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Woodlawn Township

JOHN W. ADAMS

(Farmer, Pest-office, Granville). Mr. Adams is a native Missourian, born in Monroe county November 3, 1835. Pursuing the even tenor of his way which destiny seems to have marked out for him, he was reared on the farm and has continued to follow the pursuit of farming. Obedient to one of the great laws of nature, the one on which the perpetuity of humanity depends, on the 9th of July, 1861, he was married, Miss Elizabeth C.  Dry becoming his wife. She was a daughter of William F. and Laura Dry, originally of Kentucky. Though this happy union was nominally, it proved not actually so. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are blessed with five children, namely: Laura E., Samuel T., Mary M., Willie M. and Ernest B. Mr. Adams settled on a farm soon after his marriage and went to work to establish himself comfortably in life. But already the heavy and ominous cloud of war had settled like a dark and fatal pall over the country, and ever and anon were heard the roaring peal of cannon and the rattle of musketry which meant death to many a brave man and sadness and sorrow around many a hearthstone, whilst the lurid flash of battle lit up with its terrible light many a former peaceful scene and green landscape where all nature was wont to smile with budding flowers and green meadows in the bright sunshine. He marched bravely off to the war to do for his country all that duty required and, if necessary, to die. He enlisted in the Southern service, under Col. Porter, and under the burning rays of the summer’s sun and the dark shadows of night marched and fought at every signal word of command, until at last he was stricken down by the palsying hand of disease and rendered hors de combat for further service, being honorably discharged on that account. But in the meantime, he had bravely borne himself on more that one field of battle, rallying around the tri-barred banner of the South, whose bright folds floated gallantly above the din and smoke of conflict, beautiful and talismanic, like a rainbow of hope athwart the sky, and there under its star-decked cerule might his gleaming bayonet be seen heroically glistening in the front rank of the charge. After his discharge Mr. Adams resumed farming, which he has since continued. He has 120 acres of good land which he has comfortably improved. Mr. Adams is looked upon as one of the sterling men of the township. His parents were George and Eleanor (Randol) Adams, early settlers of Monroe county from Kentucky. His father died in 1866, but his mother is still living. Mrs. Adams’ mother died in 1872, and her father less than two months afterwards, in December of the same year.

 

Z. M. ATTERBERY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Woodlawn). No history of this county would be complete which failed to include a biographical sketch of one or more members of the pioneer families of which the subject of the present sketch is a worthy representative.  The Atterberys came originally from South Carolina, where the family had settled prior to the revolution. About the close of the last century the father of the subject of this sketch, with his family, removed to Kentucky, and in 1829 he went to Tazewell county, Ill., but remained there only about five years, coming west again, and this time settling permanently in Woodlawn township, of Monroe county. This was when the country was in its infancy, away back at a day when the whole State was hardly more than a wilderness. The father lived here until his death, and when Elijah Atterbery died many a brave-hearted old pioneer who had faced the greatest dangers in the wilds, stood round his bed and wept generous tears over his departure, for he was a man who possessed more than the average of those qualities of head and heart which bring around one near and dear friends, friends who prize him as a brother, kind and true, to be relied upon in every emergency. He had borne his full part in the great work of transforming the virgin forests and the horizon-bound prairies of Missouri into smiling harvest fields, and the abodes of an intelligent and prosperous and happy people. Let not the memory of such men fade from the minds of posterity, for to their courage and brawn we owe the beneficent civilization in the great West that we now enjoy. His good wife, Mary Atterbery, a daughter of Isaac Taylor, of South Carolina, and a woman in every way worthy to have been the life companion of such a man, such a bold pioneer and generous hearted Christian, nobleman of nature, she, too, has passed away in the fullness of time, the ripeness of years, and now sleeps peacefully by his side in the quiet little family graveyard, where they shall rest in peace until the resurrection morn shall dawn to call them to their eternal inheritance of bliss in Paradise. Z. M. was born while his parents lived in Kentucky, February 2, 1825, and was therefore nine years of age when the smoke of their camp-fire curled for the first time above the virgin prairies of Monroe county. He was reared in this county and obtained such an education, only, as could be had in the primitive schools of the period. But he learned enough for the ordinary practical purposes of life and grew up to be a farmer, an occupation he has always followed. In 1854, he was married to Miss Josephine Dabney, a daughter of Bluford and Rebecca (Vickery) Dabney, originally of Kentucky. Four children have blessed this union: Elijah, Rebecca, the wife of J. H. Dawson; Lou, the wife of Walter Dickson, and Mattie, femme libre, at home. Mr. Atterbery has a good farm of 292 acres, which is comfortably and substantially improved. In 1865 he had the misfortune to lose his first wife, a most estimable lady, greatly loved in her family, and esteemed by all. To his present wife he was married in 1866. Her maiden name was Parris; she was a daughter of Elizabeth Parris, of Kentucky. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

 

CAPT. FRANKLIN BURNHAM

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Woodlawn). Capt. Burnham, one of the prominent citizens and substantial men of Woodlawn township, is a native of Maine, born in Oxford county, January 31, 1808. His parents were Jeremiah Burnham, originally of Massachusetts, and Mehetable, ? nee Sanborn, born and reared in Maine. In 1817 the family removed to Athens county, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was reared. On attaining his majority he started out for himself as a farmer, which he followed with success for ten years. He then went into the mercantile business, and also speculating in produce and pork, following these for about seven years. In 1855 he removed to Illinois where he resumed the occupation of a farmer, which he has since continued. In 1866 he removed 560 to Missouri and located in Woodlawn township, of Monroe county, where he still resides. Here he has a good farm of 260 acres, comfortably and well improved. In Ohio in the old muster days, Capt. Burnham served as captain of militia for some time. He also held numerous local offices in that State and was postmaster for a number of years. In 1829 he was married in Ohio to Miss Orpha Lord. She was a daughter of Holtem Lord and Almira, nee Phelps, both originally of New York and of two well known New England families. Both the Lords and Phelps on coming to this country during its first settlement settled in Connecticut, and of the Lord family Rev. Benjamin Lord, a distinguished divine who flourished between 1694 and 1784, was a well known representative. He was a native of Connecticut and an able and voluminous theological writer. Then there was Hon. Frederick W. Lord who removed from Connecticut to New York, an accomplished scholar and for a number of years a representative in Congress. He died in 1860. Following him was Hon. Scott Lord, a leading Democrat in Congress from New York up to a few years ago. The Phelps family has had so many men eminent in public life that it is needless to mention them. Mr. and Mrs. Burnham have had nine children: Horace L., now of Kansas City, Mo.; Olive C., is yet living, the wife of Matthew Wilson; M. D., who died in 1882; Oscar F., who died in Illinois in 1882; Dorothy, Lois A., William W., who died in this country in 1880; Hiram H. and Jarvis H. Horace L. was a gallant officer in the Union army during the war and by his conspicuous bravery rose to the rank of major. He was severely wounded, being shot in the right shoulder, from the effects of which he lost the use of his right hand. William W. was a lieutenant in the army and was wounded, being shot through the left thigh. Hiram H. was also a lieutenant and a brave defender of the Union in the hour of its greatest peril. Capt.  and Mrs. Burnham are members of the M.E. Church. They are both highly respected as neighbors and friends by those among whom they live and, indeed, by all who know them.

 

CHARLES V. CLAY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 19, Post-office, Shelbina). Mr. Clay, related by consanguinity, as well as name, to the well known Clay family of Kentucky, is himself a native Kentuckian, born in Bourbon county, December 25, 1824. When four years of age he was brought to Missouri by his parents, Charles and Polly (Hatheman) Clay, who emigrated to this State in 1828, and settled in Monroe county, where they still reside, venerated and respected residents of the county. In 1857 Mr. Clay was married to Miss Amanda Huninger, a daughter of Samuel Huninger and Sarah, nee Totten, both originally of Virginia. Ten children have been the fruits of this union: Lucy C. now the wife of H. H. Cunningham; Susan L., now the wife of S. L. Stalens; Margaret E., Caroline, Morton F., Julia, Missouri B., Irene M., Mattie G. and Baby. Mr. Clay has a large farm, containing 300 acres of excellent land, and is one of the prominent and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Woodlawn township. He has a more than ordinarily handsome residence, commodious and neatly built, and his other buildings are substantial and tastily constructed. In short, his farm is one of the well improved places of the township. He is to quite a considerable extent engaged in raising stock, and has some excellent grades of cattle and hogs on his place. He is a man of enterprise and progressive ideas, energetic and public spirited, both as a farmer and citizen. He stands high in the community and has the confidence of all who know him. He and wife are members of the Christian Church at Otter Creek, and he is a member of the Good Templars order, and takes an active interest in the promotion of the cause of temperance. He has been school director for several years, as he still is.

 

REV. JAMES CLARK DAVIS

(Pastor of the Christian Church, Woodlawn). Rev. Mr. Davis is a native of Kentucky, born in Clark county, May 19, 1809. At the age of 13 he went to Maysville, Mason county, to learn the dry goods business, and continued at that place for six years, or until he was 19 years of age. By this time he had learned the practical part of retail merchandising thoroughly, and was accounted a more than ordinarily active, efficient and popular salesman and young business man. But he had done more than this; of steady habits and a studious mind, he had devoted his leisure to the acquisition of an education, and had succeeded in securing more than an average knowledge of books for -a young man of his age. Quitting the store; he taught school for a year and then attended an academy of local repute in Clark county for two terms of ten months. This prepared him to enter upon higher studies, and in 1824 he matriculated at the able and eminent Transylvania College at Lexington, in which he took a hard and thorough course of study for three years, coming out a scholar of fine culture and attainments. He was now greatly needing an active life to restore his health, and he accordingly accepted a clerkship on a steamboat, which he filled with great satisfaction to his superior officers and all concerned for two years. Returning to Clark county, he remained there until 1833, occupying his time to advantage in different pursuits, but never ceasing to be a student, a careful and judicious reader of the best books and a painstaking investigator of all the great problems and questions that present themselves to a thoughtful and sober mind, including those of the sciences, philosophy, history, public affairs, theology, etc. From Clark county Mr. Davis went to Montgomery county, Ky., where he became master of an academy. While there young Hood, afterwards the distinguished officer, Gen. John B. Hood, who commanded so brilliantly at the battle of Peach Orchard, was one of his pupils. In 1844 Mr. Davis was solicited to take charge of Funk’s Seminary, a Masonic institution, being elected head of the seminary by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. In 1845 the seminary, by act of the Legislature, became a college, and J. Randolph Finley was elected president. In 1846 he resigned his position there to accept a more desirable and lucrative offer in Louisville, Ky., but tiring of the confinement and hard work of the schoolroom, in 1847 he went to Louisiana and engaged in merchandising at Plaquemine, 100 miles above New Orleans. From Plaquemine he went to the city of New Orleans, and in 1851 joined Lopez’s expedition to Cuba, but the ship on which he took transportation being attacked by a Spanish man-of-war, his vessel was compelled to return. From New Orleans Mr. Davis went to Hinds county, Miss., but later along was elected principal of the Masonic High School of Raymond, Miss., a position he held for seven years, making the high school one of the best and most popular preparatory institutions in the State. After this he returned to merchandising, and was successfully engaged in that business at Utica, Hinds county, when the war broke out. A Southern man by birth, sympathies and convictions, he showed the courage and patriotism of the Revolutionary ancestor from whom he sprang, and promptly threw himself into the conflict in behalf of identically the same principles - independence and the right of local self-government, for which his father had fought more than three-quarters of a century ago. He was active and zealous in enlisting volunteers for the South, and was elected captain of Co. C, Sixteenth Mississippi Volunteers, having himself enlisted as early as January, 1861. For four years and three months he followed the bright banner of the Confederacy through battle and march, and hardship and danger, until all was lost for which the heroism of the bravest people who ever fought and failed had struggled so long. He was in many of the most lurid-lit and death-dealing battles of the war, including the deadly struggle at Cold Harbor and the fatal conflict at Malvern Hill, as well as the engagements at Winchester, Savage Station, Frazier’s Crossing, Cross Keys, Fort Republican and many others. After the war, Capt. Davis returned to Mississippi, and after being engaged in different pursuits, bought the Mississippi Springs property, for which he paid $10,000, where he established a high school, and this he conducted for two years. In 1867 he returned to Kentucky. In the meantime he had studied for the ministry and been duly ordained in the Christian Church, and had also done considerable work in the pulpit. For the next five years after returning to Kentucky he was engaged in the schoolroom and the pulpit at different points. In 1872 he came to Missouri, locating at Shelbina, but the following year he removed to Madison, where he was engaged in teaching and preaching for three years. From Madison he came to Woodlawn, and has since had charge of the Christian Church at this place. Rev. Mr. Davis is a man of wide experience in the world, profound learning in the books, particularly in theology, an accomplished general scholar, a man of sincere and earnest piety, and an able and eloquent minister of the Gospel, a worthy representative of Him who taught faith, humility and good works. September 20, 1832, he was married to Miss Sabrina Linville, who lived to cheer him and brighten his home for nearly 40 years, dying March 10, 1871. She had borne him four children, all of whom are deceased. February 28, 1872, he was married to Mrs.  Martha Thacker, nee Orr, relict of John Thacker, deceased. They have had six children: James (deceased), Martha A., Mary E., John A., Lulelia J. and Lee O. Rev. Mr. Davis has been a member of the Masonic order since 1831. He was a son of Septimus and Mary (Clay) Davis, his father a native of Pennsylvania, but his mother a Virginian by nativity. His father was an officer in the Revolutionary army, and came to Kentucky in 1783, locating in Fayette county, where he was the friend and associate of Daniel Boone for a number of years, the two living in the same fort, in fact, for some time. He married Miss Clark, May 29, 1801, and reared eight children. She was a member of that old and now wealthy and aristocratic Clark family, for which Clark county, Ky., is named.

 

JAMES DUNCAN

(Farmer, Post-office, Duncan’s Bridge). It was for Mr. Duncan’s father, David Duncan that Duncan’s Bridge was named, and he, the father, was one of the sturdy pioneers of Missouri. He came to this State with his family away back in the territorial days of the country. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth Finney before her marriage and they reared a worthy family of children. On coming to Missouri they first located in Howard county, then a sort of center for settlers. But later along they removed to Randolph county and finally settled permanently in Monroe county. Their family was the only one for considerable time throughout all the region round about Duncan’s Bridge, and it was a great stopping place for people passing this way. They were old-fashioned, great-hearted, hospitable people, always with plenty to eat, a big fire in the winter time and warm, thick feather beds, and their latch string was always on the outside for every worthy person who chose to partake of the hospitalities. These good old people have long since passed away, but the memory of their kind and generous lives hovers like a beautiful halo in the minds of those who knew them, and mingled with them at the places that now know them no more, around their own fireside, at the homes of their neighbors, in the old-fashioned log churches and at neighborhood gatherings. Let them not be forgotten while the truer and better qualities of head and heart are cherished among men. James Duncan, the subject of this sketch, was born in Kentucky, August 1, 1814, but was principally reared in Missouri. He was brought up to an honest, hard-working, farm life, which has continued to be his occupation with but little interruption. Away back in 1835, he was married to Miss Mary V. Taylor. She lived 27 years after she wore her bridal wreath, and became the beloved mother of seven children, but three of whom are now living: Greenbury, James and Francis. John W. died after his marriage, the others, young and unmarried. In 1862 Mr. Duncan was married to Miss Elizabeth Capp. They have seven children: Caroline, Elisha, Willard, Thrasher, Josephine, Urna and two are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan are members of the Christian Church. His farm contains 120 acres, and is comfortably improved. Aside from a trip to California in 1850, his whole life has been spent in Monroe county up to this time and from the first settlement of his father’s family at Duncan’s Bridge.

 

SOLON H. FARRELL

(Of Farrell & Woods, Dealers in General Merchandise, Woodlawn). The present business was established in 1880, though Mr. Woods did not become connected with it until the spring of 1883. Mr. Farrell established the business originally and has since been connected with it. A good trade has been built up and an excellent stock of general merchandise is kept constantly on hand. Both are gentlemen of well known integrity of character and genial, accommodating manners and are quite popular with the public, both for their personal worth and excellent business qualifications. Mr. Farrell was born and reared in the Blue Grass State, where, after attaining his majority, as before, he followed farming and stock-raising until his removal to Missouri in 1878, and with good success. Here he dealt in stock mainly, buying and shipping to the wholesale markets, having located in Monroe county, until he began merchandising at Woodlawn, in 1880. He was married August 14, 1870, to Miss Susie Luck, who has been all good luck to him. Mr. Farrell was born in Madison county, Ky., January 30, 1847, and was a son of Daniel and Spicie (Irving) Farrell, both Kentuckians by nativity. Mr. Farrell is a member of the Christian Church, as is also his wife. Their only child, Alma, a bright little girl, died when in her eighth year, in 1881.

 

MILTON FORSYTH

(Farmer, Post-office, Woodlawn). Farming has been Mr. Forsyth’s occupation from boyhood, and being a man of clear intelligence and industrious habits, on the rich soil of Monroe county, blessed as it usually is with favorable seasons, he has been entirely successful, as would seem to go without saying. Fixedness of pursuit and perseverance in any given line of useful employment will in nine cases out often bring success, and Mr. Forsyth’s career is but another illustration of this fact. He now has a fine farm of nearly 300 acres of land with good buildings on his place, excellent fencing, large fields and pastures, and, in fact, everything in unexceptionable shape. Mr. Forsyth, like many of the best farmers and citizens of Monroe county, is a native of the Blue Grass State, born in Harrison county, August 31, 1827. He was reared in his native county, and there learned those methods of farming and of handling stock which have made Kentuckians noted the country over for their success as farmers and stock-raisers. At the age of 29 he came to Missouri, desiring to avail himself of the fertile lands to be had in this State at comparatively nominal prices. He located in Monroe county, where he has since resided. On the 2d of February, 1851, he was married to Miss Burzilla Milner, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Lail) Milner, of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth have been blessed with 13 children, namely: Sarah F., Charles F., Nancy N., James H., John W., Elizabeth M., Mary S., William L.; all the above are married; Anna A., Minnie F., Joseph M., Katie S. and Elsie R. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth are members of the Christian Church, as are also all their children above the age of 10. He is a member of the A.F. and A.M. at Granville. Mr. Forsyth’s parents were Augustus and Fannie (Sparks) Forsyth, the father a native of Maryland, and the mother of Virginia. Mr. Forsyth has been school director of district No. 4, of Woodlawn township, for a number of years. He has also been a deacon in the Christian Church for 25 years, and is now an elder.

 

JOHN HENDRICKS

(Saw and Grist Miller, Post-office, Duncan’s Bridge). Mr. Hendricks’ parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Thrasher) Hendricks, came to Missouri from Kentucky away back in 1819 and settled in Marion county, which was then a part of Ralls county, and with the exception of a few pioneer cabins here and there, nearly a day’s journey apart, was an uninhabited wilderness, the bear and the panther and the savage still being denizens of its great forests and horizon bound prairie. Mr. Hendricks, now himself an old man far beyond the allotted age of three score and ten, was then a boy around his father’s knee. He grew up in this new country and was educated in the school of hardships and privations and dangers common to those times. In 1852, then grown up, he went to Shelby county and followed farming there for 13 years. Returning to Monroe county in 1860, he located at Duncan’s Bridge and commenced milling, which he has since followed, for a period now of nearly a quarter of a century, and neither has the old mill gone to decay long ago, nor is the miller lying sleeping where the gentle breezes blow, near the stream that ripples by the mill, but both Mr. Hendricks, still well preserved in health, and almost as vigorous as of yore, and his mill are yet going, and by the blessing of Heaven will continue to go on through years to come, grinding and sawing for the honest good men in and around Duncan’s Bridge. When he put the mill in operation he gave this place the name of Leesburg. Mr. Hendricks has an excellent mill, a mill that does good work for all comers, and he himself is a man whose name has stood for more than a generation without reproach, a man respected and esteemed for his sterling worth, his generous heart and honest and useful life he has led. Away back in 1837 he was married to Miss Frances Daugherty, and for over 36 years she was spared to rear their children, and to make their home one of singular happiness and contentment. But at last the dark shadow of death entered their door, and beneath his pall her spirit took its flight to its home beyond the skies. She had borne him 10 children, namely: Paulina, the wife of William Ray; Martha A., the wife of John Ridgeway; William P., Samuel C., Marion M., John I., Daniel Franklin, Frances M. and Mary E., deceased, and George G.  Mr. Hendricks is a member of the M E. Church South.

 

THOMAS HIGHTOWER

(Farmer, Post-office, Granville). The 12th of June, 1884, was the forty-fourth birthday of the subject of the present sketch. He is a native of Shelby county, Mo., and was brought up on his father’s farm in that county. He was in his thirty-first year when the war broke out, and as soon as he became settled that there was really going to be a fight, he went to the front to do his full part in the struggle. He enlisted in July, 1861, and for 14 months was a faithful soldier of the South. But at last he was captured and made to take an oath not to bear arms any further on the Southern side during the war, and being a man of conscience, he felt bound to keep his plighted obligation. He therefore took no further part in the war. Meanwhile on the 6th of March, 1862, he was married to Miss Mary E. Dill, a daughter of Henry and Rebecca Dill, of Shelby county, and his stay at home during the great struggle was therefore not as disagreeable as it might otherwise have been. On the contrary it was quite the reverse, and barring occasional annoyances from the restless spirits of either army, was all that could have been desired, for his wife, a good and true woman, made and still makes his home a happy one. About the close of the war he engaged in railroading, becoming section foreman, and which he followed with success for about 10 years. He then removed to Monroe county and engaged in farming, which he has since followed. He has a place of about 100 acres of land, which is fairly well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Hightower have had six children: Benjamin, Eleanor, deceased; Minnie, Austin, Thomas and Laura, deceased. He and wife are members of the M.E. Church South. Mr. Hightower was a son of William and Mary E.(Utz) Hightower, early settlers of Shelby county.

JAMES C. JACKSON

CFarmer, Post-office, Woodlawn). Ellis Jackson and wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Houden, were early settlers in Monroe county. Here the father became a responsible farmer and respected citizen, and he and his wife won the esteem and high regard of all who knew them. They reared a worthy family of children, and among these was James C., the subject of the present sketch. He was born December 7, 1850, and was brought up to farm work, having an opportunity, however, to obtain a good common school education, which he did not fail to improve. At the age of 20 he struck out in the world for himself, and, feeling a little lonely after leaving the old family hearthstone, he concluded to have a hearthstone of his own and somebody to sit by it, whose grace and beauty would be a feast for his eyes and heart. Accordingly, on the 6th of March, 1871, he was duly united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Anna R. Webb, a lady whose charms were more enrapturing than the beauty of all the stars, and whose lovely tresses swept in the summer zephyrs like the Milky Way that floats serenely in the sky. She was, indeed, a lady of rare beauty of form and feature, her loveliness of person only being exceeded by the beauty and gentleness of her mind and the excellence and tenderness of her heart. This union has proved one of great happiness, and Mrs. Jackson still presides over the home that she was brought to be queen of with that grace and refinement that are possible only to one of the most ladylike sensibilities. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have been singularly unfortunate in the loss of their children, having buried four of the nine with whom heaven blessed them, but the Lord giveth all we have, and in His good wisdom He taketh away. Let the will of the Lord be done. The five living are: Ernest, Reid, Minnie, Bobbie and Sunie. Those deceased were: Maggie, Eli, Lloyd and Cephas. Mr. Jackson has been farming, and still is following that occupation. He is an industrious man and, above all, a good husband, eminently worthy of the queenly wife who adorns his home with her lovely presence.

 

WILLIAM R. LEGRAND

(Farmer, Post-office, Woodlawn). Mr. Legrand, who, as his name implies, is of French descent, was 16 years of age when his parents, Henry and T. (Seamenter) Legrand, immigrated to Missouri from Kentucky in 1848, having been born in the latter State October 1, 1832. They located in Schuyler county, where they made their permanent home. William R. was married in that county January 4, 1855, when Miss Eliza J. Chanic, a daughter of Thomas Chanic, originally of Kentucky, became his wife. Twenty-three years of age when he was married, he had already begun farming for himself. This he kept up in Schuyler county with good success until after the outbreak of the war. He then enlisted in the Confederate service and served with courage and fidelity as a soldier until the time when he returned home, then resuming farming. While in the service he participated in the battle at Kirksville, and some other engagements of less importance. Resuming farming, he now continued it in Schuyler county until 1866 and then removed to Monroe county. Here he bought a place on which he at once settled and went to work. His career as a farmer in this county has been one of satisfactory success. He has a good place of 200 acres of land, improved with good buildings, excellent fences, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Legrand have eight children: Henry T., Martin L., Samuel C., John W., Christie A., Mary J., James R. and Lucy M. Mr. Legrand is a practical carpenter and does considerable business in that line, his work being sought after by those who know him, for he has the reputation of being a careful, painstaking and capable workman. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church at Oak Grove, and he has filled the chairs of warden and deacon in the A.F. and A.M. lodge of which he is a member.

 

TRAVIS MILLION

(Farmer, Post-office, Woodlawn). It was in 1838 that Mr. Million’s parents, Joel and Mary (Sanders) Million, left Madison county, Ky., for Monroe county, Mo. They settled in what afterwards became a part of Shelby county, where they lived until their deaths, peaceful, contented and respected lives. The father died at the age of 79, and the mother at 65. They reared a family of 10 children, seven sons and three daughters, and one, besides, died in infancy. Nine of the ten, all but a brother who killed himself, accidentally, at the age of 56, are living. All are married except one brother, who resides in California. Travis Million was born in Madison county, Ky., October 10, 1819. He was therefore 19 years of age when his parents came to Missouri, and he continued to live with them until he was 24 years of age, then went to work for himself and soon entered a piece of land, the tract now included in his farm, which he shortly began improving. In 1846 he was married to Miss Emerald C. Wright, a daughter of Thomas L. Wright, of Kentucky. He then having erected a cabin on his place, went to housekeeping, and his wife stood by his side, the brave and good and true woman that she was, for over 30 years, and bore her full share of the hard struggle of fixing themselves comfortably in life. While he was busy in the field, she was busy at the wheel, and thus they worked on happy and contented, seeing that the seasons prospered them with abundant harvests, and heaven with a worthy family of children. But at last the angel of death came and the spirit of his good wife passed through glory’s morning gate and found its rest in Paradise.  She had borne him nine children: Mary T., who died after her marriage to Daniel Purcell; Laurinda, the wife of Andrew C. Haden; Townsend, Missouri A., who died in infancy; Haden, also deceased; Tabitha, who died whilst the wife of Jacob P. Vaughan, and George, who resides in Montana. February 18, 1879, Mr. Million married Mrs. Elizabeth Million, nee Holman, widow of W. S. Million, deceased.  She was a daughter of John and Nancy (Martin) Holman, both deceased, but originally from Kentucky. By this union Mr. Million has no children, but he and his excellent wife are rearing two orphans, Allen F. Lucas and Mary Trussell. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Million’s farm contains 270 acres and he is very comfortably fixed. Neither Thomas L. Wright, Mr. Million’s first wife’s father, nor John Holman, his present wife’s father, ever left their native State or county, but were born, lived and died in Madison county, Ky.

 

GARLAND C. MITCHELL

(Farmer, Post-office, Holliday). Every one who remembers the closing events of the war has a distinct recollection of the sinking of the steamer Kentucky, in June, 1865, on its way from the South after the general surrender, freighted with ex-Confederate soldiers returning home. It was loaded down almost to the water’s edge with brave veterans of the South who for more than four years had gone through the hardships and dangers of one of the most terrible wars of which history gives any account, and who were now on their way back to the loved ones from whom they had been separated so long, and who were watching and waiting at each doorstep to see the care-worn form of the absent ones appear before them. But many of these brave men, after escaping death on many a hard-fought field and in the more deadly morasses and everglades of the South, were destined never to see home again. Whilst they were on the boat, their hearts swelling up with fond anticipations as they neared closer and closer to those who were watching for them, the unhappy boat went down amid a mighty rush of waters, and soon all was quiet again, but 700 brave soldiers were buried beneath the waves never more to see home or loved ones, for their spirits had taken their flight from the earth forevermore. Garland C. Mitchell, the subject of this sketch, a brave ex-Confederate soldier, was on the fatal boat at the time it went down, but as by miracle, almost, escaped with his life. He, too, had been gone for four years and had done his full duty as a brave soldier from the beginning. He enlisted in Capt. Crow’s company, formed in Monroe county early in the war, and remained out until the close of the struggle, taking part in all the terrible death-duels of the war, where duty called. Returning to Monroe county, he resumed the occupation of a farmer, to which he had been brought up, and which he has since continued to follow. November 15, 1870, he was married to Miss Jennie Bierly, a daughter of Christopher Bierly and Mary (Butts) Bierly. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have three children: Eddie C., Mary F. and Effie R. He and wife are members of the M.E. Church South. Mr. Mitchell is a native of Kentucky, born in Oldham county, April 10, 1841. His parents were Charles P. and Rebecca (White) Mitchell, who removed to Missouri, settling in Monroe county, when Garland C. was 16 years of age, where they still reside.

W. S. OVERFELT

(Farmer, Post-office, Duncan’s Bridge). Born in Virginia and reared in Monroe county, Mo., Mr. Overfelt was 23 years of age when the tocsins of war sounded in 1861, which called many a brave spirit from the earth. He gallantly plighted himself as a soldier under the banner of the Confederacy, and marched off to the war, tearing himself away from the arms of a loving young wife, and quitting for the hard march, the tented field and the lurid death-wailing battle scene, a peaceful, quiet, happy home, the tender caresses of wife, and the welcome and loving prattle of children. For four long years and more he bravely kept step to the music of the Southern drum and wherever duty called there might his gleaming bayonet be seen glittering in the sunlight amid the shadow and pall of battle, the sentry of a brave man’s devotion to his conscience and to the cause that he believed right, a cause of Southern independence and the great and eternal principles of State sovereignty and local self-government, principles which, like the names of the men who fought and bled for their maintenance, were not born to die. After the war young Overfelt returned to Monroe county, where he has since resided, and proving that a brave soldier makes a good citizen, he has since lived a quiet and industrious farm life. He was born in Old Virginia, and the 23d of February, 1838, was the day the light of the earth, or rather, of the solar center of the universe first shot athwart his visual globules. He was a son of Barry and Martha (Darvis) Overfelt, his father a descendant of sturdy ancestors from beyond the Rhine, and his mother of Celtic origin, in the mountain regions of Wales, where the Romans nor the Saxons nor the Normans ever penetrated the brave country that has maintained its autonomy as a principality to this day and constitutes the title of the heir-apparent to the British throne, a power whose drum-beat like the morning light circles the earth, and whose flag floats on every sea from the Bay of Biscay to the gulf of Carpentaria, and from the yellow waters off the coast of Corea ? to the green waves that dash against the shores of the Patagonia. The family came to Missouri when young Overfelt was still in tender years, and located in Monroe county. Mr. Overfelt has been twice married. His first wife, formerly Miss Eliza Jackson, died less than two years after their marriage. To his present wife he was married October 14, 1860. She was a sister to his first wife. They have eight children: Jeff Davis, Thomas E., James W., Benjamin, Christopher, Barry, Della and Joe L. Mr. and Mrs. Overfelt are members of the Old School Baptist Church. He has a good farm and is a very successful stock dealer.

 

GEORGE RAUK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Duncan’s Bridge). From beyond the poetic and vine-clad waters of the Rhine, celebrated in song and story from time out of mind for the scenes of noble courage and grand achievement, and of happy loves and gentle wooing they have witnessed, came George Rank, the subject of this sketch. He was born in the land of the Nibelungen Lied, January 6, 1835, and was a son of Erkwein and Eve (Modt) Rank, whose families had been settled in Germany since before the time that Czar attempted to conquer the brave spirits of her dark forests. Young Rauk was reared in the noble fatherland and in 1853 shipped for the New World on this side the mad-capped waters of the Atlantic. He landed in New York and continued in the Empire State for two years. He then migrated across the blue-mist peaks of the Alleghanies, and over the sea-like valleys of the Ohio, to the distant shores of Lake Michigan, settling on the rich, luscatine? soil of Wisconsin, where he remained pursuing the rural labors of Cincinnatus for five years. From the land of the wolverines he came to Missouri, and settled in Monroe county, where he has since resided. Here he has followed farming and has been known as one of the industrious, hard working men of the township, respected by all for his honesty and industry. During the late war he served for some time in the militia. On the 20th of January, 1869, he was married to Miss Betsey Baird, a daughter of Thomas Baird from ancient Caledonia. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Rauk are members of the M.E. Church. Mr. Rauk is one of the sterling, substantial, enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of this part of the country, a man progressive and liberal in his ideas and of marked intelligence, one of the useful and valuable citizens of his community. Such men develop a country and add more to its prosperity and advancement than a score of inactive, inert men, who sit around and grumble at the seasons, the soil, the markets, and their bad luck, instead of going to work and accomplishing something for themselves, their family and the prosperity of the country.

 

WILLIAM G. SANDERS

(Farmer, Post-office, Woodlawn). Mr. Sanders, a venerable and time-honored citizen of Woodlawn township, a man who has resided in Monroe county for half a century, and one whose life throughout has been industrious and active and without reproach, and who, for a spotless character and many estimable qualities, is greatly esteemed and venerated by all his neighbors and acquaintances,  this good and true citizen is by nativity a worthy son of the Old North State, born in Wake county, September 28, 1807, but was reared in Madison county, Kentucky, where his parents removed whilst he was quite young. His father, Wiley Sanders, was a native of the Old Dominion, but his mother, whose maiden name was Celia Pruitt, was born and reared in North Carolina. In 1834 the family came to Missouri and “Uncle Billy”, as he is now called, but then a young man, came with them. He had married three years before, Miss Paulina Heathman, a daughter of Benjamin Heathman, having become his wife February 3, 1831. They all settled in Monroe county, and here the parents died, the father in 1848, and the mother in 1866, at the advanced age of eighty-five. Mr. Sanders’ first wife died in 1838, May the 18th, leaving him three children: Benjamin F., Wiley J., who died at the age of 35, and Josephus, who died in tender years. On December the 11th, 1838, Mr. Sanders was married to Miss Elizabeth Gains, a daughter of Thomas Gains. She lived but a short time, leaving one child, William M., who died quite young. On July 4, 1842, he was married to Miss Frances Gains, a sister to his second wife. She died on September 1, 1844. January 12, 1845, he was married to Miss Anna R. Alexander, a daughter of Archibald Alexander and Isabella Patton, her father of the old Alexander family of Kentucky. She was born in Kentucky, May 9, 1818. They have five children: Paulina, the wife of J. R. Cury; Sarah F., who died in infancy; Amanda E., the wife of John W. Holder; John H., and Archibald F., deceased. Mr. Sanders has a farm of nearly 300 acres, with good substantial improvements. He is comfortably situated and now in the serene afternoon of a well spent life, in which he can look back and see but little to regret, he is able to enjoy with ease and a pure conscience the fruits of his long years of toil and the good opinion of the many kind friends and neighbors that live around him. Loved in his own family and esteemed and venerated by all, his situation, now that the shadows of old age are settling around him, is one that we may all look forward to and envy, hoping that the evening of our lives may be as favored and blest as is his.

 

JOHN H. SANDERS

(Farmer, Post-office, Woodlawn). Of an old and respected Missouri family Mr. Sanders is a representative, his parents having come here away back in the early days of the country. They were from Kentucky, and settled in Monroe county, where they have been long known as worthy neighbors by all among whom they live. Both parents, William G. and Anna R. (Alexander) Sanders, were native Kentuckians, and the families of which they came were each from Virginia. John H. the subject of this sketch, was born January 13, 1852, and was reared on his father’s homestead in Monroe county. At the age of 21, or rather in his twenty-first year, September 12, 1872, he was married to Miss Josephine F. Newby, daughter of John W. and Martha (Wright) Newby, both also originally of Kentucky. Mrs. Sanders was born in Madison county of that State, July 3, 1855, and came with her parents to Missouri in 1866. They now reside in Randolph county. After his marriage Mr. Sanders remained at home on the farm till January 17, 1873, when he then went to farming for himself, which he has since continued. Mr. Sanders is an industrious, energetic farmer and highly respected in the vicinity as a neighbor and citizen. Since 1881 he has been a school director in district No. 5 of Woodlawn township.  He and wife attend the Christian Church at Woodlawn.

 

SIDNEY A. SANDERS

(Farmer, Post-office, Woodlawn). Wiley Sanders and wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Jennings, came to Missouri with their parents in an early day, and were married in this State and soon settled in Woodlawn township, Monroe county, where they lived until their deaths. The father, however, died in 1855, leaving his wife and two children, Sidney A. and Julia A., the latter now the wife of William Wilson. Some years after the father’s death the mother married Rev. James Barton, a Baptist minister, but they continued to reside on the old family homestead. She died in the fall of 1881. Sidney A. was born on the homestead December 27, 1840, and was therefore 15 years of age at the time of his father’s death. He remained with the family until he was 21 years of age, at which time he received a distributive share of the estate and settled on his part of the land and went to work for himself. On the 22d of March, 1863, he was married to Miss Frances Burton, a daughter of Lucius Burton, his wife being still living to brighten his home. They have been blessed with five children: Adolphus, deceased; Ada, the wife of John Webb; Lucius D., Sidney W. and Julia L. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Madison. Mr. Sanders has a good place of 165 acres and is comfortably situated.

 

WALTER S. WEBB

(Farmer, Post-office, Granville). Two hundred and forty acres are included in Mr. Webb’s farm, and it is one of the well improved places of the township. His buildings are substantial and comfortable, his fences of a good class and his lands are in excellent condition. Mr. Webb is one of those energetic thriving men who never fail of success when their opportunities are anything near satisfactory. Mr. Webb is a native Monroean, born October 4, 1852. His parents were early settlers in this county where they lived until their deaths. His father was William B. Webb, well known to all old citizens of this part of the county. His mother, before her marriage, was Miss Margaret Shropshire, a lady greatly beloved in her family and highly prized by all who knew her as a neighbor and friend. Walter S. was brought up to habits of industry and sterling principles of uprightness on the farm, and when 18 years of age, being anxious to accomplish something for himself, he went out in life on his own responsibility and has since been the architect and builder of his own fortune. January 1, 1880, he was married to Miss Anna S. Sytes, a daughter of William and Amanda (Shropshire) Sytes. Mr. and Mrs. Webb have two children, William S. and Mollie Etta. Mr. Webb has spent his whole life from boyhood in the occupation of agriculture, and is rapidly coming to the front as a successful farmer. Regardful of his interests in this world, he is wisely not blind to the future, but is a worthy member of the Christian Church at Granville, as is also his pious-hearted and excellent wife.

 

WALKER WRIGHT, JR.

(Dealer in Drugs, Medicines, etc., Duncan’s Bridge). Mr. Wright, an enterprising and popular young business man of this place, is a native Missourian, born in Monroe county, February 1, 1856. His parents, Walker and Jane (Grear) Wright, were originally from Virginia, and came here in an early day. Young Wright was reared on the farm in this county and had good school advantages.  He completed his education at the State Normal school in Kirksville. He carries a neat stock of fresh and well selected drugs and has made a special study of pharmacy, so that he is a successful and capable druggist. December 27, 1881, Mr. Wright was married to Miss Rosena Bennett, a daughter of John S. Bennett, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have no children. He is a member of the A.F. and A.M. and of the I.O.O.F. He is a young man of popular manners, and is rapidly coming to the front not only as a business man, but as a public-spirited and influential citizen.