USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 74
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 74
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100
788
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
William Folgate was a minister in the Evangelical church for 14 years, and was a veteran of the Civil War in which he served three years in the Union Army. He saw much active service and was shot through the foot. He was married at Shueyville, Wis., later settled in Iowa, and moved to Missouri in the spring of 1865. He located first in the Glendenning neigh- borhood, near New Hampton, and a year later moved to Kansas, where he remained for two years. At the end of that time, he came back to Missouri, and settled in Daviess County, where he remained for two years. He then moved his family to Gentry County, and located on his old place. His ministerial work called him to Cedar County, for two years, and to Hickory County for another period of two years. He came back to Gentry County for another four years, sold his farm, and for the next three years, lived just west of the present site of Gentry. At the end of that time he moved to Hugginsville, where he died in 1911. His remains are buried in the Hug- ginsville Cemetery, as are the remains of his wife, who died in 1912. Their children were: Charlotta, Chauncey, the suject of this sketch; Isabell, was Mrs. Carter, and is now dead; Flora, the wife of Henry Knoup of Stephen- son County, Ill .; Minnie the widow of Fred Barnhart, now living at Simi; Calif .; Della, the wife of M. H. Jordan, a Methodist minister at Columbia, Iowa; and Orra, a resident of Wilsonia, Calif.
The name of Reverend William Folgate is connected with some of the interesting recollections of the pioneer days of this part of Missouri. Chaun- cey Folgate was a child of five or six years when his parents came to Mis- souri, and he well remembers the exciting days of the first years in the new western land. William Folgate brought to Gentry County a wagon of the Peter Schuttler make, the first of its kind in the County. He also brought a dog, Nero, that was afterwards well known in the community. Nero had the distinction of having killed a deer in Illinois, and one in Missouri. The Missouri episode happened in this wise. Chauncey Folgate, then a small boy, playing outside with his dog, espied some deer in a plum thicket. They immediately gave chase to the deer, and the dog caught one deer, which however got away. When the boy went back to the house, his mother told him that one deer was still in the thicket, whereupon the boy and dog set out again and this time, Nero caught and killed the deer. His mother and some neighbor boys came in response to the boy's call and dragged the slain deer to the house, where the meat made a welcome addition to the scanty food of the day. One of the griefs of the Folgate family was the loss of Nero while they were in Kansas, where the dog was stolen by Indians.
Chauncey Folgate attended the district school until he was 12 years of age. His first school was at the Glendenning school house, a log building
789
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
with a puncheon floor, and a daubed stick fireplace. On the north side of the structure, a log was cut out to let in light, and the log could be turned down and used as a desk. Mr. Folgate farmed in Howard Township for a time and came to Huggins Township in 1881, where he has lived ever since. He owns 220 acres of land, has an excellent residence, a large barn, and good improvements on the farm. He raises registered Duroc hogs, Short- horn cattle, and Golden Wyandotte poultry.
Chauncey Folgate was married in 1896 to Becky Ruch, a daughter of John and Jane Ruch of Wilson Township. Mrs. Folgate was born, reared, and educated in Wilson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Folgate have six living children: Ward, at home; Kenneth, at home; Stella, married to Isaac Pierce; and Jay, Willie, and Eldon all living at home.
Mr. Folgate is a Republican, and is identified with the Methodist church. The first Methodist church in this community was organized at the home of B. F. Sale, and the first edifice was built in 1854. Among the members of the first organization were; Mr. and Mrs. John Huggins, Mr. and Mrs. John Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Ross, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Robert Morris, and Mr. and Mrs. William Poole. Rev. Merrit Shockely and Rev. Harold Johnson were among the first ministers. Mr. Folgate is one of the interesting talkers of the community, and recalls quite vividly and clearly the details of the early history of the county. He is one of the sub- stantial and reliable men of Huggins Township, and he and his family are assets to the community.
Joab P. Neal was born on Jan. 7, 1854, on the farm near Stanberry in Huggins Township, Gentry County, which is now his home. With the excepting of three years spent in Colorado, Gentry County has been Mr. Neal's home all of his life. He was born in a log cabin, which was his par- ents' home in those early days; and in his boyhood, he and his brother cleared most of the farm of timber. His recollections cover the strenuous period of the Civil War, and Mr. Neal recalls very vividly the days that the neighborhood boys went to Albany to enlist for service in the srife between the states.
Mr. Neal's parents were Joab and Luvina (Sale) Neal. Joab Neal was born on July 1, 1815, and died on Feb. 10, 1854. His remains are buried in Hall Cemetery. He married Luvina Sale in Gentry County in 1847. She was born, July 27, 1828, a daughter of Samuel Sale of Michigan. Mr. Sale died in Michigan and his widow came to Gentry County in 1840, driving a team of oxen from her home state to the new country. She settled on a farm adjoining the Neal farm, where she spent the remainder of her life. Joab Neal and his wife entered land in Gentry County during the forties and
790
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
improved it. Joab Neal was a veteran of the Black Hawk War of 1832, and was a teacher of prominence. He taught several schools after he came to Gentry County, and was a member of one of the early legislatures of the State of Missouri. After his death his widow continued to live on the farm, where she died in the ninety second year of her age on Nov. 25, 1920. Her remains are buried in Hall Cemetery. To her union with Joab Neal the following children were born: J. W., living in Oklahoma; W. R., died at Hugginsville on Oct. 23, 1920; Ruhama, died in infancy; and Joab P., the subject of this sketch. By a second marriage of Luvina (Sale) Neal to Robert M. Kier, she had the following children : Jasper Newton, a resident of Stanberry; Sarah Eliza, now Mrs. Galentine of Stanberry; Robert H., living at St. Joseph ; Leander, deceased ; and Floyd T., a resident of Brown- lee, Neb.
Joab P. Neal attended the rural schools in Gentry County and has been a farmer all of his life. He owns 105 acres of land on which he has a good residence, built in 1917, excellent farm buildings, and where he does gen- eral farming and stock raising in a thoroughly competent way.
Joab P. Neal was married, Nov. 3, 1881 to Caroline Alexander, a daughter of Francis and Margaret (Edie) Alexander, early settlers of Hug- gins Township. Mr. Alexander died in 1885, and his wife died in 1878. The remains of both are buried in Hall Cemetery. Their children were: W. B .. , John F., Littleton E., Preston, Clarence S .; Mrs. Josephine James, Sarah, and Delle, all deceased; and Louisa, now Mrs. Parker and living in Mon- tana ; and Caroline, now Mrs. Neal. Mr. and Mrs. Neal had the following children : Sylvia A., died at the age of two years; Olera L., married Eliza James, has a daughter, Opal, and is a farmer in Huggins Township; and Otto P., at home.
Mr. Neal was the first collector of Huggins Township. Both he and his wife grew up in the county, and both experienced the privations and hard- ships of pioneering. The Neal family has been well and favorably known in the community for many years, and Mr. Neal is highly esteemed as an effi- cient farmer, and an excellent citizen.
Aaron Gregg, pioneer farmer of Huggins Township in Gentry County, was born in Noble County, Ohio, March 21, 1842, the son of George and Sarah (Triplett) Gregg.
George Gregg was a native of Virginia, and went to Pennsylvania when he was 12 years of age. After he reached manhood he moved to Ohio, where he settled in Noble County. He died in Ohio at the age of 80 years, and his wife died at the same place at the age of 78 years. Their remains are buried in the Beaver Cemetery in Noble County, Ohio. Aaron Gregg is
791
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
the youngest, and the only living child. Those deceased are: Ruth, who married Ben Stockdale; Thomas, died at the age of 21 years; William; John; Martha Ann, was the wife of Sylvester Hathaway ; Isaac; and Jane, who was married to David Cline.
Aaron Gregg came to Gentry County in 1869. He came down the Ohio River, up the Missouri River to St. Joseph, and by wagon to Gentry County. Six months after his arrival in Missouri he settled on his present farm. He bought 40 acres of land form Stephen Garton and added to it until he now owns 205 acres, 120 acres of which is in section 19, and the remainder, which comprises the home place, in section 14. The former is now operated by Mr. Gregg's son, Melvin. It is well improved and has a good residence, three barns, and two silos. The home place is also kept in excellent condi- tion and both farms show the effect of Mr. Gregg's efficient management. The house into which Mr. Gregg moved when he came to Gentry County is still standing and makes an interesting bit of family history.
Aaron Gregg was married on Jan. 5, 1865 to Mary Catherine Ellett, a daughter of John and Catherine (Kinsey) Ellett, both of whom died before Mrs. Gregg's marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg found life in the unsettled country very trying for a time, but they were uncomplaining in meeting the privations, and ultimately made a success of the farm. They kept out of debt, but sometimes found it difficult in those days of the scarcity of money to even buy stamps to write to relatives. The best tribute to Mrs. Gregg's ability is to be found in the family which she reared under difficulties, but with marked success. Mrs. Gregg died, Jan. 23, 1921 at the age of 79 years. Her children were: Elma, married Frank Lawrence of Gentry, and had the following children, Ethel, deceased; Claud, married Eva Canady ; Melvin, who married Mabel Woolen; and Charlie; Melvin, married Myrtle Wilson and has two children; Cleo, married Hazel Wallace; Fay, the wife of Fred O'Banion; and Guy who married Gladys Liggett. Mr. Gregg has several great-grandchildren.
Mr. Gregg is a member of the Methodist Church. He and his family are highly esteemed in the twonship and are valuable members of the com- munity. Mr. Gregg is one of the interesting pioneers of the county, a man who wrested success from a new and untried county, and a citizen of the type that built up this part of the state of Missouri.
G. M. Dallas Morrison, proprietor of the Elm Grove Farm 63 miles west of Albany in Huggins Township, Gentry County, was born in Penn- sylvania, Oct. 30, 1845, the son of Joseph and Eliza (McClure) Morri- son.
Joseph Morrison and his wife moved to Lee County, Iowa, where
792
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
Mrs. Morrison died in 1852. Joseph Morrison died in Warren County, Ohio, more than 30 years ago. He was a prominent farmer and stock- man of his time. To his union with Eliza (McClure) Morrison the fol- lowing children were born: Robert McClure, a resident of Kansas City, Mo .; G. M. D., the subject of this review ; and James, died in Lee County, Iowa, when he was 21 years old; Amzy, died at Ft. Madison, Iowa; W. J., died at Kahoka; and Minerva J., who married Mr. Spencer and died in Nebraska.
G. M. D. Morrison attended the schools of Lee County, Iowa, and enlisted for service in the Civil War when he was 18 years old. He served in Company D, 8th Iowa Cavalry from August, 1863, until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Atlanta and Kenesaw Mountain and was taken prisoner while in a raid before the fall of At- lanta. He was taken to Andersonville prison on August 3, 1864. In September of the same year he was transfered to Macon, Ga., being there only a short time he was taken on to Millen prison then to Savan- nah. On Dec. 25, 1864, he was again taken down the coast and across to Andersonville prison. He was retained there until the close of the war, when he returned to his home in Iowa, but for many years felt the effects of his experience in prison. In June, 1866, Mr. Morrison came to Gentry County and bought 40 acres of land in Huggins Township three years later. Soon afterwards he bought 20 acres adjoining the first tract. He later sold this 60 acres, and bought 80 acres of the farm which he now owns. That was in 1872 and Mr. Morrison now owns 215 acres of well im- poved land. His holdings were at one time 305 acres, but he recently disposed of part of the land. The farm is well located, there is an excellent residence, and good farm buildings. The yard is especially pretty ; there are several cedar trees in it and a beautiful elm grove. The farm gets its name from this grove which has been on the place since the early days.
Mr. Morrison was married on April 11, 1869, to Sarah J. Pettit, a native of Decatur County, Ind., and a daughter of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Call) Pettit. Mr. and Mrs. Pettit were both born in Indiana, were married there, and later settled in Benton County, Iowa. They after- wards moved to Gentry County, and finally located in Daviess County, where they both died. Their children were: Joseph, of Oklahoma ; Isaac, living in Oklahoma; Charles, of Dade County ; Columbus, living at Mc- Fall; John, address unknown; Ollie, married to John Pettit of Benton County, Iowa; Sarah J., the wife of G. M. D. Morrison; William, died at St. Joseph ; Jacob died in Dade County ; Mary, died in Benton County, Iowa; and Stella and Ella, twins, died in girlhood.
793
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have six children living: F. L., of Phoenix, Ariz., married Effie Hughs and has the following children, Everett, Rachel, a teacher in the Floyd District, Gertrude, Blondina, a teacher at Center Grove, and Alice ; A. A., a farmer in Huggins Township, married Louzetta Straley, and has the following children, Mabel, married Leon- ard Pittsenbarger, and has two children, Marcel and Lettie Lou, Cecil, who married Earl Walker; Clarence; Blanche, now the wife of Glenn Hathaway; Dallas, Leland, and Doris; Oliver, a farmer in Harrison County, married Marguerite Hunsicker, and has three children, Claude, Carl, and Gaylord; Rosa, the wife of Howard Adams of Kansas City, with four children ; Oliver, married Clinton Wheeler; Marion, the wife of Stanley Waters; Elva and Junior; Ona, married to W. O. Herald of Al- bany, with one son, Virgil; and Jesse, a resident of Sterling, Col., mar- ried to Grace Wilson, and has three children, Mildred, Olive and Loretta.
Mr. Morrison was formerly a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Stanberry. He served on the Board of Directors of the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Gentry County for several years. Mr. Morrison is one of the highly esteemed citizens of his community where he is regarded as a substantial and reliable citizen.
Dr. A. W. Coppersmith, an efficient and popular dentist of Stan- berry, Gentry County, has his office on North Locust Street where he has a large practice. He was born at Stanberry, Nov. 13, 1877, the son of Anthony and Catherine Coppersmith.
Anthony Coppersmith was born in Wurtenberg, Germany, Aug. 5, 1829, the son of Matthias and Catherine Coppersmith. Anthony Cop- persmith attended school in his native country and came to the United States in 1854. He landed in New York, and in 1857 he went to Dutchess County, N. Y., where he worked for 18 months. In 1858 he came to Warren County, Ill., where he farmed for 16 years. On Nov. 7, 1871, Anthony Coppersmith was married to Catherine Doub, born in Germany, June 13, 1841, the daughter of Henry Doub. In the fall of 1874 Anthony Coppersmith moved to Gentry County and settled on a farm just north of Stanberry. Mr. Coppersmith was a successful farmer and improved his holding of 180 acres of land. He and his wife were both members of the Baptist Church and were highly esteemed mem- bers of the community. Mr. Coppersmith died, May 3, 1903, and Mrs. Coppersmith died, Dec. 14, 1921. The remains of both are buried in High Ridge Cemetery. Their children were: Emma; A. W., the subject of this sketch : Leo, a dentist at Pierce, Neb .; and Nellie M., the wife of A. M. Schubert of Des Moines, Iowa.
794
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
Dr. Coppersmith attended the public shcools of Gentry County and the Stanberry Normal School. He then became a student in the Western Dental College at Kansas City, Mo., and graduated from that institution in 1902. He began the practice of his profession at Stanberry, where he has followed dentistry with marked success ever since.
Dr. Coppersmith is identified with the Baptist Church. He is a highly esteemed citizen of Stanberry.
W. F. Sager is the present mayor of Stanberry and has been a resi- dent of Gentry County for the past 57 years. During this time he has seen the country develop from the crude, sparsely populated community which it was when he first knew it to the present well organized and highly developed county. Long before the town of Stanberry was laid out, Mr. Sager, then in his early youth, helped break the prairie land with ox teams. The county prospered, and Mr. Sager's name was con- nected with many public enterprises. He was the vice president of the Bank of Stanberry from 1889 until 1896, when the bank was merged with the Farmers and Mechanics Bank. From that date until 1909 he was connected with the real estate and fire insurance business, and he is now the local agent for the New York Life Insurance Company.
W. F. Sager was born in Cedar County, Iowa, April 13, 1863. His father, Edward Sager, was born Oct. 26, 1838, the sixth son born to his parents, Christian Sager and his wife. Edward Sager died at Boynton, Okla., June 18, 1919, and his remains are buried in High Ridge Ceme- tery, Gentry County. His wife Elizabeth (Gearhart) Sager, died at the age of 47 years. To her union with Edward Sager the following chil- dren were born: W. F., the subject of this sketch; Mary C., now Mrs. Lewis of Ft. Lupton, Col .; James C., a prominent commission man living in St. Joseph; Rachel, now Mrs. Taylor of Quincy, Ill .; J. B., connected with a bank at Darlington ; Emily J., deceased ; E. W., a resident of St. Joseph ; a sister, now Mrs. Bert Myers of Los Angeles, Calif .; and Al- bert, living in St. Joseph.
W. F. Sager was a student in the Stanberry Normal School from which he graduated in the class of 1885. He then located at Colby, Kan., where he organized the first bank ever established there. He remained in that work until he came to Stanberry in 1889. He was elected the mayor of Stanberry in April, 1920, and has made an efficient official. He has kept the details of the office in such excellent shape that it would be possible for another incumbent to take over the work with practically no difficulty. Throughout his term of office, Mr. Sager has been pains- taking and has exhibited excellent executive ability.
795
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
Mr. Sager was married on March 16, 1887, to Amanda Cain, a daughter of Charles L. and Sarah J. Cain, early settlers of Nodaway County, and both now deceased. To the union of W. F. and Amanda (Cain) Sager the following children were born: Edna, a teacher in the Manual Training High School of Kansas City, Mo .; Raymond D,. men- tion of whom appears later; Sylvia S., the cashier of the Lee Live Stock and Corn Company at St. Joseph; Edward, Jr., at home; and W. F., Jr., at home.
Raymond D. Sager was born on Jan. 24, 1889, at Stanberry, where he was reared. He was in service during the World War and was wounded on Oct. 6, 1918, during the Argonne Drive in France. He died on Oct. 21st of that year and his remains are buried in the American Cemetery in France. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Stanberry.
W. F. Sager is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, and dur- ing the 25 years of his membership, he has filled all of the chairs. He has been the Deputy Grand Chancellor for several years. Mayor Sager has one of the beautiful residences of Stanberry, and is one of the lead- ing citizens of the town.
J. Clark Powers, a prominent farmer and stockman of Cooper Township, Gentry County, is known throughout his community as a man of progressive ideas. He is the son of a well known farmer, Harvey Pow- ers, and was born just northeast of Union Grove, Gentry County, March 13, 1880. His mother, Cynthia T. (Clark) Powers came of pioneer stock, her parents having been early settlers in Gentry County. Mr. and Mrs. Clark, sketches of whose lives appear in this volume, live in Bogle Town- ship.
J. Clark Powers attended the Burnett District school in his child- hood, and later was a student in the Albany High School. He farmed at home with his father for several years, and in the meantime, became in- terested in the buying and selling of farms. At the present time, Mr. Powers owns 290 acres of well improved land four miles northwest of Stanberry in Cooper Township. For the past 10 years, Mr. Powers has been breeding and raising Poland China hogs. Mr. Powers had his last annual sale of hogs on Nov. 17, 1921. He keeps his herd pure bred, and is justly proud of the animals he raises. He also raises pure bred Perch- eron horses, and high class Jersey cattle. Mrs. Powers breeds pure bred Buff Leghorn chickens and both Mr. and Mrs. Powers have established a reputation for success in their work.
796
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
J. Clark Powers was married on June 11, 1899, to Bettie Kerfoot, a daughter of John T. and M. E. (Williams) Kerfoot. Mrs. Kerfoot is dead, and her husband now lives at Garden City, Kan. Mrs. Powers was born, reared and educated near Gentry. To her union with J. Clark Powers two children were born: Curtis, married Estella J. Cook, and is farming on the home place; and Esther Ellen, now a student in the Stan- berry High School.
By inheritance, training, and because of his innate ability, J. Clark Powers is a man of strong business acumen, one who has achieved prom- inence in his work as a stockman because he is both capable and ener- getic.
Harvey Powers, one of the well known farmers and stockmen of Bogle Township, Gentry County, is a native of Virginia, born in Taze- well County, Oct. 18, 1861, the son of J. B. and Rebecca (Whitton) Pow- ers.
J. B. Powers was born in Smith County, Virginia, and was a vet- eran of the Civil War, in which he served for four years in the Confed- erate army. He came to Missouri in 1869 and settled first at Albany, later at Union Grove and at Alanthus, all in Gentry County. At all of those towns he followed his occupation of blacksmithing. In 1887 he went to Hickory County, where he remained for two years, and then moved to Sheridan, Wyo. He died in Wyoming at the age of 59 years. His wife, also a native of Virginia, died in Wyoming at the age of 68 years. Their children were: Harvey, the subject of this sketch ; Charles, living at Moline, Kan .; John, a resident of Sheridan, Wyo .; Edward, living in Washington; Alex, now living in Wyoming; and Mollie, mar- ried Bud Jenney, and died at Sheridan, Wyo., Aug. 25, 1921.
Harvey Powers attended the public schools, and has made his own way in the world since he was 18 years old. He lived on a farm three miles north of Union Grove until 1899, when he bought his present farm of 220 acres. He has a good residence, a silo, excellent farm buildings, and the place has fine water facilities. Mr. Powers raises Duroc Jersey hogs and has registered males. He also raises cattle, and is accounted one of the successful men of the community in this line of work.
Mr. Powers was married, Nov. 15, 1878, to Cynthia T. Clark, a daughter of James and Mary (Orr) Clark. James Clark was born in Paisley, Scotland in 1809, and came to the United States with his par- ents in 1816. They settled near New Lisbon, Ohio, and there James Clark was reared. He and his younger brother, David, were among the earliest settlers in the Union community in Gentry County. They entered
797
HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
land five miles northwest of Gentry in 1857. The brother, David, en- listed for service in the Civil War, and died in Virginia while serving in the Union army. James Clark married Mary E. Orr, born near New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1817, and she had come with him to the new country. He died in 1868, and his remains are buried in the Smithton Cemetery. His widow was left with a child of only six months, to face the hardships and privations of early pioneer life. Mrs. Clark died at the home of her daughter, Cynthia T. (Clark) Powers, in 1900 at the age of 83 years. To the pioneer women of her type the county owes much.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.