The oldest person present at the reunion August 8, 1896, was "Aunt" Mary GIVENS, born in Mercer County, Kentucky, December 1, 1811. In 1833 "Aunt Mary" accompanied by her husband, Wm. GIVENS, emigrated to this county, locating near Keytesville, where she has since resided. Mr. GIVENS died in 1866. Considering her age, "Aunt Mary" yet enjoys good health and remarkable activity.
To "Uncle" James Guthridge belongs the credit of being the second oldest person at the above reunion. His birth occurred in Fauquier county, Va., March 1, 1813. His residence in Chariton dates from March, 1831. Soon after his arrival at this place, "Uncle Jim" was employed by James KEYTE to carry the mail from Keytesville to Old Chariton, the latter at this time being the county seat. "Uncle Jim" as he is best known to the citizens of Chariton County is an old time Jackson Democrat, who has enjoyed remarkably good health, and to-day looks ten years younger than his comrades.
Wm. STEPHENSON, for 63 years a resident of Chariton County, was born in Mercer County, Ky., August 9, 1819. On coming to Missouri Mr. STEPHENSON settled about six miles north of Keytesville, where he yet resides. His marriage to Ann SMITH, of this county in 1836 was a happy one until her death a few years since.
R. H. GRUBBS, better known as "Uncle Dick" of near Snapp, was born in Virginia, July 18, 1818, and located in the northern part of the county in 1832. In '44 he was married to a Miss Betsey CLARK, of this county, whose death occurred in '66. "Uncle Dick" has since been twice married, the third occurring in July '82, Mrs Elmie TAYLOR becoming his wife.
Mrs. Martha PARNOTT, seven miles north of Keytesville, while a resident of Missouri only 37 years and 32 years in Chariton county, was one among the oldest persons present. Her birth occurred in Hopkins county, Kentucky in 1816.
David D. CALLAHAN, of Brunswick, was born in Campbell County, Virginia, March 18, 1819, and imigrated to Missouri in 1844. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. CALLAHAN has spent 52 years in the county, he has successfully resisted all tempting opportunities and has always enjoyed single blessedness.
E. B. SMITH, no doubt the oldest physician in the county, was born in Kentucky in 1816 and located in Chariton county in 1837. Mr Smith enjoyed the reunion equally as well as any one present.
P. A. AGEE, of Bowling Green township, was born in Virginia in 1819 and has resided in Chariton county since 1838.
James GILLIAM, of near Keytesville, was born in Virginia in November, 1818, and has resided in Chariton County 43 years. Mr. GILLIAM, for a gentleman of his years, has no complaint as to the health he enjoys. In speaking of the monetary question he says he strongly favors the free and unlimited coinage of silver at 16 to 1, regardless of the action of any other nation.
William W. JONES, one among the oldest county settlers in attendance at the reunion, was born in Virginia, May 10, 1815. He was twice married, first to a Miss PATTERSON, second to Miss CLARKSON, both of whom are long deceased. Mr. JONES came to Missouri in 1839 and settled north of Keytesville, where he resided until a short time ago, when he removed to where he now resides, near Prarie Hill.
Thomas L. VANDIVER was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, September 4, 1819. He was first married January 15, 1850 to Miss Elizabeth HERYFORD, deceased, and second, Nov. 29, 1879 to Miss Eliza STARK, who still lives to brighten his remaining days. Mr. VANDIVER came to Marion County, Missouri, in 1828, and in '49 removed to Chariton County, and settled on a farm near Salisbury, where he has resided ever since.
Charles C. CLIFTON, born in Bellows Falls, Vermont, May 17, 1819, is another old settler worthy of mention in this sketch of Chariton county history. In '52 he came to Missouri and settled on a farm in Muscle Fork township, near where the post office of Mike is now located. In '54 he was married to Miss Margaret BRADSHEAR, of this county, now deceased. He has had his many ups and downs since he emigrated to Chariton county, but still retains good health, and is as spry as many of his younger acquaintances.
Robt. P. CURRIN, one among the oldest of Chariton County's citizens was present at the reunion, shaking the hands of his old comrades of by gone days. He is a native Missourian, having been born in Howard County, August 8, 1819, and was twice married, the firt time to Mrs. Mary FREY, of Randolph County, in '50 and the second time in '67 to Susan J. JAMES of Hempstead County, Ark., both of whom have passed away and left him in his dotage to mourn their loss. He now resided on a farm in Keytesville township, but in his earlier days he was a hatter by trade.