BIOGRAPHIES--B
Cape Girardeau
County Missouri Genealogy Trails
FRANCIS
M. BAKER, a substantial farmer and proprietor of Baker's
Flouring Mill in Apple Creek Township, Cape Girardeau County, was born
on the farm where he now resides, on March 9, 1838. He is the
son of Joseph Baker, Jr., also a native of Cape Girardeau County, born
in 1806. He was a son of Joseph Baker, Sr., who immigrated to
Missouri from North Carolina when a young man, and was married in Cape
Girardeau County. Joseph Baker, Jr., grew to manhood at his
father's home and was married to Anna Young, also a native of Cape
Girardeau, County. He settled on the farm where the subject
of the sketch now resides, in 1838, remaining there until his death,
about 1848. His wife still survives (1888). Francis
M. grew to manhood on his father's farm and in 1859 went to California
by the way of New York. Crossing the Isthmus of Panama he
sailed along the Pacific coast as far as San Francisco. He
remained in California and Nevada about eight years, and was engaged in
mining, ranching and freighting. He arrived home on December
17, 1867, after which he bought out the other heir's interest in the
old homestead, and has since been engaged in farming. On May
5, 1868, he was united in marriage with Mary C. Reeves, a native of
Cape Girardeau County. She is a daughter of William Reeves,
formerly from North Carolina. Mr. Baker is a Mason, and a
member of the A. O. U. W. In politics he is a Democrat.
He purchased his mill in the fall of 1881, and rebuilt it the
next year. He now has a good custom mill, with a daily
capacity of about 200 bushels. He has a fine farm of 300
acres, of which about 200 acres are under cultivation, upon which he
has a nice home.
Source: Goodspeed's History
of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 742-743.
GEORGE H. BARKS,
a substantial farmer of Liberty Township, Cape Girardeau County,. was
born in Bollinger County, Mo., on February 26, 1849. He is a son
of Joseph Barks, also a native of Bollinger County, born in 1810.
The latter was the son of Humteel Barks, one of the early
settlers of Southeast Missouri from North Carolina. Joseph Barks
grew to maturity, and married in his native county. His wife,
Serena (Parton) Barks, was born in Cape Girardeau County. After
his marriage Mr. Barks located in Cape Girardeau County on the farm
where the subject of this sketch now resides. The former
purchased new land, which he improved, and upon which he resided until
his death in July, 1882. His widow is still living. She and
her husband reared four children, all of whom are living, and with the
exception of one daughter in Bollinger County, reside in Cape Girardeau
County. George H. remained with his father until his death, after
which he took charge of the home farm. Since his father's death
he has purchased more land, and now has about 250 acres, of which 125
acres are cleared. In December, 1871, he married Sarah Newkirk, a
native of Bollinger County. She died in 1873. On April 20,
1879 Mr. Barks was united in marriage with Mary Ann Proffer, a daughter
of George Proffer, and a native of Cape Girardeau County. This
union has been blessed by the birth of two children: Dora J. and
Joseph L. Mr. Barks is a member of the Agricultural Wheel.
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 743.
JONATHAN H. BARKS
was born in what is now Bollinger County, September 22, 1840, and
is a son of Joseph and Serena (Parton) Barks. The former was born
in Bollinger County in 1811, and was the son of Humteel Barks, a native
of North Carolina, who settled in Cape Girardeau County in 1800,
having received a Spanish grant of 640 acres of land on Whitewater
Creek. Humteel Barks' father was killed in the Revolutionary War.
After his marriage Joseph Barks located on Whitewater Creek,
where he resided until selling his farm in 1855, then moving to Kansas.
The following fall he returned to Dent County, purchased a farm
which he cultivated until the spring of 1856, when he removed to Cape
Girardeau County and located upon the farm where George H. Barks now
resides, living there until his death in 1882. His widow still
survives. She was born in Cape Girardeau County in 1819. J.
H. Barks was reared at home, and received his education in the
subscription schools. He has been twice married; first on
February 6, 1862 to Josephine Snider, a native of Bollinger County and
a daughter of Andrew Snider, deceased. Soon after his marriage
Mr. Barks removed to his present home in Cape Girardeau County.
His farm consists of 300 acres, with about 140 under cultivation.
His wife died in 1872, leaving one daughter, Mary C., wife of
Joseph Manning of Bollinger county. Mr. Barks next married
October 31, 1886, Narcissa Jones, a native of Arkansas, born near
Helena on March 11, 1856. She was reared in Cape Girardeau
County, and is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Barks is a
Master Mason.
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 743.
GEORGE W. BAST,
a member of the firm of Bast & Kurre, proprietors of the
Burfordville Saw Mills, Cape Girardeau County, Mo., was born in that
county, October 8, 1838, and is a son of George Bast, a native of
Lincoln County, Ky., born in 1795. The latter grew to manhood in
his native State, and married Ruth Bell, born near Harper's Ferry, Va.
After their marriage they removed to New Orleans, and thence to
Cape Girardeau County about 1827. They first located near
Jackson, but afterward removed to the west part of the county, which is
now a part of Bollinger County. Mr. Bast died there in 1882.
His widow still survives and is eighty-two years old, being
remarkably active for one of her age. They reared a family of
three sons and five daughters, all of whom are now grown and married.
They all reside, with the exception of one daughter in
California, in Cape Girardeau County. George W. grew to manhood
at his father's home, and received a common school education, which has
been greatly improved since arriving at mature years by much desultory
reading. He taught school one term in his younger days. On
December 6, 1857 he wedded Mahala Slinkard, a native of Cape Girardeau
County, and a daughter of Joseph and Ally Slinkard. After his
marriage Mr. Bast located on a farm in Bollinger County. In 1861
he enlisted in Col. Jeff. Thompson's regiment (Confederate), with which
he served six months, when he was discharged and returned home.
In 1864 he went to Montana, and was there engaged in mining for
six years returning home on December 29, 1870. He was then
engaged in the hotel business for a short time at Des Arc, Mo., after
which he removed to Poplar Bluff and was engaged in the saw mill
business under the firm name of Bast & Baker and in doing a large
business, manufacturing over 30,000 feet of lumber per year. He
also own a farm of new land on White Water Creek, which is being
managed and improved by hired men. Mr. Bast is a member of the A.
F. & A. M. of the A. O. U. W. He and wife have two daughters:
Alice (Mrs. Fred (?unable to read) and Lourana E. (Mrs. J. H.
Estes).
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 743-744.
LEWIS M. BEAN
was born in Cape Girardeau County, September 20, 18?? (may be 1841) and
is a son of Robert Bean and Mary McFarland. The former was born
in North Carolina in 1805, and was a son of Moses Bean, a native of
Scotland, who settled in Pickens County, S. C., when a young man.
He was married there in 1792. Robert Bean was reared in
North Carolina and Tennessee, and came to Missouri in 1828. The
year of his arrival he was married on the farm where the subject of
this sketch now resides. Mary McFarland was born in Ireland, of
Scotch parents, who came to America about 1810. After his
marriage Robert Bean located on the farm adjoining Lewis M. Bean's
present farm in Hubble Township, Cape Girardeau County. He
improved the place and resided there until his death, August 13, 1864.
His widow lived until July 1885. They reared to mature
years seven sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and three
daughters are still living. They all reside in Cape Girardeau
County. Lewis M. grew to manhood in the neighborhood of his
birth, and received a good education in the common schools, which was
completed at the Jackson High School. For thirteen years he was a
teacher in his native county. Previous to the war Mr. Bean was a
Democrat, but since that time he has acted with the Republican party.
He has held various county offices. He was appointed and
served four years as deputy county surveyor. He also served as
deputy assessor and deputy sheriff for a number of years. In 1880
he was elected county assessor and re-elected in 1882. In 1884 he
was again appointed deputy sheriff and served until 1887. Mr.
Bean has been married three times. His first wife was Elizabeth
A. Miller, to whom he was married on December 24, 1866. She died
August 29, 1872, leaving one son, Robert B. His second wife,
Sarah A. Priest, to whom he was united on May 26, 1874, died on March
13, 1885. There are four children by this union: Mary M.,
William W., Lewis M., Jr. and Wilson Cramer. On May 19, 1886, Mr.
Bean married Miss Fannie Marckley, a daughter of John C. Marckley of
Portland, Ore. Mrs. Bean was born in Oregon, but was reared and
educated in Illinois and Missouri and had taught school for seventeen
years previous to her marriage. Mr. Bean is now engaged in
surveying and farming. He is a member of Excelsior Lodge No. 441,
A. F. & A. M.
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 744.
WILLIAM M. BENNETT
is the son of James N. and Sarah (Sheppard) Bennett, the former a
native of Madison County, Mo., and the latter a native of Cape
Girardeau County. The father was born in 1807, and was the son of
Joseph Bennett, a native of Tennessee, who was one of the early settler
of Madison County, Mo. James N., the father, served as constable
of Byrd Township twelve or fourteen years. He served as deputy
sheriff and then as sheriff each four years. In 1843 he bought
and settled on the farm where William M. now resides. He remained
there until his death in May, 1857. His wife survived him several
years. They reared to maturity a family of three sons and two
daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter are still living.
The brother is in Arkansas, and the sister resides in Cape
Girardeau County. William M. was born in Jackson, on November 14,
1833, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. On November 26,
1857 he was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Sheppard, daughter of
Elisha and Malinda (Blount) Sheppard. The father, a native of
North Carolina, came to Cape Girardeau County when a young man.
The mother came to Jackson with her parents in 1804. She is
now living with Mrs. Bennett. After marriage Mr. Bennett located
on a farm near his present farm, to which he removed in 1871. He
has 119 acres, of which seventy-five acres are improved, and upon which
he has a comfortable house and outbuildings. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. He is a
member of the A. O. U. W. They have had four children, viz:
Ida May (Mrs. Albert P. Sheppard), James E., Sarah J. (died in
infancy) and Minnie A. (died at the age of seventeen years).
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 744.
C. F. BETTEN,
city clerk of Cape Girardeau, was born in Madison County, Mo. in 1856.
He is the son of John Betten, a native of Westphalia, Germany,
born in 1825. About 1850 the father came to America, locating in
Madison County, Mo., and engaged in mining very extensively. In
1869 he removed to Ste. Genevieve, where he died in November, 1884.
The mother is also a native of Germany, and at present resides
with her son, the subject of this sketch. Seven children were
born to the parents, of whom two sons and two daughters are living.
When C. F. Betten was ten years of age he was taken by his
parents to Ste. Genevieve, Mo., and was soon after placed in St.
Benedict college, Atchison, Kas., where he remained four years,
graduating in 1871. He then filled the position of bookkeeper in
Carondelet Savings Bank for five years. In 1878 he came to Cape
Girardeau County and served as United States deputy collector from that
time till 1884. He then engaged in the hotel business until he
was appointed to his present position in May, 1887. In November
1880, he was united in marriage with Mary Julia, eldest daughter of
Judge David L. Hawkins of Cape Girardeau. Mr. Betten is
vice-president of Branch No. 274 of the Catholic Knights of America.
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c. 1888, p. 745.
CHARLES L. BLATTNER,
proprietor and manager of the farm and saw mills located two miles west
from Cape Girardeau, was born in Switzerland, August 10, 1859. He
is a son of Charles and Anna (Dubs) Blattner, both natives of
Switzerland. Mr. Blattner died in his native country in 1861.
His widow married again and in 1869 immigrated with her family to
the United States, and in the spring of that year located in Cape
Girardeau County. She died in August, 1880. Charles L.
Blattner grew to maturity in Cape Girardeau County. He worked by
the month on a farm and in a saw mill until he was twenty-two years of
age. In the fall of 1882 he made a trip to Europe and visited the
land of his birth. Returning home in the spring of 1883 he
engaged in the manufacture of lumber below Dutchtown, in Cape Girardeau
County. After seventeen months of successful business there he
bought the place where he now resides. His farm contains 140
acres, nearly all of which are under cultivation. On September
16, 1884 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Keller, a daughter of
J. G. Keller. This union has been blessed by the birth of one
daughter, Laura. Mr. and Mrs. Blattner are members of the
Evangelical Church.
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 745.
JOHN A. BOWERS, is
a native of East Tennessee, born in Greene County, on July 7, 1844.
He is the son of Henry and Sarah (Cobble) Bowers, both of whom
are natives of Greene County, Tenn. The parents removed from
their native state to Missouri, about 1854, and settled on a farm in
Cape Girardeau County, entering land at first. They have since
added to their farm by buying more land. The father enlisted in
the Union army, joining Company A, Second Missouri Artillery, with
which he served about one year, when he was wounded by accident and so
disabled that he was mustered out of the service. He then started
home, and he and wife still reside on their farm. In October,
1862, John A. Bowers also enlisted in Company A, Second Missouri
Artillery, with which he served until the close of the war as a
non-commissioned officer. He participated in the battles around
Nashville, and was in several skirmishes. He received his
discharge in July, 1865, after which he returned home. On
December 20, 1867 he was united in marriage with Sarah Beal, daughter
of John Beal (deceased). Mrs. Bowers was born and reared in Cape
Girardeau County. After their marriage they rented a farm for
several years, buying and locating where they now reside in February
1876. They have a good farm with substantial buildings upon it,
situated in Oak Ridge, Cape Girardeau County. They have a family
of seven children, viz: James Marion, Clara E., Mahala J., Sallie
A., Oliver O., John H. and Olea A. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Politically, Mr.
Bowers has always been a strong supporter of the principles of the
Republican party. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and also a
member of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Society.
--
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 745.
SAMUEL S. BOWMAN,
proprietor of Oak Ridge Mills, was born in Kanawha County, W. Va., on
October 27, 1843. He is the son of Benjamin and Sophia H.
(Ferguson) Bowman, both natives of Franklin County, Va. The
father was born in 1804 and lived in his native State until the fall of
1857, when he and family came to Missouri and located at Jackson.
He was a miller by trade and upon his arrival at Jackson took
charge of a mill, which he managed for three years. He afterward
ran several other mills in the county, among which were those at
Pocahontas and Wilkinson. Samuel S. learned the mill business
with his father, and afterward had charge of the mill at Millersville
for ten years, and a mill at Burfordville for two and one-half years.
In 1883 he engaged in a mercantile business at Pocahontas, where
he remained for about two years. He then, after farming a short
time, purchased his present mill, which is doing a good business.
Mr. Bowman was married on November 2, 1868 to Serilda, daughter
of Aaron Abernathy, and a native of Cape Girardeau County. They
have four children living, viz: Lulu, Russell, James and Lyman,
and four dead, the oldest of whom, Robert D., died March 4, 1884 at the
age of fifteen years. The others died in early childhood and
infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are consistent members of the
Baptist Church. He is also a member of the A. O. U. W.
--Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 746.
WILLIAM C. BOWMAN,
an enterprising citizen of Cape Girardeau County, and a member of the
firm of J. C. Clippard & Co., proprietors of Burfordville Roller
Mills, was born in Cape Girardeau County on September 27, 1859, and is
a son of Rev. B. L. Bowman, a native of Virginia, who came to Missouri
when a young man of eighteen years. He settled in Cape Girardeau
County, and afterward married Eliza J. Ford, daughter of Daniel Ford.
She was born in Virginia, but was reared in Cape Girardeau
County. Rev. B. L. Bowman and wife now reside at Marble Hill,
Bollinger Co., Mo. William C. Bowman grew to manhood in his
native county, and while young commenced learning the milling business
at Burfordville. He afterward worked for a few months at
Tiedemann's Mills, Jackson, Mo. In 1882 he took charge of the
Burfordville Mills, buying an interest in the same in March, 1887.
This is a water mill, with the improved roller process, and is
among the best mills of the county. Its daily capacity is eighty
barrels. On January 25, 1883, Mr. Bowman was united in marriage
with Emma Estes, a native of Bollinger County. Their union has
been blessed by two children: Lyman R. and Eula. Mr. Bowman
is a member of the Burfordville Lodge of A. O. U. W., which he is
serving the second term as financier. He and wife are members of
the Missionary Baptist Church. --
Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 746.
JASPER N. BROOKS,
a well-to-do farmer of Cape Girardeau County, was born on the farm
where he now resides, November 18, 1837, and is a gon of Hardy
Brooks, a native of Virginia, who came to Missouri with his father
about 1810 and settled near Cape Girardeau City. Hardy Brooks
grew to manhood in Cape Girardeau County, and married Susanna Dunham,
after which he bought land and settled where his son now resides.
He improved the farm and remained upon it until his death.
His wife died on August 14, 1848, and he married again. His
death occurred on August 21, 1879. He reared to maturity three
sons and three daughters, of whom Jasper N. and two daughters are the
only survivors. Jasper N. is the youngest child. He spent
his youth on his father's farm, and received a good education in the
common schools. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Col. Jeffrey's
Eighth Missouri Mounted Infantry (Confederate), with which he served
until their surrender at Shreveport, La., at the close of the war June
9, 1865. He participated in most of the engagements of his
regiment. Among others were Pilot Knob, Little Rock and Blue
Mills. In August, 1863, he was captured in Stoddard County, and
held a prisoner in St. Louis at McDowell College for about three
months, when he and eight others escaped. After the war he
returned home, and on February 14, 1866, was united in marriage with
Margaret McLane, a native of Cape Girardeau County, and a daughter of
David McLane. After his marriage he purchased a farm and located
in Shawnee Township, where he remained for ten years. He then
came back to Randol Township and took charge of the home farm.
His wife died November 28, 1867, leaving one son, George J.
Mr. Brooks afterward married Sarah Louisa Gibbs, daughter of John
N. Miller. After the death of his father Mr. Brooks bought the
other heirs' interest in the old home farm, upon which he has since
made some valuable improvements. The farm contains about 400
acres of land with 200 under cultivation. Five children have been
born to him and last wife: Laura L. (Mrs. Wilber Juden), Ida
Belle, Hardy O., Ettie Alice and Walter W. Mrs. Brooks is a
member of the Methodist Church.
--Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 746.
OTTO BUEHRMANN,
a prominent merchant of Cape Girardeau, was born in that city in 1849.
He is the son of Otto Buehrmann, who was born in the Dukedom of
Brunswick, Germany, and came with his parents to America in 1833.
They located at New Orleans on November 13, and a few weeks later
removed to Cape Girardeau, being the first German family to locate at
that place. They remained in the city a short time, then located
on a farm nearby. The father died in Cape Girardeau in 1880.
The paternal grandfather, whose name was also Otto Buehrmann,
died there in 1854. The subject of this sketch was educated in
St. Louis and in 1865 engaged in the saddlery and leather trade in Cape
Girardeau as a member of the firm of Buehrmann & Son, which
he continued until 1873, at which time he engaged in general
merchandising on Harmony Street, where he remained until 1877. He
then located on the south-west corner of Main and Harmony Strets, but
soon after moved to his present location on the southeast corner of
those streets. He has now two large rooms and employs from five
to nine clerks. In 1873 he was united in marriage with Mary L.
Williams, a native of Cape Girardeau County. They have had four
children, two of whom are living. Mr. Buehrmann is a Freemason.
He and family are members of the Episcopal Church.
--Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 746-747.
DR. K. H. BURFORD, druggist
and postmaster at Gravel Hill, Cape Girardeau Co., Mo., was born in
Bedford County, Tenn., on May 23, 1821. He is a son of Ben W. and
Margaret (Ray) Burford, natives of Virginia and South Carolina,
respectively. Ben W. Burford grew to manhood in his native
country, and was married there. His marriage with Margaret Ray,
who was his second wife, was celebrated in Tennessee. After their
marriage they resided in Tennessee, in which State they died. Dr.
K. H. grew to manhood in his native county, in which he studied
medicine and practiced his profession. His studies were directed
by Dr. William O. Beckley of Virginia. In 1848 the doctor removed
to Illinois, and from thence in 1853 to Missouri, locating at
Cassville, where he practiced his profession for five years. In
1858 he removed to Cape Girardeau County, and located on land in Kinder
Township, in which vicinity he practiced his profession twenty years.
While in Tennessee he married Louisa Await, who died in 1861, or
1862, leaving seven children: A. J. D., of Cape Girardeau County;
J. M. of Marquand; D. W., of Gravel Hill; D. L. of Fruitland; Cornelia
A., Mrs. John S. Henry; Belle P., a widow; and W. S. of Gravel Hill.
The doctor was appointed postmaster of Gravel Hill in 1878.
He chose for his second wife Sophia Price, daughter of Thomas
Price, of Lexington, Mo. She was born in Jackson County, this
State. The doctor is a Master Mason, and a member of the I. O. O.
F.
--Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 747.
FRANK E. BURROUGH,
a promising young attorney of Cape Girardeau, was born in that city in
1865. He is one of three surviving children born to the union of
Jacob H. and Mary E. (Deane) Burrough. The former was a native of
Philadelphia, who came to Cape Girardeau about 1853. He was a
lawyer by profession and had previously practiced in Tennessee, St.
Louis and Iowa. He held the rank of captain in the Enrolled
Missouri Militia, and was provost-marshal a few months at Cape
Girardeau. He was one of the promoters of the Southeastern
Missouri Normal, and was president of the board of regents from its
inception until a short time previous to his death, which occurred in
December, 1883. The mother died in July, 1884. The maternal
grandmother was a daughter of George Henderson, one of the early
settlers of Cape Girardeau, being located there as early as 1808.
Frank E. graduated at the Southeastern Missouri Normal in 1853,
after which he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor,
graduating in 1885, since which time he has practiced his profession in
his native city.
--Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 747.
ABRAHAM RUDDELL BYRD, of
the firm of Horrell, Byrd & Co., proprietors of the Orient Roller
Mills, Jackson, Mo., was born near Jackson December 9, 1851. He
is a son of Stephen and Nancy Isabella (Moore) Byrd, both of Cape
Girardeau County, Mo. The father, who was born June 20, 1815, and
died January 15, 1866, was a successful farmer, stock raiser and
speculator. The mother was born December 22, 1826, and died
February 13, 1861. They were married May 9, 1844. Seven
children were born to them, two of whom died in childhood, Catherine
and Clarrissa, and five attained majority: William, Elizabeth
(McCombs) deceased, Abraham R., Edward and Isabella (Barringer).
Abraham R. was reared on his father's farm, and engaged in
farming until February, 1885, when he became interested in the milling
business. October 2, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss
Sallie M. Hunter, daughter of Judge Joseph Hunter, of New Madrid, Mo.
Their family consists of three sons and one daughter:
William Joseph Hunter, Abraham R., Olga and Oliver Carlisle.
Mrs. Byrd is an ardent worker in the temperance cause, and is
president of the Cape Girardeau County W. C. T. U. Both are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The following is
the genealogy and history of the Byrd family of Cape Girardeau County,
Mo. Andrew Byrd, of English descent, lived in North Carolina the
early part of the eighteenth century. Amos Byrd, son of Andrew
Byrd, was born in North Carolina in 1737, married a Miss Ruddell, moved
from North Carolina to Virginia in January, 1773, thence to Tennessee,
within six miles of Knoxville on the Holsten River, where he reared to
maturity five sons and three daughters: Stephen, John, Abraham,
Amos, Moses, Mary, Clara and Sallie. He, with his sons and
daughters and their families, moved to Missouri, landing at Cape
Girardeau in the fall of 1799. Amos, Sr., died June 5, 1818, and
was buried on the Penny or Byrd farm, six miles west of Cape Girardeau,
by the side of his wife who had preceded him. In the spring of
1800 the Byrds, having obtained grants of land from the Spanish
Government, settled near Jackson, on Byrd's Creek, in Byrd Township,
Cape Girardeau County. Stephen Byrd, Sr., was colonel in the
Black Hawk War, and was a member of the constitutional convention that
framed the first consititution of the State of Missouri. Abraham
Sr., participated in the Indian wars of Tennessee, and was captain in
the Black Hawk War; was several times a member of the Missouri
Legislature. He was married in Tennessee, near Knoxville, to Miss
Elizabeth Gillispie, daughter of William Gillispie, of a Scotch
Presbyterian family, in the fall of 1799. There were born to them
eleven children, nine of whom attained majority, viz.: Amos
Gillispie, Ingabow (Byrd) , Mary (Horrell), Nancy (Kelso), Stephen,
Sabina (Alton), Clarrissa (Horrell) and Emily (Martin). --Source:
Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 748.
WILLIAM BYRD, a
prominent farmer and stock dealer of Byrd Township, was born in that
township on May 11, 1845. He is the son of Stephen and N.
Isabella (Moore) Byrd. William is the eldest of a family of
seven children--three sons and four daughters--of whom the three
brothers and one sister are living. He grew to manhood on his
father's farm. In June, 1863, he enlisted in the Confederate
army, joining Jeffrey's Eighth Missouri Cavalry in Marmaduke's old
brigade, and served until October, 1864. He participated in the
fight at Little Rock, and a great many skirmishes, also, in the
engagements at Pine Bluffs and Ironton; at the latter place he was
detailed to take care of the wounded Confederates, and upon the arrival
of the Federals, after the battle, was taken prisoner and paroled.
Returning home he soon after went to Illinois, and remained until
1865, when he again returned home and engaged in farming. On
November 21, 1867, he was united in marriage with Mary J. Evans,
daughter of J. R. and Catherine Evans. She was born in Cape
Girardeau County. Soon after marriage they located where they now
reside. Mr. Byrd has a farm of 286 acres, of which 200 acres are
improved, and upon which he has a good house, barn and other farm
buildings. Mr. and Mrs. Byrd had a family of nine children, six
of whom are still living: Ella, Katie, Denia, Edward R., Charles
William and Stephen. Mrs. Byrd is a member of the Methodist
Church. Mr. Byrd is a member of Jackson Lodge of the A. O. U. W.
--Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 747-748.
VERY REV. P. V. BYRNE C. M.,
president of St. Vincent's College, was born in the city of Carlow,
Ireland, in 1846. He came to this country when quite a boy, and
entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Angels, Suspension Bridge, New
York, to pursue his studies for the priesthood. In 1864 he
entered the novitiate of the Vincentians, or priests of the
congregation of the mission of St. Vincent de Paul. The novitiate
was then located at St. Louis, but shortly after the admission of the
subject of this sketch it was removed to Germantown, Penn., where
Father Byrne completed his ecclesiastical studies. The
confinement of seminary life and the close application to study broke
down his health, and he was sent to New Orleans to recuperate. On
the 19th of March, 1869, he was ordained by Bishop Odin, in St. Mary's
Church, in the Crescent City. Shortly after his ordination Father
Byrne was appointed to the responsible position of treasurer of St.
John's College, Brooklyn, N. Y. Here he remained for six years,
doing parochial duty and filling a professor's chair in the college,
besides attending to the finances of the instituion. In 1875 he
was sent by his superiors to St. Vincent's Church, Germantown, Penn.,
where he remained for twelve years until called to his present position
in January 1887. During the term of his pastorate in Germantown
Father Byrne was distinguished for his great zeal for religion, and an
unflinching energy in undertaking and carrying to perfection many works
of great importance, not alone to his flock, but to the community at
large. His crowning work, which he just had time to finish before
being called away, was the erection at a cost of $60,000 of a parochial
building to be devoted exclusively to the amusement and instruction of
the young men of Germantown. Libraries, museums, gymnsium,
bathrooms, billiard halls, etc., make it one of the most unique
institutions of its kind in the United States. This institution
was its founder's practical argument in favor of temperance among young
men, of which he was always an ardent advocate. He would draw
them away from the saloons by offering them attractions that are
calculated to amuse, while they elevate instead of degrading the man.
Father Byrne has been long enough at the Cape to make it evident
that the same success which followed him in the East will crown his
labors in behalf of one of the oldest and most popular institutions of
learning in Missouri.
--Source: Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, c1888, p. 749.
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