To Mrs. Margaret C. WATSON, belongs the credi of being the oldest native born citizen of Chariton county present at the reunion at Keytesville in 1896. Mrs. WATSON was born January 15, 1822, and has always resided in the county. In April of 1840 she was united in marriage to George W. SINNET, whose death occurred in 1842. Twelve years later she was united in marriage to George W. WATSON, with whom she now happily resides in the southern part of the county.
Mrs. Frances E. CHRANE, 6 miles north of Keytesville, was among the oldest native born citizens present on this occasion. Her birth occurred near Keytesville, October 6, 1823. On April 22, 1841, she was marred to Samuel E. STEPHENSON, one of the early settlers of the county, whose death occurred in 1866. In March of 1884, she was married to Theo F. CHRANE, with whom she now resides at Chraneville. "Uncle Pete" Chrane, as best known in Chariton county, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, April 9, 1821, but 9 years later emigrated to this county, his father, Benj. F. CHRANE erecting the second house in Keytesville. In 1844 he was united in marriage Miss Sarah J. HANNAH, of Randolph, with whom he happily lived for nearly two score years, until her death, December 25, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. CHRANE now reside upon the old homestead farm at Chraneville enjoying amid peace, plenty and comfort, the pleasures of well spent lives.
B. F. TAYLOR, of Muscle Fork Township, was born in Chemung county, New York, July 29, 1823, and has resided in Chariton County for 29 years. In 1859 he was married to Frances A. CHADWICK, of Illinois, whose death occurred November 9, 1889.
Wm. H. BRUMMALL, for 46 years a Charitonite, was born in Cumberland county, Kentucky, in May of 1822. "Uncle Billy" as nearly everyone knows him, has always been a great admirer of the gentler sex, but so far has failed to find the ideal of his affections.
Robert V. GLENN, of Brunswick Township, was born in Campbell county, Virginia, the 16th of November, 1821, and has resided in Chariton County since 1853. October 12, 1843, he was married to Miss Sarah PEERMAN, whose death occurred in 1866. On the 23rd of December, 1873 he was married to Tibitha P. BELL, her death occurring February 23, 1894.
Another old settler of Chariton county present at the reunion of '96, well and favorably known was Wm. P. ALLEGA, born in Kentucky September 13, 1822, Mr. ALLEGA was married to Louisa NEWTON February 29, 1845, which union was blessed by the birth of 8 children, four now living. Mr. ALLEGA moved to this county in 1837.
J. M. AKERS, born in Virginia IN '23, came to this county in '54, where he has since resided and occupied his time in farming.
Peter M. HEATON, was born in Rappahannock county, Virginia, September 15, 1824. Moved to Missouri in 1841, and to Chariton county in 1851. Was married April 1, 1850 to Matilda GREEN who was born June 15, 1832.
Mrs. Matilda FOSTER was born in Virginia in 1820 and has been a resident of this county a number of years. She is still in good health and will no doubt live to attend several more of the reunions of the old settlers.
James L. VEAL, of near Long's Mill, born March 18, 1822, in Fayette County, Kentucky, was an attendant upon the reunion, looking as hale and hearty as though his youth was still retained. He came to Missouri in 1827, and settled in Chariton County. In 1845, on the 13th day of November he was married to Miss Simmira WOODS, who was born in Howard County April 5, 1852. He is a farmer by occupation.
William HEDRICK, of Westville, one of the oldest native born citizens of Chariton County, first saw the light of day Dec. 27, 1824, and has been a constant resident of the county since his birth. On the 28th day of Decemeber, 1843, he was married to Miss Nancy M. DUVALL, who still lives to cheer him in his declining years. It is the wish of the friends of this aged couple that they may live to attend many more of the annual old settler's reunions.
Erastus BUTLER, who lacks but a few months of being the oldest native of Chariton county, was born near Salisbury, October 18, 1822, and was married to Mary JACKSON, a native of Howard County, in 1853. Mrs. BUTLER was born in 1826, and still lives to brighten a happy home. These old people can look back to the time when Chariton county was termed the wild and wooley West, when the red man roamed the forests, and wolves and other ferocious beasts were numerous.
John NICKERSON, born Jan 13, 1822, in Madison county, Kentucky, came to Missouri in 1835, and removed to Chariton County in 1838, settling on the old homestead where he now resides, three miles south-west of Salisbury. He was twice married; the first time in 1842 to Miss Eliza MCDANIEL, and in 1889 to Louisa J. MONTGOMERY, who still lives. "Uncle John" as he is generally known, enjoys good health, and bids fair to attend more old settler's reunions.
Howard H. RICHARDSON was born in Taswell County, Virginia, Dec. 11, 1824, and came to Missouri and settled in Chariton county near Salisbury in 1830, where he has been a life long resident. Mr. RICHARDSON has stood at the matrimonial altar the second time. The first time July 15, 1851, when he married Louisa C. WRIGHT, who has since died, and the second time April 20, 1859, when he was married toi Lizzie M. MINOR, who still lives to make his home bright and happy. His last wife was born March 13, 1831.
Peter G. AGEE was born in Buckingham County, Virginia, April 19, 1825, and removed to Missouri with his parents and settled in Ketyesville township of this county in 1838, where he has resided all these years in single blessedness. He enjoys good health and is as spry as a boy, still hoping the apple of his eye may some day "bob up serenely." Good wishes to him.