MISCELI^ANEOUS. 441 



the university on account of ill-health, and the war breaking out im- 

 mediately thereafter, his university career was permanently ended. 



He returned to his native State, married Lavinia, daughter of 

 Alfred Smith, one of the early settlers of Ralls county, and lived for a 

 short time on a farm in Pike county, Missouri, then returned to Ralls 

 county and purchased a farm adjoining the one on which his father had 

 settled. He remained on this farm until September, 1892, when he re- 

 moved to Canton, Missouri, to have the advantages of the Christian 

 University for his family, remaining there until December, 1905, when 

 he moved to Hope, Arkansas, to establish a new home. 



Among the chief characteristics of the man and of his career may be 

 Hientioned : 



He was essentially a pioneer, a pathfinder, a leader. He was among 

 the first men of his community to breed registered Shorthorn cattle and 

 registered Cotswold sheep at first, and later Shropshires and Berkshire 

 hogs. He was among the first of his community, and in the State, to 

 adopt a systematic rotation of crops and a definite plan of building up of 

 the fertilitv of his farm. 



He was a student, a man to xi^hom the intellectual side of farming ap- 

 pealed strongly, a man with a frail body, but a rugged, vigorous mind, a 

 man who, at the age of fifty, becoming interested in the science of agri- 

 culture, was able to master the fundamentals, the underlying principles 

 of the sciences in their relation to its practice, and to teach as sound 

 agriculture as the man who had had the benefit of an agricultural college 

 training. 



In addition to this, his acquaintance with the practical part of this 

 industry made his teaching of unusual value and importance. 



He was a peacemaker, and throughout his whole life acted as a 

 buffer between the contending elements of families, neighbors, poHtical 

 parties, etc., a friend to everybody at all times and under all circum- 

 stances. 



He was a philanthropist, with no thought or care for personal ad- 

 vantage or gain, and willing to give his best thought and effort to the 

 advancements of the interests of mankind. 



Above all, he was a true, Christian gentleman, living the simple 

 Christian life, ever ready to lend a helping hand to those in need. He 

 was an elder in the church of his choice for nearly fifty years. 



He is perhaps better known throughout the country as a farmers' 

 institute lecturer and an agricultural writer than in any other way. He 

 began his farmers' institute work in 1886, or seven years before any ap- 

 propriation was made for this purpose by the State, and at a time when 

 it was necessary for him to not only contribute his own time without 



