HOWARD COUNTY MISSOURI BIOGRAPHIES (Richmond Township, part 2) ************************************************************************ File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Stephen L. Willson 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. ************************************************************************ RICHMOND TOWNSHIP (Continued) _________________________________ pg. 400 ISAAC H. PEARSON, dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, etc., a leading merchant of Fayette, and a son of Isaac PEARSON and Julia A. HUNTINGTON, who were married in 1837, was born in Howard county, Missouri, February 8, 1839, and was reared in this county, receiving his education from the common schools and from Central college. His father was also for many years a prominent merchant of Fayette, and at the age of sixteen, he entered his father's store as clerk, where he continued until 1864. He then went to Springfield, Illinois, where he clerked six months, and thence to Keokuk, Iowa, but returned to Fayette, his old home, in August, 1865. Here he engaged in his present business, first with Mr. Benjamin SMITH, under the firm name of SMITH & PEARSON, but five years afterwards in, 1870, became and has since continued sole proprietor. On the 20th of February, 1866, he was married to Miss Kate TERRY, of Saline county, this state. They have five children living: Julian H., Guy, Benjamin S., Leigh H., and James W. Mr. PEARSON possesses all the qualifications of a successful business man, and as a citizen he is popular and public spirited. He is a member of the Episcopal church. pg. 400 & 401 DAVID PEELER was born in Rutherford county, North Carolina, May 8, 1794. He came to old Franklin, Howard county, in the fall of 1817, to look at the county, and in the spring of the following year, with his brother John, emigrated to Missouri, settling in Howard, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred April 30, 1882. He planted his first crop in the spring of 1818, and continued successfully the occupation of farming until his death. He was several times called upon to serve his fellow-citizens officially; first in the capacity of magistrate for a term of years, afterward as judge of the county court for some time, and later he was elected representative of the county, and , with Charles KANOLE as colleague, was in the legislature of 1840-41. He was married to Sarah WILCOXON in 1821, by whom he had ten children - Alfred, Elizabeth, Joseph, Martha A., Rebecca I., Napoleon B., William H., Barnabas, John O. and James D. - all of whom he lived to see grown up and settled in life, though four of them preceded him in death. His wife, dying in the spring of 1857, he was married again in 1864 to Miss BROWN of Howard county, by whom he had two more children - Rosa Belle and George. Having a limited education himself, he was made to feel the need of it by his associations, and determined that his children should not suffer the loss that he felt so keenly. Therefore he encouraged and aided them in obtaining all in their reach as they grew up. He enjoyed the friendship of a number notable men, - such as BENTON, GAMBLE, RYLAND, the LEONARDS, MILLER, McNAIR, BOGGS, REYNOLDS, and a catalogue of others whose names are inseparably linked with the history of the county and state. Such associations stimulated to reading and reflection, and produced a breath of mind and force of character that raised him above the level of mediocrity. With such friendships, had he been more ambitious, he might have figured more notably before the public. The writer has often heard him utter this conviction, forced upon himself while in the legislature, that while the state has had such young men as DONIPHAN, JAMISON and others to represent her, she had no use for him in that capacity. Had he been avaricious, he might have been very wealthy, for his eyes were not closed to the many opportunities that were presented themselves during a long lifetime. His taste was rigidly simple while his conceptions of honesty, integrity and true manhood were severely exact, holding that a man who was guilty of a little meanness, wilfully, only waited the opportunity to commit a greater. His simple habits of life secured to him uninterrupted good health until its close. Though fond of home, and finding his chief enjoyments there, he was social to an eminent degree, and readily welcomed his friends with a heartfelt hospitality free from any parade or ceremony. Strong and decided in his convictions, yet he was unobtrusive, and therefore he seldom aroused ill will in those whom he opposed, though they felt his opposition to be a living force. Firm in his attachments and sincere in all things, he could not affect friendship or good will where it was not felt; hence his friendships were lifelong. With his neighbors he had no broils or law-suits, carried no weapons, needed no medicine, made no debts, cherished no animosities, lost none of his mental or physical powers until the very last, passed over along life so well rounded and shaped as a citizen, that at the end he could look back over it all and say that there was little to regret. On his deathbed, among many others, he made this striking remark:- "I have read some and lived long enough to know something of the lives of men, and can say that few are blessed as I am. Having lived beyond the allotted time, in full possession of my mental powers, surrounded with so many of my children and grandchildren and such kind neighbors - I have as good neighbors as any man ever had-there is nothing I can wish for; I am proud of my friends, proud of my neighbors, proud of my children." Such was the close of the life of one of the pioneers of the state- a sample of that sturdy, simple manhood that laid the broad and deep foundation of the prosperity of the great commonwealth of Missouri. pg. 401 & 402 ALEXANDER PETRIE. Among all the immigrants who settle in this county from Europe, none are more thrifty or make better citizens than the Scotch. They are almost invariably men of more than average intelligence, industrious and of even, excellent habits, and they assimulate readily with our people and institutions, and soon become to be regarded as the best and most substantial citizens. Mr. PETRIE is another of the many illustrations that could given of the truth of what is here said. He came over to this country, from Scotland, and settled in Howard county when a young man of twenty-three years of age, and with no means but his brawn and brain, and now, sixteen years afterwards, he has a farm of 216 acres in one of the richest counties of the state, an interesting family of six children, and is a school director of his district. Such a record no man need be ashamed of, and many well might covet. He was born Morayshire, Scotland, in September, 1844, and came to this country in 1867. His father Alexander PETRIE, and mother Isabella, whose name before her marriage was MORRISON, were also both natives of Scotland, and his mother died there in, October, 1881, his father still surviving her. On coming to this county, he first worked on a farm with Mr. John WALKER, where he continued three years. He then rented land of Mr. PREWITT, where he worked until 1876, when he bought the farm on which he now lives. On the 30th day of June, 1866, he was married to Miss Elsie TOLMIE, also a native of Scotland, and he has six children - Alexander, Jessie, Bella, John, Kate and Donald. Mrs. PETRIE died October 14, 1881. Mr. PETRIE is a member of the M. E. church. pg. 402 RICHARD R. PIERCE. In 1839, Charles S. PIERCE, the father of Richard R., came from Virginia and settled in Howard county, where he lived until his death, and reared his family. Richard R. was born in Rappahanock county, Va., July 31, 1837. His father, also a native of Virginia, was born March 26, 1809. When quite a young man, Charles S. PIERCE was married, in Virginia, to Miss Elizabeth JONES of Rappahanock county. Of this union four children were born, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second. His first wife having died, in 1842, Mr. PIERCE, the father, was married again in 1847, Miss Martha BROILS becoming his second wife. Seven children were born of this marriage. In 1876, March 26th, he died at his home in this county, his wife following him in death one year afterward, March, 1877. In 1839, on coming from Virginia, the family first settled near Old Franklin, but remaining there only a year, they then came and settled on the place where the father died; and here Richard R. was reared. In 1861, on the breaking out of the war, young PIERCE then twenty-four years old, joined the Confederate army, enlisting in company E, 9th regiment, but six months afterward while retreating from Lexington, Mo., he was taken prisoner and paroled. In November 1863, he again entered the army, becoming a member of company C, ELLIOTT's battalion, in general SHELBY's command in which he remained until the General surrendered, at Shreveport, La., in 1865. Returning home after the conclusion of the war, he again engaged in farming, in which he has ever since continued. Mr. PIERCE has a farm of 260 acres, well improved, and he is one of the successful farmers, of Howard county. pg. 402 & 403 DAVID A. PIERCE, is one of the enterprising young farmers of Howard county. He was born here May 22, 1855, and has followed farming all his life. He now lives in Prairie township, having moved to his present place, from Richmond township, in 1883. In Richmond township he had lived since 1878, and prior to that on his father's farm. , although he had been farming on his own account for some time previously. He is a son of Charles S. and Martha PIERCE, an old and respected family of the county. In 1883, he was married, February 14, to Miss Mariam, daughter of B. F. SYNDER, of Howard county. pg. 403 LEWIS S. PROSSER, dry goods, clothing, hats, caps, boots, shoes, etc., Fayette. Among the biographical sketches of the leading business men of Howard county, the name of Louis S. PROSSER justly claims a prominent place. Mr PROSSER is a native of Chariton county, Missouri, and was born November 20, 1847. His father, Dr. Lewis S. PROSSER was born in Virginia and came the Chariton county in 1842. His mother, whose maiden was Julia E. PRICE, is also a Virginian by birth, from the Old Dominion which gave General Sterling PRICE and so many other distinguished citizens to Missouri. Dr. PROSSER, since his immigration to this state, has continued to reside in Chariton county where he has been constantly engaged in the practice of his profession and where he has reared his family. Mr. Lewis S. PROSSER's youth was spent in that county on his father's farm, during which, when not at school, he assisted in farming. After he had grown to early manhood, having acquired a substantial education, he engaged in clerking, and in this he continued, desultorily, however (being engaged part of this time in farming), until 1874, when he came to Fayette, Missouri. Here he began the dry goods business, the house being styled and known as "L. S. PROSSER & Co.," his partner being Mr. Tyson DINES, an old pioneer of Missouri, and for many years a minister of the gospel. In this relation he continued until 1878, since which he has been alone. In March, 1883, he moved into his new business building, one of the best business houses in Fayette. Here he carries a heavy stock of goods. Mr. PROSSER is a thoroughly competent and energetic business man, and the success he has achieved has been well earned. He was married February 20, 1872 to Miss Mary C. DINES, daughter of his former partner, a most excellent and worthy lady, by whom he had two children, Mary B. and Paul P. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and a Knight Templar in the Masonic order. pg. 403 & 404 WILLIAM L. REED. The REED family were among the early pioneers of Clark county, Kentucky. Joseph S., the father, and Mary (BUSH) REED, the mother of William L., were both born in this county, and here their son William was born August 13, 1853. He was reared in his native county until 1865, then accompanied his parents to Howard county, Missouri. In 1867-68 he moved to Boone county, and in 1869 returned to this county, and here owns a farm of 200 acres in section 6. He was married February 1, 1877, to Miss Anna E. MANION, a native of Kentucky. Their three children are named Mary, Fannie A., and William H.. Mr. Reed is a member of the I. O. O. F. pg. 404 JAMES H. ROBERTSON, attorney and notary public. Mr. Robertson, born and rear in Howard county, where he took the usual course in common schools, entered McKEE college of Macon, Missouri, and continued as a student there three years. His father, Philip ROBERTSON, was an early settler of this county, emigrating from Virginia in 1828. The father was born in Orange county, of that state October 25, 1802, and died at his home in Howard county , March 7, 1863. He was married to Miss Winny, daughter of John CAIN, who settled in Howard county as early as 1817. His daughter, Mrs. ROBERTSON, who was born November 27, 1805, died September 10, 1845. James H. ROBERTSON was born February 15, 1842, and in 1858, when but sixteen years old, engaged in school teaching, which he followed until 1861. On the breaking out of the war he enlisted under Captain RAINS in the Missouri state guards, serving three months, and then enlisted in the regular Confederate service in company C, 3d Louisiana infantry. He remained in the confederate army, except while a prisoner, until captured and paroled at Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1865. He was in ten engagements, among them the battle of Wilson's creek, Missouri: the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, and the siege of Vicksburg. At Corinth he was wounded and taken prisoner and confined for three months. Returning later to the Confederate service, he was again captured at the fall of Vicksburg, and finally, having a third time taken his place in the Confederate ranks, was captured, as stated above, at the close of the war. In 1865 he returned home to Howard county, Missouri, and engaged in farming, following that until 1868, when he established the Democratic Banner. He edited the Banner until 1872, and having studied law in the meantime, was admitted to the bar (in 1871, however) and began practice. In 1872 he was elected prosecuting attorney of the county, filling that office in two years, and in 1878 was again elected, his last term expired in 1880. pg. 404 & 405 THOMAS A. RORER is a prominent farmer of Howard county, having a place of 260 acres of excellent land, well improved and well improved and well cultivated. He was born in this county March 10, 1846, and was here reared and educated. Besides taking the usual courses in the common schools, he was a student at central college for three years. His father German RORER, was a native of Virginia, bur came to this county in an early day. He married Mariah WITHERS, of this county, and by this union five children were reared. The father died in 1864. Thomas A. has followed farming all his life. In 1860 he went to Audrain county, this state, where he remained two years. Returning home, he then farmed in Chariton township until April 1882, when he located in his present place. He was married April 25, 1876, to Miss Lucy J. WILKERSON, daughter of William WILKERSON, a pioneer settler of Howard county. pg. 405 CHARLES ROSENBAUM, dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc. Well known and prominently identified with the business interests of Howard county, is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, one of the leading merchants of Fayette. Mr. ROSENBAUM is a native of Germany, having been born in that country July 20, 1837, but he has lived in this country since age fourteen years of age, so that in duration of residence, as well as in name, he is as much American as two-thirds of the population of the United States. Enterprising, intelligent and of a progressive mind, he saw even when a youth that America opportunities and advantages for rising in the world, not to be found in the older countries of Europe, and, accordingly in 1851, he came to America and settled in Wakefield, R. I. There he remained ten years engaged in the dry goods and clothing business, and in 1861 came to Lebanon, Mo., believing that still better opportunities were to be found further west. Devoting himself closely to business in Lebanon for three years, he then pushed on still farther westward, making a detour to Lawrence, Kan., on his journey where he stopped a few months, he finally settles in Fayette, where he has since lived, and where he has built up a good business, winning the confidence of the people with the growth of the country. In November, 1860, he was married to Miss SCHLESSINGER, a noble and true woman, who died, however, November 17, 1874, leaving him two children - Joseph and Jacob. About five years afterward, January 28 1880, he was married again, this time to Mrs. Fannie SEMELL, a most excellent lady, her maiden name having been HYMAN; and of this marriage they have one child - Mortimer. Mr. ROSENBAUM is a member of the I.O.B.B., of Sidota, Mo., lodge No. 258. He was for several years a member of the city council of Fayette, and also of the school board. As a citizen and as a business man he has the respect of all who know him. pg. 405 & 406 M. SCHMIRK, of SCMIRK & BOWERS, undertakers, furniture, stoves, tinware, Etc. The life of Mr. SCHMIRK illustrates with the singular aptness the sterling qualities of the German character. Economical, but not mean, industrious but not reckless of resources in the pursuit of wealth, steady, constant, and true, the son of the fatherland goes forward with the even step in life, achieving in the end, if not so brilliant a success as some, a far more certain and substantial one than the majority. And such, thus far, has been and promises still to be, the career of Mr. SCHMIRK. Born in Saxoney, Germany, March 18, 1831, at the age of twenty- three he came to America without a friend and without means to make his way in a strange land save his honest hands and the courage to use them. Having learned the cabinet trade in his native country, on arriving in the new world in 1854 he settled in Virginia, where he worked two years. Influenced by the better opportunities in life in the west, in 1857 he came to Missouri and steeled in Fayette where he has since lived. Here he worked for S. C. MAJOR until 1867; and. True to the character of his race for frugality and steady advancement in life, he that year was able to become the partner in business with his late employer in which he continued until the death of Mr. MAJOR in 1880. After this the present partnership was formed. Mr. SCMIRK is a member of the Masonic order and of the German Lutheran church. In character and integrity he may justly say: "Come one, come all: this firm rock shall fly From its firm base as soon as I." pg. 406 JOHN L. SETTLE. Except during the war, Mr. SETTLE has lived in this county and followed farming all his life. On the breaking out of hostilities he was thirty years of age and in 1864 enlisted in the Confederate army, in company E of Col. PERKIN's command and served until the final surrender in 1865. His father, Martin SETTLE, was from Virginia and was born there about 1780, but came to Howard county in 1823. His mother Ann SETTLE, was a native of Kentucky and was a Miss HORSEMAN before her marriage. They had eleven children, of whom James L. was the tenth. He was born in this county in 1831. His father died in 1858 and his mother in 1878. John L. was brought up on his father's farm, where he remained until 1854, when he settled on his present place. His farm consists of 159 acres of excellent land in a great state of improvement. In 1853 -May 23- he was married to Miss Martha DUDGEON, daughter of A. DUDGEON, of this county, and they have two children - Wilford D. and Jeff D. Mr. SETTLE is a member of the Masonic order and of the Christian Church. He is a man of solid wealth and of great industry and energy. pg. 406 & 407 JOHN SHAFROTH (Deceased). The subject of this memoir was for twenty-five years a leading merchant in Fayette, and a man whose life was so interwoven with the business interests and prosperity of the place that the whole community felt a loss when he passed away. He was born in Switzerland, September 3, 1810, and came to America when a young man, settling first in St. Louis, where he lived for three years. He then came to Rocheport, Missouri, but a year later came to Fayette and here made his home until his death. He was married November 9, 1840, and raised a family of six children - Sophia, William, Laura, Louisa, Carrie and John T. He died May 8, 1866, aged fifty-five years, seven months and fifteen days. Such were the measures of a well-spent life-from birth to marriage to death. But how little they tell-nothing-of the real life he had!-of his trials, hopes, disappointments and triumphs; of his sorrows and pleasures, and withal, of the worth of the man-of a character that raised him from the position of stranger, alone, penniless and in a foreign land, to that of competence and general esteem; surrounded him by friends and blessed with the comforts of home and family.;- such, more neatly would be the outline of the life-record of John SAHFROTH, were it to be written, But here we can only stop to pay tribute of a word to his memory - a man in whom the better qualities of human nature were so mingled that-"None named him but to praise;" and , having carved out a successful career in the face of difficulties, and yet having held steadfastly to the right amidst all surroundings he at last died the death of a man with clear-consciences and an irreproachable name. But his name and the influence of his life for good have not passed away, for - "To live in hearts we leave behind, Is not to die." pg. 407 SOLON SHEPARD. The "Old North state" was not derelict in her duty to send out her hardy, brave-hearted sons to assist in the great work of carrying civilization in the interior of the continent and of developing its Midas-like resources. Among the thousands who turned the front of their covered wagons toward the west in the early days of the country, and came on to the then wilds of Missouri, was James SHEPHERD, the father of Solon, the subject of this sketch. He was born in North Carolina in 1793, and afterwards, though still in his teens, was with the "man of iron"-JACKSON-in the Indian wars of Georgia and North Carolina. On reaching manhood he came westward, and made his home in Wayne Co., Kentucky, where he married Miss Barbara COTRON, a native of Virginia but a resident of Kentucky, and they reared three children, of whom Solon was one. In 1819 the family emigrated to Howard county, Missouri, where his parents lived until their deaths. The father died September 22, 1845, and the mother February, 1870. Here Solon SHEPARD was born June 12, 1825, and he has ever lived since in this county. He was married June 6, 1870, to Miss Francis BROWN, daughter of Robert BROWN, who was one of the first settlers in this county, having immigrated here in 1810. Mr. BROWN died May 1, 1871. In 1870, the same year of his marriage, Mr. SHEPHERD settled on his present farm, which consists of 273 acres. pg. 408 HENRY C. SHIELDS. Mr. SHIELDS commenced in life as a school teacher, when nineteen years old, having been born in Warren Co., Ky., July 20, 1840. This he followed six years, and until he was able to begin farming. He was married in this county, January 11, 1866 to Miss Mary JOHNSON, and they had two children-Minnie V. and Edward E. His wife died March 19, 1876, and two years afterward, Miss Porlee, a daughter of Thomas SHIELDS, becoming his wife. They also have two children- Ronnie B. and an infant. Mr. SHIELD'S parents were originally from Virginia. His father, Egbert O., was born in Nelson county, in May 1818, and his mother whose name before her marriage was Ellen BRENT, some years afterward, in the same state. In 1839, Mr. SHIELDS, the father went to Kentucky where his wife died, in 1844. In the winter of 1845, he returned with his children to Virginia. Here he remained six years, and then he married again, his second wife having been Miss Ann BIBB. In 1850, he came with his family to Pike county, Mo., where Henry C. was reared and educated. Henry C. came to Howard county in 1862, and in 1871, settled on his present farm, which consists of one 160 acres of well-improved land. For four years he held the position of deputy surveyor of the county-from 1868 to 1872-and was then elected surveyor himself, serving eight years. He is a member of the Christian church, and an elder in that denomination. As a citizen and neighbor he has the confidence of all who know him. pg. 408 & 409 SOLON SMITH, stock dealer. The men who succeed in life are those who have the intelligence to see an opportunity to better to their affairs, and the sagacity and energy to take advantage of it. Howard county has long been known to be one of the finest fine-stock counties in the state, and it is apparent to even the least thoughtful that there is more money made in handling fine stock than there is handling common grades. Hence, it would seem to go without saying that this county offers superior advantages to the stock trader, advantages certainly unsurpassed elsewhere (outside of large cities) in the state. Yet, this fact does not seem to have been generally recognized, judging by the comparatively small number of stock dealers in the county who devote their entire attention to the business. But among those who have shown the discernment to properly measure the advantages it offers in this line, and the enterprise to avail themselves on the opportunities thus presented, is Mr. SMITH, the subject of the present sketch. He has for a number of years been engaged in exclusively in dealing in stock in this county, and the results of his experience more than justify his own judgement as a stockman, and the views here expressed. As a stock dealer he has been abundantly successful, and has the reputation of being one of the best stock traders in this section of the country. He was born and principally reared in the blue-grass region of Kentucky, his native county being Madison, and the date of his birth, the 3rd of April, 1842. He was brought up to farm life, and made stock his study from boyhood. From handling Kentucky stock he learned what fine stock was, and he has never lost sight of the difference between dealing in valuable and cheap stock. In 1857, he came with his parents to Missouri who, after stopping in Cooper county for one year, came to Howard county and made this their permanent home. In Kentucky, He had attended the common, and after coming to this state, he attended the Lathrop academy, of Boone county, and Central college of Fayette. After the conclusion of his scholastic course he resumed his place on the farm, and after starting out in life for himself, he continued to follow farming, mainly until 1873, when he formed a partnership with Mr. J. TOLSON. And erected a large feed and sale stable building, in Fayette, where they made a specialty of the mule trade. They continued in this partnership until 1882. Mr. SMITH then disposed of his interest in the business, and has since been engaged alone in general stock dealing. With his life-time knowledge of stock, with ten years and more of active experience in dealing in them, and considering the success that he has already achieved, it is certainly not too much to expect a more than ordinarily successful future for him in this line of trade. On the 26th of September, 1867, he married Miss Elizabeth W., an amiable and refined daughter of Dr. S. T. CREWS, an early settler and prominent physician of Howard county. Their family consists of four children - Mary K., Paul C., James S., and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of Christian church. pg. 409 & 410 JUDGE JAMES T. SMITH, probate judge of Howard county, came to this county in 1856, and, barring an absence of a year in southwest Missouri and his course in law school, he has lived here ever since. He is from Madison county, Kentucky, that prolific source of so many of the best men of Howard county. He was born there July 20, 1838, and therefore was but eighteen years of age when he came to Missouri. Here, in Fayette, he attended Central College, and afterward attended law school in Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1860 with marked distinction. After his graduation he went to Butler, Bates county, in this state, and there located in the practice of law. But at expiration of a year, he returned to this county and engaged in farming, which he followed until 1875, when he entered into co- partnership with Mr. W. A. DUDGEON in the drug business. He continued in this until the fall of 1878. And was then elected to the office of probate judge, which he now holds. He was married June 28, 1866, to Miss Josephine WILCOXSON of this county, a young lady of the most excellent worth and accomplishments, and they are now have a family of four children: Willard, George W., Newton E., and an infant, unnamed. Judge SMITH is a man of rigid integrity and superior ability, and he enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order of Fayette. pg. 410 DR. THOMAS J. SMITH. Dr. SMITH's grandfather, Enoch SMITH, was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, having settled Montgomery county, of that state at an early day. There, in the same place where the grandfather had forced his way with rifle and axe, the father Enoch, Jr., was afterwards born December 25, 1795. When about twenty- three years of age, Enoch SMITH, Jr., was married to Miss Sallie GRIMES, a native of Fayette county, Kentucky, and of this union twelve children were born, of whom, Dr. SMITH, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth. Dr. SMITH's parents lived in Montgomery county, Kentucky until the fall of 1881, but both died the following year. There the son grew up and received the rudiments of his education. In 1844 he entered Bethany college in Brooks county, Virginia, of which Alexander CAMPBELL was then president, where he continued two years graduating in 1846, with the honors of the college. Returning home after his graduation from Bethany, he began at once the study of medicine to which he gave his whole time and attention, and in 1849, commenced a course in the Eclectic medical college in Cincinnati, which he completed two years afterwards, graduating with honors from that eminent school. Thus thoroughly equipped with both general and professional education, he came to Missouri and located and located at Fayette, Howard county, in 1851 where he has practised ever since - a period of thirty-two years. Dr SMITH married in 1848, to Miss Margaret MCCOLLOCH, a native of New Orleans, and they had eleven children of whom six are now living: Louise, Annie, Maggie, Sallie, Newland and Enoch: those deceased were Thomas, Franklin, Sterling, Alexander and Fannie. He is a consistent member of the Christian church, and has endeavored to so live that his life shall exemplify the depth and sincerity of his faith. As a physician he enjoys a well earned reputation for skill and ability and as a man and a citizen he is without reproach. pg. 410 & 411 ANDREW J. SMITH was born in Chariton county, Missouri, March 31, 1840. His father Mathias SMITH, was a native of Germany, and emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1825, and in 1826 came to Missouri, where lived until his death, which occurredin 1865. The maiden name of Andrew J.'s mother who is still living, was Christa A. RUFF. She, also, was born in Germany. Andrew J. was the oldest of seven children and he was raised on a farm in his native county, and followed this occupation until April, 1882, when he commenced working at the blacksmith trade, and is a partner in the firm of MAISBURGER & SMITH. He married Miss Margaret HUBER, a native of Germany. She died in December, 1878, leaving four children. John M., Sylvester, Paulina H., and Elizabeth J. In his religious preference he is a Catholic. During the late war he served over three years in the Missouri state militia, and held the position of sergeant in the company. pg. 411 & 412 THOMAS H. STAPELTON. The family of which Mr. STAPELTON is a representative justly occupies a prominent place in the biographical annuals of Howard county, George H. STAPELTON, the grandfather of Thomas H., came with this family, then consisting of his wife and four children, from Kentucky 1816, and settled in this county. He was a leading member of the Baptist church, and was clerk of the first general association of that denomination ever held west of St. Charles. As a farmer and businessman he also occupied a prominent position, and as an evidence of the confidence and esteem in which he was held, it may be mentioned that he was called to serve the people of his county for six years in the capacity of judge of the county court. A short time after his official term expired, in 1833, he died, leaving his family a large competence. His wife, before her marriage, was Miss Eliza SHEELEY. She, also, died in this county. Four children were born to them after they came to Howard county making a family of eight, as follows: William H., father of Thomas H.; George W., Amanda (Mrs. Joseph WILCOXEN); Margaret M. (Mrs. William MAUPIN); Theodore C., Joseph, Mary (Mrs. Neri BRASHEAR), who died in this county, and David S. STAPELTON, who died in Cedar county, Missouri. William H. STAPELTON was born in Fayette county, January 22, 1816, the same year his father immigrated to Missouri. He was therefore reared and educated in this county. In his twenty-first year he was married to Miss Evalina, sister of Dr. KINGSBURY, a wealthy and old settler of Howard county. Of this union seven children were born, but three of whom are now living - Joseph of Randolph county, Missouri; Elizabeth, wife of Geo. W. P. SMITH, also of Randolph county, and Thomas H., the subject of this sketch. Mr. STAPLETON was followed farming and milling principally, and has been very successful in both occupations. He has improved one farm and built two steam flouring mills, viz., the STAPELTON mill, four miles south of Fayette, and the Fayette City mills. He now owns three farms in the county, besides some valuable town property. Thomas H. STAPELTON is a native of this county, born March 7, 1856. He was reared on his father's farm, but attended the common schools in his youth, and in 1872 and 1873 took a course at Mt. Pleasant college, in Huntsville, Missouri, thus acquiring a more advanced education. Returning from college, he engaged in farming, which he has since followed. Besides strictly agricultural interests, he also engaged with Mr. PRESTON in the manufacture of a corn planter, which in general use, and is very popular. Jointly with Mr. Geo. W. P. SMITH he has 364 acres of excellent land, well improved. He was married May 26, 2882, to Miss Elizabeth I. VAUGHN, a native of Missouri and a relative of Henry CLAY, the Kentucky statesman. They have one child, William M. H. pg. 412 GEORGE W. STAPELTON, farmer and stock raiser, section 25, is the youngest son of George and Elizabeth STAPELTON, who came to this (HOWARD) county from Kentucky in 1816. George W. was born in Howard county, Missouri in the same house which he now occupies, September 28, 1835. In January, 1861, he was married to Miss Martha CORNELISON, of Madison county, Kentucky, and a daughter of John and Aletha CORNELISON, of the same county. She died in April, 1866, leaving two children, one of whom survives, John E. During the war Mr. S. remained at home and operated the old STAPELTON mill. This mill was the only one in the county and surrounding country that was conducted during that conflict. He now owns a fine farm, containing 800 acres, Mr. S. joined the Masonic order in 1861. pg. 412 & 413 DR. JOHN A. TALBOT. Dr. JOHN A. TALBOT was for many years one of the most prominent physicians and one of the leading men of Howard county. Aside from being a thorough and educated physician, he was naturally a man of superior intelligence, and withal possessed in a marked degree of the qualities that make one respected and esteemed by those around him. His life was an active and energetic one, and without doing any man wrong, but by his own exertions and good management, he accumulated a handsome fortune. He was born in Erie county, Pa., November 18, 1805, where he lived until he came to Missouri. His father, George T. TALBOT, was a native of Maryland, but when he was a young man went to Pennsylvania and there married and reared his family. On his mother's side, Dr. TALBOT, was of the ALLNUT family of Pennsylvania, his father having married Miss Mary ALLNUT of that state. In youth, the son had excellent school advantages not only in public schools of the period, but also in college. His professional education was acquired at Jefferson college, Philadelphia, from which he was duly graduated. His parents, however, were not wealthy, and he contributed very materially by his own exertions to the means for his education. Having completed his professional education, he resolved to come west and seek his fortune in the new empire then rapidly springing up on the shores of the Missouri. Accordingly he came to Howard county, where he settled and entered upon the practice of medicine; and how he succeeded in the realization of his hopes has been indicated in a preceding sentence. He married Miss Alice DALY, a refined and accomplished lady, born September 5, 1814, and of this union Alice, George D., Ione, William, Ethelbert, Ralph, John, and Robert-seven children-were reared. He died August 1, 1858, his wife following him in death April 15, 1871. He lived an honorable and respected life, and now that he has passed away, his memory is cherished as that of a good man and an upright citizen. pg. 413 HENRY C. TINDALL. In the veins of Henry C. TINDALL mingle the blood of the courtly, hospitable Virginian and the indomitable progressive New Englander. His grandfather TINDALL, then a young man, came with his father's family from Virginia to Missouri in an early day. Shortly afterwards the family settled in Howard county and here the father of Henry C. was born and reared. His father on reaching manhood, was married to a Miss KINGSBURY, whose father with his grandfather's family came from Massachusetts. Jere KINGSBURY, the grandfather of Henry C., on the mother's side, was born in Massachusetts, December 5, 1784, and died in this county, April 5, 1863. His wife, the grandmother of Henry C., was born in North Carolina, June 18, 1797, and here June 5, 1852. Mr. TINDALL's (H. C.) father was born in Howard county, Mo., March 8, 1825, and died May 18, 1855; and his mother, whose maiden name was Lucinda KINGSBURY, was born in this county, January 31, 1827, and is still living. Mr. T's ancestry represents two of the earliest pioneer families of the county. Henry C. TINDALL, the subject of this sketch, was born in Howard county, Mo., February 9, 1846, and was brought up on his father's farm in this county. In youth he had the advantages of the common schools of his neighborhood, and also attended one term in Central college and two terms at Mt. Pleasant college at Huntsville, Mo. He thus acquired an excellent practical education which qualified him for the business duties of life. But on the farm at home he had already formed a taste for an agricultural life, which, on his return from college, he adopted as his regular occupation and has since followed. However, in 1882, he was elected to the office of county clerk, the position he now holds, but he has not given up farming as his regular occupation. On the 17th of November, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Theodosia C. WILCOXEN. They have five children now living - Lulu, Jefferson W., Josephine, Jackson C., and Leonora. Mr. TINDALL served in the Confederate army from the fall of 1864 until the general surrender in 1865, having been a member of company E, SEARCY's battalion of Missouri sharpshooters during that time. pg. 413 & 414 NERIAH P. TODD was born and reared in Howard county and has always lived here, except about one year, during which he was in the Confederate army. He is a son of Neriah Todd, of this county, whose sketch appears elsewhere, and was born August 26, 1843. In 1864, when twenty-one years of age, he enlisted in company E, commanded by Captian T. W. TODD, in PERKINs battalion, and served until the general surrender in 1865, He then returned home and farmed on the old homestead until 1874, when he located on his present place. His farm consists of 386 acres, and he is an energetic and successful farmer. He was married February 10, 1874, to Miss Mary AFFLICK. They have four children, Sallie W., Fletcher, Neriah P. and Eugene B. Mr. TODD is a leading dealer in and breeder of short-born cattle and fine sheep. pg. 414 NERIAH TODD, farmer and breeder of blooded stock. Even before the war central Missouri had a widespread reputation throughout the Mississippi and Missouri river states as an important centres of blooded stock. Conspicuous among the citizens of Howard county who have engaged largely in this business is Neriah TODD, the subject of this sketch, and his son Chenault. It is not, of course, the province of a biographical outline to give in detail the business in which its subject is engaged, and the fact can therefore only be noted that the Messrs. TODD, father and son, rank among the prominent short-horn stockmen of the county. Mr. N. TODD has a farm of 526 acres and makes a specialty of raising DURHAM cattle, of which he has one of the finest herds in the county. His son is largely engaged in this business, having begun in 1870, buying his breeders from the best stock in Kentucky and Illinois. He has a large herd, at the head of which is "Sharon Geneva," a fine Durham bullock, of the pure Rose of Sharon breed, raised by Mr. A. RENICK, of Kentucky. Neriah TODD's father, Thomas TODD, was a native of North Carolina, and was born December 25, 1771. He came to Kentucky in 1790, and March 5, 1795, married Mary CHENAULT, of the latter state, who was born may 14, 1775. They had eight children, of whom Neriah TODD, was one. In 1816, when young Neriah TODD, was but twelve years old, they immigrated to Howard county, Missouri, settling first at New Franklin, and afterward, in 1820, they settled on the place where Neriah now lives, and where his parents died. His father died June 12, 1857, and his mother, June 2, 1834. Mr. TODD, the father, was prominently identified with the development of Howard county, and was regarded as an intelligent, energetic and upright citizen and farmer. Neriah was born in Madison county, Kentucky, December 4, 1804, but principally reared in this county. He lived with his father on the home farm until1829, when he improved a farm in section 2, but returned to the home in 1850. He was married December15, 1829 to Miss Minerva, who was born in Kentucky, June 2, 1806, a daughter of William HOCKER, an old citizen of Howard county, he having settled there in 1824, and of this marriage there are eight children: William, Thomas, Eugene, James, Sarah, Neriah Jr., Elizabeth, and Chenault. He has been a member of the Baptist church thirty years. pg. 414, 415 & 416 JUDGE BEN H. TOLSON. The TOLSON family represents a type of citizenship that constitutes the substantial, intelligent element in every community. Industrious, conservative, and energetic, they generally achieve a substantial success in whatever pursuit they follow, and appreciating the advantage of a reasonable knowledge, at least, of the information that can be derived only from books, they are almost invariably friends of education, and commonly rank among the most intelligent in their respective communities. Being usually well-to-do in life and satisfied with the conditions that surround them, they are the first to go to the defence of the state against the threatened invasion or violent changes in the form and methods of government. Such has been the character of the TOLSONs from their first settlement in this county, prior to the revolution. George TOLSON, Judge TOLSON's great-grandfather, was a native of England, and settled in Stafford county, Virginia, in the time of the colonies. He there reared a family, and William TOLSON, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of this sons. William served in the colonial army under the immediate command of General WASHINGTON during the entire struggle for independence and one of his brothers, Benjamin, rose to the position of major in the same war. John TOLSON, son of William, and the father of Judge TOLSON, was born February 3, 1791, in Stafford county, Virginia, where is grandfather first settled, but immigrated to Madison county, Kentucky in 1810. When the war of 1812 broke out he volunteer in the United States service, and was in several hard-fought battles. Among the rest was that known as "DUDLEY's Defeat," in which he was taken prisoner and stripped by the Indians and compelled to run the gauntlet. After the close of the war, he returned to Madison county, and in short time afterwards, January 12, 1815, was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Benjamin HOWARD, of the distinguished Howard family of Kentucky. Of this union nine children were born, of which Judge TOLSON was the eldest, and he was born in Madison county, Kentucky, January 10, 1816. In the fall of 1819, the family came to Missouri and settled in Howard county, where they made their permanent home, and here John TOLSON died January 9, 1870, his wife having preceded him in death eight years - September 6, 1862. Speaking of the lives they led, it has been said of them: "They both lived and died in the fellowship of the Baptist church. They lived peaceful and exemplary lives and an old pioneer said of Mr. TOLSON, that 'he was the best man ever known.'" Benjamin H. was reared on his father's farm and remained with the family until 1835. Having in the meantime acquired a good practical education, he engaged in school teaching, which he followed until 1842. However after his first school, he attended the university of Columbia in order to prepare himself the more thoroughly for his profession, Teaching again for a time in this state, he then went to Kentucky and taught three years near Boonsboro in that state. Returning in 1842 he was thereupon married to Miss Eliza J., daughter of David R. DOWNING, an early settler of the county. He then bought a part of his father's old homestead and settled down to farming, in which he has since continued. In 1859 he moved to his present farm. He owns a handsome place of 485 acres, all well improved; and besides this, he has another body of land of 1,062 acres in Randolph county, Missouri. Prior to the war he owned twenty-two slaves, notwithstanding he lost those and a great deal of other property, but he is still regarded as one of the wealthy farmers of Howard county. In the spring of 1858 he was elected justice of the peace, which position he filled sixteen years, and in the fall of 1874 was elected to the office of county judge, and has proved himself an able and efficient member of that body. Judge TOLSON has been three times married. By his first wife, he had two sons, John and Joseph. By his second, formerly Miss Sarah F., daughter of Wm. B. GIBBS, he has two daughters: Bettie, the wife of James GIBBS, and Anna. His present wife was formerly, Miss Lo MANION, daughter of John O. MANION, of Kentucky, and late of this county. He and his wife were both members of the Christian church, with which they have been connected for many years. pg. 416 & 417 JOHN D. TOLSON. Not withstanding one's opportunities in life may not be unfavorable, opportunities will not bring success unless united with the qualities enable him to win it even in the face of difficulties. That Mr. TOLSON's career as a businessman has been characterized by marked success, is it perhaps not entirely undue to the fact that he was not without a nucleus of means with which to begin business yet he undoubtedly owes more to his own exertions for what he has accomplished than to any other cause. Though comparatively a young man, he already occupies a prominent position among the business men of the county. John D. TOLSON, the elder of two sons, born to Benjamin H. TOLSON and his first wife, Eliza DOWNING TOLSON, was born in this county December 10, 1843, and educated in the common schools of the county, having also the advantage of a course at Central college: but as the war broke out in 1861, thus necessitating the closing of that institution, he was prevented from completing his education there as he had expected to do. After the conclusion of the war, he engaged, in September ,1865, in the dry goods business as the leading partner in the firm J. D. TOLSON & Co. Two years later the firm became TOLSON, PANKEY & CREWS, and two years later still in 1865, he retired from the business entirely and thereupon engaged in farming. Continuing farming until 1874, he then embarked again in merchandising, dealing mainly in hardware, but shortly afterwards added a stock of groceries, his brother becoming his partner for a time, and then retiring. In 1877 he disposed of his grocery branch of his trade, but continued in business dealing in farming implements and machinery. In 1883 Mr. TOLSON consolidated his farming implements and machinery business with the grocery and grain, Etc. house of BOUGHNER & HUGHES, Mr. HUGHES retiring and Mr. SMITH taking his place, the new firm being styled, BOUGHNER, TOLSON & SMITH, as given before. Few houses, if any, in Howard county do a business equal in magnitude to the trade of this establishment, and its popularity and influence is rapidly increasing. Mr. TOLSON was married October 5, 1869, to Miss Kate CRIGLER, daughter of Lewis CRIGLER, an old pioneer of the county, and they have four children: Louis C., Josephine H., John D., and Irving. He is a prominent member of the I.O.O.F. pg. 417 JOSEPH TOLSON, although a comparatively young man, has had a somewhat varied experience in business, and the fact that he now has one of the largest and best farms in the county, well improved and well-stocked, is proof conclusive that his career has not been a disastrous one. He, also, is a son of Judge TOLSON, and was born in this county January 22, 1850. He was brought up on his father's farm , but in his youth had the advantage of the common schools, and of a course at Central college, which latter institution he attended during the terms of 1867 and 1868. After his course in college he returned to the farm where he remained four years, but in 1872 engaged in the drug business in Fayette, continuing in this but one year; he then with his brother, John D. TOLSON, engaged in the grocery and hardware trade under the firm name TOLSON Bros. Retiring from this firm two years afterward in 1875 he formed a partnership with Solon SMITH in the stock business, and this he followed for four years. He then retired from the stock trade and resumed farming, in which he is now engaged. He was married July 31, 1873, to Miss Shanie PAGE, a young lady of this county. She died March 22, 1874. He was married again January 10, 1881, to Miss Laura PAYNE, a daughter of R. J. PAYNE, a citizen of Howard county. They have one child, Joe S. Mr. TOLSON is a member of the Masonic order. His wife is a member of the Baptist church. pg. 417 & 418 GEORGE B. TOLSON, brother of Judge TOLSON, of Howard county, and of the responsible and substantial citizens of the county, is a father by occupation and owns a place in section 17, near Fayette, of 160 acres. Mr. TOLSON was born in this county, September 1, 1831, and was here reared and educated, In 1852 he went to Grundy county, this state and engaged in school teaching, which he followed until 1855. Returning then to this county he gave his attention to farming, continuing that occupation until 1861, when he enlisted in Richmond Grays under Captain John B. CLARK, Jr., afterwards General CLARK. Eight months after his enlistment the company reorganized and was then known as company B, second battalion, in which he continued. During the last two years of his service in the army he was adjutant of the 9th Missouri regiment, which position he filled until the final surrender at Shreveport, La., in June 1865. Returning home at the conclusion of the war he resumed farming. In 1869-November 26-he was married to Miss Mattie, daughter of B. G. EMBREE, a native of Kentucky, but also an old settler of Howard county. Mr. TOLSON has four children-Rosalee, Mary K., Pearle, and John B. In 1878, he was elected to the office of justice of the peace and re-elected in 1882. pg. 418 CHARLES J. WALDEN. When nine years of age, Mr. WALDEN, was left an orphan by the death of his father in California, in 1851. Aside from the sympathy and encouragement a devoted mother gave, he has had but little help from others to make his way through life. What he has accomplished, therefore, he owes mainly to his own exertions -is a monument to his own worth as a man. And the story of much of his life is a record of struggles amidst difficulties to rise in the world resulting, just as the meridian is approached, in a reasonable degree of success. Charles J. WALDREN was born in Carroll county, Mo., October 27, 1842. In 1852 he came to Howard county with his mother and her family of seven children, his father having die din California in 1851. In the spring of 1853, he was apprenticed to the printer's trade and entered the office of he is now the proprietor, the paper then being known as the Howard county Banner. Having served an apprenticeship of more than four years, he went to school in Central college one term, after which he returned to the farm, working during the summer and attending country school during the winter months, until the spring of 1861. When the civil war broke out he enlisted in General J. B, CLARK's company, known as the Richmond Gray's. The greater part of the four years' struggle was spent in the army, the last service being in the trans-Mississippi department under General J. O. SHELBY. On the thirteenth of June 1865, with about 1,300 survivors of the "lost cause," he stacked arms in Shreveport, La., and took an oath of allegiance and turned his face homeward to old Howard. Upon his arrival home he found things in an unsettled condition, owing to the adoption of what is called "Drake constitution," which disenfranchised a large portion of the white male population in the state. He went to Illinois, and after remaining there only a short time, returned to Missouri, stopping at Hannibal a few months. From there he went to Huntsville and from there to Glasgow in the spring of 1867. He continued to reside at Glasgow until October of 1872, when he bought the Advertiser office at sheriff's sale and returned to the home of his boyhood days. He was united in marriage to Miss Bettie HOLLOWAY, at Glasgow, Missouri, on the 12th of January, 1862, and to them have been born nine children, six of whom are now living - Walter a., Jennie M., Jessie B., Freddie H., Homer and Charlie. pg. 418 & 419 DR. JAMES J. WATTS, though not of the earlier settlers here, is nevertheless one of the older practitioners of Howard county. He came to Fayette in 1859, and has been in active practice and has been in active practice in the county every since-a period closely approaching twenty-five years. His father, William WATTS, and mother, Mary B. SMITH, were natives of Virginia, and there married and reared his family. Dr. James J., the subject of this sketch, and the youngest of five children, was born in Madison county , of that state, October 2, 1818, and was educated in his native county. In 1836 he began the study of medicine with Drs. BLAKEY & THRIFT, of Orange county, Virginia, which he continued until 1837, when he came out with his father's family to Missouri and settled in Randolph county. Resuming his medical studies in this state under his brother, Dr. Wm. B. WATTS, which he continued until 1839, he then entered the medical department of the university of Louisville, Kentucky, where he remained as a student until 1840. On his return to Randolph county, after his course at the medical school, he began the active practice of medicine at Huntsville, which he continued until 1847. In that year he returned to the medical school at Louisville, where he graduated in 1848. Then resuming his practice in Randolph county, he continued it without interruption until 1859, when, as has been observed, he came to Fayette - practising, however, for six years preceding his removal to this city in northern part of Randolph county. He was married march 31, 1840, to Miss Martha W. LEWIS, a lady of excellent attainments. They had eleven children, eight now living - William H., Charles W., Mary E. (now dead), James J., Agnes W., Milliard F., Laura H., Katie J., and Gertrude L. Dr. WATTS is a member of the M. E. church south, and aside from being a successful and capable practitioner, which his forty years' experience sufficiently attest, is regarded as an honorable and upright man., pg. 419 HAMPTON B. WATTS, the popular and efficient county assessor, was born in Howard county, Missouri, January 14, 1848. His father, Benjamin WATTS, who came here in 1835 from Clark county, Kentucky, made this county his home until 1856, when he was killed by an elk on the present site of Fayette. Hampton has lived here all during life, with the exception of four years, which he spent in Texas. September 12, 1868, he was married to Miss Mary J. MORTON, who was born in Clark county, Kentucky, January 20, 1847. They have had six children, four of whom are now living- Evelyn M., William W., Hampton M., and Benjamin W. Mrs. WATTS is a member of the Christian church. Mr. W. has an excellent farm of 200 acres, located about a mile from Fayette. pg. 419 & 420 GEORGE H. WILCOXSON is one of the most successful farmers of Howard county, and he is a descendant of one of its pioneer citizens, Isaac WILCOXSON, a man who possessed all the sterling qualities of a hardy, brave and successful pioneer. Isaac WILCOXSON, the grandfather of George H., immigrated to this county from Mercer county, Kentucky, with his family, in the year 1818. He died here the 8th of November 1826. The land on which he settled, and of which he made his farm, he bought under the so-called "land sales" regulation for his he paid $8 per acre, even in that early day. It is regarded as one of the best bodies of land in the country. Joseph WILCOXSON, his son and the father of George H., was but eleven years old when the family came to Missouri, having been born in Mercer county, Kentucky, March 30, 1807. He died, also, in this county, where he had spent his whole life since boyhood, September 9, 1856. He was one of the leading farmers and prominent citizens of the county. Public-spirited and a friend to education, he not only saw to it that his own children had the advantages of a good schools, but he exerted himself actively for the general maintenance of common schools in the county. George H. WILCOXSON, born in Howard county, Missouri, November 132, 1835, was reared on his father's farm and there formed a taste for the occupation of farming which led to adopt that calling as his employment of life. However, during his youth he was given a good education, which he anxiously sought, having taken the course of the common schools and also attended Central college. He remained on his father's farm until twenty- two years of age, and in 1857 settled on the place where he now lives. He has a splendid of 565 acres, and the improvements are of a very superior class. The esteem in which his grandfather and father were held by those around them has descended to the son undiminished. He married February 24, 1864, to Miss Sallie RICHARDSON, daughter of James RICHARDSON, of this county. They have three children: Laura B., Hattie M., and Anna. pg. 420 & 421 R. P. WILLIAMS. In 1835 there came to Howard county a comparatively young man, who subsequently became one of its most worthy citizens and successful farmers, and whose descendants have since become prominently identified with the business and public affairs of the county and state. Francis Epps WILLIAMS, the father of R. P., came of excellent Virginia parentage. His father, Thomas Roper WILLIAMS, was a man of sterling worth, one of the most successful farmers and highly respected citizens of Campbell county, Virginia. His mother, formerly Miss Elizabeth CROSS, of the well-known CROSS of that state, was a lady of amiable qualities and withal superior intelligence and culture. Francis Epps WILLIAMS was born in 1801. In youth he acquired a good common education. When thirty- four years of age he came to Missouri and settled in Howard county. He later became the owner of the Governor JACKSON farm, near Fayette, and prior to the late war was one of the wealthy men of the county. He was a man of strong, clear intelligence, energetic and industrious almost to a fault, a good manager, conducting his farm on business principles, yet open-hearted, hospitable and kind in the bounteous spirit, characteristic of the typical old-fashioned Virginia gentleman. He was a man who had no tastes for public life and was free from all political ambition, preferring rather the quiet and pleasures of home and the society of neighbors and personal friends. Thus in comparative retirement, and with modest worth, he lived out a long and useful life and died regretted by all who knew him, leaving a name that is an honor to his descendants, an inheritance they have not unworthy to receive. In early manhood he was married to Miss Martha A. TALBOT, of his native state, a lady worthy in every sense to have been the wife of the true-hearted sterling man that he was, and to this union four sons and two daughters were reared to majority viz. : Martha A., widow of the late R. T. PREWITT; Colonel John F. WILLIAMS, insurance commissioner of this state; Maria O., wife of Judge HENRY, of the supreme court; R. P., of Fayette, W. T., now deceased; and Frank and Ernest, twins. Mrs. WILLIAMS now finds a pleasant home in the family of her son R. P. R. P. Williams, the second son, now a banker in Fayette, has always lived in this county, and his life is so intimately interwoven in business affairs and interests of the county that this volume, in a biographical point of view, would hardly be complete without an outline, at least, of his career. Mr. WILLIAMS was born in Howard county on the 8th of September, 1841, and was educated in the schools in the county and in the state university. In 1866 he engaged in merchandising in Fayette, which he followed until 1871, when the Fayette bank was organized. Of this institution he was assistant cashier. This position he held until 1878, when he and Mr. PAYNE purchased the bank, of which he is still one the principal owners., On the 31st of October, 1877, he was married to Miss Anna OVERALL, of St. Charles county, and a granddaughter of one of the first settlers of that county. Mr. and Mrs. WILLIAMS have a family of two children- Jennet and Adele. pg. 421 JOHN D. WISELY. The WISELY family came originally from Pennsylvania, Daniel WISELY, the grandfather of John D., having lived in that state (then an colony) before the revolution. He was a volunteer in the colonial army during the war of independence, and served through the entire struggle. After peace was restored he went to Whyte county in the state of Virginia, and settled there where he reared his family, and where Daniel Jr., the father of John D., was born in1796. Daniel WISELY Jr., was reared in his native county, and was there married to Mary SHAW, also of Virginia, of which union ten children were born, and of these John D. was the fourth, having been born in Whyte county, Va., December 1, 1820. In 1836 the family came to Missouri and settled in Howard county and here the parents died; the father, July 18, 1868, and the mother, November 4, 1872. John D. was brought up to the occupation of a farmer and this he has ever since followed, although for a number of years he was engaged in milling, but in connection with his farming interests. His milling experience extended from the spring of 1860 up to the middle of 1877, having run a mill on his place during that time. In 1877, he disposed of his milling interest and again turned his whole attention to farming. In 1879, he moved on the farm on which he now lives- a body of land of 590 acres. In 1865 he was married - January 26- to Miss Frances A. PULLIAM, of this county, and they have six children-John D., Jr., luella, Mary, Minnie, Hattie, and an infant. pg. 422 JULIUS C. WITHERS, drugs, paint, oils, books, etc. The interest of a father in the welcome of his son is a blessing that Mr. WITHERS never knew, his father having died a few weeks before his son's birth. His father, whose name was also Julius C., was a native of Kentucky and came from Danville, in that state, and settled in this county early in youth. Having attained manhood here, he married Mary F. WILLIAMS, of this county, and subsequently, in August of 1851, died, his wife surviving him. Of this union, Julius C., the subject of this sketch, was born September 5, 1851. When in his tenth year he obtained a situation as a clerk in the drug store of Dr. HAWKINS, in Glasgow, this county, in which he continued until 1863. After this, having taken a course in the common schools, he entered Central college at Fayette, and there acquired a more advanced education. Thus equipped from the schools, and with a practical knowledge of pharmacy, in 1875, he formed a partnership with Mr. H. MILLER and engaged in the drug business in Fayette. At the expiration of a year, Mr. MILLER withdrew and Mr. WITHERS continued the business alone until 1879. He then disposed of his interests, selling to Messrs. DUDGEON & SMITH, and engaged in farming. Discontinuing farming in 1882, he established his present business., in which he is very successful. He was married, August 6, 1876, to Miss Emma C. TINDALL, daughter of Thomas TINDALL, of this county and they have two children-Alice and Mary. Mr. WITHERS is a member of the Baptist church. What he has accomplished in life he owes almost wholly to his own exertions. pg. 422 & 423 ROLAND E. WITT settled on the farm where he now lives in 1873. Prior to that he had been engaged in various occupations and had been reasonably successful in all. He acquired a good education in his youth, and at the age of twenty-one he was well qualified to enter upon the duties of school teaching. He taught school two years, from 1858 to 1860, inclusive, and was very successful as a teacher. In 1860, he engaged in the saw and grist-mill business in Carroll and Chariton counties which he followed for four years. He was then offered a position as clerk in the commission house of KELLER, AUSTIN & Co., St. Louis, which he accepted, and which he filled one year. At the expiration of that time he engaged as a salesman, first with WITT, SLOAN & Co., and afterwards at SCOTT, COLLINS & Co., continuing with the two firms in all three years. From St. Louis, in 1868, he went to Audrain county, where he gave his attention to farming, following that until 1873. He then returned to Howard county, where he had been principally reared, and settled on the farm on which he now lives. He has a handsome place of 250 acres in an excellent state of cultivation and improvement. Mr. WITT is a native of Nelson county, Virginia, and was born December until 1838. His parents were also natives of the same county. His father, David H. WITT, was born April 3, 1817. When quite a young man, he (D. H.) was married in his native county to Miss Jane BATES, and by this union he reared four children, Roland E., being the eldest. In 1844 the family came to Missouri, and for a short time stopped in Saline county, then came on to Howard county, where they settled. The father died January 20, 1877. Roland E. was but six years old when his father's family came to this state. He was married October 30, 1860, to Miss Mary a. COLLINS, a native of Nelson county, Virginia and they have nine children, John C., Jane B., Sarah E., Mary I., Stella F., David H., Maggie, Mariam, and Leta. Mr. WITT is a member of the Masonic order, and both as a Mason and a citizen he is without report. pg. 423 JOHN A. WOODS was the seventh of nine children, the family of Larkin K. and his wife Mary, whose maiden name was HOCKER. Larkin K. WOODS was a native of Kentucky and was brought to this state in 1803. In 1816 he was brought with his father's family to Howard county, where he was reared and lived until his death, which occurred February 14, 1866. John A. was born in this county August 26, 1844, and was brought on his father's farm, where he lived until 1867. He then settled on his present farm, which now consists of 210 acres. On the 4th of April, 1866, Mr. WOODS married to Miss Martha J., daughter of Martha J., daughter of Boyd MCCRARY, an old settler of this county. They have five children: Boyd, Tillie, Eva, Hattie, and Mabel. Like most of the young men in this part of the state during the war, Mr. WOODS enlisted in the Confederate army, with which he continued until the general surrender. Being quite a youth, however, when the war broke out, he did not enlist until 1864, then becoming a member of company E, of General CLARK's division. He surrendered at Alexandria in 1865. pg. 423 & 424 JAMES H. WOODS. That the pioneers days of Howard county have long since passed away, is plainly manifest from the fact that so many of the active men of the present day are the grandson's of those who cleared a way the forests and first made homes within its borders. Mr. WOODS is one of these, his father having been born in this county and having here lived and died. Archie WOODS, the grandfather of James, came to Howard county among the first of its early settlers and here he made his home and reared his family. Archie Jr., his son, was the father of the subject of this sketch, and on reaching manhood was married to Miss Elizabeth WILKENSON, of this county. He had two children, James H. being the elder. James was born in this county September 15, 1851. He was brought up on his father's farm and in his youth was given a good practical education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He followed farming and stock dealing until 1875, when he engaged in Merchandising in Boonsboro. But after an experience of one year in the mercantile business, in which he was reasonably successful, he returned to his farm where he has since lived. He has a place of 235 acres of well improved land, and on his own estate enjoys the competence and independence which his industry and good management has brought him. The maiden name of his wife was Sallie L. AFFLICK, of Monroe county, Missouri. They were married February 1, 1883. pg. 424 DR. URIEL S. WRIGHT, who has been in practice in Fayette about twelve years, although comparatively a young man, has achieved marked success in his profession. He is now thirty-six years of age, a native of Howard county, and hence enjoyed an excellent educational advantages in his youth. It is to indite an eloquent testimonial to the vast service Central college has been to the people of central Missouri to sketch the lives of the men who have grown up here since it was established. Dr. WRIGHT also drank of this noble fountain of knowledge from which so many have drawn, but which none has exhausted. "On and on it flows, Like the current of a gliding river." He was born in Fayette, February 1, 1847, and was reared in this county. Having received his education from Central college, he went to Warsaw, Illinois, and there engaged in the drug business. But, returning subsequently to Howard county, he engaged as a clerk in Glasgow, in which he continued over two years, studying medicine during the same time under Dr. WILLHITE, a prominent physician of that place. The two years following, he attended the regular terms of the St. Louis medical college. From which institution he was graduated in April, 1871. Immediately after his graduation he came back to Fayette, where he has since pratised with satisfactory success. Dr. Wright is a member of the Baptist church and a prominent member of the Masonic order. He was married September 24, 1873, to Miss Carrie SHAFORTH, a most excellent and accomplished lady. They have a family of four children, Uriel S., Jr., Anna L., Nannie L., and Katie L. SOURCE: History of Howard and Cooper Counties, St. Louis: National Historical Company, 1883, (Richmond township, pp. 400-424.)