Dade County Biographies by Goodspeed

HISTORY OF HICKORY, POLK, CEDAR, DADE AND BARTON COUNTIES, MISSOURI, 1889; Published by Goodspeed.

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John L. Daugherty, one of the prominent educators of Dadeville, Mo., was born in Tazewell County, Va., January 22, 1858. His parents, George G. and Mary (Gillispie) Daugherty, were both natives of Virginia, the father born in 1829, and the mother in 1838. The former was a tailor by trade, and of Irish descent. He first left his native State for Missouri in 1860, and after remaining there two years, returned to Virginia, and resided in that State until 1870, when he again returned to Missouri, locating in Gentry county. He resided there until 1876, when he moved to Dade County, where he died in 1880. His wife is now living in Ash Grove, Mo. They were the parents of five children, all living. John L. Daugherty is the eldest of these children. He remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, and received most of his education in the common schools, although he attended one term in Ash Grove, Mo., College. At the age of nineteen years he taught his first term in Dade County, Polk township, in what is known as Pemberton District, and has, since then, taught sixteen terms of school, teaching one year in Dadeville, and giving general satisfaction. He is a courteous, obliging gentleman, and is highly respected by all who know him. In 1882 he married Miss Flora Wheeler, who was born in Dade County, Mo., in 1864, and who is the daughter of James and Mary E. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler was born in Tennessee, and died in Dade County, Mo., in May, 1876. His wife is now living in Harper County, Kan. Mr. Daugherty is a member of the Masonic order, and he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

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W. J. Davis, proprietor of the Evergreen Stock Farm, Lockwood, Dade County, Mo., and breeder and dealer in choice Clydesdale horses since 1884, has the finest lot of blooded animals in the West. He has ten head of fine imported stallions and mares, and has done more toward improving the horse than any man in Southwest Missouri. For seven years previous to the above date Mr. Davis was extensively engaged in breeding fine Jacks and Norman horses, and he has been awarded first premiums and sweepstakes premiums at nearly all the fairs in Southwest Missouri, at Pierce City, Springfield, Sarcoxie, etc. He is a practical horseman, and is perfectly contented and at home among his stock. He was among the first men to introduce the breeding of thoroughbred cattle in Southwest Missouri, and for some years was successful in that business, starting with some of Kentucky’s choicest animals. Mr. Davis was born in Saratoga County, N. Y., in 1835, and is the son of Richard C. and Susan (Pawling) Davis, natives of New York, where they were married and where they lived until 1842. They then moved to DeKalb County, Ill., where they died, the father in 1877 and the mother about 1874. Richard C. Davis was a well-to-do farmer and dairyman in butter and cheese, and followed this occupation the principal part of his life. His father, James L. Davis, was a native of New York, and in that State of the age of ninety-three years. He was of English-Holland descent, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mrs. Davis’ father, William Pawling, was a Scotchman, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, on the side of the Colonists. He afterward deserted, and started, with his wife and two children, to Join Burgoyne’s army. He and wife each took a child on horseback, and were well on the way before his wife knew his intention. She at once seized the other child, retraced her steps, and never afterward heard of her traitorous husband. Richard C. Davis was married twice, his second wife being the mother of the subject of this sketch, who was the second of five sons and one daughter. He attended school but very little until twenty-one years of age, and then only three months at Pawpaw, Ill., whither he had gone with his parents. At the age of sixteen he commenced working out on the farm for five dollars per month, and the next year for eight dollars per month. He was married in 1862 to Miss Sarah Kellogg, a native of New York, who bore him three children: Susie, wife of Charles Polstand; Minnie B., wife of Samuel Hunt; and William Henry. After marriage Mr. Davis settled in La Salle County, Ill., where he farmed until 1869, and then moved to Dade County, Mo., settling on wild prairie land, the present site of Lockwood, and was one of the first settlers on the prairie. He had a team and about $1,000, and soon became one of the leading farmers of the county. At one time he owned 480 acres of land, but gave his children and wife property to the amount of about $10,000. In this connection it is but proper to state that Mr. Davis’ wife, though surrounded by every needed comfort and many luxuries, after manifesting continual dissatisfaction and discontent, left home during the absence of her husband on one occasion, and since then has become divorced, Mr. Davis giving her $7,000. He still owns a splendid farm of 160 acres near Lockwood, considerable town property, and has two good farms in Kansas. His home is one of the most attractive and desirable in Southwest Missouri, and Mr. Davis has spared no expense to mike it pleasant and beautiful. He has 1,000 evergreens which he selected from the forests of Arkansas, 100 miles away, and he hauled the lumber from which he built his present residence, 100 miles, from the pine mills of Arkansas. He is the only man in Dade County who has given the right of way to the Gulf Railroad. He laid out the town of Lockwood, named after one of the railroad officials, and also gave Mr. Lockwood a lot for a Christmas present. Mr. Davis was the first postmaster of the place. He gave the site for the Lockwood Roller Mill and $50 cash and one half the ground for the school-house, and has assisted largely in the erection of all the churches. He is a member of Lockwood Lodge No. 445 of the I. O. O. F and was several terms vice-grand and noble grand. He is also a member of Lamar Encampment No.99.

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John A. Davis, circuit clerk of Dade County, Mo., was born in Ripley County, Ind., in 1842, and is the son of William and Lydia (Shook) Davis, and the grandson of George Davis, who was a native of Wales. George Davis came to the United States with his two brothers, and all located at Lancaster, Penn. George was a carpenter and blacksmith by trade in early life, but afterward followed farming. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1836 he emigrated to Ripley County, Ind., and died there in 1853 at the age of eighty-six years. His wife, Nancy Davis, was a native of Scotland. She died in 1869 at the age of ninety-five years. Her father was an aid-de-camp on General Green’s staff in the Revolutionary War. William Davis was born in Lancaster, Lancaster County, Penn., in 1816, and came to Indiana in 1836, where he was married, and where he lived until 1857, at which date he moved to Fayette County, Iowa, and there died in 1887. He was a soldier in the Mexican war. His wife, Lydia, was born near Baltimore, Md., in 1829, and died in 1871. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are now living. John A. Davis is the elder child, and received his education in the common schools of Indiana, and also attended the Upper Iowa University, at Fayette, Iowa. In 1860 he engaged in the teacher’s profession, and followed this for nine terms in district schools. He was a strong Union man during the war, and, July 4, 1861, enlisted in Company E, Fifth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, for three years. He was in the fights at new Madrid, Iuka, Corinth, Fort Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, and at Champion’s Hill, in which action he was severely wounded in the right thigh by gunshot. He was taken to Vicksburg, and remained four weeks in a hospital at that place, after which he was taken to Memphis, and remained three months, when he was sent to St. Louis, and there received his discharge in December, 1863. He then returned home, where he improved so rapidly that, on October 10 of the subsequent year, he enlisted in Company F, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, and immediately went to the front. He was at Columbia, Tenn., Maury’s Mills, Franklin and Nashville, in which action of the first day’s fight, November 15, 1864, he was shot in the right foot, the wound being so severe that in two days amputation was necessary. He remained Nashville until February, when he was sent to Keokuk, Iowa, and, in July, 1865, he was discharged and sent home. After the war M. Davis was in the lumber business; in 1868 was elected sheriff of Buchanan County, Iowa, being re-elected in 1870. He was also city marshal of Independence, Iowa, but, in 1880, he removed to Nevada, Mo., and was proprietor of the Central Hotel. In 1885 be became a citizen of Greenfield, Mo., and in 1886 he was elected circuit clerk of Dade County, which position he is now holding. He is a Republican in politics, casting his first presidential vote for Lincoln in 1864. He is a member of the Masonic order, Greenfield Lodge No. 446, and is also a member of the G. A. R., Greenfield Post No. 75. In January, 1869, Mr. Davis married Miss Ellen Long, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1849, and who became the mother of four children: William, Frank, Harry and Karle. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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James M. Divine, sheriff of Dade County, Mo., was born in Monroe County, Tenn., in 1842, and is one of the representative men of the county. He is the son of Alfred and Artemissa (McNabb) Divine, the grandson of James Divine, and the great-grandson of Thomas Divine, who, though a native of Ireland, came to America previous to the Revolutionary War, and was a soldier in the same. James Divine was a soldier in the War of 1812, and in 1822 emigrated to East Tennessee, carrying his two children, Alfred and a sister, on a pack-horse, while he and his wife walked the entire distance. In 1854 James Divine removed to Dade County, Mo., and died in 1871. Alfred Divine was born in South Carolina, in 1817, and was of Irish descent. He came to Dade County, Mo., in 1852, and located in Sac Township, where he followed farming. He is yet living, is the owner of eighty acres of land, and is one of the old and prominent citizens. His wife, Artemissa (McNabb) Divine, was born in East Tennessee in 1816, and was the daughter of Baptist McNabb, who was a soldier in the War of 1812. Her grandfather was a native of Ireland, and was a soldier in the War for Independence, and in the War of 1812. Mrs. Divine is yet living. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Divine: Elvira, wife of Andrew Smith, at Corry, Mo.; James M.; Orzina, wife of James P. Fanning, of Dade County; William T.; Nancy A., wife of J. B. Remington, of Hickory County; Margaret, wife of John Friend, of Dade County; Martha, wife of J. A. Fanning, of Lamar, Barton County, and Harriet, wife of Joseph A. Fanning, of Dade County. James M. Divine was ten years of age when he came with his parents to Dade County, Mo., was reared to manhood on a farm, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Seventh Provisional Regiment, Missouri Mounted Cavalry, and was in the fight at Springfield and Humansville. He was in service until March, 1864, was deputy sergeant of his company, and was discharged at Springfield, Mo. June 3, 1863, Mr. Divine married Miss Parthina Fanning, a native of Dade County, Mo., born in 1847, and the daughter of Thomas Fanning. Eight living children were born to this union: Horace G., Alice M., Fred, Mike, Mease, Alfred, Lydia and Blaine. After the war Mr. Divine began tilling the soil, which he continued until 1886, when he was elected sheriff of Dade County, and re-elected in 1888, on the Republican ticket, his majority being 172 the first time, and the last time 322. Mr. Divine owns eighty acres of land, and a house and lot in Greenfield. His wife belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

Contact: Eileen Cummings - ecummins at hit.net

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R. C. Divine, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Sac Township, whose fine farm is seven miles northeast of the county seat, is a son of W. W. and Jamima (Wartan) Divine. The father was born in McMinn County, Tenn., November 3, 1820, and was of Dutch-Irish descent. He was a farmer by occupation, and followed this calling in Tennessee until 1856, when he moved to Missouri, and located in Dade County in 1857. There he is still residing. The mother was born in Alabama May 2, 1822, and is also living. They were the parents of eight children, five now living. R. C. Divine is the third child born to his parents, his birth occurring in Monroe County, Tenn., March 28, 1846. He remained at home assisting his father on the farm until twenty-one years of age, received his education in the common schools of Dade County, and on July 1, 1864, he donned his suit of blue, shouldered his musket, and enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth Missouri Cavalry, Federal Army, and serving one year. On November 22, 1866, he married Miss Phrana Y. Russell, a native of Dade County, Mo., born November 15, 1847, and the daughter of M. M. and Sarah J. Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Russell came to Dade County, Mo., in 1835, and were among the early settlers of that county. Both died in that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Divine were born twelve children, eleven now living: Lula, wife of Isaac A. Hembree; Mary A. (deceased), William A., Orra H., Otis M., Charles, Evva M., Frank a. and Minnie C. (twins), Vernie R. and Ethel (twins), and John H. Mr. Divine located on the place where he now lives in 1871, and has 480 acres, with about 280 under cultivation. In 1876 he was elected assessor of Sac Township, served one term, and in 1880 he was elected assessor of the entire county. He served two years, and made an able and efficient officer. He has been school director of his district at various times; is a member of the G. A. R. and a. O. U. W., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Divine’s grandfather, Thomas Divine, was born in South Carolina, and died in Monroe County, Tenn., in June, 1856.

Contact: Eileen Cummings - ecummins at hit.net

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Martin Fidler, another enterprising farmer of Washington Township, and the son of David and Elizabeth (Williams) Fidler, was born in Lawrence County, Ind., in 1844. David Fidler was born in North Carolina, moved with his parents to Indiana, and was married in Lawrence County, Ind., in 1844. David Fidler was born in North Carolina, moved with his parents to Indiana, and was married in Lawrence County, of that State, to Miss Williams who died there in 1861. The father died in Dade County, Mo., about 1884, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a farmer by occupation. The mother was a member of the Christian Church. Martin Fidler was the youngest of two sons and one daughter born to his parents, and received his education principally by his own exertion. In 1861, when seventeen years of age, he joined Company G, twenty-seventy Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served four months, when he was disabled. He afterwards joined Company G, of the fourth Indiana Cavalry, Seventy-seventh Regiment, and served until the close of the war. He was in many prominent engagements, was all through the Georgia campaign, and was wounded in the left shoulder at Montgomery, Ala., April 11, 1865, and was disabled from further service. He received his discharge at Louisville, Ky., and returned home. He was married in 1870 to Miss Nancy Ann, daughter of John and Mary Parman, and to them were born four children, three now living. Mrs. Fidler was born in Kentucky, and her parents are yet living. In 1871 Mr. Fidler moved to Jackson County, Mo., thence to Cass County, and finally to Dade County, where he has a fine farm of 200 acres on Turnback Creek, 150 acres under cultivation. He is one of the representative farmers of the county, and is engaged in improving stock, cattle, horse and hogs. Politically a Republican, his first vote was for Gen. U. S. Grant in 1868. He is a member of Greenfield Post of the G. A. R. Mrs. Fidler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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James F. Finley, farmer of Center Township, residing three miles northeast of Greenfield, is a native of Hopkins County, Ky., born September 11, 1818, and is one of the old and much respected citizens of the county. He is the son of William and Leah (Dobbins) Finley, and the grandson of Howard Finley, who was a native of North Carolina, and who moved to Hopkins County, Ky., in 1804. He died in 1840. William Finley was born in North Carolina in 1792, was of Irish descent, and followed farming all his life. He was but twelve years of age when he went to Kentucky, and was there married in 1817 to Miss Dobbins. In 1841 he came to Dade County, Mo., on a prospecting trip, remained a few years, and then returned to Kentucky. In 1848 he again returned to Missouri, and made his home with his son, James F. He died in 1872. His wife, Leah Dobbins, was born in Virginia, was of English descent, and died in Lawrence County, Ark., in 1850. After her death Mr. Finley returned to Hopkins County, Ky. Three children were born to this union, who lived to be grown: James F., Thomas R., and John M. James F. was but an infant when his parents moved to Arkansas, and was twelve years of age when his mother died. He remained on the farm until eighteen years of age, when he commenced selling goods. In 1843 he married Miss Nancy Brooks, who was born in Hopkins County, Ky., in 1826, and one child was born to this union, William, who was drowned on a Mississippi River steamer near Cape Girardeau in 1865. In May, 1846, Mrs. Finley died, and in December of the same year Mr. Finley came to Dade County, Mo., but later returned to Kentucky, where he remained until the spring of 1848, when he returned and located in Greenfield. He commenced clerking in a store, and October 15, 1849, he married Miss Mary Earll, a native of Stewart County, Tenn., born in 1832, and the daughter of Henry Earll. Fourteen children were the fruits of this union: Madora, wife of Samuel W. Dicus; Paulina, wife of John E. Garrett; Harry H., Albert and George (twins); Ellen, died at the age of sixteen years; Aurelia and Cordelia (twins), the former dying at the age of two months; Lolla, wife of J. W. Crank; James; Elder, died at the age of eighteen years; Grace, Gusta, and Howard. Mr. Finley sold goods in Greenfield for about four years, and in 1850 bought 166 acres of land, where he now resides, but did not locate on the farm until about 1851. He is one of Dade County’s old settlers, and has been successful in his business pursuits. He came to Dade County a poor man, but year by year he has, by his industry, economy and good management, added to his property, and at present has about 100 acres of good land, well improved with good buildings, fences, etc. In politics he is a Democrat, casting his first vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840, but previous to the war he was a Whig. He is a member of the Masonic Order, Washington Lodge, Greenfield. He and wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Dr. Ferdinand Fischer, physician and surgeon, of Lockwood, was born in Würtemburg, Germany, January 1, 1851, being the son of Andrew and Clara (Magold) Fischer, who were born in the same place, where the father still lives, aged seventy-four; the mother died in 1883. They were Catholics, and he was quite a prominent citizen, having been mayor and justice of the peace. They had a family of one son and six daughters. The Doctor, the only son, received the best of educations in his native country, the last three years being spent in the university at Munich. In 1866 he came alone to America, the trip occupying fifty-eight days. After spending five years in teaching German schools in Canada, he came to Christian County, Ill., and began the study of medicine with Dr. R. W. Johnson, graduating from the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1879, after a three years’ course. He began the practice of his profession in Christian County, Ill., where he continued till 1882, when he came to Lockwood and built the first house south of the railroad, in Eldridge’s addition, and in 1888 built one of the finest offices in Southwest Missouri. He is one of the leading physicians of Dade County. In 1879 he married Maggie F., daughter of Henry and Nancy Bess, of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively, Mrs. Fischer having been born in Ohio; her parents still reside in Christian County, Ill. They have four children. He is a Democrat, a member of Lockwood Lodge No. 445, I. O. O. F., and Sons of Rebecca. Mrs. Fischer is a member in good standing of the United Brethren Church.

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Cicero T. Gass. Among the prominent farmers and successful citizens of Center Township, Dade County, Mo., stands the name of the above-mentioned gentleman, who resides two-and-a-half miles northwest of Greenfield. He was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1827, and is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (McClure) Gass. Benjamin Gass was born in Pennsylvania in 1797, was a farmer by occupation, and was a soldier in the War of 1812. He went to Richland County, Ohio, and was married there, and there passed his life. He died in 1878. His wife, Elizabeth (McClure) Gass, was born in Virginia in 1797, and died in 1865. She was the mother of five children. Cicero T. Gass was the eldest of these children, and remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age. He was in quartermaster’s department during the war, and in 1863 was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Castor, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1842. Three children were the fruits of this union: James, Mary and Charles. In 1866 Mr. Gass moved to Grundy County, Mo., and in 1867 to Crawford County, Kan., where he remained until 1873, when he moved to Dade County, Mo., and bought 160 acres, where he now lives, and where he has since resided. He is now the owner of 280 acres, and is a well-to-do farmer. In politics he is a Republican. His grandfather, William Gass, was a member of the State Senate in Ohio, from Richland County, for a number of years, and the brother of William Gass, Patrick Gass, was with Lewis and Clarke on their famous expedition through the West.

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E. C. Gillett, presiding judge of the county court of Dade County, and a resident of Lockwood, was born in Stephenson County, Ill., in 1836. His father, Ezra B. Gillett, was descended from three brothers who came from Wales in a very early day; he was born in Oneida County, New York, in 1806, but left home in 1826, went to Wisconsin, and mined several years, then to Ohio, where he married Sophronia Rima, a native of Onondaga County, New York, born in 1810. From there he removed to Illinois, thence to Wisconsin, and in 1870 to Lawrence County, Mo., where he still lives, his wife having died in 1884. He was a farmer, and a soldier in the Black Hawk War. The subject of this sketch, the second of two sons and two daughters, received his education at the common schools till the age of eighteen, when he attended the State University, at Madison, Wis., one year. In 1860, in Illinois, he married Eliza C., daughter of Jacob and Nancy Miller, of Center County, Penn., both of her parents having died in Wisconsin, about 1845. He engaged in farming till 1867, when he removed to Monroe, Wis., and entered the grain and stock business, remaining there until 1880, when he went to Lawrence County, Mo., and the next year to Lockwood, where he has since conducted a grain and stock business with success. In 1886 he was elected presiding judge of Dade County court for four years. He owns a good property in Lockwood and about 600 acres of land in Dade, Lawrence and Jasper Counties, and in Texas. In politics he is a Republican, having voted for Lincoln in 1860. He was formerly a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a Good Templar. Both he and his wife are Methodists, he formerly being a member of the United Brethren Church.

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Henry Gillman, an extensive sheep-raiser and farmer of Marion Township, Dade County, Mo., and president of the Bank of Lockwood, was born in Brunswick, Germany, in 1831. His parents, Andrew and Mary (Lohman) Gillman, were both natives of Germany, the former born in Brunswick in 1800, and the latter in Hanover in 1811. They were married in their native country, emigrated to the United States in 1849, and settled in Macoupin County, Ill., where the father spent the remainder of his days. He died in 1868, but the mother is still living, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. Andrew Gillman was a shepherd and sheep-raiser all his life, as was his father before him. Henry Gillman was the eldest of four sons and four daughters. He attended the common schools until fourteen years of age, and came with his parents to the united States when seventeen, settling in Illinois, where he was married in 1857 to Miss Kate Sinholz, who was also a native of Hanover, Germany. Her parents died when she was young, and she was the only one of the family who came to the United States. To Mr. Gillman and wife were born four sons and three daughters. Mr. Gillman removed to Montgomery County, Ill., about 1866, and in 1868 he came to Dade County, Mo., where he settled on the unbroken prairie. Here he has since lived, and here he has 1,040 acres of excellent land, all the result of his own efforts. In 1864 he engaged in the sheep raising business, and since then has been extensively engaged in that occupation, having at the present time 1,000 head of fine merinos. He is one of the practical farmers and representative citizens of Dade County. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Republican. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Since the organization of the Bank of Lockwood, in October, 1888, Mr. Gillman has been its president.

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Charles W. Gray is a member of the firm of C. W. Gray & Co., dealers in general hardware, farm machinery, etc., at Lockwood, Mo. This business was established in 1888, as successors to H. C. Watterman & Sons, the value of the stock being from $5,000 to $6,000, and is one of the best establishments of the kind in Dade County. Mr. Gray was born in Chester County, Penn., in 1834, and is the son of William and Catherine (Bender) Gray, natives of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively. They were married in Pennsylvania, and when their son, Charles W. Gray, was but an infant, they moved to Stark County, Ohio, where they both died, the mother in 1855, and the father in 1872. Both were members of the United Brethren Church. Grandfather Gray was a native of Germany. Charles W. Gray was the third of four sons and three daughters. He received a common school education in Ohio, and was married in 1856 to Miss Barbara E., daughter of Henry and Sarah Newman, both natives of Ohio, as was also their daughter. The mother died in that State, but the father is still living, and has been a resident of Dade County since 1882. To Mr. and Mrs. Gray have been born eight children, three sons and two daughters living. In 1852 Mr. Gray enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was almost all the time on guard, and on construction duty in Tennessee. He served until the close of the war, and was discharged at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in June, 1865. He returned home, and, in 1867 came to Dade County, where he followed farming in Marion Township (in June, 1888, was set off to Lockwood Township), until December, 1888, when he engaged in his present business. He is the owner of 265 acres of good land; is a Republican in politics, and his first presidential vote was cast for J. C. Fremont in 1856. He and wife and two eldest children are members of the United Brethren Church, Mrs. Gray having been a member since 1859. Mr. Gray is a class leader. His children are named as follows: Elenore E.; Mary E., wife of J. W. Evans; Julia A., George N. and Samuel A. When Mr. Gray first came to Missouri, he settled on an unbroken prairie, and here he improved a good farm. He became on of the leading farmers of the county, and one of its best citizens.

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Frederick Grether, hardware merchant, of Greenfield, is a native of the Grand Dutchy of Baden, Germany, born in 1850, and is the son of Jacob and Mary Grether. There were eight children born to this union, five of whom came to the United States. Frederick Grether was but nine years of age when he accompanied his sister to the United States. They settled in Philadelphia, remained there three years, and then Frederick emigrated to Bond County, Ill., and two years later went to St. Louis. In 1866 he commenced working at the tinner’s trade, and served an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked for three years as a journeyman, and in 1883 became a citizen of Greenfield, Mo., where he established a hardware store. He has met with good success, and is one of the leading business men of the town. In December, 1881, he married Miss Augusta Dienst, a native of Gasconade County, Mo., born in 1850, and to this union have been born three children: Walter, Frederick and Ralph. In his political views Mr. Grether affiliates with the Republican party, and his first presidential vote was for Horace Greeley in 1872. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W.

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Charles W. Griffith, editor of the Greenfield Vedette, was born in 1837, near Gettysburg, Adams County, Penn. He lived in the State of Ohio from 1842 to 1870, and was educated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, Ohio; taught in the public schools of that State seven years; served in the Union army from August, 1863, until November, 1866. Came to Dade County, Mo., in September, 1870, where he has ever since resided.

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