MARTIN L. MODREL

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 403-404

Martin L. Modrel

(Farmer, Section 19, Post-office, Little Osage).

   The subject of this sketch is one among the earliest pioneer settlers of Southwest Missouri, and as such is entitled to honorable mention in the history of Vernon county.  Born at Harmony Mission, Bates county, Mo., October 8, 1827, he was the son of William and Philena Modrel, nee Dodge, the former of Tennessee and the latter of Vermont nativity.  William Modrel up to the time of his death was a man of prominence and influence in this section.  Elsewhere in the present volume reference is made to him at length and to that we would refer our readers for more extended notice concerning this good man.  Mrs. Modrel was a daughter of Nathaniel B. Dodge, Sr., a Congregational minister, who came from Barry, Vt., in 1820, and founded Harmony Mission, being superintendent of the Mission family and leading them on their long journey from Vermont, which lasted seven or eight months.  As previously mentioned he was at the head of the Mission until it was disbanded and disorganized owing to the removal of the Indians, though his zeal and love for them followed them to their reservation on the Neosho river, where he remained three or four years.  Subsequently he returned and settled on the farm now occupied by Mr. Modrel, where his death occurred September 3, 1848; his remains now rest in the old cemetery near Balltown.  Before coming to Missouri he had fought in the War of 1812, at the battle of Bennington; his father had fought valiantly for independence.  Mr. and Mrs. Modrel had two children besides Martin; Mary E., born June 27, 1829, married Marcus P. Woodruff, and died in 1855; Sarah, born February 21, 1831, became Mrs. Hiram P. Wells, and resided in this county until her death in 1865.  Martin L. came with his father’s family to Vernon county when four years old and received his educational instruction at pioneer subscription schools and from his father, a man well qualified to teach and impart knowledge.  At the age of 22 he went overland to California (in 1850), reaching there after four months of hazardous and perilous adventures.  For 12 months he was unsuccessfully engaged in prospecting in the mines, then took charge of a cattle ranch, and afterwards until 1859 was occupied in blacksmithing, then returning to Missouri full of life and vigor after so many years of hardy mountain experience.  When the war broke out he was among the first to enlist in the Confederate army, joining Co. F, Hunter’s regiment, remaining with it until 1862, when he organized a company and served as its lieutenant until the close of the war.  He took active part in the battles of Carthage, Wilson’s Creek, Drywood, Lexington, Pea Ridge, Helena, Prairie Grove, and numerous others.  Never having surrendered and never having been discharged, he is now, as he expresses it, in the novel situation of a Confederate lieutenant at home on furlough.  February 10, 1870, Mr. Modrel was married to Miss Eliza L. C. Sterling, daughter of Robert A. Sterling, of Osage township.  He is now the owner of 300 acres of land, well cultivated and improved, and is managing it in a satisfactory manner.  Politically a Democrat, his standing as such has been universally recognized.  He is now acceptably discharging the duties of a justice of the peace.  Squire Modrel, as he is known, is one of the county’s live, intelligent citizens, and wherever know his name is almost a household word.

From the 1911 History of Vernon County, Missouri.  p. 920-921:

     Martin L. Modrel was among the earliest pioneer settlers of southwest Missouri.  Born at Harmony Mission, Bates county, Missouri, October 8, 1827, he was the son of William and Philena Modrel, nee Dodge, the former of Tennessee, and the latter of Vermont nativity.  William Modrel up to the time of his death was a man of prominence and influence in this section.  Mrs. Modrel was a daughter of Nathaniel B. Dodge, Sr., a Congregational minister, who came from Barry, Vt., in 1820, and founded Harmony Mission, being superintendent of the Mission family and leading them on their long journey from Vermont, which lasted seven or eight months.  As previously mentioned he was at the head of the Mission until it was disbanded and disorganized owing to the removal of the Indians, though his zeal and love for them followed them to their reservation on the Neosho river, where he remained three or four years.  Subsequently he returned and settled on the farm later occupied by Mr. Modrel, where his death occurred September 3, 1848; his remains now rest in the old cemetery near Balltown.  Before coming to Missouri, he had fought in the War of 1812, at the battle of Bennington; his father had fought valiantly for independence.  Mr. and Mrs. Modrel had two children besides Martin; Mary E., born June 27, 1829, married Marcus P. Woodruff, and died in 1855; Sarah, born February 21, 1831, became Mrs. Hiram P. Wells, and resided in this county until her death in 1865.  Martin L. came with his father's family to Vernon county when four years old and received his educational instruction at pioneer subscription schools and from his father, a man well qualified to teach and impart knowledge.  At the age of 22 he went overland to California (in 1850), reaching there after four months of hazardous and perilous adventures.  For twelve months he was unsuccessfully engaged in prospecting in the mines, then took charge of a cattle ranch, and afterwards, until 1859, was occupied in blacksmithing, then returning to Missouri full of life and vigor after so many years of hardy mountain experience.  When the war broke out he was among the first to enlist in the Confederate Army, joining Company F, Hunter's Regiment, remaining with it until 1862, when he organized a company and served as its lieutenant until the close of the war.  He took active part in the battles of Carthage, Wilson's Creek, Drywood, Lexington, Pea Ridge, Helena, Prairie Grove, and numerous others.  February 10, 1870, Mr. Modrel was married to Miss Eliza L. C. Sterling, daughter of Robert A. Sterling, of Osage township.

 A - B    C - D     E - G     H - L     M - N     O - R     S - T     U - Z

Please contact the County Coordinator if you have family information or photos that can be displayed on this page.