transparently honest, and manifestly concerned for the good and the feelings of others, accommodating to the last degree, generous in impulses, and agreeable and pleasant in manners, he became one of the most popular business men in Paris and throughout the county. In 1840, although but 22 years of age, he was elected sheriff of Monroe county by an overwhelming majority, and is said to have been one of the youngest sheriffs who ever occupied that office in the State. In 1842 he was re-elected, filling the offices of sheriff and collector for four years without opposition. After the expiration of his last term he resumed merchandising at Paris, and continued it until the outbreak of the war. Though sympathizing strongly with his friends in the South, Mr. Crutcher was devotedly attached to the Union, but did not feel justified in engaging on either side in the suicidal and unhappy conflict between the two sections.

In order, therefore, to avoid becoming mixed up in the troubles of the times in this section of the State, he removed with his family to Quincy, Ill., and remained there until the restoration of peace. Returning to Paris after the war, he resumed merchandising and followed it without interruption until 1873, when he was appointed county clerk to fill out the unexpired term of William N. Penn, deceased. At the expiration of this term he was elected to that office and has since been re-elected, continuing to hold it up to the present time. On the 12^th day of April, 1838, Mr. Crutcher was married to Miss Esther J. Glenn, a daughter of Hugh Glenn, Esq., deceased, formerly of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Crutcher had nine children, four of whom are living, namely: Sarah E., wife of E. W. Crutcher of the State of Nevada; Anna B., wife of R. H. West of this place; William L., his only son, now residing in Nevada, on account of failing health, and Essie J., wife of James A. Curtright, now deputy county clerk under Mr. Crutcher. Of the 12 children in the family of Mr. Crutcher’s parents, six sons and as many daughters, only three of the family, including himself, are living, namely: his youngest brother, Milton, now on the old family homestead in this county, and Ambrose, four miles south of Paris. Mr. Crutcher’s father lived to the advanced age of 89 years, and his father’s only brother, Samuel, lived to be 88 years of age. Their father also lived to be 88. Mr. Crutcher, himself, is now 66 years of age. Though not a man of the most robust physique, he is yet well preserved, and possessed of great natural recuperative power. He is brighter in mind and conversation than many, a decade or more his juniors, and indeed, he seems to be in the meridian of life mentally. Having lived in the county for so many years, he is possessed of an apparently inexhaustible fund of reminiscences and incidents which throw a clear light upon the condition of society and the country in the times to which they refer. When Mr. Crutcher came to Monroe county, there was not a schoolhouse or church building in the county, and the nearest settlement to the present site of Paris was 16 miles away. The first church was built in 1832, a primitive log structure, erected by the Old School Baptists, and afterwards the Methodists came in and built a church, who were soon followed by the Christian denomination. He contributed to the first Christian Church erected in the county, and he and wife have been members of that denomination for over 40 years. But he has lived to see a mighty change in the country. And in this wonderful transformation he, himself, has borne a most worthy part. As a citizen, no one has taken a more public-spirited and intelligent interest in the general progress of the country. He has been active in its public and business affairs, and in the advancement of the cause of education, of church interests, and of every movement designed for the general good. He has always been a warm friend to popular education, and has had the satisfaction to see his life-long views approved by the general sentiment of the country. Where formerly there was not a schoolhouse in the county, there are now more than a hundred, where instruction is given to the young. To the churches his liberality has been limited only by his means, for no one ever showed greater generosity according to his ability to give. He also took an active interest in the construction of the railroad running in the county; and in everything that would contribute to the material, social or general welfare of the people, he has taken a worthy part. He assisted to effect the first town organization of Paris, and was a member of the first town council. Mr. Crutcher’s life has been one of unceasing activity, directed by a generous ambition to make himself useful to those around him, and to do as much good and as little harm in the world as possible, according to the talents given him. And looking back over his long and useful life, it must be admitted that his has been a career to which as little blame attaches, and in which there is as much to challenge the esteem and good opinions of his fellow-men, as seldom falls to the lot of one to make. A man of the most generous and unselfish impulses, in whose nature warm and noble humanity prevails over, perhaps, any other characteristic, as upright in thought and deed as the purest and best, his whole life has been an unbroken chain of duty faithfully and well performed, and of kind and generous acts untiringly done. All over the county he is known and esteemed as one of the best of men, and wherever his name is spoken it is uttered with that consideration and respect which evinces the high regard in which he is held. Elected time and again to public office, no one can hope to be a successful candidate for any position which he will consent to fill, so long as he is able to discharge its duties and will accept the place. Through this whole section of country his name stands as a synonym for honesty and integrity, for noble and generous humanity, and for all the purer and better qualities of head and heart. In very looks he is a man to be trusted and reverenced, for his heart seems to be open to all who approach him, and to know Uncle Thomas Crutcher, as he is called far and wide, is to know, as all believe, the noblest work of God, a good and true and noble and downright honest man.

JUDGE JAMES M. CRUTCHER

(Judge of the Probate Court, Paris). James Madison Crutcher was born in Monroe county, November 9, 1841. His father was William Crutcher and born in Kentucky; his mother, before her marriage, was a Miss America Arnold, of Kentucky. His father was a farmer by occupation, residing near Paris; he died in December, 1844, and James M.’s youth was spent on the farm, where he assisted in farm work, but during the winter months attended the neighborhood schools. When he was seventeen years of age he was offered a position as assistant in the circuit clerk and recorder’s office, a place he accepted and filled until the expiration of the term of his employer, Mr. George Glenn. He then returned to the home with his grandfather, William Arnold, with whom he had formerly lived and assisted in managing the farm. He remained there until three years after his grandfather’s death, which occurred in 1861. In 1865 he bought a farm and moved his mother’s family, consisting of herself and two daughters, on to it, where he, himself, settled. He followed farming there, but during the winter months taught school. After this he engaged in clerking in a store at Granville, and followed that until he was offered a position as deputy circuit clerk and recorder at Paris, which he accepted. After remaining in the office as deputy for two years, he was then solicited by friends all over the county to become a candidate for circuit clerk and recorder himself, to which he finally consented. Although his opponents were considered among the most popular in the county, he was successful and was elected by a handsome majority. While serving as clerk he read law and was admitted to the bar, passing an exceptionally good examination, being admitted at the April term, 1875. At the close of his term of office, he opened a law office at Paris and engaged in the practice of his profession, but his health failing from close confinement and hard study, he returned to the farm and engaged in farming. As a farmer, Judge Crutcher’s career was quite a successful one. In December, 1880, the office of probate judge became vacant by resignation of the incumbent, and he was requested to allow his name to be presented to the Governor for appointment. Doing well on his farm and loath to quit farming, he hesitated to accept the office, even if tendered to him, but the solicitations of his friends were earnest and continued, so that at last he told them that if the commission were offered him, he would not refuse it. The Governor requested that a primary election be held to determine who was the choice of the people, and the election resulting favorable to Judge Crutcher, he was appointed. He held the office for two years and then was elected without opposition, now holding the position for the term for which he was elected. Judge Crutcher is a man of excellent business qualifications, sterling worth and, as the above facts show, one of the most popular men in the county. As a probate judge and as a man he has the entire confidence of the public, and he has discharged the duties of his office with marked efficiency and ability. December 12, 1872, he was married to Miss Ella Forsyth, a daughter of Capt. John Forsyth, of this county. They have one child, a daughter, Belle, now eight years of age. After his election to the office of probate judge, he removed his family from the farm to Paris. His mother is still living and resides on the farm, which he still superintends and manages.

JAMES A. CURTRIGHT

(Paris). Mr. Curtright is a worthy representative of one of the old and highly respected families of the county. His father, Judge Curtright, came to Missouri away back in 1828 and settled in Monroe county the following year. He entered land on which he improved a farm, where he still resides, at the advanced age of 83. Mr. Curtright’s mother was a Miss Dawson, of another good family of the county. She has been dead many years, and Judge Curtright married a second wife. She died about 10 years ago. James A. was one of a family of 15 children, 12 of whom reached mature years, and 11 of them are still living. He was born on a farm four miles southwest of Paris, April 21, 1843. On reaching majority he came to town and began as a clerk in merchandising, which he continued until 1883, becoming widely and favorably known as a popular and efficient clerk. Since then he has been an assistant in the county clerk’s office. August 20, 1874, he was married to Miss Essie Crutcher, a daughter of Thomas Crutcher. They have a family of two children: Virgie L. and Nellie W. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is now acting High Priest of the Encampment of the I.O.O.F. Mr. Curtright is a candidate for county treasurer. Thoroughly qualified for the position and a man of unimpeachable integrity, as well as being a good Democrat, which is of itself a guaranty of honesty and ability, there seems to be no reason why he should not be chosen to the office. Reared in the county, he is well known to the public, and his perfect reliability and fidelity are proven by the faithfulness with which he has filled the positions of clerk in the different stores where thousands of dollars were handled monthly, and by the great esteem and confidence in which he is held by those for whom he worked. There is no earthly reason why he should not be made county treasurer, unless it is that he is not a man of wealth. But can it be that this is to defeat him, and are not absolute integrity and thorough qualifications for the position sufficient? If not, then the law ought to be changed so that none but men of wealth could hold important public trusts. But Mr. Curtright has a strong support in the county, with every prospect of success.

HENRY L. CURTRIGHT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). The sketch of Samuel Curtright, the father of Henry L., is given elsewhere in this volume, where something of an outline of the family antecedents is presented. Henry L. was born June 12, 1833, and had good opportunities to attend school as he grew up. Much of his time was spent in school until he was 21 years of age. But after reaching his majority he engaged in farming for himself, which he has ever since followed. He began on rented land, but now owns a comfortable homestead, where he has resided for a number of years. On the 20^th of September, 1865, he was married to Miss Mattie A., a daughter of Harvey and Nancy (Hill) Arnold, formerly of Kentucky. They have five children: Samuel H., James W., Robert F., Mary F. and Clay P. Mr. Curtright is engaged in raising stock, principally cattle of the high grade breed. He and wife are members of the Christian Church and he is a member of the Odd Fellows Order of Paris. For two years during the war he was deputy sheriff of the county.

MERVIN M. DAWSON

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Welch). Mr. Dawson, a son of Nathaniel W. Dawson, of this county, was brought up to the business of farming and handling stock, and although comparatively a young man yet, is steadily coming to the front in these lines. His father is a Kentuckian by nativity, from Henry county, and came to Missouri with his family in 1849. He located in Monroe county, where he bought a farm and began his career here as a farmer and stock man. He was entirely successful in these lines, and although retired from active work for some years past, bears the reputation of having shipped more stock from this county than any other man in the county. He is now 67 years of age, and is living in quiet and comfort on his homestead, in the bosom of his family and the enjoyment of the esteem of all who know him. His good wife is also still living to accompany him on down the stream of life, as she has done for so many long and happy years. They have reared a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, all of whom are married and all reside in the county but two - one, the wife of John Brockman of Audrain county, and Ellis, of the State of Colorado. Mervin M. is the keystone of the family of children, there being four older and four younger than he. He was born in Henry county, Ky., October 13, 1845, and was therefore principally reared in Monroe county. He was married in this county February 3, 1867, when Miss Rebecca F.  Threlkeld, a daughter of William Threlkeld, became his wife. After his marriage Mr. Dawson quitted the paternal roof to establish a home for himself and his family. He came to the place where he now resides and went to work with a resolution to make himself one of the successful farmers of the county. This object he is steadily accomplishing, and already he is well advanced toward the front. He has a place of about 200 acres of fine land, all under fence, and either in cultivation, meadow or pasturage, except 15 acres of timber. His place is neatly and substantially improved, and is a comfortable and desirable homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Dawson have seven children: Mary E., William N., Smith T., Arthur P., Fannie L., George A., and Beulah M. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

JOHN A. DELANEY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). John Alfred Delaney was born in Scott county, Ky., January 23, 1814. His father died in Kentucky in 1828, and two years afterwards the family removed to Missouri and settled on a farm, and in 1831 came to Monroe county and settled permanently on the place where the subject of this sketch now resides. John A. and a brother had to care for the family, and it was a hard struggle through which they passed in this then new country, with every disadvantage to contend against to keep those dependent upon them comfortably provided for, and get something of a respectable start in life for themselves. Farm products were worth comparatively nothing and everything bought from the stores was exorbitantly high, in fact, circumstances more unfavorable for prosperous farm life could hardly be imagined than they then were. But young Delaney and his brother did quite as well as those around them and as the conditions of times improved each of them advanced in prosperity with more rapid strides. In 1834, Mr.  Delaney was married to Miss Sallie Sparks, who lived to brighten his home for nearly 20 years, and bore him 12 children, six of whom are living: William, John A., Mary, Elizabeth, James S. and Sallie. The mother of these died in 1852 and some years afterwards Mr. Delaney was married to Miss Margaret S. Hammonds, a most estimable lady.  They have six children: Thomas B., Leonidas N., Edwin H., Maggie S., Slade I. and Perry M. When Mr. Delaney started out for himself he had but 50 acres of land, a horse or two and wagon, and no other property but a skillet and lid, bed and bedding, and a few household articles. But he went to work with that industry and resolution that, on the rich soil of Monroe county and by the genial showers which come of the favor of Heaven, could not fail of success. He has steadily come up in the gradient of prosperity and success until he is now one of the leading farmers and substantial citizens of the county. His estate numbers over 400 acres of as fine land as ever germinated the seed of the husbandman, whilst his farm is abundantly stocked with sleek cattle, contented swine and rich-fleeced sheep as well as horses and mules, and other domestic animals. He and wife are church members.

BENJAMIN G. DYSART, M. D.

(Of Dysart & Moss, Physicians and Surgeons, Paris). Dr. Dysart, a physician of twenty-five years standing and a surgeon of established reputation, now one of the leading members of the medical profession in this part of the State and president of the District Medical Society, was born in Randolph county, September 28, 1834. He is a son of Dr. Nicholas Dysart, of Randolph county, an old and highly esteemed citizen of that county residing near Yates Post office, a sketch of whose life appears on pages 673 and 674 of the “ History of Randolph and Macon Counties,” recently issued by the publishers of this volume. Dr. Dysart, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm near Yates and received an advanced education, which was concluded at McGee College, where he was awarded the degree of B.S., or Bachelor of Science. Prior to concluding his course at college, however, which was in 1854, he had taught school, having begun to teach at the early age of 17. His first school was at Ft. Henry, and afterwards he taught again in Chariton county, teaching about two years, having charge of the high school where he gave instructions in Latin and other higher branches. In 1856 he quit teaching and began the study of medicine, taking a course of reading under Dr. R. K. Lewis, eight miles west of Ft. Henry, under whom he read for about two years. He then entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he graduated in 1859. Immediately following his graduation, Dr. Dysart located at College Mound, where he began the practice of his profession. In 1861 he entered the Southern service becoming, after the battle of Lexington, in which he took part, surgeon of Col. Bevier’s regiment, of which he was surgeon until the close of the State Guard service. At the general reorganization for the Confederate service which then took place, he was made surgeon of the Fifth Missouri Volunteer Infantry under Col. McCowen, a position he held until 1864. During this time the field of operations of his regiment included Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri, and he took part in the battles of Pea Ridge, Farmington, Iuka and second Corinth. After the second battle of Corinth he was left in charge of the wounded, and was four months inside the Federal lines. Rejoining his regiment at Grenada, Mississippi, he afterwards participated in the battles of Grand Gulf and Port Gibson, and at the latter place was again left in charge of the wounded, spending nearly five months more in the Federal lines. During this time his regiment was captured at Vicksburg, and at the reorganization at Demopolis he was made surgeon of the Third and Fifth Missouri Infantry, still under Col. McCowen. Following this the consolidated regiments were in the campaign up through Georgia, and joined Gen. Joe Johnston near Kingston, Ga., participating in the series of fights made between Altoona and Atlanta. They then joined Hood and participated in the latter’s campaign in Tennessee and in the battle of Franklin, in that State. There Dr. Dysart was left in charge of about 5,000 wounded, including 1,000 Federals wounded. He continued in charge of these for about nine months, from November 17, 1864, until August 1, 1865, several months after the close of the war. Early in the fall of 1865 Dr. Dysart returned to Missouri, after having spent four years in field and hospital. The thorough training he received as physician and surgeon during his long service in the army, and the satisfaction of having faithfully performed his duty to suffering humanity and to the cause of the South, were the only rewards he received for the labor and hardships he had undergone. Worse still: what property he had before the war was swept away, leaving him practically penniless. But locating at Paris, he began life anew in his profession and went to work with courage and resolution. The result has been most gratifying. His skill and ability in medicine and surgery have long since placed him in the front rank of his profession in North Missouri. For years he has had an extensive practice and he has prospered in a material point of view. He owns a fine farm of 400 acres a short distance north of Paris, and another place of 200 acres west of the city. Dr. Dysart, besides attending to a large practice, is engaged in raising stock. He also deals to some extent in real estate. He has a commodious and neat residence property in Paris and is comfortably and pleasantly situated. January 9, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Olivia Ragsdale, an estimable widow lady. Mrs. Dysart’s maiden name was Vivion, and she was a daughter of Preston Vivion. The Doctor and Mrs. Dysart have one son, Charles, born October 16, 1870. She is a member of the Christian Church, and he of the Cumberland Presbyterian. He is also a prominent Mason.

JOHN H. EDWARDS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser). Mr. Edwards was born June 10, 1810, in Bourbon county, Ky.  His father, John Edwards, was a native of Virginia, but immigrated, when a boy, to Kentucky, there marrying Miss Polly Garrod, daughter of Gov. James Garrod, Kentucky’s first governor. John Edwards was a magistrate for many years and was also sheriff of the county. He was one of the sturdy veterans of the War of 1812. He lived in Bourbon county, Ky., until his death. John H. grew up on his father’s farm, receiving a good common school education and assisting in the farm-work. Until his marriage, November 8, 1832, he carried on a distillery, manufacturing old Bourbon whiskey. When

he had taken a wife, however, he began farming for himself, first in Kentucky and afterwards in Missouri. In 1857 he removed to Monroe county and the following year bought a farm, upon which he now lives. The place was already partially improved, but in the hands of Mr. Edwards it “blossomed as the rose.” He has 320 acres all fenced, 240 in meadow and plow-land, and 80 acres in timber and pasture. Every comfort surrounds Mr. Edwards and his home is one to be proud of; attractive residence, good buildings, orchard, etc., and a most refined and intelligent family in whose society to refresh his

mind and heart. Mr. Edwards’ wife was Miss Margaret, daughter of Capt. Abraham Keller, of Bourbon county, before her marriage. She has with faithful tenderness

“Mended his ills, increased his hopes,” and in the truest sense of the word been to him a better half. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards have six children, all except one of whom are married:

John Monroe, Abram K., Amos, Joseph T., William, Tolbert, now at Wichita, Kans., and Margaret, wife of Robert T. Carter. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are members of the Christian Church.

JOHN M. EDWARDS

(Farmer, Section 17, Post-office, Paris). Mr. John M. Edwards was born June 20, 1835, in Bourbon county, Ky. His father, who was born June 12, 1800, was also a native of that State. He followed the occupation of farmer until 1847, when he moved to Missouri. He was married in Bourbon county, Ky., in 1825, to Miss Margaret Killer, also a native of that county. Of this marriage were born 10 children. Five still survive: Abraham, Noah, Joseph, William and Margaret. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were good and faithful members, of the Christian Church. John M. was the fourth child, and was reared in Bourbon county, Ky., and from his early childhood had a predilection for farming, which occupation he has steadfastly followed ever since. In 1856 he removed to Monroe county, Mo., and was married February 10, 1875, to Miss Mary Evans who was a native of Monroe, where she was born August 12, 1837. They have two children: Rufina M. and Margaret K. Mr.  Edwards owes everything in life to his own exertions, and has indefatigably persevered in his efforts to succeed in the occupation he has chosen. It can truly be said of him that he is a self-made man. He can now look with pride at the time when but a boy he was penniless and had nothing but his robust health, and an honest purpose, which has led him upward to the rank he now maintains among his fellow men. His farm consisting of 296 acres of rich land, and of which 220 acres are highly improved, has been made to yield him a comfortable living. Though now but in the prime of life, he may well rest upon his oars, and view with complacent eye his broad acres that have been made to bear the fruit of an honest, and well spent life. Mr. Edwards is a good member of the Christian Church.

HENRY H. FIELDS

(Farmer and Stock-dealer, Section 1). Of all that sturdy and independent class, the farmers of Missouri, none are possessed of more genuine merit and a stronger character than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. Left to hew his own path in life, he has most manfullly acquitted himself of the task. He was born November 6, 1822, in Washington county, Ky., of John Field and Elizabeth Wiseheart, his wife. John F. was born October 17, 1796, in Maryland, but spent his early years in Washington county. He was a farmer, and married December 19, 1817, a fair flower of Nelson county. They had a family of 10 children, of whom six are now living: John W., a Methodist minister, located at Palestine, Tex.; Matilda, Wilson M., Catherine, Alfred M. and Henry H.  In 1858 Mr. F. moved to Ellis county, Tex., and two years later to Monroe county, Mo., whither his son, Henry H., had preceded him by five years. The latter grew up in his native country, and was there married May 28, 1849, to Miss Martha M. Phillips, by whom he has four children: Florida, Missouri, Dennis M. and John L. He moved to Missouri in 1855, and two years later, August 19, 1857, his wife was wrapped in the dark and impenetrable mantle of death. Mr. Fields has a fine farm of 320 acres, the fruits of his own industry and untiring energy. His farm is well stocked with everything necessary to its thorough cultivation, and his improvements bear witness to the intelligence and wisdom that rule. He is a valuable citizen, and his example and success may well serve as a beacon light to guide other struggling souls to a safe harbor. Mr. Fields is a worthy member of the Masonic order.

WILLIAM H. FORMAN

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Forman, an old citizen and respected farmer of the county, has been a resident of this county for over 53 years. He came from Kentucky, having been born in Montgomery county, of that State, in 1813. He was a son of John and Susan (Caldwell) Foreman, and emigrated from Kentucky with his parents in 1831. His father was a deacon for over 20 years in the Christian Church. Settling six miles west of Paris, he resided on that place for nearly 30 years, or rather in that neighborhood, for he sold his original place during that time and bought one near by, to which he removed. In 1860 he went to Sturgeon, in Boone county, where he engaged in the hotel business.

He died there in 1863. His wife had died the year previous. William H. Forman, who was 16 years of age when he came to Missouri, grew to manhood in Monroe county, and in 1839 was married to Miss Martha A. Curtright, formerly of Kentucky. Already Mr. Forman had begun his career in life as a farmer, which he has continued ever since. He has a good homestead of 160 acres, on which he has resided for many years. Mr. Forman goes down in the “History of Monroe County “ as the first teacher of vocal music who ever taught in the county. And he is perhaps the oldest teacher in point of continued service of that which Congreve says:-

“Music has charms to sooth a savage breast,

To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak;

I’ve read that things inanimate have moved,

And, as with living souls, have been informed,

By magic numbers and persuasive sound.”

Since he was a young man, for nearly half a century, he taught vocal music in the county up to within about a year ago. Mr. Forman has been a member of the Christian Church for over fifty years. He and his good wife have had seven children: John C., Emily E., William, Daniel, James, Thomas A. and Nancy. Daniel C. died in 1857, Thomas in 1863, and William was killed in 1868 by the fall of a tree. Mrs. Forman is also a member of the Christian Church.

VALENTINE FOWKES

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, section 9). Mr. Fowkes, who was born in Scott county, Ky., near Georgetown, July 16, 1817, is the son of Gerard and Nancy Fowkes and the brother of Richard, whose sketch follows this. He grew up on the home place with a common school education, and at the age of 16 commenced freighting in Kentucky. After moving to Missouri he continued the same business, freighting from Hannibal to Paris, and also when the river was low to Richmond, Chariton and Brunswick. When navigation was closed he hauled between St. Louis and Paris. He was engaged in this occupation for 35 years. Mr. Fowkes bought the farm upon which he now lives about 30 years ago. It was partly improved and his industry, good management and tastes have made it one of the garden spots of the county. He is a reliable and leading farmer in the township and contributes materially to its general prosperity. Of very winning manners, and adapting himself readily to those among whom he is thrown, he is universally popular and his success in life is not to be wondered at. His farm contains 260 acres of land, 220 fenced, with 75 in cultivation, and the balance in timbered pasture. His buildings are good and substantial and his orchard young and promising. His business for 20 years has been the breeding of horses and mules, in which he is eminently successful. He has made seven trips South with this stock and with pecuniary profit. Mr. Fowkes married in this county January 8, 1866, Miss Lucy, widow of Harvey Smith, and daughter of Christopher and Mildred Acuff, formerly from Kentucky, and both now deceased. This marriage has been without its crowning glory, the birth of children. Mrs. Fowkes, a woman of unusual charms, is rendered still more attractive by the adornment of a truly Christian spirit. She is a devout worshiper in the Baptist Church.

RICHARD FOWKES

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Gerard Fowkes, a native of Scott county, Ky., and the father of Richard, married Nancy Rogers, also a Kentuckian, and after a few years moved to Missouri, settling in Monroe county on the farm still occupied by the subject of this sketch. The place was already slightly improved, and Mr. Fowkes made of it a beautiful home, where he spent the remainder of his years, dying February 27, 1881, in his ninety-first year. He was a pensioner of the War of 1812. Of a family of nine children three are now living. Richard, who was the youngest of the family, was born in Scott county, Ky., on the 30^th day of October, 1829. He was quite young when his parents moved to Missouri, and has spent the greater part of his life on the same farm. He was educated at the common schools, and as soon as he reached his majority, like many other young men growing up at that day, was seized with the California fever. He spent two very profitable years in the mines there, and then returned to the home of his childhood, where he settled down and became a farmer. February 12, 1856, he married Miss Catherine, daughter of Thomas H. Noonan, formerly from Kentucky, now deceased. Mrs. Fowkes was born, reared and educated in Monroe county. There is in this family but one child, Lillie, a bright and beautiful girl just blooming into womanhood. Mr. Fowkes is a farmer of experience and ability, and is much respected by all. He owns 80 acres of land, all fenced, 25 in plow land and the balance timbered pasture. His place is well improved and an ornament to the township. He is a member of Paris Lodge No. 19, A.F. and A.M., in which he has been a member 32 years. Mrs. Fowkes is a member of the Baptist Church.

JAMES CEPHAS FOX (Deceased)

(Paris). He whose name heads this sketch was a man well and favorably known to all old citizens of Monroe county. He came to the county before it was formed, and was afterwards one of the pioneer merchants of Paris. The following in reference to his death we take from the Christian, of September 5, 1878:- Something more than the mere announcement of his death deserves to be written concerning the life and character of that eminent servant of God, J. C. Fox, who passed away from earth on Thursday, August 15^th, about one o’clock in the afternoon. His death was so sudden and unexpected, its announcement was a shock to the citizens of Paris and of the whole county. He had almost completed his seventy-sixth year, yet he was so hale and vigorous, the idea of his death from the weight of years and the natural close of life had not entered the thoughts of our people. He had not been feeling very well for several days, but was seen on our streets, to all appearances in his usual health, the morning of the day of his death. After eating his dinner he began to complain of pains in his breast and a dullness and dizziness in his head. The doctor was sent for immediately, who reached the house within 10 minutes, and in 30 minutes Brother Fox expired.  Apoplexy was the cause of his death. He died calmly and without a struggle, as if going to sleep, as he really was, in the arms of the blessed Savior. James Cephas Fox was born in Fayette county, Ky., October 30, 1802. When he was about four years of age his father and family moved to Loudoun county, Va., where they remained a few years and returned to Kentucky. In 1819 the family, including the subject of this sketch, removed to the then Territory of Missouri and settled near Middle Grove, in what is now Monroe county, but was then a part of Ralls county. This was the first settlement within the present limits of Monroe county, and was long known as Fox’s settlement. Shortly after Monroe county was formed, the site now occupied by the town of Paris was selected for the county seat and Brother Fox was appointed commissioner to lay off the town and sell the lots, he having deeded to the county a part of the land upon which the town is built. The honor of giving the name to the town was awarded to his wife. In connection with Robert Caldwell he opened the first store in Paris. For many years he was actively engaged in merchandising in the place, and by his close attention to business and the exercise of his fine business qualifications he amassed a large fortune for a country merchant. June 23, 1822, he was married to Miss Ann Smith. After her death, in 1861, he was married to Mrs. Mildred Caldwell, who survives him. Joseph H. Fox, of Shelbina, and Mrs. T. L. Fox, of Quincy, were born of the first marriage, and Miss Annie May Fox of the last, and these are all left to mourn his loss. After a long and successful business career he retired from such labor, and in 1866 was honored by the citizens of Monroe county as their representative in the State Legislature, which place he filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. His history is so intimately connected with the history of our county and of Paris, that the history of one would involve the history of the other. He assisted in surveying the first public road in the county, and, as we have seen, laid the foundation for our county seat. By his counsel and his wisdom and his means he was always unobtrusively prominent in every enterprise that promised to add to the material growth and prosperity of the town and county in which he lived. He belonged to us all in a very peculiar and endearing sense, which was most fully and sincerely attested by the very large crowd that attended his funeral and wept over him. Young and old, black and white, rich and poor, met around his coffin and looked upon his face with one common grief, and sorrowed most of all that they should see that face no more. Few places are blessed with such a scene as was witnessed on the day of his burial, because few places are blessed with such a life as his, over which the whole community could rejoice and upon which it had so confidently leaned, and in whose death there could be tears of genuine grief from all, for unto all he had been a father and a friend, rejoicing at their joy and weeping with them in their sorrows. But it is of Brother Fox as a Christian that I desire to speak, for it was this that sanctified and made beautiful all the other relations of his life. I am not able to say just when he became a follower of Christ, but it was in the early years of his manhood. I have been told that he was the first person baptized in this county upon the simple confession of his faith in Christ. Before he ever heard a minister from among the Disciples he was attending a Baptist meeting, and at the invitation arose in the audience and addressed the preacher about as follows: “I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. If you will receive me upon this confession, I will come.” He was received. Not long after, old Brother McBride came to Paris from Boone county, and on the 10^th day of March, 1833, organized the Christian Church in this place. Six members composed the organization. Brother Fox was one of the six. They are all gone but one, and he still lingers at Paris at the advanced age of 84. During all these years of the existence of the church here, now numbering nearly a half century, Brother Fox has been intimately associated with its life and growth, indeed, has been a very large factor in the production of all gracious results arising from a congregation of Disciples so large, so united, and so ready for every good work and word. Active, energetic and industrious throughout all the years of his long and splendid career, yet he never for one moment became so much absorbed in his business interests and cares as to forget his allegiance to his God and the duties and privileges arising out of his relation to the church. His life is a very striking illustration of the fact that a man can use this world without abusing it; that he can toil, and buy, and sell, and keep, and use, and trade, and yet keep close to the Cross, and yet nearer and nearer to God. He always considered himself simply a steward of the manifold mercies of God, and with a liberal and a generous hand and heart, was ever found truly “given to hospitality,” distributing to the “necessities of the saints,” and as he had opportunity, of doing good unto all men. He was liberal and generous toward all the enterprises of the church, educational, missionary and others. After having done his part liberally and willingly we never failed to hear him and see him with his pocket-book in his hand and open, saying, “How much is lacking?” and quietly supplying the deficiency. Brother Fox grew old so gracefully. No sourness nor bitterness spoiled the loveliness of his last days. He had looked upon the rapid movements of the world since he was a boy in all that bore upon its material prosperity and growth, and had observed the wonderful changes in religious, scientific and philosophic investigation and knowledge, but he was never the man to utter a groan of regret and say, “things are not what they once were.” Brother Fox was a very wise man, and he had gathered his wisdom, most of all while he sat as a little child, at the feet of Him who spoke as man never spake. His wisdom increased with his years. It was not blunted by any dimness of vision, nor disturbed by any crotchets of a soured old age. He was willing to work anywhere and everywhere for the Master. He was never absent from the Sunday-school, prayer meeting and the meetings on Lord’s day and night. One of the touching scenes at his funeral was the presence and grief of the little boys from five to seven years of age whom he has taught for sometime in the Sunday-school. They bore a beautiful cross and wreath of flowers and laid them upon his coffin. As they looked upon his face for the last time, beside them stood the aged pilgrim, now 84, the only one now living in Monroe county of those who were here when he and Brother Fox came to this country, and the only remaining one of those who formed this church 45 years ago, Brother James R. Abernathy. The aged and young mingled their tears together. But it would take a volume to give a true history of this noble man of God, whose loss we all feel so deeply. A most excellent funeral discourse was preached by Brother Proctor, who had come to rejoice and weep with us. I can not express my loneliness without my brother. Although so much older than I, yet his companionship was very precious and pleasing to me. I never knew a better man. I do not think I ever will. Even tempered, mild, gentle, meek, faithful and true, he was. His life was well rounded, and his character worthy of all admiration. He left us so calmly. The close of his life so befitting. He was not broken by years, nor emaciated by disease. “His eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.” He laid down his armor and is at rest forever from all his labors. We will meet him on the other shore, and while on our way will cherish his memory as the precious legacy he has left us.

ROBERT FREEMAN

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Freeman, an industrious and intelligent farmer of North Jackson township, was born June 2, 1828, in Madison county, Ky. His parents, Burket and Elizabeth (Linsey) Freeman, were natives of the same State, where the former died in 1834. Mrs. Freeman and family moved to Missouri in 1840, and settled in Monroe county, about four and a half miles from Paris. Robert grew up on this farm and principally educated himself. In 1850 he went to California but returned after spending one year in the mines. July 7, 1851, he married Miss Martha A., daughter of Samuel West, formerly from Virginia, now deceased. He then settled on the old homestead of his father-in-law and began farming and stock-raising, continuing this occupation with much success and profit until the war came on, when he was conscripted in Porter’s raid. His service in the Confederate army was short but spirited. During the 10 days in which he bore arms he took part in three engagements, Newark, Kirksville and Cherry Creek, besides several skirmishes. On his return Mr. Freeman joined the Home Guards. Since the war he has been carrying on the farm until 1873, when he went into the employ of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, watching and repairing its bridges. In this capacity he has given the fullest satisfaction to his employers, and entirely deserves the confidence and esteem with which he is regarded. Mr. and Mrs. Freeman have five children: Samuel B., James M., Mary E., wife of James Scobee, J. Franklin and Richard S. Mr. Freeman and his wife are members of the M.E. Church South.

THOMAS B. GANNAWAY

(Treasurer of Monroe County, Paris). Mr. Gannaway, a leading merchant of Paris, who has been treasurer of the county for the last eight years continuously, and is one of the highly respected and influential citizens of this place, like most of the old settlers of North Missouri, is a native of the Blue Grass State, and was born in Washington county, March 15, 1844. His father, who came to this county in 1852, with his family, was William Gannaway, a man of high character and marked intelligence. The mother, before her marriage, was a Miss Martha Berry, a lady of refinement and great gentleness of disposition and kindness of heart. She seemed to be attached to her family with more than ordinary devotion and especially concerned herself with the moral training of her children. From their earliest recollections she strove unceasingly to instill into their minds the great principles of moral and religious truth, and taught them that character and fidelity to all their duties were the most priceless jewels to be had in this world. Her children now look back to her pure and noble teachings as the inspiration of every generous and worthy act they feel prompted to do. She is one of the true and good women of the earth, and is so remembered by all who know her. William Gannaway, the father of Thomas B. Gannaway, after having moved to Paris followed the trade of his early life, that of a carpenter. He was an excellent workman and industriously pursued his avocation, with a strong desire and determination to give his children the best school advantages possible. But his health having been already impaired for many years soon gave way and he was compelled to quit the trade. He engaged for a short time in the furniture business, also in saddlery and harness, but his health soon became so feeble that he was unable to attend to any business. He died in 1867. He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church. Ever zealous and true in his religious devotions, much devoted to his family, he ever placed before his children and other associates the worthy example of an honorable, a true, highly moral and religious life. Thomas B., the subject of this sketch, was eight years of age when the family settled in Monroe county. They had previously lived a short time in both Illinois and Iowa. In those States the son had had some school advantages, but after the family came to Monroe county, school facilities were quite limited, and he had little opportunities for instruction. His parents were in moderate circumstances and he had to assist in the support of the family by work. He worked on the farm until the family came to Paris in 1857, where he attended school when opportunity offered and subsequently worked in various employments at this place and studied his books at night. He thus succeeded in getting a good elementary education, and, having intended to become a lawyer, he began reading law under Judge Brace, but the family needing his help, he had to do something that would yield immediate income. He was offered a clerkship in a store at a small salary which he accepted, and since that time he has been identified with merchandising, and in fact with the same store. By economy he saved up enough after awhile to buy a half interest in the store, and later along he bought the other half, since which he has continued to conduct it. He has been entirely successful as a merchant and has accumulated ample means. As has been said, he is one of the leading merchants of Paris and does a large and flourishing business. Having made it a rule in business life, as in every other respect, to deal with perfect uprightness in all transactions, he has steadily secured the confidence of the public, which he has never failed to retain. How well he stands in the county is shown by his repeated elections to the responsible office of county treasurer. He was first elected in 1876, and still holds the position by re-election. February 27, 1878, Mr. Gannaway was married to Miss Mollie Rawlings, a daughter of Col. Sam A. Rawlings, at one time a member of the Legislature from this county, but afterwards connected with the Democrat, at Shelbina. Mr. Gannaway and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he is closely identified with the Sunday-school work of that denomination, having occupied the superintendent’s chair for several years. He is also a prominent member of the Odd Fellows Order, and is quite active in both church and secret society affairs. He is one of the leading laymen in the Baptist Church of this place, having formerly been a member of the executive board of the Bethel Association. In the Odd Fellows Order he has filled all the chairs of the subordinate lodge and Encampment. He has also filled the office of Grand High Priest of the Grand Encampment of Missouri. In 1882, he was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri and delivered an address to the largest assemblage of the order ever witnessed in the State. In 1883, he was elected a representative from the State of Missouri to the Sovereign Grand Lodge, I.O.O.F., for the term of two years, and attended the Sovereign Grand Lodge of that order at Providence, Rhode Island, in 1883, and at Minneapolis, Minn., in 1884. He has made a specialty of the study of the laws of the I.O.O.F., and is considered high authority in that order, his decisions being almost invariably accepted as final on questions that come up in the order. During his term of office he was invited to St. Louis to deliver an address on the anniversary of the order, and was complimented with the largest audience ever assembled on such an occasion in the State.

HON. FRENCH GLASCOCK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Glascock, who represented his native county, Ralls, in the Legislature during the sessions of 1858-59 and 1859-60, and also during the called session of 1860, but has long been a prominent citizen of South Jackson township, in this county, and one of its thorough-going, enterprising farmers, was born at New London, in Ralls county, December 17, 1821. He was a son of Asa Glascock, one of the pioneer settlers of that county, and in those days its wealthiest citizen.  He was a native of Virginia, and was there married to his cousin, Miss Anna Glascock. They came to Missouri in 1820, and settled in Ralls county. He entered land there and improved a farm, and engaged extensively in stock-raising. He was abundantly successful, and at his death, in 1844, besides being the largest stock-owner in the county, was the largest landholder, having over 4,000 acres of choice and carefully selected land in that county. He was married three times and had, in all, 13 children, 12 of whom grew to maturity.  French Glascock was the youngest child by his father’s first marriage, there being four sons and two daughters older than he. His education was quite limited on account of the absence of school advantages in that early day. But at the occasional subscription schools which he attended, and by study at home, he succeeded in obtaining a practical knowledge of books. In 1849, like many young men, he was attracted to the Pacific coast by the California gold excitement, and made the trip out by the overland route. Absent over two years, he returned by the Isthmus and New Orleans in 1852, and engaged in merchandising at Madisonville. The next year after he returned, April 21, 1853, he was married to Miss Lucy Muldrow, a daughter of Andrew Muldrow, of Ralls county, but formerly of Kentucky. In 1855 Mr. Glascock sold his store and engaged in farming near Perry, where he farmed for over 10 years. Selling that place to advantage, however, in 1866, he bought his present place in Monroe county, to which he at once removed. Here he has since resided and been continuously engaged in farming and stock-raising. His homestead tract of land contains about 200 acres, all under fence and nearly all in cultivation, meadow or pasturage. Meanwhile, in 1858, whilst engaged in farming in Ralls county, Mr. Glascock was nominated for and elected to the Legislature. He served in that body for the terms mentioned above and with marked ability. A man of high character and sterling intelligence, he exercised a potent and salutary influence on the legislation of that time and the proceedings of the House. Those were fevered and exciting times, and it required men of cool heads and conservative ideas to stem the passions of the hour and prevent hasty and unwise enactments. Mr. Glascock was noted for the broadminded, liberal views he entertained, and although a State’s rights Democrat of the old school, he was no advocate of extreme measures, believing that whilst struggling for the name and form of a principle, its substance might be imperiled or lost, as subsequently proved to be the case. If the course he pursued and advised in the Legislature in 1858 and 1860 had been pursued by others later along in the legislatures and conventions of the different States generally, the long and bloody war that followed would have been avoided, the doctrine of State’s rights would not now be practically extinct, and the farmers of Missouri and the people of the South, generally, would not be as they are at present, compelled to pay about $30 per family annually in tariff taxes to the government and to manufacturing monopolists for the payment of the pensions on the one hand of those who fought against them in the war, and of subsidies on the other to, fat ex-Federal army contractors, who are now growing even fatter on “protected” manufactures. But the course of the South was one of the great mistakes which happen in the best of countries as well as in the best of families, and its sequences and even consequences must be borne. Yet the men who foresaw these results and warned their countrymen of them can not but regret that their admonitions had not been heeded. Mr. and Mrs. Glascock have a family of five children: Mary M., now the wife of John Q. Morehead; Anna E., William Jefferson, Hugh G. and Maggie Lee. They have lost one, a son, George B., at the age of 16 months, May 1, 1862. The mother of these is also now deceased. She died February 11, 1870. She was long a member of the Presbyterian Church, thoroughly sincere and exemplary in her faith and daily life, and a devoted wife and mother. Mr. Glascock is a prominent member of the A.F. and A.M.

GEORGE GLENN (Deceased)

(Paris). For nearly half a century, from early manhood until the shadows of old age settled around him which were broken only by the light of a day eternal in the heavens, he whose name heads this sketch gave to Monroe county the best energies of his life, as one of its most worthy and highly respected citizens; and to the community and all among whom he lived the beneficent influence of a character without stain, the example of a life well and usefully spent, which was always devoted to the best interest of those around him, his own loved ones, his friends and his neighbors, and all who came to know him well and to appreciate him at his true value for his blameless, upright and useful life. George Glenn was a plain, frank, honest and unpretending man, a man who was esteemed for his personal worth and for the many excellencies that were blended in his character. He was a man who, while he was appreciated for his sturdy integrity and his kindness and generosity of heart, commanded not less respect for his strength of mind and his high standing among the more intelligent and better informed people of the community in which he lived. He was a man of more than ordinary strength and force of character, of strong convictions, great moral courage, and as immovable from the path of rectitude as the eternal adamants beneath the Pyrenees. He lived a life that, when he was gone, left only sad regrets that so good a man had passed away, that so worthy a citizen of the county could no longer be spared to mingle with those who had learned to know him so well and esteem him at his true worth. He died at his home in this county on the 7^th of March, 1875, in his seventy-third year. He had been a member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and was an earnest Christian in every better sense of the word. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school of his church at the time of his death, as he had been for a long time before. Let us then give at least a brief sketch of the life of this good man, whose death was so widely and sincerely mourned. George Glenn came of a worthy Virginia family, and was a son of Hugh Glenn by the latter’s first wife. Both his father and mother were Virginians, and George, the subject of this sketch, was the eldest of their family of children. His father left a numerous progeny, having been married three times, each wife leaving him a large family of children at her death. In the first family of children, of which George was a member, there were two sons and six daughters. The other brother, John, died in this county some years ago, leaving a family of children. A half sister, Mrs. Thomas Crutcher, is a resident of Paris. George Glenn was born in Augusta county, Va., in 1802. Reared in that county, he was brought up to habits of industry, and from his parents inherited a sterling character, which made him respected and esteemed from the morning of his earthly career until his sun was forever set. In 1823, then just arrived at majority, he was married to Miss Grace Anderson, of Augusta county, and he continued to make his home in his native county after his marriage for some eight or nine years. He then, as early as 1831, removed to Missouri and located for a time in Pike county, but in the spring of the following year he came to Monroe county. Here he made his home until his death, until the sands of his life had run out. His regular occupation was that of farming and raising stock, but being a man of great personal popularity, good education and fine business qualifications, he was frequently called to serve the people of the county in an official capacity. He was county surveyor for a number of years, and then served two terms as clerk of the circuit court. He was a man who made the pursuit of wealth no controlling object in life, but such were his industry and his intelligent, good management, that he accumulated a comfortable property. His first wife died in 1845, some 22 years after their marriage. Of their family of children was the well-known Hugh Glenn, the great wheat grower of California, a physician by profession, and at one time the Democratic candidate for Governor of that State, one of the wealthiest men on the Pacific slope, and who was killed a few years ago, as is well known, by a murderous employee of his. In 1847 Mr. Glenn, the subject of this sketch, was married to Mrs. E. C. Riley, widow of the late John Riley, of Jefferson county, Va. By his last marriage there are two sons - Benjamin F., of California, and George M., of Monroe county. The memory of no citizen of Monroe county is more kindly and reverently cherished than that of the worthy good man whose memoir is here briefly given.

DAVID C. GORE, M. D.

(Of A. E. & D. C. Gore, Physicians and Surgeons, Paris). Dr. David C. Gore is a son of Dr. Abner E. Gore, as well as his partner in practice, and was born at Paris, May 18, 1852. Young Gore was early intended for the medical profession and was educated with that object in view. After attending the common schools he took a course in the high school of Paris, and out of that matriculated into the University of Kentucky, at Lexington, where he studied for three years. Following this, young Gore returned to Paris and engaged in teaching school near this place, entering upon the regular study of medicine under the instruction of his father at the same time. He taught school for about a year, the last term he taught being as first assistant in the graded school of this place. In the fall of 1874, having continued the study of medicine under his father up to that time, since quitting the Kentucky University in 1871, he entered the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, in which he continued as a student until his graduation on the 4^th of March, 1876. Immediately after his graduation young Dr. Gore located at Pierce City, Mo., for the practice of medicine. He practiced at that point for three years, being in partnership during this time with Dr. S. A. Sanders. But his father earnestly desiring his return to Paris, in 1879 he came back to his old home and entered upon the practice here in partnership with his father, under the firm name of Drs. A.E. & D.C. Gore, since which they have continued the practice together. The confidence of the public, so long and worthily shown Dr. Gore, Sr., has not been withheld from his son, and the latter has proved himself eminently worthy of it. A thoroughly qualified young physician, active, energetic and ambitious to make an honorable name in his profession, he has worked with singular great zeal in his practice and with untiring industry to acquit himself with credit and success in the cases under his charge. Nor is it a matter of less congratulation to the public so vitally interested in having those among them in whom they have confidence as physicians and men, than it is to both father and son that the mantle of the father should so fortunately and worthily descend to the latter. Dr. Gore, Jr., is a talented and skillful young physician and personally he has those qualities of mind and heart that make him esteemed quite as much as a man as he is as a physician. On the 24^th of November, 1880, he was married to Miss Ione Cooper, a daughter of Hon. D. L. Cooper, of Paris, and a young lady of rare refinement and culture. She was educated at the Christian College, at Columbia, from which she graduated in the class of 1878. They have an interesting and promising little son, Abner Ellis, born January 20, 1882. The Doctor and Mrs. Gore are members of the Christian Church and he is a prominent Odd Fellow.

MILTON GROW (Deceased)

(Paris). Mr. Grow, a respected farmer, died at his homestead in Jackson township, September 29, 1882. He was born in Jessamine county, Ky., November 10, 1834, and was, therefore, in the forty-eighth year of his age. Thus cut off in the middle of life, his loss under any circumstances must have been deplored, for he was an upright man and valued citizen. But when it is considered that he was a husband and father, with near and dear ones dependent upon him, those who looked upon him as their support and protection, and who loved him as only a kind husband and good father can be loved, his death was a blow of exceptional severity, yet we are taught by the faith he held, by the great lessons of Christianity, that there is an all-wise purpose in every dispensation oft Providence, however hard it may seem at the time to bear, and this we can not and do not doubt. In the great day, when all shall rise again and know each other, and when loved ones shall meet never again to be separated, the purpose of the good God in calling his creatures away from this life - some in its morning, others in its meridian, and yet others at its eventide - will then be made known, and its wisdom and justness and goodness will become manifest. Let all, therefore, submit to those decrees of heaven without a murmur, and with the assurance that everything is for the best. Mr. Grow was a son of Peter Grow and wife, who was a Miss Sarah Lewelen before her marriage. Both of his parents being of early families in Kentucky, he was reared in that State, and brought up to a sturdy, hard-working, honest farm life. There he formed those habits of industry and that strict integrity of character which marked the entire after years of his life. He early became a member of the Christian Church, and kept faith in that communion until his death, in 1854. He was married to Miss Amanda Carman, of Jessamine county, Ky., and he continued to reside in his native State, engaged in farming, until 1870, when he removed to Missouri. Here he bought the Noonan farm, on which he settled and where he lived until his death. He and his good wife, who survives him, and is the loved mother of his children, were blessed with six sons and two daughters, namely: William J., dead; Stephen D., Newton, James A., Sarah A., Archie, Melvin, dead; and Irene. Mrs. Grow is an estimable lady, a kind and valued neighbor, and a worthy member of the Christian Church.

ZADOK HARBIT

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). A son of Joshua and Winnie (Brown) Harbit, formerly of Indiana, Mr. Harbit was born March 24, 1857. When he was about 11 years of age the family removed to Missouri, and his father bought the DeLong farm in Jackson township, of this county, on which they settled. The father died there in 1880, and the mother, with her younger children, still resides on their homestead. There are nine in the family of children, namely: Gwinli, Francis, Nannie, Andrew, Jane, Anna, Zadok, Willard and John J. Zadok completed the years of his youth on the farm in this county, and received an ordinary common school education as he grew up. In October, 1878, he was married to Miss Elizabeth McAfee, of this county. They have two children: Ernest and Amanda. The homestead of the family contains 280 acres, and is an excellent farm. Mr. Harbit is an energetic young farmer, and is steadily making his way up by industry and good management.

ISAAC HAYDEN

(Farmer and Fine stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Among the substantial and highly respected citizens of Jackson township is Mr. Hayden, the subject of the present sketch. He is a man who has come up in life solely by his own exertions and merit, and in the face of obstacles and disadvantages that it required no ordinary courage, resolution and strength of character to overcome. At the age of seven years he was left an orphan by the death of his father, or perhaps worse than an orphan so far as his own advantages were concerned, for he and two elder brothers had the care of his mother’s family, in addition to providing for themselves. He worked his way up, however, through all difficulties and came to be, as he has long been regarded, one of the well-to-do and representative citizens of his community. In 1882 he was made a candidate by his friends in different parts of the county for the office of county judge, and although running against one of the best-known and most popular men in the county, he came within seven votes of being elected. Mr. Hayden was born in Monroe county, Mo., August 13, 1831, and was a son of John G. and Mary (Baker) Hayden. His father died in 1843, leaving his wife a widow, and seven children to care for. Isaac early apprenticed himself to the shoemaker’s trade, at which he worked two years, but not liking the inactivity of the calling, he decided to learn the blacksmith’s trade. This he worked at for a time, but an opportunity being offered for him to learn the wool-carder’s trade, which was then quite profitable, he accepted the offer and agreed to work three years in order to learn it, his only compensation being his board and clothes and a six months term at school. After serving out this term he felt that he had enough of wool-carding, for employment in that trade proved to be scarce and not very profitable after all. He then went to making rails by the hundred and then engaged in digging wells by contract, in which he made some little money. Later along he concluded to learn the cabinet maker’s trade, at which he worked for nearly two years, and then he learned house carpentering. This latter he followed for about nine years, but finally settled down to farming, having married in the meantime.  After farming for some years, he had accumulated some means, whereupon he enlisted in the drug business and kept a drug store at Paris for some time. He finally sold out, however, and resumed farming, which he has ever since followed. It is thus seen that Mr.  Hayden has learned five different trades and followed four additional occupations, or in other words, about all the different employments that then offered. April 12, 1859, he was married to Miss Dollie Curtright, who is still spared to accompany him on the journey of life. In an early day, Mr. Hayden was quite a hunter and became noted in all the country round about as a remarkably fine shot. To this day he has the reputation of being one of the best rifle shots in the community.  He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Hayden besides farming is engaged in breeding and raising fine stock, particularly high-grade cattle, of which he has some fine representatives.

JAMES P. HOLDSWORTH

(Postmaster, Paris). Mr. Holdsworth’s father, John H. Holdsworth, came out to Missouri from New York City with his family in 1858, and settled on land 11 miles northeast of Paris, part of which he had bought 20 years before. Afterwards he became quite a prominent citizen of the county and represented this senatorial district in the State Constitutional Convention of 1865. He was a conscientious, consistent Republican in politics, and after the Confederate soldiers changed their policy from shooting to voting, his promotion in public life, of course, ceased, as the Southern element was and is largely preponderant in this part of Missouri. However, in 1876 he was appointed postmaster at Paris, and held that office until his death, which occurred January 31, 1879. James P. succeeded him in office at this place, and has since continued to hold it. He had previously been deputy under his father, and indeed had done the principal part of the office work. He makes an efficient and popular postmaster, and has the hearty endorsement of the Government authorities and the people. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., July 18, 1847, and was therefore 11 years of age when his parents came to Missouri. He was reared in this county and educated in the common schools. April 3, 1870, Mr. Holdsworth was married to Miss Susie Tutt, of New London, in Ralls county. They have two children: Katie and Lucy. Mrs. Holdsworth is a member of the Christian Church.

JOHN H. HOWELL

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Howell started out for himself in this county when a young man, without any means or other help, and by hard work and a frugal life, has accumulated a comfortable property. He has an excellent stock farm of about 260 acres, all under fence and in a good state of improvement. Mr. Howell makes something of a specialty of raising mules for the market, which he has found a profitable industry. He was born September 25, 1836. When he was a youth about 17 years of age he came to Monroe county, Mo., with his parents, John M. and Catherine (Cooperider) Howell, who settled about four miles west of Paris. They had a family of nine children. The father died there in the fall of 1867, and the mother in the spring of 1866. John H. was reared on the farm, and what education he received he obtained in a district school, to which he had to walk a distance of five miles; but he secured a practical knowledge of books, enough to get along with satisfactorily in ordinary affairs. On the 1^st of October, 1857, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jones, a daughter of George and Mary (Rippey) Jones, originally of Kentucky. Four children are the fruits of their married life: George, James S., Mary C. and John H. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the Knights of Honor at Paris.

HENRY C. HOWELL

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Howell comes of one of the oldest and best families of North Missouri. His grandparents settled in Marion county from Kentucky in 1813, and from them branches of the family have extended into nearly all the neighboring counties, being among the most useful and highly respected citizens of their respective communities. Mr. Howell’s father, Maj. William J. Howell, was still in boyhood when his parents removed to Missouri. Reared in that county, he exerted himself for the acquisition of an education, and became a young man of fine mental culture. He read law under the distinguished member of the bar, Judge Urial Wright, one of the most eloquent advocates as well as one of the ablest lawyers who ever addressed judge or jury in this or any State of the Union. Young Howell became only less famous at the bar than his distinguished preceptor. He early became known as one of the ablest lawyers of the State, and making his home in Monroe county, was repeatedly honored by the people of this county with the commission of representative in the State Legislature. He also represented this district in the State Constitutional Convention. In each of these bodies he took a commanding position by virtue of his ability and high character. Thus by his own personal worth and exertions he rose from the average station of a farmer’s son to that of one of the distinguished and representative citizens of the State. Even before he was 21 years of age he was elected circuit clerk of Monroe county, and had barely attained his majority when he was sworn into office. His death was as widely and as deeply mourned as any citizen who was ever laid to rest within the borders of the county. Judge Howell left a large family of children. He was three times married. His first wife was formerly Miss Louisa Smith, of Palmyra. Of that union a son and daughter are living, Harry C. Howell, of Paris, and Mrs. H. J. Boatner, of the same place. The mother of these dying, he was subsequently married to Miss Margaret Gore, daughter of the late Judge Jonathan Gore, of Hannibal. There are no children by this wife. His last wife was, before her marriage, Miss Ellen Stone, formerly of Nelson county, Ky., to whom he was married some years after his second wife’s death. There are two of the family of this marriage living: Mrs. Bennie Dresher, the wife of Edward Dresher, of Hannibal, and Judge Thomas S. Howell of the same city. Henry C. Howell was born on the old family homestead, in this county, February 21, 1848, and was reared on the farm. Given a good education, he was graduated at the Paris high school and after completing his studies, resumed farming and the stock business, to which he had been brought up. His father left an estate of 4,000 acres of land and had been a prominent slave holder before the war. But while his slave property was swept away by the war, his land, consisting of a number of farms, was left, and young Howell succeeded to an ownership of his share of the estate. He has over 300 acres on the farm where he now resides, where he has continuously been engaged in stock-raising and feeding and shipping stock, as well as trading to some extent in them, since his location on his present place. He fattens about 300 head of cattle annually. His farm is an excellent stock farm, well arranged for the business, including fine water facilities, etc. On the 14^th of April, 1880, Mr. Howell was married to Miss Effie Hutchinson, a daughter of the late John Hutchinson, of Shelby county, but formerly of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Howell have had the misfortune to lose their only child, who died at the tender age of thirteen months, February 18, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Howell are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Howell ranks among the best and most highly respected citizens of Monroe county.

JAMES A. JACKSON

(Sheriff of Monroe County, Paris). Few men in coming up to positions of prominence and influence have had greater difficulties to contend against than those which the subject of the present sketch has encountered and overcome. Of an old pioneer and highly respected family, with the cataclysm of ruin and desolation that fell upon the country from the war, sorrow and misfortune also fell upon the family of which Mr. Jackson, then a small boy, was a member. In 1861 Capt. Thomas Jackson, the father of James A., enlisted a company for the Southern service, and marched bravely off to the war, to make a tender of his life upon the altar of his convictions, to fight like the brave and honest man that he was, for what he believed to be the right and, if necessary, to die in the cause which he had sworn to defend. He was then comparatively a young man, but 32 years of age, and had just begun to get comfortably situated in life. He was married and had a family of children growing up around him. But a man of generous impulses and patriotic sentiments, a man of character and principle, he had the courage to stand up for his honest convictions, and when the bugle note of the South called her brave sons to the field to defend her dignity and honor and virtue, Thomas Jackson, like the historic heroes of the country whose name he bears, was one of the first to tear himself away from the bosom of his family, and his comfortable home, and respond to the call of his native and beloved Southland. But the grim destroyer, Death, did not long spare him for the execution of his high and noble resolve. Stricken with a malignant fever, he died a faithful soldier, with the prayer on his lips “God help my family, God save the South.” Capt. Jackson was a son of James Jackson, a native of North Carolina, and one of the sturdy old pioneer settlers of Monroe county. He came here in 1830, before the afflatus of life had been breathed into the county, before the county was formed or named. He became a leading man among the pioneers of the county and amply successful as a farmer and a citizen, surrounded with an abundance of this world’s goods, and comfortably and happily situated. It was for him that Jackson township was named, a name that reflects only honor upon the township and upon all the citizens whose homes, like flowers in a meadow, brighten its fair landscape. He died at a ripe old age, mourned as the just and good are mourned, and his memory is venerated for the useful and blameless life that he led.

James A. Jackson, the subject of this sketch, was born ten years before his father’s death, November 30, 1851. About this time he was taken of the typhoid fever and just as he was narrowly recovering from this he was also taken of the measles, the result being so unfortunate as to render him a cripple for life, by the effects of the latter disease settling permanently in his system. The death of his father, and other misfortunes to the family, broke up their home, and young Jackson came to live with his grandfather, Albert Callis, in Paris, where he remained for three years. The oldest in his mother’s family of children, and sufficiently recovered by this time to make himself of service to the family, he gathered them together and set up to housekeeping, having also an invalid relative to care for. Since then, by his industry and good management he has succeeded in keeping the family together: not only this, but with the greatest responsibilities on his shoulders and the severest difficulties to contend against - his loved ones to provide for, which has always been to him a happy duty, ill-health to encounter, poverty to face and other hardships to meet - with all these he has fought successfully the battle of life, has made a man of himself (which in a few words means a great deal), has become a successful and popular citizen, a prominent and influential man, illustrating by a living and forcible example that in any and all circumstances blood will tell. Coming of the family he does, it would be strange if he had not succeeded. His first public promotion was in 1876, when he was taken up by the people of the township and elected to the office of constable.  Serving a term of two years in this office with marled efficiency and great satisfaction to the public, he was placed before the people for sheriff, but not having been able to take the time to talk horse and crops to every man in the county and tell each one a joke, in other words, not having been able to become acquainted and make himself popular with everybody, he was defeated by a few votes, barely on the missisg-as-good-as-a-mile principle. But at the next election his friends put him up again (and like Barkis, he was not very hard to put up), and this time he was triumphantly elected by over 500 majority. As a sheriff it is not too much to say that he has made one of the most efficient officers who ever occupied the place in this county. Personally, he is a man of generous big-heartedness, genial and kind to everybody, a man who always goes out of his way to do another a favor, and one who seems to care more for the welfare and success of those around him than for his own.

WILLIAM H. JOHNSON

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Johnson, a son of Abel Johnson, an old and well respected citizen of Jackson township, was one in a family of 11 children, and his

father was one of just twice that many, 22 children. Thus it is seen that this branch of the Johnson family is a prolific and quite numerous one. Mr. Johnson’s mother was a Miss Mary Hibler before her marriage, and both his parents were Kentuckians by nativity. They removed to Missouri, however, in 1839, and located near Middle Grove, but in 1840 his father bought the land on Elk Fork, now known as the Abraham Grimes farm, which he improved. Subsequently he sold that and improved the farm where William H. now resides; here he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1872, at the age of 75. He was a quiet, industrious citizen, greatly attached to his home and sought no sort of notoriety. He died without a known enemy. He was a worthy member of the Christian

Church. William H. Johnson was born in Bourbon county, Ky., January 4, 1826. He was, therefore, 13 years of age when the family came to Missouri. Before coming to this State, however, he had made two trips with stock from Kentucky to Georgia. After remaining

in Missouri until 1845 he returned to Bourbon county, Ky., and subsequently made six trips to Connecticut with mules, taking on an average 120 head at a time. They were sold in New Haven and from there shipped to the West Indies Islands. This was then a profitable source of industry. After he grew up he was married in Bourbon county, in 1852, to Miss Anna Bishop, formerly of that county. He then came to where he has ever since lived. Mrs. Johnson was spared to brighten his home for 20 years and became the mother of seven children, namely: William, Marion A., Mrs. Belle Willis, a widow with two children, now living with her father; Isaac, Mollie, John and Kate. She died in 1872. Mr. Johnson was married to his present wife some 12 years ago. She was a Miss Salina Johnson before her marriage. He has followed farming continuously from boyhood and now owns the old family homestead, an excellent small farm of 72 acres. He is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife of the Methodist South denomination. Mr. Johnson has made a good living by industry and proper economy and attending closely to the farm. He lost largely during the Civil War, but has regained it since, and though always with a large family is still in easy circumstances, surrounded with plenty, living happily and perfectly contented. He did all of his own plowing the past year and has a splendid crop. He attends church regularly, having been a member for 42 years, is strictly temperate and lives in peace with all mankind. He never held any office of profit in his life nor ever asked for one, not desiring it. He is noted as a friend to the widows and orphans, a strong friend to education and encourages common schools. He has generally enjoyed good health, and is very fond of feeding and raising young stock, attending to them himself. He seldom sells any grain from the farm, but feeds it and buys feed from others.

WILLIAM J. JONES

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). Away back in the territorial days of Missouri, the family of which the subject of this sketch is a representative, settled in Boone county from Kentucky. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Turner) Jones, and after a residence of about 13 years in Boone county they crossed over into Monroe and settled some three and a half miles west of Paris. They made their permanent home in this county and the remains of both now sleep the sleep that knows no waking in this world, within the borders of the county. William J., the third of eight children, was born in Boone county in 1820, but grew to manhood from his thirteenth year in Monroe county. In 1858 he was married to Miss Susan Howell, of the old and respected family of that name, an outline of which is given in the sketch of John H. Howell. Mr. Jones early engaged in farming for himself, and he has been reasonably successful in his chosen calling. He has a comfortable home of about 200 acres, a good farm substantially and conveniently improved. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have reared but one child, a daughter, Jennie, who is now the wife of Charles Bryant. In an early day Mr. Jones was quite a hunter and was a fine marksman. He has perhaps killed as many deer and turkeys as any old settler in this part of the county, and he has had some interesting experiences, including a thrilling adventure with a panther, which he killed, but space can not be given here to relate them. In 1863 Mr. Jones enlisted in the Seventeenth Missouri Infantry, and did service for nine months, or until the close of his term of enlistment. He says that it is not as hard for a young farmer without means to get a start now as it was when he began for himself, and in proof of this he cites the fact known to all his contemporaries that they used to raise wheat for twenty-five cents a bushel, oats for ten cents and corn for twelve and a half cents, with other farm products quite as cheap in comparison, while at the same time they had to pay twenty-five cents a yard for calico, and other “store” articles were proportionately high. Truly work was not as easily done then as it is now, but still the people seem to get along quite as well if not better than they do now, and they certainly were happier and more contented and by far more neighborly and kind to each other.

WILLIAM F. KENNETT

(Farmer and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Kennett’s ancestry in this country on both his father’s side and on his mother’s side came originally from Maryland, but his parents, Martin and Mary (Brazier) Kennett, were reared in Kentucky. After their marriage, they resided there for some 25 years but in 1854 removed to Missouri and settled in Monroe county, seven miles north-east of Paris. His father was a substantial farmer and a man of some prominence as a lay member of the Baptist Church. He took an active interest in the church and for many years held the office of deacon. He died on his farm near Paris in 1878, and his widow, Mr. Kennett’s mother, still resides on his old homestead. They had a family of nine children, most of whom lived to reach mature years, and are now settled in life with families of their own. William F., the subject of this sketch, was born in Grant county, Ky., July 23, 1839, and accompanied his parents to Missouri in 1854. He remained on the farm with his father until 1862, when he enlisted in the Southern army under Gen. Price, and served for about two years. He then became separated from his command and, unable to rejoin it, went to Illinois, where he remained until the close of the war. Meanwhile, however, he had been taken prisoner once, and was released on parole to secure bondsmen to stand for him not to rejoin the Southern army, but while out looking for bondsmen he tore the bond up and promptly entered the ranks of his old comrades. He was in nearly all the engagements in which Price’s command was engaged during his term of service, and came back north with Col. Porter in 1864. He was in the fight at Kirksville, and was one of a company who killed the 42 Federals shot while crossing the river. It was after this that he went to Illinois, not being able to make his way back to the Federal lines to join Price. Since the war Mr. Kennett has been actively engaged in farming in this county, and he has a good place finely improved. November 29, 1866, he was married to Miss Louisa Crain, of this county. They have five children: Martha, Malvern Lee, May E., Stephen N. and Mabel. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kennett has been engaged in trading in horses and mules and also shipping hogs to the markets, in which he has been satisfactorily successful.

WIILLAM LEWIS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Lewis was born in England, May 1, 1819. His parents, William and Ann (Lloyd) Lewis, were from Wales. They are both now deceased. They reared a family of six children, of whom William was the eldest. He worked on a farm in his native country until he was 16 years of age, receiving meanwhile a good English education. At that age he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith’s trade, and after two years took it up for himself and followed it until 1851. He then immigrated to the United States. After living several years in Beloit, Wis., he bought a farm about four miles from town, put up a shop, and carried on both the farm and his trade. He next resided for 10 years in Winnebago county, Ill., and finally in the fall of 1865, moved to Missouri and bought his present farm. It comprises 160 acres of land, 100 acres of which are fenced and nearly all in meadow and plow land. His place has on it a fine residence, good buildings, and other improvements, and he has accumulated a comfortable competency as the result of his labors. He has a blacksmith shop on his farm and still does now and then a little neighborhood work. Mr. Lewis married in Shropshire, Eng., October 26, 1843, Miss Ellen Robison, also an English woman. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have seven children: Mary Ann, wife of Joshua Peckham, of Vermont; William, married and living in Monroe county; John, employed at the waterworks in Buchanan county; Jane, wife of D. Donaldson; Ella, wife of Frank Peckham, brother to Joshua; Clara, wife of William Hempstead; and Charles H., freight conductor on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. Mr. Lewis and wife are members of the M.E. Church South.

WILLIAM H. LIVESAY

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Livesay was the third in the family of eight children of John M. and Mary (Howell) Livesay, old and respected citizens of Monroe county, who came here from Virginia in an early day. They settled about 10 miles west of Paris, where the father followed farming. He was also a house carpenter and built numerous houses in the county. William H. was born in this county, May 21, 1844, and was reared on the farm. During the war he enlisted in the Southern army, under Price, and served until its close, finally surrendering at Shreveport, La., in May, 1865. He was in all the principal battles his command took part in during his term of service, and was also in the fight at Kirksville. Returning after the war, he re-engaged in farming, to which he had been reared, and in 1870 was married to Miss Rhoda E. Howell, a daughter of John and Catherine (Coopenrider) Howell. They have one child, Bessie M. Mr. Livesay commenced for himself after the war without a dollar, and by industry and close attention to his farming has been able to purchase a comfortable homestead of 100 acres. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

HENRY P. LONG

(Druggist, Paris). Mr. Long, a substantial business man of Paris, and a citizen of enviable standing and influence in this community, was a son of Dr. John W. Long, who was for years well and favorably known in Monroe and Shelby counties. Dr. Long upon coming to Missouri at once located at Shelbyville, where he practiced medicine with marked success for some years. He represented Shelby county in the Legislature, and later ran for re-election against his brother-in-law, Russell Moss, the Whig candidate, Dr. Long being an ardent Democrat. The county was closely divided between the Whigs and the Democrats, and the contest was an exceedingly sharp one, but good natured throughout. Dr. Long, however, was so certain of success that he frequently told his opponent, in order to twit and plague him, that if he did not beat him (Moss) he would leave the county. The result showed that he did not beat him, being himself defeated by 13 majority. Good as his word, Dr. Long, sure enough, put out the fire, called his dogs and left the county. He came over to Monroe county and settled at Paris, where he devoted himself exclusively to the practice of his profession, giving up in genuine disgust all political ambition. Thus Shelby county lost an able representative and Monroe gained a useful citizen and successful physician. Henry P. Long was born of his father’s third marriage, his mother’s maiden name having been Miss Sarah E. Priest. She is living. Dr. Long died at Paris in 1871, aged 67. Henry P. was born on the 1^st day of June, 1845, and was educated at the Paris Academy. He afterwards took a thorough course at Bryant & Stratton’s Commercial College, at St. Louis. He followed clerking in the mercantile line up to 1868, when he and Dr.  E. W. Smith engaged in the drug business at this place. Dr. Smith subsequently retired, and Dr. Long has since continued the business alone. He has been quite successful, and is in easy circumstances. He has one of the handsomest residence properties at Paris, in Monroe county. He also has mining interests in Colorado. Mr. Long was married in the spring of 1869, to Miss Kate Major, a daughter of David Major. Mrs. Long died September 5, 1883. She left four children: Aleta, John W., Harry M. and Eddie P. Harry M. and Eddie P. are deceased. Mr. Long is a prominent Mason.

PROF J.C. MCBRIDE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser and Teacher, Post-Office, Paris). Prof. McBride, a former sheriff and collector of Monroe county, and a man of finished education, founder of the first male academy established at Paris, is a native Missourian. His father, E. W.  McBride, was from Rutherford county, Tenn., and came to Boone county, this State, in the spring of 1828. Two years later, September 13, 1830, he was married to Miss Julia A. Snell, a daughter of John C. Snell, of Boone county. Of this union, John C., the subject of this sketch, was the third child in the family. The father, a man of enterprise and of intelligence and education, became well-to-do in life, and gave his children liberal opportunities for mental culture. John C. attended the common schools from early boyhood up to the age of 12, and then had a private teacher for two years. Following this he entered the State University, at Columbia, where he took a regular course, and then matriculated at Centre College, of Danville, Ky., one of the leading institutions of the West at that time. He entered the senior class at Danville and graduated with distinction, and, returning from college, he established a male academy at Paris, which he conducted with success for about 15 months. About this time, in 1855, he was married to Miss Susan M. Kerr, a young lady of superior education and refinement. From his academy Prof. McBride retired to the country and engaged in farming. In 1860 he was elected sheriff and collector of the county, a position he filled until after the outbreak of the war, when he resigned and returned to his farm. Since then his whole time has been occupied with farming and teaching, and while he is recognized as a good farmer, as a teacher he has long held a position in the front rank of the teachers of the county. Prof. and Mrs. McBride have four children: Julia S., Ella, Maggie and Walker. Prof. McBride is of Scotch-Irish descent, his grandfather, Thomas A. McBride, having been a native of the south-west peninsula of Scotland, Cantire, the population of which is almost exclusively Scotch-Irish.

ROBERT D. McCANN

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Stock-dealer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. McCann has a fine stock farm of 425 acres in South Jackson township, about half of which is in pasture and the other half in meadow or active cultivation. His place is well improved and is one of the choice stock farms of the eastern part of the county. He has been residing on this place for nearly 40 years or since 1846, and has been continuously engaged in farming and handling stock. Besides raising and shipping stock to the general markets quite extensively, he is making a specialty of breeding and dealing in thoroughbred short-horn cattle, of which he has some very fine representatives of both sexes. He has a neat herd of short-horns and is having good success in this line of business. Mr. McCann was a son of Pleasant McCann, now deceased, but for many years one of the leading stock men and land owners of Monroe county. Long before the era of railroads he drove stock in large numbers to St. Louis and at his death in 1868, at a ripe old age, he owned over 2,000 acres of fine land in this county. He was twice married and reared two families of children. Robert D. McCann was by his first wife, whose maiden name was Susan Dawson, formerly of Kentucky, as he himself was, he of Clark county and she of Bourbon. At her death she left two sons and a daughter, Robert D., being the eldest of her children. He was born in Fayette county Ky., August 2, 1822, and was 17 years of age when the family came to Monroe county in 1839. He was brought up to farming and the stock business and in the spring of 1846 was married to Miss Martha Crow, a daughter of Dr. Samuel Crow, formerly of Kentucky. He then located on the land where he now resides and went to work to improving his farm. His first wife died in the spring of 1849, leaving him one child. In June, 1852, he was married to Miss Mary L. Garnett, a daughter of William Garnett, of Lexington, Ky. She survived her marriage six years, dying in May, 1858. She bore him two children, William C. and Susie A., the last of whom is deceased, having died in the spring of 1873, at the age of 20 years. Mr. McCann was married to his present wife August 27, 1866. She was a Miss Amanda T. Warren, a daughter of Mideon Warren, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. McCann have four children: Robert E., Ella K., Carrie D. and Walter P.

McCRARY & WILLS

(Grocers, Paris). Both of these gentlemen are of old and respected Howard county families. A sketch of the family of Mr. McCrary’s father, John McCrary, appears on page 456 of the “History of Howard and Cooper Counties.” Thomas W. was born on his father’s farm in that county, November 5, 1851, and was reared to the age of 20 in the occupation of a farmer. His education was completed at Central College, in Fayette, from which he graduated in the class of 1872. Following this he taught school for over five years, all in Howard county except one term in this county. While teaching in this county he met, and wooed and won his present wife, previously Miss Belle Wills, a daughter of W. W. Wills, a substantial and respected farmer of the county. She was a pupil at young McCrary’s school, but as it is altogether wrong to tell tales out of school, we shall not say that any whisperings of love passed between them within the classic walls of the school-room, dedicated and devoted alone to the acquisition of knowledge. Possibly the two learned some lessons of the heart while there, however, not taught in books of the school-room and far more gladly pursued than any learning which the books had to offer. Anyhow, they were married about this time, September 12, 1876, and their union has proved one of great happiness. They have an interesting little daughter, Berta, now past two years of age. Mr. McCrary engaged in mercantile life after his marriage, and followed clerking at Paris up to the winter of 1883. He and young Mr. Wills then engaged in their present business.

Edward C. Wills, brother-in-law to his partner, was born at Lisbon, in Howard county, December 5, 1861. His father is a merchant, and young Wills was reared to that business. A short time before attaining his majority, however, he engaged in farming and followed it for several years. Meanwhile he took a commercial course at the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Ill., becoming a graduate of that institution. He engaged in his present business with Mr. McCrary in December, 1883. They carry an excellent stock of goods and have built up a good trade. They are young men of business ability and enterprise, and are steadily coming to the front. Mr. Wills and Mr. and Mrs. McCrary are church members. Mr. McCrary is a prominent member of the I.O.O.F. He is also dictator of the Knights of Honor.

J. J. McGEE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser). Mr. McGee has a fine farm of nearly 400 acres in Jackson township, handsomely improved, including a commodious and tastily constructed dwelling and other comfortable buildings, and has been a resident of what is now Monroe county for the past sixty years. He is one of the sterling citizens of the county, esteemed and respected wherever his upright character and good name are known. He is a native of Kentucky, born in Mercer county, November 20, 1819. His grandfather McGee was a pioneer settler of Kentucky from Virginia, a friend and associate of the Boones and Clarks and others who first blazed the way for civilization into the then wilderness of the Blue Grass State. John McGee, Mr. McGee’s father, was born and reared in Kentucky and was there married to Miss Jane C. Curry. In 1822 they removed to Missouri with their family of children and first located in Howard county, near Fayette, but two years afterwards they came to what is now Monroe county, or rather a part of them did, for the father and one of the children never lived to make their home in this county. There were practically no roads then and the prairie grass, not uncommonly as high as a man’s head on horseback, covered all the prairies, only broken now and then by the trail of the Indian and an occasional pioneer’s wagon track or the tread of wolves or deer, or other wild animals. It was in the fall when the family started from Howard to Monroe county, and the grass, heavy and dry, was almost as quick to burn as powder. Mr. McGee, the subject of this sketch, was then a child four years of age. His father and an older sister were quite a distance behind the wagon driving their cattle, and the latter fell considerably behind, indeed, entirely out of sight. All of a sudden a fire came flying across the prairie with the speed of the wind, and the roar and crackle of cannon and musketry, traveling faster than any horse could run and taking a course by which it caught the father and daughter - it was impossible for them to escape. The daughter’s clothes took fire and the father in striving to put out the flames that enveloped her, suffered himself to be so severely burned before he gave his own burning clothes any attention that both were burned to death, or so badly burned that they died within ten or twelve days afterwards. Medical attention was impossible, for there was not a doctor within 40 miles, and those that could be had, even beyond that distance, were scarcely ever found at home, for their practice covered so wide a region that they were almost constantly absent. The suffering of the father and daughter was intense, too terrible indeed, to be imagined, much less described. Such was the sad experience of the subject of this sketch on first coming to what is now Monroe county. Heaven grant that when the shadowy curtains of death shall be drawn about him, and his spirit shall take its leave from the county in which he has so long lived, its flight may be happier than his coming was. His mother was left with a large family of children, of whom he was the eldest, and he, with her help and prayers, went to work to provide the family a home and support them as best he could. Their lot was a hard one, but they proved equal to it, and in keeping with the noble heart that he had young McGee courageously went to work and succeeded in bringing up the children in comparative comfort. He lived to see them all married and settled in life and then himself was married to Miss Catherine E. Helm. She lived to brighten his home for many years, but at last was taken from him by the Grim Harvester of all. She left him five children: Alonzo T., Melissa, wife of George Neugent; William J., Mattie J. and Hettie E. In 1873 Mr. McGee was married to Miss Polly A. Vaughan, who now presides over his comfortable home.

HUGH McGEE

(Attorney at Law, and of McGee & Burgess, Real Estate and Loan Agents, Paris). Mr. McGee, though still a young man, has already succeeded in establishing himself in a good law practice. A man of marked strength of mind and character, he had, at the same time, the advantages of an advanced education, and before he began the practice of his profession he had qualified himself thoroughly for it by long and diligent study. Industry and close attention to business are leading characteristics of his, and these, with his ability and high character, have advanced him as a lawyer with more than ordinary rapidity. He has already taken an enviable position at the bar. Mr. McGee is a son of Hugh J. McGee, Esq., a sketch of whose life is given elsewhere, and was born on his father’s homestead south of Paris, January 23, 1859. He was educated at the State Normal School, of Kirksville, where he took a complete course, graduating in the class of 1880. After this he was for one term principal of the Monroe City graded school. Mr. McGee then entered the office of James Ellison, Esq., of Kirksville, where he began the study of law, and under whom he studied until his admission to the bar, June 22, 1883. After his admission he began the practice in the office of Hon. A.M. Alexander, who, having been elected to Congress, turned his practice over to Mr. McGee, a large part of which he has retained, besides drawing to himself a considerable clientage of his own. Mr. McGee is thoroughly devoted to his profession, and considers his only aspiration, that of becoming a successful lawyer, one of the highest that can be formed. He is now serving as city attorney of Paris, to which he was chosen last spring. He is also secretary of the Fair Association. Mr. McGee is highly esteemed and popular and has a most promising future, both at the bar and as a citizen of standing and influence.

DAVID A. McKAMEY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser). Prior to the Revolution, Mr. McKamey’s grandparents came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where they lived until after the close of the War for Independence. They then removed to Kentucky and were pioneers of that State. There Mr. McKamey’s father was born and reared. He married first Miss McAfee, and the second time Miss Adams, in Kentucky, and lived in the Blue Grass State until 1828, when he removed to Missouri with his family. David A., the subject of this sketch, was 11 years of age at the time of the removal of his father’s family to Missouri, having been born in Mercer county, Ky., May 6, 1817. The family settled in this State in what was then a part of Ralls county, but since Monroe county, where David A. was reared and has since resided and where his parents lived until their death. In 1840 David A. McKamey was married to Miss Zerilda Campbell, a daughter of John W. Campbell, a pioneer settler of this county from Kentucky, who settled on the farm where Mr. McKamey now lives in 1834, which, in 1852, he bought from his brother-in-law. Mr. McKamey, coming up in those early days of the country, is of course familiar with the primitive and pioneer condition of the times. Like others he had many adventures, and remembers many incidents that would be worth relating if the space could be given in this connection to print them, but these belong to another part of this work. In common with most of the young men of his time, and, indeed, of the present, he became a farmer, and, commencing in a small way, with a log house for his early home, by industry and good management he has steadily prospered so that he has long held a place among our most well-to-do farmers. In 1849 he went to California, partly for his health and partly with an eye to the gold there, and was successful in both respects. He was engaged in mining and handling cattle out there and came back almost a new man in the point of health, and with not a little of the gold-dust for which the Pacific slope has long been famed in song and story. Mr. McKamey has been quite a successful stock-raiser, and one year shipped 80 head of cattle that averaged in weight over a ton, or 2041 pounds each. He has always advocated the handling of a good grade of stock on the ground that it pays better and has thus contributed not a little to the improvement of stock in this county. Mr. and Mrs. McKamey have three children living: John C., William T. and David Elah?. Mr. McKamey has always been a friend of the schools and a stanch supporter of the church, and has done a great deal for both, both by his personal exertions and generous contributions.

PROF. JAMES MILTON McMURRY

(Principal of the Paris Graded School). Prof. McMurry, a man of advanced English and classical education when he began in the profession of teaching, has since had an active experience in the schoolroom of nearly 20 years, and for the last 14 years has been continuously engaged in teaching. For a number of years past he has been occupied with the management of graded schools, and he has established a wide and enviable reputation as an educator in this class of schools. A man of thoroughly practical ideas and methods, and a scholar of superior attainments and culture, combining with these his long and successful experience in the schoolroom, it is not surprising that he has taken a position among educators in the field in which he has been employed second to that of but few, if any, in the State. His services are widely sought after, and in his work he has the advantage of choosing the school which he prefers to conduct and continuing in charge of it as long as he desires. Prof. McMurry is a native Missourian, born in Marion county, May 12, 1839.            His parents, William and Elizabeth (Wilson) McMurry, came to that county from Kentucky as early as 1835. They removed from Marion to Shelby county and settled on a farm five miles west of Shelbyville, where the father had entered land. He died there in 1852. James Milton (the subject of this sketch) was reared on the farm near Shelbyville to the age of 18, when he began a course in Prof. Arrendt’s Shelby High School. He took a regular course in the English branches and in Latin and Greek under Prof. Arrendt, continuing in the High School for four years. After this he engaged in teaching, and taught continuously for several years. He then engaged in the drug business at Monticello and afterwards continued it at Monroe City. In 1868 he and M. C. Brown established the Appeal at Monroe City, but a year later he went to Salisbury and in partnership with A. Frazer, the first foreman in the office of the New York Herald, started the Salisbury Bulletin. But in 1870 he retired from the newspaper business and resumed teaching, which he has since continuously followed. He taught a year at Salisbury, three years in Shelby county and eight at Palmyra. From there he came to Paris in 1881 and took charge of the graded school of this place. Here he has given great satisfaction to those interested in the school, and has given it a. standing for efficiency and thoroughness, as well as good management, that it never had before. Prof. McMurry has been married twice. His first wife died August 27, 1873, leaving him two children, who are living, Effie May and William E. Their mother was a Miss Elizabeth Vance before her marriage, a most excellent lady, a devoted wife and a gentle, loving mother. To his present wife Prof. McMurry was married October 13, 1875. She was a Miss Mary E. Taylor, a daughter of Capt. Thomas Taylor, of Palmyra, but formerly of Baltimore, Md. They have four children, Wilber F., Mary E., James D. and an infant. The Professor and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and he is a member of the A.F. and A.M., the Knights of Honor and the Triple Alliance.

ABRAHAM G. MASON

(Of Mason & Burnett, Editors and Proprietors of the Paris Mercury). For nearly forty years Mr. Mason has been connected with the Mercury, and for the past 33 years has had an interest in the paper as an owner and proprietor. He commenced his newspaper career in the Mercury office back in 1845, when he began work at the case as a typesetter, or rather to learn typesetting. In due time he acquired his trade and six years afterwards became one of the owners of the paper, in partnership with James M. Bean. They bought the office from James R. Abernathy. Meanwhile, Mr. Mason had been out of the office one year, during 1848. The career of the Mercury is well known to every citizen of Monroe county, and, indeed, to every well informed person in this section of the State. For years it has been recognized as one of the leading country journals north of the river. Successful in its business department, so, also, its editorial columns have ever been conducted with marked ability. Though a Democratic paper, it is one of those sober, conservative journals which look first to the interests of the public and are Democratic only because they believe that the principles and policies of that party are most conducive to the common welfare. Ever true to the interests of the county, the Mercury is justly a paper of more than ordinary popularity with the people generally among whom it circulates. For its success and high standing, Mr. Mason, who has been connected with it longer than any one else, is entitled to great credit. His experience as a newspaper man, his safe, conservative principles of business management, and his close attention to all the interests of the paper have contributed very materially to its success. Mr. Mason enjoys an enviable reputation among newspaper men as a strictly upright and, at the same time, successful journalist. On the 5^th of May, 1854, he was married to Miss Levena Rubey, of Randolph county. She, however, was taken from him by death six years afterwards, in the spring of 1860. She left him two children, Laura, now the wife of George W. Miller, and Charles, who died in tender years. To his present wife Mr. Mason was married in 1861. She was a Miss Anna E. Sinclair before her marriage, and was from Cass county, Illinois. They have a family of nine children: Josie, Lethe, Harry, George, Anna B., Watson, Notley and Earle. Two are deceased, Herbert and Victor. Mr. Mason himself is a Kentuckian by nativity, born in Casey county, November 18, 1824. When he was eight years of age he was brought out to Missouri by his parents, who removed to Monroe county in 1832. His father, Abraham Mason, was originally from Virginia, and was a farmer by occupation. He died in this county some time before the war. The mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gartin, was born and reared in Kentucky, where she was married. She died in this county in 1870.

W. F. MAXEY

(Artist-painter, Paris). Mr. Maxey, a painter, in the artistic and higher sense of that word, of recognized merit and established reputation, who has long studied the fine art of painting, a profession he has practiced, especially in the department of portraiture, for many years, is a native of Kentucky, born in Garrard county, March 9, 1819. He was a son of Boaz and Judith Maxey, both originally of Buckingham county, Va. From Kentucky the family came to Missouri, in 1831, and settled in Monroe county, about half a mile from the present site of Paris. The country was then in the condition of a wilderness, and the solitude where Paris now stands was broken only by a single cabin of a white man. Young Maxey was reared in this then new country, and of course had no opportunities of an advanced character to secure an education. But possessed of a desire for learning, he employed all his leisure at study to good advantage, and became especially expert as a penman and at figures. When about 20 years of age he was employed in one of the offices in the courthouse at Paris on the public records, and continued writing in the different offices about the courthouse several years. He also followed light farming during the same time, particularly fruit-raising, in which he was quite successful. Later along he began studying portrait painting and took a regular novitiate in that profession. Possessed of a decided artistic taste as well as a natural aptitude for harmonizing and contrasting colors to good effect, and understanding thoroughly the philosophy of lights and shades, he made rapid progress as a painter, and soon came to be regarded as a master of portraiture. He painted portraits at different towns throughout North Missouri, and when not busy with his brush taught school with success. Locating permanently at Paris, he resumed his profession of painting, which he has since followed. Prof. Maxey has become comfortably established in life and is one of the highly esteemed citizens of Paris. Prof. Maxey’s father died February 11, 1864, and his mother October 20, 1870. The former was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, August 17, 1785, and the latter in the same county, February 14, 1791. They were married October 4, 1809, and the same year they removed to Garrard county, Ky. The father was a farmer by occupation and was quite successful. They had a family of six children: Joel H., Elisha A., Mary M., John J., W. F. and Jane E. The Maxey family has been settled in the United States for about 200 years, and was one of the old and respected families of Virginia.

JUDGE DAVID H. MOSS

(President of the First National Bank of Paris, Mo.). In preparing a sketch of the life of Judge Moss the writer meets with a serious embarrassment at the very beginning. A maN of long and recognized prominence, and for years closely identified with the history of his county, yet such is his known aversion to anything that might bear even the appearance of flattery, that it is difficult to state the facts in his career, as plainly as it is possible to put them, without incurring his disapproval, for the facts themselves are greatly to his credit. These facts, however, will be plainly stated at a venture. Judge Moss is a native Missourian, born in Boone county, September 19, 1826. His father, James T. Moss, a Virginian by nativity, early went to Kentucky, where in young manhood he was married to Miss Sarah D. Talbot, of Shelby county, of the old and respected Talbot family so well and favorably known in Virginia, Kentucky and Missouri.  After their marriage, in 1821, they removed to Missouri and settled in Boone county, where Mr. Moss, Sr., became a successful farmer and valued citizen of that county. They reared a family of seven children, namely: Catherine T., now Mrs. Boyd; Zerilda E., the wife of Mr. Bryan; Dr. George W. Moss, Mason F., Preston T., Paulina T., now Mrs. Conder, and Judge David H. Moss. Judge Moss was reared in Boone county and received a good general education in the ordinary branches taught at the private academies of the county. In 18-? he came to Paris and began the study of law under Maj. W. J. Howell. After a due and thorough course of study he was admitted to the bar, and at once entered actively into the practice of his profession. The California gold excitement breaking out soon afterwards, however, he joined the innumerable throng of Argonauts bound for the Pacific coast, and was gone for nearly three years. While absent he was engaged in mining and trading in California, and with fair success, but returning in 1853, he formed a partnership in the law practice with his old preceptor, Maj. Howell, and resumed the practice of his profession. A man of sound ability and thorough local attainments, as well as a forcible and successful advocate, and always honorable and true to his clients, he soon took an enviable position at the bar, and in 1856 was elected circuit attorney of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit. He served for nearly three years in this office, and until he resigned it to give his whole time and energy to his private practice, which had now increased to such a volume as to demand his undivided attention. He continued successfully in the practice, discharging incidentally the duties of county attorney at the special instance and request of the county court until 1868, when he was elected circuit judge of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit. He was not permitted, however, to assume the duties of his office by the desperate, unscrupulous faction then holding a high carnival of misgovernment, political corruption and shameless official oppression and persecution in this State, composed largely of the worst elements of society, men without property or standing before the war, with only now and then a citizen of some respectability, who was disposed to run with the hounds. They were put into power by Federal bayonets, and after the war retained it by virtue of an infamous disfranchising ordinance enacted mainly by the smoke-house militia, which excluded from the right to vote, or rather to have their votes counted (according to the way Count Rodman interpreted the ordinance), a large percentage, if not a majority, of the more respectable class of voters and representative citizens of the State. Notwithstanding this outrageous travesty on law and self-government, Judge Moss was elected by a majority of 1,200 votes of even those who were permitted to cast their ballots. But of course it was not intended by the scurvy, shameless faction then in power to permit the people to choose their own public servants, because if they did, these irresponsible adventurers, as many of them were, would be relegated to the deserved obscurity from which the unsettled condition of affairs, like the fermentation of spilt milk bringing whey to the top, had brought them. Count Rodman, the alleged Secretary of State at that time, but who has long since passed out of memory, but not out of infamy, arbitrarily threw out enough of the votes cast for Judge Moss to prevent his election, or rather enough to form an excuse for refusing to issue him a certificate of election. Of course his opponent, Judge Harrison, the former circuit judge, was not elected, but it is a truth of history, which must be stated, that he held over, nevertheless, and continued to exercise the duties and receive the honors and emoluments of the office to which Judge Moss was by every principle of right and justice entitled, to such a condition had affairs descended at that time. Not disposed, in these circumstances, to practice any longer in the circuit court, Judge Moss retired from his profession and engaged in the banking business, or rather he had previously engaged in banking, and he now turned his whole attention to that business. As early as the fall of 1865 he had organized the Monroe Savings Association. In the spring of 1871 this was merged into the First National Bank of Paris, of which he has long been, and is still, president. This is well known as one of the soundest and most reliable banks in this part of the State. The high character of Judge Moss and his well known personal honor and integrity, as well as his proved business ability, have contributed very largely to give the bank the enviable reputation it enjoys. Judge Moss is a man of great personal worth, sterling intelligence, and one of the highly esteemed and public spirited citizens of the county. In February, 1856, he was married to Mrs.  Melville E. Hollingsworth, a daughter of B. S. Hollingsworth, of this county. Their children are: Pauline, who is now the wife of W. W.  Anderson, of Hamilton; Sallie, Preston, Annie, Clara, Georgie, Lillie and David H., Jr.; another, Mary B., died in 1860, and still another at a tender age. The Judge and Mrs. Moss are members of the Christian Church, and Judge Moss holds the position of elder in the church.

JOEL M. MOSS

(Deputy County Collector, Notary Public, and Insurance Agent). Mr. Moss was born and reared at Paris and was a son of Dr. George W. Moss and wife, Mary E., a daughter of Judge Joel Maupin. Judge Maupin was one of the prominent men of the country, and held various positions of local consideration, including those of sheriff, collector and county judge. Dr. Moss came to Missouri with his parents when a mere lad, and was reared in Boone county. His father died in that county, and his mother afterwards married Judge Maupin. Dr. Moss had already studied medicine and had taken one course of lectures at the time of his mother’s marriage to Judge Maupin. He at that time met Miss Mary E. Maupin, the Judge’s daughter, for the first time, and a year afterwards they were married. He continued his medical course and graduated at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. Meanwhile he had removed to Paris, and here he began the practice of medicine. He was quite successful and became a leading physician of the county. During and since the war he served as county treasurer and represented the county in the Legislature. He died here in 1881. His widow is still living at Paris, at the age of 64.  Joel M. was born August 2, 1845, and was the second in a family of seven children, all living except George and Robert B. The former died of consumption and the latter was killed by being thrown from a horse. He was one of the leading young business men of the town, and stood high in the esteem of all who knew him. He had been married the year before, and his widow and an only child, six weeks of age at his death, survive him. Joel M. was in the Union service from 1862 until the close of the war, principally in the clerical profession, but was made regimental adjutant in 1865. January 12, 1865, he was married to Miss M. E. Cox, of Rye Beach, New Hampshire, who was then visiting at Chillicothe. After the close of the war he became deputy sheriff and afterwards deputy circuit clerk. He was then with an insurance company in St. Louis for three years. Following this he was a traveling salesman for a St. Louis house. He traveled during the winter seasons for about 10 years, being assistant in the county office at Paris most of the time during the summer seasons. He became deputy county collector in 1881. He is also a local insurance agent at Paris and a notary public. He has made up the tax collector’s books for the past eight years, and is considered one of the most efficient men for this work in the State. Mr. and Mrs. Moss have five children: Minnie P., Mamie W., Melville C., Edward and Frank P. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and Mr.  Moss is a leading member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Orders. Edward C., now a lad 10 years of age, is a natural musician, and has played the piano and other instruments with remarkable skill and genius since he was three years of age. Misses Minnie and Mamie, young ladies of rare grace and refinement, are also accomplished pianists and are singularly entertaining and agreeable in society. The second sister Miss Mamie, is also a fine vocalist, having a voice of great sweetness and culture as well as of ample volume and flexibility.

JOHN T. NESBIT

(Farmer, Post-office, Holliday). It was in 1824, when the subject of this sketch was but 10 years of age, that his parents removed to Missouri and located in Callaway county. A year later they crossed into Boone county and in 1828 settled permanently in what was then a part of Ralls county, but is now Monroe county. They were among the pioneer settlers of this county and Mr. Nesbit’s father hewed the logs to build the first house ever erected in the town of Florida, which is still standing, and he also helped to build the first mill established at that place. John T., who was born in Harrison county, Ky., December 2, 1814, was partly reared in Monroe county, and coming up in this new country, he was trained in that school of hardships and adventures, which, if it did not afford its pupils the knowledge of books to be had in modern colleges, it at least gave them greater strength of character and greater fortitude, and made them more courageous and better fitted for the hard struggles of life than does the atmosphere in our college walls. The early training of the wilderness made men of generous and hospitable hearts, or unfaltering courage, or strong arms and willing hands to wrestle with the duties of life, developed such a manhood as is now unfortunately rapidly passing away with the flight of years, a manhood just and true, and noble and brave, such as every country needs and ought to have, but such, when these old pioneers are gone, we shall probably not see again. In. 1837 Mr. Nesbit was married to Miss Lucretia Lyon, formerly of Greenwood county, Ky. They have three children: John Y., Anna and William A. Mr. Nesbit, whose life has been one of untiring industry, crowned with satisfactory success in the accumulation of a neat competency, has always taken an active interest in church affairs and in the advancement of the cause of education, to both of which he has contributed liberally by personal exertions and of his means on all proper occasions. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for the last 40 years, and for many years has been an officer in the church. He is one of the highly respected and honored citizens of this place.

JUDGE WILLIAM K. NEUGENT

(Presiding Judge of the County Court, and Farmer and Stock-raiser). Judge Neugent, one of the leading citizens of Monroe county, and a man who is held in the highest esteem wherever he is known for his character, sterling intelligence and business qualifications, a man whose life has been one of marked success and who has risen to an enviable position among the prominent and influential citizens of this section of North Missouri, has come up solely by his own exertions and personal worth, and in the face of the greatest obstacles and difficulties. He was left an orphan at an early age, and began for himself whilst still quite a youth by working on a farm at $4 a month. He kept at work at this rate for two years and thus made his start in life. His school advantages were practically nil, and all the education he has acquired he succeeded in attaining by personal application, with little or no help from an instructor. Yet, unfavorable as his early outlook seemed to be, he has come to be a man of recognized prominence, not only for his success in material affairs, but for his broad, general information and as a leader in public life of those among whom he lives. There are many farmers and business men in Monroe county who, in early life, had every advantage that abundant means and good schools could afford, but it will be admitted by all that there are few men in the county whose positions are so enviable as Judge Neugent’s. Success, when honorably achieved, even in the most favorable surroundings, is always creditable, but when achieved in the most adverse circumstances is justly regarded as worthy of the highest commendation. Judge Neugent is a native of Kentucky, born in Shelby county, May 29, 1815. His father died when he was six years of age, after which he went to live with a brother, where he remained for eight years. When 14 years old he hired himself out to a farmer at $4 a month, where he worked for two years. He then apprenticed himself to a carpenter in order to learn the trade, with whom he worked until he had acquired a knowledge of carpentering.  Returning to farm work, however, he followed it for a short time and soon began farming for himself. By industry and economy he accumulated enough to buy a small place, and about this time, in 1836, was married to Miss Mary Johnston. He continued farming with good success, and later along added to his place until he had one of the best farms in his vicinity. In the meantime his first wife died, surviving her marriage but a short time, and in 1841 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Wise. Mr. Neugent had occupied his leisure to good advantage at study, or rather at reading and acquiring a general knowledge of business transactions and of the affairs of the world. The office of justice of the peace becoming vacant in Shelby county, Ky., he was thought to be the proper man for the place, and was accordingly appointed to it by the Governor. His discharge of the duties of that office were so efficient and satisfactory that afterwards he was elected by the people, and continued to hold the office for twelve years and until he resigned to come to Missouri. He removed to this State in 1856, settling on the farm where he now resides in Monroe county. His removal from Shelby county, Ky., was greatly regretted by the people of that county, for he was regarded as one of their most useful and valued citizens, and left the county without an enemy. Judge Neugent soon became known here, as he was known in Kentucky, as a citizen of high character and superior intelligence, and a man highly popular among all with whom he came in contact. In 1866 he was elected judge of the county court, and served for six years. Again, in 1879, he was elected judge, this time for the western district of Monroe county, and after two years service more on the county bench, in 1882 he was elected presiding judge of the court for a period of four years, the term which he is now filling. It is thus seen that he has already had years of experience on the bench, and it is not too much to say that he has made one of the best county justices that ever occupied the bench in this county. Judge Neugent has always taken a commendable interest in school affairs, and has served as school trustee for his district for the last fifteen years, and has been a liberal supporter of the churches, being, himself, a member of the Presbyterian Church. Judge Neugent lost his second wife in 1866. At her death she left him five children, namely: Mary J., George W., James E., David E. and Virginia B. In 1867 he was married to Miss Frances Coxby. She survived her marriage, however, only a short time, leaving him one child at her death, Fannie F. To his present wife he was married in 1869. She was formerly Miss Mary F. Dellaney, a lady of rare excellence of character and great personal worth. Judge Neugent has been abundantly successful as a farmer and stock-raiser and is comfortably and pleasantly situated. A resident of the county for nearly 30 years, he has from the beginning shown himself to be a thoroughly public-spirited citizen, and one earnestly devoted to the best interests of the county.

FRANK L. PITTS

(Ex-Sheriff and Collector, Paris). Mr. Pitts, a gallant one-armed ex-Confederate soldier, and one of the substantial citizens and most popular and highly esteemed men of Monroe county, was born near Shelbyville, in Shelby county, April 25, 1841. His parents, James P. and Gertrude (Jarman) Pitts, came from Maryland to Missouri as early as 1826. They first located at Hannibal, and from there, later along, went to Shelby county. But in 1845 they returned to Hannibal, where both lived until their deaths. The father was married a second time, and his widow is still living. He was a saddler and harness-maker by trade, and was successfully engaged in that line of business at Hannibal for years. He left a large family of children. Frank L., the sixth of his father’s family of children, was reared at Hannibal, and brought up to the saddler and harness maker’s trade. In 1860 he and his next eldest brother, Thomas W., came to Paris, and engaged in the saddlery trade and business at this place. The war breaking out soon afterwards, Mr. Pitts promptly enlisted in the Missouri State Guard under Capt. Brace, and while in this service participated in the battles of Lexington and Pea Ridge, and some minor engagements. He then enlisted in Co. G, Second Missouri infantry, under Col. Cockrell, and served until the close of the war, or rather until nearly the close, when, after having his arm shot off, he was taken prisoner and confined at Camp Chase until after peace was declared. We can not take the space to follow him through his four years of campaigning in the South, or to give any idea of the dangers and hardships through which he passed. Suffice it to say, that as a soldier he was distinguished for bravery among as brave a body of men as ever kept step to martial music, or faced death without fear on the field of battle. He participated in all the campaigns and battles in which his command took part, and was ever found in the front rank of his comrades where brave men dared to do and die for the cause that they held dearer than life. After the war and after his release from Camp Chase, Mr. Pitts returned to Paris and began the harness business again at this place. He continued it with success until 1872, when he was elected sheriff of the county. Two years later he was re-elected. At the close of his second term as sheriff, in 1876, he was elected collector of the county, and he was afterwards twice re-elected to that office, serving three consecutive terms as county collector. Since the close of his last term, in January, 1883, Mr. Pitts has not re-engaged in business. He has valuable property interests, however, to which he is giving his attention. He is also a large stockholder in the “Governor” silver mine of Colorado, and has made two trips to the West, looking after his interests in the mine. February 4, 1875, Mr. Pitts was married to Miss Laura F. Boulware, of Monroe county. They have an interesting little daughter, Kittie, now in her third year. One, a promising infant son, Harry E., died when less than a year old. Mrs. Pitts is a valued member of the Christian Church. Mr. Pitts is universally regarded as one of the most estimable men of the county, highly esteemed by all who know him.

THOMAS W. PITTS

(Dealer in Saddlery and Harness, Paris). Mr. Pitts has been engaged in his present line of business at Paris almost continuously since 1860, a period of 24 years, and has given his time and attention to no other business interest, save that of hotel proprietor, he having kept the Virginia House in Paris for 12 months. A man of high character and highly esteemed by all who know him, his name is a synonym for fair dealing, good work and good citizenship all over the county. He is the fifth of his father’s family of children, something of a history of which has already been given in the sketch of his brother, Frank L. Pitts. The others are Mrs. Martha J. Owen, wife of W. T. Owen, of Hannibal, and a twin sister of Thomas W., both having been born July 4, 1838; Sarah, now Mrs. William L. Kidd, who resides at Hannibal, her husband being deceased; William R., a wholesale merchant of Hannibal; James K., who died in young manhood, in 1856 ; Frank L., the subject of the previous sketch, and Mary C., the wife of Frederick Waller, now of Leadville, Col. Thomas W. Pitts was married May 18, 1863, to Miss Bettie F. Vaughn (who was born in Sparta, Va.), a daughter of Col. John Vaughn, formerly of Kentucky. They have six children: Bina, Carrie, Bessie, Sadie, Olive V. and Archie. Two are deceased, Frank and Harry.

MILFRED POWERS

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). March 8, 1826, was the date of Mr. Powers’ birth, and his father’s farm in Greenup county, Ky., the place. When he was about five years of age his parents, Richard and Harriet (Poage) Powers, removed to Missouri and settled in Monroe county, on the old Hannibal and Paris road, about a mile from the North Fork. There his father entered land and improved a farm. He resided on his place near the North Fork until his death, which was in about 1860. He was very successful as a farmer and at one time owned about 1,100 acres of fine land. He served for a number of years as justice of the peace, and was from time to time a member of the grand jury, one of the well known and highly respected citizens of the county. He was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church. Milfred Powers was reared on a farm in this county and following in the worthy footsteps of his father, himself became a farmer of the county after he grew up. He has been satisfactorily successful in his chosen occupation and now has a good place of 120 acres in Jackson township. In 1847 he was married to Miss Harriet Dickson, a daughter of James Dickson. Six children bless this union, namely: Laura B., James D., Luella M., Richard B., Annie J. and Harry C. He and wife are members of the Church. Mr. Powers is a man of marked industry and thorough-going qualities as a farmer, and as a neighbor and citizen commands the respect of the community.

CHARLES M. REED

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Dealer, Sections 6 and 7, Post-office, Paris).  Mr. Reed was born August 6, 1872, in Shelby county, Ohio. His father, James S. Reed, a native of Lycoming county, Penn., spent most of his south in Richland county, Ohio. In 1863 he moved to Iowa; in 1866 to Salem county, Mo., and the following year to Monroe. After a few years, he changed his residence to Shelby county, Mo. His wife, Mary Johnson, was a native of Shelby county, Ohio. They had four children, and of these three are still living: Thomas W., P. Wilbur and Charlie M. The last named grew up in Shelby county, Ohio, and became a farmer and dealer in stock. After living successively in Iowa, Saline county, Mo., and again in Iowa, in 1867 he removed to Monroe county, Mo., where he now owns a finely improved farm of 320 acres. Mr. Reed is a man of large brain and advanced ideas, and is made of that material which constitutes in its citizens the wealth and insures the welfare of every State. His honesty, upright character and energetic industry have placed him upon the only level possible to a man of his calibre. His benevolence and nobility of soul are shown in the fond care which he bestows upon three orphan children to whom he has given a place in his warm heart and hospitable home. His wife, to whom he was married in Jones county, Iowa, was Miss Louie Freeman. Heaven has denied them the blessing of children. Mr. Reed is a member of the Masonic Order.

TEMPLE B. ROBINSON

(Attorney at Law, Paris). Col. Waltour Robinson, the father of the subject of this sketch, is remembered by the early settlers of Monroe county as one of its most highly respected and influential citizens. He came to Paris in 1838, and lived in this county for about 15 years, following merchandising at Paris for a time and then farming and stock-raising, near this place, in both of which he was very successful. His health failing, however, he removed to Lawrence county, in the southwestern part of the State, for a milder climate, where he died two years afterwards, in 1856. He had represented Monroe county in the Legislature, and held other positions of public trust. In the old muster days he was colonel of militia. He was a man of fine intelligence and great strength of character, and in his day was one of the most popular men of the county. He was born in Virginia in 1815, and came to Missouri with his parents, settling in Boone county, in 1830. There he married Miss Clara A. Moss, a daughter of Mason Moss, originally of Virginia, and one of the pioneers of Missouri, settling first at old Fort Hempstead, in Howard county, where his daughter Clara was born in 1820, and afterwards moving to Boone county. Six of his family of children are living, namely: Temple B., the subject of this sketch; Lucy H., now Mrs. R. N. Bodine; Laura V., Walter M., Charles M. and Willie H. Kate M., who married George B. Caldwell, died in 1883. The mother, an active, intelligent and most amiable and estimable woman, is also still living, making her home with her son, Temple B. Robinson, at Paris. One of his sisters, Laura V., also resides with him. Temple B. Robinson was born in Monroe county June 16, 1841, and was educated at the Paris Male Academy. In 1861 he began the study of law under D. H. Moss, Esq., of this place, which he continued for a time, but his health failing from close application and confinement, he was compelled to abandon the law and engaged in the stock business, which he followed for some years. After the close of the war, however, he resumed the study of law, and was admitted to practice in 1865. He was then offered a partnership with Judge D.H. Moss, who had a large practice, which he accepted, and he continued with him until the Judge retired from active work in his profession in 1876. Since then he has had no partner, but has continued the practice and has achieved excellent success in his profession. He has a regular and substantial practice in both civil and criminal cases, and has an enviable reputation at the bar. Thoroughly upright, he has the confidence of every one, and a hard worker in his profession as well as a skillful practitioner and able advocate, he is looked upon as an attorney who can be implicitly relied upon by clients in the most difficult cases. Mr. Robinson was a steadfast Union man during the war, and,   indeed, was an Emancipationist at heart from his earliest recollection. He has always taken an active and zealous interest in the cause of popular education, and stood by the public school system of Missouri after the war, when it needed all the friends it could get, and then had none too many. In 1867 he was made secretary of the school board, and has held that office continuously until the present, and during that time has worked with great energy for the success of the schools of Paris. He has never held or sought any other official position, although he takes a deep interest in all questions of public welfare and advancement, whether local, State or National.

HON. TYREE T. RODES

(Dealer in Real Estate, Paris). Mr. Rodes was born near Hydesburg, in Ralls county, November 23, 1841. He was the fourth in a family of eight children of Dr. Tyree Rodes and wife, nee Miss Eliza Tipton, the father originally of Virginia, but the mother of an old Tennessee family. His father, born in Albemarle county of the Old Dominion, was reared in that State and educated at the Virginia State University, of which he was a graduate. Early in life Tennessee became his home, and from that State he came to Missouri in about 1837, settling in Ralls county, where he reared his family. He was a man of fine intelligence and culture, an able and successful physician, and an influential and substantial citizen of Ralls county. He died there in 1861. Tyree Tipton Rodes, the subject of this sketch, was reared in Ralls county, and educated at Rensselaer Academy, where he took a complete course. He subsequently attended a commercial college in St. Louis. Following this Mr. Rodes went to Virginia, where he was engaged in mercantile life until 1865. Returning to Missouri during the year last named, he located on a farm in the northwestern part of Monroe county, and continued farming until 1873. Meanwhile, in 1868, he was nominated for the Legislature by the Democrats of Monroe county, and was elected by an overwhelming majority, but was not permitted to represent the people. Those were the days when it was one thing to vote and another thing to get the votes counted, if they were Democratic ballots. Indeed, judging from Tilden’s experience, it is doubtful whether such days will ever cease, as long as Republican mathematicians have the casting up of results. Anyhow, Mr. Rodes’ votes were thrown out as being the ballots of rebels, although each voter had taken an oath so loyal that it left his lips blue for a month after he had sworn it. It was in the same election in which Switzler and Dyer ran for Congress, and as Switzler was counted out, so of course Mr.  Rodes was counted out also. Then Democratic voters, when too numerous, were “rebels”; when Tilden was counted out, they were “bulldozers”; and the Lord only knows what they will be in 1884.  Continuing on his farm until 1873, Mr. Rodes then came to Paris and became a partner with Mr. B. F. Blanton in the publication of the Appeal, taking charge of the editorial department of the paper. He was in the Appeal for five years and contributed very materially toward building up that paper to the position of prominence and influence it has ever since held among the leading country journals of the State. Since 1880 he has been engaged in the real estate business. In 1880 he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Senator from this district, but was defeated for the nomination as follows: There were three candidates before the convention, Major, of Howard; Rouse, of Randolph, and Rodes, of Monroe county, and over 600 ballots were taken, the result standing each time Rodes 17, Rouse 14, and Major 11. On the 602d ballot the entire vote of Randolph county, which had until then been cast for Rouse, was cast for Major. Before the vote was announced, however, Monroe county cast her vote of 17 solid for Rouse, and called on Randolph county to come to the rescue of her candidate, which was accordingly done, resulting in the nomination of Rouse. October 15, 1868, Mr. Rodes was married to Miss Mary Blakey, a daughter of Hon. M. D. Blakey. They have three children: Jennie C., Marcus T. and Willie C. He has lost one child, Fannie B., who died in 1880 at the age of two years. Mr. Rodes is a prominent member of the Masonic order, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

ENOCH W. ROGERS

(Post-office, Paris). Mr. Rogers ranks as one of the conspicuous farmers and stockraisers of that rich agricultural and grazing land, Monroe county. He resides on section four, in Jackson township, and was born May 24, 1847. His mother died December 25, 1848, and his father making an overland trip to California in the spring of 1849, died there in 1851, leaving him an orphan. He, young Enoch, received the care of his uncle Wilson, and when only 13 years old he began the struggle of life for himself, attending as time allowed with a noble ambition a district school. At 18 years of age he went to Warren county, Ill., where he located for several years. Thence he returned to Missouri, and September 28, 1870, was married near Madison, to Mary Eliza, daughter of C. P. Love, a lady who has been a life long joy to him in his cares and struggles. After his marriage he purchased a farm in Audrain county, sold this and purchased and sold other places to advantage. Finally, in December, 1883, he obtained the farm where he now resides, consisting of 165 acres of beautiful meadow land. His wife has borne him three children: Arthur P., Emma B. and Joseph C. Himself and wife are devout members of the Christian Church, while Mr. Rogers is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge.

LOUIS ROSE

(Dealer in Boots and Shoes, Paris). Mr. Rose, one of the leading business men and large property holders of Paris, commenced for himself without a dollar and learned the shoemaker’s trade, at which he afterwards worked as journeyman for a number of years at a small pittance. Most of the salary he received for his work was generously given for the support of his orphaned brothers and sisters. From this apparently unpromising beginning, by his industry, intelligence and perseverance, he has steadily come up in life until he has reached his present enviable position. Mr. Rose is a native of Germany, born July 26, 1836. His father was John C. Rose. His parents continued in Germany for eight years after the birth of Louis, during the last few years of which he attended the schools of his native village. Coming to America in 1844, the family settled at Cape Girardeau, where both the parents died a few years afterwards. At the age of 15, being left not only to look out for himself, but also to care for his brothers and sisters, by the death of his parents, he being the eldest in the family, Louis apprenticed himself to the shoemaker’s trade, at which he worked as an apprentice four years and a half, two and a half at $4 a month and two years at $50 a year, receiving his board and washing besides. He then worked as a journeyman at a small salary, for shoemaker’s salaries were not large then, and as has been said, practically, all he made went to help those dependent upon him, which at best was only too little. But some of the older of them grew up so that they could also assist, and in the fall of 1857 he was married to Miss Anna Klusmer. Married now, he felt that it was time to begin in business for himself and to commence establishing himself in life. But he had not a dollar to begin on, and to think of continuing life as a journeyman seemed out of the question. In this emergency his generous and true-hearted wife came to his relief. She had saved up $27 from her own work before their marriage, and this she loaned him to buy a kit of tools. Buying a few tools, he opened a shop of his own, and from this beginning sprang his subsequent success. He now has the largest boot and shoe house in Paris, and is doing a heavy and prosperous business. He also owns the handsome business house he occupies and the one adjoining which is occupied by a millinery store. He also has a handsome brick residence, where he resides. In a word, Mr. Rose is one of the solid men of the town of Paris, and one of its valuable and useful citizens. Whether he has ever refunded the $27 borrowed to his wife, or not, deponent sayeth not. But if she ever lost anything by the transaction, she is the least dissatisfied creditor one would meet of a summer’s day. Doubtless she has found it the best investment she ever made in her life. Mr. Rose has been in business at Paris for many years, and has an established reputation as a man and citizen, which is without reproach. He and wife have three children: John W., Charles H. and Martha H. He has been a warm friend of the public schools. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders.

THOMAS J. ROWE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Feeder and Dealer, Section 29). S. S. Rowe, father of Thomas J., was a native of New York, but he came when a young man to Missouri. He was by profession a dentist and traveled a part of his time in the practice of it. He, in the course of events, married Miss Elizabeth F. Summers, of Randolph county, and settled in the northern part of Audrain county. After trying several farms, he finally entered and purchased 1,500 acres of land and improved a place, upon which Thomas J. now resides.  He was twice married, the mother of Thomas J. being the second wife. There was one son by the first marriage, and four sons and a daughter by the last. Of these Thomas J. was the eldest. Mr. S. S. Rowe died in Monroe county, on the farm now owned by his son, in June of the year 1857. After his death Mrs. Rowe moved with her family to Randolph county and there the subject of the present sketch grew up on the farm. He was given a good English education at Mt. Pleasant College, Huntsville, Mo. After the completion of his studies, Mr.  Rowe taught school for three years in Randolph and Monroe counties, in the last named of which he finally settled in 1877. Two years later he marriedMiss Mary E., daughter of G. W. Vanlandingham, whose sketch may be found in this History. There are two children living by this union: Georgia Ann and Fannie Lena. One lovely babe, 11 months old, Corda L., died February 17, 1881. Mr. Rowe is a farmer of unusual ability and is a most enterprising man. He owns 360 acres of land, all fenced, and about 300 acres are in meadow, pasture and plow land. His improvements are good and his place presents a very tidy and attractive appearance. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe are members of the M.E. Church South.

FREDERICK SAGESER

(Post-office, Rowe). Mr. Sageser, like many of the stanch citizens of Monroe county, is a native of Kentucky, having been born September 6, 1828, in Jessamine county. Both parents died, leaving Frederick with eight brothers and two sisters, he being the eldest of the family. With such cares before him, it is a high commendation to say of his character that he strove to obtain a good education when the weather was bad and he could not labor in the field, allowing his brothers to attend when it was fair and he could toil; and in November, 1853, he wedded Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Van Tice, she being a native of Jessamine. She died in 1856, leaving one son, Joseph Sageser, now a prominent physician of Chicago. Mr. Sageser was again married, February 14, 1858, to Miss Aurend Jane Gully. Shortly afterwards the young couple located in McLean county, Ill., 80 miles from Chicago, residing there until 1882, when the property was sold and they removed to Monroe county. Here Mrs. Sageser passed away, August 21, 1881, leaving four children: Mary L., Henry I., John R. and James W. Mr. Sageser still resides on his farm which consists of 210 acres of well cultivated land, and an orchard which is renowned throughout the township. He is a devout member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

JAMES M. SEELEY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Seeley was born in Pike county, Ill., June 13, 1832. He comes of a family noted for their valor in times of war. His great-grandfather was a colonel of a regiment in the Revolution; both his grandfathers were in the army, one a captain in the Revolution, and his father, James M. Seeley, was a soldier in the War of 1812. The latter was born in 1790, in New Jersey, where his childhood was passed. When a young man he went to Pennsylvania and there married Abigail Stull, also a native of New Jersey. He then removed to Ohio, remained a few years, and in 1821 settled in Pike county, Ill. This county was one of five, forming a military district, which Mr. Seeley afterwards represented in the Legislature. After the counties were divided he was sheriff for 14 years, and was also colonel of the State militia. J. M. Seeley, Sr., was a carpenter by trade and built a large number of public works. He moved, in 1840, to Columbia, Boone county, and was one of the contractors and builders of the State University. He was engaged on this for three years, and then returned to Illinois, where he died in January, 1851, leaving a family of seven children. Of these the oldest brother, David, was lieutenant in the Black Hawk War. Marcellus, the second son, was surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-first Illinois volunteers, under Gen. Grant, then colonel of that regiment. He was captured and kept for two months at the Libby prison, then served until the shattered state of his health compelled him to retire from the army. The third son was James M., the subject of this sketch. He grew to manhood in Pike county, and received a good common school education. Not satisfied with this, however, he pursued his studies after he was grown, and is now one of the most cultured citizens of the township. At the age of 17 he taught school for a term. In 1860 he took a trip overland with an ox team to California, and was there for one year engaged in trading in stock. He returned to New York in 1861, and was in Washington City at the time of the first Bull Run fight. Mr. Seeley was next, for five years, a merchant of Pittsfield, Pike county. In 1868 he bought raw land in Newton county and improved a farm, which he afterwards traded for the one he now owns, and upon which he took up his residence in 1879. He has 200 acres of land, all in one section, all fenced and nearly all in meadow and plow land. His improvements are fine, and he is himself one of the best farmers in the county. His genuine worth both in that capacity as in every other relation of life, has given him the enviable position he holds in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Seeley is a man of family. He espoused, in 1858, in Pike county, Miss Emma, daughter of Maj.  Fisher Petly. In one short year, however, this dream of bliss was over. The young wife, with everything on earth to render life desirable, was cut down in her brightest bloom by the pitiless reaper. On the 13^th of January, 1862, Mr. Seeley led to the altar a second bride, Miss Nellie, daughter of Alfred Unsell. Mrs. Seeley comes of a family noted for the length of their earthly race, her grandfather, one of the oldest of the first settlers in Pike county, living until the fall of 1883. Mr. and Mrs. S. have three children: Alfred N., Emma A. and James E. Mrs. Seeley is a member of the Baptist Church. Her husband is a Mason. Mr. Seeley has for many years filled with credit to himself the office of justice of the peace, to which he was elected by the unanimous vote of his township.

JAMES P. SHRADER

(Farmer, Stock-raiser, Feeder and Dealer). One of the large land owners and influential citizens of Jackson township is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Oldham county, Ky., July 9, 1844, of Philip and Mary (Bevens) Shrader, both natives of Bourbon county, Ky. The family came to Missouri in the fall of 1854 and settled in the southern part of Monroe county, where Mr. Shrader, Sr., one of the survivors of the War of 1812, died in 1875. James P. grew to manhood on the home farm, receiving a common school education. September 22, 1872, Mr. Shrader married Miss Amanda C., daughter of William S. and Lucinda (Clay) McClenny, formerly of Kentucky and one of the early settlers of St. Charles county, where Mrs. Shrader was born, reared and educated. She is one of the old Kentucky family of Clays. They have one child, Eugene, a bright boy, 11 years old, born July 8, 1873. After his marriage Mr. Shrader bought land and improved his present farm. It now consists of 320 acres of fine prairie land, all fenced and in a good state of cultivation. His buildings and orchard, etc., are of the very best. Mrs. Shrader is a lady of fine culture and literary attainments. She was, before her marriage, a schoolteacher, teaching in St. Charles, Boone and Monroe counties. She is a member of the Christian Church. In the spring of 1875, Mr. Shrader moved to Wichita, Kans., and was for five years engaged in handling wheat. He never contemplated making his home in that section of the country and in 1880 returned to Missouri. He is now one of the most valuable citizens of the community.

HENRY THOMAS SHRADER

(Section 10, Post-office, Paris). Of that grand old Kentucky stock is Mr. Shrader’s parentage. He was born May 6, 1849, in Monroe county, his father being H. C. Shrader, who removed to Missouri in 1848, purchasing a farm on which he still resides. The subject of our sketch received a careful common school education, remaining and assisting his father until his marriage March 26, 1874, to Elenora Wills, also of Kentucky parentage.  After this event, he purchased a farm three miles west of his present location, improving it for five years, when he removed in the spring of 1879 to a better place. Of his children three have died: Mary E., in August, 1876, aged 13 months, Nellie F., February 27, 1884, aged three years; James F., March 1, 1884, aged 14 months. But one child is spared to them, William. R. Mr. Shrader, though one of the youngest prominent men of Monroe county, is an example of progress and a credit to success. He has risen steadily and held his place against the adversities which beset him and ere many years have passed, should he continue his steps, he will stand among the wealthiest and foremost farmers and stock-raisers of Monroe county.

JEREMIAH B. P. SMITH

(Blacksmith and Wagon-maker, Paris). Mr. Smith was born in Boyle county, Ky., April 3, 1836, and was a son of Ephraim Smith, of Garrard county, Ky., born November 19, 1795, and Elizabeth Pope, born in Boyle county, July 4, 1802. When 14 years of age his parents removed to Missouri, locating two miles north of Paris, where he remained with them for three years. He then came to Paris and apprenticed himself to the blacksmith’s trade, and after he learned that, he went to Santa Fe, Jackson county, Mo., and worked there for about two years, but in about 1856 he established a shop of his own at this place. After a while he formed a partnership with Mr. Wilson and engaged especially in the manufacture of plows, which he followed with rapidly increasing success, their plows obtaining a wide sale and high reputation until the outbreak of the war put all sorts of business out of joint, including his own. He now traded his stock of plows off for a tract of land in Carroll county, taking the view very sensibly that whatever else the thieves stole during the war they could not carry his land off with them. He now farmed for a time and then went to California with Hugh Glenn, who took a large drove of mules. Returning from the Pacific coast two years afterwards by the way of the Isthmus and New York, he worked on a farm with his father until 1868, when he moved to his land in Carroll county, but his wife’s health failing, he came back to Paris and resumed blacksmithing and wagon-making, which he has since followed. He is a man highly esteemed by all who know him, a first-class mechanic and has a large custom. March 3, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary B. Baughman, daughter of Samuel Baughman, of Boyle county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a clerk and deacon of the church at this place and has been secured several years as superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was sent as a delegate to the Southern Baptist Convention at Waco, Tex., which was attended by about 10,000 people. While in Waco he was given a pass to Monterey and other points in Old Mexico by the superintendent of the Gould system, and visited the scene of Gen. Taylor’s victory in the Mexican War, and also the Alamo where Davy Crockett fell gallantly fighting and overpowering a number of assailants, several of whom fell pierced by his sword before he himself yielded up his life. Mr. Smith visited many places of interest in Mexico, and gives an intelligent and interesting account of the country, its climate, appearance, people and their character, habits, manners, religion, their churches, schools, etc., and of the products of the country, tropical and otherwise, plants, flowers, fruits, etc.

JAMES A. SMITH M. D.

(Physician and Surgeon, Paris). Dr. Smith is a native Indianian, born May 10, 1846. His parents were Jesse and Henry B. (Beales) Smith, his father from North Carolina, but his mother from Ohio. They married in Indiana, and resided there and in Iowa until 1857, when they came to Missouri, locating near Princeton, in Mercer county. In 1865 they moved to Grundy county, and three years later to Montgomery county, where they made their home until 1881, when they came to Granville, in Monroe county, where the father is now engaged in merchandising. He was for 20 years engaged in the active ministry of the Christian Church, but now is, and for some years past has been, engaged in the mercantile business. Early in 1861 James A. (the Doctor) enlisted in the Fifth Kansas Volunteers, but soon afterwards became a member of the Tenth Kansas, under Col. Weir. He was then but 15 years of age, but nevertheless made a faithful and valiant soldier until after the close of the war, participating in no less than 26 battles and skirmishes, including some 15 regular engagements. During a service of four years and three months he was wounded but once, at Nashville, Tenn., when he was struck on the head with a piece of Confederate bombshell, but he was too sound on the Union question to be broken up in any such a way as that. Space is not sufficient in the limits to which we must confine these sketches to permit us to give the details of his army career, for while it is quite thrilling and interesting, it is too lengthy to admit of publication here. Under 20 years of age when he was honorably discharged from the service, after the Union had been restored, he went to work at the carpenter’s trade with his uncle, in Montgomery county, this State. Meanwhile he had married, being a brave soldier boy but 17 years of age when he was united in the silken bonds of matrimony to his fair bride. She was just past 14 years of age when they were married, and after this happy event, was permitted to return home on a furlough of 30 days, and took his young wife home with him, where she remained until after the close of the war, and the 30 days’ honeymoon he spent with her was his only absence from the army during the entire war. His wife was a Miss Ruth Quinby before her marriage. He worked at the carpenter’s trade until 1869, when he began the study of medicine under Dr. V.A. Willis. He took his first course of lectures at the Indianapolis Medical College, and his second course at the Medical College of Fort Wayne, Ind., at which he graduated April 10, 1871. Dr. Smith began the practice at Price’s Branch immediately after graduation, and afterwards moved to Pike county in 1877, and in the spring of 1880, he moved to Clapper, in Monroe county. From Clapper he came to Paris in February, 1884. He has a good practice here, and is vice-president of the County Medical Society and county physician. Dr. Smith’s first wife died in 1871, leaving him two children: Charles E. and Hattie M. He was married to his present wife, September 1, 1874. She was a Miss Priscilla A. Watkins, a daughter of Jesse Watkins, deceased, one of the first settlers of Montgomery county. They have three children, Sanford M., Donie E. and Roy. One (Flora) is deceased. The Doctor was reared a Republican, but during the Greenback picnic coquetted considerably with that party, being one of its State central committee men, but he has now returned to his first and early love, and is happily for Blaine and Maine. The Doctor and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Masonic order and the Triple Alliance.

WILLIAM H. SNELL

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). Among the prominent young farmers of South Jackson township, the subject of the present sketch occupies a justly enviable position.  He is one of those energetic, business-like men who go at anything they undertake with the determination to succeed, and where their opportunites are at all favorable they rarely, if ever, fail. Mr. Snell is a native of Missouri, born in the county where he now resides, on the 27^th of October, 1852. His father was Willis Snell, originally of Kentucky, but from Boone county, Mo., to Monroe, and one of the successful farmers and sterling, highly esteemed citizens of this county. He died here in the spring of 1882. Mr. Snell’s mother was a Miss Martha F. Woods before her marriage, a daughter of W. A. and Elizabeth Woods, of Monroe county, but formerly of Kentucky.  William H. was reared on the family homestead, where he was born, one and a half miles north of Middle Grove, and received his education in the district schools of that vicinity. On reaching his majority he engaged in farming on his own account and being a young man of industry and good business ideas, made substantial progress as a farmer. On the 11^th of March, 1880, he was married to Miss Mattie Crow, a daughter of Dr. W.H.H. and H.E. Crow, one of the early settlers of Monroe county, or rather the Doctor’s parents were early settlers, for he himself was in infancy when they came here from Kentucky, in 1826. Prior to his marriage Mr. Snell had bought the land on which he now resides and made some improvements on it. He now came to his place with his young wife and went to work with renewed energy and resolution to establish himself comfortably in life. He has greatly improved his place since then and now has good buildings, excellent fences and all other necessary improvements and conveniences for a grain and stock farm. His place contains nearly 300 acres, all of which is under fence and about 240 acres are in meadow and pasturage. Mr. Snell makes a specialty of breeding and raising good graded cattle, and has 50 head of fine cows. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. They have two children: Hattie Frances and Henry Willis.

W. E. SPALDING

(Of  Spalding & Speed, Cabinet Makers, Dealers in Furniture and Upholsterers, Paris, Mo.). Mr. Spalding, whose career is a striking and remarkable proof of what industry, perseverance and good management can accomplish in cabinet making and the furniture business, as indeed in almost any other branch of industry or business, is a native Missourian, born in Ralls county, November 29, 1829. His boyhood and youth were spent on the farm with his father, with whom he remained until after he was 18 years of age. He then started out for himself and learned the cabinet maker’s trade, and after working at his trade at different places, located at Paris in 1855, where he established a shop of his own and where he has since resided. When he came to this place he had no capital. He rented a small room, 8 x10 feet square, where he set up for himself and went to work. It is an old adage that, “If you keep your shop your shop will keep you,” and his experience has given another proof of the truth of this. From that small beginning he has steadily come up until he now has one of the largest cabinet and upholstering establishments and furniture houses outside of a considerable city, in North Missouri, a house with a full plant of machinery, an immense stock of goods and a heavy business, commanding a trade which extends over a wide district of country and is constantly increasing. His business house is a large two-story brick, fitted with two flights of stairs for greater convenience in handling furniture, and in his display rooms he has every fashionable pattern and style of furniture, including all the latest designs and articles in house-fitting, marble-trimmed goods of every variety of marble and make, upholstered goods, damask, silk and plush finished, and, indeed, everything to be found in a first-class, full-stock, retail furniture house. Of course this has not all been accomplished in a day, nor a month, nor a year, but is the result of years of patient industry, close attention to business, fair dealing and enterprise and good management. After his little 8 x 10 room he secured one a little larger as his business increased, then another still larger, then one larger yet, and finally built a small house of his own which, after awhile, he furnished with machinery, and he kept on enlarging his facilities, until at last he built the handsome brick structure which he now occupies. In 1879 he admitted Mr. Speed, who bought an interest in his business, into partnership with him, who, a thorough-going and enterprising business man, is doing a great deal to advance the interests of the firm. Prior to this Mr. Spalding had had but one partner, and that one only for a short time, so that this business is almost exclusively the product of his own muscle and brain, and stands out a worthy monument to his industry and personal worth. In 1862 Mr. Spalding was married to Miss Louisa E. Smith. She survived, however, less than two years after their marriage, their only child dying about the same time. In the spring of 1866 he was married to Miss Eliza Speed, who still brightens his home. Mr. Spalding’s parents were Benjamin E. and Matilda (Hager) Spalding, both originally of Marion county, Ky., and W. E. was the fourth of their family of six children. His great grandfather, on his mother’s side, George Hager, was the founder of Hagerstown, Md. His grandfather, Aaron Spalding, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was several times wounded during the war and carried bullets in his body to the day of his death, at a ripe old age, after independence had been won, which he received from the enemy whilst in the service of his country. Mr. Spalding’s father came to Missouri in 1829 with his family and finally settled in Ralls county, where he lived until his death at a good old age, highly respected by all who knew him.

MATTHIAS W. SPEED

(Of Spalding & Speed, Cabinet Makers, Dealers in Furniture, and Upholsterers, Paris, Mo.). It was in Casey county, Ky., that Mr. Speed was born, and he made his introitus? into post-accoucherment? life January 17, 1834.  His parents were Judge James Speed and consort, nee Dorinda Weatherford, both born and reared in Kentucky, and of old and highly respected families of the Blue Grass State. The same year that Matthias was born the family removed to Missouri and settled in Jackson township, of Monroe county. The father in early life was a tanner by trade, and followed that until his removal to Missouri.  In this State he followed farming and after a while was elected constable of Jackson township, which at that time was an office of more importance than it is now and produced a neat income. By becoming generally acquainted over the county and justly popular wherever he was known, he was subsequently elected judge of the county court. Serving for four years with ability and satisfaction to the people, he was re-elected to that office, and during the responsible period of the erection of the county courthouse he was president of the court, and had the principal burden of the responsibilities and duties incident to that important enterprise. Prior to this he had removed to Paris, and he held various positions of local consideration at this place, including the office of justice of the peace, which he held at the time of his death, and had filled for 15 years before. He was also mayor of the city for some time. Judge Speed died in January, 1874, at the age of 65 years. Matthias W., the subject of this sketch, remained at home with his parents until he was 20 years of age, assisting on the farm and attending the neighborhood schools. He then came to Paris and worked at grading the streets for some time, after which he drove a hack between Paris and the St. Joe Railroad, and finally between Paris and Shelbina. In 1859 he bought an interest in a livery stable at Paris, and selling out later along, in 1860 he was made deputy sheriff, an office he filled for two years. He then followed farming for two years, but after that returned to Paris and re-engaged in the livery business. Three years later he bought a half interest in a drug store, and was identified with it for about eight years. He then went into the fancy grocery business, but had the misfortune to be burned out soon afterwards; yet he continued the grocery business until he became a partner with Mr. Spalding in 1879. His present business has been spoken of at length in the sketch of Mr. Spalding. It is thus seen that Mr. Speed is a self-made man and has come up in life by his own industry and business ability. March 6, 1860, he was married to Miss Eliza F. Gartin. They have five children: Uriah G., James F., Anna M. and Maude. One besides, Hattie Belle, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Speed are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has been an elder in the church for about 12 years.

URIAH G. SPEED

(Of Cooper & Speed’s Saddlery and Harness House, Paris). Mr. Speed was born and reared in the place in which he is now engaged in business, and is therefore well known to the people of Paris and surrounding country. It is only due truth that he is as favorably as he is well known by the people of this community. A business young man of irreproachable character and popular manners, he is highly esteemed by all who know him. Mr. Speed was born in Paris, June 21, 1863, a son of Matthew NW. Speed. He acquired his education in the public schools of this place, and took a thorough course in book-keeping under a private instructor. While still young he learned the saddler’s trade, working at it at Paris for about three years. Subsequently he was bookkeeper for Henry Roemer, a leading grocer of Moberly. In 1882 he and John S. West engaged in his present line of business at Paris, and in the fall of the following year he sold out to Mr.. West and formed a partnership with D.L. Cooper.  Messrs. Cooper & Speed have one of the best saddlery and harness houses, manufacturing and mercantile, in the county. They have a fair trade and are doing a flourishing business.

JOSEPH E. SPROUL

(Post-office, Paris). Mr. Sproul, one of the most substantial farmers in Jackson township, and one of its highly respected citizens, is a native of Kentucky, born in Lincoln county, January 25, 1813. In 1829 his parents removed to Missouri, and settled in Monroe county, which was then a part of Ralls county, where they made their permanent home. In 1836 Joseph E. Sproul was married to Miss Elizabeth A. McGee, a sister to Josiah J.  McGee, whose sketch appears in this volume. Young Sproul was quite poor when he was married, and worked by the month for some time afterwards until he saved up enough to get a piece of land. His true-hearted and brave young wife did her full share towards getting a start. She carded, and wove and spun, attended to the household affairs, managed their home with economy, and assisted wherever she could to help along. Finally they accumulated enough to make a payment on an entry of 80 acres of land. Here Mr. Sproul made a neat little farm. After a while he sold this to good advantage, and bought a part of his present place. For a time, also, he was in partnership with his brother-in-law, in the milling business, but sold out after a year or two, preferring to follow farm life exclusively. However, he helped to build the first water-mill ever erected in the county. Mr. Sproul has lived on his present farm for nearly half a century, and has added to his original tract of 80 acres from time to time until he now has a fine place of nearly 500 acres. His little log-house, erected years ago, has given place to a handsome, commodious dwelling, one of the best in the township. Although they have left their little house of former years, they have not forgotten it, for many memorable recollections cluster about it, as dear as the memory of buried love, and as sweet as the prayer which childhood wafts above:

‘Yes, a deal has happened to make this old house dear.

Christenin’s, funerals, weddin’s - what haven’t we had here? 

Not a log in this buildin’ but its memories has got,

And not a nail in the old floor but touches a tender spot.”

They have five children: Thompson B., William E., John J., Belle, and Samuel D.

FRENCH STROTHER

(Principal of Strother Institute, Strother, Monroe County, Mo.). Very many of the professional men of Kentucky and Missouri are Virginians, either by nativity or by descent. This is true of Mr. French Strother, who was born on his father’s farm near the county seat of Rappahannock county, Va., January 14, 1825. His great-great grandparents were Frank Strother and Susan Dabney. From them have sprung some of the noted men of the nation. Gen. Zachary Taylor, who, with less than 5,000 men, defeated the flower of the Mexican army, 20,000 strong and commanded by their military hero; Gen. Gaines, the hero of Fort Erie; John S. Pendleton, at one time called “the lone star of Virginia;” and Judge A. H. Buckner, the distinguished chairman of the banking committee of Congress, with the subject of this sketch, these are some of the most prominent. To the same family belong D. H. Strother, widely known as Porte Crayon, and Judge J. P. Strother, of Marshall, one of the leading lawyers of Central Missouri. The descendants of Frank and Susan D. Strother are thought to be the true heirs on the mother’s side of the immense estate of the English capitalist, William Jennings, who left $5,000,000, still held undistributed by the British government. Mr. Strother’s great grandparents were John Strother and Mary Wade, and his grandparents, John Strother and Helen Piper. Helen Piper was noted for her beauty and talent, and her husband was a man of wealth. His parents were French Strother and Mary Ann P. Browning. His father, the child of wealthy parents and his wife an heiress, was ever the poor man’s friend and noted for his honesty. He died the death of a Christian in his eighty-seventh year, having enjoyed remarkable vigor of body and mind up to the time of his fatal sickness. Mr. Strother’s maternal grandfather, Charles Browning, was, at the time of his death, the sheriff of Culpeper county, Va., a popular and good man, loved and respected of all. His mother still lives, though she has passed her fourscore years and is fast approaching the ten. She has been a child of God from her infancy, not knowing when she became a Christian. For 80 years she has lived and served the Saviour, and there are many who will gratefully point to her as having led their feet to Christ. Her home is in Callaway county.

Mrs. Susan A. Strother, the wife of the subject of this sketch, is the daughter and only child of Thornton F. Petty and Mary Abbott, late of Culpeper county, Va. They gave her the benefits of an accomplished education, and with her were regular visitors at the fashionable watering places of Virginia. Their hospitality and neighborly kindness were unbounded, and they were equally noted for the humane manner in which they treated their servants. They both lived to a good old age. Mrs. Susan Strother has not only been a true wife to her husband and a faithful mother to her children, but she has gained a laudable reputation as a teacher and composer of music. She is an intelligent, cultivated Christian woman. They were married August 24, 1850, and have been blessed with seven children, two dying in infancy: Minnie T., who married John S. Goss, of Fort Smith, lived a beautiful life and died a Christian death; Berta, the widow of Zach Baker; Oscar Dabney, now living in Fayetteville, Ark.; Lillibel, who died two years ago at the age of 12, of whom her pastor said she was one of the brightest examples of a young Christian he had ever known; and Allie, the youngest child.

Mr. French Strother, when a lad of 12 years, was sent to the celebrated academy at Charlottesville, Va., under the management of Alexander Duke and M. P. Powers, both graduates of the University of Virginia, that he might be fitted to enter the great university of the South. His collegiate course was pursued at that grand university. He then went while still young to Alabama, teaching there six years. Returning to his native State, he had charge of the Salem Female Academy for several years. He then came to Missouri, where he has lived ever since. He was first Principal of the Glasgow Female Seminary eight years; then President of the Lindenwood Female College at St. Charles; then President of the Independence Female College; then Principal of the Carrollton public schools; and now the Principal and proprietor of Strother Institute near Paris, Mo., which he is conducting with marked success. The prosperity of his school is sufficiently attested by the fact that he is compelled to build a substantial two-story addition to accommodate his growing patronage.

So much for the main facts of his lineage and his life; and now a brief estimate of his character. These lines are written by one who has known him intimately for nearly 25 years, and who believes, with Cicero, that “flattery, the handmaid of the vices, should be far removed from friendship. Mr. Strother will always be reckoned at less than his real worth by strangers. He is, however, what Pope says is the noblest work of God – an honest man. He is the true metal, through and through, without alloy. Take him when, and where, and how you will, and you will find that you can rely implicitly upon what he says, upon what he promises, upon what he ought to do. If he owes you a dollar, you are as sure to get it as the day comes when it is due. If he tells you a thing is so, you may rely upon it as surely as upon your own eyes. If he undertakes to educate your child, you may be confident that he will never deceive you with claptrap or humbuggery.  He is the most generous and faithful of friends. Not only does he never turn his back when his neighbor is in trouble, but his purse, his time, his labor, his influence are all at the free disposal of the unfortunate and the needy. The writer has seen him fully and fairly tested, and there was less flinching and more whole-souled generosity than he has ever seen in any other man. He is a typical Good Samaritan. He is a superior teacher. There is no one to whom we would more confidently commit the education of a child. He has always had the confidence in his profession of the best and most intelligent men where he has lived. Education is his life work, to which he has already devoted 40 busy years. Now that Prof. Kemper has gone, he is the Nestor of Missouri teachers. Mr. Strother is a sincere and active Christian. His parentage was Presbyterian, and so is he; but he finds room in his heart for all who love the Saviour. Monroe county is rich in having such a man, with such a wife, and such a school; and it speaks well for her that she appreciates him.

REUBEN L. TILLITT

(Farmer, Section 28, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Tillitt, a thrifty and industrious farmer, owns 100 acres of land upon which he has placed every desirable improvement. He is one of the hard working, honest and valuable citizens of the township, and possesses the hearty regard of all who know him. Mr. Tillitt was born March 9, 1838, in Monroe county, Mo. His father, Henry Tillitt, born in Kentucky, in 1807, came to Missouri before it was a State, but went back to Kentucky, where, in 1836, he was united in marriage to Miss Lurena J. Lewis. The following year he again came to Missouri and settling in Monroe county, worked at his trade of stonemason until his death, February 11, 1868. Mrs. Tillitt, after rearing a family of six children, her earthly toils ended, went to receive a heavenly reward, December 27, 1882. They were both members of the Christian Church. Reuben was the eldest of the family and lived at home until the beginning of the war. He fought for a time on the Southern side, then, thinking discretion the better part of valor, he went to Canada and remained until peace was restored. He then returned to Missouri and took up his present occupation. Mr. Tillitt was married June 13, 1867, to Miss Sallie F. Henderson, daughter of William J. and Clarissa Henderson. Mr. Tillitt was born April 16, 1843, in Monroe county, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Tillitt have not reared any children of their own, but have adopted a little niece, Cordelia Tillitt, by name, who was born August 10, 1871. Mrs. Tillitt is a member of the Old School Baptist Church.

LARKIN S. TOWLES

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Young’s Creek). Mr. Towles’ father, Henry Towles, was at one time one of the leading stock men and wealthy farmers of Bourbon county, Ky. He owned 2,000 acres of fine land in that county and handled stock on an extensive scale. He was broken up, however, by the vicissitudes in the stock trade and other reverses; but later along he recovered somewhat from his losses, yet only to the extent of acquiring a comfortable competency. He died in that county in 1854. He was a native of Culpeper county, Va., and came, out to Kentucky when a young man, where he married Miss Sallie Bedford, whose parents were also from Virginia, and lived in Bourbon county until his death. During the War of 1812, he was a gallant soldier in the American army, and was twice wounded at the battle of Ft. Meigs, once in the hip and once in the left arm. He lost his arm from the effects of his second wound, and ever afterwards carried an empty sleeve as the evidence of the brave part he bore in the war. There were eight children in his family, five sons and three daughters, that grew to majority. Of these, Larkin Towles, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest. He was born in Bourbon county, January 28, 1833, and was married there after he grew up, September 3, 1861, to Miss Mildred A. Gass, a daughter of Mr. M.M. Gass, of that county. He continued to follow farming in Bourbon county after his marriage, and also stock-raising, for he had been brought up to both of these, until 1877, when he removed to Missouri, and resided one year at Mexico. Previously he had bought the farm where he now resides, and in the spring of 1878 he came to his present place. He has a farm of 364 acres, 300 acres of which are in cultivation or meadow. Mr. Towles has his farm fairly improved, and is doing something in the way of stock-raising in addition to farming in a general way. He is a regular Kentucky farmer and a Kentucky judge of stock, which is saying a great deal. Personally, he is highly thought of by all in his vicinity and wherever he is known. Mr. and Mrs. T. have five children: Henry M., John G., Mary, Walter B. and Frank C.

GEORGE W. VANLANDINGHAM

(Post-office, Paris). This estimable farmer and stock-raiser resides on section 27, of Jackson township. He is a native of Kentucky, born in Bourbon county, three miles from Paris, February 2, 1824. His father, Merritt Vanlandingham, was a veteran of the War of 1812, and Qcame to Missouri in 1826, living on a farm near Columbia until his death, which occurred in 1840. Thus in Boone county George grew up to manhood. He married Lucy Anna Carter, September 11, 1856. She was the daughter of Peter Carter, of Monroe county, born in Kentucky, and personated that best of all boons, a loving and industrious wife. Mr. Vanlandingham removed after his marriage to Monroe county, and purchased a tract of raw land and began a course of improvement which has made it one of the most valuable farms in this section of the State. It consists of 240 acres, well fenced and cultivated. From the start he was successful, as he understood his business and allowed no opportunity to pass for increase of his resources. His wife has borne him six children: Thomas J., William H., George W., Jr., Mary E., all happily married; James M. and Almeda A. He was captain of the militia under Gov. Edwards for four years during the war.

JESSE VANCE

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Vance is a native of West Virginia, born in Pendleton county, May 25, 1846, though the original stock of the Vance family was of old Virginia. Branches of the family have radiated from the Old Dominion into North Carolina, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, and a number of other States. Several of the family has risen to great eminence in life. Jesse Vance was a son of Jesse Vance, Sr., and wife, Hannah Conrad, both natives of West Virginia. In 1854 the family removed to Illinois, where the father bought a farm and lived until his death, in 1861. He had over 400 acres of fine land and left considerable other property. He was twice married, Jesse being the eldest of six children, five sons and a daughter, by his first marriage. Jesse Vance, Jr., was married in DeWitt county, Ill., September 10, 1876, to Miss Adda E. Tull, a daughter of Lewis Tull, formerly of Ross county, Ohio. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Vance removed to Missouri and the following spring bought the land on which he now resides. This he improved and now has one of the valuable farms of the township. His place contains nearly 200 acres and is all fenced. Mr. Vance is a man of energy and a good farmer and is well respected in the community as a neighbor and citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Vance have three children: Hattie L., Jesse L. and James W. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church South, and he is a member of the A.F. and A.M. at Paris.

WILLIAM A. WALLER

(Collector of Monroe County, Paris). Mr. Waller came to Missouri in 1838, and located in Monroe county. He was from Scott county, Ky., and was then just past his twenty-first year. He came out to this State in company with his parents and he has continued to reside in Monroe county almost continuously from that time to this, a period now of 46 years. He has followed farming all his life, or from boyhood, and he has long held the position in this county of one of its most thorough-going and energetic farmers. On the 11^th of February, 1841, Mr. Waller was married to Miss Susan Mallory, a daughter of Samuel Mallory, originally of Culpeper county, Va., but later of Fayette county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Waller have reared nine children: Permelia A., the wife of D.  Phillips; Sarah F., the wife of James T. Ball; Lucy, John S., James H., Ursula E., the wife of John Davis; Joseph A., George W. and Ambrose B., the latter of whom, Ambrose B., died at the age of 27. In 1880 Mr. Waller was solicited to become a candidate for county collector and finally consented to make the race. In this canvass, however, he was defeated by a few votes, and four years afterwards, when the office was again to become vacant, he made a second trial for it and was successful, being first nominated and then elected, defeating his opponents at the polls by a handsome majority. After his election he moved his family to Paris where he has since resided. He is now serving the term for which he was elected, and judging by the expressions of the people heard on every hand, he is making a most capable and efficient officer. The public have the utmost confidence in his integrity as a man and his fidelity as an official, while his business qualifications, as he has shown in his present office, and, indeed, for years past, are beyond question. Mr. Waller’s ancestors have been settled in Virginia for generations and his father, John Waller, was born in Stafford county, of that State, in 1780. He lived in Virginia for a number of years after he grew up, and was a carpenter and millwright by trade. He followed these occupations in Virginia and also carried on a farm and was tobacco inspector for a number of years. Later along, however, he removed to Scott county, Ky., where he lived until his removal to this State in 1838. William A. was born while the family lived in Scott county, Ky., May 9, 1817. Mrs. Waller’s father, Samuel Mallory, was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1773, and came to Missouri in 1834, coming from Fayette county, Ky., to which State he had previously moved. He lived in Monroe county until his death, which occurred in 1863.

LEWIS S. WATTS

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Physician, Section 3). Dr. Watts is one of the prominent men of the county. He is a native of Kentucky, born in Madison? county May 7, 1835. His father, George Watts, of Ireland, emigrated to the United States in 1801, at the age of 18 years. Here he served in the American army during the campaign of 1812, and was in the battle of New Orleans. After a long and honored career, he passed away April 11, 1867. Lewis S.  Watts spent his youth in Hendricks county, Ind., occupied with study. At 19 years of age he entered upon a diligent career as school teacher, after which he devoted his attention to medicine, until, with too many arduous duties in the way, he discontinued it. He learned the cooper’s and plasterer’s trades, proving himself a capable and successful artisan. In 1859 he entered a wholesale establishment in Indianapolis, continuing until 1861, when he enlisted (August 10) in Co. B, Seventh Indiana Volunteer Corps, Col. Dumont, and served until October 21, 1864. He was present at the battles of Winchester and Greenbrier, receiving three wounds; and, later on, at the battles of South Mountain, second Bull Run, Antietam, Chantilla, Gettysburg, Chancellorsville and Wilderness, where he received a dangerous flesh wound. Faithfully during that terrible time did he serve his country, participating in 29 engagements, and well honored did he return home, knowing that he had not fought in vain. He was married November 6, 1864, to Miss Rassilla, the lovely daughter of Philip Waters, of Indianapolis. With his wife he located at Pittsboro, Hendricks county, following his trades until 1874, when he removed to Danville. Here he filled with credit the office of county treasurer. Then he engaged in the harness trade for a time, until he removed to his present farm, about six miles south of Paris. He was deprived by death, April 14, 1869, of his first wife, and was married June 28, 1878, to Lizzie, daughter of Henry Keith, of Danville. He has five children: John E., Ulysses S., Nora E., Robert E., Lulu E. His wife attends the Christian Church, while the Doctor is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. No man can be met who has more self-contained dignity or personal magnetism than Dr. Watts. He has learned by mingling with the world to temper affability and kindness with the virtues of an honorable man.

ROBERT H. WEST

(Of West & Conyers, Dealers in Staple and Fancy Dry Goods and Notions, Paris). No just and adequate survey of the business interests of Paris could be given without including in it at least a brief sketch of the establishment and trade of the above named firm. Both members are experienced business men and men who have achieved success by their own energy, enterprise and good management. They became partners in business in March, 1884, though Mr. West had previously owned and conducted the house. They carry a stock of from $12,000 to $15,000 and occupy both stories of the large building over 22 feet wide by nearly 100 long. Their trade is extensive and profitable and they are doing a flourishing and steadily increasing business. Mr. West, the senior partner, comes of an old Virginia family, but he, himself, was born in Kentucky. His father, James W., came out to Kentucky in an early day with the latter’s parents, and located in Bowling Green. He subsequently married Miss Johanna Pitts, of Georgetown. His father died in Kentucky, and James W. came to Missouri with his family, bringing his mother out also with him. They settled in Lewis county and he engaged in merchandising at Monticello. His first wife dying he was married a second time, and afterwards removed to St. Louis, where he became interested in steamboating and died there in 1849. Robert H. was born in Kentucky December 10, 1832, and was one of two children by his father’s first marriage. He was principally reared at St. Louis, and when young, followed clerking there. At the age of nineteen he came to the interior of the State and clerked at Canton and Lexington, and attended school two years. He then spent a year in Nashville, Tenn., with his uncle, Rev. Fountain Pitts, his sister’s home, where he had previously visited and where she died. Returning to Missouri, he clerked at Monticello until the outbreak of the war. He was then in a wholesale house in Quincy, until 1866. While there, October 30, 1864, he was married to Miss Anna R. Crutcher, a daughter of Thomas Crutcher. Returning to Canton from Quincy the following year, in 1867 he came to Paris, and was with his father-in-law at this place in the hotel business for some time and subsequently alone in the hotel. In 1880 he quit the hotel and the following spring engaged in his present line of business with J. A. Robinson. He had previously been in the mill with Mr. Crutcher, and in the tobacco trade. In 1882 he succeeded Robinson’s interest in the same, and was in business alone until Mr. Conyers became his partner. Mr. and Mrs. West have two children, Robert H. (Harry), a young man of nineteen years of age, and Esther J., now 14 years of age.

COL. PHILIP WILLIAMS (Deceased)

(Paris). On the 19^th of September, 1881, died at his homestead in this county Col. Philip Williams, for more than a generation one of the prominent, highly respected and influential citizens of Monroe county. He was a man who achieved success in life solely by his own exertions and personal worth, by his sterling natural ability, his unremitting and untiring industry, his frugality and his intelligent appreciation of the conditions and opportunities of life around him. From early circumstances but little or no better than the average of those of the youths among whom he was reared, he rose to more than an ordinary degree of success in life, both in standing and influence and in the accumulation of property. It is but the statement of a plain and actual fact in his career that he was fully and exceptionally successful in everything that he undertook. Early qualifying himself for the profession of the law, in an unusually short time after he was admitted to practice he rose to a position of marked distinction at the bar. As a lawyer he soon became one of the leaders of his profession in the circuit and higher courts of the jurisdictions in which he practiced.

Outside of his profession he also became eminently successful in affairs. At the time of his death, and for many years before, he was by all odds the largest tax-payer and wealthiest man in his county. But successful as he was at the bar and in material affairs, it is not alone or chiefly for the enviable record he made in these particulars that he was esteemed one of the first citizens of the county, or that now, being dead, his memory is cherished as that of a man in whose life and career all with whom he was associated, either as a citizen or neighbor, or in any of the relations of life, may feel a just pride. A man of great mental force and of sterling moral character, his qualities of heart his generous, manly disposition, his just, fair and liberal regard for the feelings and opinions of others, his considerate, tolerant nature, his sympathy and interested concern for the distressed and unfortunate - for these and for his public spirit as a citizen and his exemplary life as a neighbor and friend, he was admired and esteemed far more than for all that wealth and ability and distinction could confer. Col. Williams came of one of the better families of Virginia, though on his father’s side not of an old family in that State.  His father, Thomas Williams, was an intelligent and well-educated Scotchman, who came over to this country shortly prior to the Revolutionary War and settled on the coast of Virginia, near the James river. From the “Official Register of Volunteers in the American Army during the War of the Revolution,” it is learned that he enlisted from Virginia and before the close of the war rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel through several promotions awarded for gallantry and the successful performance of difficult and perilous service. After the war he settled in Southwestern Virginia, where he was married and made his permanent home. He became a well-to-do and prominent citizen of Franklin county, that State. He was a farmer, or planter, by occupation, being a leading tobacco grower of his county. From time to time he held different county offices and was esteemed one of the popular and influential men of the county. He was an earnest and exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church, as was also his wife. He died at his homestead in Franklin county in 1831. His wife survived him less than a year. They reared a family of seven children, all of whom grew to mature years and themselves became heads of families. But all are now deceased, viz.: Susan, the wife of James Roberts; Isaac, William, Thomas, Jesse, Philip and Robert.  Col. Philip Williams, the sixth of his father’s family of children, was born in Franklin county, Va., in 1801. His early youth was spent on the farm assisting at farm work and attending the neighborhood schools. He also attended the local academy of his county, and thence matriculated at Fincastle College in Botetourt county, where he took a thorough course in the higher branches, including the classics, thus receiving an advanced general education. He was educated with a view to the profession of the law, and accordingly, on quitting college at once entered upon a course of legal studies. In due time, he was admitted to the bar and then entered actively into the practice of his profession. In a few years, however, he carried out a purpose he had formed some time before, of coming West, believing as he did, that better opportunities were available in a new and fertile country for young men of character and ability to succeed in life than were to be found in the older States. Col. Williams at first located in Bloomfield, the then county seat of Callaway county, but the following year came to Monroe county, where he located and made his permanent home.

His success in the legal profession has already been referred to. In the meridian of his activity and usefulness he occupied a commanding position at the bar in North Missouri.  He had an extensive and lucrative practice in the courts of this and neighboring circuits, and in the Supreme Court of the State. He was a lawyer, strictly speaking, and in the true and best sense of that word, thoroughly devoted to his profession, a constant and hard student and a constant and hard worker, faithful to his clients, fair and honorable in the management of his causes, and always frank and manly with the court, his brother attorneys and the jury and officers of the court. He was not only thoroughly grounded in the rules and precedents of the law, but comprehended throughout the fullest scope the science and philosophy of civil jurisprudence, and had that admiration for his profession which every great lawyer, appreciating the law as the bulwark of justice and human rights, feels for a calling which, when not abused, must be admitted to be one of the most honorable and exalting in the affairs of men. He accumulated a large fortune by his practice and by his business ability, outside of his profession.  Before he disposed of any of his property, he is said to have been worth over $150,000 in lands and public and private securities. Col. Williams was in his eightieth year at the time of his death, and up to within a short time prior to his demise had enjoyed excellent health and retained his mental vigor and bodily activity to a degree much out of proportion to his years. He was a man of fine physical constitution and was rather of a sanguine temperament.  He was very erect of form, and about six feet in height, having an average weight of 200 pounds. His complexion was fair, his eyes blue and his hair a dark auburn. For a man of his age he was of prepossessing appearance, and earlier in life was a man of fine presence. From youth he was particularly fond of reading and was highly cultivated in literature and in point of general information. Like most men of culture and bright minds he was especially fond of Shakespeare, and regarded the Bard of Avon as the greatest man who ever touched the planet. Milton was also one of his favorite authors in the department of verse. He was a man of fine social qualities, a pleasant and cultured conversationalist, and, what is rare in a good talker, a patient and respectful listener. In the society of Paris and vicinity, and wherever he was known, he was greatly prized, for both his character and social qualities were such as to render him an esteemed member of the best social circles. Though taking no interest in politics as an aspirant for office, for he cared nothing for a political life or official prominence, he nevertheless manifested at all times a grave and intelligent concern for the proper administration of the law and the faithful and honest discharge of public duties by officials. As a citizen he voted and used his influence for the best men offered for the different positions to be filled, and was identified and acted with the Democratic party. He was a close student of civil government and was thoroughly read in history and conversant with the principles of political economy. He was a prominent member of the Masonic order, and for years held the rank of Royal Arch Mason, being also master of the lodge at Paris. During the Black Hawk War he was a gallant officer of volunteers in the campaign of the North-west.

He left an estate at the time of his death valued at $100,000. He had previously given to his niece, Mrs. Annie E. Margreiter, $50,000 in U. S. four per cent bonds. The bulk of his estate at his death was also left to Mrs. Margreiter. She was a daughter of his brother, Robert Williams, her mother having been a Miss Harriet Menefee prior to marriage. Mrs. Margreiter was reared in Virginia, and her father being a man of ample means, he saw to it that she received the best of educational and social advantages. She was principally educated by a refined and accomplished governess specially employed for that purpose. Her father died in Virginia some 30 years ago, but her mother is still living on the old family homestead in that State. Miss Williams was early married to John Margreiter. There are no children, however, by this union, and she is now a widow lady, as she has been for some years. She is a lady of most estimable qualities of head and heart. Left with the large estate of her uncle, she has shown the force of character and business ability to manage it with marked success. She is unquestionably a lady of extraordinary business tact and discernment. Possessed of a large fortune, her charity and benevolence are not out of proportion to her ability to help those who are in distress and are worthy of assistance. Not to descend to minor acts of generosity, one of more than ordinary consideration may be mentioned. Having a mortgage lien on the Masonic building, at Paris, which the lodge felt unable to pay when the debt fell due, she generously canceled the lien without receiving a dollar and made the lodge a present of the $5,000 and accrued interest. She is a devout member of the Baptist Church.

WILLIAM A. WILLIAMS

(Farmer and Stock-trader, Section 7, Post-office, Paris). John W. Williams, father of William A., was born and raised in Green county, Ky. He was one of the substantial farmers of the county, and married Miss Elizabeth S. Gibbons, also a native Kentuckian.  In 1828 they moved to Marion county, Mo., and there were born to them nine children, of whom but three survive: Maria L., Mary E. and William A. The latter, born February 20, 1832, lived for many long years in Marion county, farming and raising stock. His wife, to whom he was united September 1, 1853, was Miss Parthesa Pemberton, a native of the same county. Their little family of three children, like April flowers, bloomed but to fade. Mr. Williams is a farmer of wealth and weight, and owes his position chiefly to his own efforts. His farm of 200 acres is as fair a picture of comfort and prosperity as the eye could wish to rest upon. His standing in the community is of the very best.

LEMUEL P. WILLIS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser). Mr. Willis, one of the most intelligent and successful farmers of North Jackson township, is a native of Kentucky, born in Shelbyville, February 6, 1845. His parents, John and Julia P. (Hunter) Willis, were both from the same county, Mr. Willis having come to Missouri in 1856. He bought 160 acres of land and improved the farm which is now the home of Lemuel P., and upon which he himself lived until his death in August, 1879. Lemuel P. spent his youth on the farm in his native county. He was educated partly at the common schools and partly at Shelby College. After leaving school Mr. Willis clerked at Shelbyville up to the time of his coming to Missouri, in 1856. When he began farming it was with his father, whom he assisted in improving the place. February 7, 1860, he married Miss Sarah S., daughter of Walter and Elizabeth B. Withers, of Monroe. Mrs.Willis is a lady of a very high order of intellect, and taught school both before and after her marriage. Mr. Willis has always lived on the home place. He has 160 acres of land, all fenced, with 125 in meadow and plow land. He has his place comfortably improved with good buildings, orchards, etc. He is of most pleasant disposition and of many sterling qualities. He is universally respected and liked in the township. Mr. and Mrs. Willis have two children: Lena, now a young lady, and Lura. The former, with her parents, is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

ABNER WILSON

(Superintendent of the County Farm, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Wilson’s father, Benjamin R. Wilson, came to Randolph county with his family in 1855. He was from Fayette county, Ky. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived in Randolph county until his wife’s death. His wife was a Miss Agnes W. Haley before her marriage. She was a daughter of William Haley, of Kentucky. Abner Wilson was 14 years of age when his father’s family came to this State, having been born in Fayette county, Ky., October 13, 1841. His first employment for himself was carrying the United States mail, which he followed for about four years. In 1873 he began railroading on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, and was engaged in that until four years ago. He then commenced selling sewing-machines, and although his experience in that business among the ladies was not unpleasant, it failed to yield the profits which he had hoped to realize. Still he did satisfactory business, but in 1882 he concluded to locate at Paris and open a restaurant. He conducted a restaurant at Paris for about two years. While in this business he became well acquainted with the people of the county generally, and being a man of intelligence and agreeable manners, he won the respect and good opinions of the public. In 1884, when a competent and reliable superintendent of the county farm was needed, he was recommended for the position, and was daly? awarded the contract for conducting the farm by the county court. Since then he has had charge of this place and is meeting with good success in carrying it on, and his administration thus far has proved satisfactory to the court and the public. On the 2d of November, 1861, Mr. Wilson was married in this county to Miss Mary E. Boyd, a daughter of Andrew Boyd. They have three children: Agnes J., Otto and Ernest. They have lost one, William H. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and one daughter are members of the Christian Church at Paris.

WILLIAM C. WILSON

(Farmer, Section 9, Post-office, Paris). Mr. Wilson is a native son of Monroe county, where he first saw the light January 27, 1850. His parents were Sanford E. and Amanda (Abernathy) Wilson, the former a Kentuckian by birth, but both raised in Monroe. Mr. Wilson, Sr., was a successful farmer, and he and his wife were faithful members of the Christian Church. They raised a family of eight children: Ellen N., George, Wesley, Nannie, Alfred, Edward, Eva and William C. The last named, with whom we have now to do, was brought up principally in California, and there December 21, 1860, he espoused in San Francisco a fair bride, one of the most beauteous daughters of Tennessee. The marriage is a childless one. Mr. Wilson is a farmer by occupation, and is one of the most highly honored citizens of the township. His place contains 200 acres, delightfully situated and improved. He and his wife belong to the Christian Church.

WALTER WITHERS

(Farmer, Post-office, Paris). If this respected old citizen of Monroe county lives to see the 9^th day of next December, he will then have rounded out the advanced age of four score years, ten more than the allotted period of man’s earthly career. Notwithstanding his venerable age, Mr. Withers is still in comparatively good health, and is quite active. Like most of the older citizens of Monroe county he is a Virginian by nativity. He was born in Culpeper county December 9, 1804. When he was about six years of age his parents removed to Kentucky and settled in the vicinity of Louisville, where his father followed farming until his death. After growing up to the age of majority, Mr. Withers, the subject of this sketch, was married near Louisville, and he continued to reside in Kentucky until 1837, when he decided to cast his fortune in the then new State of Missouri. He accordingly removed to this State and settled in Monroe county, about five miles from Paris, on Otter creek, where he improved a farm. Later along he sold this place and improved another farm on Middle fork of Salt river. He was residing on that place when the California gold excitement broke out in 1849. He, in common with thousands of others in Missouri, became a gold seeker, and in company with Dr. Bowers, a relative to the famous “Joe Bowers, all the way from Pike,” and several others, made up a train to cross the plains. They were on the way four months, and on the Humboldt river while they were at breakfast, their horses were stolen by the Indians. They pursued the savages, but on overtaking them found that they were too much like a hot potato to fool with - too well armed to tackle. They therefore gave up their horses and hitched their cattle on to their wagons, by which they were enabled to complete their journey. Mr. Withers spent 18 years on the Pacific coast engaged principally in mining and with varying success.  Upon returning by the way of the Isthmus and New York to Missouri, he settled down again to farming near his first settlement on Otter creek, where he has ever since resided. Here he has a good homestead, the fruit of a lifetime of industry, and is living in retirement and in ease and comfort through the declining years of life. His good wife is still spared to accompany him down the hill side of their earthly journey. They have been the parents of 11 children, eight of whom are living: John, Gustavus, Adolphus, Perry, Susan, Sarah and Margaret.

GEORGE R. WITHERS

(Of Grimes & Withers, Proprietors of the Paris Roller Mills). This, one of the finest and best flour mills in Monroe county, and, indeed, throughout the surrounding counties, was erected in 1882 by G. R. Withers & Co. at a cost of $20,000. Afterwards Mr. Grimes bought out the interests of the other members of the company except Mr. Withers’, and Grimes & Withers thus became sole owners and proprietors. The mill was started to running early in 1883 and has since been doing a heavy business. The character of the mill and the extent of its business has already been spoken of in the sketch of Mr.  Grimes, which appears on a former page of this volume. Mr. Withers was born in this county December 19, 1841, and was a son of Walter and Elizabeth Withers, who now reside at Holliday. His father went to California in 1849 and was absent on the Pacific coast for 18 years, returning in 1867. George R.’s early youth was spent on a farm and he succeeded in obtaining a good ordinary education in the common schools. For a long time he was engaged in farming in the county and handling stock. He and his brother, Hiram B., now deceased, then commenced the drug business at Granville, which they followed for three years. February 3, 1870, Mr. Withers was married to Miss Susan O. Kipper, a daughter of John Kipper, deceased. Her mother, who was a Miss Jane Nickel, is still living, at the advanced age of 84, and finds a pleasant and welcome home with her daughter, Mrs. Withers. Mr. Withers has a good farm of 215 acres, four miles north of Paris. Before engaging in the milling business Mr. Withers was a prominent stock shipper of the county, but since then has given his entire time and attention to his present business. Mr. and Mrs. Withers have but one child, a son, George K., aged 13.

JUDGE STEPHEN M. WOODSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Paris). In the veins of Judge Woodson is mingled the blood of three old and well known Virginia families—the Woodsons, Lesueurs and Bacons. Each of these families have had and have today conspicuous representatives in the various walks of life in different States of the Union. The Woodsons have long been prominent in Virginia, and two of the family in Kentucky have represented their State in Congress, whilst all in this State are aware of the eminent public services of Gov. Woodson. The Lesueurs are of French origin, the founder of the family in this country having come over with Lafayette to assist the colonies in their struggle for independence. For 300 years they have been one of the most eminent families in France. Eustace Lesueur, born in 1617, was the greatest of French painters, called the French Raphael. J. Lesueur, born in 1624, was the eminent French historian. Peter Lesueur was the great wood engraver, born in 1636, and his son, grandson and great-grandson named, respectively, Peter, Vincent and Nicholas, all became men of distinction. J.F. Lesueur, born in 1763, was the distinguished French composer, and all the world is familiar with the name of Thomas Lesueur, the famous mathematician. Hon. Mr. Lesueur, at present a candidate for Secretary of State, is a lineal descendant of this French family. The Bacons are of English origin. Judge Stephen M.  Woodson’s grandparents on his father’s side were John S. and Anna S. Woodson, and his grandparents on his mother’s side were Martelle and Elizabeth (Bacon) Lesueur. His parents were Benjamin and Martha (Lesueur) Woodson, of Franklin county, Va. Judge Woodson was born in that county February 3, 1814, and was reared on a farm, receiving a good education under his father, who was a prominent teacher of the south-western part of Virginia. Judge Woodson came to Missouri in 1840 in company with his father’s family, who settled in Monroe county. Here Judge Woodson followed farming until 1849, when he engaged in the manufacture of wheat fan-mills, which he carried on with success up to the third year of the war.

After the war he engaged in farming here and raising and handling stock, in which he has been quite successful. He is comfortably situated in life. In 1869 he was elected judge of the county court and served for six years on the bench. He has been justice of the peace,

an office he still holds, for many years, and is one of the leading and influential men of Jackson township. Judge Woodson has been twice married. November 24, 1850, he was married to Miss Marinda Fawkes, a daughter of Jerard Fawkes and wife, nee Nancy Rodgers, formerly of Kentucky. Judge Woodson’s first wife died April 2, 1855. She left him two children: Richard W. (deceased) and Benjamin, now 29 years of age. To his present wife the Judge was married February 9, 1863. She was a Miss Martha E. Spillman, a daughter of John S. and Elizabeth (Waymen) Spillman, formerly of Virginia.  They have had three children: Martha E., deceased; George H. and Mary E., the last two now attending high school at Strother. The Judge and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church.

JAMES WOODS (Deceased)

(Paris). The subject of this memoir, who was one of the early settlers of Monroe county, died at his residence in Jackson township on the 25^th of June, 1867. He reached the age of 70 years and 9 months, and had resided on the farm where at last the light of his life went out for a period of over 33 years. Hie was therefore a personal witness to, and a participant in the growth and development of the county from an uninhabited wilderness to one of the first counties in the State. To the great change thus brought about in the county he contributed his full share by his industry and intelligence as a pioneer, farmer and citizen.  He was a native of Kentucky, born in Mercer county, on the 8^th of September, 1797. In 1824 he was married to Miss Mary S. Starns, of that county, and after residing there for ten years he removed west to Missouri, coming to Monroe county, where he entered the land on which he made his farm and resided until his death. His first wife died January the 24^th, 1842, having borne him nine children: Elizabeth, Malinda, Lucy, Katie, Jackson, James, David, Mary and Thomas.  To his second wife, previously a Miss Elizabeth Moore, of Callaway county, he was married January 1, 1843. This union proved a long and happy one and five children are the fruits of their married life: Sallie, Robert, Martha, Fannie and Susan. Fannie, who became the wife of Peter Campbell died January 17, 1884, leaving two children, Bessie and Fannie Mae?, whom their good-hearted grandmother is rearing. Mrs. Woods resides on the old family homestead, one of the estimable, neighborly and motherly-hearted ladies of the vicinity. The farm contains 280 acres and is an excellent place. She is a worthy member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as was also her husband prior to his death.

JAMES M. WORREL

(Proprietor of the Glenn House, Paris). Mr. Worrell, one of the popular hotel landlords on the line of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway, and who keeps a first-class house in every particular, a house that bears an enviable reputation not only at Paris and throughout the county, but with the traveling public generally, is a native of Monroe county, but was reared in Virginia. His father was Robert P. Worrell, Jr., a son of Robert P. Worrell, and was born and reared in Maryland. When a young man he went to Kentucky and was there married to Miss Elizabeth Woods, whose father originally owned the land, now the site of the city of Lexington, in that State. Mr. Worrell (James M.’s father) was a merchant tailor and after his marriage removed to Missouri, locating at Big Leg in Monroe county. He shortly went to Virginia, however, with his family and settled at Danville. He and wife reared a family of seven children: Robert H., Mary A., Richard B., James M., Wakefield C., Emma and Charles. James M. was born while his parents were residents of Monroe county, March 31, 1846. He was reared at Danville, Va., however, and in 1861 enlisted under Col. Withers, of Gen. Pickets division of the Confederate service, and served until the close of the war. After the war he went to Illinois, where he was married in December, 1868, to Miss Mary A. Parker, a daughter of Capt. T.A. Parker. He followed the painter’s trade at Lebanon, Ill., until his removal to Paris, Monroe county, in 1878. He continued at his trade at this place for about two years and then engaged in the book store business. Subsequently he was in the grocery business and in 1882 he took charge of the Glenn House, which he has since conducted and with excellent success. Mr. and Mrs. Worrell have one son, Henry B.        

JAMES L. WRIGHT

(Druggist, Paris). Mr. Wright has had over 16 years’ experience in business life, and

is a skillful and thorough druggist. He has a neat stock of fresh and well selected drugs, and is prepared to supply the trade in and around Paris with everything usually to be found in a first-class retail drug store, and at prices which can not be undersold by any responsible house. Mr. Wright was born on his father’s farm, four miles northwest of Paris, August 22, 1847. His parents, Walker and Jane (Greer) Wright, were early residents of this county, his father coming here when quite young, as early as 1837. They were married in this county, and resided here for many years afterwards. In 1867,

however, he removed to Randolph county, and he afterwards represented that county in the State Legislature. At the age of 19 James L.began teaching school, and taught for about two years. He then became a clerk in the store of T. G. Harley & Bros., for whom he clerked some four years. He subsequently clerked for other parties, and taught a term of school. In 1875 he and E. K. Stone began the grocery business at Paris, and they discontinued two years following. He afterwards followed clerking until 1880, and then engaged in the drug business at Madison; and in December, 1882, he removed to Walker, in Vernon county, where he continued the drug business until his return to Paris, in the spring of 1884. Here he has since carried on the drug trade and with excellent success. November 21, 1873, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Emma F. McNutt, a daughter of Dr. E.G.B. McNutt, deceased. She was born April 11, 1851. They have one child, Mattie L., born March 31, 1877.

S. P. WRIGHT

(Farmer, Post-office, Long Branch). Mr. Wright was left an orphan when in infancy by the death of his father, and he was reared by his grandparents, of Pike county. They resided on a farm, and he was therefore brought up to a farm life. He had the usual school advantages of that time, and when 21 years of age, anxious to see something of the world, as well as to look out for an opportunity to make something for himself, he went to Texas, that State then being regarded, as it still is, as a favorable place to get a start in life. He was not favorably impressed with Texas, however, and returned after a short sojourn there. He now engaged in farming in Audrain county, and was busily occupied with his crops and stock when the war broke out in 1861. It had not been in progress long before it became evident that he would have to join one army or the other, or leave the country. He accordingly did as his sympathies and principles directed, joined the Southern forces under Col. Porter. Subsequently he participated in the fights at Newark, Kirksville, Walnut Branch, and several skirmishes. The command was disbanded at Walnut Branch, for it was impossible to remain together longer without being captured, and Mr. Wright was captured after all. He was soon afterwards paroled, however, and it being impossible to get to the Southern army, he went to California in company with Hugh Glenn in his train of emigrants, stock, etc. He remained in California until the clouds of war rolled by, and was engaged in farming in the Sacramento Valley until the fall of 1866. He then returned to Missouri by way of Panama and New York, and located in Monroe county, where he has since been engaged in farming. On the 9^th of December, 1867, he was married in this county to Miss Virginia T. Dowell, daughter of James Dowell. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have five children: Lucy C., James S., Mary A., Bettie E. and Peyton D. They have lost three: Charles F., an infant and Jason M, the first of whom died at the age of three, and the last at two years of age. Mr. Wright began in this county as a renter, but has succeeded so well that he was soon able to buy a farm, and has an excellent place of 180 acres, all improved. He is engaged in breeding horses and mules in addition to general farming, and has first-class fine blooded representative animals for that purpose, as good as there are in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Wright, as indicated above, is a native Missourian, born in Ralls county, January 2, 1838. He was a son of Peyton P. and Susan (Enlow) Wright, his father of Virginia and his mother formerly of Kentucky. His father came out to this State when a young man, and settled in Ralls county after his marriage. He died, however, soon afterwards, while Sanford P. was less than a year old.

ROBERT L. YOWELL