Biographical Sketch of A.R. Vanderford, Dallas County, Missouri

>From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
 Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
 Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell (Incog3678@aol.com)

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A. R. Vanderford was born in Ross County, Ohio, on March 30, 1818, 
and since the fall of 1838 has been a resident of Dallas County, MO.
The father, Eli Vanderford, was born in Maryland, and at a very early
day immigrated to Ohio, where he was married to Susannah Ratcliff, a
native of North Carolina.  They moved to Missouri at the above men-
tioned date, coming through in covered wagons, and reached Dallas 
County one month after starting out.  They purchased the farm now
owned by the Coffer family, on which they erected a little log cabin,
and lived in this for a number of years, until they were able to make
better improvements.  At the land sale in January, 1839, he purchased
160 acres of land for himself, and 160 acres for his son, A. R. Vander-
ford, whose name heads this sketch.  He then entered several tracts of
land near by, and at one time was an extensive real estate owner, but
divided his property among his children.  He and wife were among the
first settlers of the county, and here spent their remaining days. 
Their son, A. R. Vanderford, was about twenty years of age when he
came to Dallas County, and after his father purchased him his farm he
bent all his energies to clearing it and getting it in a tillable con-
dition.  He has lived on this farm ever since he came to the county,
and now owns 300 acres of land, with about 200 acres under fence and
in cultivation, and with good improvements.  In 1840 he was married to
Malinda Gordon, a daughter of Noah and Nancy (Bartlett) Gordon, who
came to Missouri in 1835, and located in Polk County.  Here the mother
died, but the father's death occured in Pulaski County.  Mr. and Mrs.
Vanderford are the parents of nine children, five now living:  Monroe,
John C., Jasper N., Marion F. and James B.; those deceased are Julia A.,
Nancy P., Almira and an infant.  Mr. Vanderford cast his first vote for
Gen. Harrison, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
Jasper N. Vanderford, their son, is the presiding judge of the Dallas
County Court, and was born in the county on August 2, 1849.  His early
days were spent in attending school and assisting his father on the
farm, and he now has a valuable farm of 120 acres, on which are some
valuable improvements.  His present office, to which he was elected in
1886, expires in 1890.  He has always taken a deep interest in religious
matters, as well as other enterprises for the public weal, and might
as well be considered a valuable acquisition to any community.  On
December 8, 1869, he wedded Miss Jane Van Horn, by whom he has the
following children:  William M., Laura B., Ida M., Joseph A., Charles N.,
Annie, Dora E., Minnie J. and Pearl.  Mr. and Mrs. Vanderford are 
worthy members of the Christian Church.
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