ELIJAH STOUT.

The subject of this sketch was born in Culpepper county, Virginia, une 24, 1802. When he was but three years of age, his father, Elijah. Stout, Sr., removed to Shelby county, Kentucky, and there our subject was educated and grew up. At the age of thirty-four years he came to Missouri and located in Clay county, where he farmed until the year 1848, and then came to Ray county, Missouri, and bought a farm one mile west of Richmond, known as the Shotwell place. After living upon this farm for seven years, he sold it, purchasing the one upon which he now lives, about five miles southwest of Richmond. He has been all his life engaged in farming. Mr. Stout was married in the year 1826, to Mrs. Nancy Cave, of Woodford county, Kentucky. She died in 1844, and he was again married, to Miss Ann Warder, of Richmond. She, too, died, in 1868, and he was married the third time. His last wife was Miss Lizzie Priest, daughter of Elias Priest, Esq., of Ray county. Mr. Stout belongs to the Missionary Baptist Church, at Albany. He is now well advanced in years. By his enterprise and industry he has earned a competency, and surrounded himself, now, in his declining years, with those material comforts which serve to lengthen out a green old age, and make the evening of life bright and happy.

JOHN STEVINSON.

John Stevinson is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Clark county, that state, on the 18th day of May, 1827. Here he received his education, and lived until he had attained his majority. He was married in Clark county, on the 24th of August, 1848, to Miss Mary Ann Stone, daughter of Dudley Stone, Esq., of that county. He purchased a farm and conducted business upon it until the spring of 1855, when he sold his farm in Kentucky, and removed to Jackson county, Missouri, and located near Lee's Summit. Here he resided until the war troubles of 1863 came. At this time General Thomas Ewing issued his famous "order number eleven,” banishing the people from their homes, and our subject came to Ray county. After renting land for three years, Mr. Stevinson bought a farm in section six, township fifty-one, range twenty-eight, and section one, township fifty-one, range twenty-nine, and has lived there ever since. He has recovered from the losses sustained by the war, and is now in a very prosperous condition. He gives attention chiefly to grain raising, and the breeding of fine varieties of live stock. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevinson, six of whom are living at the present time (April, 1881), named as follows: Mary Elizabeth, Asa, Williamson, James, John, Sarah Mildred. Those dead are: Margaret Ann, Eliza Catherine, and an infant son. Mrs. Stevinson and the eldest daughter belong to the Christian Church.

WILLIS WORLEY.

This gentleman is a native of Jefferson county, Tennessee, and was born on the 17th of January, 1817. His father, Mr. William Worley, Sr., was a large land owner, and an early settler in Tennessee. At the early age of sixteen years, our subject left home and went to Kentucky. During the succeeding fourteen years he led a very nomadic life as a stock drover to the southern markets. In 1849 he went to Illinois, and farmed for one season, and then returned to Kentucky. He was married on the 27th day of September, 1849, to Miss Eliza J. Ogg, daughter of Mr. William Ogg, of Madison county, Kentucky. This estimable lady was educated in Madison county, Kentucky, and during several years of her life, was engaged in teaching school there. She was a very efficient, successful and popular teacher. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Worley returned to Illinois, and lived there until 1854. In the autumn of that year he came to Missouri, and, after stopping, one winter in Lafayette county, settled on a farm three miles northeast of Orrick, in Ray county. In the year 1867 he bought the Wm. Graham farm, adjoining his place, and now has two hundred and twenty acres of valuable land, all in one tract. He added greatly to the beauty and value of his place by erecting, in 1868, a large and commodious dwelling house. Mrs. Worley is a leading member of the Christian Church, at High Point.

L. D. PRIEST.

Luke D. Priest was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, on the 15th day of May, 1819, and there received his education. After two or three successive removals to different parts of Kentucky, his father, Mr. Elias Priest, in 1835, came to Missouri. He spent the winter after his arrival in Saline county, and the next year came to Ray county and remained here until his death. Luke D. Priest was married in 1841, to Miss Sarah J. Goe, daughter of Mr. Noble Goe, of Ray county. After his marriage he farmed for two or three years near the present town of Haller, then selling his farm there, he purchased the one on which he now resides, five miles southwest of Richmond. With the exception of six years he lived near Todd's chapel, Mr. Priest has occupied his present place ever since he first bought it. He served eight years as justice of the peace in Richmond township. In the fall of 1864, he was elected by the democrats to the office of public administrator of Ray county. At the expiration of the term, two years, the law having undergone a change, he was appointed by the probate court to the office for another term. Thus he filled the office of public administrator for eight consecutive years and discharged the duties efficiently and to the entire satisfaction of his constituency. Since he retired from office, he has given his attention almost exclusively, with the exception of one year he had a brick yard at

Richmond, to farming. Mr. Priest and wife became the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living: Margaret J., Sarah A., William D., Charles E., Catlett S., Luke M., Virginia A. and George M. Those dead are: Mary Elizabeth, Robert D., Armand and an infant son. Mr. Priest is a prosperous farmer, a good neighbor and a prominent, highly respected and influential citizen of Ray county.

ELIJAH HAPPY.

Was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, August 2, 1833. He received his education in the schools of his native county, and at the age of seventeen years came with his father to Missouri, and located in Ray county. Ten years later he operated a saw mill for the space of about four years, and then, buying land a few miles southwest of Richmond, he began farming and has continued in that business ever since. Mr. Happy was married on the 21st day of April, 1853, to Miss Marcella E. Reed, daughter of Mr. David Reed, of Carroll county, Missouri. Eleven children were the issue of this union, six of whom are now living, named as follows: Harvey W., John C., James D., Augustus G., Eddie G. and Ursula Alice. Following are the names of those that are dead: Mary C., Fannie L., Virginia A., Elijah S. and George C. Mr. and Mrs. Happy, with three of their children, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Happy is, also, a member of the Richmond Lodge of A. F. & A. M. He owns a fine farm of two hundred acres, in a good state of cultivation; and is one of the most substantial farmers, and valuable citizens of his neighborhood.

GEORGE M. AUSTIN.

The subject of this sketch was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, August 1, 1829. He remained in his native county, occupied in farming, until the year 1856, when he emigrated to Missouri and stopped first for a few months in Cass county. In the month of February, 1857, he came to Ray county, and located on a farm, southeast of the city of Richmond, where he lived until 1865, and then removed to his present place, (section 5, township 50, range 28). He owns one hundred acres of goed land, one half of which is in cultivation, with a neat, comfortable residence and other buildings. Mr. Austin served in the local militia, for six months, in time of the late civil war. He was married in Cass county, Missouri, in the month of December, 1856, to Miss Martha S. Bright, a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky. They became the parents of nine children, six of whom are now living: Jefferson, Mary E., Claudia, Katy, Lucy and Pearl. Mr. Austin and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. He is a well-to-do farmer, and an influential and public spirited citizen.

JAMES VANDEVEER.

James Vandeveer is a native of Ray county, Missouri. He was born, December 28, 1850, and has lived, all his life, in this county. His father, Louis Vandeveer, is a native of Kentucky, and settled in this county in the year 1839. Mr. Vandeveer has been engaged, since leaving school, at farming. He owns a fine farm of two hundred acres, half of which is in cultivation, and well improved and stocked. He is engaged, to a considerable extent, in raising good breeds of live-stock. He also deals in stock. Mr. Vandeveer was married in this county, February 27, 1873, to Miss Ann Offutt, a native, also, of Ray county, Missouri. They are the parents of five children, living: Perry, Cora, Esley, and Charles. Mr. Vandeveer is a rising and prosperous young farmer and stock-raiser, and a valuable member of the community.

A. B. REMLEY.

Arthur B. Remley was born in Ray county, Missouri, September 12, 1856. He is the son of Adam and Pulaski H. Remley. His father was a native of Kentucky. His mother was born in Virginia, and is yet living in this county. Mr. Remley was married, in this county, April 18, 1880, to Miss Rachel Jackson, a native of Ray county, Missouri. They became the parents of one child, Arthur R. Mrs. Remley died March 24, 1881, and her untimely death was deeply mourned by her large circle of relatives and friends. Mr. Remley is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and has also taught school with good success. He is an intelligent, active, enterprising young man, and enjoys the confidence and high regard of the community in which he lives.

WILLIAM ARTMAN.

William Artman was born in Ray county, Missouri, September 26, 1832. He attended the district schools of his father's neighborhood, and worked on the homestead farm until he attained his majority, and then went to Bates county, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming for ten years. At the expiration of that time, he removed to Moniteau county, Missouri, and after living there three years, returned to his native county and has resided here continuously ever since. In 1861, while living in Bates county, Mr. Artman enlisted in company C, 2d Confederate Missouri volunteers, and was in the battles of Carthage, Wilson's Creek and others He was discharged in 1862, on account of physical disability for miliitary service. Mr. Artman was married in this county, September 16, 1875, to Miss Letitia Vandeveer, a native of Barton county, Missouri. They have two children: Angeline and Louis. Mr. Artman is a good, successful farmer, and a respected and valuable citizen.

T. W. GORTON.

Thaddeus W. Gorton was born in Steuben county, New York, April 30, 1834. He received his education and grew to manhood in his native state, and then in the year 1858, he went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and, after remaining there for a time, went to Atchison, Kansas, where he was engaged during the space of four years, in the lumber business. From Kansas he went to Idaho territory, and spent about two years prospecting and exploring in the Rocky mountains, at the expiration of which time he returned to Kansas, and came from there to Ray county, Missouri, in the autumn of 1869, and has resided in this county ever since. He is now engaged in farming and operating a large saw mill. He owns 500 acres of excellent land, 200 acres in cultivation and the balance in pasture and wood lands. He has a good, comfortable residence, and his farm is well stocked and equipped. Mr. Gorton was married August 19, 1868, to Miss Diana Black, a native of the state of Kentucky. They are the parents of one child: Charles L. Mr. Gorton devotes some considerable attention to stock raising, and his farm is well adapted to make that business very successful. He is a valuable member of the community and a good citizen.

R. B. HALIGAN.

Robert B. Haligan was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, March 11, 1856. His parents, William G. and D. A. Haligan, were also natives of the state of Kentucky. They removed, when Robert was fourteen years of age, to Ray county, Missouri, and settled upon the same farm he now occupies. His father died in 1873, and his mother the year following. Mr. Haligan was married on the 14th day of June, 1874, in this county, to Miss Martha Farris, a native of Ray county. They have one child, Robert P. The subject of this sketch has been engaged in farming and stock-raising in this county ever since leaving school. He owns a third interest in his father's homestead, a fine farm of three hundred acres of valuable land, about two hundred acres in a fine state of cultivation and enclosed by good substantial fences. This farm is improved by a comfortable and conveniently arranged dwelling house, a substantial and roomy barn, and other buildings. It is also supplied with an abundance of water for the accommodation of stock, and has a thrifty, bearing orchard. Mr. Haligan is a rising young farmer, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is now serving as justice of the peace, to which office he was appointed by the county court in March, 1881.