and filled the office he was elected to in the Legislature for two years, 1865-66, with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. He moved to Pettis County in the fall of 1866, where he now owns a nice farm of forty acres. He is a consistent member of the M. E. Church, South, and among its liberal contributors.

S. MATTHEWS.

Post-office, Beaman. One of the enterprising men of Pettis County is Mr. Matthews. He was born September 13, 1824, in Virginia, and when quite young his parents moved to Muskingum County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was married in 1845 to Miss Mary A. Sperry, daughter of Rev. Joseph Sperry. This union has blessed them with ten children: Lee, Charles J., John F., H. L., S. G., Avilda, Auglin, Sarah, Lillie and Elman. In 1866 he came to Pettis County, Mo., where he has since lived. He now owns a fine farm of fifty acres, with good buildings, and everything looks as though it were under the direction of a skillful manager.

Post-office, Beaman. Farmer. Among the many pioneers of Pettis County, is Mr. Pollard, who is one of Missouri's noble sons, and who was born in Madison County in 1833, and was there raised until 1845, when his parents emigrated to Pettis County and located near Flat Creek, where they lived for about one year, then they moved to section twentyone, township forty-six, range twenty, where the subject of this sketch. grew to manhood. He has spent nearly all his life in this State, except a few years he was in Illinois. He was married Feb. 13, 1868, to Mrs. Mattie E. Claggett. She is a lady of refined tastes. This union has blessed them with one child, Nellie. Mr. Pollard and wife are consistent members of the M. E. Church, South, and always among its liberal contributors and supporters. He now owns a fine farm of 100 acres, and is numbered among the successful men of the township.

W. W. POLLARD.

Post-office, Beaman. Farmer. One of the pioneers of Pettis County, Mo., and was born July 2, 1829, in Bedford County, Va., and when he was about three years of age his parents emigrated to Madison County, Mo., and lived there until 1845, when they moved to Pettis County, locating near Flat Creek, where they lived for about one year; then moved to Bowling Green Township, where his parents were called to their long home and he grew to manhood. In 1850, he went to California and engaged in mining, which he followed for sixteen years, and farmed one year. He kept a hotel one year, and in 1866 he returned to Pettis County, Mo. He was married December 25, 1849, to Miss Martha J. Wright, who died Sep

tember, 1850. He was again married Nov. 1, 1868, to Miss C. A. Walker, and this union was blessed with five children: Rosie E., Viola Belle, Mary V., Joseph N. and Jesse B., deceased. In 1870, he moved to his present location, where he owns a farm of seventy-six acres. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and a zealous worker for the cause. His father's sketch will also be found in this work.

BENJAMIN PORTER.

Post-office, Beamen. Farmer. The subject of this sketch is a native of Pettis County, born in 1846, and was here educated and grew to manhood. He is now on the old home and carrying on the farm of 420 acres. It has some fine buildings on it. His father was one of the pioneers of Pettis County. His name was B. J. Porter. He was born March 4, 1801, in Madison County, Va., and moved to Bedford County in the same State. He was there educated and attained his majority. He was joined in the holy bonds of wedlock Nov. 9, 1824, to Miss L. R. Joplin. She was born in 1804 and is now living at a good old age. This union was blessed with nine children, whose names are as follows: Martha G., William B., Thomas E., Benjamin, Annie E., Sarah F., Mary V., James J. and Jessie J. Mr. B. I. Porter left Virginia in 1832, and traveled with team to Madison County, Mo., and from there to Pettis County, in 1883, locating where the subject of this sketch now lives. He was one of the pioneers of this county, and the hungry and needy always found plenty at his table. He was a zealous worker for the advancement of the cause of the M. E. Church, South, and his house was called the home of the weary, and he gave liberally to all enterprises that he thought would enhance the welfare of the people. He entered five hundred acres of land and improved it. He was called to his long home, Jan. 7, 1877, leaving many friends to mourn his loss.

REV. E. K. PORTER.

Post-office, Beaman. The subject of this sketch is a pioneer and much honored and esteemed citizen, who was born Jan. 24, 1814, in Bedford County, Va. When he was about nineteen years of age, or in 1832, he emigrated to Madison County, Mo., traveling all the way by land. He was joined in wedlock in 1835, to Miss S. O. Collins; she was a native of Kentucky. This union was blessed with two children, Martha E. and L. Mary. His wife died August, 1846. He was again married October, 1847, to Miss N. A. Bennett, This union has been blessed with eleven children whose names are as follows: William E., Rosie Lee, Amanda E., James P., Ellen J., Hannah P., Joseph, E. N., Ruth G., Cora B. and Samuel B. In May, 1852, he came to Pettis County, Mo., locating where he now lives on a fine farm of 238 acres. He is a zealous worker for the cause of

humanity, and has been identified with the M. E. Church, South, since quite small, and is much respected by those who know him.

THOMAS P. POTTER.

Farmer; post-office, Clifton City. The subject of this sketch is one of Missouri's noble sons, and was born Jan. 1, 1828, in Cooper County. His father was one of the first settlers of this part of the county. John Potter, father of our subject, was born 1783, in Bedford County, Va., and when quite small he emigrated to Kentucky. He was married in 1811 to Miss Edgar, a native of Kentucky, and this union was blessed with eleven children, M. R., George, Mary, William, Jane, Samuel, Thomas P., Penola A., Martha A., Larkin D., Dolly P. His father came to Pettis County, and located on the line of Pettis and Cooper Counties in 1822, and was among the first settlers. He died in 1864, and the mother in 1864. The subject of this sketch went to California about the year 1850, and remained there a few years; then returned to Pettis County, and was married in 1869 to Miss Lucy M. Wear. This union was blessed with three children, Mary, Robert A. and James M. When our country was involved in war, he offered his services and was Captain of the home militia, and also for a short time in the State service. He began business for himself with quite limited capital, but through his good management, he now owns a fine farm of 569 acres of good land. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church and among its liberal contributors and supporters.

CAP. JOHN M. SNEED.

Farmer and stock raiser; post-office, Sedalia. One of Pettis County's business men. He is a native of Kentucky, and was born in 1826. He was there educated and grew to manhood. He was married in his native State in 1844 to Miss Mary Stewart, a lady of fine taste and culture. This union has blessed them with ten children, eight of whom are now living, Margaret M., William S., Sallie, Robert C., John B., George V., Frank, Harry, Alexender and Clarence. Mr. Sneed became impressed with the idea that Missouri offered great advantages to men of energy, and accordingly came to Pettis County, in 1854, locating where he now lives, when it then was all wild prairie for a great distance around. He has improved a fine farm and has first class buildings, with a fine orchard. The farm consists of 800 acres. When our country became involved in war, he offered his services and was appointed Captain of Co. D. 40th E. M. M., Oct. 15, 1862, and served until about 1864, when he was honorably discharged and returned to his quiet home.

BENJ. F. STEELMAN.

Post-office, Beaman. Farmer. One of the pioneers of Pettis County. His father and mother were among the first settlers. He was born, Aug. 22, 1838, in Shelby County, Tenn., and he came to this county in 1855, and has since made this his home. He now owns a fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres, and he is a successful business man of his township. He was married to Miss L. Embree, and her father is one of the old settlers of the county. This union has blessed them with six children: Tolson C., Noah, Jefferson, Sophia M., William and Embrey O. Mr. Steelman is a member of the Baptist Church.

DR. BENJ. E. VAN BURKLEO.

Post-office, Beaman. The subject of this sketch is a native of St. Charles County, Mo. Born, Feb. 22, 1841. He was there developed to manhood. He is a graduate of St. Louis Medical College, and he stands high in his profession. He came to Pettis County, Mo., in 1873, and first located at Beaman station, and in 1875 he moved to his present location, one and one-half miles north of the Beaman station. He was married to Miss Mary E. Smith, and this union has blessed them with six children: Samuel E., Charles E., George G., Ethel B., Herbert S. and Thurman Smith. The Dr. has a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres, with a fine house on the same.

JUDGE A. M. WRIGHT.

Farmer. One of the oldest settlers now living in Pettis County, and among its most worthy pioneers, deserving of more special mention than the limits of this brief sketch will permit. He was born in Alabama in 1818, and his father, Daniel Wright, was born Aug. 4, 1784. He was about to join the army in the war of 1812, when it closed; thus he got the name "Col." He came to Pettis County in 1831, and died, Feb. 1874, leaving many friends to mourn his loss. The subject of this sketch came with his parents to this county in 1831. He has since made this his home. In 1847-48 he made several trips to Mexico, engaged in the freighting business. He was married in 1841 to Miss Hypasia Isabel, and this union has blessed them with three children, two of whom are now living: Adeline Eliza, (now Mrs. Porter,) and Margaret and William. In 1851 he went to Iowa, where he lived for four years; he then returned to his home in Pettis County. When our country was involved in war Mr. Wright offered his services, and enlisted in what is known as Ben Butler's company. At the close of the war he was appointed Judge of the county court, and after serving out his appointment he was elected to the office for the term of six years, and filled it with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. The Judge says he is a true specimen of a back-woods

man, and that he is proud of it. now one hundred and ten acres. his neighborhood and county.

He has given his children land, and has
He is much honored and esteemed in

CHAPTER XX.-ELK FÜRK TOWNSHIP.

Introduction - Name-Physical Features - Organization - Early Settlers ChurchesAgriculture-Roads-Advantages--Political-Biographical.

When we are about to tread upon unknown ground it is prudent that we be careful where we set our feet. If the ground is known to be sacred, a hallowed spot of old, then how appropriate that we rest here a while. When the pioneers came to the wild forest, with an old flint-lock rifle for defense, and an ax for a civilizer, they little thought of the results for which they had commenced to hew the way.

The Bible, to them, was a lamp that guided them through all the dark days of that time. In reference to God they could say: "My faith looks up to thee." In those days existed truth, sociability, and Godly fear. Men trusted God because of his unbounded love for them. They loved their fellows because they had a common interest in them. They that are yet living, with tearful eyes relate the story of their hardships, and continue to call that day a happy time-far more enjoyable than the many luxuries, that have crowded about them in their last years.

In our brief discussion of the township we shall, no doubt, fail to do it justice. From the time the settlers found an asylum in this beautiful township they have prospered; even while the war was at its height this little rural district, although it furnished numerous volunteers on both sides, continued to prosper, and even during the close times of 1873-8 those farmers who had not involved themselves unnecessarily were not embarrassed.

We shall attempt to give the old settlers a prominent part in this chapter, a place they deserve. The name of the township will be very briefly discussed in its various relations, that the reader may know something of its origin. The location will be given, appropriately followed by a short treatise on its physical features. It may be that we have failed to get all the facts that are deserving of mention, but if this failure has occurred, it is because they were not accessible at the time of compilation,

NAME. All our early settlers appear to have been fond of drawing on nature's laboratory for derivation of the local names of places, and those names which now appear odd to the present generation were appropriate in the day on which they were given. Elk Fork Township derives its name from the creek of that name, which flows through it and into the Muddy. The creek was given its name by the early hunters, from the