Weakley County TN

Biography of Hon. Frederick Dozier Gardner

Hon. Frederick Dozier Gardner, born on November 6, 1869, in Hickman, Kentucky, served as the governor of Missouri from 1916 to 1921. After moving to St. Louis at seventeen, he rose through the ranks of the St. Louis Coffin Company, ultimately becoming its president and sole owner. Gardner was active in politics, contributing to St. Louis’s charter and hosting important figures during and after World War I. He was a dedicated family man, married to Jeanette Vosburgh, and involved in various social and fraternal organizations.

Biography of L. G. Eblen

L. G. Eblen, born on July 17, 1859, in Weakley County, Tennessee, moved to Howell County, Missouri at ten. He became a prominent figure, serving as county collector and previously as sheriff and postmaster. His early career began with teaching, and he was notable for being the youngest sheriff in Missouri at age 23. A committed Democrat, Eblen is involved in his community and church, holding stock in local banking and owning real estate. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two daughters.

Biography of Charles B. Swift

Charles B. Swift, born on July 31, 1851, in Weakley County, Tennessee, has been a prominent figure in Billings, Missouri, since 1870. As treasurer of the Billings Mercantile Company, Swift exemplifies successful entrepreneurship, starting his career as a clerk before establishing his own business in 1879. He served as county collector and postmaster, actively supporting the Republican Party. Married to Martha E. Dye, they have five children and are involved in their local Christian Church, where Swift serves as an elder.

Biography of B. W. Hogard

B. W. Hogard, born on November 5, 1850, in Weakley County, Tennessee, is a notable figure in Gainesville, Missouri, where he owns the well-regarded Central Hotel. A lifelong farmer, he moved to Ozark County in 1875 and has held various community roles, including justice of the peace and coroner. Hogard, a Methodist minister for two decades and a Mason, married Nancy Bethany and has three children. His family’s roots trace back to early American pioneers and farmers, reflecting a legacy of hard work and community service.

Slave Narrative of Samuel Simeon Andrews

Samuel Simeon Andrews, born in 1850 in Macon, Georgia, reflects on his life as a former slave, moving through various plantations before emancipation. He describes his experiences, particularly on the A.J. Lane plantation, where he recalls kind treatment and familial ties among slaves. Andrews shares memories of plantation life, Civil War incidents, and post-emancipation education challenges. Despite a difficult past, he emphasizes community resilience, his active involvement in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and a longevity attributed to a positive outlook on life and health practices.