Biographies of Benton County Citizens

From Goodspeed's 1889 History

 

*Disclaimer*  I think these biographies are a great resource, but they aren't always 
100% factual.  I would use them as a resource, then work toward documenting what 
you find listed in the bio, because these weren't exactly written by the people them-
selves.  But they are great sources of information, and many contain two or three or 
more generations of the family.  Good luck!

Biographies  D - G
Biographies  H - M
Biographies  N - Z



C. W. Davis, a prominent and much respected citizen of Benton County, was
born within four miles of Lincoln, at a place known as Locust Grove, and
is the son of Anderson and Susan Davis, and grandson of John T. Davis, the
first sheriff of Cole County, Mo. Susan Davis was the daughter of Isaac
England, one of the pioneer preachers of this county, formerly of
Tennessee; was a Protestant Methodist, and was frequently with Peter
Cartwright in Illinois and Missouri. Charles W. Davis is a blacksmith by
trade, and is now occupied in that business in Lincoln, where he has
resided for the past eleven years. He is also a dealer in farm implements,
and has a fine residence in town. Mr. Davis was married in December, 1872,
to Miss Mary Ham, daughter of Judge Ham, of Warsaw, and seven children
were the result of this union: Lucy, Mamie, Mattie, Harrison, Annie,
Margaret, Pearl and John A. Logan. Mr. Davis was in the Union service
during the late war, and was the only man in his immediate neighborhood
who voted for Abraham Lincoln, and was at that time a resident of the
southern part of Benton County, near the Hickory County line.

Joseph Eastmann, now living in Williams Township, is one of the German
pioneers of Benton County, Mo. He was born in Germany in the year 1849,
and is one of nine children, two now living, born to Clause and Catherine
Eastmann. He left the land of his birth in 1870, took passage for America,
and landed in New York, where he remained for five years. He then came to
Benton County, Mo., and here purchased 160 acres of land. Previous to
coming to America Mr. Eastmann had chosen for his life companion Miss
Catherine Holshield, and this happy union resulted in the birth of three
children, viz.: John, who is at home at present; Hermann, at home, and
Anna, who is the wife of Fritz Brauer, and is now living in Pettis County,
Mo. Mr. Eastmann is an industrious, enterprising citizen, and one who
merits and receives the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. He
has not, as yet, taken out his naturalization papers.

Claus Eckhoff, farmer and stockman of Benton County, Mo., was born in
Hanover, Germany, October 11, 1845, and is a son of H. H. Eckhoff and
Maria (Keike) Eckhoff, also natives of Hanover. The family came to the
States in the fall of 1852, and settled in Benton County, Mo., on a farm
which was partially improved, and here spent the remainder of their lives,
the father's death occurring on the 30th of March, 1886. Claus Eckhoff has
resided in Benton County the greater portion of his life, and remained
with his father until he attained his majority. When the Rebellion broke
out he enlisted in Company K, Eighth Missouri Militia, and served as a
private until he received his discharge on the 16th of May, 1865. At the
beginning of the war, while serving in the Home Guards, he was taken
prisoner at the fight at Cole Camp, May 14, 1861, but was paroled after a
short imprisonment. After returning home he resumed farming, and was
married in December, 1867, to Mattie Hashagen, a native of Benton County,
and a daughter of Henry Hashagen. He purchased and lived on a farm near
Lincoln for some time, then sold out and bought the old homestead which
belonged to his wife's father. The place consists of eighty acres, and the
property became his in 1883. It is all under cultivation, and besides this
he has a twenty-acre tract of timber land. His house and barns are
substantial buildings, and he has a good young orchard. His union has been
blessed in the birth of the following children: John Henry, Herman P.,
William L., Anne Maria, Caroline E., Gesina, Charlie, Mettie, Paul
Benjamin and Catherine. Gesina, Mettie and Catherine are deceased. Mr. and
Mrs. Eckhoff are members of the German Lutheran Church. He has always been
a Republican in politics.

Henry Eickhoff, merchant and dealer in furniture and undertaker's goods,
at Cole Camp, Mo., is a native of Missouri, born in Benton County, Mo.,
July 16, 1850. His parents, John J. and Katie (Meyer) Eickhoff, were both
natives of Germany and born in Hanover. The family immigrated to America
in 1846, locating in Benton County, purchased land and engaged in
agricultural pursuits. Mrs. Eickhoff died here, and Mr. Eickhoff moved to
Kansas about 1882, where he now resides. Henry Eickhoff was reared in
Benton County, Mo., and learned the carpenter trade, which he followed in
his younger days for a number of years. He then took up cabinet-making,
engaged in the furniture business in 1883, and now has a large stock and a
good trade. He was a member of the band for about fifteen years, and was
leader of the same for some eight years, and four of his children played
in the band when seven years of age. Mr. Eickhoff was married when about
twenty years of age to Miss Mary Merhten, a native of Benton County, and
the daughter of Jacob Merhten, one of the pioneers of the county. To Mr.
and Mrs. Eickhoff were born six children, five sons and one daughter:
Albert G., Willie, Freddie, Edward, Emil and Katie. Mr. Eickhoff is one of
the prominent business men of the county, and carries a first-class stock
of goods. He is wide awake and thorough-going, and makes a success of
whatever he undertakes.

John T. Eoff, merchant, of Fairfield, Benton County, Mo., was born in St.
Louis County, Mo., October 9, 1839, and is the son of George Eoff, who was
a native of Kentucky, and who came to Missouri with his father, George
Eoff, Sr., when but two years of age. The Eoffs were one of the early
Virginia families, and one of the streets of Richmond is named after them.
George Eoff, Sr., settled in Missouri, St. Louis County, in 1803, and here
George Eoff, Jr., grew to manhood. He married Miss Mary Stephenson, a
native of Kentucky, but who, like her husband, was reared in Missouri,
near St. Louis. George Eoff, Jr., was engaged in general merchandising,
and at the same time was occupied in tilling the soil. He died in Cooper
County at the residence of the subject of this sketch, in 1881. John T.
Eoff reached mature years in St. Louis County, and spent his youth in
assisting his father on the farm. In July, 1862, he enlisted in the First
Missouri Cavalry (Gen. F. M. Cockerell, commanding), and was after- ward
transferred to the infantry. He surrendered with Johnson at Nashville
early in 1865. He was in the fights of Pine Mountain, Peach Tree, Ark.;
Lookout Mountain, Franklin, Tenn., and Nashville, and was taken prisoner
in Wayne County, and held at Pilot Knob and other military prisons for
about six weeks. He was in the same regiment and in company with an elder
brother. After the war Mr. Eoff located on a farm in St. Louis County. He
was married in St. Louis, November 20, 1872, to Miss Anna Thomas, a native
of St. Charles; Mo. Later he farmed in St. Louis County up to 1879, then
sold out and moved to Cooper County, where he engaged in merchandising. He
sold goods there for over one year, after which he sold out and went to
St. Louis, where he again resumed business, but moved from there to
Fairfield, Mo., in the spring of 1882, bought a house and put in a general
stock of merchandise. He has built up a good trade and is doing finely in
his business. He was appointed postmaster while in Cooper County, and
again here in March, 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Eoff are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Eoff has been in business at three points,
and has been postmaster at each place during his stay at these places. He
is secretary of the township board, and has also been a member of the
school board, being president of the same up to 1888. He and wife are the
parents of three children: Stella M., Birchie E. and Minnie D.

John W. Fowler, now living on Section 22, White Township, Benton Co., Mo..
is one of the old settlers and prominent citizens of the county. He was
born May 16, 1842, and is the son of Samuel and Mary A. Fowler, being
second in order of birth in their family of seven children, viz.: Sarah
H., wife of C. C. Rainwater, now in St. Louis; John W.; Anna E., wife of
Henry C. Carpenter, now in Benton County, Mo.; Louisa, wife of Henry
Meisner, now in Benton County; Amanda (deceased), the wife of W. R. D.
Mabry; Susan H., wife of G. W. Campbell, now at Warsaw, and Henry C., who
is now south of Cole Camp, on the old homestead. John W. Fowler married
Miss Francis P. Via, daughter of William Via, September 22, 1862, and one
child (Mary Garnet) is the result of this union. She is now the wife of
Dr. R. L. Shodburn, and is living in Windsor, Mo. Mr. Fowler entered the
Union service in the fall of 1864, in Company I, Forty-fifth Missouri
Infantry Volunteers. After his marriage he remained at home (with the
exception of the time spent in the army) until 1866, when he moved to his
present farm, which consists of 320 acres, and which was given him by his
father. This farm is one of the best in the county, and on this Mr. Fowler
carries on general farming; also raises a great many hogs and cattle, and
at present has on hand sixty-seven mules and eight head of horses. Mr. and
Mrs. Fowler are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are much
esteemed citizens. The former is Democratic in his political opinions. The
improvements on his farm are worth about $7,000.

James N. Freund, farmer and stock-raiser, of Williams Township, Benton
Co., Mo., was born in that county June 26, 1852, and is the son of Capt.
John J. Freund, a native of France. The latter came to the States when a
young man, and located in Benton County, Mo., about 1840. He was married
here to Miss Clarinda Carico, a native of the United States, probably born
in Missouri. Mr. Freund settled in Indian Creek, Benton County, and
located two miles south of Cole Camp, where he reared his family. He died
December 14, 1872. He served as assessor of Benton County several terms,
and held a captain's commission in the Home Guards during the late Civil
War. James N. Freund grew to manhood in his native county, and January 20,
1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McCall, daughter of
Adolphus and Susan McCall, the former of Scotch birth and the latter a
native of Missouri. Mrs. Freund was also born in Missouri. After marriage
Mr. and Mrs. Freund farmed for some time in the neighborhood, but moved to
their present location in 1879. His farm consists of 227 acres of land,
all fenced and nearly all in meadow pasture and plow land. This estate is
three miles south of Cole Camp, and nicely located, with plenty of living
water on the place. Mr. and Mrs. Freund have two children- James Daniel,
aged fourteen, and Jacob Henry, aged twelve years. They are rearing a
little girl-Sadie Cook, daughter of Joseph Cook, a resident of the county.

Benjamin Frisch, farmer and stockman, was born in Cole County, Mo., August
17, 1835, being one of seven children born to his parents, who were
natives of Prussia, Germany, and came to America in 1834. Benjamin made
his parents' house his home until he attained his majority, then began
earning his own living, and came to Benton County in October, 1853,
residing at home with his father until the latter's death, in March, 1862.
The mother died in September, 1876. In 1869 he sold the farm on Buffalo
Creek, which he had cleared and improved, and came to his present farm,
which consists of 253 acres, about eighty of which are cleared and
cultivated. During the late war he enlisted in the State Militia, and
while on the march near Sedalia was shot through the body, which confined
him to the hospital for four weeks. He was then taken to his home, and
about ninety days later was entirely recovered. On the 6th of January,
1857, he war married to Margaret Anne Geisling, by whom he became the
father of twelve children, ten of whom are now living: Mollie, born
September 5, 1857; Josephine, born August 18, 1859; William, born January
29, 1861; Frederick, born January 8, 1863; Louis, born March 30, 1865;
John, born February 12, 1867; Emil, born January 5, 1869, and died
February 1, 1869; Louise, born November 25, 1869; Henry, born September
29, 1871; Anna M., born October 26, 1873; Benjamin, born December 9, 1875,
and an infant, deceased. The two eldest daughters are married. Mr. Frisch
and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and he has always been a
Republican in his political views.

H. G. Fristoe was born March 28, 1820, and is a son of Markham Fristoe and
grandson of Robert Fristoe. He was married to Miss Eliza Davidson,
daughter of Alexander Davidson, of Benton County, in 1848, and brought his
wife to his home near Palo Pinto, where he has since resided. Two sons and
a daughter were the result of this union: Alpheus, Harvey W. and Lallie.
Alpheus married Miss A. Campbell, daughter of Alexander Campbell, of
Benton County, and one child, Clyde, is the result of this union. H. W.'s
biography follows this. Lallie married William Atkinson, of Benton. H. G.
Fristoe is now living with his son in their spacious family residence. His
wife died in 1861, while his family was quite small. He has been a member
of the Baptist Church since 1848, and has done a great deal toward
building up the church in his neighborhood. He is also a member of Clear
Creek Lodge, No. 418, A. F. & A. M., and has passed through the chairs of
that lodge. In his political views he affilates with the Democratic party.
Markham Fristoe was door-keeper to the Missouri Legislature in the year
1834, and while there had an act passed to locate and establish a State
road from Jefferson to Springfield, and to cross the Osage River where the
Alexander ferry now is at Warsaw, which at that time was only known as
Fristoe ferry. At that time Pettis County extended to the Osage on the
north and Greene County on the south. Before the county seat was located
Mr. Fristoe, on account of sickness in his family and among his servants,
moved three-fourths of a mile east of the ferry, and built a large log
house, where the first circuit court was held in the county by Judge
Allen. Ringo & Joplin built a store close by, and others built houses on
the edge of the small strip of prairie. Several stores, a number of houses
and blacksmith shops were erected, which made quite a village. The county
was then organized, and the county seat was located at a point on the
river about three-fourths of a mile from Mr. Fristoe's residence, and
named Warsaw. Hendson Fristoe, who now lives at Palo Pinto, was one of the
men who helped to raise the first courthouse, which was constructed of
logs and about 20x30 feet long, as near as he can remember. At first they
ground their corn in a hand mill, but this was afterward improved and
operated by horse power. Their meat was almost wholly wild game, which was
very abundant at that time; honey could be found in abundance, and hominy,
prepared with lye, was one of the principal dishes at that day. Robert
Fristoe, father of Markham Fristoe and great-grandfather of Harvey W.
Fristoe, of Palo Pinto, was a Baptist preacher, and baptized the first
convert in the county. He was at that time over eighty years of age.

H. W. Fristoe. Prominent among the enterprising and successful business
men of Benton County, and among those deserving special recognition for
the energy displayed in building up the mercantile interests of the
county, stands the name of the above-mentioned gentleman, whose birth
occurred in Benton County, Mo. His boyhood days were spent in assisting
his father on the farm, and in attending the district schools. At the age
of nineteen he entered Columbia University, which he attended for two
years, always standing at the head of his class, and besides, finding time
to read a number of the volumes in the library at that institution. On
account of failing health he was obliged to leave college, and then
returned to the farm, where he remained a year. He was called upon to
teach the district school, which he did for three terms, but during this
time he put in all his spare time trading in cattle and hogs, at which
business he was very successful. Subsequently he acted as secretary of the
Grange and co-operative store which were located at Palo Pinto, and in
this way obtained an insight into the mercantile business. Three years ago
he had an opportunity to buy out the store, which he did, and since then
he has moved into larger and more convenient quarters. He has increased
his stock from about $1,000 to $5,000, and says the great secret of his
success is that he knows just how and where to buy, pays cash for
everything he gets, and sells his goods to his neighbors fully as cheap,
and in most cases cheaper, than they can be found in surrounding towns. As
his expenses are small, it leaves him a fair margin. Mr. Fristoe is the
postmaster at Palo Pinto, having a snug office fixed in the rear of his
store, where everything is entirely separated from his stock. He also acts
as general arbiter in neighborhood affairs, being frequently called upon
to decide some very knotty legal questions, until he has become well
posted in law. Mr. Fristoe makes it a point to buy everything that his
neighbors bring to him that is marketable, and will always pay the highest
St. Louis market price. He was married December 27, 1877, to Miss M. Sue
Wisdom, daughter of Judge Wisdom, of Warsaw, and three bright boys are the
result-Erle W., Alpheus D. and Charles W. The family now live on their
fine farm three-fourths of a mile north of the store.

W. J. Fristoe is a native of Missouri, born at Lexington, Lafayette
County, February 24, 1835, and is one of the first white children born in
that part of the State. He came with his father's family to Benton County,
Mo., when but a child, and settled across the river from Warsaw. His
father began tilling the soil on an island opposite the town, and was the
first man to establish a ferry. In this manner he used to accommodate
emigrants on their way to settle upon the fertile regions in the West, and
the ferry also served as a means of crossing to their neighbors. His
father helped to construct the first court-house in Warsaw, a cabin made
of rude logs. W. J. Fristoe went to Illinois during the war, and while
there met and married Miss Sallie E. Smith, daughter of Dr. R. D. Smith,
of Henderson, Ky. Mr. Fristoe returned to Benton County in the spring of
1866, and settled on his present property, where he has since resided. His
fine residence is in one of the most elevated positions in the county, and
an exhaustive view of from ten to twenty miles can be obtained from that
point. Mrs. Fristoe died in 1881, leaving six children-Mark, Robert,
Willie, Birdie, Georgie and Bessie. Mark married Miss Bettie Peak, of
Benton County. She was living with her uncle, William McDaniel, at the
time of marriage. Mr. Fristoe is engaged in farming and stock-raising, at
which he has been un- usually successful. He is a member of the Masonic
Lodge, No. 418; is a Democrat politically, and in his religious views is
liberal, although a Baptist by education.

Benjamin Fryback, or "Uncle Ben," as he is familiarly known, was born in
Pickaway County, Ohio, March 22, 1818, and is the son of John Fryback, of
Lancaster County, Pa., and grandson of George Fryback, who served in the
War of the Revolution, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill and
other engagements. Benjamin Fryback, with his elder brother, moved to
Tippecanoe County, Ind., in 1840, was married to Miss Isabel Hoover, and
one daughter was the result of this union. This daughter married Broham
Briar, of Indiana, and is now living in Oregon. Mrs. Fryback died while
living in Indiana, and in 1848 Mr. Fryback was united in marriage to Miss
Emerine Steely, of Tippecanoe County, Ind., daughter of David Steely, of
the same place. To Mr. and Mrs. Fryback were born six children, of whom
four daughters and one son survive. They are named as follows: Nancy;
Margaret, who is married and the mother of six children; Robert, married
and the father of two children; Laura, married and the mother of five
children; Rachel, married, and has a family of four children; and Amanda,
who is also married and has two children. Mr. Fryback is a member of the
Odd Fellows and Masonic lodges, having joined the former lodge, No. 22, at
Lafayette, Ind., April 22, 1847. In 1865 he moved, with his family, and a
party of thirteen wagons (over which they stood guard at night on account
of depredations committed by guerrillas on emigrant trains), to the place
where he now lives, and there located October 11, 1865. He has resided
there the principal part of the time since, and is the owner of about
1,000 acres of rich prairie and timber land. On this fine farm of Mr.
Fryback's, which is situated two and a half miles northwest of Lincoln,
has been found a fair quality of coal, the vein being about eighteen
inches in thickness; but this has never been prospected to any great
extent, although there is supposed to be quite a deposit there. A good
quality of limestone, which produces the very best quality of lime, is
also found in abundance on the farm. In politics Mr. Fryback is an
unconditional Union man, and therefore votes with the Republican party. He
has filled the position of school director for several terms, to the
complete satisfaction of the district.

George Gallaher was born in West Virginia, and is the son of James
Gallaher, a native of Pennsylvania, who moved to Virginia at a very early
day, where he followed merchandising and milling. He always took an active
part in the affairs of the county, and during his stay there built several
large grain and saw-mills. In politics he ever espoused the Whig cause. He
was the father of five sons and three daughters, all but two of whom are
now living. The subject of this sketch and his brother William (living
within a mile of him) came to this county in the spring of 1857, and were
here during the turmoil preceding the war. When hostilities broke out they
took their stand for the Union, and when the call for men was made by the
State George Gallaher recruited a company among his neighbors. The first
company was the Enrolled Missouri Militia, under Col. Morvin, of Henry
County, which rendered service for two years in and about Benton County,
acting as minute men. His orders were to preserve peace and prevent
thieving, also to quiet disturbances of all kinds, and to hold themselves
in readiness to be called out at any time. This regiment was dissolved in
the latter part of 1863, and a new regiment was formed out of a part of
the old, Col. Henry Neil commanding. George Gallaher was commander of
Company G, same regiment, until after the surrender of Richmond. During
the war Capt. Gallaher moved his family to Sedalia to have the advantages
of a school. He remained there until 1872, then returning to his farm.
Shortly afterward he was elected county judge, much against his
inclination, which position he occupied for seven or eight years. His term
covered the time when the county bond question was being settled, and not
believing the bonds were legal he fought them through all the courts to
the United States Supreme Court, where the bonds were decided valid; and
when a mandamus came from the supreme court to the county court to make a
levy to pay interest on bonds, Judge Gallaher being in favor of levy, and
the people opposed, he sent in his resignation, which was received. Mr.
Wisdom, of Warsaw, was appointed in his place, and carried the same policy
that his predecessor was censured for advocating, Since that time he has
resided on his farm, enjoying quiet life, having no compunctions of
conscience for any act done during the great struggle. Mr. Gallaher
married a Miss Simmons, of West Virginia, and to them were born seven
children, five girls and two boys. One son and daughter reside in
California and one in Newton County, this State; the remainder reside in
Benton County. Mr. Gallaher is a member of the Baptist Church, and
Republican in politics.

Aaron H. Gist, of Benton County, Mo., was born in Tennessee in 1822, and
settled in what was then Morgan County, Mo., in 1838, there making his
home until 1874, when he located with his family on a farm on Turkey
Creek, in Benton County. He is a son of Watson Gist, of Tennessee, who
married Sallie Hayes, of Kentucky, a daughter of Aaron Hayes. Watson Gist
was a son of Benjamin Gist, who married Miss Hines, of Tennessee. Mr. Gist
(our subject) was married to Malinda Uptegrove in 1848, by which he became
the father of two children-William Henderson (deceased) and Benjamin D.,
who married Lavina A. McGroth, of Virginia. Malinda Gist died in 1853. A.
H. Gist was married to Nancy J. Gunter in 1854, a daughter of James and
Mary Gunter, by whom he became the father of seven children: James L.,
deceased; Watson H., who married Margaret T. Langford; Sarah J., married
to Billington John- son; Christopher K., who married May Allee, daughter
of Logan and Dizana Allee, of Moniteau County, Mo.; Artemus R., Edgar D.
and Edna B. The last two are twins, and Edna B. is married to H. D.
Wright, of Benton County. Watson H. Gist is a successful merchant and
farmer, and is now the proprietor of the only store in the village of
Hockman, having been in business in that place since 1885. He was
appointed postmaster at that time, and has since held the office, and is
considered one of the intelligent and enterprising men of the settlement.
He keeps an excellent stock of general merchandise, and is doing well
financially.

Frederick Goetze. Among the prosperous farmers, stockmen and natives of
Benton County, Mo., may be mentioned Mr. Goetze, who was born in the
northern part of the county August 14, 1840, being one of six children
born to the marriage of John and Catherine (Byer) Goetze, who came from
Hessen, Germany, sixty years ago. Frederick Goetze lived with his parents
until twenty-one years of age, then became one of the Home Guards, serving
until shortly before the close of the war, when he married and engaged in
farming. His marriage took place on the 5th of May, 1865, to Miss Amelia
Frische, which union resulted in the birth of ten children-Herman, Lena,
Otto, Charley, Josie Frances, Amelia, Lora, Marilda, Alma and Oscar. Since
1874 Mr. Goetze has resided on his present home farm of 160 acres, 95
acres being under cultivation. Besides this, he has 80 acres west of his
present home, 160 acres on the Osage River, with 60 acres under
cultivation; 90 acres on another part of the Osage River, 45 being under
tillage; and 120 acres more, with 60 acres under cultivation. His home
place is well improved with good buildings, fences and orchards. He is a
member of the Lutheran Church; has always been active in supporting
enterprises tending to benefit the town and county in which he resides,
and in his political views has always been a stanch Republican.

Louis Grother, druggist, of Cole Camp, Mo., is a native of Benton County,
Mo., born April 19, 1845, and is the son of Henry and Margaret (Tobaben)
Grother, who were native Germans. In 1843 they immigrated to America, and
settled on a farm near Cole Camp, where the mother died in 1871. Later the
father moved to Fayetteville, Ark., and there died at his son's residence.
Louis Grother received a good education in the common schools of Benton
County, which he supplemented by an attendance in the schools of Jefferson
City. At the age of eighteen he began clerking in a drug house in St.
Louis, and afterward clerked in Jefferson City. In 1872 he went to
Colorado, and began selling drugs in Canon City, but after one summer's
work there sold out. He afterward followed merchandising in various places
in Missouri, and also spent two years in Quincy, Ill. In 1877 he settled
at Cole Camp, and formed a partnership in the drug business, which he has
continued up to the present time. He keeps a fine line of drugs and
medicines, and has a commodious and substantial store building. In
January, 1870, he was married to Anna Mahnken, a sister of Henry Mahnken,
whose sketch appears in this work, and by her is the father of four
children: Emelia, Sena, Caroline and Samuel L. Mr. and Mrs. Grother are
members of the Lutheran Church. He has two brothers living-Henry, who was
born in Germany, and now resides in Fayetteville, Ark., and John, a native
of London, and now a resident of Iowa.

William H. Gunn is one of the old and prominent settlers of Benton County,
Mo., having located in this county in 1858. He was born in Halifax County,
Va., April 17, 1826, and is one of twelve children born to the union of
Thomas T. and Elizabeth (Haly) Gunn. These children are named as follows:
Mary Ann (deceased), Archibald T., William H., Nancy, now living in Greene
County, and the wife of Thomas S. Montgomery; Susan F. (deceased),
Elizabeth, widow of Stephen A. Douglas, now living in Benton County; Mary
M., wife of James Welch, now in Texas; George W. (deceased), Carrol
(deceased), Martha (deceased), Talitha F. (deceased), Catherine
(deceased), and Samuel, now in Texas. Mr. and Mrs. Gunn were both natives
of Tennessee. The former was born January 5, 1797, and died in 1881 at his
home in Texas, where he moved from Missouri in 1881. He came from
Tennessee to Missouri in 1841, and entered 160 acres of land in Greene
County. He was quite an extensive real estate man. Mrs. Gunn was born
February 11, 1801, and died in 1864. The paternal grandparents of the
subject of this sketch were of Irish extraction, and the maternal
grandparents were of English origin. William H. Gunn was but twelve years
of age when his father came to Missouri. He remained under the parental
roof until twenty-one year of age, when he began business for himself.
November 26, 1847, he married Miss Margaret Smith, daughter of Joseph P.
and Mickam (Robinson) Smith. She was a native of Tennessee, and died in
1861, at the age of thirty-nine years, leaving seven children, who are all
deceased but two, Marian and Calvin. The former is in Arkansas. July 11,
1861, Mr. Gunn married Miss M. Levan, daughter of Daniel and Cyntha Ann
(Dodd) Levan, and the result of this union was the following children:
William (deceased), Elvira, wife of J. Montgomery and now at home;
Frances, wife of Mr. Douglas, now residing in Louisiana; Daniel S., at
home; George W., Susan, Levi Hamden (deceased), John, Alfred and Fidelia.
Mr. Gunn bought forty acres of land in Benton County in 1858, and entered
200 acres more. He owns but 140 acres at present. He is a Republican in
politics, and was registering officer four years. He and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.







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