DAVID STUKEY

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 883:

David Stukey

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 25, Post-office, Virgil City).

   To the many readers of this volume throughout this portion of Vernon county the name of David Stukey is by no means an unfamiliar one, for upwards of 14 years he has been so closely connected with the affairs of Virgil township as to render a sketch of his life most important.  He came originally from Canada West, having been born near Hamilton, March 15, 1824, but from early boyhood he has resided in the United States.  His father, Christian Stukey, was married in about 1823 to Miss Barbara Kurtz, and to them were born four children, all of whom survive.  The parents died near the year 1832, and after that David was cared for by his grandfather, with whom he came to this country, as stated, when young, settling in Genesee county, N.Y.  A short time after he left there and went to Wayne county, O., settling on a farm and remaining occupied in agricultural pursuits until reaching his majority.  A trip to Canada was now necessary that a settlement might be made of his father’s estate, and subsequently he was united in marriage October 24, 1853, to Miss Catherine Stutzman, of German ancestry.  Following this event Mr. Stukey became located in Indiana, and there he made his home for many years, successfully engaged in tilling the soil, but finally he decided to remove further west, and accordingly came to Vernon county and settled permanently in 1873.  He has since resided here and his judgment in making such a settlement has been shown by his career since that time.  No serious misfortune has overtaken him, while his crops have resulted in abundant yields, and at this time he has come to be in possession of a comfortable and enjoyable competency.  His homestead is half a mile north of Virgil City, while his land reaches from there to the Cedar county line, and all its surroundings are in full keeping with its progressive owner.  On the morning of July 4, 1886, his mill was destroyed by fire, entailing quite a little loss, though not sufficient to affect him.  He and his wife have 11 children, whose names and dates of births are as follows:  Samuel S., November 6, 1854; Jonathan, November 16, 1856; Susan, November 6, 1858; Chauncey, August 15, 1860; David W., November 5, 1862; Chris, September 8, 1864; Emma, December 25, 1866; Daniel and Alvia, twins, July 23, 1869; Ira, June 13, 1872, and Mary Ella, December 5, 1876.  Mrs. Stukey was born July 25, 1830.  Both she and her husband have in their possession a large family Bible, in German, a good greatly prized.  They are members of the Mennonite church.

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