196 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

resided a year During the time he bought three hundred and seventy
acres of land two and one-half miles from Savannah, and resided there
two years. Selling out then at a profit, he spent a short time in Savan-
nah, from there going to Springfield, Missouri. Buying then one hundred
and sixty acres of land in Taney county, Missouri, he embarked in sheep
raising, and also dealt in real estate in Springfield. Two years later he
sold the sheep ranch, returned to Savannah, invested in suburban prop-
erty, and remained there about a year. Returning with his family to
Clay county, Mr. Triplett lived for seven years in Brazil, during which
time he operated coal mines in Vigo county. In April, 1893, having
purchased two hundred acres of bottom land on Eel river, four and one-
half miles northwest of Clay City, he for two years lived in the vicinity
of that city. In April, 1895, Mr. Triplett bought the place which he
now owns and occupies, it being advantageously located on the National
Road between Harmony and Brazil. He has made substantial improve-
ments, having rebuilt and added to the house and set out fruit, shade and
ornamental trees, greatly enhancing the value of the estate.
    On September 21, 1856, Mr. Triplett married Hester A. Underwood,
who was born November 28, 1838, near Roseville, Muskingum county,
Ohio, a daughter of William Brinkley and Elizabeth (Dorr) Underwood.
Mrs. Triplett passed to the higher life on April 12, 1904. Ten children
were born of their union, six of whom are now living, namely: Laura A.,
born April 11, 1858; William B., February 19, 1860; French L., Novem-
ber 21, 1863; Sadie, April 22, 1867; Luelle, March 23, 1869; and Minnie,
March 13, 1871. Warren, born November 14, 1865, died January 26,
1880; George W., born March 17, 1873, died October 22, 1894; and Alvin,
born June 22, 1877, died November 19, 1900. Fraternally Mr. Triplett is
a member of Clay Lodge, No. 368, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Politically he is active in Republican ranks and served as the first Repub-
lican trustee of Van Buren township.

    BENJAMIN ADKINS.—Prominent among the older residents of Har-
rison township is Benjamin Adkins; a man of venerable years, who has
the distinction of having served his country in two wars. He is an
honored representative of the early pioneers of Clay county, and a true
type of the energetic, hardy and progressive men who have so ably assisted
in the development of this fertile and productive agricultural region. A
man of splendid physique, with mental faculties seemingly unimpaired,
he bears with ease and dignity his burden of years, on his pleasant home-
stead enjoying the comforts of life. He was born January 29, 1830, in
Pulaski county, Kentucky, about seven miles east of Somerset, in the
same county that the birth of his father, William Adkins, occurred on
September 2, 1802. Roland Adkins, great-grandfather of Benjamin,
was born in Wales, came with his family to America about 1775, settled
in Virginia, and while serving as a soldier in the colonial army was killed
during one of the battles of the Revolutionary war. He had eleven sons,
one of whom, James, was born on the Atlantic ocean while the family
were en route to America.
    James Adkins grew to manhood in Virginia, was there married, and
subsequently, in 1801, removed to Kentucky, becoming one of the early
settlers of Pulaski county. He was a preacher in the Missionary Baptist
church and very successful in his religious work, carrying the glad
tidings of the gospel into remote places. He bought land near Somer-