EVAN S. ANDERSON  

(Farmer, Post-office, Tulip). Mr. Anderson, one of the leading citizens of the south-western part of the county, is a native of the Blue Grass State, and comes of two well known and prominent families- the Andersons and McDowells. His grandfather on his father’s side was the Hon. Joseph Anderson, originally of Pennsylvania, but afterwards of Tennessee, and one of the distinguished men of the country. From Ben. Perley Poore’s “Political Register and Congressional Directory,” published by authority of Congress, we take the following brief facts in Hon. Joseph Anderson’s career: Born near Philadelphia, November 17, 1757, he received a liberal education and studied law. At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War he promptly enlisted in the Continental army, and was commissioned ensign in the New Jersey line in 1775. He served with distinction during the entire war, and became Major of the Third New Jersey volunteers in Gen. Dayton’s brigade of Knox’s division. Gen. Dayton, in recommending him to Gen. Knox for promotion, makes use of this complimentary language in his letter: “His character is established as that of a brave, moral, temperate, intelligent and meritorious officer, whose judgment is to be relied upon at all times.” After the war, Maj. Anderson was engaged in the practice of law in Delaware for seven years. In 1791 he was commissioned United States District Judge of the territory south of the Ohio river, which included the present State of Tennessee. He took an active part in organizing the State government of Tennessee, and was a member of the first constitutional convention of that State. Immediately on the admission of the State into the Union, he was elected United States Senator, and served in that body for a period of about eighteen years consecutively, from September 26, 1797, to March 3, 1815. The following day after his term expired in the United States Senate, March 4, 1815, he entered upon the discharge of the duties of First Comptroller of the Treasury, to which he had been appointed by President Madison. He served in that office for over twenty-one years, or until July 1, 1836, when he retired on account of advanced age and failing health, being then in his seventy-ninth year. He died at Washington City the following spring, April 17, 1837. His wife and himself reared a family of ten children, including Addison Alexander Anderson, afterwards Col. Anderson, of Monroe county, and the father of the subject of this sketch.

From the Monroe Appeal of April 13, 1883, which published an obituary of Col. Anderson, who died at his residence in Union township, this county, April 7, 1883, we take the following facts: Addison Alexander Anderson was born in Jefferson county, Tennessee, November 17, 1809. At the age of eight he was placed in school at Washington City by his father and soon afterwards entered the college of the Smithsonian Institute, where he graduated in his sixteenth year. His father then obtained him a position as midshipman in the Navy, in which he served on the man-of-war Constitution, under Commodore Hull. He cruised on the coasts of Europe, Africa, and South America, and took part in the capture of several steamers, including the Diabota, a noted Spanish pirate, and also participated in the storming of Moro Castle, at Callao. After three years’ naval service, he returned to Washington, studied law, soon afterwards formed a partnership with Col. John Crozier, and commenced practicing at Knoxville, Tenn. He was elected to the Legislature two terms, served with distinction, and was the author of a bill establishing a thorough system of internal improvements that marked the opening and development of a new and progressive era in that State. He was a warm friend and admirer of Gen. Jackson, and often visited him at the Hermitage, but upon his causing Congress to expunge from the record resolutions of censure relative to him, he viewed the General’s conduct as offensive, and introduced and advocated to successful passage a set of resolutions denouncing his conduct as arbitrary; and these resolutions figured prominently in the ensuing Presidential campaign, and were largely instrumental in causing the loss of that State to the following of Gen. Jackson, and throwing it into the hands of the Whigs. He left Tennessee and moved to Kentucky in 1842, settling on a farm near Danville. He afterwards represented Boyle county in the Legislature of that State, and resided there until 1858, when he came to Missouri, and settled near Middle Grove, in this county. Here his time was spent in a quiet and unobtrusive manner, chiefly devoted to his family, to whom he was fondly attached. During his entire residence here and up to the time of his death, he made but one effort to re-enter public life. Believing that the agricultural classes are not represented in proportion to the taxes they pay, he made a canvass for Congress on that question, but failed of an election. In 1837 Col. Anderson was married to Miss Catherine McDowell, a daughter of Dr. Ephraim McDowell, who was an uncle to Dr. McDowell, of St. Louis, the founder of McDowell’s Medical College of that city, or the Missouri Medical College, as it was named by him, a man well known both in this country and in Europe for his eminence in the profession of medicine. Dr. Ephraim McDowell, of Kentucky, who was the preceptor of Dr. McDowell, of St. Louis, was also a distinguished physician and surgeon, and eminent as a medical writer. His ability and skill in surgery obtained him a national reputation, particularly in Ovariotomy, and in acknowledgment of his great services and high character and ability as a physician and surgeon, the medical fraternity of Kentucky erected a handsome monument to his memory, at a cost of over’ $10,000. His wife was a daughter of Gov. Isaac Shelby, of Kentucky, for whom all the Shelby counties are named, a distinguished colonel in the Revolutionary War, and who gallantly led his regiment to victory at King’s Mountain, when Ferguson’s army was captured. Col. Anderson, by his marriage with Miss McDowell, had a family of seven children, six of whom are living and now themselves the heads of families, residents of this and Caldwell counties. He was a kind parent and husband, and his devotion to his family was unlimited. He was a finished scholar, an impressive speaker, and a thorough historian and linguist. His memory will be cherished long and tenderly by his family, and revered by his relatives and friends. A grand old man, ever honorable and upright, who, with almost his last breath, made this noble declaration, that he had never knowingly wronged one of God’s creatures. He was the last of a family of ten sons to give back to the Great Author of their being that immortal life-spark which never dies.

Evan S. Anderson, the subject of this sketch, and the third in his father’s family of children, was born at Danville, in Boyle county, Ky., September 17, 1839. He was educated at Center College, Danville, and was among the first in the senior class during his last year at college. In 1859 he came to Missouri, and located in Monroe county, six miles east of Middle Grove, where he engaged in farming and the stock business. He was busily occupied with these pursuits when the war broke out, and, being a Southern man in sympathy and convictions, he promptly enlisted in the service of the South. He became a member of Co. A, Sixth Missouri cavalry, and served until the close of the war. After his return home Mr. Anderson resumed farming and stock raising, which he has since continued, and with good success. He has a fine stock farm of 500 acres, all under fence, and in a good state of improvement. In the spring of 1866 he was married to Miss Eleanor Sames, a refined and accomplished daughter of Carl F. Sames, of this county. Mrs. Anderson was educated at Christian College, Columbia. Her mother’s maiden name was Miss Margaret Ess, and both her parents were of German lineage, her father being a native of Hesse-Darmstadt. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have six children: Charles F., Gussie, Evan, Addison, Mabel and Mary H. Mr. and Mrs. A. are members of the Christian Church.

JOHN JAMES BASSETT, A.B.

(Farmer and Ex-Maitre d’ecole, Post-office, Middle Grove). Mr. Bassett, a man of finished education, a graduate of the Missouri State University, as well as a teacher of long and approved experience, and one of the neat, business-like farmers of Union township, is by nativity and bringing up a Missourian, born and partly reared in Randolph county. His father and mother were both originally of Kentucky, who came to Randolph county in an early day. John J. was born in that county, four miles north-west of Middle Grove, on the 27^th of March, 1837. When he was about six years of age, however, they moved across into Monroe county, and settled in township 53, range 12, where they made their permanent home. John J. attended the neighborhood schools until he was well advanced in his studies. He then went to the academy at Paris, where he pursued his studies for two years. He was now prepared to enter the State University, and he accordingly matriculated at that institution, in which he continued until his graduation, receiving the degree of A.B. After his graduation he came home and taught a ten months school at Middle Grove. He then, in the winter of 1861-62, went to Sacramento, Cal., and was engaged in farming and teaching there for some time. Returning home in 1865, he resumed farming, and also taught school, both of which he continued alternately with each other up to the time of his marriage. On the 21^st of July, 1879, he was married to Miss Mary E. Hunter, a daughter of Burrill B. and Elizabeth (Lightner) Hunter, of this county. He then turned his attention exclusively to farming, which he has since followed without interruption. He has a place of 140 acres of land, and besides grain growing raises considerable stock. He and wife have two children: Harry H. and Fannie R. Both parents are members of the Christian Church. He has a handsome residence on his place, one of the best in the township. He was once elected justice of the peace, and filled that office with great credit to the local magisterial administration of justice, as well as to himself and the community.

TENNESSEE M. BASSETT

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Middle Grove). Tennessee Matthew Bassett was born on his father’s farm on section 9, in township 54 and range 12, in Monroe county, on the 1^st day of December, 1848. His parents were long old and respected residents of this county. Tennessee M. was reared on the farm and educated at the common schools, supplemented with a course at Younger’s Academy, where he studied the higher English branches and Latin. Afterwards he went to Jefferson City and began the study of medicine, and while there he also learned the drug business. Abandoning the idea of becoming a physician, he decided to give his attention wholly to the drug business, and accordingly, after ample experience at Jefferson City, returned to Monroe county and opened a drug store at Middle Grove, which he carried on with success for about four years. He then sold out to advantage, but resumed business in 1877, a year later, and continued it for some 12 months, and until he was burned out, a misfortune that was a serious reverse to him. He now engaged as a clerk in a store at Moberly, and clerked in that city for a short time, or until he took charge of a dry goods store at Holliday, where he was engaged in selling goods until 1879. Mr. Bassett then engaged in farming on section 9, township 53, range 11, in this county, and in handling fine short-horn stock, both of which he has since continued to follow. He has had good success as an agriculturist and is steadily coming to the front as a prominent farmer of the county. Mr. Bassett has a place of 245 acres, an excellent grain and stock farm, which he keeps in good condition and conducts in an enterprising and business-like manner. On the 29^th of October, 1879, Mr. Bassett was married to Miss Mary B. Giddings, a daughter of W. B. Giddings, mentioned in the sketch of Thomas M. Giddings, and also of W. B. Giddings and Evan S. Anderson, on other pages of this work. Mrs. Bassett was educated at Renslaw Academy in Ralls county, where she took a general English course and also studied French. She is a lady of superior education and highly-refined sensibilities, delicate in thought and word and most estimable both in her family and as a neighbor and friend. They have one child, Rob Roy, aged three years, named for the great French teacher of Belles-lettres, M. De Rob Roy.

CYRUS COLLINS EVANS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Madison). Mr. Evans’ paternal ancestry of the fifth generation came from Wales to America prior to the Revolution and settled on the boundary between North and South Carolina, in the valley of the great Pee Dee river. Later along in life, among the very first settlers of Kentucky, he pushed on out into that then wilderness and settled in Madison county, where he made his permanent home and where some of his descendants still reside. Mr. Evans’ father, the great grandson of the pioneer settler mentioned above, was born in Madison county, Ky., and after he grew up was there married to Miss Mahala Gutherie, of another family of early settlers of Kentucky. In 1830 they removed to Missouri and settled in Howard county, near Fayette.  Two years later they crossed over into Randolph county, where the father still resides, at the advanced age of 81. The mother, however, died in 1868. He was for many years a prominent stock man of that county and drove mules both south and north to the principal markets. Cyrus C. Evans, the subject of this sketch, was born the fall before his parents came to Missouri, October 7, 1829, and was therefore principally reared in Randolph county. On the 7^th of October, 1851, he was married to Miss Nancy A. Grimes, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Clark) Grimes, of Randolph county, but formerly of Virginia. Mr. Evans followed farming in that county until 1857, when he removed to Macon county, eight miles south of Newburg, where he was engaged in farming for 10 years. He then returned to Randolph county, but the year following came back to Monroe and settled on section 2, township 54, range 12, where he has since resided. He has a good farm and is quite extensively engaged in farming and stock raising, having met with good success in both lines of industry. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have seven children: Virginia E., the wife of Isaac C. Tater, now of Cook county, Texas; William H. H., who married Miss Isa ? Driscoll, and a resident of Monroe county; George Allen, who married Miss Addie Garnett and also resides in this county; Viola E., Manuel H., Anna L. and Fannie A. Two are deceased, Letha L. and Emma L. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Cyrus Collins Evans’ grandparents, on his mother’s side, were Nathaniel Guthery, born in Ambrose county, Va., and Nancy Guthery, who was born in the same State and county, near Lynchburg, on the James river. They moved to Kentucky in 1812, and settled in Madison county, 18 miles from Richmond, the county seat of Mason county, and lived there all their lives.

WALKER TURNER FEATHERSTON

(Farmer, Post-office, Middle Grove). Mr. Featherston is a native of Kentucky, born in Fayette county, July 26, 1825. His mother’s maiden name was Sarah Wymore; his father came originally from Virginia, but she was a native Kentuckian. She died when Walker T. was eight years of age and had been the mother of 11 children. The father afterwards married Rebecca Corman, who has borne him six children. In 1841, when Walker T. was a youth some 16 years of age, the family removed to Missouri and settled in Randolph county, two and a half miles from Middle Grove, in Monroe county. Walker T. grew to manhood in Randolph county, and obtained a good, general, common English education. He subsequently taught school more or less regularly for about 20 years, up to 1868. He married Miss Amanda M. F. Stephens, daughter of William R. and Agnes (Nelson) Stephens, of that county, her father formerly of Fauquier county, Va., but her mother of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Featherston have seven children: Mary S., the wife of John M. Doyle, of Monroe county; Minerva F., the wife of William J.  Llewellyn, of Audrain county; Walter A., who married Laura D. Settle, a daughter of Martin E. Settle, and resides in Monroe county; William S., who married Cora Llewellyn, the daughter of John T. Llewellyn, of Audrain county; Thomas S., who married Sarah R. Settle, daughter of Martin E. Settle, of Monroe county; Oscar M., still at home, and Fannie A. who is still at home. Four of their children are deceased, Charles A., John E., Otho L. and James E.  Mr. and Mrs. Featherston are members of the Christian Church, and he is a deacon in the church a man remarked among his co-members and by all who know him for his earnest, exemplary Christian piety. He was constable of Union township, Monroe county, Mo., and is now a successful farmer. He has a neat farm in a good state of improvement and an excellent measure of coal on his place. He is a prominent member of the A.F. and A.M., and has been a delegate to the Grand Worthy Serene Convocation of that order several times at St.  Louis.

THOMAS M. GIDDINGS

(Farmer, Post-office, Tulip). Mr. Giddings was born in Paris, January 8, 1835. His father was William B. Giddings, originally of Barren county, Ky. He came to Missouri early in life and located, first, at Fayette, in Howard county. He was married to Miss Mary H. Buckner, originally of Virginia, of the well known family of that name, representatives of which have attained to eminence in life, both in Kentucky and Missouri, as well as in Virginia and some of the other States. From Fayette he removed to Paris and then to Huntsville, but finally settled on a farm near Middle Grove, in Monroe county. Thomas M. was reared at Paris and Huntsville and on the farm. He had good opportunities for an education, not only passing through the common and preparatory schools, but having also the benefit of one year’s instruction at the State University, where he studied the high English branches and Latin. Returning home, he resumed farming to which he had been brought up, and in the spring of 1860 he was married to Miss Mary J. Todd, a daughter of Albert G. Todd, of this county. She was born February 12, 1842. Her father was from Madison county, Ky. After he was married Mr. Giddings continued farming, which he has since followed without interruption. His homestead tract of land contains 120 acres, and he has his place neatly and comfortably improved. He has a valuable coal measure on his farm which, however, has never been exploited to any considerable extent. Mr. and Mrs. Giddings have one child, Lillie M., aged three years. Mrs. G. is a member of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM B. GIDDINGS, JR.

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Tulip). Mr. William B. Giddings, Jr., was born in Monroe county April 28, 1842, and was educated in the schools of Paris. He was 19 years of age when the war broke out, and, like his brother-in-law, Mr. E. S. Anderson, he promptly enlisted in the Confederate service. For over four years he followed the flag of the South, and only returned after it had gone down in defeat to rise no more after a struggle which made it an emblem of the highest heroism and patriotic devotion the world has ever seen. He first enlisted in the State Guard, becoming a member of Co. A, Second Missouri Cavalry, Brace’s regiment, under Gen. Harris. After the expiration of that term of service, he enlisted in Co. G, Second regiment, First Missouri Brigade, Confederate service. Among the other battles in which he took part during the war are remembered those of Lexington, Mo.; Pea Ridge, Ark.; Corinth and Luka, Miss., and nearly all the engagements in which Gens. Johnston and Hood were engaged, whilst he was in their respective commands. He was paroled at Jackson, Miss., in 1865, and at once returned home and engaged in farming and stock-raising, in which he had been brought up. In August, 1867, he was married to Miss Kate Anderson, a daughter of A.A. and Catherine (McDowell) Anderson. She was born in Boyle county, Ky., in 1847, and was educated at Lexington, in that State. They have three children: Joseph, James and Fannie. Mrs. Giddings is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Giddings’ home tract of land contains nearly 300 acres, all of which is under fence and otherwise improved. He makes something of a specialty of raising short-horn cattle. Mr. Giddings has a two-foot vein of coal on his place, but has never begun to work it for the markets.

JAMES OWNBY, SR.

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Ex-Sheriff, Post-office, Middle Grove). For 57 years, since 1827, this old and respected citizen of Monroe county has been a continuous resident of the county. Indeed, he came here some years before the county was organized and has been a personal witness to its progress and an active worker in its development from its birth to the present time. He has seen the county made and has assisted to make it one of the first in population and wealth and in intelligence and prosperity in the sisterhood of counties of the State. Mr. Ownby is a native of Kentucky, born in Shelby county, November 11, 1810. His father, James Ownby, originally of Virginia, was a gallant soldier in the Revolution, as was also five brothers to his father. Mr. Ownby’s mother was a Miss Hawkins before her marriage. His parents were early settlers in Kentucky, and his father died there September 16, 1816, when James was only in his sixth year. Mr. Ownby’s mother never remarried, but with the help of her worthy family of children bravely faced the duties and responsibilities of life in widowhood. Left an orphan by the death of his father at this early age, and the family being by no means in easy circumstances, young Ownby’s lot was far from an easy or promising one. But his mother was devoted to her family and they to her, and together they carved out their destiny in a way that left few regrets and no heart-burnings. James Ownby, of course, had little or no school advantages, but had to work hard to help the family along. If he thus missed much of the knowledge taught in books, he more than made up for it by learning those lessons of fortitude in adversity, self-reliance and resolute industry, so important for success in life. The qualities that make successful men were stamped upon his character by nature, and although his early outlook seemed unpropitious, he triumphed over all obstacles before the meridian of life was reached and became one of the substantial citizens and influential men of his community. With the courage characteristic of the men of those early times, in 1827 he bravely pushed out into the then wilderness of North Missouri and settled in what is now Union township, of Monroe county. Here he went to work with courage and indefatigable industry to establish himself a home. In due time he succeeded in opening a farm and in 1835 was married to Miss Sarah J. Dulany, a daughter of George H. and Mary J. (Brassfield) Dulany, early settlers of this part of the country from Kentucky. Mrs. Ownby was born in that State June 4, 1817. She was a woman of many estimable qualities of head and heart and devoted herself to making home happy, to the interests of the church of which she was a devout member, and to assist her husband in providing for the family and getting along in the world. This proved a long and happy union and heaven prospered them with a worthy family of children, as the soil and seasons and their own industry prospered them with abundant harvests. Mr. Ownby rose to easy circumstances and at one time owned over 400 acres of fine land, large numbers of stock and considerable other property, whilst at home he was surrounded by everything to make sober farm life comfortable and contented. He also grew steadily in the confidence and esteem of his fellow countrymen and all who knew him. He was constable of his township for 16 years, and then afterwards, in 1866, was elected sheriff of the county and two years later was re-elected, filling that office to the full limit of the law. His son, William H. Ownby, was then elected sheriff and Mr. Ownby, pere, continued in the office as deputy. It is needless to say that a man of the sterling character of the subject of this sketch is a consistent, life-long and unvarying Democrat. All Democrats are good men and Mr. Ownby is no exception to this immutable law of moral philosophy. After quitting the office of sheriff he retired to his family and has since been spending his years in comparative rest from the severe activities of life. A man of the most generous impulses and singularly devoted to his family, he has distributed his land among his children until he now has only a small homestead left to himself, which he carries on no longer as an industry of profit or money making, but simply to provide comfortably for his own home. Those who journey down the stream of time must inevitably reach the gulf of eternity sooner or later. Such is the destiny of all things earthly, and oftentimes the end is reached when the ties of nature are the dearest and tenderest. When two loving hearts have made the voyage of life for long years together, becoming as time floats away knitted nearer and nearer together, it seems hard that they should ever be severed. But He who rules above surpasseth in wisdom as he surpasseth in gentleness and love, all earthly wisdom and all tenderness of the human heart. He knows what is wisest and best and to His decrees we must bow even more dutifully than the child yields to his father. It was ordained in Heaven that the good wife in this happy union should go first, perhaps to smooth and light the pathway of her husband to their common home above, as she had made happy and bright his pathway on earth. Accordingly, on the 11^th of September, 1882, the Angel of Death came and bore her pious and gentle spirit away to Heaven. Her remains now sleep peacefully in the church yard at Middle Grove, where those of her husband will some day join hers, as his spirit will join hers in their home on high. Of their family of children eight are living, namely: Powell S., of Denison, Tex.; George D., James 0., Jr., William H., Martha E., the wife of C.J. Chilton, of Randolph county; Mary E., the widow of S.O. Hunter; Sarah E., the wife of Thomas E. Bassett and John F. Each one of these is well known and highly respected in their communities. William H. Ownby, the fifth son, was born on the homestead in this county June 19, 1844, and received a good common-school education. Having decided to devote himself to a business life, he also took a course at commercial college at St. Louis. Inheriting his father’s inflexibility of character and a man of great energy and enterprise as well as of superior business qualifications, he soon rose to a position of prominence in the community, and for his personal worth, public spirit and strong intelligence he became recognized as the leader among those around him. After holding minor positions, in 1870 he was elected sheriff. In 1873 he was appointed one of the commissioners of Missouri to represent this State at the International Exposition in Vienna, Austria, and visited Europe in the execution of the duties of that commission. Since then he has retired to his farm near Middle Grove. In 1874 Mr. Ownby was married to Miss Mary T. Bodine, a refined and estimable daughter of Martin Bodine, a highly respected citizen of Paris, in this county. They have two children, Talitha C. and Mary B. Mrs. Ownby is a member of the Christian Church and Mr. Ownby is a prominent member of the Masonic order.

JAMES C. SNELL

(Farmer, Post-office, Middle Grove). Mr. Snell’s father came to Monroe county in a comparatively early day, and became quite a successful and well-to-do farmer, as well as a neighbor and citizen highly esteemed by all who were favored with his acquaintance. James Cumberland Snell, one of his sons, the subject of this sketch, was born on his father’s homestead, two miles north of Middle Grove, on the 8^th of September, 1846. His early youth was spent on a farm and he then went off to college. He took a regular course at Mt. Pleasant College, in Huntsville, and graduated there with distinction in the class of 1863, having taken Latin in his college course. After his graduation he returned home and engaged in merchandising at Middle Grove, which he followed for two years. He then turned his attention to farming, to which he had been brought up, and has followed farming since that time, except a year or two whilst he engaged in other pursuits. January 27, 1870, he was married to Miss Kate Thomas, a daughter of Dr. Thomas, of Waverly, Lafayette county. She was also educated at Huntsville. During the years 1873-74 he was farming and stock-raising in Lafayette county, and in 1879 and 1880 he was merchandising at Middle Grove. Mr. and Mrs. Snell have three children: Floyd, Clark and Nora. One besides, Susan, is deceased. Mr. Snell, as the above facts show, is a man of superior education, and is not less energetic as a farmer than he is proficient in the knowledge of books. He is meeting with good success in his agricultural affairs, and already occupies a position among the better farmers of the township.

CAPT. WILLIAM EDWARD WILLIAMS