ADRIAN GORDAN.

Adrian Gordan is the son of J. D. and Emily B. Gordan. He was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the 9th day of November, 1850. He was educated in the schools of this county, and lived on the farm with his parents until he was twenty years of age. In 1870 he went to Lisbonville and was engaged there in selling goods for about seven years. After the death of his father, which occurred in the month of March, 1877, he returned home and took the management and control of the farm. He has lived there ever since. Mr. Gordon was married March 7, 1872, to Miss Celesta P. Tiffin. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth Tiffin, and was born March 3d, 1853, in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Gordan became the parents of three children, two of whom are living: Grace T., born January 13, 1876; Eva L., born March 12, 1878. Their first child, Beatrice, died October 23, 1874. The homestead of the Gordan family, section sixteen, township fifty-four, range twenty-eight, comprises six hundred and thirty-five acres of excellent land. It is well improved, and in a fine state of cultivation, with good orchards and an abundauce of pure water. Our subject's mother, Mrs. Emily B. Gordan, is a native of Montgomery county, Kentucky. She was born February 1, 1818. She came to Missouri in 1830, and stopped with her parents during the two years in Caldwell county, and then came to this county. She was married to the father of our subject, January 10, 1838. They became the parents of six children, only two of whom are now living: Talitha, born October 15, 1841, and our subject. Mrs. Gordan, since the death of her husband, has continued to live on the old homstead with her son Adrian, who is a rising young farmer, and a valuable and excellent citizen.

D. T. MAYES.

David T. Mayes, a prominent farmer and stock dealer, was born in Ray county, Missouri, on the same farm upon which he now resides, March 2, 1845. He is the son of Wiley and Susan Mayes. His father was born in the year 1800, and came to this county in 1832, he was one of the first settlers in that part of the county, where his son now resides. Our subject laid the foundation of his education in the district schools, and afterwards attended the academy at Knoxville. The further prosecution of his studies at school, was interrupted by the civil war, but possessing strong natural talent, and an ardent desire for knowledge, he has devoted himself ever since to the study of standard books upon a variety of subjects, and reads regularly the current literature of the day. September 17, 1864, Mr. Mayes enlisted in company G, 51st regiment of state militia, Union, and was engaged in several skirmishes. The winter following his enrollment he went to Nebraska with stock and did not return until after the restoration of

peace, in 1865. David T. May's was married December 2, 1875, to Mrs. Margaret A. Saunders, widow of Thomas Saunders and daughter of James and Rachel Noel. She was born in Jackson county, Missouri, February 13, 1851. She is the mother of two children by her first marriage: George E., born December 16, 1870, and James W., born September 10, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Mayes are the parents of one child, Susan R., born August 12, 1877. Mr. Mayes owns a fine farm of four hundred acres of excellent land, all inclosed by good fences, improved with a handsome, comfortable and commodious residence, conveniently arranged, and substantial barns, sheds and other buildings. This place is well watered and admirably adapted to the purposes of a stock farm. Mr. Mayes devotes particular attention to the raising of fine stock, making a specialty of the best breeds of hogs and sheep. In politics Mr. Mayes has always been a Jeffersonian democrat. He takes much interest in politics, and keeps well informed concerning events in the political world, especially those of his own state and county. He is connected with the Ray County Immigration Society, and thoroughly awake to the superior natural advantages his native county offers to the intelligent and industrious emigrant. Having always lived here he is identified with the county's progress, and feels a deep interest in the further development of her material wealth and resources in the future.

WINFIELD MILLER.

The subject of this article was born near Richmond, Ray county, Missouri, September 22, 1853. His father, Felix Miller, was also born in this county. The date of his birth was November 10, 1822. Our subject's grandfather, James Miller, a native of Virginia, came to Ray county, from Tennessee, at an early day. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. Winfield's mother, Sophronia, was born, June 10, 1824, in Tennessee. She came, with her father, to this county, at the age of fifteen years. Winfield Miller, after completing the course in the district school at Richmond, attended a private school, kept by Prof. S. J. Huffaker, for three years. In the fall of 1872 he entered Central College, at Fayette, Howard county, Missouri. He completed the course of study in that institution, and graduated with the degree of A. B. At the age of nineteen years, Mr. Miller engaged in mercantile business; first, for three years at Richmond, and then, in the spring of 1877, moved to Knoxville, where he has since resided, and conducted a general merchandise store, in company with Mr. Gant. Winfield Miller was married, January 5, 1875, to Miss Mary C. Stone, daughter of Doctor J. E. Stone. She was born in Knoxville, Ray county, Missouri, November 14, 1854. Her father was born in this county, in 1822; died November 29, 1857. Her mother, Mary A., was born in Virginia, January 17, 1822, and came to Ray county in 1845.

Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller: Felix E., born October 20, 1875, and William W., born September 11, 1880. In the fall of 1875, Mr. Miller was appointed deputy sheriff under J. C. Brown. He also served in the same capacity under Thomas McGinnis, until January, 1881. He discharged the duties of that office very efficiently, and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He has also held other offices of trust in his township. Although comparatively young, Mr. Miller is a practical business man, and has built up a substantial and flourishing trade at Knoxville. He is highly esteemed and very popular with all his large circle of friends.

JOHN C. TIFFIN, M. D.

Doctor John C. Tiffin was born in Cass county, Ohio, January 20, 1813. He is the son of Doctor Clayton and Catherine Tiffin. He remained in Ohio, attending school, until he was seventeen years of age, and then, going to St. Louis, Missouri, pursued the study of his chosen profession, medicine, for three years, under the instruction of his father and Doctor White. In 1835 he entered the Cincinnati Medical College, and afterward graduated from that school with the degree of M. D. After leaving college he practiced his profession in Clinton county, Ohio, for three years, and then, coming to Missouri, practiced in Clinton county for a short time, and then, in 1842, came to Ray county and established himself permanently where he now resides. Here he has had a very extensive and eminently successful practice. He was the first regular graduate of medicine to settle in that part of the county, and, in making his rounds while visiting patients, he has rode more, perhaps, than any other physician in this section of the country. Doctor Tiffin was married on the 12th day of November, 1835, to Miss Margaret Carder. Three children were born of this marriage, two of whom are now living: Clayton, born February 12, 1837, in Frankfort, Ohio (also a physician), and Edward P., born November 24, 1838. Mrs. Tiffin died in the month of September, 1842, and on the 23d day of April, 1843, Doctor Tiffin was married to Miss Elizabeth H. Whitsett. The issue of this marriage was five children, all but one of whom are yet living: John, born March 15, 1844; (he, too, is a physician); Mary E., born March 28, 1848; William W. (physician), January 12, 1850; Celesta P., born March 3, 1853. Two sons were in the Federal army during the war, and one, Clayton, was captain of a company. Doctor Tiffin owns about seven hundred acres of land. He has a handsomely appointed home, where, having retired from active practice, he will spend the evening of his life in comfort and ease. Perhaps no other professional man in the county has enjoyed the confidence, esteem, and respect of the people of Ray county in a larger degree or for a longer time than Doctor John C. Tiffin.

THOMAS SHIMMIN.

Is an Englishman. He was born in the town of Peel, on the Isle of Man, November 18, 1811. He attended school there, and at the age of fourteen years commenced learning the blacksmith's trade, under his father, Thomas Shimmin, Sr. Before leaving Great Britain for America, he traveled through many parts of England and Scotland. At the age of twenty-four years he immigrated to the United States, landing at Philadelphia, April 13, 1836. He engaged in blacksmithing and carriage making in that city for about two years. February 5, 1838, he enlisted in the dragoon service of the United States. Went from Philadelphia to New York, thence to New Orleans, and from there to the Indian Territory, then to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was blacksmith of company E. Received his discharge February 5, 1841, and then came to Ray county, and stopped for a while at Camden, on the river. He then went to Knoxville, this county, and remained for a time. In 1869, he went to California, but only remained about a year, coming back again to Knoxville, where he has lived ever since working at his trade. Mr. Shimmin has one son, John Henry, born March 30, 1867. Our subject is an excellent workman, and controls a large and profitable patronage.

MAJOR W. P. WITHERS.

William P. Withers is the son of Peter and Evelina A. (Price) Withers. He was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, on the 27th day of September, 1819. The family are of English origin; their ancestors settled in Fauquier county, Virginia, at an early day. Their chief occupation has always been farming. In religion they were Baptists, and in politics whigs, until the dissolution of that body, since which time they have been divided in political sentiment. In 1832 our subject removed with his parents to McLean county, Illinois. Here his parents both died, his mother in 1848, and his father in 1850, at the age of eighty years. His father served as a soldier in the early Indian wars, under General Wayne, "Mad Anthony of the West." William P. Withers was married to Miss Mary E. Coles, in November, 1843. She was a native of Hartford, Indiana, born in 1825. They have had eleven children, only five of whom are now living: George A., Henry C., Nellie, Ned, Allen W. Mrs. Withers died July 17, 1863, and Mr. Withers was married again October 22, 1867, to Miss Mattie J. Grimes, daughter of Major John Grimes. She was born July 18, 1845, in Campbell county, Tennessee. One child was born of this marriage, John G., born October 30, 1868, in Hamilton, Caldwell county, Missouri. In 1843 Mr. Withers removed to Howard county, Missouri, and conducted a hemp factory there for about two years. He then returned to Illinois, and remained there until 1850, when he went to

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the state of California, and engaged in stock-raising near Stockton for about a year, returning to Illinois by sailing vessel via Panama and New York. He continued, after his return, farming in Illinois until 1858, when he was elected sheriff of McLean county, and discharged the duties of that office for a term of two years, under Judge David Davis. In June, 1861, he raised a company of volunteers, and went into camp at Springfield, Illinois. He afterward received a commission as captain of company C, 5th Illinois cavalry, and in the month of February, 1862, left Springfield for the battle-ground. He was engaged in battles of Doniphan, Missouri; Helena, and Vicksburg, Mississippi; besides many others. He was discharged November 2, 1864, and returned home. Soon after going home he was commissioned as major of the same regiment in which he had formerly served, but before he joined the command the war ended. During the time he was in the army he served under Generals Curtis, Prentice, Washburn, Logan, Sherman, and Grant. Mr. Withers removed to Caldwell county, Missouri, and engaged there, for a time, in farming, and then entered the hardware and agricultural implement trade at Hamilton, but was soon compelled to abandon it on account of ill health, and came to Ray county in 1869, and settled upon his present place (section 35, township 54, range 28), and has lived there ever since. He owns 230 acres of land, the greater portion of which is in cultivation and well improved. He has been a member of the Missionary Baptist Church since he was seventeen years old. He is also a member of Royal Arch Chapter A. F. & A. M. In politics, Mr. Withers has always been a republican. He was a member of the earliest conventions of that party, and has always taken a prominent part in local politics. He was personally acquainted with President Lincoln, and heard him deliver his first campaign speech.

WILLIAM KELMEL.

Was born in Baden, Germany, on the first day of November, 1830. He came with his parents to the United States in 1831, landing at New York. They went to Zainesville, Ohio, and remained there about three years; then removed to another part of the state, and lived four years longer there. At the expiration of that time they removed to Jersey county, Illinois, and remained there during about six years. Came to Missouri in the year 1853, and stopping in Caldwell county, lived there until 1865, when our subject came to Ray county, and settled upon his present farm, where he has lived ever since. He owns two hundred and ninety-seven acres of good, rich land, in a fine state of cultivation, well watered and well improved. He is also engaged, to a considerable extent in raising and feeding good breeds of live stock. Mr. Kelmel was married on the 5th day of February, 1860, to Miss Martha Holman. They