Cassville Democrat Feb. 16, 1907 THE GRAND JURY |
Short Biography of The February Grand Jury
Anton F. Meister, foreman of the grand jury, was born in Saxony, Germany, Oct. 22, 1840, and came to America in 1860, and settled in Perry County, Mo., on Dec. 20 of the same year, and has been & resident of this state for 47 years. He came to Barry county in 1892 and located in Capps Creek township. At the age of 26 he and Miss Gabilla Hopfer, a native of Perry county; were married. To this union were born thirteen children, 11 of whom are living; 8 sons and 3 daughters. Is a member of the Lutheran Church and a Democrat in politics. He is also president of the Barry County Mutual Insurance Company and one of our best citizens. Benjamin F. McCary of Washburn township was born April 2, 1835, in Rhea county, Tenn., and his father came to Barry county and camped at the late D. O. George farm, Sept. 11, 1837. On April 2, 1838, his father the late Hon. Henry McCary, moved to the farm 3 ½ miles southwest of Cassville on the old wire road, where he lived and died. Ben F. grew to manhood and attended school at the Washburn Prairie school house. On Oct. 5, 1856, he and Miss Tennessee Peevey, a daughter of the late Isaac Peevey, were married. To them were born 13 children, 8 of whom are living. Mrs. McCary died March 18, 1906. Mr. McCary was district assessor in 1858: was elected county assessor in 1874. He is a member of the Baptist Church and a Democrat in politics. Samuel Marion Roller of McDonald township was born Sept. 30, 1860, in Sugar Creek township near Seligman, and a son of Austin and Sarah Roller. His father was killed in Texas during the civil war. Attended country school and secured and education. Was married in June, 1883 to Miss Sarah Edwards, to whom were born 5 children, 4 of whom are living; Democrat in politics. Mr. Roller is an extensive small fruit grower and has mad a success of it. James Shiels of Kings Prairie township was born in Barrickshire Scotland, Oct. 3, 1871. In 1880 his parents moved to Canada and in 1883 they moved to Pierce City, Mo., and from there to their present home in this county. Mr. Shiels is a young bachelor and would be a good catch for some splendid young woman. He is a great believer in fine stock and has some fine horses on his farm. He is a Democrat in politics. George Merritt Wilder of Mineral township was born Nov. 29, 1866 in Cain county, Ill., and when 2 years old his father, the late Thos. Wilder, moved to 5 miles east of Mt. Vernon, Mo., where they resided until 1882, they moved to Barry county, where they have since resided, at the Rock House Cave. In 1886 he was married to Miss Sarah Hudson to whom four children have been born. Mr. Wilder is a member of the M. W. A. and W. O. W. Societies, and is at present assessor of Barry county and a Republican in politics. Hugh Bassett of Ozark township was born in Crane Creek township, Barry county, Mo., May 22, 1850, and has always lived in this county. He is the oldest son of John and Casander Bassett, who were born in Kentucky and Indiana in the order named. In1862 Mr. Bassett was elected on the Democratic ticket as Presiding Judge of the County Court. He filled this position with credit to himself and honor to those who elected him. He is a Democrat and a member of the Christian Church. James A. Brock of Shell Knob township was born in Shell Knob township Dec. 16, 1864 and is a son of Ausney and Sarah Brock; Ausney Brock lived in this county 52 years and then moved to Idaho. Mrs. Brock died about 1867. Jas Brock attended the district school for his education. Was married Jan. 20, 1887 to Miss Jane Ledgerwood, a daughter of Wm. Ledgerwood of near Shell Knob, to whom have been born 7 children, 4 girls and 3 boys. in 1904 Mr. Brock was nominated and elected Associate Judge of the County Court on the Republican ticket and made a good official. He is a member of the Christian Church. Logan W. Gardner of Shoal Creek township was born in LaRue county, Ky., Oct.2, 1854. He lived there until he was 27 years old when his father, John M. Gardner moved from his Kentucky home and located on Shoal Creek, Barry county, where he lived ever since. Mr. Gardner was married in 1876 to Miss Sarah Dixon in LaRue county, Ky., to whom have been born 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys, all of whom are living. In 1904 Mr. Gardner was nominated for County Judge in the Western District on the Republican ticket and was elected and made a good record as such. William H. Cole of Liberty township was born Feb. 6, 1850 in Peoria county, Ill. And left that state in 1884 and went to Allen county, Kan., where he remained one year, and came to Barry county in 1885, where he has since resided. He is a son of Wm. F. and Mary A. (Clutter) Cole. Was married in 1867 to Miss Rachel Maxwell, in Knox county, Ill., to whom have been 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls, one of each having died. He is not a member of any church, but a believer in Christian religion. Strange to say, He is a Republican. John W. Riddle of Jenkins township was born in Mc Minn county Tenn., Jan 16, 1844 and lived there until 5 years of age, when his parents moved to Barry county. In 1893 he moved to Webster county; from there to Christian; thence to Barry county, where he has since resided. Was married July 10, 1866 to Miss Elizabeth Terry, to whom have been 10 children, 4 of whom are dead. Is a Free Will Baptist and independent in politics. Samuel T. Clutter of Monett was born in Rock Island county, Ill. Dec. 6, 1863 and remained there until 5 years of age when his parents moved to Gentry county, Mo., where he remained until 18 years of age, when he left his father's home and went to Iowa where he remained 2 years; thence to near Emporia, Lyons county, Kan. and thence to Barry county, Mo., in November, 1884 and has been a resident of this county ever since. Was married Jan. 20, 1886, to Miss Mollie Andrew, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Andrews of Monett. To them have been born 2 children, one, Miss Bertha living. Was a member of the board of aldermen of Monett for 3 years. He has been in the employ of the Frisco road for 15 years next July. He said his religion was in his wife's name. He is a Republican politics. Preston E. Horine of Flat Creek township was born in Joys Creek to Shoal Creek township Oct. 31, 1868 and when about one year old his father, Michael Horine, moved to Cassville where he remained until 1879, then returned to the farm where he remained until 1889, when they again moved to Cassville and engaged in the general mercantile business and suffered sever loss in the big fire of 1893. From June to December, 1893 he was deputy assessor under J. H. Johnson from December to June he assisted J. L. Downing in the collector's office. In 1894 he again assisted County Assessor Johnson. He and Miss Emma Blankenship were married Jan 23, 1891 and have 4 children. In 1894 he again moved to Shoal Creek township and in Dec. 1896 he again retuned to Cassville and engaged in the furniture business and doing a large business. He is a Republican politics. |
| Submitted by: Barbara Erwin |
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