James Gibson, a citizen of Maysville, and sheriff of De Kalb County, was born in Sherman Township of that county on May 27, 1845. He is the third of eight children born to Greenup and Sarah (Morgan) Gibson. The former was born in Kentucky in 1820, and when a boy immigrated with his parents to Clay County, Mo. From Clay County he removed to Andrew County and thence to De Kalb County in 1844, and settled in Sherman Township. He was a farmer by vocation, and died November 9, 1883. He was a member of the Baptist Church. The mother was born in Middle Tennessee in 1818, and is the daughter of Nathan and Jane Morgan, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. They removed from Tennessee to Clay County, Mo., and thence to De Kalb County, and settled in Sherman Township, where they both died. The mother of our subject now resides on the homestead in that township. James was reared on a farm and received a liberal education in the public schools. He remained on the farm until the breaking out of the late war, when, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in the Federal army, joining Company F, of the Twenty-fifth Regiment of Missouri Infantry. He enlisted in 1862 (June) but had served nine months previous to this in the State militia. He was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., in the latter part of July, 1865. After the war he returned to his home in De Kalb County, and followed agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he engaged in merchandising at Maysville for about seven months. In 1881 he was elected marshal and collector of Maysville, which position he held for two years. In 1884 he made an unsuccessful canvas for sheriff of De Kalb County, but was elected two years later. On February 14, 1867, he was united in marriage with Matilda C. Asher, who was born in Clay County in December, 1844. She is the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Asher. They have seven children. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Christian Church.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 559-560.

John Taylor Fawcett, a prominent young merchant of Maysville, was born in Carrolton, Carroll Co., Ohio, September 28, 1863. He is the third of nine children born to John W. and Jane S. (Taylor) Fawcett, both natives of Carroll County, Ohio, the former born in 1834, and the latter in 1838. The father is the son of Alexander Fawcett, a native of England. He removed to De Kalb County, Mo., in the fall of 1864, and purchased a farm near Maysville, where he now resides. The mother is the daughter of John Taylor. She is still living. Our subject was reared on the farm, and received a good education in the public schools. On July 1, 1876, he entered the Maysville postoffice as deputy postmaster, and remained there until October 1, 1885. On November 9, 1885, he engaged in the drug business, which he has since continued. He carries a large line of drugs, medicines etc., and is doing a good business.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 559.

George T. Fauntleroy, another old resident, aged seventy years, died of rheumatism, which had sorely afflected him for several years.

St. Joseph Morning Herald, 12 Aug 1873, p. 4

Submitted by Monica Schirmer Eshelman

Emmett Horsman, De Kalb County, Criticaly [sic] Wounded.

Brother-in-Law Says He Fired in Self-Defense During Quarrel.

Special to the News-Press.

CLARKSDALE, Mo., Dec. 27.–Emmett Horsman, farmer near here, was taken to a St. Joseph hospital dangerously wounded this morning and Eldon Flinn, his brother-in-law, who said he shot him in self-defense, was lodged in jail at Maysville where De Kalb County officials held charged in abeyance pending outcome of the shooting.

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Alexander T. Downing, a physician of Adams Township, was born in Harrison County, Ky., on February 19, 1815. He is the son of Alexander and Mary (Bracken) Downing, both relatives of Pennsylvania, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of German-English descent. Soon after their marriage in Pittsburgh, Penn., they came to Kentucky, where the mother died in 1824. In 1826 the father broke up housekeeping, and accepted a position in the surveying department of the United States, a business he continued for a number of years. Before this he had been engaged in the mercantile business in Kentucky. He was appointed surveyor-general by President Harrison or Tyler, and did a great deal of work in Missouri. He was a fine mathematician, and was widely known in the West. He died in Vicksburg, Miss. He and wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was a ruling elder for a number of years. Alexander T. was the second of five children—four sons and one daughter. His education, begun in Kentucky, was finished at Bloomington College, Ind., from which he graduated in 1835. He taught school for several years, during which time he read medicine. He graduated in the medical department of the Transylvania College, Lexington, Ky., in 1842, after which he returned to his native county, and practiced his profession at Cynthiana up to 1849. He then came to Missouri, and was soon living where he now resides, being one of the first settlers of this township. He continued actively in the practice of his profession until a few years ago, when he virtually retired. He is an extensive farmer, and since 1856 has been a breeder of Durham cattle. He has been twice married: first in 1848 at Warsaw, Ky., to Miss Margaret Conrad. She died May 28, 1851, having borne one son and one daughter, of whom the daughter is living. She was a member of the Methodist Church. He was next married to Miss Mary E. Own, who was born in White County, Tenn. Six children have blessed this union—three sons and three daughters. Politically, Dr. Downing is a Democrat. He has been judge of De Kalb County court. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 558-559.

John Dice, an enterprising farmer and stock raiser of Dallas Township, was born in York County, Penn., on September 3, 1832. He is the son of Jacob and Rebecca (Shup) Dice, who were American born, but of German descent. The ancestors took part in the Revolutionary War. The parents were married in York County, Penn., where they afterward resided about four years, the father working at the carpenter’s trade. They then came to Ohio, and settled in Sandusky County on a farm where they resided until about 1860, at which time they immigrated to Missouri, locating in De Kalb County, where the father continued in agricultural pursuits until his death in the later part of 1881, at seventy-two years of age. The mother is seventy-six years of age, and still lives in De Kalb County. John is the eldest of six children. He was reared on his father’s farm, and received a common-school education. His whole life has been given to agricultural pursuits. When a child he removed with his parents to Ohio, and in his twenty-fourth year went to Iowa, where he worked as a farm laborer three or four years. In 1856 he preempted 160 acres of land where he now lives, and complying with the laws of the State, he entered the land in 1857. In December, 1860, he wedded Miss Margaret Cownell, who was born in Pennsylvania. This was a happy union until May 1, 1877, when the wife died at thirty-six years of age. She left five children—two sons and three daughters. One grown daughter is her father’s housekeeper. Mr. Dice has been a very successful farmer, and now owns in De Kalb and Daviess Counties over 1,000 acres of land. Politically he is a Democrat.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 558.

Chauncey W. Curtis, a well-known dealer in tin and hardware at Osborne, was born in Livingston County, Mich., on September 14, 1842. His parents were Lyman and Rachel (Chrispell) Curtis, who were of English and German descent, and natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. After their marriage they immigrated to Michigan, where the father worked at the carpenter’s trade in connection with farming. About 1860 they removed from Livingston County to Shiawassee County, where the mother died about 1866. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. About 1867 the father went to Northwest Indiana, where he lived three years, whence after living with his son, Chauncey W., two years, he removed to Logan County, Ohio, where he now resides. He was born January 29, 1806. He is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Church. The subject of this sketch is the third of five sons. He received a good practical education, and remained on his father’s farm until 1862, when he entered the United States service, and enlisted in Company H, Ninth Michigan Regiment of Infantry. Three months later he received a discharge on account of a wound, received at Newberg, Shiawassee Co., Mich. In December, 1863, he went to Elkhart County, Ind., and at Middlesbury served an apprenticeship at the tinner’s trade with O. O. & A. S. Prescott, until July, 1864. He then worked at his trade successively at Chattanooga, Tenn., Shiawassee County, Mich., and Middlebury, Ind. After two years he went to Hancock County, Ohio, and on March 28, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Icelid D. T. Blakely. Upon marrying he went into the tin and hardware business with his father-in-law, Stephen Blakely. They continued in business at different places until 1870, when Mr. Curtis opened up a tin and hardware store at Osborne. After four years he sold out to P. M. Hatch, and removed to Logan County, Ohio, and at Quincy he and a younger brother, E. F. Curtis, opened a general hardware store, which they controlled over four years. He then began his present business. He sustained a loss by fire in 1884, but after three months was doing business again. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis have had two children: Edwin C., who died in infancy, and Zelora. Politically, he is a Republican, and at present is a magistrate. He and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Church.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 557-558.

George W. Crenshaw, late assistant cashier of the De Kalb County Bank, at Maysville, was born in Sangamon County, Illl, on June 16, 1845. He is the twelfth of thirteen children born to William E. and Cassandra F. (Taylor) Crenshaw. The father was born in South Carolina in 1804, and was the son of William Crenshaw, who removed to Missouri, about 1810, and from there went to Illinois, where he died. The father was a farmer by vocation. He died in Sangamon County, Ill., in 1864. The mother was born in Virginia in 1811, and was the daughter of Giles Taylor, who removed from Virginia to Kentucky about 1812. She died in 1883, in St. Clair County, Ill. George W. was reared on the farm, and secured a good education in the public schools. He engaged in farming in his native State until 1883, when, in September of that year, he removed to Maysville, Mo., and took his position as assistant bank cashier. In 1871 he was united in marriage with Nora Littlepage, who was born in Mississippi, in 1853. She is the daughter of William and Mary Littlepage. They had six children. Mr. Crenshaw was a member of the Masonic lodge. He was taken suddenly ill on the morning of November 25, 1887, at his place of business, and was conveyed to his home where he died about 8 o’clock the same evening. His untimely demise was a sad blow to his family and a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 557.

G. Y. Crenshaw, a citizen of Maysville, and president of the De Kalb County Bank, was born in Gallatin County, Ill., on September 28, 1839. He is the son of William E. and Cassandra F. (Taylor) Crenshaw [see G. W. Crenshaw’s sketch]. G. Y. was reared on the farm, and attended the Springfield schools. He began business as a live stock dealer in Sangamon County, Ill., where he remained until 1872. He then removed to St. Clair County, making his headquarters at East St. Louis, and engaged in stock shipping and farming for three years. In 1875 he removed to De Kalb County, and continued in the stock business until 1878, when he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and recorder. He was re-elected in 1882, filling the office eight years. At the organization of the De Kalb County Bank he was a stockholder and director. On February 1, 1886, when the bank was reorganized he was elected president. On November 16, 1876, he was united in marriage with Anna C. Holmes, who was born in Ohio in 1856. She is the daughter of John M. and Thursa Homes. They have had four children, three of whom are living. Mr. Crenshaw is a member of the Masonic lodge.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 556-557.

W. F. Costello, a prominent young attorney of Maysville, and a member of the firm of Low & Costello, real estate and collecting agents, was born in Champaign City, Ill., on May 25, 1860. He was one of twin brothers born to James T. and Anna M. (Corchran) Costello. The father was born in Sandersville, Ga., about 1842, and was of Spanish descent. From Georgia, he removed to Greenfield, Hancock Co., Ind. He was an editor, and for a time edited the Hancock County Democrat. In 1865 he went to Leavenworth, Kas., where he was killed. The mother was born in Ireland in 1840, and immigrated to America in 1849. She now resides at Hamilton, Mo. W. F. came with his mother to Missouri in 1866, and located at Kingston, Caldwell County, where he was reared, and received a good education in the high school. He began the study of law at Hamilton, Mo., in the office of Dilley & Johnson. In 1883 he entered the law department of the University, Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating the next year. In the same year he immigrated to Idaho, and practiced his profession for twelve months. Returning home he remained six months, and in July, 1886, located in Maysville and resumed his practice.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 556.

Daniel Coil, a citizen of Osborne, was born in Boone County, Mo., on September 28, 1819. His parents were Daniel and Elizabeth (Silver) Coil, both natives of Madison County, Ky. The father was of Irish descent. After their marriage in their native county, they settled on a farm, and in 1819 immigrated to Missouri and settled in Boone County, where the father died in 1825. The mother died in Buchanan County about eight years ago. The subject of this sketch is the third of six children. He received a common-school education, and remained on his father’s farm until about eighteen years of age, when he began business for himself as a farmer in Buchanan County. About 1838 he returned to his mother’s, and in 1845 came to De Kalb County, where he has since resided, except the years of 1850 and 1851 that he spent in California, going the overland route and returning by water. In 1843 he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Parrott, daughter of Col. Elias Parrott. They have had seven children—one son and six daughters—of whom two are dead—one son and one daughter. Mr. Coil has been a life-long Democrat. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is now trustee of the church, and has been steward for seventeen years. In 1872 he removed to Osborne to accommodate himself to the schools of that place.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 555-556.

William D. Coberly was born in Illinois in 1840. He is the son of James S. and Sarah A. (Parsell) Coberly. He was reared on a farm, and in 1858 went to Colorado, where he worked by the month, herding cattle, until he had saved enough of his earnings to start a ranch of his own, which he did on a small scale in 1868. It is situated in Colorado. He has now over 3,000 head of cattle and 250 horses. He owns 520 acres of land in Missouri and 640 aces in Colorado. In 1875 he was united in marriage with Florence Bailey, of Illinois. Two children have blessed their union, viz.: Girtie and William B. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. He is a member of the Masonic order. He and family reside in Stewartsville, but spend about two months of the summer session in Colorado. In politics he is a stanch Republican.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 555.

Norman Swails tomorrow night will become the first Clarksdale Boy Scout ever to receive the Eagle award.

Presentation will be made by Lester B. Mill, executive of the Pony Express Council of Boy Scouts, at a DeKalb district court of honor at 7:30 in the high school auditorium.

Young Swails is a member of troop 136, which is sponsored by the Ladies’ Culture Club of Clarksdale. The Eagle award is the highest offered in scouting.

Other awards will be presented to scouts representing troop 222, Stewartsville; troop 35, Maysville, and troop 136, Clarksdale. Leadership training certificates will go to 53 men in the DeKalb district.

The Rev. J.E. Coltharp will be chairman of the court of honor. Kenneth Dye, field executive of the Pony Express Council, also will be present

Source: Saint Joseph News-Press, Sunday, 13 October 1945, p. 3A.

A TERRIBLE DEATH.

Mrs. John Clark Dies From Lock Jaw After Days of Horrible Suffering.

A little more than a week ago, Mrs. Maggie Clark, wife of ex-Policeman John Clark, stepped on a board from which protruded a rusty nail, which penetrated the sole of her shoe and lacerated her foot. From the effects of the wound she died of lockjaw at her home, 1907 Savannah avenue, Sunday morning at 7:30.

Her sufferings for three days prior to her death were terrible. Five of the best known physicians of the city administered to her to the best of their ability, but lockjaw, except in certain early stages, is one of those dread afflictions that baffles all medical skill and only death can relieve. The contortions of the muscles of the woman’s face and body were frightful. The body of the unfortunate woman was taken to Union Star, where it will be interred today. Mrs. Clark spent her childhood days in the vicinity of that place.

Source: St. Joseph Weekly Herald, 30 April 1896, p. 3
Submitted by Monica Schirmer Eshelman

Joseph A. Clark, a prominent citizen of De Kalb County, Mo., is a native of Indiana, born in 1838. In 1865 he moved to De Kalb County, Mo., and engaged in farming until 1878, when he embarked in the drug business in Stewartsville, Mo., which has been managed by his son, B. F. Clark, a highly cultured young man, who was united in marriage on October 10, 1887, with Miss Alice Deppen, of Stewartsville. Our subject was reared on a farm, and now has 250 acres of good land one mile north of Clarksdale, where he resides. He also is engaged in Clarksdale in the hardware and agricultural implement business, and has a drug store in the same place managed by his son R. N. Clark, under the firm name of J. A. Clark & Sons. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Miller, of Henry County, Ind. They have ten children—five sons and five daughters; three daughters are married, viz: Mary A., now Mrs. John Carrel; Sallie, now Mrs. Ross Wilkinson, and Jennie, now Mrs. W. S. Richey. One son, W. T. Clark, is in the banking business in Bluff City, Kas., being the cashier of the State Bank of Bluff City. Mr. Clark’s father was a native of Tennessee. He died in Indiana. The mother is a native of Indiana, but now resides with her son, Joseph A. Mr. Clark is at present postmaster of Clarksdale. He is a member of the Masonic order, and in politics has always been a staunch Democrat.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 554.

John F. Clark, a prominent citizen and attorney of Maysville, was born in Henry County, Ind., on September 25, 1846. He is the son of William and Sarah (Abrams) Clark, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Ohio. The father was born in 1811, and was the son of Benjamin Clark, a native of Virginia. He removed from Tennessee to Indiana in 1831, and settled in Henry County, where he engaged in farming until about 1872, when he removed to Madison County, where he died in 1875. The mother was born in 1815, and is the daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Abrams, who removed from Ohio to Indiana at an early date. She is now a resident of De Kalb County, Mo., making her home with her children. John F. is the fifth of thirteen children, and was reared on the farm. His education was begun in the public schools, and finished at the Newcastle (Indiana) Academy. After completing his education, he engaged in teaching during the winter months for about thirteen years. In 1865 he immigrated to Missouri, and the same year joined an expedition against the Indians, and crossed the plains to Tougue River. He then returned to his father’s in Indiana. In April, 1867, he came to De Kalb County, and located seven miles north of Stewartsville, where, until 1874, he engaged in farming during the summer and teaching school during the winter. He was then elected as a Democrat to the office of county clerk, and removed to Maysville. He was re-elected in 1878. In 1882 he was elected to represent De Kalb County in the State Legislature, and in 1884 made an unsuccessful canvass for senator from the Fourth District. He was admitted to the bar in 1885, since which he has been practicing law, and is also engaged in the real estate abstract and loan business. In 1868 he was united in marriage with Lavina A. Brooks, who was born in Buchanan County, Mo., in 1849. She is the daughter of William B. and Parmelia Brooks. They have seven children. Mr. Clark is a member of the Masonic lodge.*

*Since the above sketch was written death has deprived De Kalb County of one of its truly representative and substantial men, Mr. Clark having died on December 17, 1887, of malarial fever. On the 18th inst. he was buried with Masonic honors.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 554-555.

Rev. Barnes Clark is a native of Tennessee, born on September 22, 1812. He is the son of Isaac Clark, a native of Tennessee, and the son of John Clark, who was a native of Virginia and removed to Tennessee soon after the Revolutionary War, in which he served as a captain. The father came in a keelboat to Big Arrow Rock, Saline Co., Mo., in 1816, and in the fall of the same year removed seven miles above to Little Arrow Rock on the Missouri River. Here he established a ferry, which he ran for three years, when he bought a farm in La Fayette County, where he located, and remained until his death about 1829. The mother was Rebecca (Nave) Clark, also a native of Tennessee. Our subject was reared on a farm, but in 1831 went to the Rocky Mountains on a trapping expedition for the Sublet & Camplett Fur Company. Remaining four months, he came home, but in 1832 returned to the mountains, remaining fifteen months. In 1837 he removed to La Fayette County, Mo., and in 1838 removed to Buchanan County, where he lived until 1882; he then located in De Kalb County. He is a farmer by vocation, but is also a good blacksmith and gunsmith. On February 25, 1836, he was united in marriage with Catherine Thornton, of Saline County. She was the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Nave) Thornton. Twelve children were born to them as follows: Isaac B., born in 1837; Mary J., born in 1849; Euphenia A. (Mrs. William Ferguson), born in 1839; Susan F., now Mrs. Louis Lewis, of Texas, in 1841; Rebecca, now Mrs. Calvin White, also of Texas, in 1842; John T., in 1844; Thomas F., in 1846; Barnes H., born in 1847; Daniel J., born in 1849; Nancy E., now Mrs. Charles Korp, of Texas, in 1852; Julia A., now Mrs. B. F. Thornton, in 1854; James M., in 1857. Our subject’s wife died on April 25, 1869. On July 15, 1872, he chose for his second wife Mrs. Sarah Tiller, widow of John Tiller. Her children by her first marriage are Wallace E., John M., Nebuzaraden, Eliza A. (now Mrs. John A. Bowen), and William T. Rev. Clark and wife are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He was licensed to preach in 1844, and in 1847 was ordained by a Baptist minister. He has been a member of the Masonic order for about forty years, being the first member admitted to the St. Joseph Lodge. He was captain of a company in the late war, but was in the service only six weeks, when he was taken sick and returned home. Politically, he is a Democrat.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 553-554.

B. Frank Carpenter died on Monday night at midnight, at the residence of Mr. S. F. Carpenter, fourteen miles east of St. Joseph. He was twenty-three years of age, and unmarried. He leaves a father, a mother, one sister and eight brothers to mourn his loss. Four of them live in this city. He was attacked first with measles, which changed into typhoid pneumonia. His sufferings were very severe. But he endured them without murmuring, and showed in his death the noble characteristics of his life. He was a young man who had many friends and no enemies. He was buried on Wednesday at one o’clock. The funeral was more largely attended, perhaps, than any other that ever occurred in Buchanan county. The many friends of the deceased suffer a sad bereavement in his death, and the family have sustained an irreparable loss.

St. Joseph Daily Gazette, 5 Mar 1880, p. 4

Submitted by Monica Schirmer Eshelman

J. C. Caldwell, postmaster of Fairport, was born in Washington County, Penn., on November 3, 1853. He is the eldest of four children born to Samuel and Sarah (Chambers) Caldwell, the former of whom was born in Washington County, Penn., on February 12, 1819, and the latter in Richland County, Ohio, on February, 15, 1824. The father removed to Ohio about 1857, where he engaged in farming until 1871, when he immigrated to De Kalb County., Mo. He died on November 21, 1880. The mother is now living in California, having married Mr. Bohart. J. C. was reared on the farm in Ohio, and attended the district schools of his neighborhood and those of Chesterville, securing a fair education. He came to Missouri in the spring of 1876, and followed agricultural pursuits in Grant Township, De Kalb County, until about 1880, when he began clerking in Fairport. In 1884 he purchased a stock of hardware, and began business for himself. In December, 1886, he was appointed postmaster, and assumed the duties of the office on January 1, 1887. On December 1, 1875, he was united in marriage with Celestial Stephens, who was born in Morrow County, Ohio, on November 25, 1852. She is the daughter of Abednego Stephens, of De Kalb County. One child has been born to them. Mrs. Caldwell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 553.

Henry C. Burnham, a prominent citizen and druggist of Fairport, was born in McKean County, Penn, on May 9, 1835. He is the son of J. C. and Phoebe (Moses) Burnham, the former a native of Franklin County, Mass., born November 6, 1805, and the latter, a native of Livingston County, N. Y., born on December 11, 1914. The paternal grandfather was Josiah Burnham, a native of Franklin County, Mass., and his father was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary War, and removed from Connecticut to Massachusetts. Josiah removed to McKean County, Penn., before his death. J. C., the father, removed to McKean County previous to his father’s removal, and engaged in farming until his death in 1861. The maternal grandfather was Reuben Moses, a native of Vermont, who removed to Livingston County, N. Y. The mother is still living in McKean County, Penn., with a son. To the parents four children were born, of whom Henry C. is the eldest. He was partially reared on the farm, and attended the district schools, but finished his education at Olean Academy in New York. After leaving school he engaged in various occupations, including school teaching, merchandising and lumbering. In 1868 he located on a farm in De Kalb County, Mo., and embarked in farming for several years. In 1875 he removed to Fairport, and engaged in clerking, but subsequently in merchandising. In 1878 he began his present business. In 1870 he was elected justice of the peace for two years. He was elected district judge of De Kalb County in 1873, and re-elected in 1878. In 1887 he was again elected justice of the peace, which office he holds at present. He served as postmaster at Fairport from 1880 to 1887. He is a charter member of Ryland Lodge, No. 332, F. & A. M., of Berlin, and is also a member of Mitchel Royal Arch Chapter, No. 89, of St. Joseph. In January, 1862, he wedded Charlotte Moses, who was born in Allegany County, N. Y., in 1840. She is the daughter of Alfred Moses, and is a member of the Methodist Church.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 552-553.

Sidney Bull is the son of Elisha and Sarah (Dusenberre) Bull, both natives of Orange County, N. Y. The father was born in 1801, and was the son of Moses Bull. The original Bull family emigrated from England. Elisha was a very successful farmer, and died in 1870, while on a visit to his son, Sidney, in Missouri. The mother was born in 1807, and was the daughter of Daniel Duesenberre, who was a native of New York. She died in Orange County, N. Y., in 1857. Both parents were members of the Presbyterian Church. Sidney was born in Orange County, N. Y., on June 10, 1839. He was the fourth of seven children, and was reared on the farm, securing a good education in the common schools. When twenty-one years of age he immigrated to California, where for two years he was engaged in lumbering. Returning to New York he remained for seven years, and in 1869 immigrated to De Kalb County, Mo., purchasing the farm where he now resides, near Amity. His farm consists of 320 acres, all of which is well improved, and upon which he has a fine residence and large, substantial outbuildings. He pays considerable attention to raising stock, for which he is admirably prepared. In 1862 he was united in marriage with Ruth A. Cooley, who was born in New York in 1840. She is the daughter of Edmund Cooley. To this union seven children have been born, six of whom are living. The two eldest sons are in Colorado. H. R. is a physician of Grand Junction, and the other is engaged in the cattle business in that State.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), p. 552.

John C. Brooks, a native of Rockcastle County, Ky., was born in 1831. He is the son of Richard and Nancy (Merriman) Brooks, both natives of Virginia, who lived in Kentucky at the time of their death. John C. has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. In 1855 he located near St. Joseph. In 1866 he purchased the farm where he now resides, though he had located on it some years previous. In 1858 he was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Adams, of Kentucky, who was born in 1839. She is the daughter of Absalom and Cynthia (Evans) Adams, who were also natives of Kentucky, and removed to Missouri in 1855, locating in De Kalb County, in which county they died. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks have had eleven children, four of whom are dead. Those married are Laura B., who was married to William Fisher in 1887, and lives in Kansas; Jennie L., married James Carmichael in 1881, and lives in Montana; Abbey L. was married to S. S. Brain in 1884, and lives in Montana; Cynthia A. was married to F. M. Brown in 1887. Mr. Brooks participated in the border warfare of 1856. From 1862 to 1870 he served as constable of Washington Township, De Kalb County, making a good and efficient officer. He has been nominated for county judge and sheriff, but declined to become a candidate on account of the oath his friends would have had to take in case of election. In politics he is neutral. He was once a member of the Grange.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 551-552.

Nathan Brill, a substantial farmer of Grant Township, living four and one-half miles northwest from Fairport, was born in Patton, Miscisco County, Lower Canada, on February 24, 1834. He is the second of nine children born to David N. and Rachel (Peabody) Brill, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of New Hampshire. The paternal grandfather was David Brill, who was born at Pigeon Hill, Vt. The maternal grandfather was Francis Peabody, who was an uncle to George Peabody. Both great-grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Grandfather Peabody and six of his sons were with Gen. Washington when the Delaware River was crossed, and the Hessians surprised. David N., the father, served in the Civil War, being in the Eighth Regiment of Vermont Infantry. He was in the siege at Port Hudson on the Mississippi River, where he died in 1863. Four sons, Nelson, Oliver, Albert and Henry, were also soldiers of the Rebellion. Nelson was a member of the Sixtieth New York Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Ringgold, Ga. He now resides in De Kalb County, Mo. Oliver was also in the Sixtieth New York Infantry, and was captured at Harper’s Ferry, and confined in Libby prison. He died soon after being exchanged from the privations endured there. Albert was a member of a Vermont regiment, and was wounded in the right hand and shoulder at the battle of the Wilderness. Henry was in Crott’s Nine Hundredth Cavalry, and died at Washington City from typhoid fever. The mother died in 1855, near Ogdensburg, N. Y. Nathan was reared on the farm, and attended the common schools of Vermont and Canada, securing a fair education. During the war he served through 1864 in the construction corps under Gen. Neagley, with headquarters at Nashville, Tenn. He assisted in the erection of Forts Neagley, Morton and others in that city. At the close of the war he built bridges for the Iron Mountain Railroad in Missouri. In 1865 he removed to Dallas Township, De Kalb County, where he worked at the carpenter’s trade. In 1869 he purchased a farm in Grant Township, where he has since resided. He owns 163 acres of land, and in the summer of 1885 erected a large, handsome frame residence on his farm. He has never sought or held public office. On December 9, 1863, he wedded Emma Simons, who was born near Oswegatchie, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., on December 8, 1846. She is the daughter of Valentine and Phebe (Whitney) Simons. The father was born in Wilmington County, and the mother in Bennington County, Vt. To Mr. and Mrs. Brill seven children have been born as follows: Norman, August 11, 1866; Furmer, October 7, 1869, died September 22, 1870; Laura, September 4, 1872, died February 6, 1877; Horace, March 16, 1875; Viola, September 25, 1877; Lemuel, October 14, 1881, and Ida, February 14, 1884. Mr. Brill is a member of the Methodist Church.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 550-551.

Stephen N. Bradford, proprietor and owner of the Bradford Hotel in Stewartsville, is a native of Jersey Shore, Lycoming, Co., Penn., born in April 1823. His father, Samuel Bradford, was a native of New Hampshire, and a brother to Gov. Bradford. At the age of fourteen, Stephen N. was sent to Belvedere, Warren Co., N. J., to learn the printer’s trade, but the confinement of the office being distasteful to him he was permitted to leave his trade. Taking his little bundle of clothes and a few days’ rations, he started from his New Jersey home to the Wyoming Valley. He labored there in different capacities for about a year, then left for Sag Harbor, N. Y., for a whaling voyage. He left on the “Manhattan” in August 1838, for the Cape of Good Hope. After seven years on the ocean, he returned to the Wyoming Valley, Penn., where he remained until the call was made for troops to go in the Mexican army. He was the first to enlist in Maj. Bowman’s company of volunteers, but was taken sick, and could not muster in. As soon as health permitted, he went to Baltimore, and enlisted in the Valtiguers as a private, but returned a lieutenant, having been promoted for meritorious conduct. Thus in eleven years he had sailed around the world, being wrecked three times, and once cast away on an unknown island in the Pacific Ocean for seven months. Here he built a ship out of fragments of the wreck, and assisted in taking thousands of barrels of oil, but lost nearly all by shipwrecks. He had also taken an active part in the wars of his country, which was honorably acknowledged by the Government, and returned to his native State at the age of twenty-four years. Remaining at home a short time, the cry of gold in California soon aroused the bold adventurer, and the year 1849 found him on board the whaler “Huntress” as ship-carpenter. The ship was wrecked on the coast of Kamschatka. He shipped again on a sperm whaler from Honolulu, and landed on the island Juan Fernandez. At the first opportunity he took a ship for San Francisco, Cal., where he arrived in January, without either hat or coat, and only $3.50 in his pocket. He went to Sacramento City, where he was employed as house carpenter at $7 per day. He soon formed a partnership, and made a large sum of money, with which he and his partner purchased a drove of cattle and more than doubled their money, but after purchasing the second and much larger drove, a stampede caused the loss of nearly all, leaving them their saddle horses and $30 apiece. He then spent eight months in the mountains, during which time he enlisted in a company fighting the Indians. Returning to Sacramento, he and his old partner went to “Yankee Jim’s Dry Diggings” where they purchased property, upon which they built a hotel and sold it. Again returning to Sacramento City, they took 150 acres of land, and started a stock market, which was sold in a short time for $30,000. Mr. Bradford left for home with $15,000. Upon reaching home he bought a farm and hotel, which he sold in two years, and returned to California, but remained a short time when he again returned home. When President Lincoln called for troops he opened a recruiting office in Scranton, Penn., and soon raised a company of men, with himself as captain, but upon the organization of the regiment (Fifteenth Pennsylvania Infantry) he was elected major. At the expiration of three months’ service he raised another company, which was assigned to the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which he afterward became major. He did gallant service at the battle of Shiloh, and many others, and at the head of his regiment received the surrender of Col. Battle, of the Twentieth Tennessee. The day after the battle of Perryville, Ky., he was captured, and after being kept prisoner about four months, was exchanged, but rheumatism prevented him from returning to the war. He was appointed provost-marshal of the Twelfth Congressional District of Pennsylvania, which office he filled in a satisfactory manner. In 1841 he was united in marriage with Miss Adelia Wedeman. Three sons and one daughter are the survivors of this union. His wife died in Waymart, Penn., in 1854. On June 20, 1865, he chose for his second wife Miss Sarah Fisher. She died on May 12, 1874, leaving him two sons. On April 12, 1879, he was united in marriage with Miss Jane S. Berry. In 1865 he engaged in the livery business in Scranton, Penn., where he remained about two years. He then bought the National Hotel at Great Bend, Penn., for $25,000, and after running it two years sold it for $30,000. In 1869 he came to De Kalb County, Mo., and bought 240 acres of land, upon which he build an elegant residence, but at the expiration of two years he rented his farm, and went to Grand Rapids, Mich. After spending eight years in the real estate business, he returned to De Kalb County, and built another nice residence, but in two years purchased his present hotel. He has given four of his children good farms. In the last ten years he has traveled considerably in the West. Politically he is a Republican.

Source: History of Andrew and DeKalb Counties, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1888), pp. 549-550.