Nodaway County, Missouri History of 1882 Biographicals
(transcibed by Pat O'Dell: genpat@netins.net)
[page 625] Hopkins Township - Merrill Otis. Among the oldest and most respected citizens of Nodaway County may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April 1, 1825. He was reared at his birthplace, spending his boyhood days on a farm and receiving his education in the schools of the neighborhood. Upon arriving at maturity he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has devoted himself to this branch of business through life. Moving westward to Missouri in 1858, he settled in Nodaway County, near Xenia. The county was then almost a wilderness, and the task of making a home and improving a farm was not an easy one. Mr Otis purchased a tract of 800 acres of land, and commenced its cultivation. From that time until the present he has been identified with the growth and prosperity of Nodaway County, and it is to such energetic citizens as he that this county is indebted for the position she occupies as one of the foremost in the state. Mr O. has divided his land among his children, and has but forty acres at present. This land is well improved, and upon it is a good orchard. He takes quite an interest in educational matters, and has several times filled the position of school director. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was married in 1851 to Miss Tamer Myers, who was born and raised in the same place as himself. She died on the [page 626] 19th of August, 1877, leaving seven children: Reason, Sarah A. (now Mrs Oliver Rumzy), George W., Edward, Jasper N., Absalom, and Mary F.
[page 628] Hopkins Township - A.J. Reed, farmer and stock raiser, section 17, post office Hopkins, was born in Sharpsburg, Bath County, Kentucky, April 18, 1833, and with his parents moved to Menard County, Illinois, in the fall of 1833. There he was raised to manhood, spending his boyhood days on a farm, and receiving his education in the old log school houses of pioneer days. When sixteen years of age he commenced life on his own account, first engaging to work with a farmer for $10 per month during the summer seasons. He attended school during the winter. In 1851 he formed a partnership with his brother, they purchasing a piece of unbroken prairie land, which they commenced to improve. In 1863 A.J. sold out his interest in the farm and purchased one of his own in the same neighborhood in which he resided until he decided to move west in 1879. He again disposed of his property, and on the 16th of September, 1879, packed his household good and started for Nodaway County, Missouri, by the overland route, arriving at Maryville October 16th of that year. There he remained for four months, and then settled on the farm which he now occupies, it containing 240 acres of well improved land, with a neat and comfortable residence, etc. Mr R. is largely interested in the raising of both hogs and cattle, and is an industrious citizen. He is a member of Myrtle Lodge, No 470, I.O.O.F., of Middletown, Logan County, Illinois, of which he was one of the charter members. Mr Reed was married November 12, 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Shenneman. She was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 7, 1838. They have had five children: Charlie L., Laura J., William I., Frank C. and Lulu A. Mr Reed, his wife and two eldest children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.