HOWARD COUNTY MISSOURI BIOGRAPHIES (Boone's Lick Township) ************************************************************************ File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Beverly Spencer USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ BOONE'S LICK TOWNSHIP _________________________________ OTHELLO ASHCRAFT pg. 529 Farmer. Among the intelligent and well-to-do farmers of Howard county, who owe their success to their own industry and good management almost alone, may be singled out for special mention the subject of this sketch. He was a son of Amos and Nellie (COLE) ASHCRAFT, both of whom were children of early settlers of Howard county. By reference to B.F. GIBSON's sketch in the Cooper county division of this work, it will be seen that Mr. COLE, Mrs. ASHCRAFT's father, was the head of one of the first two families that settled in Howard county, and Amos ASHCRAFT is believed to have been one of the first white children born in the county. Otho ASHCRAFT was born in Boone's Lick township August 9, 1836, and of the family of four children, of which he was a member, there are now but two living – himself and a sister, Mrs. Jesse BURK. His father was a farmer, and, being brought up to that occupation, Otho, on reaching his majority, purchased a small tract of land, the nucleus of his present place, and went to work with an energy that could not fail of success. He now has a good farm of nearly 250 acres, and has it substantially and comfortably improved. On the 19th of November, 1857, he was married to Miss Lucy J., daughter of Wm.GRADY, of this county, and of this union there were two children born, of whom one is now living, Bettie F., the wife of Andrew J. FURR, of Virginia. Mr. ASHCRAFT is a democrat, a member of the A.F. and A.M. and a Knight Templar in the order. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F. and of the Christian church. HAMILTON CARSON pg. 529 Farmer and Stock raiser. Mr. CARSON was the second of a family of six children reared by Lindsey CARSON and wife, previously Miss Rebecca ROBERSON, and was born in Madison county, Kentucky, January 18th, 1808. His mother was a native of the same state, but his father was originally from South Carolina. The names of the children are as follows: Robert, Hamilton, Christopher, Lindsey, Elizabeth, Matilda, Nancy and Mary. The family was among the earliest settlers in Howard county, having come here as early as 1811. They spent three years in Fort COOPER, as most of the settlers of that early day had to "fort" themselves, as it was then expressed, for protection and security from the possible outbreaks of Indians. Seven years after their arrival in this county the father was killed by a falling limb from a tree, and four years later the mother married again, Mr. Joseph MARTIN becoming her second husband. One son, who lives in California, is the only living representative of this marriage. Mr. CARSON, the subject of this sketch, was brought up in the pioneer days of the country and is one of the oldest residents, if not the oldest, in the county having lived her continuously seventy-two years. In 1846 he was married to Miss Ann SMITH, the date of their marriage being the 23rd of January, and three children followed: Stephen, Dudley, and Charles William, but one of whom, however, Dudley, is now living, and is a resident of Howard county. The mother of these died, February 17, 1856, and Mrs. Rachel COOK, a widow lady, became Mr. CARSON's second wife in 1859. By the last marriage four children have been born, all of whom are now living: Joseph, born December 13, 1861; Evaline, born January 15, 1865; Fanny, born May 5, 1866, and Hamilton, born December 6, 1867. Mr. C. is a member of the Christian church and a well respected citizen. STEPHEN COOPER pg. 530 Is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Missouri. His father, Joseph COOPER, born in Madison county, Kentucky, October 30, 1796, came to this state as far back as 1808. In 1810 he settled in Howard county where he lived until the day of his death, October 27, 1875. He was, therefore, one of the oldest, in point of continuous residence, as well as earliest settlers of this county. After his removal to this state he married Elizabeth EUSTIS, whose father, with his family, emigrated from Virginia at an early day. Joseph COOPER was a man of great force of character and of untiring industry, and was one of the most successful farmers of Howard county. He belonged to that class of strong-willed, brave-hearted men who found this country a wilderness and left it to their children and to their children's children one of the fairest and most prosperous counties of a great state. His wife, Elizabeth EUSTIS COOPER, was a woman devoted to her family, and at the same time possessed of great spirit and fortitude, the typical wife of such a husband. She died in 1837. Of this union there were born seven children, of whom Stephen COOPER was the youngest. He was born in 1835, by coincidence on the same day, of the same month of his father's birth, namely, October 30. He was reared on his father’s farm, on which he still lives and now owns, and in common with the youth of his own neighborhood and age, he acquired at the local schools of that time the elements of an ordinary, English education. The strong points of his father’s character, courage, industry and indomitable enterprise were transmitted to the son. Possessed of these qualities it was but natural to expect that he would become one of the early pioneers to California, during the gold excitement of that far-off country, as it was then regarded. Accordingly, in 1852, when but seventeen years of age, he made a trip across the plains and over the rocky ribs of the Cordilleras to the Pacific. In January, 1854, he returned to Missouri, but only to remain until the spring of the same year, when he made his second trip to California. In 1856 he returned again to Missouri and remained here until 1857, making a trip that year to Pike’s Peak, Colorado, but came back to his native state one year afterwards, to remain this time permanently, or at least until the toscin of war called him to the front in 1861, under the call of Governor JACKSON for six-months' volunteers, he enlisted in Captain TUCKER’s company of General CLARK's regiment. At the expiration of his term under Captain TUCKER he organized company C, 5th Missouri regiment, and was made captain of that company. In 1862 he was promoted to the position of major, and after the battle of Vicksburg he had command of the 6th regiment until the close of the war, when he surrendered at Fort Blakely, Louisiana, in April, 1865. In July, following, he returned to his home in Howard county where he still lives. In 1879 he was elected by the people of the county to the office of county collector. As is seen from the above his life has ben an energetic and active one, and whether as pioneer treading his way across the continent, or as soldier, citizen or civil officer, he has never failed to stamp the impress of his character upon the work he had to do, or win the approval his sterling worth deserves. N.B. COOPER pg. 531 Collector and former sheriff of Howard county, is now forty-six years of age, and in the very meridian of vigorous manhood. He came of Kentucky pioneer stock–of that stalwart race of men, whose mission it seems to have been to blaze the way for civilization through unknown wilds, and to lay deep and secure the foundations of great and prosperous states. His grandfather was one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky, and in Madison county, of that state, his father, Hendley COOPER was twice married – first to Adeline CARSON, whose father was also from Kentucky, and after her death, which occurred April 14, 1854, to Nancy HOY, November 4, 1855. He died December 19, 1873, having been a resident of this county sixty-three years. Of his first marriage eleven children were born, of whom Nester B., the subject of this sketch, was the fourth. He was born in Howard county December 18, 1837, and like his father, who was a successful farmer, on arriving at the age when it became necessary for him to devote himself to some calling, adopted that of farming, which he has since continued to follow. In April, 1861, however, he enlisted in Captain TURNER's company, of General CLARK's regiment, serving until the disbandment of the state guards six months afterwards. He then returned to his farm, six miles southwest of Fayette, where he has a valuable and handsomely improved homestead of 110 acres. In March 1863, he was married to Nannie WILKERSON, daughter of William WILKERSON, one of the pioneer settlers of the county. S ix children have been born to them and are now living – Minnie G., Romeo V., Laura, John M., Fannie S. and Harry L. He is a prominent member of the A.O.U.W., and a Knight Templar in the Masonic order. In 1878 he was elected to the office of sheriff, which he held until 1882, when he was elected county collector, the position he now holds. To know the descent of Nester B. COOPER is a sufficient assurance of the character of man he is. But to know him personally – to know him in his family, as a citizen, and as a public officer – is to know a man with as many virtues and as few faults as is seldom found in public or private life. ROBERT COOPER pg. 532 Farmer and stock raiser. The biographic annals of Howard county, and, indeed, of central Missouri, without mention of the COOPER family, would be like the play of "Hamlet" with Hamlet left out. With the BOONES, they were among the first to blaze the way for civilization into this part of the state, and it is more than questionable whether any other family has contributed so much to the material development and progress of this county as have they. In the annals of the past, Fort COOPER bears witness to their enterprise, valor, and pioneer services, and Cooper county will hand down their name through the ages – until "The moon is old, And the sun grows cold, And the leaves of the judgment book unfold." In every part of Howard county their great farms and spacious mansion houses testify to the hereditary worth and enterprise of the family, and the roster of county officials would hardly seem complete without their name. Robert COOPER, the subject of this sketch, maintains the traditional reputation of the family. His farm is one of the best in the county, and his elegant brick residence, standing near the site where his forefathers built the historic old fort that bore their name, would make a striking and happy contrast, as a picture, set opposite that of the fort, illustrating the progress of civilization in the west. He was born where he now lives, February 5, 1835, and was a son of Colonel Benjamin COOPER, born March l, 1790, who came to this county with his father's family in 1808. They lived in the fort until they brought the Indians to peaceable terms, after which they subdued the forest and made themselves a home. Mr. COOPER's mother, the wife of Colonel COOPER, was formerly a Miss Phele H. SLOAN, of the well-known SLOAN family, of Kentucky, and lived to her seventy-eighth year, and until 1880, surviving her husband nearly forty years. During the later years of her widowhood she was the recipient of a pension from the government, granted on account of her husband's services in the war of 1812. Robert grew up to the occupation of a farmer, which he has continued to follow, and with great success. As a citizen and neighbor he has the respect and confidence of the whole community, and of all who know him. JOHN T. GARVIN pg. 533 Farmer. Mr. GARVIN was one of a family of thirteen children born to James and Caroline (THOMAS) GARVIN, who emigrated from Lincoln county, Kentucky, to Missouri, in 1836, and after living a short time in Randolph county came to Howard county and settled in Boone's Lick township with their family, where the parents lived to their death. Of their family of children but five are now living, three daughters and the subject of this sketch. John T. GARVIN was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, October 29, 1829, and was reared in Howard county, Missouri, being left an orphan by the death of both parents when he was eight years old. Farming became his permanent occupation, which he has followed thus far through life, or rather, until his retirement from all active labors, a short time ago. When he arrived at the age of majority, his eldest brother, George T. GARVIN, now deceased, who had been more than abundantly successful, gave him a neat farm on which he lived some years, but desiring to change his location he sold it and bought another place in the same township (Boone's Lick) where he continued farming until his retirement as stated above. On the 2d of September, 1851, he was married to Miss Louisa M., daughter of Wm. TIPPETT, of this county, but formerly of Virginia. She died June 26, 1870, leaving three children, now living, George T., of Barton county; John W. and James W. Mr. GARVIN was remarried March 27th, 1872, his second wife, Rachel E., being a daughter of Wm. BOBBITT, of this county. Three children of this union are living: Lou Emma, John T. and Walter K. Mr. GARVIN is a member of the I.O.O.F., and of the P.of H. Politically he is a member of the greenback party. THOMAS B. HARRIS pg. 533 Merchant at Lisbon. Mr HARRIS' parents were among the earliest settlers of Jackson county, this state. His father, Reuben HARRIS, was born in Patrick county, Virginia, in 1805, and his mother, formerly Miss Laura M. FISTOE, in Tennessee, in 1811. They married in Jackson county, in 1832, and of the family of eight children born to them six are still living. Both parents lived in Jackson county until their death – the mother dying in 1876, and the father in 1882. Thomas B. Harris was born October 12th, 1839, and was reared on his father's farm in Jackson county. After attaining his majority, he learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed until 1880, when he engaged in merchandising. On the 6th of September, 1866, he was married to Miss Eliza A. GRADY, of Howard county, but she died in February, 1870, leaving him two children, only one of whom is now living, Mobrey L., born August 16, 1867. April 7th 1872, Mr. HARRIS was again married, Miss Ellen BEVERLY, of this county, becoming his second wife. They have three children living: Ella, Bethsheba E. and Thomas W. In 1870, he bought property in Lisbon, this county and continued working at his trade there for the succeeding ten years; but in August, 1880, having shown himself to be a man of good business qualification an of unquestioned integrity, he was called upon to take charge of the co- operative store in Lisbon, belonging to the Patrons of Husbandry, of Boone's Lick township and the surrounding country, of which organization he is a member, and since then he has been conducting this business in which he has achieved marked success as a thoroughgoing, capable merchant. Mr HARRIS is a member of the I.O.O.F. and he and his wife are members of the Christian church. DR. J. C. HEBERLING AND HIS MULE pg. 534 Dr. HEBERLING, for over thirty years a prominent and successful physician of Howard county, and one of the most highly respected citizens of the county, was born in Berkley county, Virginia, March 26, 1816, and was one of a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living except a daughter, and are residents of the western states. In 1836, Dr. HEBERLING, then a young man twenty-one years of age, came to Howard county, this state, and two years afterwards was united in marriage to Miss Christine AMICK, of this county. Before coming to this state, young HEBERLING had devoted considerable study to medicine with a view of preparing himself for the medical profession, and after his arrival here that purpose was strengthened by the great need of physicians in his new home, especially after the remarkable floods of 1844. Accordingly, he persevered in his studies, and subsequently attended the medical institute, of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated with distinction in 1847. Returning then to Howard county, he has since practiced his profession here, with the exception of four years spent in St. Louis and California, and a short absence during the late war. While in California, he was a delegate to the first state nominating convention that ever assembled on the Pacific coast, representing Edwards county, entitled to twenty votes, in the convention. He was also treasurer of his county, in 1851, and the following year was a judge of the court of sessions. While there he was tendered a nomination for the office of representative in the state legislature which, however, he declined. Returning then to Missouri, he resumed his practice and continued it without interruption until 1862, when he, with six other prominent citizens of the county, was banished to the northeast for suspected sympathy with the seceding states. On his return home after the war, he found that all his live stock had also been "banished" during his absence, and he was therefore without a saddle animal on which to resume the practice of his profession. To supply this indispensable desideratum, the only resort left him was a drove of a hundred mules from which he selected, and purchased, a trim-built, but unbridle-wise two-year-old, afterwards known in two continents as the famous Light-foot. "This was on the 15th day of September, 1865, and from that day until the 15th of September, 1877, to use the Doctor’s own language, “The lives of the two [himself and the mule] are so intimately interwoven with each other that the biography of the one unavoidably includes that of the other." Together, they traveled in the practice of medicine, the mule doing the locomotion and the Doctor attending to the patients, 32,000 miles, a matter so noteworthy, that it was generally published by the papers throughout the state. But they continued in their mission of visiting the sick and ministering to the suffering until they scored 50,000 miles, when this result was also published, and was copied by the London papers and other European journals. Still they kept on in their widening form, until September 15th, 1877, time was called on faithful old Lightfoot, and he was found to have traveled 15,000 additional miles or 65,000 miles from the beginning, twelve years before, a distance equal to more than two and a half circuits of the earth. But exhausted nature demanded a rest for the honest old pedestrian, and he was retired on full pay – corn and hay, with a carte blanche to all the meadows and pastures. At the age of twenty, Lightfoot, is still active and chirp, and occasionally puts a shoulder to the wheel to help the world along. The facts for his biography have been written for by a gentleman in Vermont, and a volume will shortly appear in his honor. The Doctor himself, is still engaged in the practice of his profession, and in his sixty-eighth year is hale and hardy, and as he expresses it, comparatively happy. In 1880, he was nominated for congress, in his district, on the Weaver ticket, and the result of the election shows that while General Weaver received but 514 votes in Howard county, for President, Dr. HEBERLING received 1,432, or nearly three times as many as the head of his ticket received. Over 7,000 votes were cast for him in the entire district. More generous to others than just to himself, he has collected but a mere pittance of what he has made, and is therefore not rich in this world’s goods, although he has a competence to keep the gaunt wolf form his door. Never profane or intemperate, of a literary turn of mind and of a domestic disposition, he finds unalloyed pleasure in the leisure of old age with his books and his grand-children, of whom he has no less than twenty. In the language of Orlando, he can truthfully say:-- "Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty; For in my youth I never did apply Hot and rebellious liquors in my blood; Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo The means of weakness and debility; Therefore my age is as a lusty winter, Frosty but kindly." THOMAS G. MILLER pg. 536 Farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Miller is now thirty years of age, and has a good farm of 218 acres, well improved. He was born in the township where he now lives, on the 27th of September, 1853, and was the first son but third chld of Henry B. MILLER and wife Permelia, formerly a Miss BROWN, who were married in December, 1846. His father, Henry B., is a native of Rappahannock county, Virginia, and came from there to Howard county, with his family in 1838, first settling in Frankin township, but nine years afterwards settled in Boone's Lick township, where he now lives. His family of children consists of Fannie, Rosila, Thomas G., Henry B., Andrew N. McG., Lillie, and Effie G. Thomas G. was brought up on his father’s farm, and in youth received such an education as could be had in the ordinary country schools – sufficient for all practical purposes. He has made farming his life occupation an is meeting with satisfactory and substantial success. On the 18th of December, 1873, he was married to Miss Elizabeth PEACHER, of this county, daughter of Wm.J. PEACHER, and of this union three children have been born, two of whom are now living: Claiborne, born August 1, 1876; Maud, born March 3, 1879, and Roma, born October 15, 1881, died January 4, 1882. Mr. Miller and his wife are both connected with the Missionary Baptist church, of Mount Moriah, Richmond township, this county. WILLIAM G. MIRICK pg. 536 Was born July 11, 1826, in Petersburg, Boone county, Kentucky, and was the son of John T. MIRICK, born in Buffalo, New York in 1800, and Elizabeth (YOUELL) MIRICK, a native of Boone county, Kentucky, born in 1808. The latter was a daughter of James and Lucy YOUELL. They were married August 10, 1825, and to them were born eleven children, six now living – Lucinda (wife of Samuel BEALL), Sophia F. (widow of Volney WILLIAMS), John L. (who married Miss Mary W. CAMPBELL), Price, Isabela (wife of Thomas CALLISON), and William G. John T. MIRICK died in September, 1860, and his widow June 23, 1871. William G. MIRICK was married May 1, 1850, to Miss Mary E. CONNER, daughter of Paschal and Nellie CONNER, of Florence, Boone county, Kentucky. By this union there were seven children – Adelaide C., born February 1, 1851, married Emil MILLER, of Boonsville, April 15, 1876; J. McConnell, born March 6, 1853, and now with two brothers and his father, in the iron and steel works of Pueblo; Nellie, born June 17, 1861; and Frank G., born June 8, 1866. In 1849, Mr. MIRICK removed to Alton, Illinois, but a year later returned to Kentucky, then, after his marriage, going again to Alton. In about a year and a half he came to Boone county, Missouri, and shortly afterwards removed to this county and township, purchasing eighty acres of land, on which he has since resided. He was a warm friend of Colonel Joe COOPER, of fort COOPER memory, and during the time of that hero wrote an interesting sketch of his life, which was published in the St. Louis Times, and copied by the Howard county Advertiser of February 19, 1874. LARKIN L. MUNDAY, pg. 537 Farmer. Mr. Munday comes of revolutionary stock, on both his father’s and mother's sides of the family. His paternal grandfather came to this country from England before the outbreak of the war for independence, and served through the entire struggle as a soldier in the Continental army. His maternal grandfather did like service for the then infant republic. Rollin* and Matilda MUNDAY, his parents, were natives of Albemarle county, Virginia, where they married and lived until their deaths. His father, however, was married twice. His first wife having died in 1854, he was married some years afterwards to Miss Melissa HALL, of that county. Of the first marriage there are now living, three sons; and of the second, three daughters and two sons. Rollin MUNDAY was a successful farmer of his native county, and a large landed proprietor. He died April 20 1879, at the advanced age of eighty-one. Larkin L. MUNDAY was born December 13, 1830, and was reared in his native county (Albemarle county, Virginia), where he lived until 1856, when he came to this state and settled in Boone county. After he grew up he followed overseeing in Virginia, but since he came to Missouri he has been engaged in farming, except while doing service in the Confederated army. In 1861, he cast his fortunes with the south, and followed the ill-starred flag of bars and stars, through four long years of danger and hardships, finally surrendering at Shreveport, Louisiana, at the close of the war. Returning then, he stopped a few months in Saline county, and then settled permanently in Howard, where he has since lived. On the 14th of January, 1869, he was married to Miss Lavinia AINSWORTH, of this county. They have five children living – Horace, born March 17, 1871; Walter K., born March 25, 1874; Emma, born March 28, 1876; D. Pearl, born December 13, 1879; and Hardy, born December 12, 1881. Mr. MUNDAY is a member of the I.O.O.F. *Evidently named for Rollin the historian WILLIAM R. QUINLEY, DECEASED, pg. 537 William R. QUINLEY, who for many years was a successful merchant of Boonsboro, in which business he was engaged at the time of his death April 10, 1883, was the second of a family of seven children born to Richmond and Margaret J. (JENNINGS) QUINLEY, of this county, but originally of Kentucky. Of these, four are now living – Sarah E., wife of M.N. AMICK; Henry T., married Nannie M. CARSON, niece of Kit CARSON; James A., married Mollie WILKERSON; and John F., married Dora CARSON. William R. Quinley, deceased was born in Howard county, Missouri, January 16,1840, and was reared on his father's farm, receiving an ordinary education in the common schools in youth. He followed farming after he grew up and until 1870, when he sold his farm and engaged in merchandising in Boonsboro, which he followed until the time of his death. June, 1, 1864, he was married to Miss Mary C., daughter of Samuel and Hetty PULLIAM, of this county. Nine children were born to them, of whom eight are now living – Lillie B., born February 22, 1865; Samuel R., born June 7, 1866; Robert T., born January 26, 1868; James W., born March 19, 1870; Wayman F., born May 28, 1872, died March 27, 1873; Olena R. and Galena H., twins, born July 2, 1875; Clasidie B., born May 31, 1877; and Elsie F., born April 27, 1880. Mr. QUINLEY, the father, was for many years before his death, an earnest and exemplary member of the Christian church, and he died, as he had lived, true to the faith that teaches – There is no Death! What seems so is transition; This life of mortal breath Is but a suburb of the live elysian, Whose portal we call Death. REV. WILLIAM H. ROBERTSON pg. 538 Rev. ROBERTSON was ordained a minister August 24, 1879, at Rose Hill, in Howard county, since which he has led an active and useful life in his sacred calling. Not only to the pulpit but to Sabbath schools, to temperance work, and to every duty that an earnest and faithful minister should perform, he devotes himself with great zeal and energy. He was one of a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living, born to Solomon and Eliza (NELSON) ROBERTSON, the father a native of Indiana, and the mother of Kentucky. Both parents reside in this county, with whom Rev. William ROBERTSON now lives. He was born in Paris, Kentucky, February 19, 1838, and there learned the blacksmith trade, which he made his permanent occupation. But like Bunyan, feeling that he was called upon to devote himself to the ministry, he studied the Scriptures with great earnestness, and qualified himself for the work he had to do. Besides his church work he also has a neat farm, substantially improved, which he manages with success, and on which his parents now live. He has been twice married. His first wife, formerly Miss Nannie E. ALLEN, of Clark county, Kentucky, died March 18, 1860. August 27, 1863, he was married to Miss Sarah H., sister to his former wife. Of this union there are two children: Willie A. and Charlie L. His last wife died February 26, 1874. DAVID T. ROBERTSON pg. 538 Farmer. Mr. Robertson is a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, born December 16, 1844, whence he removed to this state. He started out in life without a dollar, and, by industry and economy, he has saved up enough from his hard earnings, besides making a good comfortable living for himself and family, to buy an excellent tract of land, which he is now improving in a substantial manner. He was married to Miss Anna QUICK, of Cooper county, Missouri, April 2,1876, but she died October 13, 1879, leaving one child, Ula B. About two years afterwards, August 25, 1881, he was married a second time, Miss Ruhanah SHIPP, of this county, then becoming his wife. They have one daughter, Iola. Mr. R. is a democrat, and his wife is a member of the Christian church. JAMES M. REYNOLDS pg. 539 Farmer. Mr. REYNOLDS was one of a family of eighteen children, nine sons and nine daughters, born to William and Nancy (BENNETT) REYNOLDS, originally of Patrick county, Virginia; but only seven children now survive, three sons and four daughters. In 1816 the parents (the same year they were married) came from Virginia and settled in Chariton county, this state, remaining there a few years, and then locating in Howard county. Stopping, however, in this county only a short time, they went from here to Johnson county, where they purchased 1,600 acres of land, and made that their permanent home, or at least until the death of the father, which occurred in 1860. Mrs. REYNOLDS survived her husband twenty-three years, dying in 1883, having remained a widow from 1860 until her death. James REYNOLDS grew up on his father's farm, and has followed farming as his regular occupation. He now owns a good farm in Chariton township, and has it substantially and comfortably improved. He removed to this county from Johson in 1849, and since that time has continued to reside here. He was married December 1, 1846, to Miss Emeline CROWLEY, of this county. They have four children living: William, born February 15, 1849; Daniel, born December 24, 1851; Charles W., born December 18, 1857, and Green, born June 11, 1859. Mr. R. is a member of the P. of H., and a strong advocate of politico-economic philosophy of the greenback party. EDWARD C. SHARP, M.D. pg. 539 A physician of a high order of attainments, professional and otherwise, who, although still a young man, has shown himself to be a thoroughly skillful and successful practitioner by his experience in this county and elsewhere, is Dr. Sharp, whose name heads this sketch. He was born in Lafayette, Indiana, November 27, 1855, and in early youth had the advantages offered by the excellent public schools of that city. In 1872, having mastered the curriculum of studies taught in the public schools, he entered the national normal school of Lebanon, Ohio, in which he remained as a student for two years. He then directed his attention to medicine, and studied that science under the preceptorage of Dr. WASHBURN, an old and eminent physician of Lafayette, several years, and in 1878 began a regular course in the Medical College of Louisville, Kentucky, from which he graduated two years afterwards. He then returned to Lafayette and commenced the practice of his profession in association with his old preceptor, and soon established himself among the people and in the estimation of the profession as a physician of superior ability. But, in obedience to the law that gave the new world to civilization, and that is now peopling its vast domains in the west with the best energy of the age – the law of enterprise, he came further west to seek his fortune, after having practiced in Lafayette two years, and finally settled permanently in Lisbon, this county, where his merits as a physician, and his worth as a citizen, are rapidly becoming known; and his life promises a future of great usefulness to those among whom he lives. He was married in Dayton, Ohio December 25, 1874, to Miss Mary BURTON, who was taken from him by death, February 13, 1878. After the lapse of about four years he was married May 18, 1882, to Miss Ada, daughter of James and Mattie WARE, of Pleasant Green, Cooper county, this state. By his first marriage there are two sons: Charles and Burton. Both the doctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. His father, N. SHARP, and his mother, who prior to her marriage was Miss Mary A. PERRIN, were both natives of Lynchburg, Va. CALEB THOMAS pg. 540 Farmer. When Caleb THOMAS was nine years of age death deprived him of his father, and two years afterwards his mother also died, thus leaving him an orphan in the world, and practically without a penny. But without the influence of tender parents to advise and encourage him and to bring him up the way of uprightness and industry, he has manfully made his own way in the world, and is now one of the successful farmers of Howard county and a citizen and neighbor respected by all who know him. By his own honest toil, and by saving what his labor made him, he first bought a tract of 120 acres of land, and since then has kept adding to it, until now he has a fine farm of 354 acres, well improved, with good houses, barns, fences, pastures, etc., and has his place well stocked. How few sons with wealthy parents to help them along do as well as he has! He was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, January 12, 1843, and his father, Lorenzo D., was a native of the same state, and was a blacksmith and wagon maker by occupation.. His mother, originally Miss Rebecca BOBBITT, was born December 27, 1822, and was married to Lorenzo D. March 25, 1841. Three children are now living of this union – Caleb, born as stated above; Sarah, wife of Thos. J. GALLIMORE, residing in Arkansas, and Griffith, married to Miss Sallie K. TUGGLE, of this county. The family first immigrated into Ohio, where the father died in 1852. Then they shortly came to Howard county, and here Mrs. THOMAS was married to Fielding SHIPP, but she died in 1854. November 19, 1866, Mr. THOMAS was married to Miss Mary E. YELTON, of this county. Of this union five children are now living – Mattie L., born February 28, 1868; William M., born August 14, 1870; Rebecca M., born November 29, 1872; Alice H., born February 5, 1879, and James W., born March 27, 1883. Both parents are members of the Christian church. HIRAM WILKERSON pg. 541 Farmer, stock raiser, and miller. If the men who are prominent in the development of the material resources of a country; who are large producers of what others live on, from which all prosperity springs; if such men are entitled to be called the leading men of their respective communities, then Hiram WILKERSON is one of the leading men of Boone's Lick township and of Howard county, for he is a large grain producer and stock raiser; and besides, is a prominent miller of the county. And these important interests are all his by the production of his own exertions, by his own honest toil. Such men build up a country, are of value to the community in which they live. He is a native of the township where he now resides, and was born on the 15th of September, 1830. He was a son of William WILKERSON and wife, originally Miss Polly KRUTZ, residents of this county. He was reared on a farm, and followed that occupation on his own account to some extent before reaching his majority, and at the age of twenty-two was in a situation to purchase himself a tract of land. By industry, economy and good management he has continued adding to his possessions, until now he has nearly 600 acres of splendid land, and his homestead, containing 399 acres, is one of the choice farms of the county, and he is one of the business-like, prosperous, money-making farmers of the county. He also has two saw mill, and his flouring mill is said to be one of the best in the surrounding section of country. On the 15th of September, 1852, he married to Miss Millie TUGGLE, of this county, and from this union there are eight children living as folows: Henry L., born March 30, 1854; Patrick H., born July 15, 1855; Robert T., born September 6, 1857, now a resident of the state of Nevada, where he married Miss Lotta BEASLEY; Lawrence, born April 16 1860; Mollie, born August 17, 1862; William C., born January 23, 1864; Charles, born May 24, 1865, and Ledrew, born September 20, 1869. Mrs. WILKERSON died January 3 1875. About three years afterwards Mr. WILKERSON was married again. His present wife, before her marriage to Mr. W., was Mrs. Mary EVANS, of Cooper county, Missouri. Mr. WILKERSON and his present wife are both members of the Christian church, and he is a member of the I.O.O.F. LINSEY W. WILKERSON pg. 541 Farmer and Carpenter. Mr. WILKERSON emigrated from Albemarle county, Virginia, and settled in this county, where he has since lived and followed farming and carpentry. He was born September 22, 1825, and was one of a family of nine children. His father, Wm. P. WILKERSON, and his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy SANDRIDGE, were both natives of Albemarle county, and were there married in 1824. His first wife dying, Wm. P. WILKERSON was married a second time, but his second wife lived only a short time. He was again married in 1879, and they now live in their native county in Virginia. Before coming to Missouri, Linsey W. was married December 24, 1846, to Miss Eliza THOMAS, and eleven children have been born to them, but six of whom, however, are now living – Nancy E., born June 19, 1856, wife of Edward JONES; Mary E., born March 21, 1858, wife of Anderson QUINLEY; James Everett, born July 31, 1864; Sallie A., born May 25, 1867, and Linsey H., born October 26, 1870. Mr. WILKERSON and wife are both members of the Christian church at Boonsboro. J.T. WOOD, M.D. pg. 542 Dr. WOOD, a thoroughly educated and successful physician of Howard county, was born in Mason county, Kentucky, January 31, 1846. When a youth twelve years of age, the family having removed to Boone county, Missouri, he entered Walnut Grove Academy, in that county, in which he remained as a student for six years. He then began the study of medicine under Dr. A.P. Spence, of Rocheport, and in 1868 went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he became a student in the medical college of that city. After the close of the college term in Louisville, he continued his studies under Dr. Taliaferro BUCKNER, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1869 entered the college of medicine and surgery of Cincinnati, from which he graduated with honor with the class of 1870. Immediately after his graduation he came to Lisbon, Howard county, and engaged actively in the practice of his profession, where he remained six years and built up an extensive and lucrative practice. He then changed his location to Boonsboro, to which his reputation as an able and successful physician had preceded him and the result is that he occupies a front position in his profession in this section of the county. In December, 1878, he and Dr. MOORE formed a copartnership in the practice in Boonsboro and the firm commands a large practice. Dr. WOOD was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of D.P. TAYLOR, of this county, formerly of Virginia. Of this union there are three children living. The doctor is a member of Arrow Rock Lodge, No.55, A.F. and A.M., and also of the A.O.U.W. at Boonsboro. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. His father, John T. Wood, was a native of Ohio, but his mother, formerly Miss Rachel WEBB, was originally of Mason county, Kentucky, and the doctor is one of three children now living reared by them – two sons and one daughter. SOURCE: History of Howard and Cooper Counties, St. Louis: National Historical Company, 1883, (Boone's Lick township, pp. 529-542.)