Is a native of Green county, Kentucky, and was born October 2, 1843. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Kentucky; they both died when W. T. was but a small child and he has no remembrance of either of them. He was reared by his grandfather, John Scott, near Greensborough, Kentucky, and was educated in the common schools of that State. When but fourteen years old he was employed as clerk in the drug house of J. G. Brown, of Nashville, Tennessee, where he remained until the beginning of the late war. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, Fourth Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, and shortly after was detailed for special duty, and by re-quest of the general medical purveyor of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, entered his office as clerk at Nashville where he remained until the surrender of that place in 1862. He then joined his company and was taken prisoner by the Union forces at Resaca, Georgia, May 25, 1864, and was sent to the Alton, Illinois, prison; was there eight months, then ex-changed near Richmond, Virginia, in January, 1865, and joined his company and remained with it until the surrender of Johnston’s army near Greensborough, North Carolina, in 1865.
When paroled at the close of the war he had not even a change of clothing, and at once entered the harvest field as a laborer and began life anew. He came to this county in 1868 and began at once in the mercantile and produce business. After three years he dropped the mercantile part of his business, but is to-day the largest grain and produce dealer in northwestern Missouri. His business for August, 1881, amounted to $40,000, and will average above $250,000 per year for the last three years.
Mr. Stovall was united in marriage, February 25, 1875, to Miss Alice Handy, of Cameron, Missouri, who was born January 16, 1858, in Hart county, Kentucky. They have three children; named respectively, Jerome’ S., born December 7, 1875; Mary E., born August 29, 1877; and James C., born March 15, 1879.
Thomas, I. N.
Was born in Ripley county, Indiana, June 10, 1831. He was reared upor a farm and received a common school education in his native State. His father died when he was a child, and his mother still lives in Ripley county, Indiana.
Mr. Thomas was united in marriage, August 24, 1854, to Miss Louisa J. Higgins. By this union they had five children; namely, Minerva J., born July 15, 1855; Matilda C. and Mary A., twins, born January 13,1857; Martha E., born April 29, 1859; and Barbara A., born January 18, 1861. Mrs. Louisa Thomas died March 14, 1863.
March 3, 1864, Mr. Thomas married Miss Maria Flint. They had three children: Rachel, born November 5, 1864; Nancy A., born October 30, 1866; and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Thomas died October 25, 1869.
Mr. Thomas was united in marriage, March 29, 1870, to Mrs. Elizabeth McCoy, nee Scott. She was the-widow of Roland McCoy, who died September 22, 1862. By this marriage they have four children: David A., born January 4, 1871; Ruth B., born April 11, 1873; William N., born January 24, 1875; James Q., born January 5, 1878. Mr. Thomas came to this county in 1841, and has resided here-‘ ever since, engaged in farming. He fell from a tree in 1850, which injured him so severely that he has never recovered.
Troxel, Martin A.
Was born in DeWitt county, Illinois, October 30, 1850. When he was six years old his parents moved to this county, where he was reared on a farm by his grandfather, Alexander Scott, with whom he went to live when a, small boy, and educated in the common schools. He began business for himself by working as a farm hand.
Mr. Troxel was married, February 28, to Miss Lydia E. Brown. The-fruits of this union were three children, as follows: William D., born March, 29, 1872; Annie F., born September 12, 1875; and John C., born December 14, 1877. Mrs. Troxel died December 26, 1877. Mr. T. was joined in marriage, October 15, 1878, to Miss Mary H. Strech, who was born. August 3, 1861. They have one child, Laurie E., born October 8, 1879. Mr. Troxel owns a farm of sixty acres which he has under successful cultivation.