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| John J. Jones of Versailles, was born October 26, 1861. His father
is Jesse B. Jones who was born in Morgan county, Missouri, March 17, 1840.
John J’s mother was Mary F. Jones (Nee Porter), born in Missouri June 16,
1844. Jesse B. Jones makes his home with his son John, in Versailles.
John’s mother died in Morgan county, Missouri in July 1896. The following
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jesse B. Jones: John J., aged 55 in
11916; T.L. Jones, 52; Mrs. C.J. Sims, 50; L.E. Jones died in 1900; Joe
Jones, 42; Alma Mieggs, 40.
Jesse B. Joes was a farmer by occupation an lived many years five or six miles south of florence where he raised his family. For many years Jesse B. served the people in his township as Justice of the Peace, usually being elected without opposition because the people had confidence in him as a citizen and inhis disposition to be just and fair with all men. Since his wife died he has been making his home with his children, chiefly with John J. John J. Jones, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public and private schools of Morgan county. After finishing his work in there schools he taught several terms of school and was counted among the best teachers of the county. He has been a member of the M. E. Church, South, for 34 years and is now one of the leaders in Sunday school and church work. May 1, 1991, he married Katie M. Brunkhorst, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Brunkhorst, of Florence. One child has been born to them, Alma a. Jones, aged 11 years in 1916. Retiring from teaching and from farming, Mr. Jones, having studied law privately, was admitted t the bar in December 1 1901. Since his admission to the bar he has been successful as a lawyer and is among the leaders of the Versailles bar. In 1910 he was elected circuit clerk and recorder of Morgan county, as a Democrat, over a strong opponent, and served until January 1, 1915. Since 1911 Mr. Jones has lived inVersailles where he and his family have many friends. |
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| Edward Grant Blackman was born in Morgan County, Missouri, October
1, 1868. He is the son of Elisha B. and Adaline Blackman.
Elisha Blackman was born in Connecticut, July 20, 1822, and Adaline Blackman was born near Wilkesberry, Pa., June 22, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Blackman came to Morgan County from Joliett, Illinois, in 1866. They settled in the western part of Morgan County, a little southwest of where Stover now is. Elisha Blackman died on this homestead January 8, 1879, and the widow now eighty six years old, is living with her son, Edward G. Blackman, on this homestead. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Blackman, viz: William H. Blackman, Nelson D. Blackman, Howard L. Blackman, Mrs. S. E.Gray, Mrs. L.S. Hottman, Mrs. W.P. McKean, Edward G. Blackman. Charles Blackman died in 1850 at Joliett, Illinois. Elisha Blackman was a farmer by occupation and prospered in this industry. He was one of the pioneer citizens of Morgan County, substantial, honest and neighborly, thus leaving a monument to his memory that endureth to this day. Edward G. Blackman, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Morgan County. He is a farmer by occupation and has been a member of the Methodist church for over twenty years. He has been a member of the Modern Woodmen lodge fifteen years. October 30, 1890, he was married to Frances Edna Feiandt, and to this unnion the following children were born: Gertrude, Ralph, Reed J., Charles Dewey, Claude E., Cora L., Jessie Irene, and Bessie and Marie, twins. A son Clyde, died February 28, 1909. The oldest daughter, Gertrude, is head stenographer for the Columbian Hog & Cattle Powder Co., of Kansas City. The next oldest child, Ralph, is a graduate of Spaulding Business College, of Kansas City, and is at present (1916) deputy circuit clerk and recorder of Morgan County under his fther who was elected circuit clerk and recorder in 1914. Mr. Blackman is now in the middle of his four year term. He has made a good county official, has made many friends, has the confidence of the people and will have no trouble getting the place again should he ask for it. Mr. Blackman owns a good farm andis prosperous and makes the county a first class citizen. |
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| Will L. Stephens, of Versailles is cashier of the Bank of Versailles,
an institution with which he has been connected since 1882.
He was born in Cooper County, Missouri, August 27, 1848. He is the
son of Wm. H. and Maria Stephens, both of whom were born in Cooper County
and both of whom died there and are buried at Bunceton. Six children
were born to Wm. H. and Maria Stephens, three sons and one daughter are
dead. There are two living children – Will L. Stephens, subject of
this biography, and R. A. Stephens who was a successful Cooper County farmer.
Will L. Stephens was educated in Cully and Simpson Institute, Cooper County. He has been a member of the Methodist church since 1868 and has always ben a pillar in the organization and has been one of the men in the church that could be counted on to bring things to pass. He has been a member of the I.O.O.F. since 1874. On October 7, 1875, Mr. Stephens was married to Eliza Roache, of California, Missouuri. She was the daughter of R. Q. Roache, an old banker and capitalist of that town. Mrs. Stephens died September 8, 1915, at her home in Versailles. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephens: Emma, wife of Dr. Griffin, of Des Moines, Iowa; Rebecca, wife of G. M. Hargett, of Versailles. Mr. Hargett is state bank examiner. Carrie, wife of George A. Krauss, merchant of Versailles; W. A. Stephens, of St. Louis; Maria, wife of Charles Kardell, druggist of Versailles; Robert W. Stephens, at home; Howard, telegraph operator, now at Union, Missouri and Miss Alpha, at home. Notwithstanding his age Mr. Stephens is the active cashier of the Bank of Versailles, aninstitution he has been proud of these many years and one that he has seen grow from a small bank to one of the best state banks in the state. He is a hard worker and he has helped hundreds of men who were struggling for existence. He has served as mayor of Versailles and school director for many years. He served the county as treasurer and in all places he has made good and made friends. |
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| J. S.Boyce, present probate judge of Morgan County, was born in Osage
County, Missouri, April 16, 1857. He is the son of Thomas J. Boyce
and Mary A. Hawkins Boyce. His father was born in Tennessee in 1832
and his mother was born in Missouri in 1836. Thomas J. Boyce
came from Tennessee to Osage County in about 1850. Judge J. S. Boyce
came to Morgan County from Warsaw in the year 1896. His parents are
both dead. The father died in Osage County in 1896 and his mother
in 1901, in the same county. He has four brothers and one sister
living, one brother and one sister dead. The oldest sister, Sarah
Berry died at the age of 52. W. A. Q. Boyce, a brother, is 57; Samuel
L., 41; Henry died in infance, and the others are L. W., Mary E., and W.
R. Boyce.
J. S. Boyce was educated in the public schools of Osage County and Hoopers Institute t Clarksburg. He has been a member of the church about forty years and a member of the W.O.W. about nine years. He was married in 1890 to Theodocia Merriott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Merriott, of Versailles. Four children have been born to them, Clarence, aged 23; Alvin and Melva, twins, aged 18; and Fern, aged 14. Judge Boyce has served Morgan County as public administrator and is now (1916) in the middle of his four year term as probate judge. He taught school thirty-one years. He has a record of the names and ages of all pupils that ever enrolled in his school. He was an officer in the Missouri State Training School for Boys at Boonville more than two years. In all positions wherein placed Judge Boyce has always has the confidence of he public and has wrought well. |
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| Francis Marion Napier, living in Versailles, was born in Case
County, Kentucky, February 1, 1846. He is the son of William C. and
Elizabeth Napier, who were born in Kentucky. Mr and Mrs. William
Napier came to Morgan County from entucky in 1856. Mrs. William Napier
died in 1888, and William Napier died in 1894. William Napier was
a farmer by occupation. William Napier and wife were the arents f
three children, one boy, Frank Napier and wife, were the parents of three
children, one boy, Frank Napier, subject of this sketch, and two daughters,
Mary, who is dead, and Lucinda, wife of Harrison Jones. Francis Napier
was educated in the public schools of Morgan County. He has been
a member of the Baptist church over thirty years and is a member of the
Red Men lodge of this city.
Mr. Napier has been twice married; he was married in 1880 to Jennie Rummans. This wife died in 1904. Four children were born to this marriage: George, the oldest, is at Sioux Falls, Idaho, where he has a lucrative position; Edward, who is with his brother George; Lizzie, wife of John Morris, and Miss Mary. Mr. Napier is a farmer by occupation. He has served his country as constable, justice of the peace, deputy sheriff and public administrator, and in all of these positions he proved himself effieient. In still another capacity he served his country bravelyand loyally and that was in the capacity of a union soldier during the civil war where he served over two years as a private. He was in the battles of Franklin, Tennessee and nashville in 1864. Was a rear guard for Schofield’s army from Florence, Alabama to Nashville, Tenn. Mr. Napier’s father was also a soldier in this war and served a year. Mr. Napier was married again in 1907 to Amanda Moore, who was a daughter of the late William Berkstresser. He and his wife are now living in Versailles where they have a pretty home and are enjoying life among a people they have known so long. |
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