John B. Greer, an industrious and enterprising young farmer near Sikeston, Mo., is a native of
Scott County, born on July 14, 1860. He is a son of Calvin and Fannie (Turner) Greer, natives of
Scott County, Mo., and East Tennessee, respectively. The subject of this sketch was reared on
his fathers farm, and has followed farming as a vocation the most of his life. He was appointed
deputy circuit clerk in 1882, and held the office one year. In 1883 he served as deputy sheriff
under Jasper Trotter. While filling those offices, he resided at Benton. He is a prosperous farmer,
and is now cultivating 350 acres of fine land near Sikeston. On October 7, 1885, he was united in
marriage with Lou, daughter of A.E. Mason, of Illinois. Their union has been blessed by the birth
of two children: Bessie and Willene. Mr. Greer is a member of the Wheeler society.
David E. Grojean
David E. Grojean, an enterprising farmer residing near Sikeston, was born in Scott County, Mo.,
on November 24, 1857. He is a son of Celestine and Mary (Jeffords) Grojean, the former a native
of France, and the latter of Scott County, Mo. Celetine Grojean Came to America with his
parents in 1834, and located in Massillon, Ohio, where they remained until 1850, when they came
west and settled near Hamburg, Scott co., Mo. After four years the parents went back to Ohio,
where they died. Celestine Gorjean married and lived near Hamburg several years, when he
removed to a farm near Sikeston. In 1866 he went to Kansas and remained until 1873, when he
returned to Scott County where he is still living. His wife died in 1884. They were the parents of
thirteen children, eight of whom are living: Sophia (wife of Frank Finley), Charles, John, Anna,
James, Eugene and Maggie. Those deceased are Jane, Belle, Frank, Ella, and an infant daughter.
David E. remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, when he married
Maggie Winchester, a daughter of Henderson and Rachel Winchester, of Missouri. After his
marriage, he located where he now resides. He has 152 acres of land with 130 acres under
cultivation, with good improvements, Mr. and Mrs. Grojean are consistent member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. They have had four children, three of whom are living: Edward W.,
Mary E. and Elizabeth. The one deceased is Jasper C. Politically Mr. Grojean is a Democrat. |
Henry F. Grupe
Rev. Henry F. Grupe, pastor of Eisleben Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kelso Township, Scott
Co., Mo., was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1848, and is a son of Frederick Grupe and
Georgiene (Wiebrok) Grupe, both natives of Hanover. In 1854 Frederick Grupe set sail for
America. Landing in New York he went to Crete, Will Co., Ill., and located. He was born on
April 19, 1808 and when young learned the carpenter's trade. His wife died in 1879, aged sixty-nine years. They were the parents of five children: Frederick (on the home place in Illinois,
engaged in farming), Fredericke (Mrs. Christopher Rust, of Illinois), Caroline (Mrs. Philipp
Mueller, of Illinois), Henry F. and George H. (who died June 18, 1887 at Oak Park, Ill., aged
thirty-eight years). The father is still living at Crete engaged in agricultural pursuits. Henry F.
began his education in Crete and took a private commercial course while clerking in a store. His
education was finished in the Concordia Seminary, of St. Louis, Mo., from which he graduated in
the theological department in 1871. In August of the same year, he came to Southeast Missouri,
and was ordained pastor of his present church on August 6, 1871. The church was organized
about 1850 by D. Bhonhardt, Daniel Ruebel and others. It now has a voting membership of forty-nine, and has a school of seventy-nine pupils. In October 1871, Rev. Grupe was married to Miss
E.D. Schweer, who was born in Germany, on February 2, 1850, and came to Crete, Ill., in 1865.
Four children were born to this union, as follows: Gustavus, January 12, 1873, died in October
1875; Paul August 5, 1875; Otto December 3, 1876, died in August 1877 and Emilie July 25
1879. A few hours after of birth of this child Mrs. Grupe died. On the 30 of May 1880, Rev.
Grupe married Miss Katharina Hoffmann, born in St. Louis, Mo., September 7, 1850. Two
children have been born to this union: Arthur, April 23, 1881, and Henry, January 2, 1886. Rev.
Grupe is an earnest Christian, who devotes his whole time to his church, and is beloved by his
members. |
Abner J. Gupton
Dr. Abner J. Gupton, a physician of Morley, Mo., was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., in
1841, and is a son of Robert T. Gupton, a native of Tennessee. The latter's father, Abner
Gupton, was a native of North Carolina, and removed to Tennessee about 1800. He served as
magistrate of Montgomery County, Tenn., for forty-eight years, from 1802 to 1850. He was a
soldier in the war for independence, and was wounded at the battle of Guilford Court House.
After a very active life, he died in 1858, aged one hundred and four years. He had never been sick
a day in his life. Robert T. was one of a large family of children. He also led a very active life,
and served as magistrate in the same county as his father from 1836 until the beginning of the
Civil War. After the war he filled the same office until his death in 1866, aged fifty-six years. His
wife, Henrietta Power, was a native of North Carolina, who, when an infant, came to Tennessee
with her parents, and located in Montgomery County on a farm, where the parents remained until
their deaths. Robert T. Gupton and wife had eight children, five of whom lived to be grown.
Martha was married to Andrew J. Harrison, a native of Virginia. They are both dead, and their
children: Henrietta, Robert, Allen, Virgin and John are living with the subject of this sketch. The
other four are Abner J., Cave J. (who died in 1872), John J. (Mrs. John M. Duke, who died in
1886). The mother of these children died in 1863, aged forty-two years. Abner J. chose medicine
as his profession. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in the Forty-second Tennessee Infantry, Col.
(Afterward Brig. Gen.) W.A. Quarles, C.S.A., commanding, and was promoted to the position of
assistant-surgeon on the battlefield, at Fort Donelson, by his colonel. He was examined by the
medical board in 1863, who in passing him, recommended his commission to date from February
13, 1862. He was in every engagement with his command, and was never absent from duty but
once during the war -when on a two weeks' furlough in April, 1865. At the close of the war he
returned home and began practicing his profession. In November 1866, he removed to New
Providence, Tenn., and resumed his practice. In 1875 he located in Morley, Mo., and is now the
oldest practicing physician in the town. In July 1866, he wedded Mary F. Crow, a native of
Alabama, born in 1845 and a daughter of Isaac F. Crow, a native of South Carolina. The Doctor
and wife have had four children: Fannie B., Mary P., Harry (deceased) and Ernest (deceased).
They have a nice home, and all are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
The Doctor is an active church worker, and is now one of the trustees, and Sunday-school
superintendent. |
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