| A B C D E FG
H J K L
M NO P R S TU W Y |
| John N.M. Page |
| John N.M. Page, M.D., was born in Smith County, Tenn., March 15, 1842, and is a son of Judge Thomas W. and Fannie (Ledbetter) Page, who were natives of Tennessee. The father was a farmer, and died in Obion County in 1882. His wife died in 1880. Dr. John N.M. Page was educated in the schools of Obion County, and in August 1861 enlisted in the Thirty-third Tennessee Infantry and served until he was discharged for disability in 1863. He re-enlisted in the cavalry service in 1864, and served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Iuka, Chickamauga, Murfreesboro and numerous small skirmishes, and was taken prisoner, but succeeded in making his escape. After the close of the war he returned to Obion County, and soon began the study of medicine. He took his first course of lectures in 1868 in the Medical University of Louisville, Ky., and graduated from that institution in 1870, locating the same year in Mississippi County, Mo. Here he practiced two years but since that time has been a resident of Stoddard County, where he has been engaged in farming with the exception of the first five years spent here. Dr. Page is a Democrat in his political views, and is an enterprising and public-spirited man. He was married in 1876 to Laura Sheeks, a native of Mississippi County, and daughter of William Sheeks. Dr. Page and wife have four sons: Albert Sidney Johnson, John M., Rufus L. and Walter L. He is a member of the Knights of the Golden Rule, and the Agricultural Wheel, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. |
| Henry A. Palmer |
| Henry A. Palmer, farmer of Stoddard County, and the son of William G. and Sarah Palmer, was born on the farm where he now lives, August 24, 1856. The father was born in Buncombe County, N.C. and died in Stoddard County, Mo., in February 1867, at the age of sixty-five. He was a farmer by occupation and a manufacturer of plug tobacco. He married Sarah M. Ellington, a native of Granville County, N.C., born March 26, 1816 and she is still living and residing on the old homestead. Mr. Palmer was a Republican, and he was also a member of the Baptist Church, as is also his wife. Twelve children were born to their marriage, ten now living: Margaret (widow of William A. Stewart), William J., Caroline (widow of Samuel Stewart) Nancy (deceased), Mary (wife of Samuel Scism), George W., Louisa (wife of William Steford), Thomas G., Elizabeth, Minerva (widow of John Quick), Henry A. and Peter (deceased). Henry A. Palmer was married in August 1875, to Miss Jane Smith, daughter of William B. Smith, and a native of Tennessee. She died in Stoddard County four years later, leaving two children: Henry W. and Luther Eugene. December 3, 1882, Mr. Palmer married Miss Sarah Proffer, daughter of William Proffer. She was born in Stoddard County, Mo., in 1866 and by her marriage became the mother of two children: William Lawson and Cecil Clyde. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Baptist Church and is a Republican in politics as is also his brother George W. This family has become noted for its liberality in donating to churches and schools. |
| John M. Paslay |
| John M. Paslay, merchant at Essex, Mo. was born in Morgan County, Ind., in 1841 and is the son of Andrew and Jane (Scott) Paslay. The father preached the gospel in Morgan County until 1847, when he became a minister in Stoddard County, Mo. Fourteen children were born to them, and of those Thomas and John M. are the only survivors. The mother died in 1867 and was followed to her long home by her husband in 1874. The subject of this sketch came from the Hoosier State with his parents, and in 1861 was married to Sarah Jane Benson. He followed agriculture until 1879, when he turned his attention to mercantile life at Essex, and has been so engaged ever since. His military record was in connection with Company K., Second Illinois cavalry, with which he enlisted in August 1862 and served four months. At the battle of Clarkson, Mo., he was crippled in the right arm and injured in his back by being thrown from a horse. Mr. Paslay served the county very efficiently, as constable, for about eight years. Mr. Paslay is a member of the Order of the Golden Rule, and also an organizer of the Wheel. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Of the three children born to them but one, John W., is living. It hardly seems possible that when he moved to Stoddard County the elk, wild cattle, and various other emblems of primitive days should have been a common sight to his youthful eyes, but so it was. |
| George W. Patterson |
| George W. Patterson. Middle Tennessee is the home of many of the early settlers of Missouri, and it was there that Frank and Nancy J. (Davis) Patterson the parents of the subject of this sketch, were born. That was the scene of their son's nativity, also, in 1848 and twenty years later the father located in Missouri, where he now resides on his farm three miles southeast of Bloomfield. He lost his first wife in 1858 and in 1860 married her sister, Minerva A. Davis. Two of the five children of his first marriage are alive: George W. and William M. Those of his last marriage are Newton M., Emma (now Mrs. B. Capps), Minerva (now Mrs. J. Asline), Lee, Walter, Joe and Luther. George W., the subject of this sketch, left home in 1864 and joined the army under Capt. Gay of Gen. Forrest's command. After about nine months' service the company disbanded, and he returned to his home in Gibson County, Tenn. In 1869 a year after the family had arrived in Stoddard County, he married Miss Ann Dennington, and their union has been blessed with seven children, five of whom are now living: Cora (now Mrs. J. Dowdy), Willie, Ollie, DeWitt and Birdie. Mr. Patterson rented the farm he now occupies about five years ago. He is a member of the A.O.U.W. and is president of the Agricultural Wheel of Essex. Both Mr. and Mrs. Patterson are members of General Baptist Church. |
| Manning S. Phelan |
| Manning S. Phelan, county clerk and native of Stoddard County, Mo., was born April 4, 1852 being the son of William G. and Martha I. (Randall) Phelan, the former native of Dublin, Ireland and the latter of Mississippi County, Mo. The father came to America in his twenty-second year (1847), and in 1850 located in Stoddard County, Mo., settling in Bloomfield, where he resided until his death, which occurred August 25, 1872. His widow is still living. They became the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: Manning S., Richard, Walter, Belle and Lura. The children deceased are Minnie and Mary. The father was a lawyer by profession and while in his native country he studied for the priesthood. He was noted as being a fine criminal lawyer, and had an extensive practice. His son, Manning S. Phelan, was reared and received a portion of his education in Bloomfield. In 1869 he entered the St. Louis University at St. Louis, where he remained until June 1872 when he came home for vacation. His father died, and he engaged in the printing business and afterward edited the Enterprise Messenger, the Southeast Reporter and the Stoddard County Messenger. In 1878 he was appointed deputy circuit clerk, filling that office eight years. In November 1886, he was elected to his present position, which he is filling to the satisfaction of all his constituents. March 1, 1874 he was united in marriage with Sophia V. Owen, and by her is the father of four children: Albert, Ella M., Thurmena B. and William R. Mr. Phelan is a member of the I.O.O.F. in which order he has passed all the chairs. |
| Simon Poe |
| Simon Poe was born in Cape Girardeau County, Mo., November 16, 1827, and is a son of Terry, Sr., and Gensey M. (Brooks) Poe, natives of North Carolina. They immigrated to Kentucky at an early day, and remained there a few years. The father was born in 1786 and immigrated to Cape Girardeau, Mo., when he was yet a boy. He was here married, and here reared his family of eight children, only three now living: Wiley S., Simon and Clara (wife of William H. Story). The father came to Stoddard County in 1837 and located where St. Francisville now stands. He entered 160 acres of land as soon as it was in the market, and erected a little log house. He died in 1859. Simon Poe was reared on the farm, remaining with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when he began working for himself. He worked for wages until 1851, when he married Miss K.E. Goodwin, who bore him six children, four now living: Joseph H., James T., Ellen E. and America J. After marriage Mr. Poe settled near where he now resides. In 1862 he enlisted in Company C, Twelfth Missouri State Militia, and served three years. He was in several severe skirmishes and was accidentally wounded by his gun falling and shooting off the two fore fingers of his right hand. He was mustered out in 1864 and came home and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which occupation he has since followed. He is a good citizen and is respected by all who know him. |
| Lawson Proffer |
| Lawson Proffer, one of the oldest and one of the most enterprising citizens of Pike Township, Stoddard Co., Mo., was born in that township and county February 15, 1833 and is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Stropp) Proffer. The father was born in North Carolina about 1793 and died in Stoddard County, Mo., in 1858. He was among the very first settlers of Stoddard County, coming there in 1828. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed this occupation together with blacksmithing, until his death. His wife died when her son Lawson Proffer, was but a child. She was probably about thirty-eight years of age at that time. They were the parents of the following named children: Matilda (deceased), John, Andrew (deceased), Adaline, Lawson, Moses, Ephraim, George (deceased) and Balona (deceased). Lawson received a limited education for himself as a farmer. He first purchased from the Government 200 acres of land and has added to this 600 acres. He has given 120 acres to his children. During the late war Mr. Proffer served as lieutenant in the State Militia. January 8, 1852 he married Miss Mary Ann Ravenscroft, a native of Cape Girardeau County, born on June 13, 1830. To this union were born seven children, six now living: William Hiram, Thomas B., Elizabeth, Catherine, John and Jennie C. Joseph was born December 15, 1859 and died May 8, 1864. Mr. Proffer is a member of the Wheel, also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He was one of the men interested in building the Oak Ridge Christian Church, of which his wife is a member. Mr. Proffer is conservative in his political views, and casts his vote for the best man. |
| Moses Proffer |
| Hon. Moses Proffer, a thorough-going citizen and resident of Piketon, Pike Township, was born near where he now resides, in 1834, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Stropp) Proffer. [For further particulars of parents see sketch of Lawson Proffer]. Moses was the youngest son living of a family of nine children. He received a limited education, but, through his own efforts aided by travel, has educated himself, and is considered a well-informed man on all subjects. In 1852 he, in the company with others from Stoddard County, crossed the plains to California, where for eight years he remained there, working in the mines in the winter time, and in summer was engaged in the saw-mill business, which proved a successful venture, as he brought back to Stoddard County $7,000. He invested this in land, and has since been engaged in farming. October 10, 1860 he married Miss Eliza Samantha Oaks, daughter of Jonas Oaks. She was also born in Stoddard County, Mo., about 1844. To them were born two children: Florence Victoria (wife of B.P. Walker, a prominent merchant of Poplar Bluff, Mo.), and Mary Alma (wife of William M. Ferguson, the oldest merchant at Poplar bluffs). Mr. Proffer is a member of the Masonic fraternity, is also a member of the Agricultural Wheel, and is a democrat politically. In 1868 he was one of the few eligible men to fill the office of representative and was elected and served as such. In connection with his farm Mr. Proffer is engaged in rearing and dealing in stock. He is the owner of 1,600 acres of excellent land, 360 of which are located near Pikeville, and is considered one of the finest farms in the county. Most of his land is well improved. He has been an active and enterprising citizen, and at all times supports the cause of education. |
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