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G. W. S. WILLIAMS.

The subject of this sketch was born in Cooper county, Missouri, April 5, 1841. When he was six years of age, his parents removed to St. Joseph, Missouri, and lived there and in Buchanan county about five years and then went to Platte county where they resided until our subject was fourteen years of age, when they returned to Buchanan county. There he learned the carpentering trade and worked at it until 1880, when he came to Lawson, Ray county, where he is now located. Mr. Williams enlisted in company E, Cornell's regiment, C. S. A., under General Sterling Price, in the month of September, 1861, and was engaged at the battles of Pea Ridge, Corinth, Iuka, Grand Gulf, Champion Hills and at the siege of Vicksburg, where he was captured by the Union army under command of General U. S. Grant, and held as a prisoner of war until January 3, 1865. After his release he went to Indiana and thence to Buchanan county, Missouri. Mr. Williams was married in 1854, to Miss Maria Goodman, of Buchanan county, by Rev. James Roberts. They have three children: George, born December 10, 1861; James, born June 1866; Annie, born July 5, 1868. Mr. Williams and wife are both members of the Baptist Church at Lawson, and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a good carpenter and builder, and his business is in a prosperous condition.

ANDREW J. GREENAWALT.

Andrew J. Greenawalt was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, June 15, 1829. He remained in his native county until fourteen years of age, and then came to Missouri, and lived first, one year, in Clay county, and then went to DeKalb county and remained there until 1865, when he removed to Ray county and bought the same farm upon which he is living at present (April, 1881). Mr. Greenawalt was married in De Kalb county, November 28, 1850, to Miss Nancy Sloan, a native of Monroe county, Ohio, born August 9, 1833. Her parents came to Missouri in the year 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Greenawalt became the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living: Susan J., born July 18, 1853; John B., born August 3, 1865; James S., born September 6, 1860; Elijah P., born May 26, 1866; William L., born October 2, 1868; Sarah E., born July 25, 1858, and Christina, born March 2, 1871, are dead. Mr. Greenawalt enlisted May 13, 1861, in company F, Ninth Missouri infantry, C. S. A., commanded by Colonel Clark, of General Sterling Price's army. Mr. Greenawalt was in the battles of Lexington, Springfield and Pea Ridge where he was captured by the Union troops and taken to the military prison at Alton, Illinois, and kept there until September 8, 1862, when he was exchanged at Vicksburg, Mississippi, and went to Little Rock,

Arkansas, and was with his command at Prairie Grove, Cypress Bayou, Old River Lake, Milliken's Bend, (Louisiana), Mansfield, Sabine Fork, and the surrender at Shreveport, Louisiana. June 24, 1865, reached his home again in De Kalb county, Missouri, after an absence of nearly four years, and subsequently, as above stated, came and settled permanently in Ray county. Mr. Greenawalt owns a very desirable farm of one hundred and twenty acres of fertile and productive land, which evinces by its neat and thrifty appearance the industry and good management of its owner. Mr. Greenawalt and his wife with three of the eldest children are members of the Christian Church.

MILTON PIERCEY.

Milton Piercey was born near Greensborough, in Guilford county, North Carolina, October 25, 1822. From the age of eighteen to twenty years he served an apprenticeship at the carpentering trade, and then began working at that business, and continued it until 1844, when he immigrated to Ray county, Missouri, and settled on the farm he now owns and occupies. With the exception of two years, 1848-50, spent in Clinton and Caldwell counties, this state, he has lived here ever since he first came, engaged in farming and carpentering. He came here a poor youth, and has made all he has by his industry, economy, and good management. He owns a valuable farm of three hundred acres, under good fences, well improved, and fully stocked and equipped. Mr. Piercey was first married, in this county, August 31, 1848, to Miss Permelia C. Taylor, daughter of John and Zenisha Taylor. Two children were born of this union, viz: Amos K., born December 27, 1850; Sarah E., born November 9, 1852. Mrs. Piercey died in November, 1852, and Mr. Piercey was again married July 25, 1854, to Zillah A. Taylor, who was born in Virginia, in 1832. They became the parents of five children, three of whom are now living, viz: Henry C., born February 25, 1856; George W., born March 7, 1858; Caroline S., born April 9, 1865. Mr. Piercy was married the third time, March 23, 1871, to Lottie J. Cummings, by Reverend William Dickson. She was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, May 22, 1831. The issue of this marriage was two children: Robert D., born June 4, 1872; Charley M., born March 21, 1874; died August 15, 1874. Mr. Piercey and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is also a member of the Masonic order, at Lawson.

W. F. THOMAS.

The subject of this article was born in Clay county, Missouri, December 4, 1836, and at the age of eight years, removed with his parents to Platte county for about a year, and then to Andrew county, where the

family lived during two years, and then our subject went to St. Joseph and commenced learning the saddler trade. After an apprenticeship of four and a half years, he went to Kansas and engaged at his trade for a time in Atchison, and then he went to California, and, during the succeeding eight years, traveled through the states and territories on the Pacific slope, working at mining, and prospecting as he went. He came to Ray county in 1869, and engaged, during two years, in farming, and then began working at his trade, at Lawson, and has since built up a very profitable business at that place. Mr. Thomas was married February 16, 1875, in Andrew county, Missouri, to Miss Carrie Walker, by Reverend Mr. Cruikshanks. She was born in Andrew county, in May, 1853. They have one child, Ferdie, born February 13, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are members of the M. E. Church South, and he is a member of BeeHive Lodge, No. 393, A. F. & A. M., at Lawson.

E. M. ROBINETT.

The gentleman whose name heads this article, was born in Greene county, Illinois, October 9, 1844. When six years of age he removed with his parents to Macoupin county, Illinois, and lived there until twenty-five years old, when he came to Missouri and engaged in farming in Clay county, until 1878, and then came to Ray county. Mr. Robinett was married in Clay county, Missouri, December 6, 1870, to Miss Sue H. Claflin, by Reverend J. V. B. Flack. She was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, in the month of June, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Robinett are the parents of five children, named as follows: Charles J., Mary E., John M., Daisy R., and Ada R. Mrs. Robinett is a member of the Baptist Church. Robinett is an industrious and thrifty farmer, and a good citizen.

W. A. MILLER.

Mr.

William A. Miller was born in Stokes county, North Carolina, July 26, 1821, and remained there with his parents until he was sixteen years old, and then removed to Clay county, Missouri, and lived there until the spring of 1844, when he came to Ray county, and has lived here ever since, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns a fine farm of four hundred and fifty-one acres, of excellent tillable land, well improved and stocked with the best breeds of cattle, sheep and hogs. Mr. Miller pays careful attention to breeding and raising only the best kinds of live stock. He was married in Clay county, Missouri, January 4, 1844, to Miss Sallie McGee, by Rev. John Walker. She was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, October 27, 1828. The issue of this marriage was ten children, all but three of whom are now living: Ann E., wife of Chas. Bates; Frederick D., Melvin M., Susan J., Ellen, Emma L., and Eugene. Mr.

Miller is a member of the Christian Church, of the Grange, and Masonic order. He is a leading stock-raiser and farmer, a good neighbor and a prominent and valuable citizen.

RANDOLPH MCDONALD.

Randolph McDonald was born in Adair county, Kentucky, October 7, 1806, and received his education and attained to his majority there, working on his father's farm. He was poor, and opportunities and advantages for young men were meager in the locality where he grew up, and at the age of twenty-eight years, he determined to leave Kentucky, and seek a home across the "Father of Waters," in the rich, productive lands of Missouri. He settled in Ray county, in the year 1835, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. By his untiring energy, unfagging industry, strict economy, and good management he has secured for himself a competency. He has a fine, large farm of five hundred and sixty acres of prairie and woodland, handsomely improved, well irrigated, and stocked with good herds of horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep. Mr. McDonald was married, in the state of Kentucky, in 1828, to Miss Locky Oxford, by John Gilbert, a minister of the Baptist Church. Mrs. McDonald was born in the year 1808, in North Carolina. The issue of this union was nine children, viz: Rosannah, born March 11, 1832; Mary Ann, born November 23, 1833; Jeremiah, born October 16, 1835; Elizabeth, born August 28, 1837; William G., born August 29, 1838; Eliza Jane, born April 26, 1841; Sarah E., born February 28, 1844; Jacob Randolph, born July 6, 1845; Locky Emeline, born December 26, 1846. Rosannah, Mary A., and Louisa are dead. Mrs. McDonald died in the month of December, 1871, and her death was deeply mourned by her family and large circle of friends and relatives. Mr. McDonald is a leading member of the Baptist Church. He has never aspired to any public office, preferring the quiet walks of private life, and devoting his attention to his farm, and to the support, careful training, and proper education of his family. Mr. McDonald is a practical, successful farmer and business man, a good citizen, a consistent Christian, an agreeable gentleman, and he enjoys the universal esteem and respect of the people of his community.

A. P. MOSS.

A. P. Moss was born near Versailles, in Woodford county, Kentucky, in the year 1803. Came to Ray county, Missouri, in 1845, and has since lived here. He was married in 1823, in his native county, to Miss Lucy Boston, by Rev. William Penny, of the Baptist Church. They became the parents of eight children. Mr. Moss is a devout member of the Christian Church, and also belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is an old and highly respected citizen of Ray county.

M. R. FOWLER.

M. R. Fowler was born in Randolph county, Missouri, May 4, 1834. He attended the schools of his father's neighborhood, and grew up on the farm. At the age of twenty-two years, he came to this county and has been a farmer and stock-raiser of Ray county ever since. He owns one thousand and eighty-two acres of valuable land, about one thousand acres of which is prairie land, and in an excellent state of cultivation, well watered, and enclosed by good and substantial fencing. He has a handsome and conveniently appointed residence, and the farm is additionally improved by barns, granaries, sheds and other buildings, also a fine, thrifty bearing orchard. Mr. Fowler is extensively engaged in raising and feeding cattle and hogs for market. He was married in Ray county, to Miss Elvira Moss, daughter of A. P. Moss. She was born in Ray county, Missouri, February 6, 1851. They have six children. Their names with dates of birth following, viz: Archie P., born March 20, 1866; Thomas N., born August 28, 1867; Charles P., born January 15, 1870; Lucy R., born January 15, 1874; Carrie, born June 7, 1876; Fred. D., born March 18, 1878. Mr. Fowler is an active and leading member of the Christian Church, as is also his wife. He is a prominent farmer, and an influential and valuable citizen.

SAMUEL J. CROWLEY.

Samuel J. Crowley was born near Kearney, Clay county, Missouri, March 24, 1843. His father, Samuel Crowley, is a native of Campbell county, Tennessee, came to Clay county and settled there in 1820. Our subject lived in Clay county until seventeen years of age, and then came to Ray county and was engaged in farming and stock-raising during ten years here, and then removed just across the line into his native county, where he now lives. He has a fine prairie farm of two hundred and forty acres, in a high state of cultivation, and handsomely improved. Mr. Crowley was married in Ray county, Missouri, February 11, 1869, to Miss Louisa A. Misener. Mrs. Crowley was born in this county, February 3, 1849. They are the parents of three children: Nancy B., born May 21, 1872; Frank P., born March 24, 1876; Misener L., born December 17, 1880. Samuel Crowley, Sr., father of our subject, was born November 14, 1786, in east Tennessee, died July 1, 1849. Our subject's mother, Nancy, was born May 13, 1805, died January 28, 1875. Mr. Crowley is a leading, prosperous and highly respected farmer.

S. I. CATES.

S. I. Cates was born in Caldwell county, Missouri, June 7, 1857. He was educated in his native county, and remained there until the year 1878, when he came to Ray county, and, establishing himself at the thriving

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