Marion Missouri

Biography of James V. Wilson

Was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, April 2, 1821. His parents, James and Polly Wilson, nee Venemen, were born in Pennsylvania and were of Scotch-Irish and German descent. They both died in Washington County, Pennsylvania; his father in 1S55 and his mother in 1869. James was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. At the age of twenty-one he learned the carpenter and joiner’s trade and followed that for thirty-years. He worked in Pennsylvania until 1854, then in various places in Ohio and Illinois until 1857 when he located in Daviess County, Missouri. In 1860 he went to Pike’s Peak and remained … Read more

Biography of Rev. A. E. Woodruff

Was born in Morris County, New Jersey, May 14, 1822. His father was born in New Jersey, and his mother in Massachusetts; she died in the year 1827, and his father died in 1845. Young Woodruff was brought up on a farm and educated at the district schools. At the age of nineteen years he learned the trade of a carpenter, and, after working in his native place two years, he went to Franklin County, Ohio, where he remained about seventeen years, then removed to Marion County, Indiana, and lived seven years, and in 1868 came to Missouri and located … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John C. Roper

In the subject of this sketch we have one of the earliest settlers in Daviess County and one of the first white children born in the township. He was a son of William Roper and Polly, his wife, who settled here in 1835. He was born in Marion Township, January 8, 1836. His father died August 4, 1864, and his mother in 1868. What education young Roper received was in walking from three to four miles to the primitive school-houses made of poles and without floor or door, for a few months in the winter season. On May 2d, 1858, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George R. Forth

George Ransom Forth was born in White County, Virginia, October 14, 1847, and is a son of William and Melinda Forth, nee Mays, both natives of Virginia. When George was about four years of age his parents moved to Grundy County, Missouri, and remained one year, and then started to Arkansas. His father died on the journey there. His mother and family lived in Arkansas about two years and then moved back to Grundy County and lived there until 1862, when they located in Daviess County, and his mother is still a resident of this county. George was educated at … Read more

Biography of David E. Youtsey

Was born in Jackson County, Indiana, October 28, 1831. His parents, George and Elizabeth Youtsey, nee Easter, were born in Pennsylvania. They moved to Indiana in 1830 and there, when David was about three years of age, his mother died. In 1844 his father moved to Daviess County, Missouri, and is still living here in the seventy-seventh year of his age. David was reared on a farm and received his education at the common schools. He remained to care for his father until March 2, 1856, when he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia M. Smith. She was born … Read more

Biography of Dr. J. W. Hightree

J. W. Hightree was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, June 22, 1825. His father, Peter Hightree, was born in Vermont, and his mother, Roxina Hightree, in New York, but were early settlers in Ohio. The parents each -died in the eighty-ninth year of their age. Our subject was educated for his profession at the Western Reserve College, and at twenty-one years of age began the practice of medicine in Trumbull County, Ohio. On July .12th, 1846, he married Miss Eliza C. Canfield, a native of Trumbull County, born June 27, 1827. Her father was born in Rochester, New York, and … Read more

Biography of Rev. A. C. Leard

A. C. Leard was born in Randolph County, Illinois, February 15, 1813; His parents were James and Margaret Leard, nee Adams. His father was. a native of South Carolina, and his mother of Georgia. During the War of 1812 his father was what was then known as a ranger, engaged in guarding the frontier from the Indians. During the time his mother was in Hill’s block-house fort in Randolph County, as most of the settlers were compelled to seek refuge there. He was educated there in St. Clair County, in a. to house where one entire end was a fire-place … Read more

Biography of C. Reno

Was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, October 9, 1834. When he was about sixteen years of age he came with his parents to Macoupin County, Illinois, and shortly after they arrived there his mother died. In 1854 he went to California and remained three years, then returned to Montgomery County, Illinois, and remained until 1856, when he came to Missouri and located in Daviess County. His father, William P. Reno, came with him and lived with him until his death, which occurred November 4, 1875. His mother, Lititia Reno, died in 1850. His parents were natives of Kentucky and of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Isaac J. Henderson

Was born in Marion Township, Daviess County, Missouri, May 12, 1851. His parents, David and Margaret Henderson, were natives of Kentucky. ‘They came to Missouri at an early day and after living a while in Clay and Gentry counties, in 1837 settled in Marion Township, Daviess County. The father, David Henderson, had served as County judge twelve years and was .a man held in high esteem by all who knew him; he died in September, 1865, and his loss was much mourned by the community and the family. Mrs. Henderson is. still living with her son, Isaac. Isaac attended school … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Greenville Blankenship

Greenville, son of John and Agnes Blankenship, was born in Greenupsburgh, Greenup County, Kentucky, June 2, 1817. His mother died when he was about four years old, and his father removed to Lawrence County, Ohio, where he lived until reaching his sixteenth year, when, in company with his father, he returned to his native county in Kentucky and there remained until 1849. In that year he came to Missouri, stopped one winter in Ray County, then came to Daviess County and settled in Benton Township, near old Pattonsburg, in the spring of 1850. He purchased a tract of wild land, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mason M. Palmer

The subject of this sketch was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, December 1, 1835, and is a son of George and Elizabeth Palmer, both natives of Virginia. In 1838 they with their family moved to Montgomery County, Missouri, and lived there till 1854, then settled in Daviess County. His mother died February 14, 1S62, and his father died August 23, 1865. Our subject was brought up on a farm and lived with his parents till twenty-five years of age; then, on September 25th, 1862, was married to Miss Polly E. Duncan, who was born in Johnson County, Illinois, February 7, … Read more

Biography of Hon. James L. Powell

James L. Powell is a native of Washington County, Indiana, and was born July 5, 1818. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Putnam County, in the same State, and, after seven years, to Montgomery County. This was when that country was a perfect wilderness. All his early education was obtained in a little log school-house with greased paper for windows. At sixteen years of age he chopped wood and. did chores for his board in order that he might be able to attend the first session of the Iniana Asbury Institution of Learning, at that … Read more

Biography of Elijah Otterman

Was born in Kanawha County, Virginia, May 10, 1821, and is a son of Lewis and Glory Otterman, nee Null, who were both born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and who migrated to Virginia about the beginning of the century. They were both of German descent. His Grandfather Null was a captain and rendered valuable services to the Colonies during the Revolutionary War. In 1831 his parents moved to Montgomery County, Indiana, and there lived till their death, his mother dying in 1843 and his father in 1856. In 1843 the subject of our sketch moved to Green County, Wisconsin, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Philip Shaw

Was born in Clay County, Missouri, March 10, 1848. His parents, A. L. and Hannah Shaw, nee Kearns, were both natives of Kentucky, and early settlers in Missouri. When Philip was five years of age his parents moved to DeKalb County, and he was there reared and educated. In 1864 he enlisted as a member of Company C, Forty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry and served until the close of the war. After his return home he began farming on his own account, and on November 19th, 1868, was married to Miss Orilla A. England, who was born in Jackson County, Indiana, … Read more

Biography of William C. Martin

William C. Martin was born in Licking County, Ohio, September 26, 1843, and is a son of Serrephus and Elizabeth Martin, nee Rose. His father was a native of New York State and his mother of Pennsylvania; she died in the State of Ohio when lie was about twelve years of age, but his father is still a resident of Fredonia, Licking County, Ohio. William was educated in Licking County, Ohio, and at the age of seventeen his youthful patriotism induced him to enlist as a member of Company H, Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but being so young his father … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Robert H. Grantham

Robert H. Grantham has been a resident of Daviess County since 1849, at which time he came with his parents from Montgomery County, Indiana, where they resided for sixteen years. He was born in Washington County, Indiana, near the town of Salem, November 17, 1831. His father was a farmer and stock-raiser, and a native of North Carolina. The early life of Mr. Grantham was spent on his father’s farm and in acquiring an education. From 1859 until 1862 he was engaged in farming and teaching, but during 1862 he enlisted in Company A, First Regiment Missouri State Militia, and … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Charles R. Nance

Was born in Callaway County, Missouri, January 1837. His parents, Allen Nance and Polly Nance, nee Wade, were both natives of Bedford County, Virginia, but migrated to Missouri in 1836. His father is still a resident of the same township, in the eighty-first year of his age. His mother was one of eleven daughters who all grew up to womanhood and had families of their own; she died in 1879. Charles was educated at the common schools, having had an opportunity of attending the same for six months; the rest of his youthful days were spent working on a farm. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of H. T. Stapp

Was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, July 24, 1845. His parents, Dauphin L. and Mary Stapp, nee Tompkins, were natives of Kentucky, and early settlers in Missouri. His father died February 24, 1877, and his mother died August 11, 1881. After our subject was five years of age his parents came to this county and here he was reared and educated. He was married, January 14, 1868, to Miss Susan F. Wilson, who was born in Indiana, August 10, 1848. Her father died July 28, 1879; her mother, Mrs. Frances Wilson, is still alive and makes her home with this … Read more

Biography of Isaac McCulley

The subject of this sketch has the honor of being the first white child born in Marion Township. He was born January 28, 1834. His parents, Taylor McCulley and Mary Groomer McCulley, were natives of Garrard County, Kentucky, but were about the first settlers of Marion Township, Daviess County, Missouri. The father is dead but the mother is still living in the township. Our subject was brought up on a farm and for a few months attended the subscription schools and then had to walk about four miles, and his only text book was a Webster’s Elementary Speller. At twenty … Read more

Biography of S. S. Ryan

Samuel Simms Ryan is a native of Pulaski County, Virginia, and was born April 12, 1822. His father, John Ryan, was a native of Virginia, and, his mother, Catherine Ryan, nee Fizzier, was born in Pennsylvania. His parents moved to Clinton County, Tennessee, in 1837, and in 1839 to Campbell County, Tennessee. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and about one half of the time our subject attended school, and the other half was spent in his father’s shop learning the trade. When Samuel was about twenty-one years of age his father moved to Jacksburg, Tennessee, and here Samuel … Read more