Biographical Sketch of Richard S. Oldham - Chariton County, Missouri Richard S. Oldham, the gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born upon the old homestead of his father, in Muscle Fork township, February 13, 1853. Goodman Oldham, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Kentucky and a prominent attorney and agriculturist of the blue grass state. In 1831 he located in Howard county, Mo., and his murder at Keytesville, April 5, 1833, while prosecuting his profession, was the second committed in the county. Mordicai Lane, the supposed murderer, was arrested for the crime, but at his trial two or three years later was acquitted. Upon his death bed, however, Lane made a confession of having committed the crime. The wife of Goodman Oldham was in her maidenhood a Miss Jackson and her brother, George Jackson, having settled here in 1810, she rode on horseback from Kentucky to visit him, returning in the same manner. Her death occurred in this county in 1885, at the advanced age of ninety years. Richard G. Oldham, father of our subject, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, February 9, 1820, coming to this state with his parents eleven years later. His first occupation was that of agriculture near Keytesville, but afterwards located in Muscle Fork township, where he operated a very large farm. On March 26, 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Laura Sportsman, a daughter of John Sportsman, who move to this county from Kentucky when but 19 years of age, engaged in farming, and stock raising in Keytesville township for many years. This union resulted in the birth of twelve children, 7 boys and 5 girls, seven now living, our subject being the fourth member. The birth of the mother occurred in Chariton county, June 8, 1814 and her death, November 26, 1888. The father died October 19, 1894. Richard S. Oldham was reared upon the homestead and brought up to farm duties. In youth he received the advantages of the district schools, and acquired a good practical education. Upon attaining his majority he engaged in agricultural pursuit for himself, which he followed until 1887 when he engaged in the mercantile business at Long's Mill and later at Musselfork. At present he is located at Guthridge Mill, where he enjoy the confidence of the public and a very liberal patronage. On the 26th of March'76 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ellen Kavanaugh, a daughter of C. W. and E. W. Kavanaugh, early settlers of this state, who emigrated here from Kentucky, in their youth. Their marriage occurred in this state and resulted in the birth of eleven children, only six of whom are now living, The union of our subject and his most estimable lady has been blessed with six children; namely, Rufro R., 15 years of age; Charlie R., 13; Simmie R., deceased; Archie R., 4; Eldo R., deceased; and Euna R., now the baby. Politically, Mr. Oldham was reared a democrat and loyally supports the principles of his party. Enterprising and progressive in his ideas and of a social disposition, he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Willard Smith USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or their legal representative, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------