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February 19, 1815; Mary Catherine, June 12, 1817; Stilman January 17, 1820; Porter, April 4, 1822, and Harriet Newell, August 17, 1826. Five only of these are now (April, 1881) living, of whom Dr. Moody Mansur is the oldest. Isaiah Mansur received his education in the country schools of Vermont and New Hampshire. He removed to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1836, and for about one year was in charge of his brother Charles' drug store there. This was the first drug store opened on Third street, in that city. The business was very prosperous under Mr. Mansur's management, but the brothers, preferring life in the country, sold out their business in St. Louis, and removing to Ray county, began merchandising in a country store, located upon what is now known as the "old Nuckols place. The brothers continued this business till 1842, when they dissolved partnership, and divided the lands, which they had entered, and purchased during their association in business. To Isaiah's share, fell chiefly, the unimproved lands, and he was compelled to clear the timber and brush away, in order to make fields, and build a home. Mr. Mansur farmed until about the year 1849, when he again opened a store on the farm now owned by Mr. R. H. Ellis. He conducted this store until 1852 when he built a store house in the town of Millville, and removed his stock of goods to it. This store he operated until the war, keeping a clerk in the store, while he remained on the farm. During the war, Mr. Mansur was a Union man, and voted for delegates to the Union convention held at Jefferson City. Though strongly opposed to the rebellion, he took no active part in the war, and did all in his power to preserve peace and harmony among his neighbors and friends, and keep them out of difficulties arising from their strong partisans feelings and sentiments. Mr. Mansur was married, first, in the year 1844, in Ray county, Missouri, to Miss Susan Smith. They became the parents of seven children, four sons. and three daughters, six of whom are still living, and all but one married. Mrs. Mansur died on the first day of June, 1856, and Mr. Mansur was married again, on the 3d day of January, 1871, to Miss Mary E. Lane, of Atchison, Kansas. By her he is the father of three children, Julia, Harriet and Isaiah. Mr. Mansur has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the space of thirty-five years. His first wife also belonged to that church. The present Mrs. Mansur belongs to the Episcopal Church. Mr. Mansur is a prominent citizen of his community, a successful business man, and is highly esteemed for his good qualities as a neighbor and a gentleman.

RALPH OLIPHANT.

A native of Ray county, Missouri, was born on the 20th day of September, 1840. He is of Scotch-Irish extraction, his father having been born in Scotland and his mother in Ireland. His father, Alexander Oliphant, came to Ray county in the year 1838. His business in the Old World not paying as he desired, he resolved to emigrate to the United States. Landing at New Orleans, he at once turned his face toward the great northwest, and coming to Ray county bought the farm upon which our subject at this time resides. Here he planted a vineyard which was the second in the county, only one having been previously planted within its borders Upon this farm Mr. Alexander Oliphant died, in the year 1878, and his son, Ralph, who had finished his education and been for some years in charge of the place, succeeded him as its owner. Here he still continues to reside, cultivating and improving his fine place of four hundred acres. Mr. Oliphant was married on the 7th day of December, 1869, to Miss Catharine Mansur, daughter of Isaiah Mansur, a prominent farmer of the county. The result of this marriage has been four children, two boys and two girls. Their parents take great pride in these children, and intend having them well educated and trained, especially in that much neglected accomplishment, the knowledge of music. Mr. Oliphant's aged mother resides with her son upon the old homestead. He is one of Ray's most sterling citizens, and a successful, prosperous farmer, blessed with a promising happy family, and a handsome, comfortable home.

MICHAEL W. CRISPIN.

Was born in Fayette county, Ohio, September 4, 1844. His father removed, when he was five years of age, to Highland county, in the same state, and engaged there in farming and operating a distillery. In this part of the state Mr. Crispin acquired his education in the common schools. At the age of fifteen years our subject began the battle of life for himself, working for various farmers until the beginning of the war of the rebellion. In 1863 he enlisted in the 2d Ohio regiment of Union troops, Colonel Gibson commanding, and served until after the surrender of the Confederate armies. After the war he again returned to Ohio, and continued farming. Mr. Crispin was married on the 14th day of February, 1867, to Miss Eliza E. White, daughter of Mr. Joseph L. White, of Highland county, Ohio. Determined to try his fortune in the new country west of the Mississippi river, Mr. Crispin, immediately after his marriage, started with his bride to Missouri. He landed from a steamboat at Lexington, Missouri, and rented a farm about seven miles northeast of Richmond, in Ray county. The following summer he bought land on the road from Richmond to Utica, which he soon after sold and purchased

the place upon which he now resides, two and a half miles southeast of the town of Millville. This place Mr. Crispin has improved until it is one of the best farms and most pleasant and comfortable homes in the county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crispin, three of each sex, all now living. Mr. Crispin was one of the charter members of the Ray Grange, P. of H., which was afterward consolidated with Crooked River and Morton Granges. Mrs. Crispin is a worthy member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Crispin owns three hundred acres of wellimproved land, and is one of the most energetic, industrious, and successful farmers and stock-raisers in Grape Grove township. He is also a practical and experienced trader and dealer in live stock.

CHARLES F. BATES, SR.

The subject of the following sketch was born in Halifax county, Virginia, on the 6th day of June, 1830. His father died when Charles was but four years of age, and in 1838, the whole family removed Missouri, settling in Ray county, where his mother purchased a farm, three and a half miles west of Richmond. This farm young Charles and his brothers worked, maintaining the family. Their mother died here about 1847, and the brothers continued to conduct the place and support the family for about two years longer, when our subject went to live with a brotherin-law. Himself and this brother-in-law, Mr. Henry E. Owen, purchased the old homestead and farmed there, in partnership, until Mr. Bates was married. His marriage took place November 18, 1852, Miss Melissa A. Elliott, daughter of Richard S. Elliott, of Ray county, becoming his bride. He remained on the old homestead one year after marriage, and then selling his interest to Mr. Owen, he rented a farm for one year. At the expiration of this time he purchased and improved the place upon which he has since lived. This farm is seven miles north of Richmond. Mrs. Bates, after becoming the mother of three children, died in 1868, and Mr. Bates was subsequently married to Miss Mary V. Lamar, by whom he is the father of three children. Mr. and Mrs. Bates are both members of the M. E. Church South. When he was nineteen years old Mr. Bates gave ten dollars, half of all he had in the world, to help in building Todd's Chapel. Mr. Bates has been a hard worker, and justly merits the success in his business that he has achieved. He is a kind husband and an indulgent parent, greatly interested in the education of his children, to whom it is his chief desire to leave the priceless inheritance of a thorough education.

KEDAR WALL.

An old settler and prominent farmer of Ray county. Was born in Anderson county, Kentucky, on the 26th of July, 1830. His father, who was a farmer, sold his property and removed to Ray county, Missouri, in 1833, and settled on a farm two miles and a half northeast of Richmond. Here he lived for about two years, and then removed to the farm upon which Kedar Wall now lives, seven miles northeast of Richmond. Mr. Wall enjoyed such opportunities as the schools of the neighborhood at that time afforded, for acquiring an education. He inherited the old homestead at his mother's death, and has worked industriously to improve it, and to enhance its value. The original tract contained about fwo hundred and forty acres, but he has continued to extend it by purchasing additional land from time to time, and it now comprises about four hundred acres of most excellent farming lands. In December, 1855, Mr. Wall was married to Miss Sarah E. Pugh, a daughter of Henry H. Pugh, Esq., of Ray county. Of this union eleven children have been born, only seven of whom are now living. The eldest child, Henry, is now in his twenty-third year. Mr. Wall was one of the charter members of the Millville Lodge, No. 338, of the order of A. F. and A. M. Mrs. Wall is a very worthy member of the M. E. Church South, and worships with the congregation at Liberty school house. Mr. Wall has never taken much interest or a prominent part in politics, preferring to live quietly in the discharge of his domestic duties.

AMBROSE YOUNG.

Ambrose Young was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 16th day of May, 1831, and has always been a resident of his native county. He was educated in the common schools, often walking the distance of four or five miles to reach the school-house, and frequently not reaching home on his return until long after dark. Mr. Young lived on the place that his father settled until his marriage. He was married on the 29th day of September, 1853, to Miss Frances Graham, daughter of William Graham, Esq., a resident of Carroll county. Five children were born to bless this union; three boys and one girl are yet living. Odus G. Young, the eldest son, is a practicing attorney-at-law in Carrollton, Missouri, and Alonzo F., the second son, is in charge of his father's farm, both doing well. Mr. Young is a member of the A. F. & A. M. Lodge at Millville, and both himself and his wife are members of the M. E. Church South at that place. He was for three years postmaster at Millville, and was also, during the same time, engaged with Fletcher Graham in merchandising there. His fine farm of three hundred acres of good land lies two and a half miles south of Millville, on the Richmond road.

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