JUDGE MATTHEW K. ARNYX (AMYX)

This gentleman is descended from good old Irish stock, for on the green Isle of Erin his paternal great-grandparents were born, but they afterward became residents of this country prior to the Revolutionary War, in which struggle the great-grandfather participated as a member of the Colonial Army. For many generations back the family have devoted their attention to tilling the soil, and this occupation was successfully carried on by Matthew Arnyx, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who was a Virginian by birth. Preston Arnyx, father of Judge Matthew K. Arnyx, was born in the Old Dominion, and when a lad was taken by his father to Kentucky, of which region they were among the pioneers, and there he grew to manhood, married, and made his home until 1870, when he came with his son, Matthew K., to Ozark County, Mo., and here he breathed his last two years later. His widow, who was born in the Blue Grass region of Kentucky, is still living, and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. Her maiden name was Eliza B. Harvey, and she is a daughter of James Harvey, who was a North Carolinian by birth, but one of the early settlers of the State which Daniel Boone made famous. His people were of English extraction and settled on American soil before the War of Independence, in which struggle the maternal grandfather took an active part. The Harvey family eventually became residents of Moniteau County, Mo., and there James Harvey was called from life. Mrs. Arnyx is now seventy-four years old, but her general health is good and her mind is clear and active. She became the mother of nine children, six of whom are living, as follows: Matthew K.; Olive J., wife of W. C. Morrison, collector of Ozark County; Oletha, who is the wife of J. S. Bushong; Clarissa V., wife of D. M. Bushong; and Mittie G., wife of J. F. Owen. Thursey did young; Marion J. died in 1862, at the age of twenty-one, and another child died in infancy unnamed. Judge Arnyx passed the early part of his life in the county of his birth, obtained a thorough and practical education in the common schools, and about the time that he started out to make his own way in the world the war came up and he cast aside personal considerations to enlist in Company A, Twenty-seventh Kentucky Mounted Infantry, under C. S. Henson, and took part in numerous engagements and skirmishes. While participating in a skirmish in Virginia his horse fell upon him and injured him quite seriously. In all he served about eighteen months, at the end of which time he held the rank of sergeant. A short time after the war he was married to Miss Martha P. Davis, a daughter of J. H. Davis and Betsey (Harvey) Davis, who were among the early families of Kentucky in Warren County, of which State the father still lives, although his wife died many years ago. Mrs. Arnyx was born and reared in Kentucky, and she and her husband made their home there until 1870, when they came to Ozark County, Mo., and bought the farm where they now live, eight miles from Gainesville, on Pine Creek, comprising 320 acres of fine land, a large part of which is under cultivation. He has been a successful farmer, gives considerable attention to the raising of stock, and has at all times shown himself to be wide-awake and enterprising. He was elected by the Republican party, of which he is a strong member, to the office of associate county judge in 1882; held the office of presiding judge four years, and also that of probate judge the same length of time, and discharged the responsible duties of these positions in a manner to win him the highest respect and esteem of his fellows. He has been a delegate to different conventions, is a member of the G.A.R. Post at Gainesville, and he and his family are attendants of the Christian Church, in which he is a deacon. To himself and first wife a family of seven children were given: Lovina H., wife of L. C. Capus; Sidney F., Luther H., Lockie L., Alonzo G., Lucretia M. and Maria S. The mother of these children died in 1887, and for his second wife Mr. Arnyx took Miss C. M. Mayberry, daughter of George Mayberry, who was killed during the war. His present wife has borne him two children: Partha A. and Curtis S. 

WILLIAM G. BARNES

This gentleman is one of the pioneers of Douglas County, and is a native of Greene County, Tenn., where he was born September 16, 1831, a son of Joshua and Susanna (Wilson) Barnes, the former of whom was born in Kentucky, a son of David Barnes, who was a soldier in some of the early Indian wars of this country. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and after residing in Kentucky for some years removed to Indiana, in which State Joshua Barnes attained manhood. In 1822, at the age of twenty-one years, he left the Hoosier State, and became a boatman on the Mississippi River, and after some years located in Tennessee, where he married and lived until 1843. He then came to Douglas County, Mo., and entered a tract of Government land, where his home continued to be until his death, which occurred in 1850 in the Rocky Mountains, while he was on his way to California in search of gold. He was a successful business man, was a Democrat in politics, but was opposed to the extension of slavery. He passed through all the hardships of life in Tennessee, Indiana and Missouri as a pioneer, lived an eventful life, and died under romantic circumstances. He was a member of the Christian Church, and by his wife, who was born in McMinn County, Tenn., in 1804, he became the father of twelve children: Wilson, William, George, Joshua, Robert, David, Bartley J., Marion, Telitha, Susan, Rhoda and Margaret. The mother of these children passed from life in Missouri in 1877, at the age of seventy-three years, a daughter of Joshua Wilson, a Scotchman, who died in Tennessee. The subject of this sketch passed his early boyhood days in the State of his birth, and was thirteen years old when he came to Missouri. He assisted his father in the duties of the farm, and with his parents suffered many of the inconveniences, hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, their nearest post office being thirty miles away. His mother made all the clothing for the family, and with their neighbors they wore their homespun garments and considered themselves fortunate in their possession. He attended the primitive schools of this section, obtaining a fair common-school education, and in 1851 was married to Miss Alsie, daughter of Hiram and Alsie (Smith) Perkins, who became residents of Arkansas at an early day. The father died in that State and his widow married a Mr. Long, and located in Ozark County, Mo., in 1885. Mr. Barnes’ first wife died during the Civil War, after having become the mother of six children: Mary E., Susan, George, Hester A., Phoebe V. The eldest and youngest are dead. For his second wife Mr. Barnes took Mary M., the daughter of Matthias and Elizabeth (Martin) Barnes, natives of Virginia, who removed first to Tennessee, and in 1843 to Greene County, Mo., settling on the James River, nine miles south of Springfield, near the Wilson’s Creek battlefield. The father died in Christian County in 1868, and mother in 1871. They became the parents of ten children: Rachel C., Margaret O., Jane M., Martha E., William J., Mary M., Amanda C., Nancy E., Charlotte B. and Matthew D. Mrs. Barnes has been a resident of Missouri from childhood, and has borne her husband six children: William M. G., Joshua M., John D. (deceased), Benjamin F., Marietta E., Semerry M. All the children who are living are married and reside in this county, and are justly considered among its most substantial citizens. Mr. Barnes has followed the occupation of farming all his life, and now owns a valuable farm of 320 acres, all of which property he has made through his own determined efforts and intelligent management. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man, and as throughout his business career he has seen the need of a good education, he gave his children good educational advantages and now has the satisfaction of knowing that they are substantial and honorable people. He is connected with the Christian Church, is a member of the third party in politics, and socially is a member of the I.O.O.F. In 1861 he enlisted in the Home Guards and after nine months entered the Missouri Militia, in which he served four months, participating in the engagement at Springfield and in numerous skirmishes. 

DR. JOHN M. CASEY

This gentleman is one of the best known physicians of Baxter County, Ark., for he has been unusually successful in the practice of his profession, and that he deserves the good fortune that has attended his efforts is indisputable. He is not only honest and reliable, but he has ever been sympathetic, yet cheerful, in the sick room, and possesses the happy faculty of winning the confidence and liking of his patients, which has much to do with their restoration to health. The Doctor first saw the light of day in Hardeman County, West Tenn., September 22, 1839, and he was reared by his grandmother, the wife of Hiram Casey, the pioneer Baptist minister of West Tennessee, who was probably as well known as any divine in the State at that time. His school days were spent in his native State, but on the 11th of December, 1855, he made a settlement in the vicinity of Mt. Home, Ark., and the first season that he arrived here he made a crop. Later he taught a three months subscription school at Pearson’s Landing on White River, where he had for his pupils many of the best citizens of this county. In 1857 he began teaching in the Tolburt School House at Tolburt Springs, and later the same year entered Head’s Collegiate Institute at Batesville, where he pursued the paths of learning for some time. In 1858 he again began teaching, and conducted a subscription school at Job Teverbaugh’s place, and in January, 1859, taught a school on Little North Fork in Ozark County. In July, 1859, he went to Welaka, Fla., and entered the Hotel Drug Store of Dr. Hamilton Black, on the St. John’s River, and at the same time pursued the study of medicine. In 1860 he returned to Rapps Barrens and here taught school again until the latter part of 1860, when he began attending lectures in Pope’s Medical College of St. Louis. He returned home in 1861, and practiced his profession up to the opening of the Civil War, and in July joined the Fourteenth Arkansas Infantry, Confederate States Army, being in Capt. Adams’ company. He was soon promoted to assistant surgeon of the regiment, and at the battle of Elk Horn had charge of the hospital there. He later rejoined the army at Corinth, where he remained until the summer of 1862, when he returned home and here remained until September 4. He was married to Miss Mary C. Wolf, the youngest daughter of Maj. Jacob Wolf, and from 1863 to 1870 he was successfully engaged in the practice of his profession, and opened the first drug store of Mt. Home, a well-appointed establishment, of which Don. J. is proprietor. He was postmaster of the place from 1870 to 1877, and was instrumental in having an office established at this point. He now again holds the responsible position of postmaster. When a boy, in 1858, he carried the mail from Big North Fork to Rockbridge, in Missouri. The Doctor is temperate in all things, is a Prohibitionist in sentiment, and socially has been a member of Huntsville (Ark.) Lodge of the A.F.&A.M.; is a member of the Chapter and has represented both in the Grand Lodge of the State. He has always been a Democrat politically, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he has for many years held various offices in the church. Of seven children born to himself and wife, six are living: Albert M., who is assistant postmaster of Mt. Home; Don. J., proprietor of the drug store; John R.; Emmet Y.; Irene, Beulah, and Ada, who died when about five years old. Dr. Casey and his family are highly respected throughout the county and are useful, progressive and public-spirited citizens. 

ANDREW J. COFFEY
Ozark County, MO., is well known for the richness of its soil, and among those industrious farmers who have assisted in making this section the rich agricultural district that it is may be mentioned Andrew J. Coffey, who was born in Ashe County, N.C., in 1833, of which State his parents, Cleveland and Susan (Hayes) Coffey, were also natives. During the early boyhood of Andrew J. Coffey, he was taken by his parents to Hawkins County, Tenn., and soon after to Granger County, where the mother died some fifty years ago. Mr. Coffey remarried afterward and then returned to the Old North State, where he died about 1866, having been a farmer and mechanic throughout life. He was a man of much industry, led an active and upright life, and in religion was a Missionary Baptist. His father, Jesse Coffey, was an early settler of North Carolina and breathed his last in Burke County when Andrew J. was a small lad. He was of Irish ancestry, a farmer by occupation, and was a minister of the Primitive Baptist Church. The children born to Cleveland and Susan Coffey are as follows: Andrew J.; William, who was a soldier of the Confederate Army and was killed at Mission Ridge; Thomas was a Federal soldier, but nothing has been heard of him since the war; Martha died young; Susan E. is the wife of Aaron McGinnis, of Ozark County, Mo. The education and rearing which was given the average farmer’s boy of his day was given to Andrew J. Coffey, and in 1849 he came to the conclusion that “it is not good for man to live alone” and led to the altar Louisa, daughter of Jeremiah Hutchinson. She was born in East Tennessee, and died in Ozark County, Mo., in 1871, having become the mother of eight children: Athela M., widow of Z. T. Maritt; Mary J., who died young; Thomas J., who died after reaching manhood; Susan J., who died in early womanhood; James T.; Andrew J., Jr.; Cleveland and William W. who died in infancy. January 11, 1872, Mr. Coffey took for his second wife Rachel, daughter of William and Mary Ann Imes, who were Tennesseeans, in which State the father died, and from which the mother emigrated to Ozark County, Mo., her death occurring in this region. Mrs. Coffey was born in Tennessee and by Mr. Coffey has become the mother of the following children: Joseph Ambrose, Louisa, Mahala, Avarilla, Robert (deceased), Charley, John A., Francis M., Etha, Melissa and Albert. In November, 1854, Mr. Coffey arrived in Ozark County, Mo., the journey by wagon from Tennessee occupying twenty-six days. He rented land for one year after his arrival here, then lived on Little North Fork until the opening of the war. During the great struggle between the North and South his family lived in Douglas and Webster Counties. Mr. Coffey served in the Home Guards until the fall of 1861, when he joined Col. John S. Phelps’ regiment of six months’ troops and was stationed at Rolla the most of the time. At the end of his term of enlistment he served again in the Missouri State Militia, after which he was in the Sixth Provisional Regiment until the spring of 1864, when he was detailed home to raise a corps, and in the fall of that year joined the Forty-sixth Missouri Infantry as second lieutenant of Company I, and was thereafter in Ozark County and at Springfield the most of the time. He was a brave and faithful supporter of the Union cause, and after the war was made sheriff of Ozark County, and at the election of 1866 was elected to the office for two years and again in 1874. In 1884 he was elected to the Legislature on the Democrat ticket and served on the Committees on Retrenchment and Reform, County Boundaries, etc. Up to 1892 he had been a supporter of Democratic principles, but since that time he has cast his lot with the Republican party. His first presidential vote was cast for John Bell, in 1860. Mr. Coffey is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 496, of the A.F. & A.M., at Gainesville, and of the G.A.R. He was left a widower February 21, 1892, his wife having been an earnest member of the General Baptist Church, as is he. He has lived on his present farm since 1869, which comprises a fertile and well-tilled tract of 247 acres, about four miles below Gainesville.

GEORGE W. COKER

In compiling an account of the mercantile establishments of the town of Lead Hill, Ark., it is the desire of the publishers to particularly mention those classes of houses which are the best representatives of each special line of trade, and which contribute most to the city’s reputation as a source of supply. As one of the leading representatives of general merchants and cotton dealers, the firm of G. W. Coker & Co. may well be quoted, for the extensive trade they have built up is the outgrowth of enterprise and commercial sagacity. Mr. Coker was born in Marion County, Ark., in 1850, and is a son of William and Margaret (Holt) Coker, both born in the year 1821, the former in Marion County, Ark., and the latter in Cannon County, Tenn. Previous to her union with Mr. Coker, the mother of Geo. W. Coker married Thomas Pumphrey in Tennessee, and in 1839 came to Ozark County, Mo., where she remained a few years. From there she moved to Fulton County, Ark., where Mr. Pumphrey died. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coker they resided in Marion County, Ark., until the Civil War, when they refugeed to Greene County, Mo. There Mr. Coker died in 1865. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser, a prominent Mason for a good many years, and a Democrat in politics. He was a Southern sympathizer, but took no part in the war. Geo. W. Coker’s paternal grandfather, Edward Coker, came with his parents to northern Arkansas when that State was wild and unsettled, inhabited chiefly by Indians and wild animals. His death occurred in 1865, and he left a large family well provided for, being a thrifty and enterprising man. His father, William Coker, better known as “Buck” Coker, was one of the first white men to settle in the wilds of northern Arkansas, where he located nearly eighty years ago (1814), being the first settler of whom there is any record. He landed on White River in what is now Marion County, Ark., the day the battle of New Orleans was fought, and was well known by many of the old people now living here. He was a farmer, and followed that with more than ordinary success until his death, which occurred when our subject was a boy. The mother of George W. died in 1860. She was the daughter of William Holt, who came from Cannon County, Tenn., and settled in Ozark County, Mo., in 1840. Nine years later he settled on White River, Marion County, Ark., and there improved a good farm, on which his death occurred in 1860. Mrs. Holt died in Lead Hill in 1882, when about eighty-five years of age. Geo. W. Coker is the eldest of five children: Winnie, wife of William Magness, of Lead Hill; Edward, of Howard County, Mo.; Mary, wife of E.P. Kelly, who is the other member of the firm; and Casandra, wife of W. L. Brown, of Lead Hill. He was reared on a farm, and his educational advantages were interfered with by the war. After the death of the father he began for himself as an agriculturist, and followed this until 1871, when he embarked in the mercantile business at Lead Hill, under the name of Pumphrey & Coker. This he carried on for nine years, when he removed to Harrison and sold goods there for seven years. Returning to Lead Hill, the present firm was established, and since that time they have done a thriving business of between $20,000 and $25,000 per year. They carry everything the farmer needs, including farm implements, etc., and they also own extensive farming and stock interests. Mr. Coker was married in 1873 to Miss Ruth Kelly, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of A.L. and Adeline Kelly, who came from Tennessee to this county about 1869, and are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Coker’s union resulted in the birth of nine children. Mr. Coker is a Mason, a member of Polar Star Lodge No. 224, Lead Hill, and he has always been an active Democrat in politics, his first presidential vote being cast for Tilden in 1876. 

WILLIAM A. CONKLIN

The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is the efficient county clerk of Ozark County, Mo., and his career thus far in life presents an example of industry, perseverance and good management, rewarded by substantial results well worthy the imitation of all who start out in life as he did, with no capital except a good constitution and a liberal supply of pluck and energy. In addition to discharging the duties of his official position with marked ability, he is also the proprietor and editor of the “Ozark County News”, a newsy and instructive weekly, published in the interests of the county and of the Republican party, of which Mr. Conklin has always been a member. He was born at Shepherdsville, Ky., September 29, 1855, a son of William and Mary J. (Neldon) Conklin, the former of whom was of German extraction and a native of the State of New York. At an early day he removed to Kentucky, was married there and in 1856 took up his residence in Pulaski County, Mo., where he made a good home for himself and family and resided until his death in 1867. He was a son of William Conklin. In the public schools of Pulaski County, Mo., William A. Conklin laid the foundation of a good, practical education, and in 1872 he entered the high school at Richland. In 1876 he started out to do business for himself and established a paper at Gainesville, Mo., known as the “Gainesville Gazette”, of which he was manager one year. At the end of that time the “Gazette” and the “Tribune” consolidated and became known as the “Gazette-Tribune”, after which Mr. Conklin had control of the same for one year more, when he sold out to F. M. Kellett and a Mr. Harlin, and they changed the name of the paper to the “Ozark County News”. In 1883 Mr. Conklin re-purchased the paper and has been sole proprietor of the same since that time. He has met with success in his business enterprises, and under his management the “Ozark County News” is a pronounced success, and is justly recognized as one of the best and most reliable county papers published in the State. Mr. Conklin has ever been public spirited, has held the office of school commissioner one term and in 1890 was elected to the office of county clerk and has received the almost unanimous nomination of his party for the same position in 1894. He has also held the office of justice of the peace, and in 1890 was appointed to the position of United States census enumerator of his district. Socially he is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 196, of the A.F.&A.M., Gainesville, Mo., is a member of Isabel Lodge of the I.O.O.F., both of which fraternities have honored him with the highest offices in their respective lodges, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. The maiden name of the latter was Sarah E. McClendon, a daughter of J.B. McClendon, but in February, 1891, Mr. Conklin was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who left him with a family of six children: William B., Lenore, Roscoe, Posey, Lucy and Mary A. 

ALFRED J. DUNEGAN

Of the many men who are engaged in tilling the soil in Ozark County, Mo., none is more thrifty, honest and persevering than he whose name heads this sketch. He has followed the occupation of farming from his earliest boyhood, and as a result every detail of this line of human endeavor is familiar to him, and he may be said to be an honor to the calling. He was born in White County, Tenn., in 1817, of which State his parents, Samuel and Sallie (Speers) Dunegan, were also natives, in which State they made their home until 1843, when they removed by wagon to Wayne County, when that section was wild and unsettled. Mrs. Dunegan died there shortly before the war, after which Mr. Dunegan came to Ozark County, and was here called from life about 1880. His father, Absalom Dunegan, is supposed to have been a North Carolinian, from which section he removed to Tennessee, dying in White County when Alfred J. was a small lad. He was by occupation a hammersmith, as was also his son Samuel, and the latter also followed the calling of a potter for some years. He was the father of eight children as follows: Alfred J.; Charley was a soldier with Sterling Price, and was killed at Santa Fe, N.M. during the Mexican War; Samuel is a farmer of Ozark County; Mary Ann is the widow of Lemuel Howard, and lives in this county; Sarah resides in Arkansas, and is the widow of William Risenhoover; Rachel is the wife of Jasper Risenhoover, and lives in Oregon County; and Sena is the wife of John Price of Ozark County. Alfred J. Dunegan received but limited educational advantages in his youth and in 1847 joined Sterling Price's regiment of Missouri troops, Company B, and marched across the plains to Mexico, being on the road for three months, and fought in the battle of Santa Cruz. After eighteen months' service he returned home as he went, and received his discharge at Independence, Mo. In 1850 he was married in Wayne County, Mo., to Miss Louanza Patrick, a native of the State of Missouri, who died in Wayne County just prior to the opening of the Civil War, having become the mother of four children: Washington, who died in Indian Territory; Sarah Ann, wife of Alfred Durham; John; and Ellen, wife of William Loftis. In 1864 Jane Daniels, daughter of Henry and Harriet Daniels, became his wife. She was born in Tennessee, and she and Mr. Dunegan are the parents of four children: Thomas; Clarissa, wife of Samuel Lane; James; and Frank, deceased. Mr. Dunegan served a short time in the Confederate Army as a teamster, and two years after the close of the war came to Ozark County, and for some three years resided in the vicinity of Gainesville, and since that time on his present farm of 120 acres on Barren Fork, besides which valuable and well-improved property he owns 160 acres on Turkey Creek. All the property of which he is now possessed is the result of his own earnest and conscientious labor, and he has the unbounded satisfaction of knowing that in the acquirement of this property he has wronged no man. He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 496, at Gainesville, of the A.F.& A.M., and politically he has always been a Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for James K. Polk in 1844. His wife's father and mother were born in North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively, and the former was left an orphan when quite young. In early manhood he went to Tennessee, and was married in Warren County, and there spent the rest of his life. His wife died February 8, 1863, after having borne him six children: James (Mrs. Daniels); Polly Ann, wife of Jackson Durham of Wayne County; Alfred who died in Wayne County after reaching manhood; James D. who was a soldier of the Confederate Army, and died in Ozark County; Absalom, of Wayne County, and Henry who was also a Confederate soldier and died in Ozark County. Woodson Daniels, father of Henry Daniels, was a North Carolinian by birth, and died in the State of his nativity many years ago, his wife, Polly Ann Daniels, dying there also. They had three children: Henry, William and Fannie. 

DR. C. B. ELKINS

The noble profession of medicine affords to the student in that science a never-ending source of investigation and experiment. New remedies are constantly being discovered, steady progress is being made in surgery and new diseases are presenting themselves under varying forms of civilization. In the noble army of workers in this great field may be found the name of Dr. C. B. Elkins, who, since 1888, has resided in Ozark, Christian County, Mo. He came from Cannon County, Tenn., in 1870, and with his father settled in Christian County about three miles from Ozark. There his father, H. R. Elkins, still resides. Dr. Elkins owes his nativity to Tennessee; in which State his birth occurred in 1862. His mother, Ruth Neely, was also born in that State and was a daughter of Alexander Neely. The Elkins family have been known in America ever since colonial days and have been residents of Tennessee from the very early history of that State. When Dr. Elkins was five years old he was left motherless with a brother and sister. The former, Euclid Elkins, became a man of family and died in Ozark County, Mo., in 1881, and the latter, Melissa, became the wife of W. L. Phillips of Christian County. After the death of the wife and mother, the father married again and by his second wife became the father of two sons, James T. and William B. James T. is with the Johnson Witty Drug Company, and William B. is with J. L. Lee Tie and Timber Company, Sparta, Mo. The Doctor first attended the district schools of Christian County, and in 1880 began the study of medicine under Dr. I. N. Rogers of Rogersville, Mo., with whom he remained for some time, after which he entered the Missouri Medical College of St. Louis, and graduated from the same in March, 1885. He began practicing his profession with Dr. Rogers, but in 1886 moved to Sparta and two years later formed a partnership with Dr. John H. Fulbright, at Ozark, Mo., with whom he has since been connected in the practice of his profession, their patronage extending over a large extent of territory, comprising several counties. The Doctor is a member of the Southwest Missouri Medical Association, and socially he belongs to the Ozark Lodge No. 352 of the A.F. & A. M. and the A.O.U.W. The Doctor was married to Miss Alice Flag of Rogersville, a daughter of Capt. S. A. Flag, who was a soldier of the Civil War and died at Marshfield, Mo., when Mrs. Elkins was but a child, his wife’s death occurring in 1882. To their union four children were born. The Doctor and his wife have one son, Ralph, who is a bright and promising lad. Dr. and Mrs. Elkins are worthy members of the Christian Church, and politically he is a Democrat. 

DANIEL W. FEEMSTER

An active and progressive system in any profession or line of business, when based upon principles of honor, is sure to bring success, and an illustration of prominence gained through these means is seen in the record of Daniel W. Feemster, who is the proprietor of an excellent mercantile establishment and a dealer in produce at Noble, Mo. He was born in Lowndes County, Miss., in 1853, but his parents, Rev. Zenus E. and Margaret (Maloy) Feemster, were born in South Carolina in 1813 and Alabama in 1817, respectively. The former was taken to Mississippi by his parents in his youth, and until 1869 was a resident of Lowndes County, after which he came to Ozark County, Mo., locating at the head of Turkey Creek where the rest of his life was spent. He was Independent Presbyterian minister for many years in Mississippi, but after locating in Missouri was a minister of the Congregational Church until his death. He was a man of varied and extended information, was strictly self-made, and although he never attended school over three months in his life he was an excellent Greek scholar. He was a great reader and student all his life and had a fine library of choice books. Owing to the fact that he was always a man of delicate health, he was not subject to military duty during the Civil War, and during the struggle between the North and South he resided in the North. His father, William Feemster, was a planter by occupation, and he and his wife spent their declining days in Lowndes County, Mo. They reared a large family of children, and their eldest son, Rev. Silas Feemster, was a graduate of Tuscom College, Greene County, Tenn., and a fine scholar. He followed teaching and preaching in Lowndes County for over thirty years, and wielded a greater influence in the educational and religious circles of that section that any other man in the county, and his death was felt as a great loss throughout the State. Daniel Maloy, the maternal grandfather, was probably born in Ireland, but many years of his life were spent in Alabama, where he was engaged in teaching and planting, and where he and his wife passed from life. The mother of the subject of this sketch is residing on the old farm in Ozark County, and she has long been known as a prominent and active worker for the cause of Christianity. The following are the children she bore her husband: Mary D., who died during the war; Samuel B. and Martha L. (twins), the former a resident of this county and the latter the wife of William McGee, of the Indian Territory; Tersa J., wife of Samuel Smith, of Ozark County; Sarah M., wife of Francis M. Jordan, of Alabama; Margaret, who became the wife of Theo. Copehart and is deceased; Frances H., wife of Dr. Thomas Feemster, of Kansas; Daniel W. and Zenus J.J., who resides on the old home farm. The eldest son of the family was a member of Company G, Eighth Illinois Infantry, and was with the Army of the Cumberland throughout the war. Daniel W. Feemster first attended the common schools, after which he finished his education at Tuscom College after the war. He began tilling the soil for himself at the age of twenty, and in 1873 was married to Barbara, daughter of Dougal D. and Mary Matthews, natives of the Old North State but early residents of Tennessee, where the father died. After this event, in 1871, the family came to Ozark County, Mo., and here Mrs. Matthews was called from life. Mrs. Feemster was born in Hardin County, Tenn., and is the mother of seven children: Maggie, Obe, Cecil, Cora, Dougal, Roy and Mabel. Mr. Feemster has been a resident of Missouri ever since coming to the State, with the exception of the winter of 1879-80, when he resided in Kansas. He farmed exclusively until about four years since, and for the past two years has been successfully engaged in merchandising at Noble. He is the owner of a good farm of 200 acres, but was compelled to give up agricultural pursuits on account of ill health. He has always been a Republican in politics, has served some years as justice of the peace, and for eight years has been a notary public. He has always been remarkably public spirited and is a prominent, law-abiding and useful citizen and a successful man of business. In 1870 his father organized the Congregational Church at Noble, the first of that denomination in Ozark County, and of this church the subject of this sketch has long been a member. In 1889 he induced his cousin, Prof. Paul Feemster, of Kansas, who was formerly professor of languages in Tuscom College, Tenn., to come here and organize a school. The founding of Noble Academy was the result of his efforts, and Prof. Feemster successfully managed it for two years, and made of it a first-class educational institution. It is a fine two-story frame building 40x44 feet, with an "L" 18x20 feet, built by eight of the citizens of the section and under the auspices of the Congregational Church. Mr. Feemster is one of the trustees of this institution. 

ELIJAH FRIEND

The estate of which this progressive tiller of the soil is the owner comprises 190 acres advantageously located near Theodocia, Mo., on which he has resided for the past fifteen years, and which he has put in an excellent state of cultivation. Mr. Friend inherits many of the most sterling traits of his Scotch and Irish ancestors and is a man on whose word one can rely at all times. He was born in Marion County, Ark., about sixty-three years ago, but his parents James and Mary Jane (Millwood) Friend, were born in Maryland. The father removed with his parents to Scott County, Mo., and was there married a few years later, after which he removed with his wife to Marion County, Ark., and a few years later to Ozark County, Mo., where he improved a good farm and made his home on the same for fifteen years. At the end of this time he removed a little west of that place and after improving a good farm there died on the place in 1883, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a lifelong farmer, a man well known for his honesty, and in religion was first a Missionary Baptist, but later became a General Baptist. He was a Union sympathizer during the war, but took no active part in the service, although he was formerly a participant in the War of 1812 and in the Black Hawk War. His father died in Scott County, Mo., and the maternal grandfather also died there, having been a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The wife of James Friend died in 1867, having become the mother of five sons and five daughters: Charley, who died very young; Sallie, who became the wife of David Jones and is deceased; Louie, who became the wife of Alva Graham and is deceased; Elizabeth, who became the wife of James Tabor and is deceased; John, of Ozark County, was a soldier in the Sixth Missouri Infantry, United States Army; Susan, died unmarried; Elijah, the subject of this sketch; Elisha, who died before the war; Thomas, was a soldier in the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, and died at Lebanon, Mo.; and Rusha. The subject of this sketch had very poor advantages for schooling in his youth, for he was reared in the wilds of Ozark County, but this deficiency he greatly remedied in later years by much varied reading, and he is now justly considered one of the well-informed men of the county. He was first married in June, 1852, to Miss Nancy Brown, a daughter of Gideon and Sallie Brown, the father being killed before the war in Taney County, Mo., but Mrs. Friend was called from life in 1862, having become the mother of one child, a daughter, Elizabeth, who became the wife of Bennett Tabor. In 1865 Mr. Friend took for his second wife Mrs. Mary Haskins, a daughter of Marlan and Ruth Heard, who removed from their native State of Tennessee to Arkansas, and finally came to Ozark County, Mo., where they both passed from life. Mrs. Friend was born in Arkansas, and died in 1877, after having become the mother of five sons and one daughter: John, Jesse, Mary (wife of Thomas Mahan), Thomas, Calvin, and Asa (who died in infancy). Since 1881 Mr. Friend has been married to Ruth (Graham) Pelham, a daughter of John D. Graham. At the opening of the great Civil War Mr. Friend joined Company D, Seventy-third East Missouri Militia, which operated in Missouri and Arkansas until May 20, 1863, when he became a member of Company D, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, with which he served until the close of the war, in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and the Indian Territory, during which time he participated in many skirmishes. He received his discharge at Springfield in July, 1865, after which he returned home and followed farming and carpentering for a livelihood for some time. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and in his religious belief is a General Baptist. 

JOHN R. GAULDING

As a dealer in stock and a successful tiller of the soil, Ozark County, Mo., is well represented by John R. Gaulding, who is the owner of an exceptionally fine farm of 300 acres situated on Barren Fork, it constituting one of the best-improved and most valuable farms in the county. He is a native of Davidson County, Tenn., where he was born in 1834, a son of John and Polly Gaulding, Virginians, who were reared in the State of their birth, and there also married. They eventually removed to Davidson County, Tenn., where the mother died when the subject of this sketch was an infant, and where Mr. Gaulding passed from life after the close of the Civil War. He followed the calling of an overseer throughout life, having learned this occupation while on the old plantation in Virginia, his father, John Gaulding, having been a large slave owner. The latter was the father of the following children: Philip, who died a farmer in Oregon County, Mo.; Walthall died while farming in Iron County, Mo.; Richard died in Alabama; Catherine died in Oregon County, Mo., when quite advanced in years, the wife of Andrew Work; Lucy died in Oregon County, Mo., the wife of Rufus McClelland; Nancy died in Davidson County, Tenn., the wife of Edward Wyatt; and John, the father of the subject of this sketch. John R. Gaulding was the youngest of five children born to his parents: Frances, wife of Jack Pitts, of Hickory County, Mo.; Mary Ann, the widow of Meekin Pitts; Lucy, the wife of William Campbell, of Hickory County; Sally Taylor, wife of Lemuel Bentley, of Bloomington County, Ala., and John R. The first ten years of the life of John R. Gaulding were spent under the roof of his uncle, Philip Gaulding, and with the latter he came to Douglas County, Mo., when about eighteen years old. In that county he made his home for seven or eight years with Thomas Brown, who afterward became his father-in-law. He was engaged in tilling the soil until the opening of the Civil War, after which he served for three months in the Home Guards, and then became first lieutenant of Company C, Seventy-third East Missouri Militia, with which he was in active service in Missouri for about one year. He was then appointed to the position of county and circuit clerk and ex-officio recorder of Douglas County, which position he resigned at the end of four years to engage in milling and merchandising, which occupations he continued to follow in Douglas County for about seven years, but since that time has devoted his time and attention to farming and stock dealing. In 1874 he was married, on the farm on which he now lives, to Mrs. Julia Gardner, widow of Louis Gardner, whom she married in 1862, and to whom she bore one child, Parrot Gardner, born in 1863. Louis Gardner died in 1864. Her father, Hon. Thomas Brown, came from Indiana to Missouri at an early day, and is still living here over eighty years of age, having, during the active years of his life, followed the occupations of farming and blacksmithing. He was a man of considerable prominence, and held the office of justice of the peace, and was judge of Ozark County for some years. During the Civil War he was a Federal soldier in the Forty-sixth Missouri Infantry. Mrs. Gaulding was born in Indiana, and she and her husband, John R. Gaulding, are the parents of three children: Baxter, Landon and Mary Frances. Since his marriage Mr. Gaulding has resided on his present farm, of which he has become the owner through hard and unvarying industry. He has been quite an extensive feeder and shipper of live stock for some years, in fact is enterprising and progressive in all things, and a highly honored citizen of the section in which he resides. He owes much, if not all his success, to his Grandmother Gaulding, who had charge of his bringing up for many years, and who took all pains possible to educate him at her own expense, and fit him for the hard battle of life. So far as lay within the power of any one, she supplied the place of his dead mother, and her memory will ever be treasured by him. She died in Douglas County, a true Christian in every sense of the word. Mr. Gaulding is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 496 of the A.F. & A.M. at Gainesville, and politically has always been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party. 

ROBERT Q. GILLILAND
This prominent citizen of Ozark County, Mo., was born here on the 22d of October, 1845, a son of Robert and Eliza (Kane) Gilliland, who came from Tennessee to this county in 1842, and settled in the northwestern part of this county, near Thornfield, on a farm. Both parents were born in Tennessee, and to that State the paternal grandfather, Robert Gilliland, removed in the early history of the State. Robert Gilliland, the father of the subject of this sketch, settled on a tract of Government land and made his home in the neighborhood where he first settled until his death, which occurred in 1891. In politics he was a Republican, and during the Civil War was a member of the Missouri State Militia. As a farmer he was successful, and as a citizen was public-spirited and helpful, and as a neighbor was kind and obliging. His wife was a daughter of James Kane, a native of Tennessee, who came to Ozark County about 1842 and settled in the same neighborhood in which Mr. Gilliland settled, and there spent the rest of his days. Mrs. Gilliland died in February, 1894. She bore her husband six children: James, who resides in this county, was a soldier during the Civil War in the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry; Robert Q.; John H., who was also a soldier of the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry; Rebecca is the wife of William E. Welch; William H. is living near the old home, and Eliza is the wife of G. W. Johnson. Robert Q. Gilliland was reared and educated in Ozark County, and when the war opened joined the Forty-sixth Missouri Infantry, and but shortly after was discharged on account of disability. In 1868 he was elected sheriff and collector of Ozark County, was reelected in 1870, and two years later was chosen to represent the county in the Twenty-seventh General Assembly. He was successively elected county sheriff in 1876 and 1878, was then elected circuit and county clerk, a position he filled by reelection for eight years, without opposition. In all he has been sixteen years in office, and during that time he has successfully managed a farm, which is located in the vicinity of Gainesville and consists of 320 acres, 150 acres being under cultivation. Mr. Gilliland was married to Miss Josephine Forrest, a daughter of Samuel J. Forrest, of this county, who is one of its pioneers and lives near Isabella. Mrs. Gilliland was born in this county, and has borne her husband the following children: John H., Samuel H., Lena, Charles, Edgar, Byron, Otis and Orena. Mr. Gilliland is a member of Robert Burns Lodge, at Gainesville, of the A.F. & A.M., for years and is a prominent member of the order. He has been successful in everything that he has undertaken, and in private as well as in public life numbers his friends by the score. 

GUY T. HARRISON

The protection afforded by the laws of a country are inestimable. When the people overturn the jurisdictions of their nation, a chaos prevails in which the good is lost sight of in the terrible mobs and riots of the liberty-drunken citizens, as exemplified in the bloody revolution in the city of Paris. A wise people is that which abides by the edicts of its head, and employs agents to explain the methods of that body. Prominent in the ranks of the intelligent and successful lawyers of Ozark County, Mo., is Guy T. Harrison, who has a most thorough and practical knowledge of the complications of law. He was born in Tazewell County, Va., November 20, 1863, a son of Henry and Rebecca (Brewster) Harrison, both of whom were born and spent their lives in Virginia, with the exception of a very short time which they spent in West Virginia. The father was prominent in the affairs of his day, and at one time represented McDowell County in the State Legislature of West Virginia, and was county and circuit clerk of that county. He was engaged in farming and the real estate business, was a shrewd speculator, and at this death, which occurred in 1887, he left property valued at about $40,000. During the great Civil War he was a scout in the Confederate service for a short time. He was a member of the well-known old Harrison family of Virginia, and added honor to the name which he bore. His father, Guy T. Harrison, was a substantial farmer. The subject of this sketch was one of an old-fashioned family of thirteen children, two of whom are deceased, and is the only one of the family who has come to Missouri. He was educated liberally in the schools of his native county, and in the Concord Normal School, and in February, 1885, he came to Ozark County, Mo., and opened a general mercantile establishment, which he conducted successfully for about two years. During this time he was also engaged in farming, but upon being elected to the office of circuit clerk and recorder in 1890, he leased his property to Arnold & Harlan, and has since devoted his attention to the duties of his office. He took up the study of law in 1892, and in October, 1893, was admitted to the bar. The men and measures of the Republican party have always found in him a stanch supporter, and in the public affairs of his section he has always manifested much interest, and has given a liberal and hearty support to all measures of a worthy nature. He is a member of Lodge No. 496 of the A.F. & A. M., at Gainesville, in which he is an active worker. He was married to Miss Minnie E. Daniel, of Gainesville, a daughter of A. B. Daniel, and to their union three children have been given: Henry G., Averill D. and William M. 

HON. STEPHEN C. HERNDON

During the seventy-two years that have passed over the head of the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch he has been an active observer of the trend of events, but has been not merely a “looker on in Venice” but a citizen who has, through his enterprise, his integrity and his public spirit, contributed his full share to the magnificent development of the section in which he resides. He comes of an honored ancestry, for the well-known old pioneer, George Herndon, was his father, from whom he inherited many of his most worthy characteristics. He was born in east Tennessee in 1822, but his father was a Virginian by birth, and his mother, Hannah (Cox) Herndon, is supposed to have been born in North Carolina. They were married in east Tennessee and from there removed to Lincoln County, Tenn., and later to Hopkins County, Ky. In 1850 they became residents of Ozark County, Mo., where they passed from life sometime after the close of the war, having been members of the General Baptist Church for many years. The father was of English ancestry, was a farmer and cooper by occupation and was a soldier in one of the early wars in which this country was involved. He was one of ten brothers. The maternal grandfather, Henry Cox, died in Lincoln County, Tenn. Hon. Stephen C. Herndon was one of nine children born to his parents, their names being as follows: Jane, wife of Joseph Williams, of Tennessee; Margaret, wife of Anthony Williams, of Kentucky; Stephen C.; William was a resident of Alabama, but nothing has been heard of him since the war; Henry died in Ozark County, Mo., while on a visit to this section; Nathan was a Federal soldier and was killed in Arkansas during the war; Isaiah was killed in Webster County; Mary became the wife of William Piland, of Ozark County, and Minerva became the wife of Samuel Stone, of Ozark County. The early life of Stephen C. Herndon was spent on a farm, in the vicinity of which he acquired a practical education in the common schools. In 1843 he was married in Kentucky to Miss Phoebe Frederick, who was born in the Old North State and died in 1862 in Ozark County, Mo., having become the mother of eight children: Henry William; Susannah, widow of John McCracken; George; Hannah, widow of James McGowan, of Texas County, Mo.; James W., also of that county; Philip, who resides in the Indian Territory; Lucretia, wife of Samuel Williams, of West Plains; and Rebecca, wife of John Davis. In 1863 Mr. Herndon married Mrs. Lucinda McHowan, and by her has five children: Melissa, wife of John H. Piland; Alonzo; Delilah, wife of Thomas A. Kay, of Douglas County; Joan, wife of John Eddings, and Nellie, wife of Stonewall J. Frazier, who resides with Mr. Herndon. In 1845 Mr. Herndon became a resident of Barre County, Mo., but in 1851 took up his residence in Ozark County on a woodland tract on Spring Creek, four miles from any other settlement. He at once set to work to improve this place and has resided on the same ever since, being the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres, which is well improved and exceedingly fertile. He is one of the best known and most highly respected residents of the county, and during the forty-three years that he has resided here he has shown himself to be very public spirited. Being a stanch Union man, he joined the Home Guards at the opening of the Civil War and after a short service became a member of the Seventy-third East Missouri Militia and was later in the regular Federal service, operating in Missouri and Arkansas for some time. He was then made provost marshal, but at the end of six months he resigned this office and started to rejoin his family, but on the way met a body of the enemy and in a slight skirmish with them had his left arm shot to pieces. He has served his county in various capacities at different times, was presiding judge of Ozark County before the war, was county and circuit clerk by appointment for some time during the war and has since been associate and probate judge of the county. He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 496 of the A.F. & A.M. at Gainesville, and politically is a Republican. He has been an active and industrious man all his life and up to within the last two years his health was exceptionally good, but since that time he has been unable to perform much manual labor. He is very widely and favorably known and he fully deserves the esteem in which he is held. 

RICHARD S. HOLT

It is a pleasure to write the biography of a man of unusual personal merit--the possessor of a combination of gifts so comprehensive that happiness and success in any enterprise is bound to follow the application of his qualities to the solution of almost any reasonable problem in life. It is an unwritten law that the secret of success in life in all individual cases is the common property or heritage of all unfortunates of the human race. It is therefore eminently proper for the historian or delineator of character to review the lives of those individuals who have not only been successful in the various enterprises in which they engaged, but as citizens and neighbors have won the lasting regard of all. Richard S. Holt, a retired merchant and farmer, and an esteemed citizen of Lead Hill, Ark., was born in Cannon County, Tenn., in 1832. His parents, William H. and Mary L. (Stevens) Holt, were natives of Virginia and Tennessee respectively, the former born in 1799, and the latter in 1802. This estimable couple was married in Tennessee, whither they had gone with their parents when young, and made their home in that State until 1840, when they moved to Ozark County, Mo., by wagon, being about six weeks on the journey. They improved a farm and resided there until 1849, when the fertile soil of Arkansas tempted them to settle in that State. They located in Marion County, on a small improved farm on White River, and there the father died in 1860. He had passed his entire life engaged in farming and stock raising, and as an honest, upright, industrious citizen was highly esteemed. He was a lifelong Democrat. Mr. Holt was one of six sons and five daughters born to Fielding Holt, who was a native of the Old Dominion but an early settler of Cannon County, Tenn., where his death occurred when he was about eighty-six years of age. Some of his people served in the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Stevens was a native of the Keystone State, but when a young man went to Tennessee, married there and reared his family. Later in life he removed to Alabama, where he died over fifty years ago. He was also a farmer, and of French origin. He was the father of two sons and two daughters, one of his daughters, the mother of our subject, dying in Lead Hill in 1882. The twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Holt were named as follows: Margaret, deceased, was the wife of William Coker; Fielding resides in Lead Hill; Fannie, deceased, was the wife of William Pumphrey; Sophia died in infancy; William, of Lead Hill; Matilda, deceased, was the wife of Franklin Pumphrey; Richard S., the subject of this sketch; Joseph T. died in his fifth year; James, deceased, enlisted in the Confederate Army and died in the hospital in Little Rock in 1863, when sixteen years of age; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Clark, of Taney County, Mo.; Sarah, of Lead Hill; and Mary Ann, deceased. James fought at Prairie Grove and various other places, was captured, but managed to escape, and although so young was a brave and faithful soldier. Until eight years of age our subject remained in his native county and then moved with his parents to Missouri and Arkansas. He received but limited educational advantages, but being possessed of a strong mind and an unlimited amount of good common sense, he made his way to the front and is classed among the intelligent men of Boone County. Until twenty-five years of age he remained under the parental roof, but during that time he was farming for himself. After this he began clerking, continued this for about four years prior to the war, and in the summer of 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth Arkansas Volunteer Infantry, Confederate Army, and was made second lieutenant. He operated in Arkansas and at the expiration of his term reenlisted and was made captain. He participated in the battle of Corinth and soon after went to Tupelo, where he was taken sick. After remaining there for nearly a year he resigned his commission and came home, where he assisted in organizing a company. However it was not needed, as the war closed about that time. In the year 1867 he married Mrs. Ellen Harris, a native of what is now Putnam County, Tenn., and the daughter of Wilson and Keziah Wilmoth, natives of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Wilmoth came to what is now Boone County, Ark., about 1856, and passed the remainder of their lives there, conducting a farm. Both were Baptists in religion. To Mr. and Mrs. Holt was born one child, James B., who died when four years of age. Our subject has lived within five miles of his father’s old place on White River since his boyhood. He farmed for two years after the war and then engaged in merchandising at Lead Hill for about fifteen years. Since then he has carried on farming and stock raising, and is the owner of about 500 acres, being one of the most substantial and best known citizens of the county. He is a member of the A.F.&A.M., Polar Star Lodge No. 224, at Lead Hill, and is a Democrat. 

TEMPLEMAN J. HUTCHINSON

The farming community of Ozark County, Mo., has no abler representative than Mr. Hutchinson, who is the owner of a fine farm of 230 acres on North Fork. This place his father settled on when it had only a few acres cleared, but under the thrifty and energetic management of the present owner it has been put in an admirable state of cultivation, and is now justly considered one of the best farms on the creek. Mr. Hutchinson was born in Grainger County, Tenn., May 27, 1828, a son of Jeremiah and Susan (King) Hutchinson, native of the Old Dominion, where they were also reared and married, and from which State they removed to Grainger County, Tenn., soon after the celebration of their nuptials. They resided in Tennessee until about 1854, when they went by wagon to Van Buren County, Ark., and some years later took up their residence in Ozark County, Ark., and on the farm on which they first settled here the mother still resides at the extreme old age of nearly one hundred years. She has been a member of the General Baptist Church for a great many years, and is perhaps the oldest pioneer in the county. The father died when the subject of this sketch was a small lad, he and his worthy wife having become the parents of four children: Templeman J.; Perry, who went to Mexico with a wagon train, but as nothing has since been heard of him he is supposed to be dead; Matilda (deceased) was the wife of William Hutchinson, who died while serving in the Federal Army; and John, a farmer of Ozark County, Mo., was a soldier for six months during the latter part of the war, being a member of Company I, Forty-sixth Missouri Infantry. Templeman J. Hutchinson has been familiar with farming from his earliest boyhood, but the advantages for an education which he received in his youth were of the most meager description, for his father died when he was young, and, being the eldest of the family, he was obliged to assist his widowed mother in every way that he could. In August, 1861, he joined the Home Guards, with which he served until October, when he became a member of Company F, Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry, under Col. John S. Phelps, and was at Springfield and Rolla for about six months, being then discharged at the former place on account of ill health. He returned home, and after sufficiently recovering he joined the Seventy-third East Missouri Militia, with which he served one and one-half years as a scout in Missouri and Arkansas. In November, 1864, he joined Company B, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, and operated in Missouri and Arkansas until the close of the war, taking part in numerous skirmishes. He received his final discharge at Springfield May 12, 1865, after four years of faithful service for his country, and then returned to his home in Ozark County, and once more took upon himself the duties of civil life. He is considered one of the prominent and substantial farmers of the county, being honest, industrious and enterprising, and devotes much attention also to the raising of stock, in which he has met with excellent success. In September, 1865, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Noel N. and Lucy Hutchinson, natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Grainger County, Tenn., and shortly before the war came to Ozark County, Mo., the father’s death occurring here in January, 1888. During the latter part of the war he was for about six months a member of Company I, Forty-sixth Missouri Infantry. His widow survives him at the age of seventy-five years, and she is, as was her husband, a member of the Regular Baptist Church. They became the parents of ten children. Mrs. Hutchinson, wife of the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia, and, like her parents and husband, is a member of the Regular Baptist Church. Mr. Hutchinson belongs to Robert Burns Lodge No. 496, of the A.F. & A.M., at Gainesville, and politically he has been a life-long Republican, although he has never in any sense of the word been a politician or an aspirant for official honors. All enterprises of a worthy nature have found in him a warm supporter, and the esteem of all his acquaintances is accorded him.


BENJAMIN B. JONES

Ozark County, Mo., has no more progressive farmer or business man than Benjamin B. Jones, who is located in business at Lutie, Mo., eighteen miles west of Gainesville. He owes his nativity to Logan County, Ohio, where he first saw the light in 1844, a son of Nehemiah and Rachel (Taylor) Jones, who were also born in the Buckeye State, where they were reared and married and made their home until 1860, when they came to Shelby County, Mo., where the father passed from life the same year. He was a well-to-do farmer, a man of unblemished reputation, and he was for many years a prominent member of the I.O.O.F. His father, Daniel Jones, was a native Marylander and removed from his native State to Ohio, dying in Hardin County, where he had followed the occupation of farming very successfully. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. His wife also died in Hardin County. The maternal grandfather, John Taylor, was a soldier of the War of 1812. Mrs. Jones is still living and of the twelve children she bore her husband the subject of this sketch was fourth in order of birth: Letitia, wife of Thomas Babcock, of Kentucky; John, who died young; Nancy is the widow of Pleasant Cruiser; Benjamin B.; Joseph, who died young; Azariah, who resides in Oregon; Nehemiah, a resident of Kansas; Jane, the wife of Calvin Busie, of Arkansas; Mary Ann; and three children that died in infancy, one being a twin with Mary Ann. Benjamin B. Jones remained with and assisted his mother until he attained his majority, when he began doing for himself, and continued to do so until the opening of the Civil War, when he joined the Home Guards, but after a short time attached himself to Company I, Fourth Missouri Infantry, with which he served for sixty days, during which time he took part in the fight at Lexington. He afterward served in Company A, Sixty-seventh East Missouri Militia, with which he served until the war closed. At the battle of Lexington he was captured, but very shortly after was released. In 1866 he was married to Delilah Duggins, who was born in Ozark County, and by her is the father of eleven children: John W., Azariah, Patience, Caledonia, Jackson, Charles, Ruth, Mary Ann, Arizona, Jesse, and Lewis, who is dead. In 1865 Mr. Jones removed to Taney County, afterward to Ozark County, and for the past nineteen years he has resided on his present farm, which is one of the best improved upland farms in the county, comprising 372 acres in several tracts, all of which he has become the owner through his own perseverance, energy and good management. He is one of the most enterprising and thrifty farmers of the county, is of a decidedly practical turn of mind and throughout life he has made the most of every opportunity that presented itself, and as a natural result has become wealthy. He is an extensive stock dealer, breeder, feeder and shipper, is the owner of a good cotton gin, and for the past eight years has successfully conducted a general mercantile store on his farm. He has a handsome residence and he and his family are surrounded with all that goes to make life pleasant and comfortable. In 1893 he was instrumental in establishing Lutie Postoffice at his store, and he is deserving of no little credit for the part he has taken in the interest of education, religion, etc. In his neighborhood and near his home is one of the most commodious school buildings in southern Missouri, which was largely erected through his influence and means. He is a member of Lodge No. 347 of the I.O.O.F., is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are attendants and members of the General Baptist Church. 

KEESEE & JENKINS
That “honesty is the best policy” is clearly demonstrated in the success of those firms who pursue a straightforward way of doing business. The favor of the public will rest upon those who merit its confidence by dealing fairly, and few indeed are those who so well deserve a high place in public opinion as John T. Keesee and William T. Jenkins, the members of the above mentioned firm, which began doing business in 1890 and has already built up a most liberal patronage. John T. Keesee was born in Dallas County, Mo., in 1863, a son of Silas and Mary (Copeland) Keesee, natives of Missouri and Indiana, respectively, the latter removing with her parents to Ozark County, Mo., where she met and married Mr. Keesee, afterward removing with him to Dallas County and three years later to Marion County, Ark., where she was called from life in 1876. Mr. Keesee is still living and has attained the age of seventy years. He has been a lifelong and well-to-do farmer and stock raiser, has been a Democrat all his life, and is a worthy member of the Christian Church. His father, Peyton Keesee, was an early settler of Ozark County, Mo., in which section he passed from life, having been a lifelong farmer, and for many years a member of the Baptist Church. His wife also died in Ozark County and there they reared a large family. The following children were born to Silas and Mary Keesee: Peter, of Texas; Payton, also of that State; Isaac, of Marion County, Ark.; Reed, also of that county; Serepta, wife of Isaac Eopf; Margaret, wife of James Macbee, of Marion County; John T.; Henrietta, wife of George McMannus, of Marion County, and two children who died young: Lucinda and Nancy. By his second wife Mr. Keesee became the father of one son, William, and his third wife bore him two daughters: Alice and Hattie. John T. Keesee was reared on his father’s farm, but unfortunately received but a limited country-school education. Upon attaining his majority he began his independent career and for a number of years followed the occupation to which he had been reared--farming. In 1887 he was married to Matilda, daughter of Monroe and Mary Treat, of Marion County, Ark., in which section Mrs. Treat died when her daughter Matilda was born. In 1890 Mr. Keesee came to Protem and the firm of Keesee Bros., general merchants, was established and continued for about one year, at the end of which time John T. became the sole proprietor and continued as such for one year, when the present firm of Keesee & Jenkins was formed. In addition to the profitable mercantile business which they are doing, they also deal in cotton and stock and carry on farming. Mr. Keesee is a member of Claflin Lodge No. 229, of the A.F. & A.M., is a Democrat politically, his first vote being cast for Cleveland in 1888, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church. William M. Jenkins, a member of the firm of Keesee & Jenkins, of Protem, Mo., was born in Marion County, Ark., in 1862, his parents, Elder W. C. and Mary C. (Gray) Jenkins, having been born in Tennessee. Their family consisted of the following children: Joshua Star, deceased; Mary E., wife of Thomas H. Flippin; George W., of Marion County, Ark.; Ellen, deceased; William M.; James Perry, deceased; John Henry and Jared, of Marion County; Maggie, wife of Payton Chaffin, of Marion County, and Julia, deceased. The birth of Rev. W. C. Jenkins occurred May 16, 1828, near Dodd City, in Washington County, Tenn., his parents having been George Washington and Mary (Hodges) Jenkins, also natives of Washington County, Tenn., where they spent all their lives. George W. Jenkins was a teacher and farmer, and a son of Aaron Jenkins, a Virginian by birth, but one of the pioneer settlers of Washington County, Tenn., where he, in due course of time, passed from life. The latter’s father, George Jenkins, is supposed to have come from England. He first resided for some time near Baltimore, Md., then removed to Virginia, and finally to Tennessee, where he died. The maternal grandfather of William M. Jenkins, Howell Hodges, is supposed to have been born in Washington County, Tenn., and was a soldier with Gen. Jackson at the battle of Horseshoe Bend. Rev. W. C. Jenkins was the eldest of nine children born to his parents, and is one of the three surviving members of the family. His early life was spent in the labors of the farm, and he was fortunate enough to secure a good common-school education. January 25, 1849, he was married to Mary, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth (Davidson) Gray, both of whom were born, reared, and died in Tennessee. In 1855 Rev. Jenkins removed to St. Francis County, Ark., thence to Kentucky two years later, and in 1860 to Marion County, Ark., where he has since made his home, carrying on farming on a small scale. For the past twenty-five years he has been a regularly ordained minister of the Christian Church, and during this time his influence has been for good, and he has been a faithful laborer in the vineyard of his Master. He served Marion County in the capacity of deputy sheriff for some time after the war, and for a period of six months was sheriff by appointment. During the last year of the war he served as orderly sergeant of Company F, in Jo Shelby’s command. He is a member of Yellville Lodge No. 117, of the A.F. & A.M. The early life of William M. Jenkins was not characterized by any particular event, for he was reared to the monotonous, if useful, duties of farming and received but few educational advantages. In 1883 he was married to Susan Treat, a sister of Mrs. Keesee. She was born in Dade County, Mo., and by Mr. Jenkins is the mother of three children: Mary Elsie, Albert and Ethel (deceased). Mr. Jenkins followed farming in Marion County until 1892, since which time he has been in his present business and is doing well. He has always been a Democrat in politics, and for four years was deputy sheriff of Marion County under C. C. Poynter, from 1888 to 1892. He and his wife are worthy members of the Christian Church.

ALEXANDER C. KISSEE

A descendant of good old Virginia stock, Mr. Kissee inherited the fundamental principles of industry, integrity and determination of purpose which became the attributes of his whole after life. He is a native of the Prairie State, born in Edgar County November 2, 1834, and the son of Arter and Ufins (Bledsoe) Kissee and grandson of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Weddill) Kissee. The grandparents were both natives of the Old Dominion and early settlers of Kentucky, where they passed their latter days, the grandfather living to be over one hundred years. The great-grandfather, Stoball Kissee, was a native of Virginia, but it is thought was of French descent. The family emigrated from Kentucky, to Indiana, and thence to Illinois, but later returned to Indiana, and settled in the northwest part of the State, where the father of our subject took up land. He was born in Pulaski County, Ky., in 1810, and was married in Kentucky, to Miss Bledsoe, who was born in North Carolina, October 14, 1805. Mr. Kissee made his home in Indiana, until 1846 and then came to what is now Christian County, settling on Swan Creek, and later near Ozark. Thence he moved to Sparta and there passed the remainder of his days, dying in 1887. Formerly a Whig in politics he espoused the principles of the Republican party later, and was obliged to leave home on account of his political views. He served eight months in the twenty-fourth Missouri Infantry, and was in a number of skirmishes in this section. He was well known in southwest Missouri, and by his industry and good management became the owner of much valuable property. He reared a family of eight children as follows, Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Jacob Propes, of Indiana; Mary J., residing in Christian County, is the widow of Milton Eldridge, Willis was a soldier in the Civil War and fought all over the southwest country; he commanded a company in guerrilla fighting and was noted as a brave and valiant soldier; he returned to his farm in Taney County, became well and favorably known all over the section, and accumulated considerable wealth; later, he moved from Taney County, to Colorado, and engaged in mining, but was also in the liquor business; he was shot and killed by a man named Kellogg, whom he killed at the same time; during his time, as a soldier he killed thirty-two guerrilllas, Alexander C. our subject; Nancy Jane was married four times, died a number of years ago; Sylvanus, who is living three miles northeast of Sparta, in Christian County, is married and has a family; he was a soldier in the Union Army during the Rebellion and was in twenty-six engagements, Caroline, is the widow of Steven Bolar; George W., who is living in Ozark County, volunteered with his father in the army and was a good soldier, fighting in twenty-seven engagements. Mrs. Kissee's parents, Benjamin and Elizabeth (Morton) Bledsoe, were early pioneers of Kentucky. Mrs. Kissee died in 1878, and was a worthy member of the Christian Church. Mr. Kissee was a member of no church. The youthful days of our subject were spent in Indiana, attending the early schools, but he learned to read, write and figure by his own efforts. When a young man of twenty he started out for himself, splitting rails at 55 cents per hundred. On January 21, 1855, he was married to Miss Catherine McHaffie, daughter of David McHaffie, who was born in Springfield, Mo., on December 15, 1837. Ten children were born to this marriage, six of whom survive: David, died when two years of age; Arter is married and has a family of three children, and is in the mill business with his father, Mary U. married C.C. Casey of Kissee Mills, Catherine G. married James K. Davis, a farmer of the Indian Nation; Elizabeth J. is the wife of William R. Stuart, a farmer of Kissee Mills; Julia A., wife of James R. Wyatt, resides in Kissee Mills; Schuyler C. is a farmer and is with his father in the store at Kissee Mills. He is married; Abraham L., Emily and a daughter who died in infancy, when the mother died, January 15, 1876. Our subject's second marriage was with Miss Cordelia Davis, daughter of Louis and Nancy C. (Hammer) Davis, both of whom were natives of Greene County, Mo. The Grandfather, John L. Davis, was a native of Tennessee, as was also Grandfather Hammer. The Davis family came to Taney County at an early date and settled near Kissee Mills, where the father and mother died in 1887. Nine children were born to them, five of whom are living: Susan T., wife of Spenser Tate; James K., resident of the Indian Nation; William S., living in Arkansas; Louis B., residing in Arkansas, and Frances, who died when fifteen years of age. The remainder of the children died young. Mrs. Kissee was born in Greene County, Mo., March 12, 1861, and was seven years of age when the family came to this county. She married Mr. Kissee in 1876, when fifteen years of age. Eleven children were born to this union: Alexander, Ulysses S. G., William S. and Robert L. (twins), Cordelia, Hiram Obiff, (deceased), Alfred C., Benjamin H., Ethel and two daughters who died young and were not named. The six eldest children died young, but four were named. Our subject came to Kissee Mills in 1869, and is now the owner of a large tract of land, all well improved, and also the owner of the old home in Christian County, where the father lived many years. 

JUDGE W. W. LUNA

Ozark County, Mo., is an Eden of fine farms and agricultural tracts. There are comparatively few very small tracts, and each farmer tries to outdo his neighbor in the cultivation and improvement of his land. Of the many fine, attractive places none are more conspicuous than that belonging to Judge W. W. Luna, comprising 280 acres of fine bottom land, of which he has been the owner since 1883. The place is well improved, is principally river bottom land, and everything about his estate indicates to the beholder that a thorough and experienced hand is at the helm. Judge Luna was born in Marshall County, Tenn., December 11, 1852, a son of Elisha and Eliza (Gray) Luna, who were also born in Marshall County, Tenn. The father served throughout the Mexican War under Gen. Taylor, attained the rank of third sergeant, but lost his eyesight during the latter part of the war from becoming overheated. He has now been blind for about thirty-five years. He came to Ozark County, Mo., in 1855, opened up a farm on Pine Creek and has made his home there up to the present time, being now in his seventy-fifth year. He has always supported the principles of the Republican party, and his sons are stanch supporters of that party also. To him and his wife a family of sixteen children were given, all of whom are living, with one exception: Harriet, wife of H. N. Shepherd of this county; Nancy (Mrs. Upton) resides in the Choctaw Nation; Linnie (Upton) resides in this county; John T. resides here; James died in 1890 in this county, having been a soldier of the Civil War; Eliza (Mrs. Cochran) lives in this county; R. T. is living near Dora, Mo.; P. P. resides on Bryant Creek, this county; E. J. is a resident of this county; W. W., the subject of this sketch; A. H. lives here; S. P. lives near Dora; A. C. resides on Cane Creek; M. J. lives on Pine Creek; L. C. lives with his father on Pine Creek; and Amelia lives near Dora. The subject of this sketch was but a lad when his parents became residents of this county, and here he obtained a fair education in the common schools. He was married in this county to Miss Sarah Patrick, a daughter of Dr. Patrick, one of the pioneer physicians of the county, who died in 1883, and in time the following family gathered about their hearthstone: Tesley, Lizzie, Austin, Everett, Arthur and Agnes. Four children are deceased: Samuel, Homer, Leonard and Alton. Judge Luna has always been a Republican in politics, and in 1890 was elected to the office of probate judge, and at the present time is a candidate for the office of county sheriff, with every promise of being elected. He is a substantial citizen, public-spirited and law-abiding, and he and his wife are attendants of and members of the Christian Church. 

B.V. MORRIS

He whose name heads this sketch is not only a gentleman in every sense of the word, but as a business man is shrewd, practical and far-seeing, well qualified to discharge the necessary duties of life and well adapted to the active life he has led. He was born October 4, 1848, a son of Isaiah and Mary A. (Vaughn) Morris, both of whom were born in the Buckeye State, the former being a native of Columbiana County, and a son of Abraham and Mary (Heisler) Morris. Abraham Morris was born in New Jersey, in which State the family settled during the days of the Revolutionary War, the great-grandfather being a Hessian soldier. From Ohio Isaiah Morris moved to Iowa in 1851, and after residing in Benton County until 1872 he came to Ozark County, Mo., and for some time made his home in Rockbridge, taking up his residence in Jasper County the following year, where he is now living retired from the active duties of life. He followed various occupations throughout life, but was extensively engaged in the real estate business, at which he acquired a handsome competency. He served for some time in the Forty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry. In 1856 his wife died, she having been a daughter of James and Rhoda Vaughn, who belonged to one of the oldest families of Virginia, in which State they were born. B. V. Morris was the eldest of three children born to his parents, the other members being Harriette and William P., who died young, but he has one half-brother, Oliver B., who is a resident of Joplin, Mo. His early days were spent in attending the common schools of Iowa, during which time he gained a good business education. At an early age he began serving an apprenticeship at the tinsmith business, but after locating with his father at Rockbridge, Mo., in 1872, he turned his attention to merchandising, but two years later returned to Iowa. After remaining in that State one year he once more returned to Missouri and is now, in a modest way, engaged in merchandising, but as he is a man of determination, push and enterprise, coupled with the strictest honesty, he will without doubt make a success of his undertaking, for he is already being liberally patronized, and is doing the largest business of the kind in the county, amounting to about $30,000 per year. He keeps a general line of goods and is quite an extensive dealer in agricultural implements, making a specialty of the famous South Bend (Ind.) plow. He has just completed a commodious store building 48x90 feet. It is a splendidly finished two-story glass front building, and has one room 24x60 feet fitted up as a public hall, to be used by the public free of charge. He is the owner of a saw mill which has a capacity of 5,000 feet, and a grist mill which has a capacity of fifty barrels per day, the latter being fitted up with three sets of double rollers, which makes it a strictly first-class plant. His was the first roller mill put up in the county, and in connection with it he successfully operates a corn meal mill. His brands of flour are very popular and are known as the “Choice Family” and the “Gold Dust”. He is the proprietor of an excellent cotton gin which has a capacity of seven bales per day, and considering the different occupations in which he is engaged he is doing the largest business of any one man in the county. He is the pioneer merchant of Rockbridge, is one of the most active business men in southern Missouri, and as his place of business is about eighteen miles from Gainesville, his patronage extends over a large tract of country. He has always been an active Republican in politics, held the office of county treasurer from 1880 to 1882, and has been the postmaster of Rockbridge for quite a number of years under both Republican and Democratic rule. Socially he is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 496, of the A.F. & A.M., at Gainesville, and has been a member of the I.O.O.F. He was married in Iowa to Miss Alfaretta, daughter of Aaron and Sinah Shinn, natives of Ohio, the former being now deceased, and their union was celebrated in 1869. A year later his wife died, and in 1872 he married Eliza J., daughter of Joseph and Sarah A. (Putney) Shelley, the former of whom was born in the Old North State and was an early settler of Indiana, from which State he removed to Iowa County, Iowa, in 1855, where he and his wife both passed from life. Mrs. Morris was born in Indiana, but was reared in Iowa. Her grandfather, John Putney, as well as his wife, were natives of France, but were early emigrants to Virginia, and from that State he enlisted in the War of 1812. He was a first cousin of Commodore Perry. Mrs. Morris was the tenth of eleven children born to her parents, only four of whom survive: Mrs. Morris; William D., in California, was a “Forty-niner” as was also his father; Bartlet, also a resident of California, and Rebecca (Webster) of Nebraska. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have four children: Edgar, Frank, Alta and Allie. Edgar is now twenty-one years old and has charge of his father’s flouring mill. In August, 1884, Mr. Morris lost heavily by fire, his property not being insured, after which he had to start anew, but owing to the confidence which the people had in his capability and honesty, he was encouraged to again engage in business, and the magnificent property of which he is now the owner testifies to his good judgment. From 1876 to 1889 he was associated in business with W. F. Dunn. 

WILLIAM C. MORRISON

This gentleman is the efficient collector of Ozark County, Mo., a position he has held since 1889, and from 1887 to 1888 he discharged the duties of county assessor. He owes his nativity to the Blue Grass State, his birth occurring in Barren County, June 10, 1842, his parents, Joseph S. and Nancy J. (Low) Morrison, being also natives of that State. The paternal grandfather, Steptoe Morrison, was a native of the Palmetto State, but was an early emigrant to Barren county, Ky., and later to Arkansas, in which State he spent his last days. Solomon Low, the maternal grandfather, was a Virginian, and became a pioneer settler in Barren County, Ky. Joseph S. Morrison was born in 1826 or 1827, and when the Civil War came up he enlisted in the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, and being a skillful blacksmith, he was made chief of the blacksmith corps of his regiment. He served from July, 1861, until his death which occurred at Nashville, Tenn., in 1863, having proved himself a brave, faithful and conscientious soldier. He was a Master Mason, was a stanch Republican in politics, and was a man of unblemished reputation. His widow died in Barren County, Ky., in 1886, having become the mother of eight children: William C.; Sarah E., who died at the age of fifteen years; John, who also died young; Abigail resides in Barren County, Ky., and is the wife of R. Rinick; Martha A. became the wife of John T. Fords, and died in Barren County, in 1892; Solomon M. is a resident of Metcalf County, Ky., and the two other children died in infancy. William C. Morrison passed the early years of his life in Kentucky, and at the age of nineteen years became a soldier of the Civil War, and served from May until October, when he was honorably discharged. He was married in Kentucky to Miss J. Arnyx, a daughter of Preston Arnyx, and sister of Judge Arnyx. Mr. Morrison came to Ozark County, Mo., in December, 1870, and located about four miles above the mouth of Pine Creek, on a farm, and after making several changes he came to the fine farm of 500 acres on which he now lives and turned his attention to farming and stock trading, to which he has devoted his attention up to the present time. In the conduct of his affairs he is decidedly progressive in his views, is thrifty, pushing and industrious, and as a natural result is in possession of a fair share of this world’s goods. He has always been a pronounced Republican, has always taken a deep interest in the political affairs of his section, is a patron of education, and he and wife are active members of the Christian Church. He is in every particular a self-made man, for he began life for himself with no means whatever, and is one of the intelligent and well-to-do citizens of the county. He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 496, of the A.F.&A.M., at Gainesville. The children born to himself and wife are as follows: Marcella E. is the wife of Paul Patrick; Cornelia F. is the wife of George B. Hunt; U.H. is engaged in tilling the soil on a farm near his father; Joseph P. is a farmer of the county; Nancy B., Aaron P., Aurora B. and Izora, at home.


GEORGE W. OSBURN, M.D.

The life of the popular, successful physician is one of incessant toil, self-denial and care, yet all true followers of the “healing art” strive to attain prominence in their profession, regardless of added burdens which will rest upon their shoulders. Such a man is George W. Osburn, who was born in Gwinnett County, Ga., November 15, 1841, a son of Ectyl and Cynthia (Nelson) Osburn. George W. attended the common schools of Georgia, was brought up to the healthy and useful life of the farmer, and when the great Civil War came up was forced into the Confederate service, but shortly after managed to make his escape and refugeed to Ohio, making his home in Cincinnati from 1863 to 1864, when he went to Chicago, later to the city of New York, and then back again to Chicago, where he made his home until 1868. He was engaged in carpentering and helped to build many of the early houses of that city. In 1868 he became a resident of Berry County, Mo., but two years later located at Thornfield, in Ozark County, and in 1871 on the farm where he now lives in Douglas County, ten miles south of Ava. His farm consists of 690 acres, and he has now 200 acres under cultivation, although but small improvement had been made on the place at the time of his purchase. His farm is an exceptionally valuable one, and is especially well adapted to stock raising, to which much of his attention is devoted. In 1868 he began the study of medicine with his brother Dr. M. H. Osburn, and in 1871 began practicing that profession in Douglas County, and has met with a more than ordinary degree of success. He has had many very difficult cases under his control, has handled them with skill and ability, and is a very popular practitioner in the south and west part of the county and in Ozark County. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics, has held the office of coroner for several years, and is popular with his party. He was married in July, 1872, to Miss Mary E. Gilliland, a daughter of S. L. and Mary (Grithfus) Gilliland, who were born in Tennessee, the former being a son of Alexander Gilliland, a native of South Carolina, who was probably a soldier in the War of 1812. The Gillilands are of Scotch-Irish descent and the family is an old one in this country. Mrs. Osburn’s maternal grandfather, John Grithfus, was a South Carolinian also, and at a very early day located in Greene County, Mo., where he died in 1841. Mrs. Osburn had one sister, Sarah, who was the wife of N. S. Imes, of Greene County, but she and her husband are both dead. After the death of Mr. Gilliland, his widow married T. J. Hawkins, who is living in Stone County, Mo., and died in 1856, after having borne Mr. Hawkins one child, George. Mrs. Osburn was reared and educated in Greene County, and has borne her husband five children: Minnie, born October 17, 1874; Clarence, born June 19, 1880; Maude, born February 21, 1882; Victor, who died at the age of five years, and another child that died in infancy. The Doctor and his wife are among the substantial people of the county, and in a business as well as professional way he has been remarkably successful. 

M. H. OSBURN, M.D.

There are always in the medical profession some individuals who become eminent and command a large patronage, and among those who deserve special recognition is Dr. M. H. Osburn, whose face is a familiar one in the home of the sick and afflicted. He has practiced his profession in his section of Missouri for twenty years and his name has become almost a household word. He is a Georgian by birth, born March 27, 1838, a son of Ectyl and Cynthia (Nelson) Osburn, who were born in the Palmetto State and Georgia, respectively. The paternal grandfather, William Osburn, was born in South Carolina also, was of English-Irish descent, and throughout life followed the occupation of farming, to which occupation he reared his son, Ectyl. The latter, with his wife, emigrated to Missouri in 1867 and settled on a farm three miles from Rome, but eventually died in Ozark County, Mo., in 1886. He was a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church for a number of years, and during the great Civil War was a member of a Tennessee regiment. His wife, who was a daughter of Wiley Nelson, died in 1883, after having borne him ten children, the following of whom are living: Dr. M. H., G. W., J. H. E., Howell C., Mariah, Frances, and Mary A. Those deceased are William N., Sarah J. and Cynthia C. The boyhood days of Dr. Osburn were passed in the State of his birth, and there he received such education as could be obtained in the common schools of that section and period. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Ohio, thence to Illinois; in 1867 located in Berry County, Mo., and at the end of five years came to Douglas County and has made his home at Roy ever since. His professional education was acquired in the St. Louis Medical College, and in the year 1870 he did his first work as a physician, and has since practiced all branches of his profession. His experience as a medical practitioner has extended over a period of twenty-two years and during this time he has had many difficult cases under his care, in the conduct of which he has always acquitted himself with credit. He is always quick to see and prompt to act, is accurate in the diagnosis of his cases and in his treatment is bold and prompt, yet always sure. In 1864 he served four months in the One Hundred and Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and since the war has been a stanch Republican in politics, and for some time has been a member of Roy Post No. 307 of the G. A. R., and holds the position of post surgeon. He was married in Georgia to Miss Eliza J. Dodd, a daughter of William and Eliza Dodd, both of whom died in that State, and in which State Mrs. Osburn was born. She and her husband have six children: Almer O., Cynthia E., William H., Emily, Alice and Sarah. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and are prominent in the social circles in which they live. The Doctor owns a good farm of eighty acres and also has other valuable property. 

MILTON G. PATTILLO
He whose name heads this sketch is a fair representative of the better class of men who began life’s battle at the lower rounds of the ladder, and through his own efforts he has gained a substantial place near the top. Practically speaking, he is to-day in comfortable financial circumstances, and the position he now occupies is direct evidence that he possesses the confidence and esteem of his fellow-mortals. He was born in Gallatin County, Ill., February 11, 1826, a son of John S. and Mary (Trawsdale) Pattillo, the former of whom was born on Blue Grass soil in Kentucky, and the latter in Tennessee. They were among the very early settlers of Illinois, and there they tilled the soil successfully and reared a family of nine children; but when the Lone Star State was opened up to settlers Mr. Pattillo was one of the first to emigrate there, and there died. His widow survived him until a few years ago, and breathed her last in the State of Illinois. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in the State of his birth, and there continued to make his home until 1872, when he moved to Jackson County, Ark., later to Baxter County of the same State, and in 1874 came to Ozark County, Mo., his home being situated about eight miles from Gainesville. He is the owner of an excellent tract of farming land on Bryant River, about three-fourths of a mile from its mouth, and ever since starting out to fight the battle of life for himself he has followed blacksmithing in connection with farming, and is an excellent workman. He and two brothers served in the late Civil War, he being a member of the One Hundred and Twentieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served faithfully for three years, participating in the engagements at Vicksburg and Gun Town, being afterward sent to Nashville with his regiment. He saw some hard service, and his health has never been good since that time. He is a member of the G.A.R. at Bakersfield, this county, has long been a Republican of pronounced type, and is an active and earnest member of the Christian Church. He was married in Illinois to Miss Margaret Sherwood, and by her became the father of the following children: Mary J., Alice, Johnson, Walter, George, Hugh and Leonora, Johnson and Walter being the only ones now living. After the death of the mother of these children, Mr. Pattillo took for his second wife Mary Houston, and eight children were the result of this union, only four of whom are living: Adrian S., Lorenzo D., Edgar and Hester. Mr. Pattillo’s children reside near him, and they are all highly esteemed citizens of the section in which they reside. 

GEORGE W. PEARCY

Ability, when backed by enterprising business measures and progressive ideas, will accomplish more than any other professional or commercial requirement. An illustration of this is found in the mercantile establishment owned and conducted by George W. Pearcy at Thornfield, Mo. This gentleman was born in Platte County, Mo., in 1848, but his parents, William H. and Jane (Henry) Pearcy, were born in Kentucky in 1813 and Indiana in 1818, respectively. After their marriage, which occurred in Indiana, they came to Platte County, Mo., later removed to Dallas County, and when the subject of this sketch was four or five years old they came to Ozark County, locating on a farm on Bryant’s Fork where the mother died in 1858. The father afterward removed to Benton County, Ark., and later to Johnson County, where he died in 1877, having been a farmer throughout life, and in every sense of the word a self-made man. His father, George Pearcy, was of English descent, was a music teacher by occupation, and died in Platte County, Mo. Nothing is known of the maternal grandfather. After the death of his first wife, William H. Pearcy married again, his second wife being Eliza Scrivner, by whom he had two children: Samantha and Lafayette of Laclede County. George W. Pearcy, the immediate subject of this notice, is the fifth of eight children born to his parents: John W., who died in Indian Territory in 1862; Mary A., who resided in Texas; Sarah J. (Mrs. Baker) of California; Isabella, who died in Ozark County in 1862; George W.; Winfield Scott, who died in Dallas County in 1864; Bathena, who became the wife of Elijah Jones and died in Ozark County; and William H., who resides in the Indian Territory. George W. Pearcy received a common-school education and was also an attendant of Berryville and Mountain Home Academies in Arkansas. In August, 1864, he joined Company C, Forty-sixth Missouri Infantry, with which he operated in the southwestern part of the State, participating in many skirmishes. He was honorably discharged at Springfield, March 6, 1865. After the war he finished his schooling and taught for some years in Webster and Greene Counties. In 1877 he led to the altar Miss Mary E., daughter of Samuel Turner, a native of Missouri. Mr. Pearcy was left a widower the same year of his marriage, and in 1881 married Josephine, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Lyon, the former of whom was killed at his home in Douglas County during the war, and the latter is still living. Mrs. Pearcy was born in Douglas County and has borne her husband two children. In 1877 Mr. Pearcy engaged in the mercantile business at Thornfield, and has done a very prosperous business there ever since, his annual sales at the present time amounting to $12,000. He also built and has operated a saw mill for some years, and in addition to these enterprises owns and superintends nearly 900 acres of land, a consideration portion of which he devotes to the raising of stock. He is one of the best-equipped business men in the Ozark region, is strictly self-made, for he started in life with no means whatever, and his success is due to his own excellent business qualifications, keen discernment, energy and honesty. He is the efficient postmaster at Thornfield, and has been for over seventeen years, is a notary public, and socially belongs to the I.O.O.F. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics, and cast his first presidential for Abraham Lincoln, at Buffalo, Dallas County, Mo., in 1864, while in the army and when but sixteen years old. He has never been an aspirant for political honors, but has always supported his party liberally. 

LEWIS R. PUMPHREY

Of the well-known firm of Pumphrey & Cantrell, general merchants and cotton dealers, of Lead Hill, Ark., was born in Cannon County, Tenn., in 1839, to the marriage of Thomas and Margaret (Holt) Pumphrey, also natives of Tennessee. The parents were reared and married in their native State, and about 1839 moved by wagon to Ozark County, Mo., where they were among the first settlers. There they resided for six or seven years and then moved to Fulton County, Ark., where Mr. Pumphrey died soon after. Mrs. Pumphrey then moved to what is now Boone County, Ark., where she died about 1859. Mr. Pumphrey was a successful and enterprising farmer and a man of conservative views and habits. He was one of seven or eight sons and daughters born to the marriage of Lewis Pumphrey, who also came to Missouri in 1839, but subsequently settled in Fulton County, Ark., where he died when quite aged. He was also a farmer. The maternal grandfather, William Holt, was a native Tennesseean, but in 1838 he came to Ozark County, Mo., subsequently settling in what is now Boone County, Ark., where he followed farming and stock raising successfully until his death in 1859. He was a pioneer of the Ozark Region and a man universally respected. His wife died at Lead Hill about 1888. They were the parents of thirteen children, three of whom served in the Confederate Army: R. S., William and James. After the death of her husband the mother of Lewis R. married William Coker, by whom she had six children. Three children were born to her first union as follows: Lewis R., William, now of Fall River, Kan., and Joseph R., of West Plains, Mo. Mr. Pumphrey’s half-brothers and sisters are: George, William, Edward, Nina and two who died in infancy. Amid the wilds of Missouri and Arkansas he grew to manhood, and as there were no free schools his education was limited. After the death of his father he made his home with Grandfather Holt until grown, and then engaged in farming for himself. He was married in 1860 to Miss Jane Magness, a native of Marion County, Ark., of which her parents, Joseph and Patsey Magness, were very early settlers, being obliged to cut their way through the cane to locate on White River. There they improved a good farm and spent the remainder of their lives, dying before the war. They reared twelve children. To Mr. Pumphrey and wife was born one child, a daughter, now Mrs. Thomas R. Cantrell. During the war most of Mr. Pumphrey’s time was spent at Springfield, Mo. He was not subject to military duty, as he had had poor health for five or six years. After the war he returned to Arkansas and lived in Marion County, on White River, where he followed farming and stock raising until 1872. He then came to Lead Hill and engaged in the mercantile business under the firm name of Pumphrey & Coker, continuing this for a number of years. They then took in William A. Pumphrey, and in 1881, the present firm was established, since which time a flourishing business has been done, this being on of the strongest firms of the county. Aside from this Mr. Pumphrey is engaged quite extensively in farming and stock raising. He started life with little else than a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed, and is now one of the substantial men of the county. He is also a member of the firm of Cantrell, Magness & Co., general merchants, cotton buyers, etc., at Western Grove, Newton County, Ark., and is doing an annual business of $35,000. He is very conservative in politics, voting for the man regardless of party, and has never cared for office. He is a member of the A.F. & A.M. Polar Star Lodge No. 224, at Lead Hill. 

WILLIAM G. PUMPHREY

This prominent citizen and retired farmer and stockraiser of Sugar Loaf Township, Boone County, Ark., was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., in 1824. His grandfather, Larkin Pumphrey, was probably born in North Carolina, but at an early date moved to Kentucky, and from there to Tennessee, dying in Rutherford County, of the latter State, where he had followed farming. It is thought that he was a Revolutionary soldier. His marriage resulted in the birth of six sons and three daughters, of whom our subject's father, Lewis Pumphrey, was one. The latter was born in North Carolina, but in after years went with his parents to Kentucky, where he finished his growth and married Miss Polly Thompson, a native of the Blue Grass State. From there he and family removed to Rutherford County, Tenn., and in about 1835 Mr. Pumphrey came by wagon to what is now Fulton County, Ark., where his death occurred two or three years later. His wife had died in Tennessee, and he afterward married again, his second wife dying in Fulton County, Ark. Mr. Pumphrey was a well-to-do farmer and trader. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Meredith Thompson, was probably a native of North Carolina, but was also an early settler of Kentucky. From the latter State he moved to Rutherford County, Tenn., and followed farming until his death in 1836. His wife died there the same year. They had four sons and three daughters. The following family were born to the parents of our subject: Meredith, died in Fulton County, Ark., nearly fifty years ago; Nancy Jane, died in Tennessee when seventeen years of age; Franklin, of Fulton County, Ark.; Matilda, of Fulton County, widow of James Baker; William G., subject; Eliza Jane, died in Springfield, Mo., widow of George Thompson. Like the average country boy our subject passed his boyhood days in assisting his father on the farm and in attending the common school, where he received the rudiments of an education. When still but a boy his parents moved to Arkansas, where there were no schools, but the limited scholastic training he received in Tennessee was all that he ever obtained, although by self-application and observation he became a very well-informed man. He was married in Ozark County, Mo., about 1842, to Miss Fannie Holt, daughter of William Holt (see sketch of R. L. Holt). Mrs. Pumphrey was born in Cannon County, Tenn., came with her parents to Missouri, and died April 19, 1846. By her marriage to Mr. Pumphrey she became the mother of two children: Mary, wife of Byron Wells, of Webster County, Mo., and Lewis, who died when five years of age. On the 7th of August, 1847, Mr. Pumphrey married Miss Elizabeth C. Hawkins, a native of Tennessee, and the daughter of Dennis and Hepsey Hawkins, who came from Tennessee to Fulton County, Ark., where Mr. Hawkins died a few years later. Mrs. Hawkins is still living. Our subject's marriage resulted in the birth of six children: Benjamin, who died when about twenty-one years of age; Eliza is the wife of Thomas Brown, of Fulton County, Ark.; George resides in Ozark County, Mo.; Sarah Ann, wife of George Hicks, of Ozark County, Mo.; Thomas, of Fulton County, Ark., and Willie, who died in infancy. In the year 1865 Mr. Pumphrey was married to Miss Phoebe M. Compton, a native of North Carolina. Five children were the fruits of this union: John, James, Jarrett, Fidell and Ollie I. The last two were twins, but Ollie I. is deceased. The first three are residing in this county. In the month of September, 1873, Mr. Pumphrey married Mrs. Pemelia Casinger, daughter of John and Minerva Hawkins, who came originally from Tennessee. Mrs. Pumphrey was born in Ozark County, Mo., and by her union with Mr. Pumphrey she became the mother of three children: Elijah Lee, Elbert E. and William W. After his last marriage Mr. Pumphrey located in Ozark County, Mo., and made his home there until 1887, when he came to Boone County, Ark., and has since been a prominent farmer. He resided two miles northwest of Lead Hill on a well-improved farm of 320 acres, and although at one time he was the owner of 600 acres he gave a great deal of land to his children. He stated in life with nothing, but by industry and strict attention to every detail, has been unusually successful. For thirty-eight years he lived on one farm in Ozark County, and agricultural pursuits have been his principal occupation. Mr. Pumphrey was opposed to secession, but otherwise remained neutral and took no part in the war. He and his wife have been members of the Christian Church for many years, and in politics he has been strictly independent, supporting whom he considered the best man regardless of their political affiliations. Honored and respected by all, Mr. Pumphrey is one of the county's best citizens. 

J.R. REED

J.R. Reed, of the firm of Wood & Reed, Gainesville, Mo., has for the past twelve years been one of the most enterprising and successful business men of the county. He owes his nativity to Bradley County, Tenn., where he was born January 21, 1861, the eldest child born to Alvin and Emeline (Wood) Reed, native Tennesseeans, the former of whom was engaged in tilling the soil, and was killed near the close of the war, during which struggle he served in the Confederate Army. He was a son of John H. Reed, one of the early pioneers of Tennessee, and his marriage resulted in the birth of two children: John R., whose name heads this sketch, and Mattie E., wife of J. M. Herd, of Theodosia, Mo., who is the manager of the branch house of Wood & Reed at that place. The mother, Emeline (Wood) Reed, was a daughter of Jesse Wood, mention of whom is made in the sketch of J. E. Wood, and is now the wife of Thomas Wattenberger, of Gainesville, by whom she is the mother of one child, Olie. John R. Reed, the subject of this sketch, attended the schools of his native county, and was a lad of ten years when the family left Tennessee and settled in Kansas. After the removal of his family to Ozark County, Mo., he engaged in tilling the soil, but also attended the schools of this county, and when still quite young began clerking in a store, continuing until he formed his present partnership in 1881 with his uncle, J.E. Wood. They carry a stock of goods valued at about $6,000 in Gainesville, and have two branch stores, the stock at Isabella being valued at about $4,000, and that at Theodosia at about $5,000 or $6,000. Messrs. Wood & Reed are the most extensive merchants in this part of the State, are wide awake, pushing, enterprising and, above all, honest, and their annual sales amount to from $30,000 to $40,000. In connection with their business they handle hardware and farming implements of all kinds. Although their business was commenced about twelve years ago in a small way and has several times had some serious backsets, yet on the whole they have been remarkably successful. Their stock at Isabella was consumed by fire in 1884, with a loss of $2,000 or $3,000, and they also lost a mill and lumber yard at Gainesville in the same way, amounting to several thousand dollars. Mr. Reed has always been a stanch Republican, was elected to the office of county treasurer in 1884, and for four years was postmaster of Gainesville under President Harrison. He is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 496, A.F. & A.M., of Gainesville, Mo., and was master of this lodge during 1892 and 1893. He and his uncle, Mr. Wood, own a fine farm of 400 acres south of Gainesville on Lick Creek, a large portion of which is under cultivation, and they also own other valuable lands and property in the county. The flouring mill of which they are the owners at Theodosia has four double sets of rollers, and has a capacity of fifty barrels per day, being in operation day and night. The product of this mill is of the most excellent kind, has a large local patronage, and is very popular with housewives and bakers. They have a saw mill located on Lick Creek two miles north of Gainesville, where they manufacture pine and oak lumber for the market. Mr. Reed is president of the Bank of Gainesville, of Gainesville, Mo., and one of the principal stockholders of the institution. He was married to Alaska Elliott, daughter of Jarrett Conkin, of this county, and to them two children have been given: Flo, who is four years old, and Ros, six months old. Mr. Reed and his wife are members of the Christian Church, in which he is an elder. He is one of the shrewdest and most practical business men of the county, and the success which he has achieved in a business way is but the natural sequence of the upright business methods he has always pursued. He and his wife move in the highest social circles, and are highly honored by all. 

CAPT. JAMES H. SALLEE
This gentleman is a Protestant Methodist minister and a farmer of Ozark County, Mo., and as a citizen, neighbor and friend is highly spoken of by all who know him. He owes his nativity to Madison County, Ark., where he was born April 10, 1833, a son of Arany Shasteen and Martha (Greene) Sallee, who were born in Indiana in 1811 and in Illinois in 1821, respectively. Their marriage was celebrated in Schuyler County, Ill., soon after which they removed to Marion County, Ark., where they lived a few years, then returned to the Sucker State. After a short residence there they came to Greene County, Mo., soon after to Taney County and about two years later to Ozark County, settling in the woods on North Fork, one mile below the present town of Thornfield. They improved a farm here, then moved to a farm on Pond Fork, which continued to be his home throughout the remainder of his life. He became a private in Company F, of Phelps’ regiment, and died at Cassville, Mo., March 30, 1862. He had been an industrious farmer all his life, was for some years a justice of the peace, and was one of the pioneers of Ozark County. He was very fond of all athletic sports, especially hunting, and was known to kill twenty-four bears in one winter, besides elk, deer, panthers, wolves, etc. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and was well known for his patriotism, his strict adherence to all that was upright and honorable, and his love and faithfulness to home and friends. His father was Rev. Stephen Sallee, who died in Taney County about 1852, a Missionary Baptist minister, and also a tiller of the soil. He was of French extraction and a man whose character was above reproach. His wife’s death preceded his by several years and occurred in Arkansas. The maternal grandfather, Leven Greene, died in Texas County, Mo., about 1864, of Irish parents, and for many years was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but later identified himself with the Protestant Methodist Church. His wife died in Texas County also. Capt. James H. Sallee was the eldest of a family of eleven children, the other members of the family being an infant that died unnamed; Stephen, who died in early boyhood in Ozark County, Mo.; Mary is the wife of Bennett Clark, of northern Kansas; Mariah R. is the widow of Thomas Jones, and resides in this county; Ollie Ann is the wife of George Hutchinson, of Los Angeles County, Cal.; Leven Thomas became a member of Company F, Phelps’ regiment, was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge and died from the effects of that wound in Christian County; Henderson L. was killed while at home in 1863 by guerrillas; Richard L. and Levi reside in Ozark County, and Adaline is the wife of Raleigh Griffith, of Ozark County. Capt. James H. Sallee was reared principally in Ozark County, and as the country was wild and unsettled for a long time after they located here his education was obtained principally under the instruction of his mother. In August, 1859, he was married to Emily, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Maritt, who came from Tennessee to Christian County, and later to Ozark County, where both died, the former from the effects of a wound received at the battle of Pea Ridge, while a member of Phelps’ regiment. Mrs. Sallee was born in Tennessee and died in 1867, having become the mother of two children: One that died unnamed and John W. August 11, 1867, Mr. Sallee married Mrs. Emarine May, daughter of Perry and Martha Martin, who were Kentuckians, but were married in Indiana and from there came to Missouri in 1843, spending the rest of their lives in Ozark County, the father dying in 1884 and the mother in 1872, they being members of the Christian and General Baptist Churches, respectively. Mrs. Sallee was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., in 1842, and she and Mr. Sallee are the parents of the following children: Martha, wife of David Wallace; Emily Ann, wife of Samuel E. Maritt; Mary A., wife of M. J. Maritt; Richard L., William P., James B. and Leven Thomas. In 1861 Mr. Sallee joined the United States Home Guards and served until November of that year, enlisting as sergeant in Company F, Phelps’ regiment, with which he served six months, participating in the engagement at Pea Ridge. August 9, 1862, he joined Company G, Seventy-third East Missouri Militia, as captain, in which capacity he served until December 4, 1863, taking an active part in numerous skirmishes in Arkansas and Missouri. He then joined Company B, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, as captain, with which he served until July 10, 1865, in Missouri and Arkansas, principally on scouting duty. After over four years of hard service he received his discharge at Springfield and returned to his home. At the early age of eighteen years he was ordained a minister of the Protestant Methodist Church and has labored in the service of his Master more or less ever since preaching at intervals throughout the war. Soon after his return from the army he was made supervisor of registration of Ozark County and is now one of the trustees of the Thornfield Normal Institute. He was at one time chaplain of Gainesville Post of the G. A. R. Politically he has always been a Republican and his first vote was cast for the “Pathfinder”--Col. John C. Fremont--in 1856. Capt. Sallee has never sought political honors, but has been content to live the quiet, uneventful life of the farmer, surrounded by all necessary comforts and secure in the friendship of all who know him. 

JAMES SMALL, M.D.

The physician is one who inspires confidence because he is worthy of it. His humanity is expressed in the interest he takes in his patient's welfare, as well as for the experience he may gain while pursuing the paths of this his arduous profession, in order to benefit future sufferers. Dr. Small is one of the old practitioners of southern Missouri, and is living in Smallett. He was born in McMinn County, East Tenn., October 28, 1841, a son of James and Mary A. (Wallace) Small, the former of whom was born in Kentucky about 1802. He was a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years, and from 1854 until his death in 1861 resided in Dade County, Mo. He and his wife were married in Kentucky, lived there for some time, then removed to Tennessee, and from there to Missouri in the above-mentioned year. In addition to his ministerial duties the father also followed agricultural pursuits, and was highly honored in the section in which he lived. He was a Republican politically. His father, Thomas H. Small, was born in Scotland, and came to the United States prior to the Revolution, in which struggle he and a brother participated. The early home of the Small family was in Virginia, but Thomas H. became one of the early pioneers of Kentucky. The maternal grandfather, George Wallace, was also born in Scotland, and took part in the war of the Revolution, was wounded in battle, and afterward became a pensioner of the Government. He died in Kentucky. His daughter, Mrs. Small, died in Dade County, Mo., in 1865, after having become the mother of ten children, seven of whom are living: John, who died in 1892, held the rank of major of the Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry during the war, and left a family; T.H., died in early boyhood; Henry, who died in 1891, was a farmer of Ozark County, Mo., and left a family; Jane died in Greene County, after her marriage with James Hill; Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Arthur, died in Texas; Joseph B. died in boyhood; George W. also died young; R.S. is a successful physician of Gainesville, Ozark County, Mo.; James and Matthew, the latter who resides in Dade County. Dr. James Small passed his school days in Dade and Greene Counties, and in 1866 took up the study of medicine, but prior to this had been a soldier of the Civil War, and after serving for some time in the Missouri State Militia, he joined the Sixteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, and was a participant in the battles of Newtonia, Springfield, Booneville, Jefferson City, Lexington, Independence, Kansas City, Oletha, and was in the second battle of Newtonia, besides many skirmishes, and saw some hard service. After the war he took up the study of medicine, as above stated, his preceptor being Dr. W. M. Noe, and did his first practicing at Yellville, where he lived for three years. He then removed to Ozark County and lived in Isabella from 1871 to 1881. In 1880 he graduated from the American Medical College of St. Louis, after which, in 1881, he removed to Oregon, where he continued his practice for about one year. At the end of that time he returned to Missouri, established the town of Oakland, Marion County, Ark., and there lived from 1882 to 1887, when he came to Douglas County, Mo. Here he owns a farm of 120 acres, but almost his entire attention is given to his profession. He is thoroughly posted and well read, and is popularly known in Ozark, Marion and Douglas Counties as a successful medical practitioner. The Doctor has been active in the political affairs of his section, is a stanch Republican in politics, and has been postmaster at both Oakland, Ark., and Smallett, Mo. He has been a member of Yellville Lodge of the A.F. & A.M. since 1869, is past noble grand in Isabella Lodge No. 373 of the I.O.O.F., and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State. The Doctor was married in Greene County, Mo., to Miss Mary Noe, daughter of Charles and Jane (Dunlap) Noe, the former of whom was born in Virginia and died in Kentucky, after which his widow removed to Marion County, Ark., and died at Springfield, Mo., near the close of the war. She bore her husband the following sons and two daughters: A.J., postmaster at Yellville; L.H., who was killed during the war; F.C., who died in 1880; William M., a physician at Yellville; H.J., a resident of Virginia; Eliza, wife of E. McGuin, died in 1876 in Kentucky; C.W., who died young; and Mary (Mrs. Small). The latter was born in Virginia March 16, 1844, and has borne her husband the following children: Jennie, wife of W. F. Patterson, of Nebraska; Emma A., wife of J.G. Siler, of Forsyth, Mo.; Olivia, who died at the age of three years; Nellie, wife of J.H. Bunyard; Laura M., who died at the age of two years; Robert W. and James A. 

JOHN W. SOUDER

Prominent among the farmers and representative men of Douglas County, Mo., we are gratified to present the name of Mr. John W. Souder, whose success here has certainly entitled him to consideration. His parents, John and Polly (Carter) Souder, were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. The Souder family moved to the Hoosier State at an early day, and later came to Gasconade County, Mo., where they remained for a short time and then moved back to Indiana. In 1852 they returned to Gasconade County, made their home there until 1868, and then came to Ozark County, settling eight miles east of Gainesville, where the father of our subject took up a homestead. There his death occurred in 1870, after a long and useful career. He was a Republican in his political views. Mrs. Souder died in Ozark County in 1888. Both were prominent members of the Christian Church, in which Mr. Souder was an elder, and they were the parents of an old-fashioned family of thirteen children, our subject being among the younger members of the same. He was born in Washington County, Ind., April 8, 1846, but his scholastic training was received in the State of Missouri. When fourteen years of age he lost his right hand in a mill, and has had to make his way in life with one hand since. After reaching the age of twenty-one he started out to do for himself, and first engaged in farming in Gasconade County, where he remained until 1868. From there he moved to Ozark County and took up a homestead, remaining on the same for fifteen years. In 1882 he came to Douglas County and bought his present farm on Fox Creek. He now has 446 acres with about 175 acres under cultivation, and no were in the county can be found a better farm. He carries on stock raising in connection with farming, and has met with more than ordinary success in this industry. In politics he is a Republican. In 1878 and 1879 he represented Ozark County in the Legislature. He has ever been a stanch Republican, and has been active in all public affairs. In the year 1868 Mr. Souder was married to Miss Nancy T. Ridenhour, a native of Gasconade County, Mo., born October 15, 1851, and the daughter of Barnell and Susan (Williams) Ridenhour, natives of Tennessee, but early pioneers of Gasconade County, where the father died before the war. The mother passed away in Douglas County. Our subject’s marriage has been blessed by the birth of ten children, nine of whom are living: Louise A., died young; Nettie R., wife of William F. Sutherland, a farmer and stock man of Douglas County; Mary E., wife of Andrew Blankenship, a farmer of this county; Isa D., Emma E., Louis E., Homer G., Walter Otis, Pearly T. and Goldie G. In the Christian Church Mr. and Mrs. Souder holds membership, and in that and in the community in which they live they are held high in the estimation of the people. They have taken great pains to educate their children, and part of the year they live in Mt. Grove in order to give their children better schooling.

GEORGE W. STONE

This gentleman who resides in James Creek Township, is the owner of a fine farm, which attests by its value and productiveness the excellent qualities of thoroughness and system which mark the owner. He is a native of Ozark County, Mo., where he was born in 1848, a son of John and Maria (Bayless) Stone, natives of Tennessee, where they were reared and married. From that State they removed to Greene County, Mo., and later to Ozark County, of the same State, where Mr. Stone died when the subject of this sketch was very small. In 1862 the family removed to Marion County, Ark., where Mrs. Stone breathed her last about 1882, having long been a member in good standing of the Christian Church. Her father was a farmer of Tennessee and died in that State. The paternal Grandfather was also a Tennesseean and reared four sons: John, Edward, William and David, all of whom died in Missouri. The subject of this sketch was the youngest save one of the following family: Sarah, who died in Marion County, the wife of James Cain; Louisa, who also died here, the wife of Robert Long; Mary Jane, who became the wife of Andrew Benton, and died in Marion County; Adaline, who died in Marion County, the wife of A.C. Musick; Julia Ann, who became the wife of William Lance, also died in this county; Edward Marion, died in this county in 1863; Amanda, became the wife of Joel A. Presley and died in Marion County; George W. and Serepta, who died young. George W. Stone remained with his mother until he reached manhood, but owing to the fact that he assisted her in every way in his power and to the scarcity of schools, his education was not of the best. In 1873 he married Marinda Jane, daughter of John Porter, who died in Woodruff County, Ark., when Mrs. Stone was quite small. She was born in that county and there died about 1876, leaving two children: Marion and Druscilla, the latter named for her grandmother Porter, who now lives in Marion County, the wife of G. B. Forrest. In 1881 Mr. Stone married Lucina, daughter of Robert and Rachel Forrest, who were born and spent many years of their lives in Ozark County, Mo., but are residents of the State of Washington, where they have become comparatively wealthy during their fourteen years’ residence there. Mrs. Stone was born in Ozark County, and by Mr. Stone is the mother of seven children: Everet Clarence, Walter, Ida Belle, Frank, Cora, Charley and Nora. Since the time of his first marriage Mr. Stone has resided on his present farm, but at that time only a few acres had been cleared and a small log cabin erected thereon, for which he paid the sum of $25. He now has a fine bottom-land farm of 152 acres, about seventy of which are cleared and under cultivation. His place is nicely improved with excellent buildings of all descriptions and he always has an abundance of fruit of various kinds. In 1893 he erected a gin, saw and corn mill, all of which net him a satisfactory income. Besides this valuable property he is the owner of some extremely desirable mineral claims. He has followed farming all his life, has made it a success, and is considered one of the substantial men of his section. For the past fourteen years he has been a director in his school district, and he has ever been an earnest advocate of the free-school system, and is a patron of all progressive measures generally. He and his worthy wife are members of the Christian Church and politically he has been a lifelong Democrat, and his first presidential vote was cast for Horace Greeley in 1872.


GEORGE WASHINGTON WEBSTER
As a progressive tiller of the soil the subject of this sketch has no superior throughout Ozark County, Mo., for he is industrious, decidedly progressive in his views, and has always taken advantage of all new methods for the improvement of his land. His fine and valuable estate is located ten miles west of Gainesville on Bratton Spring Creek, and comprises 480 acres, in two different tracts, all of which has been acquired through his own efforts. He is also quite extensively engaged in the raising of stock; in fact, is well up in all branches of agriculture and is well worthy of bearing the title of “self-made man.” At the time he settled on his farm there were about twelve or fifteen acres cleared, but all this has been changed and his farm is now a remarkably well-improved one. He was born in Martin County, Ind., in 1834, a son of Jonathan and Catherine (Graham) Webster, natives of New Hampshire and Kentucky, respectively, the birth of the former occurring in 1804 and that of the latter in 1806. In 1854 they removed from Indiana to Douglas County, Mo., having spent the previous winter in Illinois. After one year in Douglas County, Mo., they removed to Ozark County, near the Arkansas line and there resided until the Civil War, when they removed to Illinois. At the end of about two years they returned to Douglas County and after the war to Ozark County, where Mr. Webster died in September, 1892, his wife, having been called from life in Douglas County about 1886, at the home of one of her sons. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and Mr. Webster acquired a widespread reputation for honesty and for the patronage he bestowed on all enterprises of a worthy nature, and for his support of all measures of morality. Their family consisted of two sons and three daughters: Seth, Richard, Phoebe, Hettie and Eliza. Their grandfather, Richard Webster, was a native of the Granite State, but was one of the very early settlers of southeast Indiana and died in Washington County of that State before our subject was born. He was a shoe and harness maker by trade and was a member of the same family as Daniel Webster. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Heath, died in Martin County, Ind., about 1854. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Graham, was a Kentuckian, but an early settler to Richland County, Ill., where he was called from life about 1835, his wife having been called from life prior to his removal from the Blue Grass State. The subject of this sketch is the fourth of eight children born to his parents, the other members of the family being: Richard of the Choctaw Nation, I.T.; Samuel, who died in early boyhood in Arkansas; Sarah, the wife of Frederick Graham; Seth, of Douglas County; Mary, who died in Ozark County, the wife of Mac Turley; Margaret, the present wife of Mac Turley, and Lucinda, who died in Arkansas, the wife of John Worlington. The primitive schools of his native State afforded George W. Webster but meager advantages in the fields of learning, but he possessed a naturally good mind and managed to acquire a sufficient knowledge of the “world of books” to fit him for the ordinary duties of life. At the age of nineteen he became a resident of Missouri and was married here, in 1855 to Isabella, daughter of Ignatius and Eliza Turley, natives of Indiana. The Turleys became residents of Missouri about fifty years ago and Mr. Turley died here about 1876 and his wife in the Indian Territory. Mrs. Webster was born in Phelps County, Mo., and died July 6, 1882, having become the mother of the following children: Ira, of Newton County, Ark.; Greene; Oliver; Margaret, wife of Elijah Breedon; Mary, wife of James Lawrence of Stone County; Sevilla, wife of Jackson McCullough; Shelt, of the Indian Territory; Amanda, Lula and Walter. Mr. Webster has been a resident of Ozark County ever since his marriage, but for four years during the Civil War his family lived in Iowa and northern Missouri. In July, 1861, Mr. Webster joined the Home Guards, with which he served about three months, was then a member of the Thirty-sixth Regiment of the Missouri Militia and in 1862 joined Company H, Forty-sixth Missouri Infantry and was on duty in Missouri and Arkansas and fought at Mountain Grove, Vera Cruz, Big Creek and several engagements in Arkansas. He was honorably discharged from the service at the close of the war and then returned to his family who were living in Douglas County. Mr. Webster is a member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 496, of the A.F. & A.M., at Gainesville, and also belongs to the G.A.R., at that place. He was a Democrat in his political proclivities until the war and has since been an active Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for Buchanan in 1856. 

J.E. WOOD

This gentleman is a member of the well-known mercantile firm of Wood & Reed, of Gainesville, Ozark County, Mo. He was born in Washington County, Tenn., July 18, 1846, but came to this county in 1871 from Bradley County, Tenn. His parents, Jesse and Margaret (McCracken) Wood, were honest, industrious and law-abiding tillers of the soil, and the father was born in the Old North State about 1820, where he was a member of one of the early and prominent families. When a young man he removed to Tennessee, was married there, and there made his home until 1870, when he removed to Kansas and resided there for about one year before coming to Ozark County, Mo. Upon his arrival here he located upon a farm about four miles west of Gainesville, where he made his home until his death, which resulted from being accidentally thrown from a hack. He was a Republican politically, was a strong Union man during the war, and was a farmer, mill wright and carpenter by occupation. He held the office of justice of the peace two or three times after coming to this county, and was long and prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow resides in this county and makes her home with her children, who are as follows: Emeline, wife of Thomas Wattenberger, of Gainesville, and formerly the wife of Alvin Reed, of Tennessee, by whom she became the mother of John R. Reed, of Gainesville, and Mattie E. Herd; John Wood is a blacksmith of Gainesville and served throughout the war as a member of Company A, Eighth Tennessee Cavalry; James E.; Mattie, who is the wife of Samuel A. Farmer, of this county; Henry, who is the owner of a shingle mill and cotton gin at Gainesville; Nancy, the wife of Gordon Hill, of this county. The following children are deceased: Mary, who married and died in Tennessee; William also died in that State; Samuel died in early childhood. Landon H. died while serving in the Civil War; M.A. died young in Illinois, and Leander also died in that State. James E. Wood, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native State of Tennessee, and was married there to Miss Rebecca, daughter of F. G. Gibbs, and soon after the celebration of his nuptials he came to Ozark County, Mo., and settled on a farm about four miles west of Gainesville, where he lived two years. He then came to Gainesville and began operating a cotton gin, but in connection with this also tilled the soil in the vicinity of that place until 1881, when he formed a partnership with J.R. Reed, and the mercantile firm of Wood & Reed was established. They have been very successful in this business, their annual sales being very large, and they have the patronage of the best people of their section. Mr. Wood is a Mason, a member of Lodge No. 496, of Gainesville, is a strong Republican politically, and he and his family are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a trustee. July 3, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Third Tennessee Cavalry, with which he served until near the close of the war, participating in a number of hard battles and skirmishes. He was captured at Athens, Ala., and after being kept a prisoner for six months was exchanged in March, 1865. He was on the boat “Sultana” when it was destroyed by fire on the Mississippi River, and although he received some quite severe burns, he managed to swim to shore, landing some eight or ten miles down the river from where the boat burned. His brother, Landon H., lost his life at that time. Mr. Wood is a member of the G.A.R., Gainesville Post No. 275, and is the officer of the day for 1894. Mr. Wood is a public-spirited citizen, has made what he has by his own energy and enterprise and is highly esteemed throughout Ozark County. He and his wife have two children: Leandrew, who resides on a farm one mile from Gainesville, is married and has two children--Laura and Clarence; and Alice, wife of Alexander Crumley, of Gainesville, by whom she has two children--Ora and Blanche. Six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wood died in infancy.