A Reminiscent History of the Ozarks Region

Christian County Missouri Histories

 

 

Bain, William and Mary Ann (Anderson)

Pg. 540

 

Blades, Edward A. and Margaret (Batson)

Pg. 559

 

Bralley, Anselm C. and Rebecca (Jinkins)

Pg. 400

 

Bray, Arren and Ann (Wrightsman)

Pg. 455

 

Bray, Taylor and Mary Jane (Marley)

Pg. 414

 

Brown, C.W

Pg. 156

 

Brown, E.B. and Sarah A. (Clapp)

Pg. 153

 

Brown, G.P.S. and Eva (Edwards)

Pg. 478

 

Brown, William and Eliza (White)

Pg. 569

 

 

Bruton, James J. and Margaret A. (Farmer)

Pg. 219

 

Bunch, Simeon W. and Martha (Jackson)

Pg. 470

 

Bunyard, James E. and Eva A. (Roller)

Pg. 769

 

 

WILLIAM BAIN

 

         The farming class of America, and especially of the State of Missouri, is notable for the degree of intelligence that is possessed among its representatives.  William Bain, who resides in Finley Township, owns a fine farm, which attests by its value and productiveness the excellent qualities of thoroughness and system which mark the owner.  Like many other first-class citizens of the county he came originally from Tennessee, his birth occurring in the eastern part of the State in 1821, and his parents, Arthur and Mary (McFerren) Bain, were natives of that part of Tennessee also.  There the father and mother passed their entire lives, dying in McMinn County soon after the war.  Mr. Bain was a hatter by trade, and a man whose industrious habits and honorable, upright career endeared him to all.  He inherited sturdy Scotch blood from the paternal side of the house, and his wit and activity from his mother, who a native of the Emerald Isle.  The father, William Bain, was a weaver by trade.  One of his sons, Rev. John Bain, was a prominent Presbyterian minister in Nashville, Tenn., at one time.  Our subject’s maternal grandfather, Samuel McFerren, was of Irish origin, and followed farming and teaming in Knox County, Tenn., until his death.  William Bain is the eldest of nine children, who are named in the order of their births as follows: Sallie Ann died in Tennessee; Samuel died in Tennessee; Mary A.; John, of Christian County; Jackson died in Tennessee; Francis was killed in the Confederate Army; Malinda and Martha. 

         Our subject received very little schooling during his youth, as his parents were poor and needed his help on the farm.  He grew to sturdy manhood on the home place in Tennessee, and selected his wife in the person of Miss Mary Ann Anderson, daughter of Steven and Susan Anderson, who spent their entire lives in Tennessee.  Mrs. Bain was born in Monroe County, Tenn., and by her marriage to Mr. Bain, which occurred on the 11^th of August, 1842, she became the mother of nine children, viz.: Rufus, deceased; Susan C., deceased, was the wife of E. A. Adams; John C.; Stephen; Mary died when young; William died in infancy; Lina J. became the wife of John Page; Martha Alice and James.  The two last named were twins and are deceased.  In 1859 Mr. Bain came to Christian County, Mo., and lived on the Finley, near Ozark, until after the war.  He then purchased his present farm of 200 acres, situated six miles southeast of Ozark, and is now actively engaged in farming and stockraising.  He was a Union man during the war, and was in the Missouri State Militia most of the time, on guard at Springfield and scouting in southern Missouri.  He and his worthy companion have been members of the Missionary Baptist Church for many years and are highly esteemed in the neighborhood.  Mr. Bain has done a great deal of hard work in his day, and is strictly honest and upright, his character being above reproach.

 

 

EDWARD A. BLADES

 

         The farming class of America is notable for the degree of intelligence that is possessed among its representatives.  Our subject belongs to one of the most progressive of families, and is proud of the fact that his father was one of those fast disappearing landmarks of a heroic past – an early pioneer.  Mr. Blades was born in Monroe County, East Tenn., in 1830, but his parents, Edward and Ellen (Maner) Blades, were natives of North Carolina, where they grew to mature years and united their fortunes.  From there they removed to Tennessee, and about 1836 came by ox-team to Greene County, Mo., being about two months on the road.  They located in the woods on the Pickerel, and there was but one house within a distance of five miles.  Mr. Blades spent the rest of his life there engaged in cultivating the soil, and died about 1847.  He was a great hunter and sportsman, etc., and a man well and favorably known for miles around.  He was one of the pioneers of Greene County, settling there when Springfield was but a mere hamlet of log houses, and he contributed his full share toward the improvement and development of the county.  He was of English origin.  His wife died in Greene County in 1855.  They were the parents of an old-fashioned family of fourteen children, as follows: Sally Ann, deceased; R. D., of Billings; Nancy, deceased; Isaac T., Cynthia, Edward A., Rebecca L., William, Elizabeth, James R., Frances, George Washington, and two died young. 

         Our subject was reared amid the rude surroundings of pioneer life, and to obtain a limited education was obliged to walk three miles to the primitive log schoolhouse where he was taught the three R’s.  In the year 1851 he married Miss Margaret Batson, a native of Ohio, and the daughter of Steven and Jane Batson, who came from Ohio to Greene County, Mo., at an early date, and here passed the remainder of their lives, the father engaged in farming.  Eight children were born to our subject and wife, viz.: Ellen, deceased, was the wife of William Logan; Jane, wife of Charles Lane, of Lawrence County; James; Elizabeth Ann died young; Sarah P. died young; Martha E.; George Marion died young, and one whose name is unknown.  Mr. Blades resided in Greene County until 1870, and then removed to his present farm near Crane Post Office.  He has added to the original tract from time to time until he now owns 119 acres of excellent land, and has much of it under cultivation.  His wife, who was a worthy member of the Methodist Church, died in 1891.  Mr. Blades also holds membership in that church.  During the war Mr. Blades served a short time in the army.  The Blades family is a numerous and well-known one in Greene and Christian Counties, and its members are prominent and well respected.

 

ANSELM C. BRALLEY

 

         This gentleman has been a useful citizen of Douglas County, Mo., since 1865, but was born in Greene County, Mo., October 7, 1839, a son of Jonathan and Margaret (Bogel) Bralley and grandson of James Bralley, who came to this country from Ireland.  They took up their residence in Virginia, and there Jonathan Bralley was born, reared, and moved to Missouri, in 1839, after which he moved to Greene County, Mo., and settled on the James River near Galloway.  Later he removed to Webster County and there died in the spring of 1866.  He was a Democrat in politics and for many years held the office of justice of the peace, and socially was a Mason.  He was quite a hunter in his youth, and was successful in amassing a comfortable fortune.  His wife was born in Virginia also, and was the only one of her family to come to Missouri.  She died in December, 1892, having become the mother of twelve children: Sanders was a soldier of the Twenty-fourth Missouri Infantry and died at the age of twenty-five years; Elizabeth became the wife of Melvin Smith and did at the age of forty-five years; Anselm C.; John C., who died at about the age of twenty years in Lebanon, Mo., while a member of the State Militia during the war; Franklin was about eighteeen years old at the time of his death; Louise is living on the old home farm in Webster County; Oliver is married and lives on the old home farm; George is also there; Margaret J. and Guy.  Two children died young.  The parents of these children were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, were old settlers of this section, and passed through many hardships on first coming to the State.

         Anselm C. was reared on a farm in Webster County and was educated in the common schools.  In 1860 he began doing for himself and was soon after married to Rebecca, daughter of William and Susan (McMahan) Jinkins, who came from Tennessee to this State in 1842, and after several changes settled in Douglas County in 1865, the mother dying here in 1885 and the father in 1890.  Their family consisted of thirteen children: Matilda, Blackburn, Gilbert, Harriet, Rebecca, Lavicie, Thomas, Elizabeth, Henry, Ruth, James, Margaret, and one that died young.  Mrs. Bralley was born in Tennessee, October 12, 1840, and to herself and husband the following children have been born: Samantha, wife of James Nash, of Sparta, Mo., has three children: Chester A., Ada and Clarence; Luhana is the wife of Carl Barnes of Sparta and has four children, Anselm, Arthur, Bertha and Effie, one died in infancy; Louisa, wife of W. B. Schoggin, Mountain Home, Ark., has three children: Elmer, Stella and Garland; Effie and one that died.  Clarinda died at the age of eighteen years; Letitia is the wife of A. M. Ellison, a farmer of this county and has one child, Hattie; Artilia died at the age of fifteen years; John C. Lilly, wife of C. D. Dewhurst, has one child: Lester; Edith, and Daisy.  Mr. Bralley, was a member of the Home Guards and State Militia during the war and was a participant in the battle of Lawrenceport.  After the war he became a farmer, has followed that occupation ever since and is the owner of one of the finest farms in the county, consisting of 480 acres, which he purchased in 1883.  He is said to have the best improved farm in the county and this fact is borne out in glancing over his broad acres and his neatly kept farm buildings, etc.  He is quite extensively engaged in buying and selling stock, in fact is a thrifty and progressive farmer and owes his success to his own good management and energy.  He is an active Democrat, is public-spirited to a degree, and socially is a member of Ava Lodge of the I. O. O. F.

 

ARREN BRAY

 

TAYLOR BRAY

 

         The Bray family is of Irish extraction and the family tree took root on American soil at an early date.  Our subject’s grandfather, William Bray, was a native of North Carolina, in which State he passed his entire life.  His son, Mark Bray, father of our subject, was also a native of the Old North State, born December 21, 1796, and died December 19, 1869.  The latter was married in his native State to Miss Margaret Patterson, also a native of North Carolina, and there their nine children were born.  About 1840 or 1841 they, in company with about sixty of their friends, among whom were the McDaniel and Marley families and others, emigrated to Christian County, Mo., and settled near Sparta.  The McDaniels and Marleys settled near Ozark.  Mr. Bray, who settled near Sparta also, bought a tract of land, which was afterward known as the Bray settlement, and subsequently became the owner of a large tract of land and one of the wealthiest men in the county.  The Bray family became very prominent in this section and were highly esteemed by all.  Mr. Bray was an excellent shot and killed many deer and turkeys, for the woods abounded in game at that time.  Mrs. Bray did her own spinning and weaving.  In political matters Mr. Bray was a Democrat and previous to the Civil War he voted against secession.  In connection with farming he carried on the Old Linden Mill, but the principal part of his time was given to farming and stockraising.  The mother died in July 1887.  They were the parents of nine children as follows: Loesa, deceased, was the wife of T. Tillman Patterson; Arren; Cadmus, single, was killed in the Confederate Army; Merrica, died young; Lynn, a soldier, was killed at the close of the war; William, resides in Greene County, north of Springfield; Taylor (subject); Isaac, who is living on the old home place.  William was also a soldier, enlisting in Company H, Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry. 

         Taylor Bray, the original of this notice, was born in the neighborhood where he now lives, near Sparta, March 31, 1844.  His early life was spent amid the rude surroundings of pioneer life and he attended the district school until the breaking out of the war, being at that time seventeen years of age.  In 1864, when twenty years of age, he enlisted in Company H., Sixteenth Missouri Cavalry, and served until the close of the war.  He was in Gen. Price’s raid and was in the battle at Booneville and in many skirmishes.  He was never wounded or taken prisoner and was discharged at Springfield in July 1865.  After the war Mr. Bray came home and engaged in farming.  In 1867 he was married to Miss M. J. Marley, daughter of Eli Marley and Tennessee (Wisener) Marley.  Eli Marley was born in North Carolina and is a son of Benjamin Marley, who came to this county with the company in 1840 or 1841 and took up a home west of Ozark.  He was in the Southern Army during the Civil War and died of wounds received at Vicksburg.  He had sons in Gen. Price’s army.  Mrs. Bray was born on the old home place in this county August 22, 1849.  Mr. and Mrs. Bray have had ten children, five of whom are living: William A., Mettie E., Della A., Howard M. and Jessie E.  Those deceased are: James C., Samuel E. and three who died in infancy.  Our subject moved to the place where he now lives soon after the war.  He has 158 acres of good farming land in connection with agricultural pursuits is actively engaged in stockraising.  He has made a complete success of his chosen occupation.  In political matters he was formerly with the Democratic party, but is now with the Labor party.  Mr. and Mrs. Bray are both members of the Baptist Church and the family is well respected in the community.

 

CAPT. C. W. BROWN

 

 

DR. E. B. BROWN

 

         The gentleman, the salient points of whose history we shall endeavor to give below, is one of the most prominent physicians of Christian County, and his experience in civil life has been supplemented by the crucial one of witnessing death and the most terrible wounds with their attendant surgical operations.  Dr. E. B. Brown commends himself most pleasantly to those with whom he comes in contact.  He is a man of great force of character and one whose very presence would soothe a nervous and weakened patient.  He is well read and informed, not only as regards his profession, but in the current topics of the day.  One of the pioneer physicians of the Ozark country, he was born in Arkansas, December 5, 1845, and is a son of John D. and Jane (Bray) Brown, natives of the Old North State, the former born in 1800 and the latter in 1804.  The father was perhaps a native of Randolph County, and was of English origin.  At an early date he removed to Arkansas, and soon after to Greene County, Mo., locating on a tract of wild prairie land near Henderson, which he converted into a fine farm and on which he died in 1863 of smallpox.  He was a lawyer by profession and a man of tact and much natural intelligence.  He was in public life a great deal, both in North Carolina and Missouri, and was district attorney in North Carolina for a number of years.  The office of school commissioner he held in Greene County, Mo., for a number of years, and in politics he affiliated with the Democratic party, being an active worker for the same and for the public good.  When the Civil War broke out he was quite wealthy, but lost considerable during that time.  His widow is still living, and is about ninety years of age.  The children born to this worthy couple were named as follows: Joseph Addison, a prominent physician, graduated from the McDonald Medical College of St. Louis, after which he entered upon the practice of his profession at Springfield, making his home there for some time prior to the war (he is one of the oldest and best known physicians of Greene County, and is a man whom to know is to respect); Emeline, wife of William Jessup, of Jamestown, Ark.; Lydia (deceased), was the wife of Anderson Pendleton, of Christian County; John D., of Lead Hill, Ark., was all through the war in the Confederate Army with Gen. Price, and was once wounded; William T., was in the Federal Army about a year, at the end of which time he was honorably discharged for disability caused by measles; and Dr. G. P. S., a practicing physician and surgeon of Christian County, and a graduate of the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons.  The paternal grandfather of these children, John Smith Brown, was born in North Carolina.

         The early days of our subject were spent in Greene and Christian Counties, and when but a boy he evinced a strong liking for the medical profession.  Graduating at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, Iowa, he began practicing his profession in 1869, at Ozark, and has practiced in this county ever since.  He is president of the Medical Association of Christian County, and a member of the Southwest District and State Medical Societies.  In politics he is a Democrat, has held the office of county coroner, and was United States examining surgeon for a number of years.  The Doctor is public-spirited and enterprising, and as a physician the county can boast of no better.  He selected his wife in the person of Miss S. A. Clapp, to whom eight children were given: Mary L., a teacher in the high school of Billings; John A., who graduated as valedictorian of his class at Billings’ public schools; Fred H., who is attending St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons; Ross, Frank, Minnie V., Ned and Joseph.  The Doctor resides at Billings, and he and family attend the Christian Church.  In connection with his practice Dr. Brown has a drug store at Billings.  He is a Mason, a member of Billings Lodge, and is also an Odd Fellow.  The Doctor has grown up in Christian County, and his practice extends into Greene, Lawrence and Stone Counties.  He and family are prominent in all public enterprises of worth, and are among the leading citizens.

 

DR. G. P. S. BROWN

 

         Prominent in the professional world of Christian County is the name of Dr. Brown, whose services to humanity are worthy of record in this volume, for the professional career of a skillful and devoted physician ever furnishes material of great interest to all readers, and the life narrative of Dr. Brown is no exception to this general statement.  He is a native of Greene County, Mo., born in 1853, and the son of John D. and Mary (Bray) Brown, both natives of the Old North State, the father’s birth occurring in Randolph County in 1798, and the mother’s in 1808.  John S. Brown, the grandfather, was born in North Carolina and was of English origin.  John D. Brown, father of subject, was a prominent attorney, a wise counselor, and a man who won the respect of all with whom he came in contact.  At an early date he removed to Arkansas, and soon after to Greene County, Mo., locating on a tract of wild prairie land near Henderson.  This he changed into a fine farm, and on it he died in 1863 of smallpox.  For a number of years he was probate judge of Randolph County; also held the office of district attorney, and was school commissioner of Greene County, Mo., for some time.  In politics he was a stanch advocate of Democratic principles and an active worker for his party.  At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was quite wealthy, but lost much of his property during that time.  Mrs. Brown is still living, and has now reached the advanced age of ninety years.  Of the seven children born to this excellent couple, five sons and two daughters, three of the sons are prominent physicians.  The eldest son, Joseph Addison, graduated from the McDonald Medical College, of St. Louis, and is a prominent physician of Greene County; Emeline married William Jessup, of Jamestown, Ark.; Lydia (deceased) was the wife of Anderson Pendleton, of Christian County; John D., of Lead Hill, Ark., was with Gen. Price in the Confederate Army, and was once wounded; Dr. Eli B., a prominent physician of Billings; William T., a soldier in the Federal Army about one year, was honorably discharged for disability caused by a sunstroke; and Dr. G. P. S., our subject.  The father of these children was a Baptist in his religious belief and a pioneer of Greene County, Mo.  Mrs. Brown’s father, Eli Bray, was born in Randolph County, N. C., and was a prominent farmer and a wealthy citizen. 

         During his youthful days Dr. G. P. S. Brown was taught the duties of farm life, and received the principal part of his education in the private schools of Springfield.  After that he studied medicine with his brothers, and in 1877 and 1878 attended the Keokuk College, of Iowa.  In 1890 he was graduated from the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons.  In 1877 he began practicing at Ozark, and about a year later he located at Nixa, where he has built up an extensive and paying practice.  He also has an interest in a drugstore at Nixa, and owns a good farm of forty acres near that town.  On this farm he has a good residence and tasty and commodious outbuildings.  The Doctor was married in 1875 to Miss Eva Edwards, a native of Christian County, Mo., and the daughter of C. and N. E. Edwards, who came here at a very early day.  Four children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Brown: Maude E., postmistress at Nixa; Homer E., Frank L. and Lillian G.  Dr. Brown is a member of the Southwestern Medical Association, and one of the leading physicians of the county.  Like his father, he is a decided Democrat in politics, and takes a deep interest in all worthy enterprises.

 

WILLIAM BROWN

 

         Christian County has long had the reputation of being one of the best farming and stockraising counties in the State.  Not only do the farmers here give much attention to these industries, but they are generally men of enterprise and information who are well posted on all the current topics of the day.  Prominent among those who have done their full share in advancing every interest of the county is William Brown, who was born in Wilkes County, N. C., April 27, 1845, and is the youngest of four children born to Rufus B. and Ruth (Barnes) Brown.  The other children were named as follows: Sarah, single, died in Stone County; Nancy is the wife of William Pope, of Stone County, and Elias died in Arkansas when young.  The early days of our subject were passed on a farm with limited educational advantages, and from the age of eight years he was reared in southwestern Missouri whither he had come with his parents.  For a time he served in the Seventy-second Missouri Militia, and was in a fight at Hemphill Barrens, in Stone County.  About 1868 he was married to Miss Eliza White, a daughter of Jonathan White, an old resident and prominent farmer of Stone County.  Mrs. Brown was born in Tennessee, and died May 7, 1892.  Eight children were the fruits of this union: Lizzie, deceased, was the wife of Sherman Vance; Robert, Peter, Lydia, Henry, George, Carrie and Emma.  For two years after his marriage our subject resided on his father’s farm in Stone County, and then located on his present farm one mile south of Billings, where he now has 160 acres of well-improved land, on which is a pretty rural house and comfortable outbuildings.  He has bought and fed considerable stock, principally hogs and cattle, and is one of the sturdy, honest farmers of Christian County.  Socially he is a member of the “Knights of the Horse”, and politically a Republican.  In his religious views he is a Methodist. 

         His father, Rufus Brown, is one of the pioneers of Stone County.  He was born in Wilkes County, N. C., January 9, 1819, to the union of James and Nancy (Brookshire) Brown, natives of the Old North State, the father born in Wilkes and the mother in Randolph County.  The entire lives of the parents were spent in that State.  She was a worthy member of the Baptist Church.  Mr. Brown was a farmer, and the son of James Brown, of North Carolina.  The latter and wife passed all their days in North Carolina.  They were the parents of ten children, as follows: Joseph, Thomas, Frank, Eli, Samuel, James, Susan, Humphrey and Elizabeth.  There was another not remembered.  William Brookshire, father of Mrs. Nancy Brown, was a farmer, and died in Wilkes County, N. C.  Rufus B. Brown, the father of our subject, was the twelfth in order of birth of fourteen children: Eli, William, Rebecca, Nancy, Benjamin, James, John, Thomas, Joel, Elizabeth, Riley, Rufus B., Wilson and Alfred.  Rufus B. Brown was married first in 1841 to Miss Ruth Barnes, daughter of Brindley and Sally Barnes, who died in Wilkes County, N. C.  Mrs. Brown was born in that county, and died in Christian County, Mo., in 1874.  The following year Mr. Brown married Miss Susannah M. McCrosky, a native of Sullivan County, Tenn., born in 1832, and the daughter of William B. McCroskey, who came to Christian County just before the war.  He was a farmer and died in this county.  In 1851 Mr. Brown came by ox-team to Greene County, Mo., and was six weeks and three days on the road.  After living one year on Grand Prairie he located in the woods where he now resides, fifteen miles north of Galena, where he has 320 acres, 100 acres of which are cleared.  He was one of the first settlers of this region, and is one of the best known citizens.  He was an infantry man in the North Carolina Militia in an early day, and in 1838 served in collecting the Indians of North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, etc., and delivering them over to the cavalry for removal west.  He served three years in the Civil War, and was mustered out March 18, 1865.  He was first in Company F, Fourteenth Missouri State Militia, about a year, and then in Company B., Eighth Missouri State Militia, until the close, operating in Missouri and Arkansas.  He was in the Marmaduke fight at Springfield and one at Ozark.  Although in many skirmishes and engagements he was never captured or wounded.  He and wife are worthy members of the Methodist Church, and although formerly a Democrat in politics, he is now in union with the Republican party.  Mrs. William Brown’s father, Jonathan D. White, was one of the prominent farmers of Stone County.  He was born in Roane County, Tenn., in 1814, to the marriage of Joseph D. and Margaret (Coffer) White.  Joseph D. White died at Mobile, Ala., while a soldier under Jackson, in the War of 1812.  He was a teacher and a son of William White, who died in North Carolina.  Joel Coffer, the maternal grandfather of Mr. White, died in North Carolina, as did his wife.  Jonathan D. White was married in 1841 to Miss Elizabeth Ann Estes, daughter of John C. Estes.  He was one of the early settlers of Stone County, and one of its most extensive farmers.

 

HON. J. J. BRUTON

 

         There are men, and the number is by no means small, who drift into what we are accustomed to look upon as the learned profession in the same way that thousands of men in the lower walks of life drift into the ordinary bread-winning occupations.  Having no special preference for any calling, and without feeling that they have any particular fitness for a certain profession, they find themselves drifting in that direction as a result of associations or environment, and in the course of time they find themselves shouldering responsibilities for which they have scant liking, carrying burdens which rest heavily upon them, and laboring in a field which has for them no attraction other than what is yielded in the way of annual incomes.  The prominent lawyer whose name heads this sketch impresses even those who meet him in a casual way as a man who has drifted easily and naturally into his calling, who realizes he has made no mistake in the choice of his vocation, and feels thoroughly at home in the position which he occupies.  This first impression deepens as a more intimate acquaintance and familiarity with his life leads to the unbiased and impartial view that the success he has achieved is the logical sequence of talent rightly used, together with energy and industry never misapplied.  Mr. Bruton is a native of this State, born in Greene (now Christian) County, February 22, 1845, to the union of Thomas and Lavina (Scott) Bruton, both natives of Maury County, Tenn.  The grandparents, David and Nancy Bruton, were natives of Tennessee, and were among the early settlers of that State.  The name, Bruton, is of French and Irish origin.  The grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and was also in the Mexican War.  About 1843 he came to Missouri and took up a claim in Webster County, near Henderson, and there passed the remainder of his days, dying October 1, 1868.  His wife died in 1889.  They were the parents of the following children: Thomas (subject’s father); Hiram, who died in October, 1848; Dorcas, wife of Frederick Branstutter, resides in Webster County; Benjamin died just after the war; Terrell P. died while he was representing Douglas County in the Legislature, and while holding his third term; Eddie, wife of Edward Cordwill, died at Waldo, this State, April 14, 1874; Clerinda, wife of Mark Hatfield, resides in Texas; J. T., living at Carl Junction, is a prominent physician and a member of the Baptist Church, and minister of that Church; D. P. also a physician and a minister in the Christian Church, died in 1886; Miles died in Webster County in 1889; and Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Merril McDonald, resides in Webster County.  The early members of this family were with the Hardshell Baptist Church, and were Whigs and later Republicans in politics.  Several of the above mentioned sons were in the Civil War, and Terrell was captain of a Missouri regiment.  Miles was also a soldier, and several others took part in the war.

         The father of our subject was a young man when he came to this part of the country, but previous to settling in Greene County he married Miss Lavina Scott.  Our subject was but six months old when his father entered the land on which Sparta now stands.  This was in 1845, and he made a home about a quarter of a mile south of the town, where he reared his family.  He was a Republican in politics.  In connection with farming he also taught school, and was thus engaged for many years.  He was well educated for his day, and being a cripple and not able to work hard, taught for the most part, being one of the first educators of the county.  He owned a tract of about 300 acres and his sons carried on the farm.  Mr. Bruton was a member of the Hardshell Baptist Church and a most worthy Christian.  He held the office of justice of the peace and county assessor for a number of years, and took a deep interest in politics, as he did in all enterprises of a laudable nature.  Our subject’s maternal grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth Scott, were of old Tennessee families.  They came to this county and settled at Scott Spring in 1843, and there received their final summons.  The original of this notice was one of five children, as follows: David, who died before the war; Lucinda A. married W. T. Guthery, who is deceased, but who resided in Sparta for many years, and who was a soldier during the Civil War (only one of their three children is living, Olive J., who makes her home in Sparta with her mother); James J. (subject); Benjamin B., who is a farmer, resides two miles west of Sparta, he is also a minister in the Baptist Church; and Nancy J., wife of L. R. Bramon, of Sparta.  The mother of these children was a member of the Methodist Church.  Benjamin B. and James J., our subject, were soldiers in the Rebellion, the latter serving in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry.  He was reared on the old home place, secured a fair education in the country schools, and assisted his mother on the farm until the 7^th of April, 1862, when he enlisted in Company M, Fourth Missouri Cavalry, State Militia, as a bugler.  He was only seventeen years of age when he enlisted, and he was with his regiment on the Price raid through Missouri.  He served principally in Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas.  He participated in the Marmaduke fight at Springfield, and after that he was in many fights with bushrangers, such as the James boys, etc.  He was at Jefferson City, Booneville, Independence, Big Blue, Lamar and Fort Scott, besides many other skirmishes.  He was discharged April 7, 1965, after serving three years to a day.  After the war he came to his old home, which he found in a bad condition, but began immediately to make improvements.

         He was married on the 11^th of November 1866, to Miss Margaret A. Farmer, daughter of Jackson and Nancy Farmer, a native of Christian County, born February 24, 1849.  Following his marriage Mr. Bruton bought a tract of land near the old home, and built a house on Main Street in Sparta, his being the first house in that town.  He cultivated his land up to 1869, when he erected a store building and embarked in general merchandising.  This he followed successfully until 1891, when he retired.  He has considerable real estate and he erected the Sparta Roller Mill in company with W. G. Holland and H. H. Lee, who is an old pioneer of this place.  Mr. Bruton studied law at an early day, and is now engaged in the practice of the same.  He has held a number of prominent offices and has always advocated the principles of the Republican party.  He was deputy sheriff for four years, and in 1892 he was elected to represent the county in the Legislature with 794 majority, thus showing his popularity.  Mrs. Bruton died on the 1^st of October, 1885.  She was a member of the Baptist Church and a true Christian.  To Mr. and Mrs. Bruton were born two children: James W. and Lillie Leotta, the latter the wife of W. G. Holland, of Sparta.  The latter is manager of the roller mill and a first-class businessman.  James W. is a graduate of the Barnes Medical College, class of 1893, and is now practicing at Sparta.  Socially the family stand high in the community, and are leaders in business and social circles.  Mr. Bruton is a very popular man, has a host of warm friends, and both parties gave him their support.  He has a law and real estate office at Sparta and is doing a good business.  Socially he is a Mason, a member of Sparta Lodge No. 296, and also a member of the I.O.O.F., Sparta Lodge No. 424.  He has represented the latter lodge in the Grand Lodge.  He is also a member of the G.A.R. Post No. 269, of which he is commander.  His son, Dr. Bruton, is also a Mason, as is Mr. Holland.  Our subject has one grandchild, Nora Holland, a bright little girl.  Mr. Bruton is at this time a candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney of Christian County, with a good prospect before him for election.

HON. SIMEON W. BUNCH

 

         The fortunate possessor of 205 acres of as good land as there is in the beautiful township of Sparta, our subject is one of the progressive farmers and representative citizens of Christian County, Mo., where he has long made his home.  He came originally from Simpson County, Ky., born in 1832, and his parents, William and Malinda (Roark) Bunch, were probably natives of Tennessee, where they were reared and married.  About 1831 the parents moved to Simpson County, Ky., and there the father died about 1833, when in the prime of life.  He was a farmer by occupation and a soldier during the Black Hawk War.  He was a son of Calloway and Nancy Bunch, who died in Warren County, Ky., when our subject was but a boy.  The latter belonged to the old Virginia family of Bunches.  After the death of her husband, the mother of our subject married Joseph Cook, of Kentucky, and in 1837 removed with him to Taney County, Mo., where Mr. Cook died a few years later.  Afterward Mrs. Cook made her home with her children and died at the home of her son in Miller County, Mo., about 1883.  She was a Freewill Baptist in her religious views.  When she and her husband first settled in Taney County their nearest neighbor was ten miles away and the country was a wilderness inhabited by Indians and wild animals.  Our subject is the youngest of three sons and two daughters: William died during the war and left a family; Nancy was the wife of J. B. Cook and died many years ago, leaving a family (Mr. Cook was murdered for his money during the war); James was a farmer and was in the East Missouri Militia during the war (he died in Miller County, Mo., about 1887); and Elizabeth died in Kentucky when young.

         Simeon W. Bunch was reared on a farm in Taney County amid the rude surroundings of pioneer life and had limited educational advantages.  He remained with his mother until grown, and in 1885 was married to Miss Martha Jackson, a native of Greene County, Mo., who bore him eleven children as follows: John M., a merchant at Little Beaver, Douglas County, Mo.; James died, in Ozark, leaving a family; William Berry married Miss Elizabeth Fitch, who died, leaving four children, two now living; Mary Elizabeth, wife of A. C. A. Sechler; Charles M., clerk at Ozark; Eliza M. married John W. Fitch and died, leaving two sons; Alex, married Miss Laura Adams and died, leaving his widow and an infant; Benjamin F., now of Texas, married Miss Blanche Wood, daughter of J. B. Wood; Martha A. is the wife of Wesley Eledge, of Carroll County, Mo.; Ellen and Elbert, twins, are at home.  Mr. Bunch lived in Taney County until 1862, when he removed to Polk County, Iowa, but remained there only about a year, when he moved to Illinois.  From there he moved to California, Mo., and in 1866 purchased a farm in Jasper County, Mo., where he made his home until 1886, when, owing to the ill health of his family, he returned to his old home in Taney County.  There he resided until March 4, 1889, when he came to his present farm.  He is engaged in stockraising and grain growing, also raises considerable fruit, and has one of the best farms in the county.  Although born in the South, Mr. Bunch was a stanch Union man during the war, but never took an active part.  He was never molested by either army.

 Since his first presidential vote, which was cast for James Buchanan in 1856, he has affiliated with the Democratic Party and he has held many of the county offices.  In 1856 he was elected assessor of Taney County and held that position for two years, when Taney County included a part of Christian, Stone and Douglas Counties, and embraced his present farm.  In 1858 he was appointed to the same office, holding that position two years, and so ably and well did he discharge the duties of the same, that he was re-elected in 1860, serving until interfered with by the war.  In 1870 he was elected to represent Taney County in the Legislature and served on the committee on county and county boundary, etc., and introduced several important measures, although none became laws.  Again his services were appreciated and he was re-elected in 1872.  In 1874 he was offered the nomination, and was even solicited by Republicans, but refused to accept the nomination.  In 1892 he was prevailed upon to accept the nomination for the same office in Christian County, but positively refused.  He is a prominent Mason and now holds membership in Friend Lodge No. 352, at Ozark.  For many years this worthy citizen has been a deacon in the Missionary Baptist Church, and the entire family hold membership in the same.  Mr. Bunch is very familiar with the pioneer days of Taney County, and contended with the hardships and privations incident to that early period.  In those days people went to Boonville with ox teams to do their marketing and were five or six weeks in making the trip.  The nearest mill was north of Springfield, fifty-four miles away, and when attending church, the men carried their guns to protect themselves from wild animals.

 

JAMES E. BUNYARD

 

         This gentleman has long been connected with the farming interests of Douglas County, Mo., and has shown himself to be a thrifty, progressive and energetic agriculturist.  He was born in Tennessee March 14, 1845, and in that State both his parents, James and Nancy (Poiner) Bunyard, were also born and reared.  The father was a soldier of the Mexican War and died in Chattanooga, Tenn., in 1851, having followed the occupation of farming.  His wife was born December 8, 1815, a daughter of John Poiner, who died in Missouri.  Mrs. Bunyard removed to Arkansas in 1851, and after residing in Arkansas until 1852, came to Greene County, Mo., settling about fifteen miles from Springfield, where she died on a farm May 15, 1866, after having reared, alone, her children to honorable maturity.  She and her husband were members of the Baptist Church.  The paternal grandfather, Ephraim Bunyard, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and died in Texas.  James Bunyard was married prior to his marriage with Miss Poiner and by his first wife became the father of one child, Amanda J., who lives in Texas.  His second union resulted in the birth of three children: John, who served three years as a soldier during the Civil War and is now a farmer of Putnam County, Mo.; Polly is the wife of William Cox, of Stone County, Mo., and James E.  The latter was reared in Missouri and in 1862, at the age of seventeen years, enlisted in a company of Home Guards, but at the end of three months became a member of Company F, Eighth Missouri Cavalry, and was with that command three years and eight days, taking part in the engagements at Prairie Grove, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Devall’s Bluff and numerous skirmishes.  During his service he was sick for about eighteen months and suffers from the effects of his service to the present day.  He voted for Lincoln at Little Rock during the war and has ever since voted the Republican ticket.  He filled the office of sheriff of Douglas County from 1882 to 1884, has always been active in the political affairs of the county, is one of the leading businessmen of this section and is an honest, upright and useful citizen.  He belongs to Ava Lodge No. 305 of the A. F. & A. M. and he is also a member of the I. O. O. F.  He is the owner of a farm of 200 acres nine miles southwest of Ava and is giving considerable attention to stockraising, buying and shipping, which business has proven both remunerative and agreeable. 

         He was married in Christian County to Miss Eva A., the daughter of Elias and Elizabeth (Payne) Roller, who were born in Virginia and Tennessee, respectively, the former in 1812 and the latter in 1818.  In 1859 they came to Missouri, and, after residing for some time in the vicinity of Springfield, came to Douglas County, where the father died in 1887.  He was a son of Henry Roller and to him and wife a family of twelve children were born, ten of whom are living: Andy, a resident of Tennessee; Enoch, a farmer of Douglas County, Mo.; Jacob, who is a resident of Virginia; Sarah (Fulton) lives in Greene County, Mo.; Dolly A. died young; Eve (Mrs. Bunyard); Henry, a resident of the Indian Territory; Hyman, who also lives there; William also resides there; Elias died at the age of fifteen years; Eddie is married and lives in Texas, and Arthur, who lives in Texas.  Mrs. Bunyard was born April 15, 1844, and of ten children born to herself and husband, six are living: John W. died when young; James H. married a daughter of Dr. Small; Joseph died at the of six years; Nancy A. and Elias A. were twins, the former being the wife of Samuel Felton, a farmer of this county; Lois L.; Robert L. died at the age of twelve; Ida B.; Andrew V., who died at the age of six months, and Ivy Dell.  Mr. Bunyard and wife are justly considered among the best people of the county and have reared an honorable family.

                                               

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