A. E. Putnam, a citizen of Maysville, engaged in the abstract, real estate and general loan business, was born in Essex County, N. Y., on May 19, 1842. He is the fifth of ten children born to D. P. and Mary A. (Sheldon) Putnam. The father was born in New Hampshire, but removed to New York in 1837. He has been a mechanic, but now lives a retired life in the State of New York. The mother was born in Essex County; she died in 1862. A. E. was reared in the town of Willsboro, N. Y., on Burgoyne's old camping ground. He received a good education in his native State and Vermont. At the age of fifteen years he began teaching school in New York. In 1865 he removed to Missouri, and in the fall of that year came to De Kalb County, where he taught school for several years. In 1868 he took a position as deputy in the sheriff and collector's office in De Kalb County. In 1868 he was elected school commissioner of the same county, which position he held until 1870, when he was elected county clerk, and served four years. He next became a partner in the firm of Ed. G. Sheldon & Co., engaged in merchandising in Stewartsville, but a year later returned to Maysville. In 1883 he became cashier of the De Kalb County Bank, which position he held for two years, resigning on account of ill health. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Belle Daughter, who was born in Illinois (Fulton County) in 1850. She was the daughter of Lemuel and Mahala Daughter. To this union six children were born, three of whom are living. Mr. Putnam is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, F. & A. M. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Putnam died January 9, 1885. She is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 577-578.