MURDOCK - James Murdock was born
and raised in Dublin, Ireland, but came to America prior to
the revolution, and took an active part on the American side
in that war. In one of the battles in which he was engaged,
he received a severe wound in his heel, and died from its effects
two years afterward. He had 7 children: Nancy, Grizey, Mary,
James, Alexander, John, and George. Nancy married JAMES CLAY,
who settled in St. Charles county. Alexander settled in St.
Charles county in 1806, and married MARY ZUMWALT. John married
LUCY GRIDER, and settled in St. Charles county. George married
CATHARINE KENNEDY. James married LYDIA BELL, and settled in
MO. in 1808.
MOORE - John Moore, who is still
living in St. Charles Co., near St. Peters, in his 89th year,
is of German parentage. His father came from S. C. to Philadelphia,
and learned the hatter's trade. There he became acquainted with
and married ELIZABETH BOBB, and they had 3 children: Thomas,
Maria and John. The two former died in infancy, and John learned
the cooper's trade. He remembers well when GEN. WASHINGTON died,
and saw him frequently before his death, as he often passed
his father's shop. When John was 21 years of age, he went to
KY., and lived in Lexington two and a half years. He then returned
to Philadelphia, where he remained 5 years, and then removed
to W. V. In 1822 he settled in St. Charles Co., where he has
since resided. He was married three times: first to FRANCES
DAWLINS; second to MARGARET MCCOY, and third to the WIDOW ELLER,
who abandoned him soon after their marriage.
MCKAY - Patrick McKay came to St.
Charles from Florissant, St. Louis Co., about the year 1825,
and died in 1834, his wife having died 2 years previously. Their
children were Susanna, Margaret, and Gregory. Susanna became
a member of the order of the Sacred Heart, and remained such
for 37 years. She died in 1861. Margaret married SIR WALTER
RICE, who held the various official positions of county surveyor,
recorder, Justice of the peace, and postmaster. He was also
a trustee of the Church of St. Charles up to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1859. Gregory died at the age of 21.
His widow is still living, in her 70th year; is healthy and
active, and bids fair to live to see many more years. She is
well educated, and retains her memory in a remarkable degree.
MCELHINEY - Dr. William G. McElhiney
and family, (at that time 4 in number) came from Beriar, Hartford
Co., MD., in 1837. He bought a farm and settled on the Booneslick
road, about 5 miles above St. Charles, where he lived 20 years,
and then removed to the city of St. Charles. The doctor was
born in Baltimore, Nov. 15, 1798, and retains a remarkable degree
of mental and physical vigor for a man of his age. He graduated
in medicine at the University of Maryland, in Baltimore, and
was soon afterward appointed Brigada Surgeon by the Governor
of the state; he also held the same position in MO. after his
removal. He was for many years, a prominent leader of politics
in his adopted state, but of late, has retired, in a measure,
from the political arena. He was elected by the Democrats to
represent St. charles Co. in the legislature, his opponent on
the Whig ticket being WILSON OVERALL. He was one of the messengers
that notified FRANKLIN PIERCE of his election as President of
the United States, and was a delegate to the Baltimore convention
that nominated BRECKINRIDGE and LANE as candidates for President
and Vice-President. He has served as curator of the state university
at Columbia, and was appointed by the governor as one of the
commissioners to locate the state insane asylum. The names of
his children were Martha M., Virginia, Cassandra, William H.,
James P., Missouri, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Henrietta,
William J., Mary Julia, Robert H., and Emma. Martha, Cassandra
and Emma died young, and Virginia died at the age of 12 years.
William H. was drowned. James P. is a graduate of the Old School
University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and resides near
Cottleville, where he is engaged in the practice of medicine.
He married EDNA GATY. Missouri married THOMAS GALLABER, who
died in 1867 at Minneapolis, Minn., where his widow now resides.
Georgia married W. W. ORRICK. Florida married WILLIAM H. GALLAHER,
who died at Minneapolis two years ago, and she now resides in
st. Charles. Louisiana married ROBERT F. LUCKETT; they reside
in St. Charles. Henrietta married LEE GATY, and lives in St.
Charles. Mary Julia married EDWARD S. LEWIS, son of HON. EDWARD
A. LEWIS, the distinguished jurist, and died in Augusta, Kansas.
Robert H. graduated in medicine at the MO. Medical College,
St. Louis, and in now practicing at New Melle, St. Charles County.
MCDEARMON. -- James R. McDearmon
and family came to St. Charles county in 1834. Mr. McDearmon
was an educated man, having graduated at St. Mary's College,
Virginia. After his settlement in St. Charles he became
an active participant in the politics of his adopted State,
and proved himself to be an able advocate of the principles
of the Democratic party. The Whigs at that time were in
the ascendancy, but his popularity, ability and honesty were
recognized by his political opponents, who repeatedly entrusted
him with important public affairs. He was Judge of the
County Court, and in 1844 became a candidate for the Legislature,
but was defeated by the superior numbers of the Whig party.
The following year he was appointed by Gov. John C. Edwards
to the position of Auditor of State, which at that time was
designated as Auditor of Public Accounts. He held this
office until his death, which occurred in 1848. He had
eight children -- Aurelia, John K., Thomas H., James R., Francis
L., William N., Theodiric Fr., and Albert G. John K. has
for many years been prominent in the politics of his State and
county, and, like his father, is a staunch advocate of Democratic
Principles. He was a student of the State University at
Columbia, but was prevented from graduating by the death of
his father. He read law at Jefferson City under General
Monroe M. Parsons, who was killed in Mexico by Mexican soldiers,
since the late war between the North and South. He finished
his readings in the office of Robert H. Parks, at St. Charles;
was admitted to the bar, and practiced his profession for about
two years. He was Public Administrator in 1852-53, and
is at present County Clerk, a position to which he has been
elected several times. His wife was Lucy A. Orrick.
Thomas H. McDearmon was elected County Clerk in 1853, but died
before he entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office.
James R. died in his 19th year, and was at the time editor of
the St. Charles Chronotype. Francis L. died in his 18th
year. William N. married Laura Sigerson, and lives in
Kansas City. He is connected with the St. Louis, Kansas
City and Northern R. W., and is one of the police Commissioners.
Theodoric is a prominent attorney of St. Charles, and his name
has been mentioned as a candidate for Congress on the Democratic
ticket. Albert G. married Mary Ferguson. Aurelia
is a distinguished teacher, having been engaged in that profession
for more than eighteen years. The widow of James R. McDearmon
is still living, in her 75th year. [p. 167]
MURPHY.-- John Murphy, of Ireland,
settled in Virginia. He married Elizabeth Maling, of England,
and they had three children -- Alexander, Nancy, and Travis.
Alexander moved to Kentucky, and from there to Ohio, and died
a bachelor. Nancy married John Gaff, of Fauquier Co.,
Va. Travis settled in St. Charles county in 1834, where
he is still living, in his 95th year. He married Sally
Campbell, of Virginia, in 1799, and they had six children --
Alfred, Eliza, John A., Rosanna, Julia, and William A.
Alfred lives in Georgia. Eliza married Richard B. Keeble,
who settled in St. Charles county in 1833. John A. died
at Independence, Mo. Rosanna married Henry Lawler, of
Virginia, who settled in St. Charles county in 1834. Julia
was married first to Humphrey Best, and second to John Overall,
and now lives in St. Louis. William A. died single.
Travis Murphy was a soldier in the war of 1812, and has never
been afraid to stand up and fight for his rights. [p. 170]
MCATEE - James McAtee and his wife,
whose maiden name was ELLEN MONTGOMERY, were natives of Montgomery
Co., Maryland; their parents came from Ireland. They had several
children, among whom were three sons, Elias, James and Ignatius.
Elias married HENRIETTA MAGRUDER, who was of Scotch descent,
and settled in Union Co., KY. The names of their children were
John R., Stephen T., Mary, Elizabeth, Rose, Teresa and Maria.
John R. became blind, and died in KY., unmarried. Stephen T.
married CATHARINE BOWLES. Mary married VERNON BROWN, who settled
in Madison Co., MO. in 1823. Elizabeth married BENEDICT WATHEN,
of Illinois. Rose married WALTER BOWLES. Teresa married LEO
BOWLES, and Maria died in childhood. Stephen T. McAtee removed
from KY. to MO., and settled in St. Charles Co. in 1834. Mr.
McAtee was prompt and reliable in all the transactions of life,
and was universally respected by all who knew him. He held the
office of Justice of the peace for 17 years, and died in 1863,
at the age of 64 years. His widow is still living at the old
homestead, in her 78th year. their children were Walter P.,
Mary H., John P., James E., (the two latter were twins), Stephen
H., Thomas J., Phillip C., and George A.
MOORE - Zachariah Moore of Maryland,
was of English parentage. He married ELSIE BORN, and in 1810,
with his wife and 8 children, settled in St. Charles Co., MO.,
on the Missouri river. The names of their children were Elsie,
Caroline, Creene, Maria, Thomas, Harriet, James D. and Elizabeth.
Elsie married JAMES GILLETT, and moved to Texas, where they
both died, leaving 7 children. Caroline married JAMES BEATTY,
who lives in St. Louis. Creene married JOHN BOONE, and they
both died, leaving several children. Maria married HORACE MOORE,
her cousin. They died without children. Thomas settled first
in Texas, and afterward moved to California. Harriet was married
first to MR. DEZANE, and they had 1 child. After his death,
she married CYRUS CARTER, and died, leaving 2 children by him.
James D., better known as "Duke" Moore, married CATHARINE WARD,
daughter of WILLIAM WARD and CATHARINE FRAZIER. The father of
the latter owned the land upon which the first battle of the
revolution was fought. He joined the American army and served
during the war. Elizabeth Moore married HORACE BEATTY, and settled
in Morgan Co., MO.
MCCLUER.-- John McCluer was a soldier
in the war of the revolution. He married his cousin, Nancy
McCluer, the ceremony being performed at the Natural Bridge,
in Virginia. They were of Scotch-Irish descent.
The names of their children were -- Arthur, John, Nathan, Robert,
Catharine, Jeanette, Nancy, and Elizabeth. Nathan married
Jane McClenny. Catharine married Samuel McCarkill.
Jeannette married her cousin, John McCluer. Elizabeth
married a Mr. Tedford. Nancy married James Alexander and
his wife died in St. Charles county, the latter in 1833, and
the former in 1835. Robert McCluer was a physician.
He also served as a soldier in the war of 1812. He was
married in 1816 to Sophia Campbell, a daughter of Dr. Samuel
L. Campbell and sister of Hon. William M. Campbell. In
the fall of 1829, he settled in St. Charles county, with his
family, consisting of his wife and five children -- Jeannette
C., Samuel C., John A., Susan T.,, and Sally. Two other
children, Nancy and Robert, were born after they settled in
Missouri. Dr. McCluer died in 1834 at the age of 42 years,
and his wife died in 1866, in her 72d year. John, Susan,
and Sally McCluer died young. Jeannette married John B.
Muschany, and had seven children. He died in 1861.
Samuel C. married Lucretia C. Fawcett, and they had ten children.
Nancy married Rev. Thomas Watson. They had nine children.
Robert married Ellen S. Brown, and they had eight children.
MEEK - William Meek and his wife,
of Greenbriar Co., VA., settled in Woodford Co., KY., in 1804,
and in 1806 they removed to MO., in company with DAVID KINCAID
and family. They left KY on a flat-boat of their own construction,
on which they had their families, their horses, sheep, cows,
hogs and household goods. The boat sank before they reached
the mouth of the Ohio river, and they then transferred their
families and household goods to keel-boats, and drove the stock
through by land. While Mr. Meek lived in VA., his mother, wife
and two children, (James and Rebecca) were captured by the Indians,
but were rescued three days afterward by a party of white men
who had gone in pursuit. The Indians placed Mr. Meek's mother
on a wild young colt, thinking it would run away and kill her,
but the colt, seeming to appreciate the value of his burden,
acted like an old, gentle horse, and she was not hurt. Mr. Meek
and his wife had 14 children, five of whom died young. Those
who lived were John, Rebecca, James, Samuel, Sally, Polly, Benjamin,
Joseph and Isaac. John was drowned in KY. Rebecca, James, Samuel,
Sally, Benjamin, Joseph and Isaac all returned to KY., where
they lived and died. Polly was married in 1807 to JOHN RAMSEY,
son of CAPT. WILLIAM RAMSEY. They walked 15 miles to the house
of a Justice of the Peace to be married, who performed the ceremony
free of charge. POLLY BRYAN, wife of DAVID BRYAN, who was an
old lady and wore a cap, acted as bridesmaid, while HENRY BRYAN,
her brother-in-law, officiated as groomsman. Mr. Ramsey was
an invalid, and died in 1815. He was compelled to make frequent
visits to KY to consult his physician, as there were o physicians
in MO at that time, and his wife always accompanied him. These
trips were made on horseback, and they often had to swim the
rivers that lay in their course. On one occasion, they were
accompanied by DAVID MCKINNEY, ALECK MCPHEETERS, and a MR. CRAWFORD,
and on reaching White river, they camped for the night. Next
morning, they all prepared to swim the river on their horses,
and McPheeters went first, carrying their bag of provisions,
and his saddle bags containing his clothing, etc. The current
was very strong, and it carried away his saddle-bags and the
bag of provisions, and they had to go without anything to eat
for 2 days, as there were no settlements where they could obtain
supplies. after the death of Mr. Ramsey, his widow married COL.
FRANCIS HOWELL, in Dec. 1816, who died a few years ago, and
left her a widow again. She is living at Mechanicsville, St.
Charles co., in her 88th year.
MCGOWEN - Henry McGowen, of Ireland,
was a soldier of the rev. war. He married ATHA RATCLIFF, of
Maryland, and they had 6 children: Daniel, Mary A., Margaret,
Julia A., Henry and Martha. Daniel served as a soldier in the
war of 1812. He married FRANCES CORLEY, and settled in St. Charles
Co. in 1833. They had 10 children: Henry C., Sarah E., Arthur
M., Daniel T., George I., Francis M., Polly A., Luther A., James
A., and Martha J.
MALLERSON - Thomas Mallerson,
of Connecticut, married AMY NEWTON, and moved to Alleghany co.,
Pa. Their children were Elijah, Elizabeth, Lucinda, and another
daughter, who married a man named THANKFUL HAYS. Elijah married
MIRANDA ROBBINS, of PA., and settled in St. Charles co. in 1818.
Their children were Amy, Lucinda, Elias, Moses N., Abigail,
Frances W., Thomas and Walter P. Amy married MICHAEL SHURE,
of St. Louis. Lucinda married JOHN C. MITTLEBERGER, of St. Charles
Co. Elias, Abigail, Thomas and Walter P., all died unmarried.
Frances W. married NICHOLAS FICKLIN. Moses N. married MARGARET
V. MCCLUER, daughter of JAMES A. MCCLUER, of Pike Co.
MACKEY - James Mackey, of Scotland,
came to America in 1776, when he was 17 years of age. He settled
in St. Louis, and was the first English speaking white man who
ever came west of the Mississippi river. Mr. Mackey was well
educated, and understood surveying, which secured him employment
for a number of years under the Spanish and French governments.
He was out four years on an exploring and surveying expedition,
accompanied by a Frenchman and three Indians, who acted as chain-bearers
and flagmen, and during their absence, they came near starving
to death. In 1803, Mr. Mackey was appointed Commandant of the
territory of Upper Louisiana, with his headquarters at St. Louis.
At 40 years of age, he was married to ISABELLA L. LONG, who
was in her 17th year. Her parents came from VA. to St. Louis
in 1800. Mr. Mackey died in 1821, but his widow lived until
1860. The names of their children were John Z., Eliza L., Catharine
M., Julia J., William R., George A., James B., Amelia A., and
isabella L. John Z. married the WIDOW KERKER, whose maiden name
was MARIA ROBINSON. Eliza L. married REUBEN COLEMAN, of KY.
Catharine M. married LOUIS GUION, of St. Louis. Mr. Guion's
mother brought a small trunk with her when she came to America,
that is now two hundred years old, and is in the possession
of Mrs. THOMAS CHAPMAN, of Montgomery Co., MO. Julia j., Mackey
married DAVID BOWLES. George A. married FANNIE MILLER, of Jefferson
Co., MO. William K. died in childhood. James B. married SARAH
HALL, of Franklin Co., MO Amelia A. married WILLIAM A. COLEMAN,
of KY. Isabella L. married SIMEON L. BARKER, of KY., and their
son, S. M. BARKER, is now the county clerk of Montgomery Co.
Mr. Mackey built the first brick house in St. Louis. On the
13th of Oct., 1797, the Spanish authorities granted him 13855
arpents of land, lying on both sides of Cuivre river, now in
St. Charles and Lincoln counties; also 545 arpents in another
tract, on the same river; 5,280 arpents on the Mississippi river
and 10,340 arpents in St. Charles district. These grants were
made for services rendered the Commercial Company of the Missouri
rover, on a voyage of discovery up that stream, made by order
of BARON DE CARONDELET. It was intended that the party should
be absent 6 years, but they returned in 4, having exhausted
their supplies. In addition to these grants, Mr. Mackey received
30,000 arpents of land for his services as commandant in 1803.
This last grant embraced a considerable portion of land within
the present limits of St. louis, and he donated a graveyard
to the city, which is now covered with valuable buildings. Mr.
Mackey was a fine musician, and brought with him from Scotland,
a violin and flute, both of which are in the possession of his
grandchildren. The violin has been in use so long that a hole
is worn through it by the friction of the chin.
MCCOY. -- Daniel McCoy, for whom
McCoy's creek is named, came to Missouri, or Upper Louisiana,
in 1797, in company with his brothers, John and Joseph, and
his father-in-law, Henry Zumwalt. In 1804 Mr. McCoy was
commissioned Lieutenant of a company of militia in St. Charles
district, and served until the close of the Indian war in 1815,
when he was discharged. His discharge papers were signed
by Capt. Bailey, who was First Lieutenant in Capt. Callaway's
company before the death of the latter. Mr. McCoy married Rachel
Zumwalt, by whom he had eight children -- John, Frances, Sarah,
nancy, Elizabeth, Mahala, Margaret, and Joseph. John died
single. Frances married her cousin, William McCoy, a son
of James McCoy, who settled in St. Charles county in 1814.
They had ten children -- Nathan, Rachel, Susan, Lucinda, John,
Elizabeth, Mary, William, James M. and Frances. Sarah
McCoy married Fred. Keishler, who settled in Lincoln county.
Nancy married John Cain, who settled in St. Charles county.
Elizabeth married Phillip Cannon, of St. Charles county.
Margaret married James Tenney, of St. Charles county.
Joseph died a bachelor, in St. Charles county, in 1849.
(Children of James McCoy, Sr.) James, Jr., came to Missouri
with his father in 1814. He married Rachel Doty, and settled
in Lincoln county. Four of his brothers, John, Martin,
Benjamin, and David, also settled in that county. John
McCoy, Sr., brother of Daniel, had four sons -- David, John,
Joseph, and Timothy. David and John settled in Texas.
Timothy, usually called Tim, was an original character, and
we give some anecdotes of him elsewhere. He married Sarah
Van Burkleo, daughter of William Van Burkleo. [p. 174]
MORRISON - William, James and
Jesse Morrison, were natives of the state of New Jersey. William
settled at Kaskaskia, Illinois, and made a fortune merchandising.
James and Jesse settled in the town of St. Charles in 1800.
In 1804, James went to New Orleans and purchased a hogshead
of sugar, and as he returned, he peddled it out to the settlers,
but had enough left upon his arrival in St. Charles, to supply
the wants of the people of that county for 3 years. Several
years afterward, he and his brother bought the salt works at
Boone's Lick, and operated them for some time. James finally
bought his brother's interest in the works, and the latter went
to the lead mines at Galena, Illinois. The two brothers married
sisters, French ladies named SAUCIER, of Portage des Sioux.
James Morrison had 6 children: Adeline, Caroline, Frize, William,
James, and another son, whose name we could not obtain, and
who was killed by an accidental discharge of his gun, the ramrod
passing through his head. Adeline married JUDGE FRANCIS YOSTI
of St. Charles. Caroline married WILLIAM G. PETTIS. Frize married
GEORGE COLLIER. When James Morrison courted his sweetheart,
she could speak on a few words of broken English, and he could
not speak a word of French. So their courtship had to be carried
on principally by those glances of the eye which speak love
from one soul to another, and it would doubtless have been a
very slow process if the lady had not, with true French tact,
brought matters to an immediate crisis. When she met him at
his second visit, she blushingly inquired: "What for you come
here so much? Do you want to marry me?" If you do, you must
marry me tomorrow, or there is another man who will marry me
in two days". That settled the matter, and they were married
forthwith.
MILLINGTON, - Dr. Jerry Millington,
and his brothers, Seth and Ira, were natives of the state of
New York. They settled in St. Charles co. at a very early date,
and the doctor was the first physician that located in that
county. Seth Millington settled on a farm in 1818, and planted
a large orchard. He also planted mulberry trees, and procured
silk worms and made silk. Ira was a wheel-wright, and built
the first shop of that kind in St. Charles.
MCNAIR - David McNail was a brother
of Governor McNail. He lived in St. Charles at an early date,
and built the first ice house ever erected there. He married
a MISS FLORATHAY, and they had 2 children, a son and a daughter.
MCPHEETERS - Theophilus and
Dr. James McPheeters settled in St. Charles Co. in 1816. The
former bought 40 acres of land near the city, and went to farming.
He had 2 horses, which he brought with him, and every time they
could get out of the lot, they would swim the river and go back
to their old home. Mr. McPheeters was an educated man, and would
farm during the summer and teach school in the winter. He built
a house with a very steep roof, and the cone was so sharp that
all the birds that lit upon it had their toes cut off. (We don't
believe this yarn, but anybody else that wants to can.) Dr.
McPheeters went south to practice his profession.
MILLER - Judge robert Miller and
his brother, Fleming, of VA., settled in St. Charles county,
near Cottleville, in 1824. They married 2 sisters, named SIMONS.
The Judge was a staunch Democrat, and a shrewd politician, and
represented his county in the legislature several times. He
was also a good farmer, and always got the premium on wheat.
He had 9 children, 3 sons and 6 daughters.
MCDONALD - Archibald McDonald,
of Scotland, had 4 children: two sons and two daughters. One
of the sons, named Donald, married SARAH CRITTENDEN, of Hampton
Co., VA., and their son, Dennis, married FRANCES ORRICK, daughter
of NICHOLAS ORRICK and MARY PENDLETON, of VA., by whom he had
15 children, viz: Donald, Elenora, Edward C., Lucy V., Mary
F., John W., Louisa, Orrick, Agnes, Glenroy, Scotland, Dennis,
Maud, and two who died in childhood. John, a son of Donald McDonald,
married ELENORA TIDBALL, and settled in St. Charles Co. in 1836.
Their children were Anna E., James B., Lucella, Frances, Gertrude,
Edgar, Scott and Elenora.
NICHOLS - Rev. Joseph Nichols,
of England, came to America and settled in PA. in 1830; and
in 1834 he removed to St. charles Co., MO. He afterwards removed
to Warren Co., where he resided until his death, which occurred
in 1872, in his 84th year. He belonged to the Missionary Baptist
Church, and organized a church at Mount Hope, in St. Charles
Co., and one at Warrenton. He married MARTHA R. COOK, of England,
and their children were Ebenezer, Reuben, Emma, Rhoda, and Edwin.
Rhoda married FRANK A. FREYMUTH, of St. Charles Co., who is
a native of Prussia. His father came to America with his family
in 1834, and settled in St. Charles Co. The names of Mr. Freymuth's
children were Elizabeth, Clara, Gertrude, Frank A., Mary B.,
Frederick A., Joseph A., Theresa A., frances, Phillip, and Albert.
OVERALL - Wilson L. Overall, Sr.,
of Davidson Co., TN., was killed by the Indians. The names of
his children were Isaac, William, Nathaniel, Wilson L., Jr.,
and Elizabeth. Nathaniel settled in St. Charles Co. in 1797.
He married SUSAN SQUIRES and they had 4 children: Louisiana,
Isaac, Jackson and Eliza. Wilson L., Jr., also settled in St.
charles Co. and became County judge. He married MARY GRIFFITH
and the names of their children were Ezra, Daniel, William,
Samuel, Wilson, Asa, Richard H., Lucretia, and Mary. His first
wife died and he was married the second time to the WIDOW GOULD,
by whom he had 1 son, Oscar. His second wife died, also, and
he was married the third time to the WIDOW PATTON, by whom he
had 3 children: Hannah M., John H., and Eliza. Elizabeth, daughter
of Wilson L. Overall, Sr., married WILLIAM R. MILLER, who was
killed by the Indians while on a hunting and trapping expedition,
and his head was cut off and placed on a pole by the roadside.
ORRICK. -- The parents of Capt.
John Orrick were natives of Virginia, but of English ancestry.
The Captain was born at Bath, or Warm Springs, Berkeley Co.,
Va., January 5, 1805. His father was a planter, and he
followed the same occupation until he was thirteen years of
age, when he was apprenticed to learn merchandising, at Reading,
Pa., where he resided three years. In the meantime he
had saved a portion of his earnings, and during the excitement
in the Pittsfield coal regions he purchased, with the assistance
of his former employer, some property, from the sale of which
he realized a profit of $1,000 in the short space of six weeks.
He then removed to Boonesboro, Md., and in partnership with
his brother, went into the mercantile business. But their
success did not meet their expectations, and in 1833 they sold
out, emigrated to Missouri, and located in St. Charles, where
they resumed their mercantile business, and met with great success.
But unfortunately they made heavy advances to parties engaged
in the fur trade in the mountains, and in 1836, owing to the
low stage of water, which obstructed navigation, and the hostility
of the Indians on the upper rivers, they met with heavy losses,
and were compelled to suspend. Previous to this misfortune
Cap. Orrick had been elected Justice of the Peace, and in 1840
he was elected Sheriff of the county, on the Whig ticket.
At the expiration of his term he was re-elected, and served
four years in all. In 1844 the Whigs elected him to represent
the county in the Lower House of the State Legislature.
At the close of his term he engaged in farming, which occupation
he followed for about two years, and then went into the boating
business. In 1851 he took the united States census for
St. Charles county, and when the North Missouri railroad was
built he became one of the directors, in which capacity he served
about four years. Capt. Orrick was married in 1833, to
Urila Stanebru, of Washington Co., Md. One of his sons,
Hon. John C. Orrick, represented St. Charles county in the State
Legislature two terms, and was chosen Speaker of the House the
last term. He is a graduate of St. Charles College, having
received his diploma from Dr. Anderson. He is at present
a prominent attorney of St. Louis, and a leader of the Republican
party of the State. [p. 177]
PEREAU - Joseph Pereau was born
in Montreal, Canada, March 15, 1775, and settled in St. Charles,
MO., sometime during the latter part of the Spanish rule. On
the 13th of Jan., 1807, he was married to MARIE LOUISE SAVOY,
who was an only child, by whom he had Charles, Joseph P., Isidore,
Catharine M., Mary L., Sulpice P., Alexander, Ursula M., and
Eleanor M. Mr. Pereau died of cholera in 1833. He possessed
many good qualities of head and heart, and is remembered with
pleasure by the older citizens of St. Charles. After his death,
his widow married MR. LATTRAILLE, who she also survived. Her
death occurred in 1847. charles Pereau married LOUISE DODIER,
and died a month after. His widow subsequently married MR. LORAIN,
and she died about 4 years ago. Joseph P. married MARTHA MARTINIQUE,
who died five years afterward. In 1833, Mr. Pereau, in company
with his brothers, opened a brickyard in St. Charles, after
which he spent twenty-five years in the employ of the american
Fur Company, under the various firms of CHOUTEAU, SARPIE, and
the BAKER BROTHERS, at Forts Union and Benton, in the capacity
of Indian trader and trapper. He is now living in Richardson
Co., Nebraska. Isidore Pereau died in his 17th year. Catherine
M. died in infancy. Mary L. married her cousin, WILLIAM S. PEREAU,
who came to St. Charles from Montreal, Canada, in 1831. They
were married by REV. CHARLES VAN QUICKENBORN, S. J., under whose
supervision the Church of St. Charles was built. Mrs. Pereau
and others were the last who received their first communion
in the old log church, which stood on Main street, part of the
square being now occupied as a lumber yard by HOLRAH & MACHANS,
and which is well remembered by the older Catholics of St. Charles.
A portion of the square was used as a cemetery in early days.
Of that party of young communicants, only 3 are living, viz:
MISS LOUISE CAUVIN, (at present residing in St. Louis), MRS.
IOTT, and MRS. PEREAU. The pastor at that time was REV. P. J.
VERHÆGAN , S. J., who died in 1868. He was closely identified
with the early history of the church, and his memory will ever
be cherished by his parishioners. Mrs. P. was also one of the
first who was confirmed in the then new stone church, which
was torn down several years ago to make room for the new, large,
and handsome brick structure erected within the last eight years
by REV JOHN ROES, S. J. BISHOP ROSATI administered confirmation
to the applicants. SULPICE PEREAU died at the age of 20. Alexander
married the widow of HOLLAND RICE, whose maiden name was ELIZA
EARL. In 1864 he went to California from Lexington, MO., and
is supposed to be dead, as he mysteriously disappeared from
his family and has never since been heard from. His family reside
in Oakland, Cal. Ursula M. married SAMUEL J. TYNER, and died
in Hopkinsville, Ky., in 1862. two of her children, Eleanor
B. and Andrew, are living in St. charles County, the former
having married CHRISTY P. MCATEE; another, Mary J., living near
Grenada, Miss., married SAMUEL HARPER; thomas J. is practicing
medicine in Memphis, and Samuel is living in Christian Co.,
KY., also her other children. Eleanor M. was married twice.
Her first husband was WILLIAM L. EARL who died in Lexington,
MO. in 1852. They had 2 children, one of whom died. The other,
James A., married the eldest daughter of AUGUST GAMACHE, and
resides in South St. Louis, Station B. She was married the 2nd
time to JOSEPH POURCILLIE, of South St. Louis, Station B., where
she now resides. Wm. S. and Mary L. Pereau had 6 children: Thomas
C., Priscilla L., Joseph H., William A., Mary U., and Charles
B. Thomas C. and Charles B. died in infancy. Priscilla L. married
BENJAMIN PARHAM, and died in 1856. joseph H. married his cousin,
MARTHA P. PEREAU. During his youth he traveled extensively over
California and Mexico, operating in the mines. He subsequently
returned to St. Charles, and in Oct., 1871, in company with
his brother, William A. Pereau and WILLIAM S. BRYAN, established
the St. Charles News. The following year he disposed of his
interest in that paper and removed to Nebraska, where he has
since resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits. William A.
Pereau is well known in St. Charles, from his connection with
the various newspaper establishments of that place. He was a
soldier of the "Lost Cause," and participated in a number of
the hottest contests of that war. In Feb. 1873, after having
disposed of his interest in the St. Charles News, he went to
Texas and traded in "long horns", and, in a financial point
of view, got badly "hoisted". Mary U. married JOSEPH MCDONALD,
of St. Charles county, and is now residing near Dawson's Mill,
Richardson Co., Nebraska.
PEARCE - Gideon Pearce, of England,
settled in the state of Maryland, on the Chesapeake Bay, about
the year 1675. He had a grandson named THOMAS PEARCE, who was
married 3 times. The name of his last wife was ANN EVERT, by
whom he had 5 children: Gideon, James, Thomas, Jr., Elizabeth
and Bartrus. Gideon, James and Bartrus died in Maryland, unmarried.
Thomas, Jr., married CATHARINE COMEGYS, of Maryland, and settled
in St. Charles Ci., MO., in 1820. They had 10 children: Anna,
Maria, Elinga, Miranda, Caroline, William, Catharine, Thomas,
Matilda, and Benjamin. Anna married CAUTIOUS MONEY, and returned
to Maryland. Maria was married twice, first to RICHARD TALBOTT,
and second to HENRY RENGO. Elinga married, lived and died in
Maryland. Miranda and Catharine died young. william married
EVE BALDRIDGE. Thomas married MRS. ELIZABETH WETMORE. Matilda
married JONATHAN ZUMWALT. Benjamin married MARTHA CAMP.
PITMAN - The grandfather of the
Pitman families of St. Charles and Montgomery counties came
to America with the Penn colony in 1681; but he afterward settled
in Campbell Co., VA. His grandchildren were William, Thomas,
John, and two daughters, Mrs. HALL, and Mrs. GILL, whose first
names we could not obtain. William was one of the early pioneers
of KY., on the Daniel Boone order. He lived and died in that
state. Thomas married a MISS BERRY, of Warren Ci., KY., and
they had 5 sons and several daughters. One of the daughters,
named Rachel, married CHRISTOPHER HUTCHINGS, who settled in
St. Charles Co. in 1811. They had Albert G., Beverly T., Christopher,
Melvina and Nancy. Richard B., a son of Thomas Pitman, married
LUCINDA HUTCHINGS, and settled in St. Charles Co. in 1811. They
died and left two sons, James M., and Andrew J. The former moved
to Quincy, Illinois. John Pitman, a brother of Thomas, settled
in St. Charles county in 1810. He married DOROTHY ROBINSON,
of VA., by whom he had 3 sons and 1 daughter: Christopher I.,
Irvine S., Peyton R., and Mary I. His first wife dying, he was
married the second time to the WIDOW BURNS PRICE, of VA., whose
maiden name was MAGDELENE IRVINE. She bore him one son, David
K., and died in 1830. Mr. Pitman died in 1859, in his 86th year.
Christopher, the eldest son of John Pitman, died in infancy.
Irvine S., was married first to NANCY TALBOTT, daughter of COL.
HALE TALBOTT, whose wife's maiden name was JANE IRVINE. After
her death, he married RACHEL SWET. Mr. Pitman was a tanner by
trade, and built a tanyard on Massey's creek, in (now) Warren
County. In 1821, GOV. MCNAIR commissioned him Colonel of the
15th regiment of Missouri state militia. He was also the first
sheriff of Montgomery Co., and served as county judge of that
county for several terms. Mr. Pitman was a good violinist, and
very fond of dancing. Mary I. Pitman married THOMAS D. STEPHENSON,
of KY. David K., now living in St. Charles Co., was married
first to CAROLINE L. HICKMAN, o Clark Co., KY., who was a daughter
of RICHARD HICKMAN and LYDIA CALLAWAY. His 2nd wife was ELIZA
H. BAKER. Mr. Pitman has for many years been a leading member
of the southern methodist church, and has filled many prominent
and responsible positions to the entire satisfaction of his
brethren. He has had much to do with the educational institutions
of that church, and his son, PROF. R. H. PITMAN, Principal of
the methodist Female college at Fayette, Mo., is well known
all over the state as an experienced and successful educator.
PRICE - Mike Price, a German, settled
in St. Charles county at a very early date. He married NANCY
WELDON, and they had William B., John, Absalom, Miletus, George
and Allen. William B. married and had but one child, a daughter,
who married an Irishman named TIM SWEENEY. REV.
THOMAS WATSON performed the ceremony, and as soon as he
was done, Tim pulled out his pocket-book and paid the fee, before
he had seated his bride. He had provided a jug of good whisky,
which he left on the outside, and the married fee having been
satisfactorily arranged, Tim invited the parson out to take
a drink, which he, of course, declined. Tim went home that night
without his bride, and came back after her the next ay. In about
twenty years, they had 12 children, and Tim surprised the district
school master one morning by presenting himself at the door
of the school house with nine of them, to be placed under his
charge. He said he would have brought 3 more, but their mother
hadn't finished their clothes. They were promptly on hand next
morning, and increased the number of pupils to respectable proportions.
PALLARDIE - Pierre Pallardie
is probably the oldest native-born citizen of St. Charles county.
He was born in that county in 1800, and has lived continuously
in the city and county ever since. His father came to St. Charles
at an early date, and died on Peruque creek, twenty-five years
ago. Mr. Pallardie has lived as his present residence on Fifth,
between Lawrence and Lewis streets, for 39 years. In his boyhood
days, that locality abounded in deer, wild turkeys, and other
game, and a man could kill all he wanted, and more, too., without
exhausting the supply. After he began housekeeping, he frequently
had as many as two hundred smoked venison hams ahead of his
immediate wants, and often fed them to the hogs in order to
get them out of the way. The howl of the wolf broke the stillness
of the woods at night, and sheep-raising was a precarious business.
They also had black-tailed elk and a few bear. Their plows in
those days were made entirely of wood, and the only vehicle
which approximated a wagon wa the French charrette, a two-wheeled
concern, with no tires on the wheels. Tar was unknown, and they
greased the axles with fiante de vache, (fianie?) and at a later
date, soft soap. Mr. Pallardie is still able to do a day's work
in the harvest field and he possesses great activity for a man
of his advanced age. His health has always been god, probably
because he relied more upon nature to keep his system in tone
than upon nostrums and medicines. He remembers the following
physicians who practiced in St. Charles city and county during
his younger days: REYNAL, MILLINGTON, WILSON, STODDARD, GRAHAM,
TWYMAN, LAY and WATSON. The latter came to St. Charles in 1833.
Mr. Pallardie has been married 3 times: first to ELIZABETH CORNOYER;
second to EULALIE SARIE; and third to SARAH JANE COLE. He has
had 21 children in all, only ten of whom are living. His first
wife had 2 children, both of whom are dead. A son of one of
these children resides in Montgomery county. By his 2nd wife,
he had 12 children, four of whom are living - Francis L., August,
Elizabeth, and John. Francis L. has been in the Indian country
for many years, and has made frequent visits to Washington with
delegations of Indian chiefs, as interpreter. When last heard
from, he was traveling toward the Black Hills. august is a broom
maker, and lives with his father. Elizabeth married LOUIS MCDONALD,
and lives in Livingston county. John resides at Colorado Springs.
By his last wife, Mr. Pallardie had 7 children, five of whom
are living, the other two having died in in fancy. The names
of the survivors are: Sophie, Alberteen, Michael, Mary E., and
George. Sophie married EDWARD DEVERSIS, and lives near Florissant,
in St. Louis county.
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