Nodaway County

Few men of recent years in Union township could claim a surer place in the affections of his fellow citizens than that occupied by the late Adam Nelson Shelman, who was known as a man of courage, self-reliance and of the utmost integrity of purpose, as a result of which he stood high in the estimation of his neighbors and is therefore deserving of a place in the history of his county. Mr. Shelman was born in Breckenridge county, Kentucky, January 28, 1835, and after a successful and useful life he was called to his reward on July 12. 1898, […]

One of Green township’s old and highly respected farmers is W. Taylor Brown, a man worthy of the respect of his neighbors and friends, owing to his past life, which has been so carefully regulated as not to give offense to any one, willfully. He was born in Rock Castle county, Kentucky, April 14. 1844. and is the son of Stephen and Barbara Brown. He grew to maturity in his old Kentucky home and received some schooling in the old-time schools there. Leaving his native state, he came to Illinois and lived three years, coming to Nodaway county, Missouri, in

As a farmer in Polk township, Nodaway county, Charles H. Roney has done as much as any man in his township for the promotion of its interests and its moral, educational and material progress during the quarter of a century he has here resided. He stands high for integrity of character, his family being equally well respected with himself. Mr. Roney was born in Peoria county, Illinois, November t8, 1862. His father was Henry Roney and his mother Julia Roney. They were natives of Ireland, from which country they came to America when young, and married in Illinois. In the

One of the enterprising farmers of Polk township, Nodaway county, is Abraham Merrill, who was born in Wayne county, New York, April 3, 1843. the son Ripley and Maria (Van Alstine) Merrill, both natives of the state of New York, from whence they emigrated to Wisconsin when that state was a territory, about 1847, and settled in Rock county, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Abraham Merrill accompanied his parents to Rock county and was reared there and was living there when the Civil war began, and in July, 1862, he showed his patriotism by enlisting in Company

One of the most conspicuous figures in the history of Nodaway county, Missouri, is ex-County Judge John C. Curfman, for an enumeration of local citizens who have won honor and public recognition for themselves and at the same time have honored the community in w T hich they live would be incomplete without reference to him as a citizen, political advisor and business man, now living retired in his cozy home in Maryville after a long and eminently worthy career. Mr. Curfman is a native of the old Keystone state, having been born in Huntington county, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1843,