M. A. MCMONIGLE. Although not one of the old settlers of Stone County, Missouri, Mr. M. A. McMonigle has been here for ten years, or since he purchased the farm where he now lives. He is thoroughgoing and progressive, and is classed among the wealthy and influential men of this section. During the short time he has resided here he has made a record for uprightness and honesty, and won the confidence of all. He is not only a prominent farmer of the county, but one of the leading stockmen as well, and his fine farm of 231 acres on White River, in the rich bottom lands, is an ornament to the county.
In the Blue Grass regions of Kentucky our subject was born August 27, 1853. His parents, Aaron and Sarah (Allison) McMonigle, were natives of the same State. Both are now living in Stone County, on Indian Creek, and are much respected old people, who since 1881 have made their home in that part of the State. They remained in their native State until 1857, then moved to Platt County, Missouri, and thence to this county. Mr. McMonigle has always followed farming and is a substantial and worthy citizen. He and his estimable wife reared a large family of children, eleven in number, of whom six are now living: M. A., our subject; William, in Platt County; Joseph, in Stone County, with whom the father and mother make their home; Madison, at Kansas City, Missouri; Edgar, in Platt County, and Oliver, in Stone County. The other children died in youth. The McMonigles may look back to the third century for their history, for then the Dalrindans went from Ireland to Scotland to possess northern Britain.
Our subject was reared in an economical way, going to school in the winter and working on the farm in summer, as did the other boys of the vicinity, and in this manner he grew to mature years with habits of industry and a fairly good common-school education. Possessed of a roaming disposition he made a trip to Colorado and later to California, going by land. He remained in the West for several years. For some time he was located at Leadville, and subsequently at other places, following farming in connection with other enterprises. He settled in Stone County about 1883, purchased the farm where he now lives, and is a substantial citizen and a wide-awake farmer. He was married in Stone County to Miss Lizzie Rider, daughter of Jacob Rider of that county, who at an early date came from Illinois to this section. Two children have been given our subject and wife, Ethel and James. The family attend the Christian Church and are active workers in the same.