USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 77
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 77
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Joseph A. Dunavan and his wife went to Colorado and remained there for four years. Leaving Colorado, they located in Caldwell County, Mo., where Mr. Dunavan died in 1901, and Mrs. Dunavan a few years later. Their children were: Joseph, living near Seattle, Wash .; Jennie, now Mrs. Howe of Washington; Catherine, deceased, was Mrs. Brandon; Isaac, died in Canada; David died in Kansas; Alice, died in Caldwell County, Mo .; Anna, died in Illinois in 1892; and John and Amanda, both died in infancy.
Lewis D. Dunavan attended the public schools of Illinois and has been a farmer all of his life. He farmed first in Illinois, but in 1888, he went to Colorado, where he took up a claim near Sterling, in Logan County. In 1893 he came to Missouri and for the next ten years lived on a farm near Hamilton, in Caldwell County. He sold that farm in 1903 and bought his present farm of 120 acres of land two miles east of Kidder. This land was formerly the Captain Emerson place. It is situated on the County Line road and has a good residence and farm buildings. Mr. Dunavan does general farming and is very successful in his work.
In 1879 Mr. Dunavan was married in Sheridan, Ill., to Jenrie Mc- Michael, a daughter of James and Margaret (Furr) McMichael. James
LEWIS R. DUNAVAN
MRS. LEWIS R. DUNAVAN
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McMichael was born in Scotland and came to the United States in his youth ; his wife was a native of Virginia. Both Mr. and Mrs. McMichael died in LaSalle County, Ill. Their children were. Nettie, now Mrs. Gray of Ottawa, Ill .; Belle, now Mrs. DeBolt of Ottawa, Ill .; Jennie, now Mrs. Dunavan; Maggie, now Mrs. Peddicord of Nevada, Iowa; James, living at Heberling, Ind .; Fred, living in Alaska; William, living on the home place at Ottawa, Ill .; and Addie, married Mr. DeBolt, and is now dead.
Mr. and Mrs. Dunavan are held in high regard in the community. Mr. Dunavan is an industrious and progressive farmer and a man of civic pride.
F. L. Giles, a prominent pioneer who is a successful farmer and stockman of Miller Township, Gentry County, is a native of Tennessee. He was born Nov. 10, 1849 and is a son of Benjamin and Talitha (Hyten) Giles, both natives of Tennessee and early settlers in Gentry County. Benjamin Giles came to Missouri in 1851 with his family and settled in Gentry County. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and after coming to Gentry County he took up land and proceeded to make a home in the then new and unsettled country. He was a man of exemplary habits and even at that time when liquor was almost as free as water he never took a drink nor never used profanity. He was killed by bushwhackers at the close of the Civil War. The following children were born to Ben- jamin Giles and wife: Rebecca and John are both deceased; James, lives at Albany ; Mary A., married J. O. Rendall; Robert, lives in Gentry County ; Samantha, married William McFall; Albert lives in Casper, Wyo .; Caroline, married J. W. Chaney, and lives in McFall; and F. L., the subject of this sketch.
F. L. Giles began life working out by the month and was thus en- gaged for a period of ten years. He then bought 90 acres of land and engaged in farming and stock raising and has met with very satisfactory success.
Mr. Giles was married to Sallie Bell, a daughter of Robert of Tennessee and Bettie Bell of Indiana who settled in Gentry County shortly after the Civil War. They were the parents of the following children: Samuel, Jessie and Rebecca, deceased; Lizzie, married a Richard Etter, a contractor who lives in Iowa; Edward, lives in Platte County, Mo .; Minta, lives in Omaha, Neb .; Buchanan, lives in Platte County, Mo .; Walter, married James Bond and they live in Oklahoma.
To F. L. Giles and wife have been born the following children : Cora Ethel, a teacher in Gentry County, resides at home with her parents; Stella, married William Williams who is engaged in poultry shipping at
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St. Joseph; Boyd, who is also engaged in shipping poultry, lives in St. Joseph. He is a veteran of the World War and spent one year in France in the service, being honorably discharged after the Armistice was signed. He married Miss Hazel Foster of Buffalo, N. Y.
Mr. Giles is a Democrat and one of the highly respected and de- pendable pioneer citizens of Gentry County.
J. J. Childers, a well known citizen of Miller Township who is engaged in farming and stock raising, is a native of Gentry County. He was born Oct. 9, 1867 and is a son of John A. and Sarah Ann (White) Childers, both natives of Ohio. John Childers was born in Gallia County, Feb. 25, 1838 and his wife was born in the same county. He served in the Commissary Department of the Union Army during the Civil War and after the close of the war he came to Gentry County with his wife and family, driving through with a team and covered wagon, the trip requiring 45 days. When the Childers family settled in Gentry County this section of the country was sparsely settled and a large portion of it was unbroken. Here Mr. Childers made a home for himself and family and succeded to a satisfactory degree. He is one of the living pioneers in the county and one of the oldest Masons in the country, having been a member of the Masonic Lodge for 69 years. His wife died Sept. 8, 1907 and is buried in the McFall Cemetery and he now makes his home with his son J. J. Childers.
To John A. Childers and wife were born the following children: Daniel, Lucy and Clara are deceased ; Charles M., lives in Holt County ; John W., Lincoln County, Ore .; William A., Twin Falls, Idaho; Joseph F., Gentry County ; Edward L., lives near Berlin; Luke F., farm advisor in Fayette County ; and J. J., the subject of this sketch.
J. J. Childers was educated in the early day schools of Gentry County and began life farming rented land ; four years later he bought 80 acres and is now the owner of 130 acres of well improved land in Miller Township and 114 acres in Arkansas. He carries on general farm- ing and stock raising and has been successful in his undertakings.
Mr. Childers was married Sept. 17, 1891 to Dora Rush, a native of Montgomery County, Ind., and a daughter of A. B. and Annie Rush both natives of Indiana. A. B. Rush came to Missouri in 1878 and settled in Gentry County where he remained for some years when he returned to Indiana. In1909 he went to Arkansas where he bought 300 acres of land and engaged in the dairy business. He was a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. He died Dec. 25, 1916 and is buried at Searcy, Ark., and his wife died in Gentry County in 1890. Mrs. Childers has two living sisters: Eunice, married W. M. Kennedy and they live in In-
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diana; and Susie, married Bert Shaffer and they live in White County, Ark.
To Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Childers have been born the foliowing chil- dren : Nellie, Gladys, John Alexander, Harvey L., Russell R., Sallie E.,. Hazel E., Clarissa D., James Marion.
Nellie Childers was educated in the State Teachers College at Kirks- ville and Simmons College and was a teacher of Domestic Science, mar- Chester A. Purdy. Mr. Purdy was also educated at the State Teachers College at Kirksville and was principal of the Braymer schools when the United States entered the war. He enlisted in the Radio department and was sent to the Great Lakes Training Station and from there to Harvard University as a Radio Lecturer. After the Armstice was signed he re- turned to Kirksville and taught Manuel Training. He then went to Chi- cago and bought a half interest in the bakery business which he con- ducted for one year when he sold out. He is the inventor of an automatic doughnut cutter and fryer which is considered one of the best devices of its kind.
Gladys Pearl Childers was educated in the public schools and the Teachers College at Kirksville and was engaged in teaching before her marriage. She married Claude N. Dyer who was engaged in teaching at Macon when the United states entered the World War. He entered the army and went to France with the 89th Division. While in the army he attended the Officers Training School and was commissioned second lieutenant. After his discharge from the army he attended the Univer- sity of Chicago for one year and is now Superintendent of schools at Jef- ferson, Ore.
John Alexander was educated in the public schools and the Teach- ers State College at Kirksville and was engaged in teaching when he entered the United States Army and served as a musician in the 89th Division and served about a year in France, participating in all engage- ments of this famous Division. After being discharged from the army he taught school for a time and is now engaged in farming and stock raising.
Harvey L. Childers was educated in the public schools and the Teachers State College at Kirksville and is now leader of the Marine Band, 3rd Regiment and is stationed at Sant Domingo.
Russell R., Sallie E., Hazel E., Clarissa D., and James Marion are students in the public schools.
Mr. Childers is a Republican, a member of the Masonic Lodge and
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the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a substantial citizen and the Childers family are highly respected.
James J. Evans, a prominent citizen of Jackson Township who has had a successful career as a farmer and stockman is a native of Gentry County, born March 4, 1855. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Miller) Evans both natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Gentry County. John Evans was engaged in farming and stock raising here in his life- time and was the owner of 80 acres of land. He was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church and a highly respected pioneer citizen. He died in 1860 and his wife died in 1856. They were the parents of six children : T. J .; Emily and Mary deceased ; and Martha, married Thomas Ireland, Colorado Springs, Colo .; Mahala Jane, married Thomas Hunter, Albany; and James J., whose name introduces this review.
James J. Evans was reared on a farm and educated in the early day public schools. He began life for himself operating rented land and by hard work and strict economy he was soon able to buy a place of his own. He is the owner of 440 acres of valuable land which is well im- proved with a good residence and other farm buildings. He carries on general farming and stock raising and has met with well merited success.
Mr. Evans was married Jan. 27,1876, to Miss Mary Ella Welch a native of Texas and a daughter of Frank and Mary (Wheeler) Welch, the former a native of Illinois and the latter of Indiana. The Welch fam- ily went to Texas at an early day and in 1865 came to Missouri and set- tled in Gentry County. Here the father owned and operated a farm of 200 acres. He was a Republican and a member of the Christian Church. He and his wife are both deceased and their remains are buried in the old Brick Church Cemetery northwest of Albany.
To Mr. and Mrs. James J. Evans have been born the following chil- dren: Jennie L., born Nov. 12, 1881 and died July 6, 1883, Thomas Marion, born Nov. 26, 1876 and died on Oct. 6, 1918; George F., born May 12, 1879, a farmer and stockman in Jackson Township; Homer, born Nov. 22, 1883, also a farmer and stockman near Stanberry; Mary Ella, born Aug. 16, 1896 is a graduate of The Ernest Conservatory of Music at Stanberry and afterwards pursued her musical studies in Palmer College, is now the wife of Ray Birback; Walter, born Jan. 18, 1901, resides at home. Mrs. Evans departed this life Jan. 6, 1917 and her remains are buried in the Stanberry Cemetery.
Mr. Evans is a Republican and a member of the Christian Church. He is a well known and substantial citizen of this county.
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James A. Johnson, a Gentry County pioneer who has had much to do with the devlopment of this county has lived here since he was three years old. He was born in Iowa March 21, 1852, a son of James M. and Sarah (Thompson) Johnson, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Virginia. James M. Johnson removed from Indiana to Iowa at a very early date and came to Missouri and settled in Gentry County about 1856. He served in the Civil War and took part in a number of battles and skirmishes. After the close of the war he engaged in farming and stock raising and was the owner of 600 acres of land. When he came here his first home was a log cabin. He broke the prairie and improved his place, his first land being 160 acres which he entered from Govern- ment. He passed through all the hardships of pioneer days and even- tually became well-to-do. He died Feb. 1, 1915 at the age of 93 years and his wife died July 15, 1889 and their remains are buried in Lafayette Cemetery in Nodaway County. To James M. Johnson and Sarah (Thompson) Johnson were born the following children; Sarah Jane, is now the widow of William Paxton; John A., who is now living retired in Gentry County; G. L., a farmer and stockman in Gentry County; and James A., the subject of this review ; and Mary, Francis, Hiram, William and Laura, all of whom are deceased.
James A. Johnson began life as a laborer and worked for $15.00 per month. Later he operated rented land for two years and then bought 80 acres for $11.50 per acre, going in debt for same and paying interest at the rate of 10 per cent. He bought more land from time to time and is now the owner of 200 acres of well improved land. He carries on general farming and stock faising and is widley known as a mule raiser. He also raises cattle, horses and sheep. His place is well improved with a sub- tantial residence and other suitable buildings. In addition to his farm work Mr. Johnson is widely known as one of the pioneer threshermen of Gentry County and has operated a threshing machine for over 40 years.
Mr. Johnson was married March 12, 1876 to Miss Cynthia Bailey a native of Decatur, Ill. and a daughter of James and Esther (Morris) Bailey. James Bailey was a native of Indiana and his wife of Kentucky. They were early settlers in Missouri and he died here Jan. 24, 1893 and is buried in Lafyette Cemetery. He was a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. His widow now lives at Stanberrby and is 78 years old. They were the parents of the following children now living: Mary, married James M .. Johnson and they live in Oklahoma; Viola, married Fred McGrew, Hebron, Neb .; George, Stanberry ; Delila, married Daniel
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La Rue and they live in Kansas; Florence, married Dade Johnson who is now deceased and she resides in Stanberry ; and Josephine unmarried also living in Stanberry.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have no children of their own although they have one adopted daughter, Dora who is a graduate of the Stanberry Normal School and is now the wife of Clarence Daken of Stanberry.
Mr. Johnson is a public spirited and enterprising citizen and has a wide acquaintancee in Gentry County. He is a Democrat and has served as school director for a number of years. He and Mrs. Johnson are mem- bers of the Christian Church.
M. L. Law, a well known farmer and stockman of Cooper Township was born Sept. 24, 1863. He is a son of Joseph and Nancy (Hayes) Law, the former a native of Pennsylviana and the later of Indiana. Joseph Law came west at an early day making the trip with horses and a cov- ered wagon. He served in the Union Army during the Civil War and after the war settled in Gentry County, Mo., later settled in Nebraska where he owned 160 acres of land. He was an extensive farmer and stockman. He was a Democrat and served as school commissionor for a number of years. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic. He died in February, 1899 and is buried near Wallace, Neb., and his wife died May 29, 1922 where she was laid to rest near Wallace, Neb.
Joseph Law and wife were the parents of the following children : Anna, married Frank Radel who is now deceased and she lives in Per- kins County, Neb .; Ervin a farmer and stockman in Lincoln County, Neb. ; David, a ranchman in Perkins County, Neb. ; Emma, married Miley Newell and they live in Stanberry; Nanna, is now a widow and lives in Hastings, Neb .; Wallace, a carpenter, lives at Stanberry ; George, Lin- coln County, Neb .; Cora, married John Poston and they live in Lincoln County, Neb .; and M. L., the subject of this sketch.
M. L. Law was educated in the public schools and since early man- hood has been engaged in farming and stock raising and has met with success. He is the owner of a valuable farm of 199 acres in Cooper Town- ship where he carries on general farming. His place is well improved and has a good two story residence and other farm buildings.
Mr. Law was married March 27, 1887 to Miss Sadie Sheridan, a native of Indiana, a daughter of Eli G. and Hattie D. (Rose) Sheridan. Eli G. Sheridn was born in Henry County, Ind., and at an early day came west and first settled in Iowa, later he came to Missouri and settled in Gentry County. He is now living retired at the age of 87 years. During
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his active career he was engaged in farming and stock raising and he was also widely known as an expert bee man and was very successful in the production of honey. He is a member of the Quaker Church and is a Republican. His wife was born Oct. 11, 1846 and died March 24, 1918. They were the parents of the following childen: Malinda, married Mar- tin Miller who is now deceased and she lives in Gentry County ; James, Conception, Mo .; William, farmer lives in Gentry County ; Frank, lives in California; Ethelna, married Jake Emerson who is now deceased and she is the wife of George Doherty of Stanberry; Hettie Elizabeth, mar- ried U. S. Vooheries, Stanberry; Addie Belle, married Arch Wormel- skirchen, of Stanberry; and Mrs. Law of this review.
To Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Law have been born the following children : Latheta Sadie, born April 22, 1905 is deceased ; Vertie Mae born May 22, 1888, married Edward Showen and they live in Missouri; Anora Nell, born Aug. 26, 1889, married E. C. Lockwood, an attorney at Stanberry ; Hettie Ethel, married John Walton, Gentry County ; LeRoy, born Feb. 9, 1894, enlisted in the United States Navy, Dec. 9, 1917 and after serving for a time in the coast guards on the Atlantic Coast was transferred to the Pacific Coast on the U. S. S. Beaver and after the armstice was signed received his discharge, having been in the service 18 months, is now engaged in farming in Gentry County; Velma, born March 11, 1900, married Glen Stephenson, Stanberry ; Ruby, born June 25, 1903, married Loren Wood a farmer in Gentry County ; Wilbur E. G., born July 6, 1906, attending high school in Stanberry; and Ovid Beryl, born Jan. 10, 1912, a student in the public schools.
Mr. Law is a Democrat and served as school commissioner for seven years while a resident of Nebraska. He is a member of the Baptist Church and one of the dependable citizens of Gentry County.
Patrick Kirk, now living on his farm in the western part of Cooper Township is one of the early pioneers of this section and bears the dis- tinction of being one of the oldest men in Gentry County. He was born in Monaghan County, Ireland, March 17, 1827, a son of Patrick and Catherine (Coleman) Kirk, both natives of Monaghan County where the father was a farmer and both spent thier lives in their native land.
Patrick Kirk came to America in 1863, making the trip on the "City of Washington" and landed in New York City after a voyage of 11 days. In early life Mr. Kirk learned the bakers trade. After coming to this country he was employed by the United States Government in building a Fort on Long Island. He then worked in a woolen factory in
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New York for two years. He then went to Wisconsin where he worked on a farm a short time when he went to Chicago and worked in the James Kirk soap factory. Then he went to Louisiana where he was employed on levy construction for a time when he returned to Chicago where he re- mained for a short time then again went south. Later he returned to Illinois and afterwards went to Iowa where he was employed on railroad construction. He then came to Missouri and settled in Polk County where he bought 40 acres of land . In 1872 he came to Gentry County and bought 160 acres of land for which he paid $5.00 an acre and since that time he has been engaged in farming and stock raising and has met with success. For a time he lived at O'Neil City, Neb. He bought his present place March 25, 1882.
Mr. Kirk was married to Bridget Coleman a native of County Monaghan, Ireland and a daughter of John and Mary (Kelly) Coleman both natives of that county and spent their lives there. Only one of their children is now living, Anna, who is the widow of Bernard Callahan who resides in New York City. To Patrick Kirk and wife were born the fol- lowing children: Mary, married Robert E. Merigan and she is now deceased, leaving one child, Frances Merigan, born Nov. 24, 1906 who is being reared by his grandfather, Patrick Kirk; James M. Kirk, is now operating his father's farm; John B. Kirk, is a clerk in Kansas City.
Patrick Kirk, although past 95 years old is a man of remarkable physi- cal and mental vigor. He now has his second sight and reads without glasses. He has worked hard all his life and is one of the honored pioneers of this section who has seen this section of Missouri develop from its unimproved and sparsely settled state, half a century ago and he has done his part well. He has always supported the policies of the Democratic Party and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. His wife died Nov. 12, 1919 at the age of 78 years and her remains are buried in the Catholic Cemetery at Conception.
Joseph R. Pulsifer, a representative farmer and stockman of Athens Township, residing near Albany, Mo., is a native son of Gentry County. He is a son of Nero and Sarah A. (Potter) Pulsifer. Nero Pulsifer was born in Illinois and was a successful farmer all his life.
Joseph R. Pulsifer is one of a family of eight children born to his parents, the others being as follows: Claric, married Samuel Christie, McFall, Mo .; Bell, married Henry Peck, a barber, St. Joseph, Mo .; Robert, married Ida Heath and is now deceased, having been killed in a railroad accident in Nebraska and his remains are buried at McFall; John, a farmer
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and stock raiser near McFall, married Maud Gilds; Lou, married Samuel Baxter who is engaged in the barber business at Gentryville; Virginia, deceased and is buried at Liberty Cemetery, at McFall; and Grace, married Everet McFall a farmer and stock raiser in North Dakota and a veteran of the Civil War.
Joseph R. Pulsifer was reared to manhood on a farm and received his education in the public schools. He has made farming the chief occupation of his life and has met with uniform success in his undertaking. He was married to Miss Lydia Burton and to them have been born three children as follows: Lawrence, born June 5, 1909; Margaret, born Feb. 17, 1911 and Catherine, born April 30, 1916, all of whom are attending the public schools.
Mrs. Pulsifer is a daughter of Abraham and Margaret (Pruett) Bur- ton, natives of Missouri, and is one of eight children born to them, the others being as follows: Arthur, a farmer and stock raiser; Leota, a graduate of the State Teachers College at Kirksville and now a teacher of domestic science at Gallatin; Dallas, assistant cashier of the bank of McFall, mar- ried Lena Christie; Layman, a stock raiser near King City, married Flor- ence Mastis; Wynona, married Loren Salmon a farmer and stock raiser near McFall; Edith died in infancy; and Abraham, a farmer and stock raiser near McFall.
Mr. Pulsifer is a member of the Modern Woodman of America and is a Democrat. He belongs to the Methodist Church and is a substantial and respected citizen.
Jacob Jones, deceased, was one of the earliest settlers of Gentry County. He was born May 10, 1799, in Washington, Pa. Being left an orphan when a very small boy, he was forced to make his own way in the world. At the age of 16 years, he moved to Ohio, where he remained until 1838, when he came to Gentry County. Mr. Jones became a prominent farmer and stockman and in 1865, he moved to Albany, where he engaged in the hotel business. Mr. Jones married Phoebe Flemming, a native of Virginia, and to this union five children were born, as follows: Elmira, Lydia, and Permelia, the other two being deceased. Mrs. Jones died in Ohio, and several years later Mr. Jones married Dorah Miller, a native of Penn- sylvania. To this union ten children were born, of whom nine are now living as follows : Ellis ; Hannah ; Mary ; Barney ; Lavina ; Matilda ; Jane E .; Eugene ; Frank.
Mr. Jones died May 29, 1892, and is buried in Hyland Cemetery, Gentry County.
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Jane E. Jones, a daughter of Jacob Jones, married William B. Castor, a native of Ohio, born Aug. 5, 1837. He was a son of Sampson Castor.
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